Benin

Cyber

Energy

What Happened
Kenyan President William Ruto and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a "new level" and strengthen cooperation in a range of sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, science and technology, and security following a bilateral meeting, Reuters reported on April 24. This comes after Kenya secured close to $1 billion worth of investment pledges from Chinese entities at an investor roundtable in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourismWhat Happened
Kenyan President William Ruto and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a "new level" and strengthen cooperation in a range of sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, science and technology, and security following a bilateral meeting, Reuters reported on April 24. This comes after Kenya secured close to $1 billion worth of investment pledges from Chinese entities at an investor roundtable in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism.

Why It Matters
Ruto's rapprochement with China highlights African countries' broader push to secure fresh funding and investments from outside powers after U.S. President Donald Trump's cuts to U.S. development aid, with these efforts likely to continue in the coming months. Expanded China-Kenya cooperation indicates that Ruto is looking to recalibrate his government's foreign policy toward greater multi-alignment in response to Trump's election, before which Ruto markedly leaned toward the United States. Kenya's limited exposure to U.S. "reciprocal tariffs," which would stand at only 10%, together with its tariff-free agreement with the European Union, means Chinese exporters may look to expand operations in the country to circumvent tariffs, although any such moves would likely largely remain limited to the lower end of global supply chains. Chinese investments in sectors such as healthcare and agriculture could help the Kenyan government reallocate some public expenditure to narrow funding gaps left by cuts to U.S. development aid or to support fiscal consolidation efforts. However, Ruto's rapprochement with China threatens to hinder cooperation with the Trump administration, which could, for example, decide to curb counterterrorism cooperation or intelligence sharing.
Background
Ruto is conducting a state visit to China from April 22 to 26. Ruto conducted a state visit to the United States in May 2024, following which Washington labeled Kenya a major non-NATO ally, a first for a sub-Saharan African country.

Test: Kenya, China: Nairobi and Beijing Upgrade Ties Following Ruto-Xi Meeting

South Sudan

stag assessment :: US weapons left in Afghanistan sold to militant groups, sources tell BBC

Military & Security

Politics

Businessman Olivier Boko, a close ally of Beninese President Patrice Talon, and former Sports Minister Oswald Homeky were arrested for allegedly planning a coup attempt for Sept. 27 by offering bribes to Republican Guard commander Col. Djimon Dieudonne Tevoedjre, Radio France Internationale reported on Sept. 29.

Benin: Government Reportedly Thwarts Coup Attempt Planned for Sept. 27

Niger

Economics

Niger resumed crude oil exports to Benin through the newly constructed, Chinese-funded 2,000 kilometer (1,243 mile) pipeline to the West African coast, following a months-long dispute that had paused operations, Reuters reported on Aug. 21.

Niger, Benin: Niger Resumes Oil Exports via Benin After Suspension 

Burkina Faso

Cote d'Ivoire

Mali

France

Burkinabe junta leader Ibrahim Traore accused Cote d'Ivoire and Benin of attempting to destabilize Burkina Faso in coordination with France, Le Monde reported on July 11.

West Africa: Burkina Faso Accuses Cote d’Ivoire and Benin of Destabilization Attempts

An armed group opposed to the Niger junta, the Patriotic Liberation Front (FPL), has claimed responsibility for a June 16 attack on the nearly 2,000 km crude oil pipeline linking Niger's Agadem oil field to Benin's coast, Radio France Internationale reported June 18.

Niger: Armed Group Destroys Section of Oil Pipeline, Threatens More Attacks

Senegal

China

Niger issued an ultimatum to Benin to release five individuals detained by Beninese authorities after they entered the oil terminal of Seme, where the Niger-Benin pipeline terminates, Radio France Internationale reported on June 7.

Niger, Benin: Benin Arrests Five Nigeriens Attempting To Infiltrate Oil Terminal

Benin announced that it would "punctually and provisionally" authorize the loading of Nigerien crude oil at the terminal of Seme following a demand from Nigerien customs to participate in loading operations, Radio France Internationale reported on May 15.

Benin, Niger: Benin Temporarily Authorizes Nigerien Oil Exports Amid Chinese Mediation

Assessments

final test - reserve sync

A preview of the upcoming week and a selection of recommended RANE articles from the past week.

Stag: The Weekly Rundown: Mexico Ratifies a Controversial Judicial Reform, the U.N. Votes on a Palestinian Resolution

Global Elections

sync test 1 - Pakistan's Security Crisis Worsens

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will finalize a new 25% tariff on imported Chinese tungsten products and double an existing 25% tariff to 50% on Chinese solar wafers and polysilicon, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 11. The tariffs will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

Washington To Finalize Tariffs on Chinese Solar Wafers, Polysilicon and Tungsten update

test with right timestamp

This is new assessment resync test-updated

Chad

Nigeria

Togo

French soldiers of the Barkhane force patrol the streets of Timbuktu, Mali, on Dec. 5, 2021.

In the wake of Niger's coup, France will be compelled to revamp its security strategy in the Sahel and West Africa at large.

What the Niger Crisis Means for France's Counterterrorism Strategy in Africa

United States

Protesters hold placards denouncing ECOWAS on Aug. 3, 2023, in Niamey, Niger. While an intervention probably would topple the Nigerien junta, it could cause a regional conflict, boost jihadists and lead to a weak Nigerian civilian regime.

While an intervention probably would topple the Nigerien junta, it could cause a regional conflict, boost jihadists and lead to a weak Nigerian civilian regime.

How Might an ECOWAS Military Intervention Take Shape in Niger?

Cameroon

Guinea Bissau

Tunisia

Indonesia

French President Emmanuel Macron on Feb. 17, 2022, in Brussels.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Jokowi Visits Beijing, Macron Visits Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa

Guinea

Sierra Leone

The Niger River Basin

Nigeria: Obstacles to Prosperity

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

The region's natural geographic advantages have sustained several empires throughout history. But they can't overcome its longstanding problems. 

The Niger River Basin: Supporting West Africa's Empires 

Media

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Graphics

Paris Agreement Emphasizes Shift Away From Oil

The pace of the transition will be decided by how quickly new technologies reach the developing world.

Delegates attend a plenary session at the U.N. climate change summit in Paris on Dec. 9.

The agreement signed Dec. 12 in Paris is just a small part of a broader energy transition driven by technological change.

Climate Agreement Will Only Hasten Transition Beyond Oil

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_Energy

Environmental Issues

SITUATION REPORTS

Test: Kenya, China: Nairobi and Beijing Upgrade Ties Following Ruto-Xi Meeting

stag assessment :: US weapons left in Afghanistan sold to militant groups, sources tell BBC

Benin: Government Reportedly Thwarts Coup Attempt Planned for Sept. 27

Niger, Benin: Niger Resumes Oil Exports via Benin After Suspension

West Africa: Burkina Faso Accuses Cote d’Ivoire and Benin of Destabilization Attempts

Niger: Armed Group Destroys Section of Oil Pipeline, Threatens More Attacks

Niger, Benin: Benin Arrests Five Nigeriens Attempting To Infiltrate Oil Terminal

Benin, Niger: Benin Temporarily Authorizes Nigerien Oil Exports Amid Chinese Mediation

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