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GOVERNANCE
African leaders have failed to impress over the past year 

Just like you would presume for the kid seated at the back of any classroom, African leaders have put up a lackluster performance on their end-of-year report cards.

The latest edition of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, published yesterday, found that governance across the continent made as much progress as a pregnant sloth in the rain. While 33 countries have seen improvements, the overall situation in 21 others has declined, affecting almost half of Africa’s population. Mo Ibrahim, founder of the Ibrahim Foundation highlighted the war in Sudan and coups in West Africa as the most probable link to poor governance.

Surprise, surprise. The Sahel region is the worst hit, with experts estimating that the region’s worsening security will exponentially increase illegal migration to Europe. A 2015 EU law that sought to curb migration from the region was revoked in 2023, making it almost “certain” that people fleeing the Sahel will see Europe as a potential destination. Russia’s newfound relationship with the Sahel states could also make it difficult for the EU to limit such migration, experts noted.

The US wants to have a say.

The US Congress began in September the process of reauthorizing a foreign aid bill that would reorganize assistance to various countries — many in the Sahel region — to intervene early to help countries bolster their security and stabilize their governments. This comes as a follow-up to its failed implementation of the Global Fragility Act and the recent expulsion of US troops from Malian soil as experts have warned that the US “must get back in the game”.

That being said, there are positive signs in some areas. The report shows improvements in infrastructure, such as mobile phone access and energy, as well as advances in women's equality. -GN

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NEWS
Round the Continent

• Taiwan has turned down South Africa's request to relocate its representative office from Pretoria to Johannesburg, calling the request unreasonable and illegal.

• African football’s governing body, CAF is projected to turn a profit from its operations in 2025. It would be the first time in its history.

• Egypt and Ethiopia have made their long-awaited BRICS debut during the BRICS Annual Summit held in Kazan, Russia.

• A Nigerian court has ordered the release of Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive imprisoned in the country since February, after prosecutors dropped charges against him.