The future of Russia-Zimbabwe relations
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with his Zimbabwean counterpart, Aaron Murwira, to sign an agreement aimed at countering sanctions. This marks the 11th agreement between Harare and Moscow since 2022 and the second one this year.
On March 6, Lavrov and Murwira convened in Moscow to formalize the anti-sanctions pact while discussing a broad range of topics, including mining and exploration. According to a Russian press release, their discussions also covered developments in the Sahel-Sahara and Great Lakes regions, particularly in the context of international crisis management.
A noteworthy revelation from the meeting was Lavrov’s statement to Russian media that this year’s Russia-Africa Ministerial Meeting would be held in Africa, though he did not specify the host country. This raises the possibility of Zimbabwe playing a role in the event.
Zimbabwean media reports highlighted the country’s interest in BRICS, as it has formally applied to join the economic bloc. Given Zimbabwe’s long-standing struggles with international sanctions—including the recent 2024 US sanctions targeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa—its growing partnership with Russia appears to be a strategic move.
Discover More
Flash Report: Niger – Neutralisation of Boko Haram Leader Bakoura
On 15 August 2025, Nigerien forces conducted a precision operation targeting Boko Haram elements in the Lake Chad area. The strikes focused on the islands of Shilawa (Chilawa), Korongol, and Kournawa in the Diffa region, utilising aerial assets in what authorities described as a “surgical” operation. Military intelligence indicates that Ibrahim Mahamoudou, also known as Abou Oumaima “Bakoura,” was neutralised during the action. Bakoura, a Nigerian national in his early 40s, had led Boko Haram since 2021 and frequently used Shilawa as a refuge.
United Nations Security Council Consultation on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Emergency Briefing
On 22 August, the UN Security Council convened an emergency briefing on eastern DRC, responding to surging violence by armed groups, notably the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The session, requested by the United States, underscores escalating tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali, amid mutual accusations of proxy support for armed actors.
Contact us to find out how our security services can support you.
We operate in almost all countries in Africa, including high-risk environments, monitoring and analyze ongoing conflicts, the hotspots and the potential upcoming threats on the continent. Every day. Around the clock.