West Africa

In South Africa, the battle for women's rights has reached a new crescendo, with dedicated activists rallying against the anticipated performance of the controversial U.S. artist, Chris Brown. The advocacy group, Women For Change, has initiated a petition aimed at urging both the government and concert promoters to reevaluate the decision to host him in December. The petition articulates a clear demand: the Department of Home Affairs should revoke Brown's visa, thereby preventing him from entering the country altogether.…

The government of Burkina Faso is sharpening its focus on a nationalistic approach to news and information dissemination, as noted by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Recently, the Superior Council for Communication (CSC), which oversees media regulations in Burkina Faso, imposed a ban on the rebroadcast of foreign radio programs effective immediately. This decision follows a three-month suspension of the Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts in the country. This move highlights a growing trend in which the government seeks…

On September 27, tragic news emerged from Kaduna State, Nigeria, where a military airstrike aimed at combating notorious criminal gangs, widely referred to as bandits, resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries among innocent civilians. This grim incident has been reported by various media outlets, with Human Rights Watch highlighting the humanitarian crisis unfolding. Calls for accountability, unwavering justice, and increased transparency have echoed through the community, yet the echoes seem to fall on deaf…

In recent days, government representatives have reassured the public that President Paul Biya, who is 91 years young, is in good health, quelling the swirling rumors on social media platforms. Since his attendance at the China-Africa forum in Beijing earlier this September, Biya has largely disappeared from the public eye. His conspicuous absence from significant events, such as the United Nations General Assembly in New York and a summit in France, has fueled speculation regarding his well-being. People are genuinely…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has pinpointed Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), and Burundi as the hardest-hit nations in Africa amid the ongoing mpox outbreak. The latest multi-country situation report from the WHO paints a sobering picture: DR Congo has logged 30,766 suspected cases, 5,610 confirmed cases, and regrettably, 25 fatalities. Meanwhile, Burundi has reported 2,188 suspected cases, with 853 confirmed, yet it has fortunately not endured any deaths. A glance at the data, spanning from…

Renowned musician Ayodeji Balogun, more famously known as Wizkid, has recently set his sights on fellow artist David Adeleke, or as many call him, Davido, igniting yet another round of verbal sparring across social media platforms. There's been talk that Wizkid intended to drop the inaugural track from his eagerly awaited album, "Morayo," on the same day Davido teased his first single for the upcoming 2024 calendar. In a bold move, Wizkid took to his X account, unleashing a stinging critique against Davido. He described…

The celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has announced her forthcoming novel, titled *Dream Count*. This captivating tale follows Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer grappling with the complexities of life in the United States. Readers can mark their calendars for the official release on March 4, 2025. Adichie is not a stranger to literary acclaim. Her debut novel, *Purple Hibiscus*, earned her the prestigious Commonwealth Writers' Prize. Following that success, *Half of a Yellow Sun* garnered the Orange Prize…

The Nigeria Emergency Management Agency has reported a grim development: 14 bodies have been retrieved from the waters of central Niger State. Unfortunately, around 150 passengers are still unaccounted for following a tragic boat capsizing incident. According to officials, the boat overturned after it was overloaded, carrying about 300 passengers from the Mundi community. These individuals had congregated for a religious event in the nearby Gbajibo village. Of those on board, 150 were successfully rescued, leaving a…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has voiced strong objections to a recent decree from the Nigerien government, which greenlights the formation of a database targeting individuals suspected of terrorist activities. The organization argues that this legislation seriously infringes upon essential human rights by utilizing "overly vague criteria" for determining who gets placed on the list, consequently "denying due process" to those affected. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a Senior Researcher specializing in the Sahel region, expressed concern…

In a notable response to potential unrest, authorities in Nigeria are bolstering police presence in several key states ahead of an anticipated national protest, driven by concerns over soaring living costs and dissatisfaction with current governance. Organized by the Take It Back movement, demonstrators have slated their gathering for October 1, coinciding with the nation’s 64th anniversary of independence. Protesters claim that the government has neglected the issues raised during their August rally. The Nigerian…