governance

Ethiopia has officially replied to the Egyptian Foreign Minister’s correspondence, characterizing the contents as a "series of unfounded claims." Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie of Ethiopia addressed the Council on September 6, 2024, regarding Egypt's correspondence, which firmly rejected Ethiopia's fifth and latest effort to fill the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Ethiopia's rebuttal stems from Egypt's allegations of breaching international regulations by proceeding with the dam's filling without the…

Farai Maguwu, the Director at the Center for Natural Resource Governance, has voiced strong apprehensions over such a proposal to cull elephants. He fears it would meet with intense backlash, reminiscent of the uproar following Namibia's similar decision. In Zimbabwe, approximately 100,000 elephants roam the land; however, the ecosystem can realistically support around 45,000. Complicating matters further, Zimbabwe faces restrictions on the sale of these majestic creatures due to the regulations set forth by the Convention…

One year has passed since a cataclysmic earthquake ravaged the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, and the people on the ground express a sense of frustration over the sluggish pace of rebuilding efforts. Many remain in temporary tents, while others have been compelled to relocate entirely. Lisa Bryant reports for VOA on the ongoing struggle for recovery. This seismic event, registering a staggering 6.8 on the Richter scale, was the most powerful earthquake to strike Morocco in over a century. It hit on September 8, 2023,…

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has officially begun his second term in office after an impressive electoral victory, clinching a remarkable 84% of the votes. Despite this resounding win, the election was shadowed by a notable sense of voter disinterest and persistent worries regarding the fairness of the vote counting process. In his inaugural address, Tebboune thanked the Algerian populace for their trust and support. He emphasized his commitment to engaging in comprehensive consultations with a variety of political…

President João Lourenço has recently enacted two pieces of legislation that, according to Human Rights Watch, significantly undermine international standards for human rights, particularly in regard to media, expression, and association freedoms.

In a bold move, three West African nations—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—governed by military juntas, are set to unveil new biometric passports as they distance themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow has reached out, seeking the support of ex-President George M. Weah in the pursuit of a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. In a formal letter, Beysolow emphasized Weah's noteworthy "global standing as a peace ambassador" and highlighted the solid groundwork his administration laid on this matter, deeming it "essential for our campaign." The initiative is poised to garner backing from other influential figures in Liberia, including former President Ellen Johnson…

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation reports that fortifying bouillon cubes in Nigeria with iron, folic acid, zinc, and vitamin B12 could prevent up to 16,6 million cases of anemia and save 11,000 children from neural tube defect-related deaths by 2050. The foundation calls on world leaders to increase investments in global health, focusing on child nutrition and well-being amid the growing climate crisis. The World Health Organization estimates that 148 million children are stunted, while 45 million are affected by…

In Gabon, following the overview and compensation of the home debt, the nation now desires to enhance governance within the mining and oil sector. Libreville has determined to rejoin the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a world benchmark for selling good governance of oil, fuel and mining assets. Downside, Gabon was suspended from the EITI seven years in the past. To reintroduce…