Tunisian former Prime Minister Ali Larayedh has been sentenced to 34 years in prison for allegedly facilitating the departure of fighters to Syria. Larayedh, who served from 2013 to 2014, has been in detention since 2022. The sentencing follows the arrest of Ahmed Souab, a popular critic of President Saied’s administration, and it also comes after new prison terms were sentenced for political opponents, media figures, and businesspeople on conspiracy charges. Despite protests from oppositions, the government denies all terrorism-related allegations and maintains Tunisia’s judiciary’s independence.
The United Nations court, on Monday, dismissed a Sudanese case accusing the United Arab Emirates of violating the 1948 genocide convention by arming and funding the rebel paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the Sudanese civil war. The International Court of Justice was found to lack the authority to continue proceedings. Sudan had requested provisional measures from the court in March, including urging the UAE to prevent killings and other crimes targeting the Masalit people, but the UAE argued that the court had no jurisdiction. The Sudan conflict escalated in mid-April 2023 when tensions between Sudan’s military and rival paramilitary forces escalated in the capital, Khartoum.
A drone attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) hit a military airport in Port Sudan on Sunday, marking the first time RSF attacks have reached the city since the conflict between warring factions erupted two years ago. The RSF launched several “suicide drones” at the eastern Red Sea port city, targeting the Osman Digna Air Base, a goods warehouse, and some civilian facilities. Port Sudan was considered one of the safest places in the war-ravaged nation, and after the SAF lost control of Khartoum, it became the de facto headquarters for the military-led government. UN agencies also moved their offices and staff to the coastal city, and hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians have fled there during the war.
Greece and Egypt reaffirmed their commitment on Wednesday to a proposed undersea electricity interconnection, aiming to transport renewable energy from North Africa to Europe. The 3,000-megawatt cable, which will stretch nearly 1,000 kilometers across the eastern Mediterranean, has secured EU funding. The talks also touched upon regional security, migration challenges, and ways to strengthen Egypt’s relationship with the EU. The agreement also includes energy cooperation and expanded seasonal employment for Egyptian workers in Greece.
Mali’s military government has suspended political parties until further notice, following a pro-democracy rally. The decree, signed by transitional president General Assimi Goita, cited public order reasons and covered all political associations. The announcement follows a controversial national conference last week, which recommended appointing Goita as president and dissolving existing political parties. This sparked outrage among political actors, who argued the conference did not reflect the Malian people’s will.
The US is cutting $50 million in aid to Zambia’s health sector due to the country’s failure to address the theft of donated drugs and medical supplies. The decision was made after warnings to the Zambian government to safeguard vital drugs for vulnerable patients. The Zambian government has taken measures to tackle the issue, and Health Minister Elijah Muchima thanked the US for its “generous support”. The US accounts for about a third of public health spending in Zambia. The US discovered the theft of medical products, which were intended to be distributed for free to the public, and found over 2,000 pharmacies selling donated drugs and supplies in a year-long investigation.
Nigeria has fully repaid $3.4 billion of emergency funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) as of April 30, 2025. The facility was designed to help countries with balance of payments needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and oil price decline. However, Nigeria is still obligated to make annual payments of $30 million in Special Drawing Rights (SDR) charges. The repayment schedule is structured over a five-year period with a 3.25-year grace period.
Rwanda is in preliminary discussions to accept immigrants deported from the United States, stated Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe during a televised broadcast on Sunday evening. Notwithstanding rights organizations’ worries that Kigali violates some of the most basic human rights, Rwanda has recently positioned itself as a destination for migrants that Western nations would like to see removed, after US President Donald Trump initiated a broad immigration crackdown and attempted to halt the US refugee resettlement program.
Burundi officially launched its 2025 election campaign season on May 9, marking the start of the pre-campaign period for legislative and communal elections. The event, attended by political party representatives, candidates, and President Évariste Ndayishimiye, marked a historic democratic milestone. President Ndayishimiye urged neutrality and peaceful campaigning, but opposition voices raised concerns over alleged political intolerance.
Togo’s opposition has criticized the appointment of President Faure Gnassingbé as the head of a new executive body. Gnassingbé, who has been in power since 2005, has been granted the title of President of the Council of Ministers by Parliament. Opponents view this as a “constitutional coup” and fear it could further undermine democracy in a region already plagued by military coups. A coalition of political parties and civil society groups has pledged to increase pressure on Gnassingbé.
