Africa

The Nigeria Emergency Management Agency has reported a grim development: 14 bodies have been retrieved from the waters of central Niger State. Unfortunately, around 150 passengers are still unaccounted for following a tragic boat capsizing incident. According to officials, the boat overturned after it was overloaded, carrying about 300 passengers from the Mundi community. These individuals had congregated for a religious event in the nearby Gbajibo village. Of those on board, 150 were successfully rescued, leaving a…

Lawmakers are pressing Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube to deliver a comprehensive statement addressing the recent plunge in value of Zimbabwe's newly unveiled gold-backed currency. Dubbed the ZiG, or Zimbabwe Gold, this currency made its debut in April. However, it has already suffered a staggering decline of more than 40%. This drop stems from mounting market pressure urging the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to establish a more realistic and pragmatic exchange rate. Throughout the last several years, efforts to create a stable…

AllAfrica proudly presents its latest creative endeavor: an eight-part podcast series titled "Wild Basil." This captivating series showcases remarkable women who have made significant strides in fostering peace and facilitating development through innovative endeavors in biodiversity and conservation throughout Southern Africa, including nations such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola, Botswana, and South Africa. Isn’t it curious how most podcasts that celebrate extraordinary accomplishments often spotlight men? The…

In the past nine years, Angola has reported a concerning 200 instances of human trafficking. Ana Celeste Januário, the Secretary of State for Human Rights and Citizenship, shared these alarming statistics during a thematic meeting in Luanda focused on the Program for the Promotion of Human Rights. Januário highlighted that the provinces particularly beset by this grave issue include primarily border regions as well as the capital, Luanda. She strongly encouraged citizens to follow established laws and engage in commerce…

Authorities have taken one individual into custody for interrogation regarding the tragic mass shooting in Lusikisiki, in which 18 lives were lost in the Eastern Cape. This horrific incident unfolded at a homestead within Ngobozana village, where a family was in the midst of preparing for a traditional ritual. This ceremony was designed to signify the conclusion of a mourning period for a mother and daughter who had been tragically killed in August of the previous year. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his…

The High Court of Botswana has officially ruled that four out of five presidential hopefuls possess the necessary backing to vie for the nation's highest office, as stipulated by law. Among these contenders is Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is eyeing a second term in the presidency. Joining Masisi in this political contest are Duma Boko, the head of the opposition coalition known as the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC); Dumelang Saleshando, representing the Botswana Congress Party (BCP); and Mephato Reatile from the Botswana…

The World Health Organization (WHO) is ramping up efforts to provide medical assistance to Rwanda in its fight against the Marburg virus disease (MVD), a lethal hemorrhagic fever that has tragically resulted in nine fatalities to date. According to the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, authorities have pinpointed around 300 individuals who were in close contact with confirmed cases and are currently under vigilant observation. MVD, a severe virus primarily spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of…

Mogadishu (AX) — Sub-Saharan Africa's arms trade is witnessing a seismic shift. Traditional suppliers, Russia for example, are losing their stronghold to rising competitors like China and Turkey. A fresh series of reports from the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), titled "Importing (In)security: The Evolving Arms Trade in Sub-Saharan Africa," outlines this transformation, spotlighting China as a burgeoning force in the region's arms market.In a significant shift, many Sub-Saharan African countries…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has voiced strong objections to a recent decree from the Nigerien government, which greenlights the formation of a database targeting individuals suspected of terrorist activities. The organization argues that this legislation seriously infringes upon essential human rights by utilizing "overly vague criteria" for determining who gets placed on the list, consequently "denying due process" to those affected. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a Senior Researcher specializing in the Sahel region, expressed concern…

In a notable response to potential unrest, authorities in Nigeria are bolstering police presence in several key states ahead of an anticipated national protest, driven by concerns over soaring living costs and dissatisfaction with current governance. Organized by the Take It Back movement, demonstrators have slated their gathering for October 1, coinciding with the nation’s 64th anniversary of independence. Protesters claim that the government has neglected the issues raised during their August rally. The Nigerian…