Source: Israel recognizes Somaliliand, WSJ In a major geopolitical development unfolding over the past 24 hours, Israel has formally recognised Somaliland as an independent sovereign state, marking the first such diplomatic move by any United Nations member country. The decision, announced in late December 2025, was intended by Israeli leadership to enhance intelligence sharing and secure strategic interests around the… Read more »
Link: https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-india-narendra-modi-abiy-ahmed-6b74528d827fd280f6ea8f5bc3aad5b5 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to Ethiopia on December 17, 2025, addressing parliamentarians in Addis Ababa and advocating for renewed strategic bilateral ties. He highlighted a shared Global South vision emphasizing fair development, accessible technology, and respected sovereignty, declaring, “We will walk together as equals, build together as partners, and succeed together as friends.”… Read more »
Link: https://apnews.com/article/travel-ban-restrictions-africa-muted-responses-27c082831ed54b32cfdfff0fd9cdb7b5 On December 17, 2025, the Trump administration expanded U.S. travel restrictions, adding 20 countries with Africa hit hardest: full bans on Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and South Sudan, plus partial restrictions on 12 others including Nigeria, Angola, Benin, and Zimbabwe. Sierra Leone shifted to a full ban. Unlike Trump’s first-term Muslim-majority focused (later reversed), these cite security, documentation,… Read more »
Link: https://apnews.com/article/uvira-m23-withdrawal-congo-da186299d089f9d48425df4a1b356aa5 Rwanda-backed M23 rebels announced they began withdrawing from the eastern Congolese city of Uvira late on December 17, 2025, with leader Gertrand Bisimwa stating the process would complete by Thursday morning. The rebels had seized Uvira the previous week during a rapid offensive launch early in the month, killing over 400 people and displacing around 200,000, according to… Read more »