September 30, 2025
Deadline and Showdown
Good morning, everyone!
Be sure to upgrade to a paid subscription to gain access to this briefing and other exclusive benefits. Your support makes this work possible.
Today, we will look at the looming U.S. government shutdown, developments across Africa, and other news spanning each continent.
Let’s get to it.
Africa
-World leaders and regional organizations have ramped up coordination efforts to end Sudan’s two-year-long civil war at the annual United Nations General Assembly.
-At least 30 people were killed near a market in western Niger on Monday. The area has been hard hit by Islamist militant attacks and counterinsurgency operations.
-Botswana launched a “citizenship-by-investment” program in a bid to boost the diamond-dependent nation’s economy.
In the second quarter, the economy contracted by 5.3%—the largest since the COVID-19 pandemic—due to a downturn in the diamond industry.
-The U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is set to expire today.
The initiative, enacted in 2000, provides tariff-free treatment to goods from designated sub-Saharan African countries exported to the United States.
Yesterday, the Trump administration said it backed a one-year extension of the program.
Other Links:
Morocco squashes youth-led protesters over health, education - Reuters
Cameroon’s presidential race starts with cautious optimism - Africa News
South Sudan court rejects ex-VP’s bid to halt murder and treason trial - BBC
Nigeria’s Dangote refinery fires some of its workers - Reuters
Malaria reduction efforts could generate $4T revenue, report says - Semafor
Americas and the Caribbean
-Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused the United States of violating international law after Washington revoked his visa. The U.S. State Department made the move after Gustavo called on U.S. troops to disobey the orders of President Donald Trump.
Ties between Washington and Bogotá have slid since Trump returned to office in January.
