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News and information from the fast-changing continent.
Somalia Granted $4.5 Billion in Debt Forgiveness
[VOA] The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank approved $4.5 billion in debt forgiveness for Somalia Wednesday after the Horn of Africa nation completed years of financial reforms under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, or HIPC.
The initiative was launched in 1996 by the IMF and the World Bank to help the world's poorest countries achieve debt sustainability.
In a statement, the IMF and the World Bank said the debt relief will ''facilitate access to critical additional financial resources
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Congo-Kinshasa: Would Congo Prosper If It Dumped the Dollar?
[DW] Next week, voters in Congo will decide whether President Felix Tshisekedi will serve a second term. Many voters want their leader to revive the DRC's fragile economy by dumping the dollar.
Seated on a little chair in the popular Lumumba market, located in the Bandalugwa district of the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, trader Rosette Kungi mixes beans in a large green bucket next to her cardboard price signs that change every day.
In recent months, the Democratic Republic of Congo's local currency, the Franc
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Ethiopia: Is Ethiopia Indulging an Imperialist Fantasy for the Red Sea?
[African Arguments] Ethiopia's claims to a historical right to Red Sea access are as old as the invention of modern Ethiopia itself.
On October 13, 2023, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, addressing members of the Ethiopian parliament asserted that Ethiopia has a natural, legal, historical, and demographic right to own an outlet to the Red Sea. He put forth a historically contentious claim, suggesting that Ethiopia was a maritime power for centuries until losing its access to the sea following Eritrea's independence in 1991. Casting
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Nigeria: Davido Tops List of Most Followed Nigerians On Social Media in 2023
[Premium Times] A recent survey has unveiled the most followed Nigerians across major social media platforms, and the results are nothing short of spectacular
Popular Afro-beat musician David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, has claimed the coveted top spot as the most followed Nigerian across major social media platforms.
A recent survey by Top Charts Africa, an entertainment statistics platform, on Tuesday, unveiled the most followed Nigerians across major social media platforms
The list is determined by the cumulative
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Africa: Global Refugee Forum Opens Amid 'Crisis of Humanity'
[UN News] A record 114 million forcibly displaced around the world represents a ''crisis of humanity'', UN refugee agency (UNHCR) chief Filippo Grandi said on Wednesday as the Global Refugee Forum got underway in Geneva.
The world's largest gathering dedicated to refugee issues, the Forum is co-hosted by UNHCR and Switzerland and convened by Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan and Uganda.
It brings together Member States, civil society, financial institutions, private companies and more than 300 refugee advocates.
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Kenya: Tourism Board Eyes African American Travellers
[Capital FM] The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is looking to attract African Americans seeking to explore the country and continent.
KTB acting CEO John Chirchir said that the board is tailoring its approach to meet the desires of this demographic, who seek immersive cultural encounters, adventure, and engagement with conservation initiatives.
Chirchir highlighted Kenya's appeal as a destination that offers a unique blend of cultural richness and biodiversity.
He also emphasised the integral connection between conservation
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Nigeria's Military Mistakes Cost the Country Its Civilians
[ISS] Caution is crucial in airstrikes to prevent tragic accidents like the recent bombing in Kaduna State.
Last week's accidental bombing of Tudun Biri in Kaduna State by the Nigerian Army's drone unit is the country's most devastating military mishap in six years, with 120 casualties. Survivors say they were bombed twice in the 5 December incident, and one family said they lost 32 members.
Punch newspaper reports that over 425 people, including children and women, were killed by military accidental bombings
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Madagascar Cave Art Hints At Ancient Connections Between Africa and Asia
[The Conversation Africa] Unique, prehistoric rock art drawings have been discovered in the Andriamamelo Cave in western Madagascar.
I was part of a team that discovered and described these ancient treasures. They're the first truly pictorial art, depicting images of nature with human-like and animal-like figures, to be seen on the island. Until recently, rock art in Madagascar had only yielded a few sites with basic symbols.
The dramatic discoveries contained several surprises, including hints at some remarkable cultural
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Kenya's Debt Distress Averted as Economy Gains Stability, Says President William Ruto
[Capital FM] President William Ruto has announced that Kenya has successfully averted the threat of debt distress, emphasizing that the nation's economy is on a stable and sustainable path.
He credited the government's implementation of well-considered policies for this achievement, policies that have promoted sustainable economic growth.
During the 60th Jamhuri Day celebration held at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, President Ruto highlighted that the government has made the right decisions, undertaken necessary sacrifices,
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Sierra Leone's Attempted Coup and a Cost of Living Crisis Put Peace to the Test
[The Conversation Africa] Attacks on military barracks and prisons in Sierra Leone on 26 November 2023 were a failed coup attempt, according to police and government officials in the west African country of 8.8 million people. Christina Mammone, who has researched Sierra Leone's transition from mass violence, conflict and atrocities to peace, answers questions on the attempted coup.
What was the context of the November attacks?
