Welcome to the African Weekly Roundup, presented by CGO, where we bring you the most impactful news and deep-dive analysis from across Africa.
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- December 15, 2024 | West Africa regional bloc approves exit timeline for 3 coup-hit member states: West Africa's ECOWAS has approved a transition timeline for Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, setting January 29, 2025, to July 29, 2025, as their withdrawal period. These nations, under military juntas, announced plans to exit ECOWAS in January, citing sanctions and unmet security needs. Despite mediation efforts, they continue to form their own alliances. ECOWAS faces challenges, as the juntas resist returning to democracy, risking regional fragmentation and undermining its founding principles. Read more on AP.
- December 17, 2024 | Tropical cyclone Chido devastates Mayotte in Indian Ocean: Tropical Cyclone Chido devastated Mayotte on December 14, 2024, with record-breaking winds of over 200 km/h, torrential rainfall (176 mm in 12 hours), and 5-meter-high waves. Despite early warnings from Météo-France, the cyclone caused catastrophic damage and significant loss of life, highlighting vulnerabilities in informal housing. It was the strongest storm in Mayotte in 90 years. Chido later impacted Mozambique and Malawi with heavy rains. Could climate change be intensifying such cyclones? Read more on WMO.
- December 18, 2024 | Ghana's Supreme Court dismisses challenges to anti-LGBT bill: Ghana's Supreme Court dismissed legal challenges to a controversial anti-LGBT bill, delaying its enactment but intensifying fear among Ghana's LGBT community. The bill, backed by major political parties, imposes harsh penalties, including up to five years in prison for supporting LGBT activities. Critics warn of human rights abuses and potential economic repercussions, with $3.8 billion in World Bank funding at risk. President Akufo-Addo has not signed the bill, but its future remains uncertain. Read more on BBC.
- December 20. 2024 | Why has DRC filed criminal charges against Apple over ‘conflict minerals’? The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has filed lawsuits against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using "conflict minerals" like tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold sourced from rebel-controlled mines in sub-Saharan Africa. These minerals, crucial for electronics, are allegedly linked to armed conflict and human rights abuses. Apple denies the allegations, stating that its supply chain meets due diligence standards. The DRC seeks accountability and reform through European legal systems, citing their stricter import regulations. Global Witness previously identified Apple and others as using minerals tied to conflict zones. The case aims to pressure companies to ensure ethical sourcing and reduce exploitation in conflict-ridden regions like eastern DRC. Read more on Al Jazeera.
- A Splinter in the Sahel: Can the Divorce with ECOWAS Be Averted? In September 2023, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a defense and security pact inspired by NATO, to counter ECOWAS's military intervention threats following Niger’s July coup. AES promotes mutual defense, sovereignty, and counterterrorism, with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger opposing ECOWAS sanctions and consolidating military cooperation. These states share anti-Western sentiments, expelling ambassadors, reducing French ties, and strengthening relations with Russia, Turkey, and Iran. The alliance weakens ECOWAS’s regional integration efforts and raises concerns about economic disruption, citizen mobility, and counterterrorism efficacy. Diplomatic efforts, led by Senegal’s President Faye, aim for reconciliation or a smoother separation by January 2025, but tensions between the blocs persist. Read more on International Crisis Group.
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??? Which story do you think will have the biggest impact on the continent in the weeks and months to come? Feel free to share your insights in the comments below. ??
