current events

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…

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…

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…

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…

The Nigerian government recently expressed its approval of a report that concluded there was "no evidence" to support claims that military personnel engaged in illegal abortions targeting Islamist insurgents in clandestine operations. The Nigeria Human Rights Commission, which operates with governmental oversight, undertook a thorough investigation after three reports by Reuters surfaced in December 2022. These reports made serious allegations against the Nigerian military, suggesting the existence of a covert, systematic…

South African sensation Tyla has made waves at the MTV Europe Music Awards, securing not just one, but three prestigious titles: Best Afrobeat, Best African Act, and Best R&B. This is a monumental achievement, as she’s now the first African artist to snag three MTV EMA awards in a single evening. What a phenomenal feat! Dressed to impress, Tyla paid homage to the legendary Aaliyah by donning a striking replica of the iconic Roberto Cavalli dress the late star wore during the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. A heartfelt…

In a noteworthy political shift, several members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have jumped ship to the newly formed uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MK Party) over the past six months. High-profile figures like Floyd Shivambu, Mzwanele Manyi, former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, and more recently, advocate Dali Mpofu, have all made the switch, stirring quite the buzz in South Africa's political landscape. Julius Malema, the charismatic leader of the EFF, has brought attention to a rather intriguing proposal made by…

Recent reports have emerged of new cholera cases at the Gache Gache fishing camp and Nyamhunga village, not long after the previous outbreak was officially declared over. Alarmingly, this situation raises concerns about the potential for the highly mobile fishmongering community to facilitate the disease's spread throughout Kariba and its neighboring regions. Tragically, one individual has succumbed to the illness, while 14 others are suspected to be infected. In response, the health ministry has actively engaged…