A fortnightly online publication monitoring political and economic trends throughout sub-Saharan Africa, published by Asempa Limited.https://www.africa-confidential.comen-ushttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com/content/images/logo_small.gifhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16067/the-red-sea-reckoning-to-comeFri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTThe US-Iran MoU has not brought calm to the Horn – it has opened a new competition in the waters that matter most to the Gulf states and their African counterpartsHorn of Africa, Gulf States6713https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16067/the-red-sea-reckoning-to-comehttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16069/the-pips-are-already-squeakingFri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTTreasuries insist that higher domestic tax revenues will fund rising budgets, but can already hard-pressed workers be squeezed any further?East Africa6713https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16069/the-pips-are-already-squeakinghttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16070/growth-promised--but-debt-is-closing-inFri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTRegional economies are pushing investment but face the same pressures: constrained budgets, tougher lenders and impatient electoratesEast Africa6713https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16070/growth-promised--but-debt-is-closing-inhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16068/mnangagwa-buys-another-two-yearsFri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTThe President has coerced and co-opted enough MPs to back the extension of his rule until 2030 – but he could still trip upZimbabwe6713https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16068/mnangagwa-buys-another-two-yearshttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16066/parliaments-anti-lgbtq-law-risks-3.8bn-in-world-bank-financingFri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTThe bill criminalising same-sex relations may force President Mahama to choose between US and local religious activists and the multilateral fundingGhana6713https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16066/parliaments-anti-lgbtq-law-risks-3.8bn-in-world-bank-financinghttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16064/reaching-out-to-the-juntas--wadagni-redraws-regional-tiesFri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTA whirlwind of early visits to Niamey, Ouagadougou and Lomé breaks with the previous era and boosts the neighbourhood economyBeninSahel6713https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16064/reaching-out-to-the-juntas--wadagni-redraws-regional-tieshttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16065/border-talks-gain-unexpected-momentumFri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTTechnical teams have mapped out steps towards reopening crossings and reviving trade after months of political ruptureBenin, Niger6713https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16065/border-talks-gain-unexpected-momentumhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16063/whitehalls-soft-power-shrinks-as-the-bbc-cuts-back-againFri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTThe broadcaster’s African services face more cuts, even to its flagship Nairobi bureau, as managers hunt for savings and reshape digital teamsAfrica, Britain, Journalism6713https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16063/whitehalls-soft-power-shrinks-as-the-bbc-cuts-back-againhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16059/record-cocaine-haul-sets-bios-government-on-collision-course-with-the-euFri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTA row over Freetown’s ties to Dutch trafficker Leijdekkers is spilling into a clash over aid and securitySierra Leone, NetherlandsEuropean Union6713https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16059/record-cocaine-haul-sets-bios-government-on-collision-course-with-the-euhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16058/beijing-is-selling-arms-to-both-sides-in-the-congo-warFri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTWeapons sold to Kigali are reaching M23 rebels, angering Kinshasa officials and threatening China’s mining interestsRwanda, Congo-Kinshasa, China6713https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16058/beijing-is-selling-arms-to-both-sides-in-the-congo-warhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16057/moscow-and-algiers-agree-that-goita-has-got-it-wrongFri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTRussian and Algerian diplomats and spies agreed a year ago that the junta’s demonisation of the Azawad militants would failAlgeria, Mali, Russia6713https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/16057/moscow-and-algiers-agree-that-goita-has-got-it-wronghttps://www.africa-confidential.comhttps://www.africa-confidential.com