S&A Retired Bound

Africa: Visa Bonds Up to $15,000 From October 23: New U.S. Policy Targets Travelers from Africa$

Starting October 23, 2025, citizens of seven African countries must pay refundable visa bonds of up to $15,000 when seeking entry to the United States for business or tourism under a year-long pilot program aimed at curbing visa overstays.

Read More

Libya’s Path to Stability: Still Blocked by Fragmentation and Armed Rivalries$

Libya ends 2025 still divided between rival governments and dominated by militias. Clashes, rights abuses, and stalled reforms keep the security outlook fragile. Limited local elections show resilience, but lasting stability depends on unified institutions and accountability.

Read More

Sahel: Surging Jihadist Violence Batters the Sahel, Exposing Government Weakness$

Jihadist violence has surged across the Sahel, with militants overrunning military bases, ambushing convoys, and forcing civilians to negotiate with armed groups for survival. Hardest hit are conflict corridors in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and northeastern Nigeria, where blockades and insecurity have left millions displaced or trapped in besieged communities.

Read More

Depression: Tunisia, Morocco, and Libya Among Africa’s Highest Prevalence Countries$

North Africa has some of Africa’s highest depression rates: Tunisia (7.57%), Morocco (6.54%), and Libya (5.72%) all rank in the continent’s top ten according to The African Exponent (2025). Persistent economic challenges, unemployment, and regional instability have driven a surge in mental health issues—particularly among youth—with many cases still untreated due to social stigma and gaps in health services.

Read More