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News and information from the fast-changing continent.
Africa: Analysts Examine Implications of African States' Exit From Ecowas
[VOA] Analysts in West Africa are reacting to the sudden exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the regional economic bloc ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, and are raising security concerns. The three nations led by military juntas announced the withdrawal in a televised broadcast Sunday, accusing the regional body of becoming a threat to member states.
According to a joint communique issued by the military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the withdrawal from ECOWAS after nearly
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Africa: Certain Indoor Air Pollutants Can Be Absorbed Through the Skin - Here's What You Need to Know
[The Conversation Africa] Even though most of us will spend a majority of our lives indoors, that doesn't mean we aren't still exposed to air pollution. Indoor air contains a wide array of pollutants including chemicals found in many common household items, building materials and cleaning products.
These chemicals (known as volatile organic compounds) can occur in gaseous form, which means we can inhale them. But there's a sub-group of volatile organic compounds, called semi-volatile organic compounds. These can occur both in gas
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Zimbabwe: From Researcher to Ride-Share Driver - Why This Zimbabwe Man Made the Switch
[Global Press Journal] Didymus Mhuru once worked in research for the government. Since 2020, he's worked full time behind the wheel for ride-hailing apps. Is the money worth it?
Until February 2020, Didymus Mhuru worked as a researcher at Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Child Care, a job he held for nine years. It was a decent government job with perks like health insurance, and a salary equivalent to 300 United States dollars per month. It was also in research, a field he'd spent years studying and was determined to build his
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Rwanda: Understanding Palliative Care - Why a Mindset Change Is Needed to Address Gaps
[New Times] What do you do when you are told that your loved one has a serious illness or condition that cannot be cured or leaves them with serious complications until death? For many families in Rwanda and the patients themselves, it is a huge dilemma.
Take an example of Emmanuel Nyandwi, who was involved in a road accident six years ago that broke his vertebrae and left his lower body paralysed and disabled.
Because of the life-threatening accident, Nyandwi spent a lot of time in the hospital on palliative care,
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Africa: How New Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills in Africa Expand Crackdown On Rights
[Thomson Reuters Foundation] LONDON, Jan 29 (Openly) - Despite the decriminalisation of same-sex relations in Mauritius in 2023, rights groups warn that new laws being considered in several African countries risk eroding LGBTQ+ rights by creating new offences and targeting new groups.
Many of the new bills resemble Uganda's draconian Anti-Homosexuality Act, which was signed into law last May and which includes the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality".
Sexual minorities in the east African nation say they have faced a wave of
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Nigeria: Lagos City Planning Has a History of Excluding Residents - It's Happening Again
[The Conversation Africa] In Lagos, a megacity with a population estimated at 21 million, the state government has been building a satellite city, known as Eko Atlantic. At the same time is has been destroying informal settlements, where as much as 60%-70% of Lagos's population may live.
Makoko, a community on the mainland of Lagos, is one of the places threatened with demolition. Its residents, who originated from coastal communities in the Niger Delta, Benin, Togo and Ghana, claim to have occupied the area since the early 1900s.
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West Africa: Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso Break From Ecowas
[VOA] The West African nations of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced Sunday they are leaving regional bloc ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, that has been pressing them to return to democratic rule.
The junta leaders of the three Sahel nations said in a joint statement that it was a "sovereign decision" to leave the ECOWAS "without delay," because the bloc, they said, has imposed "inhumane" sanctions against their countries.
They accused ECOWAS of having "moved away from the ideals of
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Zimbabwe: Opposition Leader Chamisa Says He Is Receiving Death Threats After Quitting Party
[New Zimbabwe] Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa says threats have been made on his life following his resignation from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
Chamisa revealed this in an X post on Sunday but did not disclose any further details.
He quit the "hijacked" CCC which he formed a year ago citing 84 reasons in a 13 paged letter.
This followed an onslaught on the party by self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu who has been recalling CCC MPs and councillors.
"Thank you Zimbabwe for standing with me. in
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South Africa: Is the City of Johannesburg Broke? - South African News Briefs - January 29, 2023
[allAfrica]
Is the City of Johannesburg Broke?
The City of Johannesburg is facing financial turmoil, marked by allegations of non-payment, budget "rebase," and threats to cut off electricity, reports News24. A leaked memo revealed a proposed budget adjustment of R8.7 billion for the 2023/24 fiscal year, and the city's revenue collection fell significantly below the norm at 75%. The centralization of billing, as per a leaked document from City Power, has purportedly led to poor performance, debt, and low
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West Africa: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Quit Ecowas
[DW] The leaders of the three Sahel nations said it was a "sovereign decision" to leave the Economic Community of West African States "without delay."
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, said Sunday they are leaving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) immediately.
All three countries, which were founding members of ECOWAS in 1975, are currently led by militaries that seized power from civilian leaders.
