<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

United States

China

Taiwan

Greece

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C), Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (R) and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hold talks Oct. 31, 2022, in Sochi, Russia.

Military & Security

Politics

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

The Weekly Rundown: Armenia's and Azerbaijan's Leaders Meet in Moscow, an APEC Summit in Detroit

U.S.-China Relations

Snapshots

Ghanaians march in Accra on Nov. 5, 2022, to protest against the government’s handling of the country’s dire economic crisis.

Economics

The $3 billion loan will boost the country's foreign reserves, though some of the required unpopular fiscal consolidation measures may increase political volatility.

An IMF Bailout Will Help Kick-Start Ghana's Economic Recovery, but Challenges Remain

Media

Podcasts

How will the fighting in Sudan evolve over the coming weeks?

Essential Geopolitics: The Outlook for the Conflict in Sudan

Brazil

India

An attendant stands next to South African, Indian, Russian, Brazilian and Chinese flags during a BRICS summit in Xiamen, China, on Sept. 4, 2017. 

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

The addition of other non-Western nations like Saudi Arabia would boost BRICS’ economic and political heft as an alternative to the G-7, though it may come at the cost of the bloc’s internal cohesion.

For BRICS, More Members Would Mean More Power -- and More Problems

A Ugandan citizen watches a television broadcast of lawmakers holding a session on an anti-LGBTQ bill in the country's parliament on March 21, 2023. 

Social Issues

The likely adoption of one of the world's harshest anti-LGBTQ laws could deprive Uganda of critical Western aid and investment by raising the reputational risks of engaging with the country.

Uganda's Anti-LGBTQ Bill Risks Deterring Foreign Aid and Business

A man holds a Senegalese flag in front of the Parliament in Dakar on Sept. 12, 2022, ahead of the first parliamentary session since the July 2022 legislative elections.

In Senegal, a new opposition coalition rejects a possible third term for President Macky Sall, which could have grave consequences for the country's traditionally stable democracy.

Senegal’s 2024 Election Could Threaten One of West Africa's Most Stable Democracies 

South Korea

Portugal

Spain

U.S. and South Korean flags are waved March 10, 2015, in Seoul, South Korea.

The Weekly Rundown: South Korea's President Meets Biden, Lula Pushes Spain on EU Trade

Black smoke covers the sky above Khartoum, Sudan, on April 19, 2023, amid ongoing clashes between rival armed forces in the capital city.

Intense combat in major cities will likely persist, although brief pauses in fighting in the coming days could allow for the evacuation of foreign nationals.

What to Watch for as Violence in Sudan Escalates

Heavy smoke billows above buildings near the Khartoum airport on April 15, 2023, amid clashes between the army and paramilitary troops. 

Clashes between the military and Rapid Support Forces will likely persist despite international calls for peace, and could escalate into a sustained nationwide conflict.

Sudan Descends Into Conflict as Army, Paramilitary Face Off

Members of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group are seen in a desert area about 100 kilometers north of Khartoum on Sept. 25, 2019. 

The deployment of RSF fighters to Khartoum and the military's warnings indicate heightened tensions that could spur a greater conflict and derail Sudan's transition to civilian rule.

In Sudan, a Standoff Between the Army and Paramilitary Forces Risks Renewed Violence

Burkinabe Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela told the transitional Legislative Assembly that the government will never negotiate with jihadists, but that insecurity could postpone the country's transition to civilian rule, Africanews reported on May 30.

Burkina Faso: Prime Minister Hints at Extended Transition Timeline

Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera said his government will hold a constitutional referendum on July 15-28 to alter the constitution and remove term limits, Reuters reported on May 30.

Central African Republic: President Plans Constitutional Referendum to Cancel Term Limits

The South African government announced that it will apply the Diplomatic Immunity and Privileges Act to all international officials at events related to the BRICS trade bloc (consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) scheduled in the coming months, Daily Maverick reported on May 29.

South Africa: Government Grants Diplomatic Immunity to Visiting Leaders for BRICS Summit

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed one of the world's harshest anti-LGBTQ+ bills into law, eliciting strong condemnations from Western governments, The Africa Report reported on May 30.

Uganda: Museveni Signs Harsh Anti-Gay Bill Into Law

Protesters burned tires and threw rocks at police outside the home of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko days after security forces arrested and forcibly transported Sonko from the southern city of Ziguinchor to Dakar for a trial, AP reported on May 30.

Senegal: Opposition Leader Barricaded as Supporters Clash With Police

New Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced the cancellation of the country's fuel subsidy during his inauguration speech, Bloomberg reported on May 29.

Nigeria: Newly Inaugurated President Removes Fuel Subsidy

Zimbabwean election watchdogs urged the government to implement electoral reforms to ensure that the August elections are free, fair and credible, New Zimbabwe reported on May 26.

Zimbabwe: Election Watchdogs Say Reforms Needed Before August Election

The Nigerian Supreme Court dismissed the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) lawsuit seeking to overturn the victory of President-elect Bola Tinubu and Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima in the February 2023 election, Business Day reported on May 26.

Nigeria: Supreme Court Dismisses Opposition Suit Against President-Elect

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Burkina Faso: Prime Minister Hints at Extended Transition Timeline

Central African Republic: President Plans Constitutional Referendum to Cancel Term Limits

South Africa: Government Grants Diplomatic Immunity to Visiting Leaders for BRICS Summit

Uganda: Museveni Signs Harsh Anti-Gay Bill Into Law

Senegal: Opposition Leader Barricaded as Supporters Clash With Police

Nigeria: Newly Inaugurated President Removes Fuel Subsidy

Zimbabwe: Election Watchdogs Say Reforms Needed Before August Election

Nigeria: Supreme Court Dismisses Opposition Suit Against President-Elect

Forecasts

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