Africa

The Sahara Desert used to be a green savannah – new research explains why

By Edward Armstrong, University of Helsinki Algeria’s Tassili N’Ajjer plateau is Africa’s largest national park. Among its vast sandstone formations is perhaps the world’s largest art museum. Over 15,000 etchings and paintings are exhibited there, some as much as 11,000 years old according to scientific dating techniques, representing a unique ethnological and climatological record of the region. Curiously, however, these images do not depict the arid, barren landscape that […]

December 20, 2023 46

Africa

The LifeCare Better Together Mara Medical Camp treats its 12,000th patients

On December 4th and 5th 2023, Lifecare International hosted its annual Better Together Mara Medical Camp, an impactful healthcare initiative benefitting the communities in and around the Maasai Mara. Lifecare endeavoured to enhance the community’s health and wellbeing with free medical treatment, surgeries, and medication, conducted at Sekenani Medical Centre in Narok South and Oloolaimutia in Narok West. The 2023 edition treated 3587 patients, bringing the total number of […]

December 20, 2023 119

Africa

DR Congo polls open amid conflict in east, delays

By Annie Thomas and Emmet Livingstone Polling stations opened Wednesday in a high-stakes Democratic Republic of Congo general election pitting the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi against a fragmented opposition, while much of the east of the country is mired in conflict. Polling stations opened at 6 am (0400 GMT in the east; 0500 GMT in the west) and will close at 5 pm local time. AFP journalists saw the […]

December 20, 2023 6

Africa

Cameroon and Zimbabwe Lead Christmas Spending Across Africa

African households will focus on gifts and decorations as they take a more cautious approach to their Christmas holiday spending this year, on the back of a rising cost of living, according to the Cost of Christmas report. A new ‘Cost of Christmas’ study by WorldRemit shows Cameroon (US $650 and Zimbabwe( US$ 254) will be the continent’s biggest spenders this season, with bulk of their expenditure going to […]

December 20, 2023 15

Africa

bird TenX: Top 10 African countries on the UNESCO World Heritage sites list

A UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site has cultural, historical, scientific or other forms of significance and is protected under an international convention. 43 African countries have at least one World Heritage Site and Ethiopia has 11. Here is a list of the African countries that boast the most of these must-see sites: Ethiopia (11) Bale Mountains National Park - an Afroalpine area that […]

December 20, 2023 8

Africa

Egypt’s Al-Sisi wins third term in office

Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has won a third six-year term with 89.6% of the vote, defeating three lesser-known candidates, as the runner-up received only 4.5%. The BBC reports that a prominent opposition candidate, Ahmed Tantawy, withdrew months before the election, citing intimidation and violence against his campaign team.

December 19, 2023 11

Africa

Africa gets shot in the arm as African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation gets underway

Africa’s efforts to build a resilient and self-reliant pharmaceutical industry for the continent advanced significantly today as the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation and the Rwandan Government signed the host country agreement paving the way for the Foundation’s operationalisation. The Foundation also signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Investment Bank to further strengthen cooperation. The African Development Bank Group's Board […]

December 19, 2023 13

Africa

DRC election campaigns enter final day

Campaigns for the Democratic Republic of Congo's election are due to end today, two days before voters go to the polls. According to the BBC, insecurity, health and education are among key issues that have dominated campaigns as the country gears up for the vote. It is unclear whether the elections will take place in the restive east where dozens of armed groups are active.

December 18, 2023 12

Africa

Uganda court hears challenge to harsh anti-gay law

Uganda’s Constitutional Court is hearing a case challenging the anti-homosexuality law that came into effect in May. The law imposes severe punishments on those convicted of same-sex acts including the death penalty for some crimes. According to the BBC, it is being challenged by a group of both individuals and human rights organisations who argue that it violates constitutional rights and freedoms.

December 18, 2023 8