"After 49 years, the valiant peoples of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regretfully and with great
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Sierra Leone: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Pays Courtesy Call on Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio, Discusses Country's Role on UN Security Council
[Sierra Leone Government] His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has received Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield in her capacity as Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations as well as the representative in the United Nations Security Council, UNSC.
Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Madam Victoria M. Sulimani, opened the discussions by stating the ministry’s earlier engagement with the Ambassador and indicated that her visit to Freetown was
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South Africa Hosts First In-Person Meeting of Plastics Pacts Network
[WRAP] The first ever meeting of the international members of the Plastics Pact Network convened in South Africa this week, with delegates from around the world meeting in Cape Town. The inaugural three-day intensive programme is a chance for all to share experiences and knowledge to accelerate critical work reducing the global impact of plastic waste, and pollution.
Representatives from twelve of the thirteen Plastics Pact Network members - convened by the Ellen MacArthur
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Rwanda: Cabinet Endorses Bill Ratifying Rwanda-UK Migration Treaty
[New Times] The Cabinet meeting on January 25, approved a bill ratifying a migration agreement between Rwanda and the UK, which seeks to protect refugees and migrants, according to a statement issued by the Office of Prime Minister.
The bill is dubbed "Draft law approving the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Rwanda and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the Provision of an Asylum Partnership to Strengthen Shared International
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South Africa: International Court of Justice Set to Deliver Order in Genocide Case
[IPS] The International Court of Justice will deliver it's order for provisional measures submitted by South Africa in the case of South Africa versus Israel today.
South Africa argued that the scale of destruction resulting from the bombardment of Gaza and the deliberate restriction of food, water, medicines, and electricity demonstrated that the government of Israel and its military were intent on destroying Palestinians as a group.
The case was argued on January 10 and 11, 2024, and today's decision is only
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Africa: What Happens to Your Liver When You Quit Alcohol
[The Conversation Africa] According to Greek mythology, Zeus punished Prometheus for giving fire to humans. He chained Prometheus up and set an eagle to feast on his liver. Each night, the liver grew back and each day, the eagle returned for his feast. In reality, can a liver really grow back?
The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body. It is needed for hundreds of bodily processes, including breaking down toxins such as alcohol. As it is the first organ to "see" alcohol that has been drunk, it is not surprising that
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Africa: Over Half of Charity Campaigns for International Causes Focus On Africa - Here's Why That's Harmful
[The Conversation Africa] The images used by charities and NGOs can become deeply ingrained in the memories of supporters, donors, development partners and the "beneficiaries" themselves. These stories colour what is generally known about global poverty and the developing world.
One of the most notorious examples was the media and charity coverage of the Ethiopian famine in the early 1980s. Powerful and disturbing images brought the reality of the famine into the lives of millions of British people and fast became the currency of
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Uganda: War Crimes Trial Continues in Uganda After Long Delays
[HRW] Avoid Further Delays in Thomas Kwoyelo Case and Ensure Remedies for Victims
The defense stage of Thomas Kwoyelo's trial finally began in Uganda on January 19, 2023, nearly 13 years after the war crimes case against the alleged commander in the rebel group Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) began.
This trial provides a rare opportunity for justice for victims of the two-decade war between the LRA and the Ugandan military.
Kwoyelo is being tried at the International Crimes Division (ICD), a division of Uganda's
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Malawi: Witchcraft in Malawi - a Real Threat for the Elderly
[DW] The root causes of poverty are complex, but witchcraft is usually not tabled as one. However in East Africa, attacks on senior citizens accused of bringing misfortune on their communities through magic are on the rise.
Just days before Christmas, 78-year-old Eliza Supuni was bludgeoned to death near the town of Mulanje in the Southern Region of Malawi.
Her motionless, bloodied body was rushed to a local health center just as she took her final breath.
Supuni was pronounced dead on arrival.
The perpetrators
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Malawi: El Niño - Malawi's Harvest of Maize - Its Staple Food - May Fall By 22.5 Percent This Year
[The Conversation Africa] Maize is the preferred staple of most of southern Africa. In Malawi it supplies two-thirds of national calorie intake. Nine out of 10 farming households produce maize and devote over 70% of their land to growing it.
Most farming households are vulnerable to the rainfall patterns. Over 90% of farming households in the country rely solely on rain to irrigate their maize plants.
We looked at possible weather pattern changes driven by El Niño - an unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern
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South Africa: Jacob Zuma, the Monster South Africa's Ruling ANC Created, Continues to Haunt It
[The Conversation Africa] Former South African president Jacob Zuma is endorsing the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party, the latest rival to the governing African National Congress (ANC) for the upcoming national elections. By doing so, he not only challenges the ANC politically, but also claims its heritage.
