insert_link Africa Mpox cases are soaring in Africa – what must be done to prevent a global pandemic By Cheryl Walter, University of Hull Alarmed by the surge in mpox cases, the Africa Centres for Disease Control has taken the unprecedented step of declaring the outbreak sweeping through African countries a continental public health emergency. The World Health Organization (WHO) is also meeting to decide whether to trigger its highest global alert level over the epidemic. These moves come after a virulent strain of the disease […] todayAugust 13, 2024 27
insert_link Africa Sudan’s catastrophe: farmers could offer quick post-war recovery, if peace is found By Khalid Siddig, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; James Thurlow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Josée Randriamamonjy, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ; Mariam Raouf, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) , and Mosab Ahmed, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) More than a year of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has weakened the country’s fragile […] todayAugust 13, 2024 14
insert_link Africa DRC communities turn up heat on EU lenders funding palm oil giant PHC By Didier Makal, via Mongabay On May 24, 2024, clashes broke out between members of a local community and security guards at an oil palm plantation in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the latest such incident in a long-running dispute over some 58,000 hectares, or 143,000 acres, of land. A source in the town of Lokutu said the community members were protesting the […] todayAugust 13, 2024 29
insert_link Africa Smaller African economies are getting more investor attention By Conrad Onyango, via bird story agency Small African economies are punching above their weight to emerge as the most attractive to investors, bolstered by their higher economic and personal freedoms. A new study, ‘The 2024 RMB Where to Invest in Africa report,’ shows that investors are looking beyond markets with big populations and larger economies. Instead, they are seeking destinations with higher levels of stability and […] todayAugust 13, 2024 17
insert_link Africa Kenya’s Aviation Workers to Strike Over Controversial Adani Deal Aviation staff at Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will strike from August 19, opposing a government plan to involve India's Adani Group in expanding and operating the airport. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union, representing around 10,000 members, argues that the $1.85 billion investment proposal has not followed proper legal procedures. todayAugust 13, 2024 7
insert_link Africa African member states demand two permanent seats on UN Security Council African member states at the United Nations are demanding two permanent seats on the UN Security Council with the veto abolished. A United Nations Security Council meeting took place on Monday with the aim of redressing the historical injustice and enhancing Africa's effective representation on the Council. Jody Jacobs has more from the United Nations in New York. todayAugust 13, 2024 9
insert_link Africa US to Proceed with Sudan Peace Talks Despite Government’s Absence The United States announced it will continue with planned peace talks on the Sudan conflict this week, despite not receiving confirmation from Sudan's government. The US-mediated talks in Switzerland are set to begin on Wednesday, but Sudan's armed forces have not confirmed their participation, expressing concerns about the US approach. However, US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, emphasized that the talks will proceed as scheduled. todayAugust 13, 2024 5
insert_link Africa Nigeria mandates health form for incoming air passengers Nigeria's government has directed air passengers coming into the country to fill out a health declaration form as part of measures against the Mpox outbreak and other infectious diseases. According to The Vanguard, the mpox strain known as Clade Ib, which has been rapidly spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since September, is both more deadly and more easily transmitted than earlier strains. This strain, transmitted […] todayAugust 12, 2024 17
insert_link Africa Migration organisation says urgent humanitarian aid is needed in the DRC The director general of the International Organisation for Migration, Amy Pope, has warned that with record levels of internal displacement, acute food insecurity, and gender-based violence, urgent and concerted action is needed to stem the worsening humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Shanaé Harte from UN News reports. todayAugust 12, 2024 7