International Organizations and Africa

On March 9, 2015, the world bore witness to the eerie silence surrounding the plight of Itai Dzamara, a courageous human rights activist and journalist. Now, a decade has passed since his chilling disappearance, and the outcry for accountability echoes louder than ever within Zimbabwe. Each day that stretches into the next, pressure builds on the ruling Zanu PF government to illuminate what truly happened on that fateful day. Dzamara's case is more than just an unsolved mystery; it is a haunting symbol of the struggles…

In a troubling development, the Africa Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC) has raised alarms over the deteriorating situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The region, already grappling with a serious outbreak of mpox, has seen escalating violence that has tragically compelled over 600 patients to abandon their treatment centers. This situation illustrates a grim reality: healthcare accessibility can crumble under the weight of conflict. Mpox, a viral disease that manifests through severe skin…

A recent UN report has shed light on the alarming situation faced by Muslim communities and Sudanese refugees in the Southeast Central African Republic (CAR). Commissioned by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in conjunction with the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, this comprehensive inquiry has surfaced harrowing evidence of egregious human rights violations committed by various armed groups. The findings paint a grim picture: summary executions, acts of sexual violence, instances of torture, and treatment that can only…

In a surprising twist, the government of Lesotho expressed its profound dismay over a statement made by former U.S. President Donald Trump. During a recent address to Congress, he asserted that "nobody has ever heard of" Lesotho while discussing proposed budget cuts, which notably include $8 million earmarked for LGBTQI+ initiatives in the country. The reaction from Lesotho was swift and resolute. Foreign Affairs Minister Lejone Mpotjoane characterized Trump's comments as "shocking." He underscored the depth of the…

The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has deteriorated into chaos as conflicts flare between the Congolese army and the Rwandan-supported M23 rebels. This escalation has forced nearly 80,000 individuals to flee to neighboring countries, a grim statistic reported by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). What's more, in just a fortnight at the end of February, over 800 cases of rape were documented by humanitarian organizations, underscoring a horrifying trend of violence against civilians. These acts of…

In a pointed discussion during the recent G20 gathering in South Africa, a coalition of former African heads of state convened to spotlight an urgent crisis: the escalating debt burden on the continent. United under the African Leaders' Debt Initiative, these seasoned leaders articulated a clarion call for "intensified international cooperation." But what does this cooperation truly entail? It begs the question: can the global financial structure be adjusted to genuinely uplift developing nations? The atmosphere during this…

The impact of recent funding cuts by the Trump administration reverberates through South Africa. Specifically, organisations benefitting from the PEPFAR (The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) initiative, which is funded through USAID, have received troubling news: their financial support has been terminated permanently. This development signifies a dramatic shift in the landscape of HIV prevention and treatment efforts across the nation. According to a report by Bhekisisa's Mia Malan, this grim notification is not…

The humanitarian landscape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is increasingly bleak as M23 rebel forces extend their reach across the eastern provinces. Goma, the capital of North Kivu, has been particularly hard-hit. Reports of criminal activities have skyrocketed, painting a harrowing picture for residents and aid workers alike. Home invasions, kidnappings, and vehicle thefts targeting humanitarian staff pose a dire challenge amid an already fragile situation. Consider for a moment the plight of a humanitarian…

In a significant gathering recently held in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, leaders from various African air forces came together with a unified purpose: to bolster military aviation across national boundaries. The discussions primarily revolved around the increasingly complex dynamics of humanitarian crises and the essential role of disaster relief in addressing these challenges. As the world faces an array of trials—natural disasters, conflict, and pandemics—the discourse turned to how coordinated military efforts can serve…

The challenge of delivering sufficient surgical care in Sub-Saharan Africa is a multifaceted dilemma, stemming from a conspicuous lack of resources, technology, and expertise. An alarming projection suggests that by the year 2030, the continent could face a deficit of six million surgical care professionals. This staggering statistic was highlighted by Melody Chironda in her recent report from the Pan African Surgical Conference held in Kigali, Rwanda. Imagine traveling to a vibrant city in Africa, immersed in the…