Madagascar Junta Strips Ousted President Rajoelina of Citizenship

Madagascar’s ousted President, Andry Rajoelina, has been stripped of his citizenship by the country’s new military regime, days after he was toppled in a coup that ended weeks of anti-government protests.

The order, signed by newly appointed Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, said the decision was in line with local nationality laws, which stipulate that citizens who acquire foreign citizenship automatically lose their Malagasy nationality.

Rajoelina, 51, reportedly obtained French citizenship over a decade ago, a revelation that stirred controversy and calls for his disqualification ahead of the 2023 presidential election, which he eventually won.

The former president fled the Indian Ocean island nation following escalating protests over persistent power outages and water shortages, which culminated in a military takeover led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina.

In a statement released before his disappearance, Rajoelina said he went into hiding “for personal safety” after the army seized power. His exact whereabouts remain unknown.

Political observers say the latest move by the junta marks a final break with the former leader, who once rose to prominence as a young reformist before becoming a polarizing figure accused of authoritarian tendencies.

The street protests that led to Rajoelina’s downfall were spearheaded by Gen Z Mada, a youth movement inspired by similar demonstrations in Nepal.

The rallies quickly gained momentum amid worsening living conditions and accusations of corruption within the government.

The former president’s attempts to calm the unrest, including sacking his energy minister and later dissolving his entire cabinet failed to appease protesters demanding his resignation.

RSF Captures Sudan’s Last Army Stronghold in Darfur

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have announced the capture of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, in what observers say marks a major turning point in the country’s prolonged civil war.

In a statement posted on social media, the RSF claimed it had taken the city “from the grip of mercenaries and militias allied with the terrorist army,” effectively seizing the last major Sudanese army stronghold in the Darfur region.

The development, if confirmed, would leave the RSF in full control of Darfur, a vast and volatile region that has witnessed some of the fiercest fighting since Sudan plunged into civil war in 2023.

The Sudanese army has yet to issue a statement on the reported fall of El-Fasher, though local sources said fighting was still ongoing in some parts of the city.

The RSF said it had also captured the 6th Division Headquarters of the Sudanese army, destroying several military vehicles and seizing large quantities of weapons and equipment.

Video footage verified by BBC Verify appeared to show RSF fighters celebrating inside the army base, evidence that supports the group’s claims of victory.

However, pro-army groups under the banner of the Popular Resistance dismissed the RSF’s claims as a “media disinformation campaign,” saying it was aimed at dampening the morale of government troops still resisting in the city.

For more than 18 months, El-Fasher had been under siege by RSF forces, leaving an estimated 300,000 civilians trapped amid constant bombardments, food shortages, and collapsing health facilities.

Finally, US, China End Trade War

The United States and China have reached a framework agreement for a potential trade deal expected to be finalised when both leaders, President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, meet later this week in South Korea.

US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, disclosed this during an interview with CBS, the BBC’s US news partner, saying the agreement covers a “final deal” on TikTok’s US operations and a deferral of China’s tightened restrictions on rare earth mineral exports.

He added that he does not expect the 100 per cent tariff earlier threatened by President Trump on Chinese goods to take effect, while China will resume large-scale purchases of US soybeans.

“We have reached a substantial framework for the two leaders,” Bessent said. “The tariffs will be averted.”

The development comes as both nations seek to prevent a fresh escalation in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

Bessent met senior Chinese trade officials on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Malaysia, which President Trump also attended as part of his Asian tour.

In a statement, the Chinese government confirmed that both sides held “constructive discussions” and “reached a basic consensus on arrangements to address their respective concerns.”

“Both sides agreed to further finalise specific details,” Beijing stated.

Since returning to the White House, President Trump has reintroduced aggressive trade policies, arguing that imposing tariffs on imported goods would boost US manufacturing and job creation.

His tariff measures have led several countries, including the United Kingdom, to renegotiate trade terms with Washington.

China has been the main target of the US president’s tariff strategy. Earlier this month, Trump threatened to impose a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods starting in November, following Beijing’s decision to tighten export controls on rare earth minerals — essential materials used in electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy technologies.

China processes about 90 per cent of the world’s rare earths, making it a dominant player in the global supply chain. Its restrictions earlier this year sparked outrage from US manufacturers that depend on the materials.

Bessent said China had now agreed to delay those export restrictions for one year while the two countries review their trade terms.

One of the biggest casualties of the trade dispute has been US soybean farmers, as China — the world’s largest soybean importer — halted purchases during the height of the trade conflict.

Bessent, himself a soybean farmer, hinted that the new framework would ease the pain of American farmers.

“I think we have addressed the farmers’ concerns,” he said. “When the announcement of the deal with China is made public, our soybean farmers will feel really good about what’s going on for this season and the coming seasons.”

The US Treasury Secretary also revealed that both countries had reached a final understanding on TikTok’s US operations, with Trump and Xi expected to “consummate that transaction” during their meeting on Thursday.

The White House had earlier insisted that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, must divest its US arm over national security concerns. However, Trump has repeatedly extended the deadline to allow for negotiations.

Under the proposed arrangement, US companies will control TikTok’s algorithm, while Americans will hold six of seven board seats for its US entity.

Trump, who once called for TikTok’s outright ban, has since shifted position, using the app as part of his outreach strategy during his successful 2024 presidential campaign.

Meanwhile, Washington announced on Sunday that new trade deals with Malaysia and Cambodia had been finalised, while frameworks had also been agreed with Thailand and Vietnam as part of efforts to expand American trade ties in Asia.

The outcome of this week’s meeting between Trump and Xi is expected to shape the next phase of US–China relations and determine whether the long-running trade tensions between both countries will ease or reignite.