Economy

Struggle for Justice in Guinea: Remembering the Stadium Massacre Sixteen years after the tragic events of the 2009 stadium massacre in Guinea, where security forces brutally killed at least 156 people and perpetrated sexual violence against over 100 women during an opposition rally, the quest for justice remains fraught with challenges. Despite the passage of time, the echoes of that fateful day are still felt deeply through the lives of survivors and the broader fight for accountability in a country governed by military…

Guineans Embrace New Constitution: A Step Towards Elections Amidst Military Rule In a historic turn of events, Guinea has taken a significant step toward establishing a new political landscape, as citizens reportedly rallied in overwhelming support of a new Constitution. With more than 89% of ballots cast in favor of the proposed changes, Guineans have expressed their desire for a democratic reboot, paving the way for forthcoming elections in a nation grappling with the aftermath of a military coup. A Vote for Change in a…

Long-acting HIV injection at $40 could reshape prevention — if the world can deliver it A potentially seismic shift in HIV prevention is quietly taking shape: a twice-yearly injectable drug, lenacapavir, has won backing from global health partners and is slated to be available to more than 100 low- and middle-income countries within the next two years — at a price that would make it accessible to millions. Under an agreement brokered by the Clinton Health Access Initiative with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates…

Tragedy Strikes Ethiopian Marathon Community with the Loss of Shewarge Alene The sun was just beginning to rise over Addis Ababa, casting a warm golden hue across the training fields, when the news spread like wildfire through the running community. Shewarge Alene, a celebrated Ethiopian marathon runner, tragically passed away after falling ill during a training session. She was only 30 years old. Alene had built a reputation as a formidable competitor, participating in 27 marathons since her debut in 2011. Her most recent…

Nicolas Sarkozy Sentenced to Five Years in Landmark Libyan Funding Case PARIS — A French court on Thursday handed former president Nicolas Sarkozy a five-year prison sentence after finding him guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case tied to millions of euros of illicit funds allegedly originating from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Judge Nathalie Gavarino said prosecutors proved that Sarkozy allowed aides to approach Libyan officials for financial backing during his successful 2007 presidential bid. At the same…

A threatened lifeline: Harare’s fight to save Lake Chivero For residents of Harare, Lake Chivero is more than a body of water on a map. It is the city’s primary source of drinking water, a place where families once picnicked, where anglers made a living and where the surrounding wetlands buffered floods. Today, people who live along the Upper Manyame Catchment speak of algae-streaked shores, foul odours after rains and an uneasy sense that a vital lifeline is slipping away. At the launch this month of the Save Lake Chivero…

West African Deportees Find Uncertain Futures After US Return In a swift turn of events, eleven West African nationals have returned to their home countries after being deported to Ghana by U.S. authorities. This decisive action is more than just a legal maneuver; it casts a long shadow on the ongoing conversation about human rights, immigration policies, and the fate of vulnerable individuals caught in the crossfire of international agreements. A Cautionary Tale of Deportation The group's saga began with a glimmer of…

The Blaze That Ignited Political Tensions: A Look at Weah's House Fire In the heart of Liberia’s capital, a fire that engulfed former president George Weah's home has sent shockwaves through a nation already grappling with political divisions. Although the flames are extinguished, the repercussions linger, casting a long shadow over the promise of peace and coexistence in a country that has long been haunted by the specters of past violence and instability. A Destructive Flame The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC),…

As AGOA’s clock runs out, U.S. influence in Africa faces a test After a quarter-century as the marquee U.S. trade tool for sub-Saharan Africa, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is poised to expire on September 30 — and with Congress preoccupied and polarized, the chances of a last-minute renewal look slim. The prospect is more than a technical lapse: it is a moment that forces a choice about how Washington wants to engage with a continent where other powers are already deepening economic ties. What AGOA has…

Mnangagwa’s shake-up in Zanu-PF: a bid for control or a sign of deeper fractures? President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent overhaul of Zanu-PF’s Politburo — described by the party as a constitutional exercise to “reorganise” its leadership — has stirred fresh questions about who will ultimately succeed him and how the long-dominant party will navigate the next era. Christopher Mutsvangwa, the party spokesperson, framed the changes as stabilising: the reshuffle “led to the elevation of trusted lieutenants” and the redeployment…