There is no specific event or cause which can be identified as the trigger for the recent attacks. There
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Africa: COP28 Delivers Historic Consensus in Dubai to Accelerate Climate Action
[COP28 UAR] Today, COP28 concluded with a historic agreement by 198 Parties to deliver a new era of climate action.
Today, the Parties agreed a landmark text named The UAE Consensus, that sets out an ambitious climate agenda to keep 1.5°C within reach. The UAE Consensus calls on Parties to transition away from fossil fuels to reach net zero, encourages them to submit economy-wide Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), includes a new specific target to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030,
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Nigeria: Kaduna Airstrike - Deceased Persons' Families Sue Nigerian Govt, Army
[Premium Times] A representative of the victims' families detailed in an affidavit filed in support of the suit how the 3 December airstrike snuffed the life out of the deceased persons and injured several people.
Families of 53 deceased victims of the recent military airstrike in Kaduna State have sued the Nigerian government, demanding N33 billion compensation, court documents show.
About 100 people were feared dead in an airstrike carried out by a military aircraft at Tudun Biri village in the Igabi local government
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Africa: Victor Osimhen Named African Footballer of the Year 2023
[CAF] As everyone at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech rose to their feet to give Victor Osimhen a standing ovation after he was named the CAF African Footballer of the Year on Monday, the prolific goal scorer wore an ear-to-ear smile.
The 24-year-old Nigerian clad in a fancy green suit made his way to the center stage and absorbed the moment before thanking his teammates and everyone that has supported his journey from the beginning.
“This feels good. It has been 24 years since a Nigerian -
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Africa: China-Africa Relations in 2023 - Key Moments and Events to Remember
[The Conversation Africa] In a year when headlines have been dominated by conflict in Europe and the Middle East, and geo-economic tensions between China and the West, China-Africa relations were, in comparison, a steady and stable norm.
Having followed China-Africa relations for two decades, I wanted to flag a few key moments from this year. These reveal that the relations between China and the continent have focused on building momentum and deepening ties, especially when it comes to trade and the promotion of African exports.
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Africa: Adaptation Q&A - What's At Stake for Africa At COP28?
[African Arguments] What is adaptation? What will African countries be arguing for at COP28? Against whom?
At the upcoming international climate talks in Dubai, developing countries will be hoping for much more action on adaptation, which has typically taken a back seat at the COP negotiations. To unpick what adaptation is, what's on the agenda at COP28, and what's at stake for African countries, our climate editor, James Wan, spoke to Darlington Sibanda, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the African Climate & Development
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South Africa: Ex-Spy Boss 'Lied' for Millions, Says Agency - South African News Briefs - December 14, 2023
[allAfrica]
Ex-Spy Chief Accused of 'Misrepresentation' in R6.1m Payout Bid
In a high-stakes legal clash, the South African State Security Agency (SSA) is challenging a R6.1 million payout claim from former spy chief Dr. Setlhomamaru Dintwe, reports Karyn Maughan in an exclusive News24 report. The SSA argues the claim is based on a contract amendment Dintwe says inflated his salary by 52%, but which the agency claims is invalid due to misrepresentation. Dintwe, who served as Inspector-General of Intelligence
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Nigeria: WHO Confirms 25 New Cases of Covid-19 in Nigeria
[Premium Times] As of 13 December, a total of 266,675 confirmed cases and 3,155 deaths have been recorded across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced 25 fresh coronavirus cases in Benue State, North-Central Nigeria.
The WHO surveillance officer for the state, Ogechukwu Chigbo, disclosed this at a one-day Civil Society Organisations and Media Engagement/Orientation meeting on the COVID-19 rampup in Makurdi, the state's capital.
Ms Chigbo
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Nigeria: Tinubu Sacks Heads of Nigeria's Aviation Agencies, Appoints Replacements
[Premium Times] The aviation agencies affected include FAAN, NAMA, NCAA and NiMET.
President Bola Tinubu has sacked the heads of Nigeria's aviation agencies including FAAN, NAMA, NCAA and NiMET.
The sack was announced in a statement on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale.
New officials were also appointed to head the agencies.
Mr Ngelale said the replacements were done ''to bring world class standards to Nigerian Civil Aviation in consumer protection and the promotion of the wellbeing of Nigerian
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Nigeria: Why LGBTQ+ Nigerians Fear Heading Home for Christmas
[Thomson Reuters Foundation] Christmas can be a fraught time for LGBTQ+ people, some of whom might be estranged from their families while others dread festive gatherings with intolerant relatives.
But LGBTQ+ Nigerians who celebrate Christmas face a double whammy of social stigma and a legal ban on gay sex in the deeply religious country, where many reject homosexuality as a corrupting Western import.
Some Nigerians decide to go back into the closet for the duration of the festive season, hiding their true identity when they visit
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Rwanda: UK Lawmakers Vote in Favour of New Migration Treaty With Rwanda
[New Times] British lawmakers on Tuesday, December 12, voted in favour of the new migration treaty signed between their country and Rwanda.
Signed on December 5 in Kigali by the foreign ministers of the two countries, the deal seeks to revive the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP), which was ruled unlawful by the UK Supreme Court in November.
