insert_link Africa What’s east Africa’s position on the Israel-Hamas war? An expert unpacks the reactions of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda By Michael Bishku, Augusta University via The Conversation The reactions of some east African countries to the ongoing conflict in Gaza have been less dramatic than South Africa’s. South Africa’s parliament has passed a resolution calling for the closure of its embassy in Tel Aviv. Algeria and South Africa have been the most supportive of the Palestinians. Thus far only South Africa and Chad have withdrawn their representatives from Tel […] todayDecember 12, 2023 6
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s foreign policy under Ramaphosa has seen diplomatic tools being used to provide leadership as global power relations shift By Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, University of South Africa Leadership plays a critical role in diplomacy. What quality of leadership does South Africa need if it’s to secure its international interests? This is a question my colleagues and I have had the opportunity to reflect on in researching and writing about foreign policy since the late 1980s. Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki displayed assertive African and global south leadership. Their […] todayDecember 12, 2023 6
insert_link Africa Africa’s rich biodiversity offers a wealth of carbon offset projects for Gulf investors By Seth Onyango, via bird story agency Africa is a prime target for new multimillion-dollar carbon offset projects as companies increasingly seek to blunt the effects of their carbon footprints. In September, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced plans to shell out US$450 million to secure carbon credits from various carbon offset initiatives on the continent. Already, carbon offset firms are snapping up new deals. Eco Netix, a measurement, reporting […] todayDecember 12, 2023 6
insert_link Africa African women rise up in Forbes ‘Most Powerful Women’ rankings By Conrad Onyango, via bird story agency More African women are joining and rising up the ranks of the world’s 100 most powerful women, according to Forbes, as they grow their influence in shaping the policies, products and political fights defining the globe. Nigeria’s former minister of finance, currently World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has moved the highest on the continent by four places from position 91 […] todayDecember 12, 2023 15
insert_link World WHO says patient dies amid lengthy Israeli checks on Gaza convoy The World Health Organization said Tuesday that a patient had died in an emergency convoy en route to a Gaza City hospital, during repeated and lengthy Israeli checks. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at the weekend that the UN health agency and its partners had managed to deliver essential trauma and surgical supplies to the Al-Ahli hospital and to transfer 19 critical patients. But on Tuesday, he provided […] todayDecember 12, 2023 8
insert_link Africa Uganda will soon be exporting oil: an energy economist outlines 3 keys to success By Micah Lucy Abigaba, Makerere University Uganda entered into agreements in 2012 with two foreign oil entities to exploit its oil resources. Total Energies holds 56.67% of the joint venture partnership and China National Oil Offshore Company (CNOOC) has 28.33%. Through Uganda National Oil Company, the government owns the remaining 15%. Production is due to start in 2025. As part of the production sharing agreement, the production licences are valid […] todayDecember 12, 2023 7
insert_link Africa COP28: The deals so far From historic agreements on Loss and Damage, to transformative declarations on food systems and health, COP28 could mark a monumental shift in how the world addresses environmental challenges. Here are some of the deals announced so far. COP28 has mobilized over $83 billion in funding, setting the pace for a new era in climate action. These include the first ever declarations on food systems transformation and health, plus declarations on […] todayDecember 12, 2023 5
insert_link Africa Pastoralist’s daughter pioneers new village to combat climate change and gender violence By Kate Okorie, via bird story agency Growing up in the wilds of Kajiado county of Kenya, Mana Omar knows first-hand the struggles women face in search of water during the arid months - a search that has grown harder and harder as rains become less and less dependable. The walk to the river is dangerous. Predators have mastered the routes these women take. The women's vulnerability is intensified at […] todayDecember 12, 2023 8
insert_link Namibia McLeod-Katjirua urges men to take active role in addressing GBV The Governor of the Khomas Region, Laura McLeod-Katjirua, has urged males in Namibia to take part in initiatives aimed at addressing behavioural issues and gender-based violence (GBV). In her statement to mark this year’s International Human Rights Day on Sunday, McLeod-Katjirua encouraged the men to attend events like the men’s conferences recently held at Keetmanshoop and Ondangwa. Over 1 000 men attended each of the two events organised by among […] todayDecember 12, 2023
