Andrew Smith

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

Pleased to have contributed to this article for @Reuters @ReutersAfrica.

When it comes to acquiring better stakes from its minerals, the challenge for DRC is to balance its approach as not to scare away potential investors. The country has big carrots but also a lot of sticks.

[Reuters @Reuters]

Gecamines plans overhaul of mining JVs in world's top cobalt supplier https://t.co/7UMQfZIs5t

[michelawrong @michelawrong]

What happens in eastern Congo always has an impact on what happens in Kinshasa.

[Sky News @SkyNews]

Congolese rebels say they have "taken" the key city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The DRC has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda, accusing it of fuelling the rebellion.

@YousraElbagir is on the ground.

https://t.co/cGnmAG3FQ7

📺 Sky 501 and YouTube

[Hiba Morgan @hiba_morgan]

After more than a year and half of an RSF-imposed siege, the Sudanese army was able to connect its forces from northern Bahri and Omdurman to its forces in the Signal Corps and, most importantly, the general command of the armed forces. A very significant moment in this conflict.

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

M23 have advanced on Goma's fringes in recent years, but have withdrawn, presumably to give Kinshasa a chance to include them in negotiations. With the collapse of the DRC-Rwanda peace talks in December, the group's patience appears to have worn thin.

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

A clear statement of intent that the #M23 will try to capture #Goma in the coming days. This has to be seen as a strategy to force Kinshasa to the negotiating table.

[Lawrence KANYUKA @LawrenceKanyuka]

COMMUNIQUÉ OFFICIEL DE L’AFC/M23 DU 24 JANVIER 2025

L’AFC/M23 est en marche pour libérer nos compatriotes de Goma et rétablir la sécurité ainsi que la dignité de la population congolaise.

COMMUNIQUÉ ⬇️

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

Bringing forward the election further strengthens Oligui Nguema's hand. Dissolve all opposition parties via constitutional changes and then give them little time to reorganise themselves ahead of a major poll. The 'transition' looking like a done deal.

https://t.co/jEOLw4VG7O

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

Very murky situation in #Tchad, but safe to say that there's no shortage of armed actors who would want to take a shot at Deby https://t.co/DB5VoWs4Lf

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

Kiir likely breathing a heavy sigh of relief today but the political damage may already have been done

[Bloomberg Africa @BloombergAfrica]

Sudan lifts a force majeure notice on crude exports from South Sudan, signaling resumption of oil shipments through a pipeline that had been damaged in a war zone https://t.co/pWbyANQ3L8

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

Terms are yet to be fully fleshed out, but good sense appears to have prevailed in the Horn, for now at least. Somalia-Ethiopia ties starting off on a much more positive note in 2025, than 2024 https://t.co/vtW0i0pCpG

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

The revolving door at the top of South Sudanese security structures turns again. Increasingly feeling like something is going to give at some point soon. Becoming more a question of 'when' then 'if'
https://t.co/HNEMl4GYfg

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

This could be potentially damaging for Mahamat. Not everyone in the military is onboard with #Tchad's shifting security partnerships. And this is a military (let's not forget) that already has deep reservations over Kaka's #Sudan policy.

[RFI English @RFI_En]

Chad has terminated its defence agreement with France, potentially forcing 1,000 French troops to leave the country. The move deals another blow to France's military presence in Africa as Russian influence grows. https://t.co/4vJx2SKLt8 via @RFI_En

[Rashid Abdi @RAbdiAnalyst]

#BREAKING

Jubaland forces enter Ras Kambooni town and engage in 'brief firefight' with forces from Mogadishu.

Tension high across Jubaland as Mogadishu deploys troops to overthrow Ahmed Madoobe, the regional president elected this week for another 5-yr term.

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

Good 🧵 on key Africa-US issues to watch over the next four years.

[Priyal Singh 📚 @priyal_singh]

A few things we'll be watching out for in terms of US-Africa relations under the new Trump Administration at @issafrica/#AfricaInTheWorld 🇺🇸🌍 (thread):

[Al Jazeera English @AJEnglish]

Battles have been taking place in Sudan’s capital Khartoum where the army has launched a new offensive against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan is there.

[Rashid Abdi @RAbdiAnalyst]

Egypt and Ethiopia have been on a collision course for much of late 2023.

In Dec Egypt declared talks over GERD 'dead'. In Jan 2024, formally withdrew from GERD talks.

Somaliland MoU is not primary cause of current Horn tensions. It is simply a catalyst.

A point lost to many.

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

Fresh Egyptian arms shipment to Somalia, Ethiopia reportedly arming Puntland, Cairo warning its citizens to leave Somaliland, and new disputes between Mogadishu and several FMS'. It feels like the dial has gone up a few notches in the Horn in the past week

[GAROWE ONLINE @GaroweOnline]

⚡️#FOOTAGE - An Egyptian military cargo ship has docked in Mogadishu, delivering a significant shipment of heavy artillery and anti-tank weapons, marking the largest military aid to Somalia since the UN arms embargo was lifted in Dec 2023. This move highlights Egypt's increasing military engagement in #Somalia, amidst regional geopolitical maneuvers.

The cargo, part of a recent defense pact between Cairo and Mogadishu, aims to bolster Somalia's defense capabilities while reflecting Egypt's broader strategy to enhance its influence in the Horn of Africa, particularly against the backdrop of tensions with #Ethiopia over strategic interests.

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

Very concerning if true, the complex web of relations in the Horn does not need complicating even more at this point

[Somali Guardian @SomaliGuardian]

#Ethiopia is supplying weapons to Puntland leader, who is at odds with #Somalia’s govt, which is backed by #Egypt. This mirrors early 2000s, when both Ethiopia & Egypt armed rival warlords in Mogadishu. Could this signal the onset of a new proxy war b/w Cairo & Addis in #Somalia?

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

Quite the 24 hours in #Ethiopia, TPLF split, Gondar siege and now the ONLF in Somali state - a region that has tended to support Abiy since he took office - issues this.

[ONLF @ONLFofficial]

#ONLF Press Release regarding the worsening situation in the #SomaliState (Ogaden).
@VOAAfrica @BBCBreaking @dwnews @AJENews @addisstandard @TheReporterET @TheAfricaReport @UNPOintl @UNHumanRights @amnesty

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

Details remain hazy but Fano appears to be in control of much of the city and it is unclear how much resistance federal and regional forces put up

[Andrew Smith @andrewg_smith]

Reports several months ago suggesting Fano controlled 70% of Amhara's rural regions were damning enough for the authorities trying to disarm them, but the fall of Gondar - one of Ethiopia's largest cities - would be a major embarrassment
https://t.co/2YcpQQc8te