Lessons for Africa from the Critical Minerals Agreement between the US and Ukraine.
The critical minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine in 2025 offers lessons to Africa on sovereignty and participation in global value chains. Africa has vital minerals for the energy transition, but needs to improve structural transformation and local value addition. Ukraine’s integration into Western green value chains highlights the importance of balancing extractive relationships with local value addition.
What the 80th UN General Assembly Signals for Africa
The 80th UN General Assembly focuses on Africa and its development. Cristina Duarte, UN Special Adviser for Africa, highlights the importance of African policymakers engaging in global politics due to globalization and the involvement of international financial and trade systems in Africa. She also highlights the positive impact of her 10 years as Minister of Finance and Planning in Cape Verde during the financial crisis.
Protests in Indonesia: Prabowo Faces His Biggest Challenge
Protests in Indonesia with violence and discontent towards President Prabowo Subianto, sparked by a controversial bonus for parliamentarians and corruption allegations. Government austerity has increased inflation and unrest, while Prabowo faces opposition to his attempt to increase military presence in civilian life. The demonstrations, marked by clashes with security forces, reflect outrage over social and economic inequalities.
Insights from the Democracy and Policy: Envisioning a Global Democratic Future Conference
The conference ‘Democracy and Politics: Reimagining a Global Democratic Future’ underscored the need for new democratic visions to strengthen resilience and address current challenges. Solutions were discussed, the role of parties, interaction between institutions and citizenship, global strategies, and the impact of technology, highlighting collaboration between actors to counter authoritarian risks.
France: Fiscal Consolidation and the Reduction of Differences between Peripheral and Central Countries
France has faced fiscal challenges since 2009, with rising budget deficits and public debt, while the political crisis is exacerbated by the fall of Michel Barnier’s government in 2024. Italy is also facing problems due to its high debt and low growth. The French fiscal situation is delicate, affecting the economy and recessing that of the financial markets.