insert_link Africa South Africa cracks down on Zimbabwean children entering the country to visit their parents Many Zimbabwean parents living in South Africa face significant challenges getting to see their children over the December holidays. Many resort to unlawful methods to get their children into the country. The Border Management Authority has “intensified operations” to put an end to this practice. But claims made by the Border Management Authority of “human trafficking” appear to be unfounded. The government is cracking down on Zimbabwean children entering […] todayDecember 14, 2023 24
insert_link Africa African countries at COP28: several big wins and a united voice By Bamidele Olajide, University of Lagos African countries entered the recent COP28 negotiations on climate change in high spirits. Before this conference, in September, African government leaders, policymakers, activists and other groups from the continent met at the African Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. The African position and expectations for COP28 were shaped at this summit by the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration. Africa’s main agenda at COP28, hosted […] todayDecember 14, 2023 10
insert_link Africa Egypt’s Sisi takes lead as vote count begins Egypt's electoral body has started counting votes following the conclusion of polling in the presidential elections. According to the BBC, voting began on Sunday and ended on Tuesday, with more than 67 million people registered to vote. Incumbent President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seeking a third consecutive term. The official results are set to be announced on 18 December 2023. todayDecember 13, 2023 26
insert_link Africa Uganda sends delegation to mend trade ties with the U.S. Uganda has sent a government delegation to the US to try and salvage trade relations between the two nations. Isabel Nakirya reports that the US has threatened to end trade ties with Uganda after the country enacted an anti-gay law in May this year. todayDecember 13, 2023 26
insert_link Africa COP28’s commitment to transforming farming and food systems is an insult to Africans By Florian Kroll, University of the Western Cape Globally, food systems are unsustainable: 80% of the production of food is powered by fossil fuels. The food system is responsible for over one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. It is the primary driver of biodiversity loss. The COP28 climate change conference has issued a declaration on sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. An expert on food systems, Florian Kroll, sets […] todayDecember 13, 2023 16
insert_link Africa Illegal gold mining in the firing line By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Countries across the continent are moving to quash illegal gold mining, using a variety of methods including formalising the sector, applying more stringent legal processes and even resorting to military intervention, with a Ghanaian court recently sentencing a Chinese national to prison for illegal gold mining, “The court in the capital, Accra, sentenced Aisha Huang to four and a half years imprisonment and a […] todayDecember 13, 2023 20
insert_link Africa Commonwealth launches e-learning course to help African countries access billions in climate finance A new Commonwealth e-learning course launched yesterday will improve the ability of African countries to access billions of dollars in climate finance. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, launched the ‘Commonwealth Climate Finance Essentials E-learning Course’ at an event on 11 December 2023 in Dubai during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). The course builds on the extensive experience of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub. […] todayDecember 13, 2023 15
insert_link Africa Zimbabwe’s Mthuli Ncube wins Best Finance Minister award Zimbabwe’s Finance minister Mthuli Ncube has been awarded the title of Best African Finance Minister of the Year by Reputation Poll International. The BBC reports that Ncube expressed gratitude for the award, saying it acknowledges the efforts of his ministry and the Treasury team in spearheading the transformation of the economy. Despite ongoing economic challenges, including an estimated 85% unemployment rate, the award was met with criticism from Zimbabwean activist […] todayDecember 12, 2023 54
insert_link Africa 6th Youth Connekt Africa Summit sets attendance record The 6th Youth Connekt Africa Summit concluded in Kenya, marking a significant gathering focused on youth leadership and innovation for Africa's integration. With a record-breaking attendance of over 16,000 participants, it became the most-attended summit in its history. The Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth, and National Service, Emma Kantema-Gaomas attended the Summit. todayDecember 12, 2023 16