THE BRIEF | 10 February 2026 | 12:00 PM SAST

SOUTH AFRICA | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

Mining Indaba Opens as Trade Pressures Mount

What happened
The Investing in African Mining Indaba opened in Cape Town on 9 February, placing critical minerals, beneficiation, and investment security at the centre of discussions.

Why it matters
As global competition for minerals intensifies and U.S. tariff risks rise, South Africa is positioning mining as a strategic lever for growth, industrialisation, and geopolitical relevance.

Details
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is scheduled to address the SAYEC Mining Indaba Business Dialogue on 11 February, with an emphasis on value addition and local supply chains. The forum runs through Thursday and draws global investors, governments, and multinationals.

Broken by
South Africa Brief – https://www.southafricabrief.com

Additional reporting
Business Day – https://www.businesslive.co.za

Ramaphosa Steps Up Pre-SONA Consultations

What happened
President Cyril Ramaphosa held a youth roundtable on Monday as part of consultations ahead of Thursday’s State of the Nation Address.

Why it matters
SONA will outline the Medium-Term Development Plan and frame the political narrative ahead of likely local elections later this year.

Details
The Presidency confirmed the engagement, with inputs expected to inform priorities on employment, service delivery, and governance reform.

Broken by
The Presidency – https://www.thepresidency.gov.za

Additional reporting
SABC News – https://www.sabcnews.com

DA Leadership Shift Continues to Ripple

What happened
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen’s confirmation that he will not seek re-election continues to reverberate within the Government of National Unity.

Why it matters
The move reshapes internal DA dynamics and alters balance-of-power considerations inside the GNU.

Details
Steenhuisen has indicated his focus will remain on his ministerial portfolio, reducing factional contestation in the short term.

Broken by
Reuters – https://www.reuters.com
Associated Press – https://apnews.com

AFRICA | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

South Africa, China Deepen Trade Alignment

What happened
South Africa and China signed a framework agreement for a new trade deal on Friday.

Why it matters
The move signals Pretoria’s willingness to pivot eastward as U.S. tariff threats resurface under the Trump administration.

Details
Officials framed the agreement as a counterbalance to protectionist pressures and a boost to export diversification.

Broken by
ABC News – https://abcnews.go.com
tralac – https://www.tralac.org

DR Congo: SANDF Withdrawal Begins

What happened
South African troops began withdrawing from the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Why it matters
The drawdown marks a shift in regional security posture and raises questions about stability in eastern Congo.

Details
UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix met President Félix Tshisekedi and will visit Beni to oversee what the UN calls an “orderly transition.”

Broken by
UN News – https://news.un.org

AU Moves to Align Peace and Governance Frameworks

What happened
The African Union convened its first 2026 AGA–APSA Platform statutory meeting in Addis Ababa on 9–10 February.

Why it matters
The session aims to tighten coordination between governance and peace architectures ahead of the AU summit.

Details
AU officials emphasised institutional alignment amid rising regional instability.

Broken by
African Union – https://au.int

WORLD | KEY DEVELOPMENTS

Iran Nuclear Talks Reach Critical Phase

What happened
U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations mediated in Oman entered a decisive stage, with Iran signalling possible limited enrichment concessions.

Why it matters
The talks carry implications for sanctions relief, regional security, and energy markets.

Details
Iranian official Ali Larijani is en route to Muscat. Tehran insists on sanctions relief and refuses talks on missiles or proxies. President Trump has indicated openness to a nuclear-only deal, while Israel presses for broader constraints ahead of a Netanyahu–Trump meeting on 11 February.

Broken by
Institute for the Study of War – https://www.understandingwar.org
Reuters – https://www.reuters.com

Additional reporting
Al Jazeera – https://www.aljazeera.com

Trump Signals Tariff and Annexation Red Lines

What happened
President Trump signed an executive order threatening 25% tariffs on countries trading with Iran and opposed Israeli West Bank annexation plans.

Why it matters
The moves underline a transactional U.S. foreign policy and strain alliances.

Details
White House officials confirmed the annexation stance, prompting backlash from settlement advocates.

Broken by
Al Jazeera – https://www.aljazeera.com
White House – https://www.whitehouse.gov

Thailand and Japan Deliver Electoral Signals

What happened
Thailand’s early general election entered extended vote counting, while Japan’s LDP secured a landslide lower-house victory.

Why it matters
Both outcomes reflect voter anxiety over economic stability and nationalism.

Details
Thailand faces a tight three-way contest; Japan’s result strengthens conservative continuity.

Broken by
Associated Press – https://apnews.com
Foreign Policy – https://foreignpolicy.com

Markets Rebound as Crypto Holds Ground

What happened
Global markets opened the week with a tech-led rebound; bitcoin stabilised near $70,000.

Why it matters
Investor sentiment is recalibrating between AI-driven growth and sustainability concerns.

Details
Oracle surged 9%, Microsoft gained 3%. Analysts downplayed crypto bear risks, maintaining bullish long-term targets.

Broken by
CNBC – https://www.cnbc.com
Wall Street Journal – https://www.wsj.com

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