Africa Daily Brief: Continental News Roundup for March 13, 2025

Africa continues to navigate complex political transitions, economic challenges, and regional security concerns as the continent pursues sustainable development amid global uncertainties.

On March 13, 2025, numerous significant events unfolded across the continent, from diplomatic initiatives and economic forecasts to security developments and political transitions.

This comprehensive analysis explores the major stories shaping Africa’s trajectory in various regions, highlighting the intricate interplay of local dynamics and international engagement that defines the continent’s current landscape.

East Africa Crisis: Escalating Tensions in the Horn

Tigray Conflict Resurgence Threatens Regional Stability

Tensions have dramatically escalated in Ethiopia’s Tigray region between rival factions led by Debretsion Gebremichael, head of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and Getachew Reda, president of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA).

The deteriorating situation has raised serious concerns about a potential return to full-scale war in a region still recovering from the devastating 2020-2022 conflict.

Getachew Reda took the significant step of temporarily suspending high-ranking military commanders affiliated with Debretsion’s TPLF faction, accusing them of plotting a coup d’état—a move promptly rejected by the TPLF office.

The situation worsened when TPLF-aligned military forces reportedly seized control of the Adigrat administration, ousting officials backed by the federal government.

Further escalation occurred in Adi Gudom town, south of Mekelle, where clashes resulted in civilian injuries and the reported detention of eight town administration members, including the mayor.

In response to the crisis, TIRA has formally appealed to the Ethiopian federal government for support, emphasizing the importance of preserving the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA). However, the TPLF has rejected any third-party intervention, framing such involvement as a threat to the peace agreement.

The situation has prompted Getachew Reda to travel to Addis Ababa at the reported request of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to brief him on developments in Tigray. Reda has also engaged with various international delegations about the unfolding crisis.

Several Tigray opposition parties—Arena Tigray, Tigray Independence Party, and Baytona Tigray—have publicly condemned the Debretsion-led TPLF faction, alleging that their coup attempt is being coordinated with the Eritrean government and calling for urgent international intervention.

Getachew Reda has specifically accused Eritrea of attempting to exploit the instability in Tigray, warning that certain TPLF factions are working to destabilize the region for their own gain.

Sudan’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Darfur

The deteriorating security situation in Sudan continues to exact a severe humanitarian toll, particularly in the Darfur region. On March 13, an attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Fasher, North Darfur, resulted in at least ten fatalities and twenty-three injuries.

The RSF has also launched assaults on villages in North Darfur controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdel Wahid Nur. The United Nations has issued urgent warnings about the dire humanitarian conditions in North Darfur, especially in El Fasher and surrounding areas.

Over 200 health facilities are now non-operational, with severe shortages of essential supplies hampering relief efforts. This healthcare infrastructure collapse is exacerbating the suffering of civilians caught in the ongoing conflict.

French Diplomatic Response to Horn Crisis

The French Foreign Ministry has raised its alert level for the entire Tigray area to red following the outbreak of renewed conflict.

This significant diplomatic move has resulted in multiple aid workers being ordered to evacuate Tigray as soon as possible, further complicating humanitarian response capabilities in a region already facing substantial challenges.

Adding to regional concerns, Ethiopian Lieutenant General Tsadkan Gebretensae has expressed alarm that war between Ethiopia and Eritrea “seems inevitable,” with military preparations reportedly nearing completion and Tigray potentially becoming the central conflict zone.

He warned that deteriorating relations between Addis Ababa and Asmara, combined with internal divisions within Tigray, could further destabilize the situation.

The Eritrean Minister of Information has strongly condemned these statements, suggesting that what appears to be a call for peace actually reveals a hidden agenda to provoke conflict and perpetuate hostility between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, international actors, including the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom, have issued calls for dialogue to resolve the escalating tensions in Tigray, with multiple nations expressing their commitment to the peace established in November 2022.

Southern Africa: Economic Diplomacy and Regional Security

EU-South Africa Partnership Strengthens Economic Ties

A major diplomatic and economic breakthrough occurred as South Africa and the European Union launched their first “Clean Trade and Investment Partnership” at the eighth EU-South Africa summit in Cape Town.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a substantial €4.7 billion ($5.1 billion) investment package through the Global Gateway initiative, with approximately €4.4 billion allocated to projects supporting a “clean and just energy transition” in South Africa.

The partnership aims to enhance cooperation on critical raw materials, develop strategic industries across the entire supply chain, and promote technology transfer. “We are here to invest along the entire value chain, from exploration to recycling.

And we want to work together on key industries of the future,” von der Leyen stated, highlighting green hydrogen, electric vehicles, and battery production as priority sectors.

This diplomatic engagement gains significance against the backdrop of escalating global trade tensions, particularly following the Trump administration’s imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum, to which the EU has responded with retaliatory measures.

While the EU reaffirms its commitment to South Africa’s development, the Trump administration has taken a markedly different approach, recently halting all U.S. financial assistance to South Africa over allegations of human rights concerns and diplomatic positions deemed contrary to American interests.

South Africa Budget Faces Political Resistance

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced a staged Value Added Tax (VAT) increase, with a 0.5 percentage point rise this financial year and another 0.5 percentage point increase in the next, bringing the VAT rate to 16% by 2026.

The measure aims to generate an additional 42.5 billion Rand over the next two fiscal years to address South Africa’s fiscal challenges. However, the budget has encountered significant political resistance, with the Democratic Alliance and other political parties declaring they will not support it in its current form.

This political standoff occurs as the National Treasury projects economic growth of 1.9% in 2025, expected to average 1.8% over the next three years—a modest forecast predicated on improved investor confidence, stable electricity supply, lower interest rates, and a declining risk premium.

