This week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an official visit to Ethiopia. In his meeting with the Ethiopian president, he emphasized the importance of a strategic relationship between both countries, stating that India and Ethiopia share a vision for the Global South and both aim for equitable development and respect for sovereignty. The two countries signed MoUs focusing on cooperation in UN peacekeeper training, education, and the establishment of a data center. The leaders also discussed strategies to manage Ethiopia’s international debt and tackle terrorism. Modi received Ethiopia’s highest civilian honor, the “Great Honor Nishan Ethiopia,” becoming the first foreign head of state to be awarded this distinction.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar tendered an official apology to Burkina Faso for an unauthorized Nigerian military jet entry into Burkinabè airspace, resulting in the detention of 11 servicemen. According to the minister, the aircraft developed a technical problem while en route to Portugal and landed in Burkina Faso. This led to a diplomatic collision with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. AES deemed the landing an “unfriendly act” and set its air forces on high alert. Tuggar’s delegation visited Burkina Faso to address the incident with military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, acknowledging “irregularities” in flight authorizations. Both parties agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and regional integration.
ECOWAS Heads of State and Government have committed to a united front to combat military coups, terrorism, and insecurity in the region. This agreement, reached at the 68th Ordinary Session in Abuja this week, marks a shift from reactive sanctions to proactive military and diplomatic interventions. Key leaders, including President Tinubu of Nigeria and President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, emphasized unity and solidarity as vital for countering violent extremism. President Bio hailed the session as a transformative moment for over 400 million West Africans, announcing plans to reduce air travel costs in the region starting January 2026.
The Trump administration of the U.S. broadened its travel ban this week to include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, imposing new restrictions on US travel and immigration. The ban, which will take effect on January 1, also puts partial restrictions on 15 others, including Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Tanzania. However, exemptions apply to U.S. residents, existing visa holders, diplomats, athletes, and individuals believed to be in the national interest. According to the U.S., the ban seeks to address national security concerns such as faulty civil records, high visa overstay rates, and instability.
The M23 armed group agreed to withdraw from Uvira, a key town in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, following a U.S. request amidst a peace agreement signed by Congolese and Rwandan leaders in Washington, DC. Corneille Nangaa, leader of the AFC rebel coalition, confirmed this on X, stating the withdrawal is in line with US mediation. The seizure of Uvira, despite the peace deal agreement, has prompted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to accuse Rwanda of violating the Washington Accords, asserting that the US will take action to uphold commitments made to the DRC’s president.
South Africa arrested seven Kenyan nationals for illegally working at a refugee application processing center associated with a controversial U.S. resettlement program for white Afrikaners. The arrests occurred this week in Johannesburg after authorities discovered the individuals had entered on tourist visas, despite previous denials for work visa applications. They face a five-year ban from re-entering South Africa. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has raised concerns regarding diplomatic protocol and is engaging with the U.S. and Kenya over the matter.
A French court sentenced former Congolese rebel leader Roger Lumbala to 30 years in prison for crimes against humanity, including torture, summary executions, and sexual slavery, committed during the Second Congo War. The 67-year-old was arrested in France nearly five years ago and has disputed the court’s legitimacy. Lumbala previously served as a minister in DR Congo’s transitional government and fled to France after an arrest warrant was issued for his alleged support of the M23 rebel group.
Thirty individuals, mostly soldiers, have been imprisoned in Benin following a failed coup attempt on December 7, where soldiers attempted to seize state television and declare a government dissolution. The coup was suppressed by loyal military forces, with support from Nigeria, other West African nations, and logistical aid from France. The jailed individuals face charges of treason, murder, and jeopardizing state security. The coup leader, Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, remains wanted after allegedly fleeing to Togo, where extradition has been requested.
Sudan’s top general, Abdel-Fattah Burhan, met with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo amid increasing pressure to address the ongoing war in Sudan. This meeting followed Burhan’s discussions with Saudi officials in Riyadh, where U.S. envoy Massad Boulos was present. The Egyptian presidency reiterated support for Sudan while opposing any entities that undermine its unity. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 from a power struggle between the military and the RSF, has resulted in over 40,000 deaths and created a severe humanitarian crisis affecting 14 million people. The war continues to evolve, posing significant challenges for both Sudan and the region.
