Africa

On the fateful day of January 9, 2025, an unusual episode unfolded in Chad as government officials referred to an assault on the presidential palace as a "small incident," aimed at disrupting the nation’s stability. The capital, N'Djamena, reverberated with the sounds of intense gunfire when armed assailants reportedly breached the gates of the presidential grounds. This turmoil erupted right after President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno had concluded discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. In the wake of the attack,…

Egypt Plans Military Deployment in Somalia to Challenge Ethiopia's Influence in the Horn CAIRO, Egypt — As whispers circulate throughout the region, Egypt's gearing up to dispatch its military might to the rugged terrains of Somalia. This bold move is seen as a counterpunch to Ethiopia's growing hold over the Horn of Africa's geopolitical landscape, with Cairo eyeing a pivotal foothold to command the bustling waters of the Red Sea. Under the shadow of these regional chess games, Cairo will host powwows with Somalia from…

As President-elect John Mahama prepares to assume the highest office in Ghana on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, he faces a monumental task—leading a nation overwhelmed by its most severe economic crisis in decades. Mahama isn’t new to the political arena; he served as president from 2012 to 2017. His recent triumph over the ruling party's candidate, outgoing Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, marks a noteworthy comeback that has captured national attention. "The economic landscape is challenging," Mahama expressed shortly after…

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is on the rise across Africa, and health officials are sounding the alarm about the risks of becoming too relaxed. According to a recent update from the World Health Organization (WHO), numerous regions on the continent are grappling with outbreaks linked to several virus variants, or clades. As of December 1, 2024, WHO reported that over 13,000 cases have been confirmed in 20 distinct nations. This report sheds light on the fact that different clades have different modes of transmission. For…

In a significant legal development, Ghana's Supreme Court has turned down two attempts aimed at halting the enactment of a contentious piece of legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community. This legislation, formally known as the Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, received parliamentary approval in February. Under this bill, individuals from sexual minorities could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years for engaging in homosexual relations. While the bill boasts substantial backing within Ghana, it has…

Rwanda has proudly inaugurated Africa's pioneering laboratory dedicated to assessing the quality and safety of motorcycle helmets. This innovative facility is capable of testing between 30 to 40 helmets each day. Its primary objective is to ensure that both locally produced and imported helmets comply with the safety regulations set forth by the Rwanda Standards Board. "By establishing this lab, we are taking crucial strides towards lowering head injuries and fostering economic advancement," explains a representative from…

Military officials from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have boldly reiterated their commitment to exit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This decision stands firm despite ECOWAS's proposal for a six-month transitional period, which was put forth during a recent summit in Abuja. The trio had initially signaled their intent to part ways with the bloc back in January 2024, following their respective military takeovers. In a collective statement, the leaders of the junta—who have united under the banner of…

Experts contend that the Congo Basin holds the title of the planet's most vital carbon sink, outpacing even the Amazon in its ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Recent discoveries of extensive peatlands hidden beneath this lush expanse have solidified this view. As global appetite for minerals surges—especially those crucial to the ongoing energy shift—the effects on the region's forests are becoming increasingly alarming. According to Earth Insight, a staggering 27% of the intact forests are now encompassed within mining…

The Senate of Liberia has agreed to the draft budget for 2025 put forth by a faction within the House of Representatives, identifying themselves as the "majority Bloc." However, this move hasn't come without its share of controversy. Analysts, including the beleaguered Speaker Fonati Koffa and a former Supreme Court justice, have raised eyebrows about the legitimacy of this financial document. They point to ongoing tensions between the Speaker's supporters and those seeking to remove him from office. This hefty budget,…

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has mobilized a specialized team to undertake an extensive investigation into the troubling situation at Lake Chivero, where recent reports of fish and wildlife fatalities have emerged due to pollution. This urgent action comes in light of the serious pollution crisis impacting Lake Chivero, the main source of water for Harare. This contamination has tragically led to the deaths of not only four white rhinoceroses and three zebras but also various bird species…