Eye on Africa

In Mauritania, the race for the upcoming presidential election on June 29 is heating up with a flurry of candidacies being announced. One that stood out last Saturday was that of former president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison last December for using his power to amass a fortune, with his lawyers appealing the decision. The former president, currently detained, faces uncertainty over his eligibility to run. This issue has sparked debate among lawyers on both sides.

How can we control digital content and prevent manipulation or combat online hate? Today, members of the Francophone Network of Media Regulators (REFRAM) and the African Network of Communication Regulation Authorities (RIARC) along with representatives from major digital platforms signed the Abidjan Declaration. This marks a commitment to enhancing dialogue between regulators and online platforms.

President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania announced his intention to seek reelection in the upcoming June presidential elections.

Legal conclusion, or close to it, in a case dating back to December 2017 in Cameroon. At that time, nearly 75 individuals were arrested in Yaoundé, Douala, Ebolowa, and Kye-Ossi, in the south. Some were released, while the rest - less than thirty, mostly Chadian nationals - faced charges of attempting to assassinate the president of neighboring Equatorial Guinea and were prosecuted by military justice. After four years of proceedings, in March 2022, sentences of 30 and 35 years in prison were handed down. These convictions…

The largest oil reserves in Africa are found in Libya. After years of crisis, the oil sector is picking up steam again, with the country overtaking Nigeria to become the top African oil producer.

In Kenya, unlawful killings and forced disappearances by the police have slightly decreased, but the numbers are still alarming, as per the annual report released Wednesday by Missing Voices, a coalition of human rights organizations. In 2023, incidents of police brutality have dropped by approximately 15%.

In this episode, Eye on Africa explores the Hope Hostel in Kigali, where Rwanda is accommodating migrants deported from Britain. The first batch may arrive in a few months under a contentious policy. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe cracks down on black market money traders to stabilize the recently introduced Zig currency. Plus, we delve into the increasing presence of women in the Egyptian rap scene.

The global hunger crisis is worsening, as shown in the latest FAO report released on Wednesday, April 24. Last year, over 280 million people faced severe malnutrition, an increase of 24 million compared to 2022. Africa is particularly affected by conflicts, climate change, and economic shocks, which are exacerbating factors contributing to the deteriorating situation. The continent continues to suffer from serious conflicts that fuel major food insecurity.

In a startling disclosure, a complex corruption network involving Somali, Kenyan, and Indian nationals has been uncovered within the Indian Embassy in Kenya. These groups are accused of exploiting vulnerable Somali patients seeking medical treatment in India by significantly inflating the cost of medical visas. Instead of the standard $92, these visas are being unlawfully sold for $1500, taking advantage of families in desperate need of urgent medical care. This scandal is orchestrated through criminal groups operating in…

Featured: Are we heading towards a tightly controlled election in Togo? Check out the image below. Is there a chance that the upcoming election in Togo will be manipulated?