nder The Radar is a special series and newsletter offering from Diplomatic Courier bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world over the past month. This month across Africa: this year's African Union summit in Ethiopia, what's next for French troops in Senegal, and the fight to preserve Kenya's rose industry. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
African Union calls for reparatory justice in its 38th annual summit
The African Union (AU) hosted its 38th summit in February 2025 in Ethiopia. The theme of this year’s summit, chosen during the 36th summit, is "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” The AU aims to encourage Africans and people of African descent to actively engage in the conversation around reparations. While acknowledging the historical injustices of slavery and colonialism is a cornerstone of the conversation, the AU also wants to focus on how present day societies still perpetuate these injustices.
The AU’s discussion around reparations includes both local and global reparations, with the objectives for this conversation including “historical acknowledgment, financial reparations, land restitution, cultural preservation, policy reforms, international accountability, community empowerment, and continued advocacy.” There are historical precedents for successfully securing international reparations. In Kenya, the British government issued a formal apology for the torture and inhumane treatment by the British colonial administration, provided financial compensation, and funded a memorial for the victims. In Namibia, the government received monetary compensation and a formal apology from the German government for the colonial genocide waged against Namibian tribes. However, there has been recent backlash from Europe and the U.S. at the idea of future reparations.
The AU also hopes that by centering the summit around reparations, the continent will further promote diaspora and visa–free travel with the hopes of an eventual “visa–free continent.” Before the summit, some African countries like Ghana have already begun implementing visa–free travel.
French troops to leave Senegal
Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye is following through on his campaign promises to strengthen the Senegalese identity and distance the country from France and the French language. On 12 February 2025, Senegal and France announced the creation of a joint commission to conduct the agreed–upon departure of French troops from Senegal and the closure of French military bases before the end of 2025. Senegal is only the most recent of several former French colonies in Africa ejecting a French military presence amid growing anti–French sentiment and a desire seeking to cement their identity as a sovereign country.
Some Senegalese citizens want to take the process of distancing their country from France even further by renaming many city streets. French street names are common, as are streets named after colonial French governors, commanders, and even doctors—a daily reminder of Senegal’s colonial past. Although previous administrations have renamed some streets, President Faye is the first to announce the creation of a government agency tasked with systematically renaming the streets.
However, while Senegalese citizens praise the removal of French troops, there is growing criticism about the new president’s priorities. Although the connection between strengthening Senegal’s identity and renaming the country’s streets is undeniable, many citizens argue that the government’s priority should be strengthening the economy, which has begun to rebound since the pandemic.
Kenya fights to save its rose industry
A 2021 report by the Central Bank of Kenya indicates that half a million people in Kenya work in the flower industry. Around two–thirds of Kenya’s flower industry is roses, but the industry is suffering due to tightening EU regulations on pesticides and food imports. The EU is a critical market for Kenyan roses—as of 2024, Kenya’s exports make up over 40% of the European flower market. Concern in Europe about Kenya’s agrochemical usage is nothing new, but the current problem revolves around an invasive moth species.
The false codling moth, native to Sub–Saharan Africa, feeds on various produce, often destroying it. Similarly, if the infestation happens close to harvesting, it may be impossible to detect, and the produce may be exported, thus spreading the invasive species.
In 2023, the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya warned the industry of the EU’s response to the risks posed by the false codling moth and the possible regulations that could be implemented. Those regulations appeared in 2024, with EU countries starting increasing health import inspections of Kenya’s produce from 10% to 25%. The Kenya Flower Council has been working alongside the Pest Control Products Board, the Kenya Plant Health Inspector Service, and international organizations to improve the phytosanitary standards of Kenya’s produce.
In January 2025, key rose and flower industry stakeholders drafted a protocol to combat the risk of the false codling moth at all stages of production. Once the proposal is reviewed and approved by the EU to adhere to their regulation standards, Kenya will begin following the protocol, ensuring the country is fully compliant by the end of April 2025.
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African Union calls for reparatory justice in its 38th annual summit
The Yekatit 12 monument in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Photo by Abuti Engidashet via Pexels.
