politics

In commemoration of International Day of Democracy, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered an insightful message highlighting the critical need to safeguard free expression. He also raised an alarm about the lurking dangers posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Guterres cautioned that if left unchecked, AI could wreak havoc on democratic frameworks, primarily by disseminating misleading information and inciting animosity among different groups. He pointed out that this year, the stakes are particularly high, as…

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…

Mpox, a virus that has caused a considerable stir, has seen a worrying uptick in cases across the African continent. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) finds itself at the heart of this growing crisis. As of January 2024, a staggering 3,800 confirmed cases have been reported, cutting across 15 nations, with DR Congo bearing the brunt— over 90% of these infections are within its borders. This alarming situation has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to ring the alarm bells. They've labeled this…

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 significant development, the Special Criminal Court, which delves into human rights breaches from the nation's civil war, has apprehended Abakar Zakaria Hamid. Hamid, a prominent figure in the Seleka militia—a rebellious band that took over Bangui in 2023—is under indictment. He stands accused of masterminding a vicious assault on a church a decade ago, an attack that tragically claimed the lives of no less than 17 individuals. Additionally, seven other persons are now in custody, facing charges linked to this heinous…

Nigerian pride was evident as the Super Eagles displayed a stellar performance, yet couldn't clutch an away victory against Rwanda. The home squad owes much to their goalkeeper for maintaining a stalemate. Despite the game concluding in a nil-nil deadlock, Nigeria comfortably remains perched atop Group D. Over in South Africa, the football drama peaked as Bafana Bafana clinched a narrow 3-2 victory over South Sudan. The match's tense finale saw substitute Mbatha net the winning goal in the dying moments of added time.…

"Dahomey," a groundbreaking documentary crafted by Mati Diop, delves into the echoes of royal artifacts pilfered from West Africa by European colonial powers. These treasures have only recently made their way back to their homeland—modern-day Benin. In a candid conversation with RFI, Diop expressed her hope that the film will trigger deep introspection on pressing themes like displacement, exile, and the elusive notion of return—not only for objects taken but also for the people affected by these historical injustices. Of…

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).