The Morning Brief  

Afrika Update Report  

31 December 2024  

Afrika Brief’s Year in Review 2024  

The high- middle- and low lights this year: Great powers scramble for African infrastructure, elections offshoot democratic transitions in Ghana, Mauritius ,South Afrika, Senegal and Botswana, and South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel pits the West against the rest, major environmental and  cultural stories from 2024. 

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1. A New Scramble for African Infrastructure- Lobito East Corridor  

Outgoing- U.S. President Joe Biden attempted to revitalize relations with African nations far more than any other American president in decades. More than 20 senior leaders have traveled to the continent under the Biden administration, including first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and—finally—earlier this month, Biden himself. 

2. The Rise of Middle Powers 

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt have vied for influence in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa over the past year. The Gulf states and Turkey have backed opposing factions in conflicts in Sudan, Libya, and Somalia in pursuit of their economic interests.  

3. The Ethiopia-Somalia- Somaliland Rift  

In October, Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia forged an axis of resistance against Ethiopia amid various regional disputes. But lately, Somalia and Ethiopia reached a deal their long-running disagreement over Addis Ababa’s plans to build a port in the breakaway region of Somaliland.  

4. Mass Starvation in Sudan  

What is perhaps the biggest hunger crisis in the world has largely fallen off the global radar due to conflicts in the Middle East. After more than a year of brutal war, half of Sudan’s 49 million people are estimated to urgently need food aid. Repeated warnings of mass starvation have gone unheeded by Sudan’s warring generals. 

5. New leaders to Uphold Democracy in Afrika  

It was especially a devastating year for incumbents and ruling parties; they lost power in Botswana, Mauritius, Ghana, Somaliland and Senegal.Meanwhile, Mali, Guinea-Bissau and South Sudan continue to wait. Elections there were either rescheduled or simply ignored. 

About 18 elections took place in Africa this year. Amid a surge of military coups, botched elections and anti-government protests, around 77 percent of Africa’s citizens now live in countries where security and democracy has deteriorated over the past decade.  

6. 2024 Is the Hottest Year Ever Recorded in Afrika  

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that 2024 is on track to be the hottest year in recorded history, surpassing 2023. This can be attributed to heigtened reliance on fossil fuels and the reluctance of industries worldwide to pivot to green energy practices.  

The rapid acceleration of global temperatures has alarmed scientists, with many expressing concern over the environmental, economic, and social implications of the worsening climate crisis. 

7. 2024 was a year of remarkable achievements, profound cultural contributions, and poignant goodbyes, reaffirming Africa’s enduring impact on the global stage. 

South African artist Tyla has been one of Africa's most prominent figures over the past year, closing 2024 as she began it—with global accolades. 

In February, she won a Grammy Award in the United States, followed by two BET Awards, and later made history as the first African artist to be honored in three categories at the MTV Europe Music Awards. 

Adding to South Africa’s triumphs, comedian and host Trevor Noah received the Emmy Award for Best Entertainment Program for his show during the 75th Emmy Awards ceremony in the U.S. 

Africa's largest mosque was inaugurated in Algeria after years of construction. Costing nearly $900 million, it can host 120,000 worshippers. 

In the literary world, Morocco’s capital, Rabat, was named UNESCO’s World Book Capital for 2026, recognizing the city’s efforts in promoting knowledge accessibility. Hosting 54 publishing houses and one of Africa's largest international book fairs, Rabat has become the 26th city to hold this title since 2001.