In the global chessboard of geopolitics, rare earth elements (REEs) are the new power pieces. Their strategic importance continues to escalate, especially for nations like India with a burgeoning technology sector. This is underscored by the Indian governments recent unveiling of a list of 30 critical minerals integral to national security and active efforts to establish a domestic semiconductor manufacturing plant. Essential to hi-tech and renewable energy industries, REEs dominance by Chinawhich controls over 80-90% of the global marketposes a significant challenge, leaving nations like India in an uncomfortable position of dependence on their eastern neighbor.

Africa the sleeping giant of REE reserves remains largely underexplored. Its rich REE deposits in countries like Burundi and Tanzania wait in the wings due to lack of technology and investment. However, the narrative is rapidly changing with China weaving its intricate web of influence in Africas REE sector. Yet Chinas largesse comes with a price. Its notorious debt-trap diplomacy ensnares economically vulnerable nations into an unending cycle of debt, exemplified by Zambia, Djibouti, and Angola.

In stark contrast to China, India has always aimed to pursue a non-extractive and sustainable approach in all its engagements. Indias External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, recently reaffirmed Indias non-expansionist and inclusive approach towards Africa. Thus, India, not China, at least over the longer term, clearly emerges as the preferred partner for Africa, setting the stage for a strategic repositioning of Indias influence in the continent.

 

The Winning Factor

An underappreciated facet of Indias connection with Africa is the vibrant Indian diaspora, which numbers over 3 million. Integrated into Africas socioeconomic fabric, the Indian diaspora has proven its mettle in the trade, manufacturing, and services sectors. This network, with its deep-rooted ties and understanding of local contexts, could be the catalyst for Indias enhanced engagement with the African REE sector.

History, as it often does, offers lessons on how diasporas can contribute to their home countries economic prosperity and strategic security. The Chinese diaspora, for instance, has been a driving force behind approximately 70% of Chinas direct investment in Southeast Asia. Likewise, the Jewish diaspora annually remits approximately $3.8 billion to Israel. Its evident that diasporas can significantly contribute to their home economies and strategic security, and Indias diaspora in Africa is no exception. The task for India, then, is to draw upon this playbook...

HARGEISA, Somaliland The Somaliland Electoral Commission (SEC) has announced the election schedule after months of tensions surrounding the postponement of the presidential vote. According to the SEC, the election period for political organizations will begin on December 28, 2023. The presidential election will follow in November 2024.

The election dates come after the legislative upper house extended current President Muse Bihi Abdis term by two years, sparking condemnation from opposition parties and deadly clashes in the contested Sool region. The international community has condemned the attacks on Somaliland that targeted civilians and social service areas. Opposition leaders accused Musse Bihi Abdi of subverting the democratic process and refusing to hold elections as scheduled.

The electoral commission stated the new dates were set after extensive consultations with political stakeholders in an effort to ease tensions.

Somaliland first declared independence in 1991 but remains internationally unrecognized.

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Somali government forces have received a shipment of modern weapons and helicopters, which they will use in their ongoing operations against the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.

The weapons, which include long-range 120mm mortars and anti-aircraft weapons, were provided by countries that are friends of Somalia. The shipment was made possible after the arms embargo on the Somali government was eased a year ago.

The Somali government is planning to use the new weapons in the second phase of its war against Al-Shabaab. This phase will focus on the Galgudud region in the center of the country.

The National Security Adviser to the President of Somalia, Hussein Sheikh Ali, said that the government is taking steps to ensure that the new weapons do not fall into the hands of Al-Shabaab. He admitted that some weapons have already been captured by the terrorist group.

The delivery of the new weapons is a significant boost for the Somali governments efforts to defeat Al-Shabaab. The terrorist group has been waging a bloody insurgency in Somalia for many years, and it has caused widespread death and destruction.

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Mogadishu, Somalia The United States has welcomed the recent meeting of current and former Somali leaders hosted by President Hassan Mohamud.

The meeting, which was held in Mogadishu on July 12-13, was an opportunity for Somali leaders to discuss the countrys future and to build consensus on the way forward.

US Embassy in Somalia wrote on Twitter on Sunday (16 July) The United States welcomes this meeting and commends President Mohamud for convening it, Somalias state-building process requires broad-based consultations and sustained dialogue. The United States remains a committed partner in this endeavor.

The meeting was attended by a wide range of Somali leaders, including former presidents, prime ministers, and parliamentarians. The participants discussed a number of issues, including elections, constitutions, and government system.

The United States has been a long-standing partner of Somalia. In recent years, the US has provided significant assistance to the Somali government, including security assistance, development aid, and humanitarian assistance.

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Al-Shabaab militants have been blocking commercial goods, including food and fuel, from reaching the southwestern town of Baidoa for six days. The move is reportedly related to the detention of individuals who reportedly traveled from Baidoa to al-Shabaab areas.

Authorities in Southwest Somalia have vowed to prosecute anyone who takes orders from al-Shabaab. We will not allow al-Shabaab to disrupt the flow of essential goods to Baidoa, said a regional official. We will prosecute anyone who is found to be cooperating with al-Shabaab.

The blockade has caused a shortage of food and fuel in Baidoa, and prices have skyrocketed. Residents are struggling to get by, and some have been forced to leave the town.

Hussein Sheikh Mohamud, Chief of Staff of the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, said in a statement: I share the pain with the people of Baidoa City and the entire Somali citizens who are subject to the brutal blockade of Al-Shabab. Ostensibly, the group is in an all-out war against the great people of Somalia and this is a testament that the FGS-led efforts are pushing the group to extinction.

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