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Somalia has intensified its campaign against terrorism financing, taking decisive action to dismantle the financial infrastructure sustaining extremist group Al-Shabaab.
The National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), led by Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh, reported the deactivation of 575 mobile lines and the freezing of 21 bank accounts linked to the group between January and June 2025. In a high-level meeting in Mogadishu, the committee detailed a sweeping national strategy that also included shutting down 88 merchant accounts suspected of laundering extorted funds, dismantling illegal checkpoints, and neutralizing high-ranking financial operatives. Several individuals involved in collecting money for militants were arrested and referred for prosecution.
Somali authorities attribute the campaign’s success to growing public cooperation and stronger partnerships with the private sector, reinforced by awareness initiatives that encouraged citizens to reject and report extortion attempts. The effort was backed by a legal framework enabling detection, asset seizure, and judicial action against financiers. The Somali government reaffirmed its constitutional duty to protect civilians and warned of harsh penalties for anyone facilitating terror financing. This comes as U.S. military forces continue to support Somalia’s broader counterterrorism mission, conducting 51 airstrikes this year in coordination with Somali forces to bolster regional stability, as reported by defenceWeb, Africa’s leading defense news portal. According to Modern Diplomacy, “the strikes show a deliberate and evolving U.S. strategy in Somalia that prioritizes threat containment, sovereign coordination, and forward defense in alignment with stated U.S. national security goals.”
U.S. miner, backed by Bezos and Gates, secures high-stakes deal for DRC’s largest lithium deposit
(Headlines / Economy – Emerging Markets / International – Africa + Americas)
In a major development for U.S. mineral strategy in Africa, KoBold Metals, a California-based company backed by billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has signed a landmark agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to explore and develop the Manono lithium project — one of the world’s richest untapped lithium deposits.
The deal, witnessed by President Félix Tshisekedi and U.S. Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn, was signed last week (17 July) by Congo’s Mines Minister Kizito Pakabomba and KoBold DRC’s Managing Director Benjamin Katabuka. The agreement grants KoBold exploration rights to the contentious Roche Dure site, which has been mired in a legal dispute involving Australian firm AVZ Minerals. KoBold, known for using artificial intelligence to locate mineral deposits, aims to help unlock Manono’s potential while supporting the digitization of Congo’s geological data.
The move is seen as part of a broader U.S. strategy to reduce dependency on Chinese-controlled supply chains for critical minerals essential to electric vehicle batteries and clean energy technologies. China currently dominates Congo’s mining sector, but the new agreement signals a U.S. comeback. Beyond minerals, the deal also symbolizes deeper U.S.-Congo cooperation, coinciding with American-backed peace initiatives in eastern Congo. KoBold’s entry could reshape regional mining dynamics and global battery supply chains. is a critical supplier of key minerals for the global energy transition.
New U.S. visa fee sparks backlash over barriers to African travelers
(Headlines / Politics / International – Africa + Americas)
A new U.S. policy introducing a non-waivable $250 “visa integrity fee” for nonimmigrant visa applicants — particularly from African nations — has drawn sharp criticism for raising barriers to travel, education, and business.
Part of the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, the fee applies to nearly all visa categories, including tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F-1/F-2), work (H-1B/H-4), and exchange (J-1/J-2) visas. When combined with existing visa costs, total application fees for African citizens could exceed $500 — excluding additional travel and documentation expenses. The fee, expected to take effect later this year, disproportionately affects countries not covered by the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, from which 42 mostly Western nations benefit. “In contrast, African nations are entirely excluded from the program, perpetuating the continent’s disadvantage in terms of global access and mobility,” according to GhanaWeb.
Critics say the policy sends a disheartening message. “These fees … do nothing but discourage visitation at a time when foreign travelers are already concerned about the welcome experience and high prices,” said Geoff Freeman, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. Many argue the measure reflects inequity in global mobility, targeting regions already facing long visa wait times and high rejection rates. Though U.S. officials claim the new revenue will support general government funds, no commitment has been made to improve consular services or processing delays. As the U.S. prepares to host global events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, experts warn this policy could reduce African and Global South participation.
DRC gov’t, M23 rebels sign ceasefire in Qatar — but fragile peace looms
(Headlines / Politics / International – Africa)
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels signed a long-awaited ceasefire agreement in Doha on Saturday (19 July), marking a new step toward ending years of bloodshed in the mineral-rich eastern DRC.
The deal follows three months of Qatari mediation and builds on a separate peace accord between Kinshasa and Kigali signed in Washington last month. Under the terms of the Doha declaration, both sides pledged to uphold a permanent ceasefire, halt hate propaganda, and refrain from seizing new territory by force. They also agreed to restore state authority in rebel-held areas and begin direct negotiations toward a comprehensive peace deal by 8 August. Despite the symbolic handshake between Congolese envoy Sumbu Sita Mambu and M23’s Benjamin Mbonimpa, implementation remains uncertain. The rebels quickly rejected Kinshasa’s claim that they had agreed to withdraw, stating they would not “retreat, not even by one meter.”
Analysts warn this dispute could undermine the deal before it takes effect on 29 July. U.S. envoy Massad Boulos, present at the signing, called restoring Congolese control over eastern territory “essential,” but cautioned that “there are no magic solutions.” Past ceasefires have collapsed amid weak enforcement. Experts say lasting peace depends on credible monitoring, political will, and the swift return of displaced civilians. For example, Congolese political analyst Christian Moleka questioned if “this be different from previous agreements in terms of sustained implementation — is there political will to see this through to the end?”
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