governance

Niger State’s Sermon Approval Policy: Balancing Law and Freedom In a striking move emblematic of the complex interplay between governance and religious expression, the governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, recently announced a controversial policy requiring local clerics to submit their sermons for government approval. This initiative, presented as a strategy to counter “anti-people and anti-government” messages, has stirred the passions of locals, illuminating the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in emerging…

South Africa’s top court strips a colonial rule from the registry — and opens a conversation about names, identity and equality In a ruling that reaches beyond bureaucratic formality, South Africa’s Constitutional Court has declared unconstitutional a colonial-era provision that barred husbands from taking their wives’ surnames. The decision — prompted by two couples who challenged the Department of Home Affairs after being denied the right to assume or hyphenate their spouses’ names — requires Parliament to amend the…

Power Struggles: Nigeria's Energy Crisis Deepens Amid Grid Failures As dawn broke over Nigeria, the promise of a bright new day dissipated with the abrupt darkening of homes, businesses, and schools across the nation. This week, the fragile electricity grid experienced yet another unsettling partial collapse, affecting around 30 states and plunging millions into darkness. The incident, which unfolded between 11 am and 12 pm on an otherwise ordinary day, serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges that the…

South Africa at a Crossroads: Donor Cuts Threaten Hard‑Won Gains Against HIV GAUTENG, South Africa — In a conference hall a short drive from Johannesburg’s busy highways, the blunt arithmetic of global aid collided with the realities faced by clinics and families. Scientists, clinicians, activists and people living with HIV spoke in urgent, sometimes angry tones: the era of steady international support that helped turn a tide against HIV may be ebbing, and the consequences could be catastrophic. Stark projections, stark…

Egypt announces troop deployment to Somalia, intensifying Horn of Africa contest Egypt has announced it will deploy troops to Somalia under a bilateral security agreement, a move Cairo says is intended to bolster counter‑terrorism operations and help stabilize the war‑torn Horn of Africa nation. Officials described the steps as the completion of planning for the deployment, but they provided few operational details, leaving open questions about the size, mandate and timetable of the force. What Cairo says Egyptian…

The Shifting Sands of Malian Security: An Unfolding Crisis In the heart of West Africa lies Mali, a nation steeped in rich history, cultural diversity, and remarkable resilience. Yet, beneath its vibrant exterior, a tumultuous struggle for security has been escalating, leading to alarming consequences for its people. The country's complex political landscape, particularly after the military coups of 2020 and 2021, remains under scrutiny as external military alliances continue to prove ineffective. A Legacy of Discontent…

Nigeria's Healthcare Landscape: A Temporary Respite Amid Ongoing Struggles The announcement from the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) that they have suspended their two-day warning strike is a relief for many. The strike, which had brought a standstill to public tertiary hospitals, was a cry for help from a beleaguered healthcare system grappling with both systemic inefficiencies and personal sacrifices in the face of a demanding economic landscape. In hospitals across Nigeria, the impact of the strike was…

Millions vote in Malawi in high-stakes rematch driven by economic angst Millions of Malawians queued at polling stations across the southern African country on Tuesday to choose a new president in what has become a symbolic test of the nation’s democratic institutions and a high-stakes rematch between President Lazarus Chakwera and former president Peter Mutharika. From the market stalls of Blantyre to the maize fields of rural districts, the atmosphere was charged. Campaign posters still hung on lamp posts, and the thrum…

Analysis: Egypt’s luxury resort at Mount Sinai — a test of faith, heritage and development When the first pilgrims come down from Mount Sinai at dusk, they still carry the small, sandy relics of a place that has been consecrated in the imaginations of billions: a rocky peak where, in the stories of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, a prophet received the law. St. Catherine’s Monastery, a fortified Byzantine complex tucked at the mountain’s base, has for centuries been the human anchor in a landscape that Bedouin communities…

Insurgency in Cabo Degaldo: A Struggle for Survival In the heart of Cabo Degaldo province, Mozambique, a chilling echo of violence reverberated through the quiet of a Sunday night. Insurgents armed with lethal intent knocked on doors, summoning their victims one by one, leaving a trail of fear and despair. Among the fallen were police officers, once protectors now turned targets, underscoring the alarming evolution of this violent insurgency, which has claimed over 6,000 lives since its onset in 2017. The Human Toll of…