insert_link Africa Tunisia sets date for Presidential election Tunisia is set to hold presidential elections on Oct. 6, a vote that may prove a litmus test for democracy in the North African country whose populist leader has seized sweeping powers and cracked down on dissent. The state-run TAP news agency reports that President Kais Saied issued an order Tuesday setting the date, with the election commission due to convene later this week to approve a calendar and rules for candidates. […] todayJuly 3, 2024 7
insert_link Africa Kenya police say over 270 arrested for criminal acts during Tuesday protests Kenyan police said they have arrested more than 270 people masquerading as protesters who are suspected of going on a criminal rampage during anti-government rallies on Tuesday. Widespread looting and property damage was reported during the youth-led demonstrations in various cities across the country, which some protesters said had been infiltrated by "goons". "Security forces across the country singled out suspects found engaging in criminal activities in […] todayJuly 3, 2024 26
insert_link Africa South Africa’s new agricultural leadership should focus on getting things done, not designing new policies By Wandile Sihlobo, Stellenbosch University South Africa’s primary agriculture sector accounts for nearly 3% of GDP and about 8% when considering the value of agro-processing. But it can contribute even more to economic growth that delivers benefits fairly across society and creates jobs. This can’t happen, however, if new policies and plans keep getting introduced. Fortunately, the views of the new agricultural minister, John Steenhuisen, may […] todayJuly 3, 2024 27
insert_link Africa The Road to the Country: novelist Chigozie Obioma on Nigeria’s brutal civil war, love and redemption By Chigozie Obioma, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chigozie Obioma is the Nigerian author of the novels The Fishermen (2015) and An Orchestra of Minorities (2019), both shortlisted for the Booker Prize for their unique, folkloric tales of Nigerian life in decades past. Like them, his 2024 novel The Road to the Country is “tinged with fable and prophecy”. It’s set in the brutal Nigerian Civil […] todayJuly 3, 2024 15
insert_link Africa The IMF is failing countries like Kenya: why, and what can be done about it By Danny Bradlow, University of Pretoria The recent Kenyan protests are a warning that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is failing. The public does not think it is helping its member countries manage their economic and financial problems, which are being exacerbated by a rapidly changing global political economy. To be sure, the IMF is not the only cause of Kenya’s problems with raising […] todayJuly 3, 2024 8
insert_link Africa Riot Police Clash with Protesters in Widespread Unrest Across Kenya Reuters reports that riot police fired tear gas and charged at stone-throwing protesters in downtown Nairobi and across Kenya on Tuesday, marking the most widespread unrest since at least two dozen protesters were killed in clashes a week ago. The nationwide demonstrations indicate that President William Ruto has failed to quell a spontaneous youth protest movement, despite abandoning plans for tax increases that triggered last week's unrest. todayJuly 3, 2024 8
insert_link Africa Armed Men Kill 40 in Central Mali Village Attack Unidentified armed men killed approximately 40 people in an attack on the village of Djiguibombo in central Mali, reported Reuters. The assault occurred on Monday in the Mopti region, an area plagued by jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State for over a decade. Bankass Mayor Moulaye Guindo said the attack was very serious as armed men surrounded the village and shot at people. todayJuly 3, 2024 10
insert_link Africa Girmay first African to win Tour de France Biniam Girmay made history by becoming the first African to win a stage at the Tour de France after a late crash disrupted Mark Cavendish's sprint into Turin. According to the BBC, Girmay from Eritrea clinched victory in a reduced sprint, with Fernando Gaviria of Colombia and Arnaud de Lie of Belgium taking second and third places respectively. Following the race, an emotional Girmay, aged 24, who previously won a […] todayJuly 2, 2024 19
insert_link Africa UK charity convoy attacked in DR Congo conflict zone A convoy of a UK charity organization was attacked by angry youths in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo as it was heading to deliver aid to displaced people in a conflict zone. Local authorities say 5 vehicles belonging to the charity known as Tearfund were burnt and two people were killed in the attack in North Kivu province. The North Kivu province has been racked by […] todayJuly 2, 2024 8
