insert_link Africa Sierra Leone’s women farmers use a custom called bora to access land – but it’s making them more vulnerable By Bankolay Theodore Turay, University of Lagos Bora – a type of thank you gift – is a Sierra Leonean custom of respect that is often used in relation to land. For instance, informal farmers pay bora to landowners to be able to farm on their land. But bora has changed over the years and is having a negative impact on women, who are responsible for much of […] todayAugust 21, 2024 8
insert_link APO International Mali: Dire conditions for Burkinabe refugees in central Mali amid lean season As the lean season intensifies across Mali, the situation for thousands of people who have fled ongoing violence in Burkina Faso to find refuge in central Mali is becoming untenable, warns the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Since January 2024, over 20,000 Burkinabè refugees have been registered in the Koro cercle alone, with many more still awaiting registration according to a joint assessment conducted by NRC and other partners. The […] todayAugust 21, 2024 4
insert_link South Africa South African Medical Association and Denosa Back Second Presidential Health Compact The South African Medical Association Trade Union and nursing organisation Denosa support the signing of the second presidential health compact, which aims to strengthen the healthcare system. Representing over 90-thousand doctors and nurses, they endorse the compact’s ten pillars, including improving healthcare infrastructure, access to medicines, and pandemic preparedness. Denosa spokesperson Sibongiseni Delihlazo says the compact builds on past health summits and seeks to advance National Health Insurance, promoting equitable, […] todayAugust 21, 2024 13
insert_link Namibia Namibian Defendants’ Phala Phala Theft Case Postponed Three Namibian defendants, Imanuwela David, Froliana Joseph, and Ndilinasho David Joseph, briefly appeared in the Modimolle Magistrate's Court in Limpopo. Their case, involving the theft of $580,000 from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's game farm, was postponed until later this year. The state alleges they stole the cash from a couch at Ramaphosa's residence in February 2020. Imanuwela David faces additional charges of money laundering and remains in custody, while […] todayAugust 21, 2024 12
insert_link Namibia BIG Coalition Hosts Public Discussion on Inequality and Poverty The Basic Income Grant Coalition will hold a public discussion today at the Gateway Conference Centre. The event aims to bring together political parties and presidential candidates to address critical issues of inequality and poverty in Namibia. The discussion seeks to amplify stakeholder voices and explore sustainable solutions to improve the living standards of Namibians facing economic difficulties amidst rising inequality and economic challenges. The organization's researcher, Tjipura Tjipura: todayAugust 21, 2024 12
insert_link World Indian doctors refuse to call off strike Protesting doctors in India have refused to call off their strike a day after the country's Supreme Court announced it is setting up a taskforce to look into the safety of healthcare professionals. Tens of thousands of doctors have been protesting for more than a week now after a medic was raped and murdered on the premises of a hospital in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata earlier this month. […] todayAugust 21, 2024 10
insert_link APO International Senior African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) officials conclude visit to Jowhar and Baidoa, pledge to restore peace in Somalia The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and security in Somalia. During a recent field visit to Jowhar and Baidoa, the administrative capitals of Hirshabelle and South West States, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, the Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of ATMIS, along with Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma ATMIS Force Commander pledged to enhance the […] todayAugust 21, 2024 7
insert_link APO International Outgoing European Union (EU) Ambassador Bids Farewell to Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, Reaffirms Support for Security Council Reforms Outgoing European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Manuel Müller, has bid farewell to His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio as he concludes his tenure in the country. Ambassador Muller reflected on his departure and expressed deep affection for Sierra Leone, stating, “It was difficult to leave a great country like Sierra Leone,” though he acknowledged the diplomatic necessity of moving on after his tour of duty. He congratulated President […] todayAugust 21, 2024 6
insert_link APO International United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Announces Additional $35 Million to Support Mpox Outbreak Response in Central and Eastern Africa Today, the United States, through USAID, announced up to an additional $35 million in emergency health assistance to bolster response efforts for the clade I mpox outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa, pending Congressional Notification. This new commitment brings the total U.S. government support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other affected countries in the region to more than $55 million in response to this outbreak. The […] todayAugust 21, 2024 3
