governance

Malawi has banned "dual practice" for health workers at all public clinics, hospitals, pharmacies and diagnostic centers in a sweeping move intended to stamp out corruption and restore confidence in the state health system, the government announced Monday. The directive bars public-sector health employees from holding concurrent jobs in private medical facilities. It also requires any health worker who owns or has a stake in a private clinic, pharmacy or diagnostic center to divest within 30 days or face dismissal and…

You are an elite, award-winning international journalist and a meticulous senior editor. Your job is to transform raw source material into a publish-ready article that meets the highest AP-standard editorial and technical requirements. PHASE 1 — ANALYSIS AND FORMAT DECISION Read the source text thoroughly. Identify the core themes, dominant purpose, crucial facts, data points, and human or structural angles. Based solely on this analysis, select exactly one article format from the list below. Always choose Football…

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Calls for Revision of Citizenship Clause in Liberia Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has revived a long-standing debate on the need to revise the constitutional clause that restricts Liberian citizenship exclusively to people of "Negro descent." In a rare address to members of the Liberian Legislature, Sirleaf highlighted broader national issues and argued that the law is no longer relevant, undermining the country's commitment to equality and international norms. The controversial clause,…

South Africa’s proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) — billed by the government as the country’s most sweeping health overhaul since the end of apartheid in 1994 — is effectively frozen amid court challenges and constitutional clashes. Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism spoke with health economist Susan Cleary to explore whether the NHI is a wise way forward. The debate now centers on capacity, cost, equity and the political will required to remake a deeply unequal health system. The case for NHI is straightforward…

Nigeria's Historic Settlement Paves Way for Oil Development President Bola Tinubu has presided over the successful conclusion of a historic settlement agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria, ENI, and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAEL), resolving the long-running dispute about Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245. The agreement brings to a close 15 years of legal battles over OPL 245, paving the way for the development of one of Nigeria's most significant deepwater resources. This resolution is viewed as a…

The Zimbabwean government’s decision to allocate US$25 million to a new football tournament has ignited a debate about priorities and transparency, underscoring tensions between high-profile state-sponsored projects and urgent public-sector needs. President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the Munhumutapa ZIFA Cup in Harare, a five-year competition that will include men's, women's, developmental and futsal categories. Organisers say the men's champions will receive US$1 million and a berth in the CAF Confederation Cup, details…

Tunji Disu Sworn in as Nigeria's New Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu has officially taken office as the new Inspector-General of Police, succeeding his predecessor who stepped down in February under circumstances widely believed to have been influenced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Although an official statement attributed the resignation to "pressing family considerations," political analysts speculate that it was part of a broader reshuffle requested by the president. The presidency has expressed optimism…

Landslide at Rubaya Coltan Mine Claims Over 200 Lives in Eastern DR Congo In a tragic turn of events, a landslide triggered by heavy rains at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in the deaths of at least 200 individuals, with reports indicating that around 70 of the victims were children. The catastrophic incident has raised serious concerns about safety regulations in the mining sector and the ongoing conflict in the region. The Congolese Ministry of Mines confirmed the…

Tinubu Suspends Cashless Payment System at Nigerian Airports President Bola Tinubu has directed Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo to suspend the cashless payment system recently implemented by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at major airports, including those in Lagos and Abuja. The decision comes in response to widespread complaints from travelers who reported long queues and delays caused by the new system. Reflecting on the situation, Keyamo stated that the president emphasized the importance of…

Land Disputes in Liberia: A Growing Crisis Officials from the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) have issued a grave warning that unresolved land disputes across the country could spiral into widespread conflict. This statement was made during a recent hearing before lawmakers regarding the alarming surge in land-related tensions affecting various communities. LLA Vice Chairperson Joe K. Williams emphasized that the current disputes represent "only a fraction" of what may unfold if the government does not take swift and…