The US State Department has signed memorandums of cooperation with four African countries, investing $1. 4 billion, while recipient countries have pledged to invest more than $900 million of their own resources. The new US approach requires financial discipline and a gradual phasing out of donor aid, with clear benchmarks and consequences for non-compliance.
The countries of the "Alliance of Sahel States" are preparing for large-scale military operations, having created a joint battalion of 5,000 personnel. The junta leaders emphasize sovereignty and a break with former Western partners, choosing Russia as their main security ally.
Russia has sent weapons to Madagascar's military government, which came to power in an October coup. On December 20, a Russian Air Force plane delivered 40 servicemen and 43 crates of weapons to an international airport near Antananarivo.
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on human rights violations in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea and Sevastopol. 79 countries voted for the document, 16 were against, and 73 abstained.
US President Donald Trump has signed an order to tighten restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals into the United States. The restrictions apply to 5 new countries and individuals with Palestinian Authority travel documents, and are extended for 12 high-risk countries.
The Pan-African Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature was founded in Cairo, coinciding with the intensification of Russian information operations in Africa. Russia is creating structures to promote the Russian language and ideology, using mercenary formations.
The Russian "African Corps," which entered Mali after Wagner militants, is accused of systematic killings and abuse of the peaceful local population.
Sweden will cease aid to Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Liberia, and Bolivia to increase support for Ukraine to 10 billion kronor by 2026.
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding that the Russian Federation immediately return all illegally deported Ukrainian children. The document was supported by 91 countries, 57 abstained, and 12 opposed it.
According to a Human Rights Watch report, the Malian army and allied militias killed 31 civilians during raids in the villages of Kamona and Balle. The victims were accused of collaborating with an Al-Qaeda-linked group.
Armed militants in Mali abducted and publicly executed Mariam Cisse, a well-known TikTok user. She had about 100,000 followers and filmed patriotic videos in support of the military.
Russia is intensifying its information influence in Nigeria through the African Initiative agency, using tactics honed in other African countries. The goal is to delegitimize state institutions ahead of the 2027 elections and foster anti-Western sentiment.
Former Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara has been sentenced to two years in prison and fined for a social media post in which he criticized military leaders. Human rights organizations consider the verdict part of a crackdown on dissent.
Mali's authorities have suspended schooling for two weeks due to a severe fuel shortage caused by a rebel blockade. The country has signed an agreement with Russia for the supply of 160-200 thousand tons of oil and agricultural products.
In Madrid, four people died and three were injured due to a partial collapse of the internal structure of a building under construction. Among the dead are a manager and three workers from Mali, Guinea, and Ecuador.
Representatives of a European humanitarian mission were detained in Burkina Faso, allegedly for espionage.
On October 7, the world celebrates World Cotton Day, highlighting its importance for the economy and society, as well as International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemned the illegal visit of the ambassadors of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to occupied Crimea on September 18-20. These actions are regarded as a blatant violation of international law and Ukrainian legislation.
Estonia will continue to provide aid to Ukraine at 0. 25% of its GDP, which amounts to over 100 million euros. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur confirmed the support, including training and IT solutions in the defense sector.
The Russian PMC "Wagner" failed in Mali, not taking control of resources and intensifying violence. Relations with the junta are deteriorating, and the Kremlin has not gained access to gold mines.
Colonel Rivo Meimer reported the death of Estonian volunteer Olev Roost, who fought as part of the 3rd Separate Special Operations Regiment of Ukraine. Roost became the fifth Estonian volunteer to die in Ukraine, having experience serving in Afghanistan and Mali.
Russia is recruiting youth from Africa, Asia, and Latin America to produce attack drones in the Alabuga special economic zone. They are promised high salaries but are forced to assemble drones used for strikes against Ukraine.
A debate has arisen in Germany regarding the country's possible participation in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. Chancellor Friedrich Merz does not rule out such a possibility, but society and politicians are divided in their opinions.
A French court has convicted the director of the company Anavim and two men of human trafficking, who worked in inhumane conditions during grape harvesting. The company was dissolved, and the culprits were ordered to pay compensation to the victims.
Igor Nesterov, a Wagner PMC mercenary and former trainer of Russian boxer Alexander Povetkin, was eliminated in Mali. He was killed during a "combat mission" in Northwest Africa.
Polish police uncovered an international group that kidnapped migrants in Poland and Latvia, demanding ransom. Among those detained are four Ukrainian citizens who were legally residing in Poland.
The presidents of the Russian Federation and Mali signed an agreement on cooperation in nuclear energy. The countries plan to expand bilateral trade and develop joint projects in energy, logistics, and mineral exploration.
Russian mercenaries from the Wagner PMC have created a network of secret prisons in Mali, where civilians are tortured and kidnapped. From 2023 to 2025, 668 people went missing.
Due to cuts in US aid, $98 million worth of food rations, enough for 3. 5 million people, are spoiling in warehouses. The Trump administration has cut programs, and supplies may be disposed of.
The US voted against a UN resolution on cooperation with the Council of Europe, which condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine. The resolution mentions Russian aggression and the establishment of a tribunal.
