insert_link Africa Victory for women’s rights in Ghana as affirmative action law is passed – what must happen next By Josephine Jarpa Dawuni, Howard University The passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Bill by the country’s parliament on 9 August 2024 marked a victory for women’s rights in Ghana. The bill, which has been years in the making, is the result of several actors, allies and activists lobbying and protesting for over a decade. The bill in it its current form makes it compulsory […] todaySeptember 4, 2024 11
Africa Mpox could spread into conflict zones in east Africa – how to manage the response By Hailay Abrha Gesesew, Torrens University Australia and Hafte Kahsay Kebede, Torrens University Australia Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda are some of the east African countries that have reported cases of mpox – a viral infectious disease – in the latest outbreak which started in the Democratic Republic of Congo in January 2023. The outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern by Africa […] todaySeptember 2, 2024 11
insert_link Africa China reaps most of the benefits of its relationship with Africa: what’s behind the imbalance By Bhaso Ndzendze, University of Johannesburg The ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing takes place under the theme of “Joining hands to advance modernisation and build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future”. But how shared can that future be between the Asian economic giant and Africa? The eight summits since 2000 have not resulted in mutual gain, particularly in trade and industrialisation for Africa. China […] todaySeptember 2, 2024 13
insert_link Africa Sudan is the world’s worst modern war – what has happened and what it’ll take to rebuild By Kagure Gacheche, The Conversation Sudan’s war has been raging since April 2023. The country was on a bumpy road to democracy after mass uprisings in 2019 ousted long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir. This all came to a halt when troops from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary force, attacked a military airstrip in the early hours of 15 April 2023. In the months since, fighting between the […] todaySeptember 2, 2024 14
insert_link Africa China’s interests in Africa are being shaped by the race for renewable energy By Lauren Johnston, University of Sydney China-Africa relations have deepened over the past two decades, characterised by increased economic cooperation, investment and infrastructure development. China is now Africa’s largest trading partner, with partnerships focused on building roads, railways and energy projects. As the ninth Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) kicks off this week in Beijing, a new, green theme is shaping their relationship: the global renewable energy race. […] todaySeptember 2, 2024 17
insert_link Africa Aluminium foil that can clean water: we’ve developed a coating which attracts and traps dangerous microbes John Fredricks/NurPhoto By Taufiq Ihsan, Universitas Andalas More than 2 billion people around the world do not have access to safe, uncontaminated drinking water. Around 418 million of them live in African countries. The problem is most acute in rural communities, where people’s primary water sources are rivers, lakes and hand-dug wells, which are often contaminated with harmful pathogens. This contamination is caused by inadequate sanitation facilities, open […] todaySeptember 2, 2024 14
insert_link Africa Mpox in the DRC: children are at high risk – health expert explains why By Nadia Adjoa Sam-Agudu, University of Minnesota The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that children, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk from the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Reports confirm that children under five account for 39% of all cases in the country, and babies as young as two weeks are being diagnosed with this viral illness. Nadia […] todaySeptember 2, 2024 15
insert_link Africa Al-Qaeda-Linked Group Claims Responsibility for Deadly Burkina Faso Attack An al-Qaeda-linked group claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack in north-central Burkina Faso. Reuters says it reported nearly 300 fatalities and stated they targeted militia members, not civilians. However, local reports suggest at least 400 people were killed, including civilians digging defensive trenches under military orders. The assault, near Barsalogho, is one of the deadliest in nearly a decade of Islamist violence in the region. todayAugust 30, 2024 7
insert_link Africa Nigeria and Niger Strengthen Security Ties Despite Ongoing Tensions Nigeria and Niger have signed a new agreement to enhance their security cooperation, the Nigerian military announced on Thursday reports Reuters. The deal, formalized through a memorandum of understanding by the defense chiefs in Niamey, aims to reinforce collaboration and promote regional stability, despite ongoing tensions following last year's coup in Niger. todayAugust 30, 2024 2