External Relations

As the curtain drew on the last quarter of the year, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) found itself in the spotlight—quite literally. The organization capped off its busy season with an extraordinary invitation from the White House, asking CCA to join President Biden's official delegation to Angola, his final international sojourn as President. Florie Liser, the President and CEO of CCA, couldn't hide her enthusiasm as she shared this momentous update with members. "I was thrilled to see both Presidents dive into…

In a dramatic turn of events, rescuers have successfully brought to light over 100 illegal miners who have been ensnared underground for several months at the Stilfontein mine, just outside Johannesburg. The operation, however, was not without its somber moments; it also resulted in the recovery of numerous bodies, a grim reminder of the perilous life many lead in search of precious metals. These miners, colloquially referred to as "zama zamas," embody a harrowing reality for countless individuals in South Africa. They have…

As the sun rises over the vibrant landscape of Mozambique, a fresh chapter in the nation’s political saga unfolds. New Members of Parliament have officially taken their oaths, marking a pivotal moment just days before the much-anticipated inauguration of President-elect Daniel Chapo on Wednesday, January 15. It’s a time that many look forward to with hope and optimism, yet the undercurrents of discontent are palpable—especially coming from opposition leader Venancio Modlane, who has recently touched down in the country.…

On Thursday, the political landscape of the country saw a dramatic turn as opposition leader Venancio Mondlane made his homecoming. This return comes just before the much-anticipated inauguration of Danial Chapo, the candidate from the ruling party who was proclaimed the winner of the presidential elections held on October 9, 2024. The atmosphere, however, was anything but celebratory. Reports by allAfrica’s Boakai Fofana reveal that tensions flared as police clashed with Mondlane’s supporters. Their attempts to gather at…

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is on the rise across Africa, and health officials are sounding the alarm about the risks of becoming too relaxed. According to a recent update from the World Health Organization (WHO), numerous regions on the continent are grappling with outbreaks linked to several virus variants, or clades. As of December 1, 2024, WHO reported that over 13,000 cases have been confirmed in 20 distinct nations. This report sheds light on the fact that different clades have different modes of transmission. For…

Health officials in Rwanda have officially declared the end of the Marburg outbreak, marking a significant milestone more than 40 days after the last patient tested negative and was released from the hospital. During the outbreak, authorities recorded approximately 60 cases of the disease, leading to 15 tragic deaths. Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana shared insights during a recent briefing attended by representatives from the World Health Organization and various members of the diplomatic community, stating, “We have a…

Burundi, a country known for its significant role in the African Union's peacekeeping missions in Somalia, has made the decision to withdraw from the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) due to disagreements regarding troop numbers. This withdrawal marks a notable shift, especially considering Burundi's longstanding commitment to stabilizing the region over the past 17 years. The crux of the issue lies in the allocation of troops; Somalia proposed deploying just 1,041 soldiers from Burundi, a figure that the…

In a recent address, President Filipe Nyusi, who is nearing the end of his current term, urged for a constructive dialogue aimed at resolving the unrest that has swept through the nation over the past few weeks. These protests erupted following the October 9 elections, during which Daniel Chapo, the candidate for the ruling Frelimo party, was announced as the victor. Nyusi expressed his concerns, noting that the ongoing violence is detrimental to Mozambique's economy, stating that it “restricts business operations and port…

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, the Anglican Primate of Southern Africa, has issued a cautionary note suggesting that we may see an uptick in reports of misconduct involving church officials, especially following the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Welby's departure came on the heels of an investigation that unveiled his failure to report allegations of abuse perpetrated by John Smyth—a barrister, educator, and director of Christian camps—during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Smyth was a prominent figure…

The landscape of childhood is undergoing profound transformations, with UNICEF's latest flagship report, ‘The State of the World’s Children 2024: The Future of Childhood in a Changing World,’ shedding light on these crucial shifts just in time for World Children’s Day. This insightful report delves into the repercussions of three impending global trends that are redefining the lives of young people worldwide. It highlights alarming statistics, revealing that children now face a staggering eightfold increase in exposure to…