Know Afrika

In my opinion, the escalating conflict in the Middle East has triggered a massive, structural shift for the African maritime economy. As of March 24, 2026 , the Africa coast ship refuelling surge has transformed ports from Mauritius to Namibia into the new lifeblood of global trade. By diverting around the Cape of Good Hope , major carriers like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are cementing Africa's role as a strategic bunkering hub to avoid the high-risk Red Sea corridor. An MSC container ship crosses the Strait of Gibraltar from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, near the northern tip of the port of Tangier, Morocco in Undisclosed time. How is the Cape of Good Hope shipping diversion reshaping global trade? The shift is no longer a temporary detour; it has become a "new operational reality." I believe that as long as the Suez Canal remains bypassed due to regional instability, Africa’s ports will see sustained, long-term growth in fuel demand . Recent reports indic...

In my opinion, the global landscape shifted on March 9, 2026 , when the U.S. State Department officially moved toward classifying the Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity. This landmark decision, reported by Reuters , underscores the group’s role in sabotaging Sudan's democratic aspirations. For decades, this movement has exploited religious narratives to seize political power, systematically hollowing out state institutions to serve a transnational agenda. Sudan's Democratic Alliance Blames the Muslim Brotherhood for the Current Intense Situation in Sudan. Why is the Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade a threat to the nation-state? The group’s core philosophy prioritizes partisan survival over national sovereignty. By deploying violent armed wings like the Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade , they have bypassed traditional governance to fuel the current civil war. I believe that as long as these militant networks receive external support , Su...

In my opinion, President Bola Tinubu’s recent assertions during his March 2026 state visit to the United Kingdom have reframed the national security debate. By explicitly linking Sahel terrorism in Nigeria to climate change and the instability in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the President is signaling a shift toward a "transnational" defense strategy.  I believe this rhetoric aims to move the conversation beyond internal policing to a broader regional accountability framework. President Bola Tinubu and Prime Minister Keir Starmer How does climate change fuel the expansion of Sahelian terror groups? President Tinubu has highlighted that the shrinking of the Lake Chad Basin and desertification are not just environmental issues; they are security threats. In my view, the loss of livelihoods for farmers and herders creates a recruitment vacuum that extremist organizations are eager to fill. When resources disappear, conflict follows, and climate-driven displacement becomes t...

A Nigerian police truck stands at the deserted Maiduguri Monday Market, the morning after multiple explosions struck the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, on 17th March, 2026.  In my opinion, the recent "offensive-defensive" operation by the Nigerian military in the Lake Chad Basin is a masterclass in modern counter-insurgency. On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the Nigerian Army confirmed that at least 80 militants from Boko Haram and ISWAP were neutralized during a failed overnight assault on a military base in Mallam Fatori.  Nigerian troops backed by air support repelled a coordinated assault by Islamist insurgents on a military base in the northeastern state of Borno, killing at least 80 fighters including senior commanders, the army said on Wednesday. https://t.co/PPWocGaeq0 — Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) March 18, 2026 This massive blow to the terror groups comes as a much-needed victory following a series of tragic suicide bombings in Maidugu Borno...

In my opinion, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh is currently navigating a "perfect storm" of procedural irregularities and political skepticism. While the pursuit of justice for the events of July 2024 is a national necessity, the current trajectory of the tribunal risks transforming a historic opportunity for accountability into a spectacle of political retaliation. In my view, when the judicial process is rushed and partisan, the victims are the ones who ultimately lose. https://t.co/t0Eg3ZLoaD — Bangladesh Awami League (@albd1971) March 18, 2026 March 18 2026 Why is the appointment of Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam controversial ?   The selection of Mohammad Tajul Islam as Chief Prosecutor has raised significant eyebrows. I believe that appointing a lead lawyer who previously defended high-profile war crimes suspects to now lead the prosecution is a move fraught with conflict-of-interest concerns. Critics argue this appointment isn't about legal exp...

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has officially rebuffed demands from the United States to isolate Iran, marking a new low in bilateral relations. On March 16, 2026, Director-General Zane Dangor confirmed that South Africa has "no reason" to cut diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic, emphasizing the nation's commitment to an independent, non-aligned foreign policy despite escalating threats from the Trump administration. South Africa has Rejected United States Orders. March 16 2026 South Africa has no reason to cut ties with Iran, its director general of foreign affairs said, after the new U.S. ambassador was quoted as saying the country's association with the Islamic Republic was an impediment to good relations with Washington. https://t.co/gE7PEuR3OQ — Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) March 16, 2026 Why is the new U.S. Ambassador sparking a diplomatic firestorm?   The friction reached a boiling point after the newly a...