This week, Madagascar received the skull of slain King Toera, as well as three others believed to be Sakalava ethnic group members from France.The remains, which were captured as trophies following a violent colonial raid in Madagascar in the late 1800s, were originally housed at the National Museum of Natural History, Paris. The repatriation portrays itself as an “historic event” that recognizes the conditions under which these skulls entered France’s national collections, which violated human rights and were founded in colonial aggression.President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the significance of this gesture as a step toward establishing “conditions for forgiveness” for the dark chapters of colonial history from 1897 to Madagascar’s independence in 1960.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and four opposition leaders reached an agreement on the country’s upcoming elections, establishing a “one person, one vote” system. The agreement, signed on August 25, 2025, follows the passage of new electoral legislation in October 2024 that established universal suffrage for the 2026 elections. However, the accord has exposed splits within the opposition, particularly among former President Sherif Sheikh Ahmed, who believes that Somalia’s security environment does not enable such reforms.
A new round of discussions between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels commenced in Doha this week, with the goal of reaching an agreement on how to carry out a Qatari-brokered truce reached last month. Despite the agreement, clashes have continued in the DRC’s North and South Kivu provinces, with the Congolese government and M23 accusing each other of breaking the cease-fire. The meetings will center on Qatar’s draft proposal for a three-phase peace process, which includes a system for monitoring the truce and the exchange of prisoners. The United States and the International Committee of the Red Cross are also involved in the discussions directly.
Following the closure of France’s final military installations in Senegal, French President Emmanuel Macron met with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at Paris’ Elysee Palace, who called for the withdrawal of French forces and pledged significant reforms to increase Senegal’s independence. With an emphasis on historical grievances, economic strains, and new alliances, the summit sought to mend the two nations’ relationship. Faye has demanded that Paris issue an apology for colonial atrocities, such as the 1944 slaughter of Senegalese soldiers. In addition to discussing regional and global challenges, both governments seek to draw attention to shared objectives in sustainable development, healthcare, and education.
Nigeria imposed a six-month restriction on the export of raw shea nuts in an effort to strengthen its domestic shea butter sector and increase its share of the worldwide market. Nigeria is one of the biggest producers in the world but barely accounts for 1% of the $6.5 billion worldwide shea market because the majority of nuts are exported unprocessed. The ban could bring significant benefits if properly managed, as poor farmers often sell their harvests cheaply to middlemen who exploit the lack of regulation.
The Sudanese cabinet had its first meeting in Khartoum this week, just two months after the army retook the capital. The 22-minister cabinet addressed the government’s goals for the current year and efforts toward achieving peace in Sudan. Postwar reconstruction, economic resurgence, increased security, and assistance with the voluntary return of displaced citizens are among the listed top goals. However, no resolution was agreed upon over the incorporation of the RSFs into the national army orover the timing for the transition to civilian administration.
This week, Rwanda received seven US deportees under a bilateral deal with Washington. The deportees, who are being screened by the International Organization for Migration and Rwanda’s social services, would be given housing, workforce training, and healthcare. Three of the deportees intend to return to their home countries, while the remaining four want to stay and develop lives in Rwanda. Rwanda is one of four African countries that have signed deportation treaties with Washington.
Rwanda and Mozambique signed major cooperation agreements to improve peace, security, investment, and trade relations this week, aimed at enhancing their partnership in trade and defense. The renewed cooperation, which was agreed upon during President Daniel Chapo of Mozambique’s two-day working visit to Rwanda, indicates a burgeoning strategic partnership founded on common regional interests and bolstered by high-level diplomacy.
A vessel carrying Gambian migrants capsized off the coast of Mauritania, killing 69 and leaving dozens missing.The tragedy, which occurred after passengers rushed to one side of the boat upon spotting land, highlights the extreme perils of one of the world’s most perilous migrant routes into Europe.The wooden pirogue, which carried approximately 160 individuals, predominantly Senegalese and Gambian nationals, collapsed at Lemhaijratt.Search and rescue activities continue, but the odds of discovering more survivors are dwindling.
Botswana declared a public health emergency, with President Duma Boko claiming that the national medical supply chain has collapsed due to depleted government budgets and a significant reduction in help from the United States.The announcement came on Monday, following earlier this month’s warning from the Ministry of Health and Wellness that the system was “severely strained” due to $75 million owed to private health facilities and suppliers. It highlighted drug shortages for a variety of ailments, including hypertension, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, asthma, and mental and sexual health, and stated that elective surgery had been postponed. The situation is also linked to a diminishing national budget as a result of the continued decline in the worldwide diamond market.
