Africa

This weekend, a significant face-off is set to take place in Senegal’s parliamentary elections, pitting former President Macky Sall against Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Both leaders are at the helm of separate coalitions, each vying for control of the parliamentary majority. Expecting a turnout of over seven million voters, Senegalese citizens will cast their ballots for new members of Parliament. This election comes on the heels of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's decision to dissolve the previous Parliament, which he…

Disinformation plays a pivotal role in Russia's hybrid warfare strategy throughout Africa. This tactic aims to bolster Moscow's influence and seize control of the continent's precious resources, as outlined by the Africa Defense Forum (ADF). According to reports, Russia accounts for a staggering 40% of disinformation initiatives across Africa, driven by its so-called "cognitive warfare" approach. This method exploits local grievances and the complex history of colonialism in Africa, cleverly redirecting attention away from…

Mia le Roux, South Africa's representative, has decided to withdraw from the Miss Universe finals taking place in Mexico due to health issues, as announced by the pageant organizers. This sudden decision means South Africa will not have a contestant at the 73rd Miss Universe event. In a public statement, the Miss South Africa organization emphasized that le Roux's health is their "number one priority." They pledged unwavering support until she makes a full recovery. It’s worth noting that le Roux made history by becoming…

In Chad, a chorus of women leaders and activists has brought attention to a significant issue: the glaring scarcity of female candidates in the upcoming legislative, local, and district elections set for December 29. These elections are crucial as they signify the culmination of a transition journey from military to civilian governance. This shift kicked off when General Mahamat Idriss Deby took helm after the passing of his father, the long-serving President Idriss Deby Itno, in 2021. Ahmed Bartchiret, the head of…

Rwanda is on the verge of officially declaring its Marburg outbreak as resolved after successfully discharging the very last patient who had fully recovered. Over the course of this health crisis, the nation witnessed more than 60 cases of infection, leading to 15 tragic fatalities, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). With a significant number of individuals having emerged victorious against the virus, the mortality rate now sits at a concerning 23%. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that there haven’t been any…

UN Urges a Halt in Weapon Supplies to Sudan's Conflict Parties NEW YORK - The United Nations, standing as a global peace advocate, has taken a firm stance against entities providing arms to conflict groups in Sudan, criticizing them for fueling the ongoing bloodshed as the entrenched conflict nears its third anniversary with both factions fiercely vying for supremacy. The ongoing tussle between the Rapid Support Force (RSF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) over governmental control has plunged Sudan into a dire…

The European Commission has made the call to let the current fishing agreement between Brussels and Dakar lapse, citing significant issues related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices. Jean-Marc Pisani, the EU’s ambassador to West Africa, highlighted that the decision stems from Senegal's lack of adequate measures against these harmful fishing activities. As a result, he noted, European fishing vessels will cease operations in Senegal’s exclusive economic zone starting from midnight on November 17th.…

Tragic news has emerged from Mozambique, where police reportedly opened fire, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals during a demonstration in Namicopo—a densely populated area in Nampula province. This grim incident has pushed the total number of fatalities attributed to police actions to nearly 50, following a series of protests that ignited on October 21, 2024. The turmoil in Mozambique shows no signs of abating, especially in the wake of recent electoral disputes. Venancio Mondlane, the leader of the opposition…

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Following Donald Trump's election, African leaders expressed enthusiasm about forging stronger partnerships with the United States. However, many remain skeptical that his presidency will significantly impact the continent's 1.4 billion-strong population. After Trump clinched victory, Kenya's William Ruto affirmed readiness to enhance relations with Washington, while Nigeria's Bola Tinubu looked forward to "earnest and mutually rewarding" collaborations. Despite these greetings, whispers abound that…

Doctors Without Borders, an esteemed international medical charity, is urgently appealing to major pharmaceutical companies and every manufacturer of insulin to dramatically improve access to diabetes treatments in low- and middle-income nations. They’re advocating for the availability of insulin pen injection devices at a price point of just $1. In their recent announcement, they underscored a staggering fact: approximately 80% of individuals living with diabetes are found in low- and middle-income countries. These regions…