crisis

Malawi is unprepared for the upcoming planting season, with limited fertilizer stocks and the procurement of other farming inputs “dangerously” behind schedule, President Peter Mutharika told an International Monetary Fund delegation on Thursday. Mutharika made the rare public admission as he laid out a string of economic pressures that he said have constrained the government’s ability to mount an adequate agricultural response: a foreign‑exchange shortage, unstable fuel supplies and rising debt repayments. He said those…

Thousands of South Africans joined an online and street-level protest this week calling on the government to declare gender-based violence (GBV) a national disaster, a demand activists say is necessary to match the scale of attacks on women across the country. The movement, which began on social media and crystallised in a coordinated "G20 Women's Shutdown," asked women to withdraw from work and the economy for a day, wear black, and lie down for 15 minutes at noon to honour those killed. Organisers urged supporters to turn…

Sovereign debt crisis imperils developing economies as G20 gathers in Johannesburg Global economic experts are raising the alarm: sovereign debt in many developing countries, especially across Africa, has reached a critical stage and risks triggering wider instability if left unaddressed. With G20 leaders preparing to meet in Johannesburg this month, analysts say the summit is an urgent opportunity for coordinated action on debt sustainability and finance for development. The warning follows reporting that many low- and…

India offers aid as Botswana confronts acute medicine shortages India has offered to assist Botswana in addressing a severe shortage of essential medicines, officials said during a visit by Indian President Droupadi Murmu. The offer was announced by Botswana President Duma Boko at a joint media briefing, underscoring the urgency of the country’s health supply crisis. President Boko announced the offer while briefing the media alongside visiting Indian President Droupadi Murmu. Available reports put the stock of essential…

R22 billion pledge in KwaZulu‑Natal shines light on a familiar fault line: money without trust and skills When Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation toured KwaZulu‑Natal last week, it did not find the comforting sight of hoses and concrete being laid across parched riverbeds. Instead, it encountered a recurring national headache: bold budget lines and high‑profile projects undermined by doubts about capacity and governance. The committee welcomed uMngeni‑Uthukela Water’s announcement that it plans to…

Crackdown on Drug Abuse: Liberia's Leadership Responds to Rising Public Outcry In a significant move this week, President Joseph N. Boakai of Liberia dismissed three top officials of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), a decision underscoring the administration's increasing awareness of the rampant drug issue plaguing the nation. This action comes amidst mounting public pressure and a recent scandal involving an LDEA senior official caught attempting to intervene on behalf of his daughter, who faced drug-related…

Reaching Across the Sands: Qatar's Aid to North Western State of Somalia's Drought-Impacted Communities In an unexpected display of cross-regional solidarity, Qatar has pledged $3 million to support the drought-stricken communities in North Western State of Somalia. This humanitarian gesture follows the failure of the anticipated spring rains, plunging the region deeper into an existential crisis. The announcement, made Tuesday, is more than just a financial promise; it's a testament to the shifting alliances and emerging…

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a powerful global campaign held every year from November 25 to December 10. During this time, people and organizations worldwide unite to advocate for the prevention and eradication of violence against women and girls. So, what exactly do we mean by “gender-based violence”? It encompasses harmful actions directed at someone because of their gender identity. Although men and boys can certainly be victims, the stark reality is that women and girls bear the brunt of this…

At the UN-led COP29 climate summit taking place in Azerbaijan, global leaders are presenting contrasting visions to confront climate change, while a new report emphasizes the urgent need for the world to achieve carbon neutrality sooner than anticipated. As delegates convene to negotiate vital agreements for climate funding, the focus is on supporting developing nations in their efforts to adapt to climate-related challenges. This pivotal conference aims to secure an extensive climate financing framework to unlock trillions…

By the year 2025, Nigeria could see a staggering 33 million individuals grappling with severe food scarcity—almost double the current figures for those in dire need. This dire situation stems from a confluence of economic challenges, soaring inflation, the effects of climate change, and the ongoing violence that plagues the northeastern regions of the country. In the northwest, specifically in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, over five million people currently experience acute food insecurity, and the crisis is anticipated to…