African Union

Israel recognizes Somaliland, shattering 34-year diplomatic freeze

Firmly rejected Israeli recognition of Somaliland

On December 26, 2025, Israel became the first UN member state to recognize Somaliland as independent, 34 years after the region broke from Somalia during a civil war. Prime Minister Netanyahu called President Abdullahi to announce full diplomatic ties, framing the move through the Abraham Accords and citing Somaliland's fight against terrorism. Within days, Somalia's parliament declared the recognition "null and void," the UN Security Council held an emergency session, and 21 Muslim-majority nations issued a joint condemnation.

Updated 5 days ago

Eritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia amid Tigray fighting

Force in Play

Called for restraint among Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt

Ethiopian forces and their Tigray Peace Force allies entered Aksum in mid-October and took Bizet and Inticho on October 20, extending federal control across northern Tigray. Federal troops also pulled back from the border towns of Zalambessa and Rama while keeping up drone and artillery strikes on Tigrayan fighters in the central mountains.

Updated Oct 23

Formula 1 returns to Africa with 10-year deal to race in Rwanda

Money Moves

Endorsed the Rwanda Formula 1 agreement

Formula One will race in Africa again, for the first time since Kyalami in 1993. On October 13, the sport signed a 10-year deal with Rwanda. The African Grand Prix will run at a circuit still to be built in Bugesera, about 40 kilometers south of Kigali, from the early 2030s.

Updated Oct 17

Ethiopia and Eritrea's collapsing alliance

Force in Play

Urges restraint as regional conflict widens

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for ending a 20-year standoff with Eritrea. Now he's publicly accusing Eritrean troops of massacring Ethiopian civilians during their joint war against Tigray—a war they fought together as allies.

Updated Oct 16

UN backs new world map that corrects Africa's distorted size

Rule Changes

As of September 2026: Champion of the resolution

For around 450 years, the standard world map made Africa look roughly the size of Greenland. On September 4, the United Nations General Assembly voted 164 to 1 to encourage schools, governments, and tech companies to show Africa's true dimensions.

Updated Sep 22

The 75-country immigrant visa freeze

Rule Changes

As of May 2026: Condemned visa freeze; called for balanced, evidence-based approach

The U.S. has barred immigrants based on economic status since 1882. On January 21, 2026, the State Department suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries—more than a third of the world's nations—citing concerns that applicants might someday use public benefits.

Updated May 22