current events

The political climate in Libya has once again turned tumultuous, exacerbated by pressing economic woes and deepening rivalries between its two governing factions. This instability threatens to unravel the precarious peace that has stood since the ceasefire in 2020. Fast forward nearly 15 years after Muammar Gaddafi's regime crumbled, and Libya finds itself still grappling with a fractured identity. The nation is essentially split, with the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli on one side and the Government of…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a compelling report that casts a stark light on Tunisia's alarming trend of arbitrary detentions, which have become a cornerstone of President Kais Saied's increasingly authoritarian regime since his contentious power grab in 2021. This 42-page exposé delves deeply into the government's systematic crackdown on dissenters. It reveals a landscape where fear prevails, and those who dare to speak their minds face politically charged prosecutions designed to intimidate and silence critics.…

A wave of unease washes over both local and international human rights organizations as they grapple with the implications of a newly enacted law in Zimbabwe. Among these watchdogs is Human Rights Watch (HRW), which has raised alarms about the government's recent ability to deregister and confiscate the assets of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) they perceive to be acting in a “politically partisan manner.” Is this a necessary measure for national security, or a veiled attack on civil liberties? The law, known formally…

In a startling twist in diplomatic relations, France has made the significant decision to recall its ambassador from Algeria while simultaneously expelling 12 Algerian diplomats from Paris. This bold maneuver marks a pivotal moment in a relationship that has been increasingly strained. The immediate catalyst for this diplomatic spat can be traced back to the arrest of a consular staff member implicated in the alleged kidnapping of an exiled government critic within French borders. Algeria, responding with indignation,…

In a matter of weeks, the north-central Nigerian states of Plateau and Benue have witnessed a chilling spike in violence, with at least 144 lives lost at the hands of herdsmen. The toll, as catastrophic as it is, reveals a deeper malaise—an ongoing conflict that has not only injured scores but also left over 50 homes in ruins. What drives such brutality, and how much longer can communities endure this torment? The violence reached new levels of horror recently in Benue, prompting Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State to…

Ritual killings remain a distressing and recurring tragedy across various regions of Africa. In particular, children fall prey to these heinous acts, vulnerable and defenseless against those who exploit their innocence. Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu, a researcher and lecturer at Aberystwyth University, sheds light on this grim phenomenon by asserting that the unfortunate belief in the potency of children’s body parts fuels these crimes. In his 2022 study, Owusu unearthed startling statistics: over fifty percent of ritual murder…

The recent deluge in Africa has unleashed chaos, affecting countless lives and landscapes. As nature unleashes its fury, the impacts are not just numbers; they resonate deeply within communities. In the heart of Tanganyika province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported that nearly 10,000 individuals have found their lives turned upside down due to flooding. These are not mere statistics; each number represents a family displaced, homes lost, and dreams disrupted. Imagine waking up…

The tragic loss of Sungura musician Tatenda Pinjisi has ignited a firestorm of indignation regarding Zimbabwe’s ailing healthcare system. This intense response was sparked by a heartbreaking video that captured his desperate pleas for a simple painkiller, all while medical staff resorted to using cellphone flashlights to navigate through the darkness of a power outage. Pinjisi's untimely demise at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital followed a harrowing car accident near the Norton Tollgate as he made his way to Kadoma for a…

South Africa has taken on a significant role as the chair of the G20, embodying the theme "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability." Recently, the country hosted the second Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, under the poignant banner, "Living and Working in an Unequal World: Ensuring Decent Work and Decent Lives." In an age where inequality seems to pervade every corner of society, discussions on gender equality and labor rights are not just timely; they are imperative. As the sun dipped below…

In a recent disaster that underscores the perilous interplay between weather and life, four individuals tragically lost their lives in Rwanda. Their stories, likely filled with dreams and daily routines, were abruptly extinguished by deadly flooding and landslides that swept through the country, leaving behind a trail of devastation. As per the report released by the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management, the catastrophic event also ravaged over 70 hectares of crops, threatening the livelihoods of countless families.…