Can Africa choose economic partners on its own terms?
Africa’s minerals and young workforce are attracting global interest as China, the US and Europe compete for influence.

Africa’s minerals and young workforce are attracting global interest as China, the US and Europe compete for influence.

![Ousmane Sonko speaks after he was appointed prime minister by Senegal's newly-elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in Dakar, Senegal [File: Abdou Karim Ndoye/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-03T054833Z_161381706_RC2LY6AILHMX_RTRMADP_3_SENEGAL-POLITICS-1712129356.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)







Many African nations now spend more servicing external debt than funding healthcare and education.
An embattled President Macron is facing increasing calls to announce snap elections or even to step down.
US President Donald Trump blames Democrats for looming federal layoffs as shutdown enters fifth day.
High court to hear arguments in January on whether Cook will lose her job but says she may stay in her post until then.
The US is planning to extend a $20 billion loan to Argentina in support to President Javier Milei.
Lisa Cook took part in this week’s Fed policy meeting in which the central bank cut interest rates by 0.25%.

US Federal Reserve reduces interest rates and signals more cuts ahead as the labour market slows.
The strike action and nationwide protests follow the Block Everything demonstrations earlier in September.
The Bloomberg News report comes as the White House pushes to fire fed governor Lisa Cook for a similar reason.

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