Global Africa Brief

The Trump administration will waive U.S. visa bond requirements for FIFA World Cup ticket holders ahead of the 2026 World Cup, offering major relief to fans from countries previously facing bonds of up to $15,000, including several African nations.

BREAKING: In a major relief for international football fans, the Trump administration will waive the U.S. visa bond requirement for FIFA World Cup ticket holders ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The move means travelers from 50 countries previously subjected to visa bonds of up to $15,000, will now be exempt if they purchased official FIFA tickets. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico beginning June 11, 2026. Follow @africabrieff.

𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠’𝐬 𝐔𝐆𝐗 𝟒𝟐𝐌 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐟𝐢𝐭 Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament @AnitahAmong, who is facing scrutiny over allegations of extravagant spending, attended President @KagutaMuseveni’s swearing-in ceremony wearing an 𝐎𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫 𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 embroidered designer outfit. Oscar de la Renta listing: oscardelarenta.com/products/porce…. The outfit includes a dress priced at $𝟔,𝟒𝟗𝟎 𝐔𝐒𝐃 (approximately 𝐔𝐆𝐗 𝟐𝟒 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧) and a matching embroidered jacket listed at $𝟒,𝟗𝟗𝟎 𝐔𝐒𝐃 (approximately 𝐔𝐆𝐗 𝟏𝟖.𝟓 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧). Combined, the outfit is valued at $𝟏𝟏,𝟒𝟖𝟎 𝐔𝐒𝐃 before taxes, roughly 𝐔𝐆𝐗 𝟒𝟐.𝟓 million.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚: A video of Rwanda’s President @PaulKagame is circulating ahead of President @KagutaMuseveni’s inauguration, where several regional leaders connected to the controversy are expected to attend. In the video, Kagame makes explosive claims about the origins of the M23 rebellion, directly questions the legitimacy of President Félix Tshisekedi’s rise to power and references the hidden political struggles shaping the Great Lakes region. The Rwandan leader alleges that the M23 rebellion “started in Uganda,” questioning why Uganda has never faced the same scrutiny or international pressure directed at Rwanda. “You cannot blame us for the start of this conflict, because everybody knows where this conflict started from and by whom,” Kagame declared. “This M23, I have said it before, came from Uganda. They did not come from here. Why was it not made Uganda’s problem?” Kagame also attacked Tshisekedi’s rise to power, alleging that the Congolese president @FelixUdps did not genuinely win office but was instead installed through a behind-the-scenes political arrangement witnessed by several African heads of state. Kagame referenced former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Egyptian President @AlsisiOfficial, and South African President @CyrilRamaphosa as leaders he claimed could affirm his account of negotiations surrounding the Congolese transition of power. “You know how the current president came to be president?” Kagame asked. “He was just called to the office and this man thought he was making a good deal and they handed him power.” The remarks come at a sensitive moment for the region as tensions over eastern Congo continue to deepen amid diplomatic strain, competing accusations, and growing international scrutiny surrounding the conflict.

I had the honor of being invited to the @Nasdaq headquarters in New York City for the BVRM Investment Days, a high level initiative focused on mobilizing capital for Africa. I interviewed African investors and had the opportunity to sit down with prominent African financiers business figures, including Simon Tiemtore the Chairman and CEO of @Lilium_Group_ and President of the the Vista Bank Group and Chris Aidun founder of @PersistentEnrg. Our conversation explored a critical question: why many U.S. companies are pledging investment in Africa, yet delaying the actual deployment of capital. Read my latest here published by @africabrieff: globalafricabrief.com/post/africa-dr….

Kamala Kamala Harris says she may consider a run in 2026. In our latest, @BahatiRemmy Bahati examines what it could mean for the United States and the world. Read more: globalafricabrief.com/post/kamala-ha…. @KamalaHarris

Former Vice President @KamalaHarris says she “might” consider a run for the U.S. presidency in 2028. I met and briefly spoke with her, asking what a potential candidacy could signal in the United States and globally, including across Africa and the diaspora. Read my latest: globalafricabrief.com/post/kamala-ha…. @africabrieff.

We’re launching our media startup Global Africa Brief on the sidelines of the @WorldBankGroup –@IMFNews Spring Meetings; bringing fresh ideas and bold ambition to a global stage.

𝐔𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐔.𝐒., 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 A Ugandan government aircraft used for VIP travel has landed in the United States, with no official explanation for the trip. The aircraft, registered as 5X-UGF, is a Gulfstream G550 operated by the Government of Uganda and used for official state travel, including the transport of President @KagutaMuseveni. Flight tracking data from @flightaware (RAU2) : flightaware.com/live/flight/RA… indicates the aircraft transited through Cape Verde before arriving in Savannah, Georgia where it has remained on the ground for over 23 hours as of this publication. Ugandan authorities have not publicly stated the purpose of the visit. Presidential jets are not routine transport. Their use is comparable in significance to Air Force One in the United States, generally associated with the movement of the head of state or matters of national security. Long-distance deployments of such aircraft typically signal travel of sensitivity or high security levels. The lack of official information has fueled public interest and online discussion about the timing of the aircraft’s arrival in the United States, including unverified claims about the health of First Lady @JanetMuseveni. The purpose of the aircraft’s presence in the United States remains unclear.

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani laid out his administration’s fiscal outlook during a press conference focused on the city’s upcoming budget, pointing to stronger-than-expected revenues fueled by record Wall Street profits and signaling a push to preserve key public investments.

Yesterday in Washington, @SecRubio & VP @JDVance hosted the first Critical Minerals Ministerial, bringing 50+ nations together to secure supply chains for rare earths, lithium & other strategic metals. Read my latest in @africabrieff: globalafricabrief.com/post/washingto….

We are SECURING our supply chains! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

The U.S.-led Agreements on Trade in Critical Minerals will increase supply chain resilience with like-minded partners while safeguarding America’s economic and national security. Thank you @VP Vance for spearheading efforts to return the critical minerals market to a healthier, more competitive state.

Join us on April 23 at 4:30 PM in the Moot Court at John Jay College for an insightful book talk with biology professor Dr. @nathanlents on The Sexual Evolution: How 500 Million Years of Sex, Gender, and Mating Shape Modern Relationships. As new policies increasingly restrict gender diversity and limit gender-affirming care, Dr. Lents’ research offers a critical perspective on the natural and essential role of sexual variation in both human and animal survival. This timely discussion will explore shifting narratives on sex and gender, challenge rigid definitions, and emphasize the importance of diversity in understanding human relationships. Register here: eventbrite.com/e/115243289079….

Four years ago, in the middle of a pandemic, we needed a leader with the character to put politics aside and do what was right. That’s what @JoeBiden did.   At a time when our economy was reeling, he drove what would become the world’s strongest recovery – with 17 million new jobs, historic wage gains, and lower health care costs. He passed landmark legislation to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and address the threat of climate change.    I’m grateful to Joe for his leadership, his friendship, and his lifetime of service to this country we love.

Happy New Year, folks.