current events

A federal court has dismissed treason charges against numerous minors who were apprehended amid recent nationwide protests fueled by escalating living costs and discontent with the government. President Bola Tinubu had previously mandated their release after several young demonstrators collapsed during their court proceedings, a situation that drew sharp criticism from human rights organizations such as Amnesty International. In Nigeria, treason carries severe penalties, potentially culminating in the death penalty. "Any…

The Supreme Court of Liberia has made it clear that lawmakers attempting to oust House Speaker Fonati Koffa must respect the legal procedures in place. This ruling came in response to a petition urging the court to intervene and stop the various factions of legislators who have been conducting their own sessions aimed at unseating the Speaker. In the midst of this political frenzy, Speaker Koffa remains steadfast, declaring that he has no intention of stepping down, despite calls for his resignation. Instead, he has called…

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has celebrated a significant breakthrough in public health, marking its successful introduction of malaria vaccination into its nationwide immunization framework. As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the DRC now stands as the 15th country in Africa to roll out malaria vaccines. Prior to this, 14 other nations—namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Niger, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and South…

Dr. Yvan Butera, the State Minister for Health in Rwanda, has issued a warning regarding the ongoing battle against the Marburg virus. While he noted some encouraging signs in the country's efforts to contain the outbreak, he emphasized that the crisis "is far from over." Yet, there’s a glimmer of optimism as Dr. Butera remarked, "we are making progress." In another concerning development, the Africa Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC) reported that the mpox outbreak—another pressing health threat in the region—is still…

For many, the fascination with horror can appear insensible. With real-life nightmares like school shootings, child abuse, and war rampant in our society, why do we chase after fabricated fears for entertainment? This thought-provoking question raises eyebrows, as noted by Sarah Kollat in an insightful piece for The Conversation Africa. Unlike in some parts of the world, Halloween celebrations are low-key on the African continent. Discussions around "black magic" and "witchcraft" often accompany any mention of the holiday,…

The recent inauguration of Botswana's new president marks a significant shift in the nation's political landscape, following an election that concluded almost six decades of governance by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). This transition of power, characterized by its swift nature, has inspired both hope and speculation among citizens and political analysts alike. “Change is always a double-edged sword, isn’t it?” remarked a local political commentator while reflecting on the recent developments. With the BDP's extended…

The Medical Association of Mozambique, alongside the Order of Doctors, recently disclosed a troubling statistic: between October 18 and October 26, ten individuals lost their lives due to gunfire, while 73 others sustained injuries across the nation. These incidents unfold amid ongoing unrest as citizens vocally challenge the recent election outcomes. Reports emerging over the weekend paint a grim picture, detailing yet another three fatalities at the hands of law enforcement, according to Mozambique News and Clippings. AIM…

Human Rights Watch has strongly called on the Burkinabe authorities to carry out a "swift and comprehensive" inquiry into the tragic massacre of civilians in Barsalogho, a town that recently endured a catastrophic event on August 24, 2024. This horrific attack was perpetrated by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen (JNIM), leading to the loss of over 130 lives, with countless others left injured. Carine Kaneza Nantulya, the Deputy Director for Africa at Human Rights Watch, articulated the…

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the authority behind the esteemed Red Lists of Threatened Species, has declared the African Penguin as “critically endangered.” The IUCN Red List serves as the worldwide benchmark for evaluating extinction risk. As of now, it has assessed 163,040 species, with a staggering 45,321 facing peril. This charming African Penguin, a beloved icon, stands as the first of 18 penguin species around the globe to meet the daunting criteria for this designation—just a…

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye took to the podium recently, emphasizing to the electorate that the upcoming election on November 17 is set to be conducted with utmost transparency and fairness. He urged everyone involved to practice "restraint" as a critical component of the electoral process. In his address, Faye called upon all political factions to behave with "responsibility, restraint, and moderation." He reiterated his unwavering dedication to conducting "free, democratic, and transparent" elections, an essential…