The new party - which media reports say is Zuma's brainchild - uses the name of the ANC's former military wing. The party's launch coincided with the 62nd anniversary of the real uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), formed on 16 December 1961 to
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Somalia: Somali Parents Agonize Over Missing Migrants
[VOA] On September 27, 2009, Abdulkadir Mohamud called his mother in Columbus, Ohio, to tell her he was boarding a boat from Libya that evening, along with his cousin Nasteha Mohamed Hassan to reach Italy.
The 96 people on the journey boarded one of the risky rubber boats, but that was not going to stop them as they set their sights on realizing their long-awaited journey to Europe.
More than 14 years later, the boat and the occupants are still missing.
"We have not heard from him, dead or alive," says his
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Africa: Gates Foundation Says 0.5% of World Billionaires' Wealth Could Prevent 7 Million Deaths
[Premium Times] The foundation said there are existing and emerging solutions that will improve and save lives despite challenges.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has said as small as 0.5 per cent of the wealth of billionaires around the world can save millions of lives if invested in meaningful philanthropism.
The organisation said this in its recent call for increased philanthropism among global rich individuals and organisations to advance solutions to improve lives.
Giving a breakdown in the latest 2024 Gates
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East Africa's New Love Affair With Geothermal Energy
[DW] Until recently, there had been little interest in geothermal power in East Africa. But Kenya's trailblazing energy transformation policy is now inspiring others.
Kenya isn't exactly known for its bountiful thermal spas -- but the East Africa nation has ambitious plans to expand geothermal energy sources for eco-friendly electricity.
The Great Rift Valley -- a geological formation running 6,000 kilometers from Eritrea to Mozambique -- offers bountiful opportunities: Not only is this area rich in geothermal
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Africa: Blinken Recalibrates U.S. Focus in Africa
[DW] US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Africa ended with a stopover in Angola. Analysts suggest Blinken sought to shore up transatlantic trade partnerships in light of instability in the Middle East.
While many observers see Antony Blinken's fourth visit to Africa as an American attempt to outdo rivals China and Russia for influence on the continent, transatlantic trade must have been near the top of his agenda, according to African affairs analyst, Emmanuel Bensah:
"The reason why US is engaging
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West Africa: ECOWAS Communique on Burkina Faso, Mali & Niger
[Ecowas] The attention of the Commission of the Economic Co1nrnunity of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has been drawn to a statement broadcast on the National Televisions of Mali and Niger announcing the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to withdraw from ECOWAS.
The ECOWAS Commission is yet to receive any direct formal notification from the three Member States about their intention to withdraw from the Community.
The ECOWAS Commission, as directed by the Authority of Heads of State and Government,
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West Africa: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Announce Pull Out from Ecowas
[Vanguard] The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced Sunday their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc ECOWAS, saying it has become a threat to member states.
The leaders of the three Sahel nations issued a statement saying it was a "sovereign decision" to leave the Economic Community of West African States "without delay".
Struggling with jihadist violence and poverty, the regimes have had tense ties with ECOWAS since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali
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Nigeria: Police to Arrest Nigerians Featured in Online LGBTQ Video Challenge
[Premium Times] The police said the actions of the people were unnatural and punishable under the Nigerian law
The Nigerian police have ordered the arrest of some people who claimed to belong to the Nigerian lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community, in a video clip they featured.
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson of the Force headquarters, gave the order in a statement posted on X on Thursday.
PREMIUM TIMES, Wednesday, reported that the police said they were investigating the viral video after Mr
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Africa: The Emergence of Jn.1 Is an Evolutionary 'Step Change' in the Covid Pandemic. Why Is This Significant?
[The Conversation Africa] Since it was detected in August 2023, the JN.1 variant of COVID has spread widely. It has become dominant in Australia and around the world, driving the biggest COVID wave seen in many jurisdictions for at least the past year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classified JN.1 as a "variant of interest" in December 2023 and in January strongly stated COVID was a continuing global health threat causing "far too much" preventable disease with worrying potential for long-term health consequences.
JN.1 is
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South Africa: International Court of Justice Orders Israel to Prevent Genocidal Acts in Gaza
[allAfrica] The International Court of Justice in the Hague has ruled that the Israeli government must stop its attacks on the Occupied Palestinian Territories and allow aid to reach the affected population unhindered.
This after South Africa brought a case before the court arguing that Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinian people.
The court ordered Israel to report back within a month on measures it's taken to prevents acts of genocide in Gaza - stopping short of ordering a ceasefire. The ruling on
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Sudan: The African Union Is Working On Peace in Sudan - Expert Explains Why It's in Everyone's Interests
[The Conversation Africa] The African Union has recently named a team to work on a peaceful end to Sudan's civil war. The team will engage Sudan's feuding military factions alongside civil society and international players to resolve the conflict that has been raging since 15 April 2023.
The opponents in the conflict are the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
The AU's High-Level Panel on the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan is made up of Ghanaian diplomat Mohamed Chambas, former Ugandan vice-president Speciosa
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