The UK Supreme Court ruled against the deal because there were ''substantial grounds for believing that asylum seekers would face a real risk of ill-treatment
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Rwanda: DR Congo - M23 Rebels 'Welcome' U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire
[New Times] The M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo have welcomed a 72-hour ceasefire with the Congolese army, which was announced by the United States government on Monday, December 11.
''Although the M23 did not take part in the decision for the 72-hour ceasefire, it welcomes the decision since it is in line with the M23's existing signed ceasefire of March 7th, 2023,'' the group's spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the M23 want to ''give a chance to a peaceful resolution of the
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Rwanda: UK Parliament Votes in Favour of Deportation of Asylum Seekers to Rwanda
[allAfrica] British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's urgent proposal to restart sending asylum seekers to Rwanda passed in parliament, overcoming a rebellion by many of his own MPs, revealing deep divisions within his party, reports Aljazeera.
Sunak, staking his reputation despite warnings, clinched a 313-269 victory in the House of Commons for his asylum plan after intense last-minute negotiations and parliamentary drama on December 12.
Even with the win, the outcome revealed the prime minister's ongoing struggle to
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Africa: Could Angola Become Africa's Logistics Hub?
[Africa Renewal] Yes, according to Catarino Fontes Pereira, head of Angolan logistics regulatory agency
To help diversify the economy, the Angolan Regulatory Agency for Cargo Certification and Logistics (ARCCLA) oversees implementation of the country's logistics network projects. In this interview with Africa Renewal's Kingsley Ighobor, Catarino Fontes Pereira, president of ARCCLA's board of directors spoke about the potential for current projects to foster national and regional economic development.
Why did you send some
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Zimbabwe: Acquittal of Imprisoned Opposition Leader Shows Growing Cases of Misuse of Justice System to Target Critical Voices
[AI London] Responding to yesterday's High Court acquittal of opposition leader, Jacob Ngarivhume, who was sentenced in April to 48 months imprisonment for leading protests against government corruption, Khanyo Farisè, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for Southern Africa, said:
While his conviction has now been quashed, it is unconscionable that Jacob Ngarivhume spent eight months in prison simply for organising a peaceful protest. He should never have been tried, let alone convicted in the first
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Nigeria: Achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria Through Private Sector Financing
[Nigeria Health Watch] Editor's note: Political leadership to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has never been more crucial in Nigeria than it is now. In line with the theme for UHC Day 2023- Health for All: Time for Action- policymakers need to take immediate action to ensure health for Nigerians without financial difficulties. This Thought Leadership article highlights how private sector financing can support the goal of UHC in Nigeria based on discussions from the panel session- ''Private Sector Financing for Health
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Nigeria: COP28 - Nigeria Rejects Call to Phase Out Fossil Fuels
[Premium Times] Nigerian government says the call for phase-out of fossil fuels is unfair to Nigeria.
The Nigerian government has rejected calls for phase-out fossil fuels, an issue emerged as one of the most topical at the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Summit in Dubai, UAE.
''It is unacceptable to ask Nigeria or Africa to phase out fossil fuels,'' said Ishaq Salako, Nigeria's Minister of State for Environment.
He likened the clamour for phasing out of fossil fuels to asking a sick patient to breathe without life
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South Africa: 'I Am Not Going Anywhere' - King Misuzulu
[Scrolla] King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has called on the royal family and the Zulu nation at large to remain calm because he is still on the throne.
The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has not dethroned him, he said in a statement on Tuesday.
''His Majesty calls upon the royal family, amakhosi/traditional leaders of the kingdom, and the Zulu nation at large to remain calm, focused and confident because the King is still on the throne and continues with his day-to-day engagement of the Zulu nation,'' the statement
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Uganda: A 'Mysterious Tropical Disorder' Is Devastating Families in Northern Uganda
[Global Press Journal] Two centers for the treatment of nodding syndrome closed in 2017, leaving families with few options to manage the little-understood condition. Now, a priest has stepped in to help.
Betty, 22, sits on the ground outside her home eating a mango. She chews the fruit with difficulty; her tongue has become heavy after years of constant biting. A group of children runs and plays a few feet away. Betty smiles and gestures at them. The children smile back and try to make conversation from a distance, but none
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Angola: Is White House Re-Framing Shared Values Ahead of Angola Visit?
[allAfrica] The recent statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the visit of the President of Angola could mark a significant development in messaging on the bilateral relationship between Angola and the United States.
On Sunday, Jean-Pierre said that the visit will not only provide an opportunity for the President of the United States, Joe Biden, and the President of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, to "mark 30-years of diplomatic relations." It will provide a
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Africa: Leaders' Unified Voice At COP28 Must Prioritize Human Rights and Climate Justice
[AI London] African leaders attending this year's Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UNFCCC must avoid mistakes made during the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, where leaders adopted the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action (Nairobi Declaration), which in many ways failed to effectively prioritize human rights and climate justice for the continent, Amnesty International said today.
"While the Nairobi Declaration is a unified voice aimed at addressing Africa's climate challenges, some of its
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