In April 2026 Russia lost Kidal, its one trophy in Mali, and Africa Corps fell back to defend Bamako. Also here: the defense minister killed at Kati, the battle for Anefis, new Russian drones, and why Moscow still backs Goïta.
The CAR was the last country to give up Wagner, and the switch to Africa Corps changed less than the new patches suggest. Also here: why Touadéra held on, who pays the bill, and the tramadol, gold and fuel networks that survived.
Rosatom, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Novak all bid for a role in Ethiopia's energy future, and Abiy Ahmed answers in kind. Also here: African demands for Security Council seats, Lavrov's talks with the Sahel states and a curfew in Madagascar.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger quit the ICC as Félix Tshisekedi asks the world to call Congo's mass crimes genocide. Also here: Sudan's bid to rejoin the AU, Bobi Wine cleared to run in Uganda and Malawi's election result.
Sudan's trade committee with Russia meets for the first time since the civil war, and Russian firms eye its ports and railways. Also here: the Sahel's exit from the ICC, M23's capture of a Congolese mining town and Machar's treason trial.
Goïta cites a future gold plant built with Russia as Mali turns 65, and Moscow answers with Soviet history and five Putin calls. Also here: Mali's drone case against Algeria at the ICJ, Guinea's referendum and the Nile dam dispute.
A Moscow think tank pitches Russia as the Sahel's uranium partner now that France and Orano are out. Also here: Chad's unlimited presidential terms, Ethiopia's new central bank chief and Kenya's $2.6 billion dam.
Burkina Faso offers Crimea up to 2,000 workers as Sahel envoys tour the peninsula, and France freezes its security ties with Mali. Also here: Sudan's new foreign minister meets Russia's envoy, and Guinea's one-sided referendum campaign.
Nigeria's top general thanks Moscow for West-2025 and its drone lessons, as Mali's MPs back Russia against Ukraine at the UN. Also here: ECOWAS's first visit to the Sahel bloc, and Congo's war that Trump says is over.
Russian firms get a tax regime frozen for 49 years at Ain Sokhna, and a Russian payment platform opens in Harare and Lagos. Also here: the Sahel's move to quit the ICC and a UN report calling South Sudan a looted state.