This week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ghana and held a bilateral meeting with Ghanaian President John Mahama, during which the two leaders agreed to upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership. This is the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Ghana in over three decades. The meeting saw the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) by both countries to promote bilateral collaboration in critical areas like culture, health, standards, and institutional interaction. The two leaders also discussed expanding pharmaceutical collaboration, with a particular emphasis on increasing Ghana’s vaccine production capability. The visit is intended to considerably strengthen the India-Ghana alliance and indicate India’s sustained engagement with Africa.
Ethiopia has completed a $4 billion mega-dam on the Blue Nile, known as the Renaissance Dam. Launched in 2011, the dam is Africa’s largest hydroelectric plant and a source of pride for Ethiopians, who consider the project as critical to satisfying the nation’s energy demands, while Egypt and Sudan consider the project as a threat to their water supplies. However, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reassured his neighbors, noting that the dam is a shared opportunity and that both nations will be invited to its opening in September.
Guinea’s transitional government brought forth a draft constitution that would extend the presidential term from five to seven years, with a two-term limit. The reform will be voted on in a September referendum, signaling a dramatic shift in the country’s political system. The document was shared with General Mamady Doumbouya, the head of the military coup that deposed President Alpha Conde in 2021. The impending vote attempts to pave the path for the resumption of constitutional governance in the country, where the junta has limited residents’ freedoms.
Madagascar’s president, Andry Rajoelina, visited Paris to debate the future of the Scattered Islands, which are five small islets in the Indian Ocean. The islands were once part of Madagascar, a French colony, but were separated after the country gained independence in 1960. Madagascar wishes to reclaim the islands, but France retains possession due to their ecological and symbolic significance, as well as control over large maritime zones. France has control over 640,000 km² of oceanic space, containing abundant fish and gas reserves.
Mali’s transitional parliament has handed military ruler Assimi Goïta a five-year presidential term, renewable forever without elections. This move furthers the country’s slide from democratic administration. The bill, endorsed by 131 out of 147 National Transitional Council members, authorizes Goïta to extend his mandate until Mali is “pacified.” The measure gives Goïta, his cabinet, and transitional parliamentarians the legal ability to run in future elections, but no date is given.
Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, has indicated that he will not run for re-election in the forthcoming legislative elections, barring him from being reappointed. Majaliwa, who was selected in 2015 as a potential successor to President John Magufuli, has remained in office under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is running for re-election within the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. He stated that his decision was directed by God and made “in good faith.” The declaration comes just one week after he announced his decision to seek another term in parliament.
President Donald Trump is set to convene a trade and investment summit in Washington next week, with five African heads of state attending. The meeting is slated for Tuesday, July 9, 2025, with discussions concentrating on what the White House refers to as “commercial opportunities.” Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal have all been invited. These nations are anticipated to meet with President Trump and other American officials during the three-day summit, which is scheduled to run from July 9 to July 11.
David Mabuza, the former Deputy President of South Africa, dies at the age of 64. He was a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and had served as Premier of Mpumalanga before becoming Deputy President. Mabuza, according to the ANC secretary who confirmed his death, was a dedicated cadre who upheld the ideas of unity, discipline, and transformation. He served from February 2018 to March 2023. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed sadness on the death and praised Mabuza’s dedication to the liberation fight and the country’s progress as an inclusive, prosperous, and democratic state.
A barge in the Gulf of Suez capsized this week, causing four deaths and 22 injuries, according to the Egyptian government. The Adam Marine 12 barge capsized in the Gebel El-Zeit area, 300 kilometers south of the Suez Canal. The cause of the capsizing remains unknown. Four dead were taken to Hurghada Hospital, four injured were airlifted, and 18 others were transported by ambulance.
An African Union peacekeeping helicopter crashed at Mogadishu’s international airport, Somalia, killing five of the eight people on board, leaving the three survivors with serious injuries and burns, as verified by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The hit caused the weapons on board to detonate, devastating neighboring structures and injuring three people. AUSSOM mission has more than 11,000 people in Somalia, assisting the Somali military in combating al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda offshoot.
