Ibrahim Traore, transitional president of Burkina Faso, has given French troops one month to quit the country, terminating an agreement for French assistance in the fight against militants. The military government is relying increasingly on its own forces and Russian mercenaries to recapture its territory.

Zimbabwe is the latest African country planning to build a luxury city from scratch. Mount Hapden, as the new city will be called, is to replace Harare as the political and economic centre of the country. It joins the likes of Eko Atlantic in Nigeria, New Cairo in Egypt, and Konza Technology City in Kenya, raising familiar questions around inequality and feasibility.

• The Africa Food Summit held in Dakar, Senegal discussed sustainable agriculture and African self-sufficiency. The summit was organized by the African Development Bank from 25-27 January.
• Mo Ibrahim laments strongman leadership in Africa, and its compounding effects on global shocks.
• Ethiopia prepares to launch further satellites into space, and has plans for a satellite manufacturing plant.
• In DRC, football is an arena for elites to boost their popularity, but also a space for opposition to build momentum, reports The Conversation.

Image: Harare, Zimbabwe. Creative Commons. 5 February 2020. Photo credit: Brandon Mushori.