BRICS members, including China, Russia, and South Africa, commences their first joint maritime exercise called “Will for Peace 2026” on Friday, January 9, near Simon’s Town, South Africa. This exercise, which shall end on Thursday, January 16, 2026, aims to enhance maritime security by focusing on the protection of key shipping lanes and includes drills on counter-terrorism and hostage-rescue operations, as well as naval vessel interactions. This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase military exchanges among BRICS countries and strengthen collective responses to maritime threats. Historically, China, Russia, and South Africa have previously conducted exercises, but this is the first under the BRICS framework, emphasizing the role of such cooperation in ensuring international maritime security.
Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has won a third term, securing 76% of the vote in December’s election, according to provisional results. The election took place after the main opposition coalition boycotted, citing electoral fairness concerns. Critics of Touadéra note that a 2023 constitutional change allowed him to remove term limits. His closest opponents, Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra, received 15% and 3% respectively and have called for the results to be annulled, alleging irregularities. The government denies these claims, and the Constitutional Court has until January 20 to rule on the challenges before finalizing the results.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Mogadishu, Somalia, to oppose Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, viewing it as a breach of Somalia’s sovereignty. The demonstration at Taleh Square included patriotic chants and placards denouncing foreign interference. This rally followed Israel’s declaration two weeks prior and the visit of Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to Somaliland. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud delivered a speech rejecting Israel’s decision and emphasizing Somalia’s territorial integrity. Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991, has never been recognized by any U.N. member state. Over 20 countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have also rejected Israel’s recognition.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on the international community to respect the sovereignty of nation-states and international law, following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. operatives. ECOWAS affirms the right of states to combat international crimes but stresses the importance of upholding territorial integrity as outlined in the UN Charter. The organization echoes the African Union’s statement advocating for dialogue in Venezuela and expresses solidarity with its people, encouraging them to define their future through an inclusive process.
Tunisia releases Sherifa Riahi, former director of Terre d’Asile, and her 20 colleagues and more, on Monday, after over 20 months in jail. The court issued a two-year suspended sentence for 23 defendants, who faced charges such as “conspiracy to hide people clandestinely” but were defended as performing humanitarian work sanctioned by the government. As the trial concluded, supporters gathered outside the courthouse. A UN’s human rights defender, Mary Lawlor had previously called for Riahi’s release, criticizing the charges against her related to migrant rights advocacy.
Guinea’s Supreme Court confirmed Mamady Doumbouya’s presidential election victory with 86.72 percent of the votes. This final tally follows a December 28 election that excluded major opposition candidates, who had called for a boycott. Doumbouya, who was not expected to run after his rise to power four years ago, defeated eight rivals and will serve a seven-year term as president. The runner-up, Abdoulaye Yero Balde, received 6.59 percent and subsequently withdrew his challenge to the results. Doumbouya initially came to power by leading a coup against the country’s first democratically elected president, Alpha Conde, in September 2021.
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko asserted that the country does not require a debt restructuring plan despite facing a challenging repayment schedule. The International Monetary Fund reported Senegal’s debts at 132% of GDP by the end of 2024, following revelations of unreported debts by the previous administration, which led to the suspension of a $1.8 billion lending program. While analysts suggest a restructuring may be necessary, Sonko expressed confidence in Senegal’s ability to manage its debt sustainably without restructuring, citing a successful repayment history over the past 18 months. Finance Minister Cheikh Diba indicated that progress has been made towards finalizing a program with the IMF to address the debt crisis.
Egypt and the European Union announced plans to implement the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. This phase includes establishing a Board of Peace to oversee the peace process. During a Cairo meeting, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the urgent start of this body. Abdelatty indicated that the US would soon detail the Gaza Peace Board’s specifics and discussed cooperation on the Rafah crossing to facilitate aid entry, reiterating Egypt’s position against actions that would further divide Gaza and the West Bank. Reports indicate over 400 deaths in Gaza since the ceasefire began, with the overall Palestinian toll since October exceeding 71,000.
Zambia is set to pursue a new programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) instead of extending its existing loan agreement, which expires this month. The decision reflects the completion of the current Extended Credit Facility, previously considered for a one-year extension, valued at approximately $145 million. The Ministry of Finance emphasized that this transition signifies commitment to reforms rather than disengagement. The existing programme, initiated in 2022 to restore debt sustainability following the 2020 default, is set for its final review by the IMF’s executive board.
Ghana’s former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been detained in the US over immigration issues amid ongoing corruption allegations back home. His lawyers argue that the extradition request from Ghana is politically motivated. Ofori-Atta, who left Ghana for medical reasons, is seeking to change his immigration status to remain in the US beyond his visa’s validity. He faces numerous charges, including procurement fraud. Previously declared a fugitive by Ghanaian prosecutors for allegedly evading investigations, this status was lifted when his team confirmed his intention to return.