SADC Announces Phased Withdrawal from DRC

In a significant regional security development, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has announced plans to conduct a “phased withdrawal” of its troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Leaders from the 16-member regional bloc convened virtually to address the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where SADC forces have suffered at least a dozen casualties since January 2025.

The decision comes as Angola announced that negotiations between the DRC government and the Rwanda-supported M23 rebel group are scheduled to begin next week in Luanda.

Since January, M23 has rapidly captured large areas of eastern DRC, including vital urban centers such as Goma and Bukavu, with Congolese authorities reporting over 7,000 fatalities during this period.

SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa emphasized the need for a “greater sense of urgency” to end the violence, noting that instability extends beyond the DRC’s borders.

The withdrawal of SADC forces, which were dispatched to eastern DRC in December 2023 to assist in reestablishing peace and security, could pose additional challenges for President Felix Tshisekedi, who has faced scrutiny regarding his approach to M23’s recent advances.

Economic Outlook and Development Initiatives

South Sudan Faces Economic Contraction Amid Reform Push

The World Bank’s seventh South Sudan Economic Monitor, titled “A Pathway to Overcome the Crisis,” projects a severe 30% economic contraction in FY2024/25, marking the fifth consecutive year of decline.

The report notes that GDP per capita is estimated to fall to around half of FY2020 levels, primarily due to disruptions in oil production that have led to significant export revenue losses, estimated at $7 million daily.

These economic challenges have strained public finances, contributing to salary arrears and reduced spending on essential services like health and education.

Hyperinflation and widespread food insecurity now affect nearly 80% of the population, with poverty calculated to have risen to 92% based on available data. Despite these dire circumstances, the World Bank sees potential for recovery through decisive action and comprehensive reforms.

“The situation is very challenging, but the government has committed to undertaking reforms to tackle macroeconomic and fiscal challenges and enhance governance,” stated Charles Undeland, World Bank Group Country Manager for South Sudan.

The report outlines several policy recommendations, including strengthening the macroeconomic framework, increasing exchange rate flexibility, curtailing monetary financing of deficits, and improving oil revenue management and transparency.

Continental Economic Growth Prospects

Economic forecasts for the African continent show resilience despite global uncertainties. According to a report by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Africa’s gross domestic product growth is projected to rebound to 3.8% in 2025 and 4.1% in 2026.

While this represents improvement, UNECA’s Director of Macroeconomics, Finance and Governance Division, Zuzana Schwidrowski, noted that growth remains below levels needed to advance social development across the continent.

The report identifies several risk factors to Africa’s growth trajectory, including global economic uncertainty, fragmentation, declining aid, and geopolitical tensions.

While the contribution of trade to Africa’s growth is currently below historical levels, intra-African trade is becoming increasingly vibrant and diversified in certain sub-regions.

The report also highlights that Africa remains the second-fastest-growing region globally amid declining inflationary pressure, though climate change continues to pose significant risks to the continent’s development gains.

Legal Developments and Political Transitions

Malawi to Extradite Fugitive Preacher to South Africa

In a significant legal development, Malawi has agreed to extradite fugitive preacher Shepherd Bushiri to South Africa.

Bushiri, a controversial religious figure, had fled South Africa while facing fraud and money laundering charges, creating a diplomatic tension between the two nations. This extradition decision marks a notable cooperation in regional justice and accountability efforts.

M23 Peace Talks Announced Following Angola’s Mediation

Angola’s presidential office has announced that direct discussions between the DRC government and the M23 rebel movement will commence on March 18 in Luanda.

This development follows mediation efforts by Angolan President João Lourenço, who recently met with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi. The latter had previously been reluctant to engage in discussions with M23, preferring direct talks with Rwanda, which he accuses of supporting the rebel group.

Congolese government sources indicate that the proposal from Angola is under serious consideration, though they emphasize that even direct interaction with M23 would not absolve Rwanda of its responsibilities.

Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe characterized the planned SADC withdrawal as “a positive decision that will aid in achieving peace” in eastern DRC, while UN experts have alleged that Rwanda supports M23 and maintains thousands of troops in eastern DRC—claims Rwanda consistently denies.

Continental Sports Leadership and Healthcare Advances

Among the day’s developments in African sports administration, Patrice Motsepe has secured a second term as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

This leadership continuity comes at a crucial time for African football as the continent works to strengthen its competitive standing in global competitions and develop grassroots programs.

Additionally, a special report exploring countries with the best healthcare systems across Africa highlights progress in building resilient medical infrastructure.

This assessment gains particular significance in the post-pandemic context as African nations work to strengthen their healthcare capabilities and vaccine production capacity.

The EU-South Africa partnership addresses this need by allocating €700 million to scale up vaccine manufacturing, aiming to enable the African Union to produce more than 60% of the continent’s required vaccines.

Conclusion

The developments of March 13, 2025, underscore Africa‘s complex interplay of challenges and opportunities. From the concerning resurgence of conflict in the Horn of Africa to promising economic partnerships in Southern Africa, the continent continues to navigate a path toward stability and prosperity amid significant headwinds.

International engagement remains vital, as evidenced by the EU’s substantial investment in South Africa contrasted with the United States’ more confrontational approach. Meanwhile, continental institutions like SADC face difficult decisions regarding regional security interventions.

As Africa pursues economic growth projections of 3.8% in 2025, the success of these efforts will depend significantly on resolving persistent security challenges, implementing effective governance reforms, and strengthening regional cooperation frameworks to harness the continent’s immense potential.