March 4, 2025
Diplomatic Courier staff writer Stephanie Gull brings you three under–the–radar stories from across Africa: the African Union summit, French troops in Senegal, and Kenya's rose industry.
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nder The Radar is a special series and newsletter offering from Diplomatic Courier bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world over the past month. This month across Africa: this year's African Union summit in Ethiopia, what's next for French troops in Senegal, and the fight to preserve Kenya's rose industry. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
African Union calls for reparatory justice in its 38th annual summit
The African Union (AU) hosted its 38th summit in February 2025 in Ethiopia. The theme of this year’s summit, chosen during the 36th summit, is "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” The AU aims to encourage Africans and people of African descent to actively engage in the conversation around reparations. While acknowledging the historical injustices of slavery and colonialism is a cornerstone of the conversation, the AU also wants to focus on how present day societies still perpetuate these injustices.
The AU’s discussion around reparations includes both local and global reparations, with the objectives for this conversation including “historical acknowledgment, financial reparations, land restitution, cultural preservation, policy reforms, international accountability, community empowerment, and continued advocacy.” There are historical precedents for successfully securing international reparations. In Kenya, the British government issued a formal apology for the torture and inhumane treatment by the British colonial administration, provided financial compensation, and funded a memorial for the victims. In Namibia, the government received monetary compensation and a formal apology from the German government for the colonial genocide waged against Namibian tribes. However, there has been recent backlash from Europe and the U.S. at the idea of future reparations.
The AU also hopes that by centering the summit around reparations, the continent will further promote diaspora and visa–free travel with the hopes of an eventual “visa–free continent.” Before the summit, some African countries like Ghana have already begun implementing visa–free travel.
French troops to leave Senegal
Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye is following through on his campaign promises to strengthen the Senegalese identity and distance the country from France and the French language. On 12 February 2025, Senegal and France announced the creation of a joint commission to conduct the agreed–upon departure of French troops from Senegal and the closure of French military bases before the end of 2025. Senegal is only the most recent of several former French colonies in Africa ejecting a French military presence amid growing anti–French sentiment and a desire seeking to cement their identity as a sovereign country.
Some Senegalese citizens want to take the process of distancing their country from France even further by renaming many city streets. French street names are common, as are streets named after colonial French governors, commanders, and even doctors—a daily reminder of Senegal’s colonial past. Although previous administrations have renamed some streets, President Faye is the first to announce the creation of a government agency tasked with systematically renaming the streets.
However, while Senegalese citizens praise the removal of French troops, there is growing criticism about the new president’s priorities. Although the connection between strengthening Senegal’s identity and renaming the country’s streets is undeniable, many citizens argue that the government’s priority should be strengthening the economy, which has begun to rebound since the pandemic.
Kenya fights to save its rose industry
A 2021 report by the Central Bank of Kenya indicates that half a million people in Kenya work in the flower industry. Around two–thirds of Kenya’s flower industry is roses, but the industry is suffering due to tightening EU regulations on pesticides and food imports. The EU is a critical market for Kenyan roses—as of 2024, Kenya’s exports make up over 40% of the European flower market. Concern in Europe about Kenya’s agrochemical usage is nothing new, but the current problem revolves around an invasive moth species.
The false codling moth, native to Sub–Saharan Africa, feeds on various produce, often destroying it. Similarly, if the infestation happens close to harvesting, it may be impossible to detect, and the produce may be exported, thus spreading the invasive species.
In 2023, the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya warned the industry of the EU’s response to the risks posed by the false codling moth and the possible regulations that could be implemented. Those regulations appeared in 2024, with EU countries starting increasing health import inspections of Kenya’s produce from 10% to 25%. The Kenya Flower Council has been working alongside the Pest Control Products Board, the Kenya Plant Health Inspector Service, and international organizations to improve the phytosanitary standards of Kenya’s produce.
In January 2025, key rose and flower industry stakeholders drafted a protocol to combat the risk of the false codling moth at all stages of production. Once the proposal is reviewed and approved by the EU to adhere to their regulation standards, Kenya will begin following the protocol, ensuring the country is fully compliant by the end of April 2025.
