<p>Sub-Saharan Africa is a study in diversity. Covering an area that spans the entire width of the continent beginning at the Sahara Desert and ending at the southernmost tip of South Africa, the region is home to countless cultures, languages, religions, plants, animals and natural resources. It&rsquo;s no surprise that it captured the imagination of Europe&rsquo;s earliest explorers &mdash; and that it continues to capture the imagination of current world powers eager to exploit it. And yet despite the region&rsquo;s diversity, Sub-Saharan African countries have common challenges &mdash; transnational terrorism, rapid population growth, endemic poverty and corruption &mdash; that prevent them from capitalizing on their economic potential. The coming years will be critical for the region, especially as its political institutions mature in a rapidly globalizing world.</p>

Covering an area that spans the entire width of the continent beginning at the Sahara Desert and ending at the southernmost tip of South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to countless cultures, languages, religions, plants, animals and natural resources.

Sub-Saharan Africa

South Sudan

Angola

Benin

Botswana

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cameroon

Cabo Verde

Central African Republic

Chad

Comoros

Cote d'Ivoire

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Djibouti

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Gabon

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea Bissau

Kenya

Lesotho

Liberia

Madagascar

Malawi

Mali

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Niger

Nigeria

Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Sao Tome and Principe

Senegal

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Africa

Sudan

Eswatini

Tanzania

Togo

Uganda

Zambia

Zimbabwe

The Post-Apartheid Era Ends

The Politics of Pipelines

Old Leaders in a New Africa

Nigeria: Obstacles to Prosperity

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Crossing Borders

A Crude Recovery

Globalization

China in Transition

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

Assessments

Photograph of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, at night. 

Economics

Politics

The government will likely face intra-coalition challenges and strong pushback from trade unions, but early signs of compromise from both the DA and ANC suggest it could successfully pass several structural reforms in the coming years.

The Challenges Facing South Africa's New Coalition Government 

United States

Venezuela

Iran

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Saudi Arabia

China

Europe

Ukraine

Russia

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference at the 75th NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., on July 11, 2024. 

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Biden's exit from the U.S. presidential race will free him to pursue more aggressive action against Russia over Ukraine and increase pressure on Israel to end its war with Hamas. 

What To Expect from Biden's Foreign Policy Farewell Tour

U.S.-China Relations

U.S.-Iran Relations

France

India

Parc des Champions on July 4, 2024, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower at the Trocadero in Paris.

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

The Weekly Rundown: The Paris Olympics, Netanyahu Addresses Congress

Snapshots

Australia

A stock photo shows a large, open-pit iron ore mine with various layers of soil.

Environment, Science & Technology

If the project's completion is not derailed by renewed political instability in Guinea, the giant Simandou mine's iron ore exports will help China diversify its supplies and decarbonize its steelmaking industry. 

What Africa's Largest Mining Project Means for Guinea, China and the World

Japan

The European Commission in Brussels. On July 18, incumbents Roberta Metsola and Ursula von der Leyen are expected to be confirmed for a second term as presidents of the European Parliament and the European Commission, respectively.

The Weekly Rundown: A New European Commission President, the Third Plenary Session of the CPC

Protesters participate in a nationwide rally against a controversial tax bill in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, on June 27, 2024. 

The Kenyan government axed its $2.3 billion tax plan amid mass deadly protests, but budget cuts to offset the revenue shortfall could reignite protests and potentially derail Nairobi's fiscal consolidation plans.

In Kenya, Scrapped Tax Hikes Put the Government in a Bind

Brazil

Egypt

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

A map illustrating Turkey (in red) and the BRICS countries (in blue).

Joining BRICS would underscore Turkey's balancing act between the West and the Global South, but the organization's weaknesses will limit its potential for economic growth.

For Turkey, BRICS Is Far From a Political and Economic Panacea

Bahrain

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attends a signing ceremony following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia, on May 23, 2024. 

Bahrain-Iran normalization would reduce risks for Manama amid rising regional tensions, but security and some political vulnerabilities remain.

Normalization With Iran Would Reduce -- but Not Eliminate -- Security Risks for Bahrain

Haiti

U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden pose with Kenyan President William Ruto (center), alongside his wife and children, as they arrive for a State Dinner at the White House on May 23, 2024. 

For Kenya, stronger ties with the U.S. could unlock new investment and diplomatic opportunities, but bilateral relations could weaken if Nairobi draws down its police deployment in Haiti, or if Trump reenters the White House.

What To Expect From Stronger U.S.-Kenya Ties

Malaysia

New Zealand

Germany

Switzerland

President Cyril Ramaphosa is sworn in as member of parliament during the first sitting of the new South African parliament on June 14 in Cape Town, South Africa. Ramaphosa will be inaugurated to a second term in a ceremony scheduled to take place June 19 in Pretoria.

The Weekly Rundown: Ukraine's Peace Summit, South Africa's Inauguration

Algeria

Morocco

Clashes erupted on July 25 between the Malian army, supported by Russian Africa Corps mercenaries, and Tuareg rebel groups in the northern Kidal region, Jeune Afrique reported on July 26.

Mali: Security Forces Clash With Tuareg Rebels Near Algerian Border

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the United States' commitment to renewing and updating the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, at the Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, Independent Online reported on July 25.

U.S., Africa: Biden Reiterates Commitment To Renewing AGOA Trade Pact

Kenyan President William Ruto unveiled his new Cabinet, granting four high-ranking cadres of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement, or ODM, key ministerial portfolios, Nation reported on July 24.

Kenya: Ruto Names Opposition Figures for Key Portfolios in New Cabinet

France and Djibouti renewed their bilateral defense cooperation treaty, Jeune Afrique reported on July 24.

Djibouti: France Secures Renewal of Bilateral Defense Agreement

Nigerian police chief Kayode Egbetokun warned that Nigeria was at risk of facing Kenya-style "Gen Z" protests amid calls by young Nigerians to protest on Aug. 1 on social media using #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, Reuters reported on July 23.

Africa: Kenya's 'Gen Z' Protests Risk Spreading Elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa 

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, seized a military camp from the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, located in the southeastern state of Sennar and launched attacks in neighboring White Nile state, Sudan Tribune reported on July 23.

Sudan: RSF Advances in White Nile and Sennar States

Principal Secretary of Kenya's National Treasury Chris Kiptoo stated that the Kenyan government had begun talks with the International Monetary Fund for a new support program, Bloomberg reported on July 22.

Kenya: Government in Talks With IMF on New Support Package 

Al Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, killed at least 12 Togolese soldiers at a military outpost near the locality of Kpekankandi in Togo's northern Savanes region, LSI Africa reported on July 21.

Togo: Al Qaeda Affiliate Launches Large-Scale Attack on Northern Military Outpost 

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Mali: Security Forces Clash With Tuareg Rebels Near Algerian Border

U.S., Africa: Biden Reiterates Commitment To Renewing AGOA Trade Pact

Kenya: Ruto Names Opposition Figures for Key Portfolios in New Cabinet

Djibouti: France Secures Renewal of Bilateral Defense Agreement

Africa: Kenya's 'Gen Z' Protests Risk Spreading Elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sudan: RSF Advances in White Nile and Sennar States

Kenya: Government in Talks With IMF on New Support Package

Togo: Al Qaeda Affiliate Launches Large-Scale Attack on Northern Military Outpost

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