African News: Appointments, diplomatic tensions, and economic stakes
Moroccan political life reached a historic turning point on September 29, 2026, with the appointment of Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as head of government. At 50 years old, this figure from a prominent Marrakech family becomes the first woman to hold this position in the kingdom, having been elected as a member of parliament during the recent legislative elections, according to France 24.
In the Horn of Africa, relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have deteriorated sharply. On October 1, 2026, Addis Ababa accused its neighbor of acts of hostility, leading to the closure of its embassy and the expulsion of ten Eritrean diplomats. In response, Asmara formalized the severing of diplomatic ties, exacerbating the instability already marked by internal conflicts in northern Ethiopia.
In Guinea-Bissau, former president Umaro Sissoco Embalo announced on September 28, 2026, his intention to return from exile to run in the presidential election scheduled for December 6. This vote is presented as a crucial step toward restoring constitutional order, ten months after the coup d'état that led to his ousting from power.
On the economic front, the continent is taking a step toward financial sovereignty with the upcoming launch of the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA). Developed in partnership with the African Union, this institution aims to provide risk assessments adapted to local realities, in order to counterbalance the methods of international agencies often deemed too harsh toward African economies.
Our perspective
These events illustrate the desire of African nations to take control of their destiny, whether in terms of national governance or financial sovereignty. The creation of the AfCRA marks a decisive step for the continent's economic dignity, by rejecting dependence on biased external perspectives. Unity and stability remain the essential conditions for transforming these initiatives into real levers of development and justice for African peoples.
This article was written in French with the help of artificial intelligence from the sources cited below, then translated from French automatically. Read the original.
