insert_link Africa Ecowas summit: 6 steps the leaders can take to restore stability and growth in west Africa By Olayinka Ajala, Leeds Beckett University This year’s summit of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) takes place against a challenging environment for the regional bloc. Recent developments in the region have included coups, insecurity and economic instability. Climate change also poses challenges. Six successful and two attempted coups in the region since 2020 were followed by the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina […] today8 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Kenya’s protests are different this time: 3 things that make it harder for government to crush them By Awino Okech, SOAS, University of London On 25 June 2024, a youth-led protest primarily composed of Gen Zs, as they are popularly referred to, stormed Kenya’s parliament. Legislators voted to pass the Finance Bill 2024 in its third and last reading ahead of presidential assent. This was the second countrywide protest over the proposed taxes in the draft law and excesses in government […] today8 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Sudan is now confronting its most severe food security crisis on record By Rob Vos, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Khalid Siddig, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) After 14 months of escalating internal conflict, Sudan is now confronting its most severe food security crisis on record. The latest situation report, released on 27 June, reveals a grim picture: more than half the population of 47.2 million is facing acute food insecurity. This signifies […] today8 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Rival Sudanese Political Factions Begin Reconciliation Talks in Cairo On Saturday, rival Sudanese political factions participated in formal reconciliation talks in Cairo, marking the first such meeting since the country's conflict began nearly 15 months ago. Reuters has it that they acknowledged that prospects for a swift resolution to the war were minimal. During the conference, the Democratic Bloc, aligned with the army, declined to engage in joint sessions with the Taqaddum faction, accusing them of sympathizing with the […] today8 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Kenyans Gather for Concert in Nairobi to Honor Protest Victims Hundreds of Kenyans attended a concert in the nation's capital, Nairobi, on Sunday, chanting slogans and dancing to remember more than three dozen people killed in recent anti-government protests according to a report by Reuters. The demonstrations, which began on June 18, sought to halt planned tax hikes and call for President William Ruto's resignation. Activist Boniface Mwangi, present at the event, expressed mixed emotions adding that the government is […] today8 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Over 136,000 Flee Sennar State Amid Ongoing Sudan Conflict More than 136,000 people have fled Sudan's southeastern Sennar state due to attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, according to Reuters on Thursday. This displacement is part of the larger conflict in Sudan, now almost 15 months long, which has forced nearly 10 million people from their homes. The war between the RSF and the regular army has led to accusations of "ethnic cleansing" and warnings of famine, particularly […] today5 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Military court in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 25 Congolese soldiers to death A military court in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 25 Congolese soldiers to death for running away from a battle against the M23 rebels. The court in Butembo city found the soldiers guilty of fleeing the enemy, dissipation of munitions of war, and pillage. Congolese government troops have been fighting the M23 rebels since 2021. Chris Ocamringa has more from Kinshasa. today5 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Niger army says more than 100 ‘terrorists’ killed after deadly attack Niger's army said Thursday it had killed more than 100 "terrorists" during air and ground operations in response to a deadly attack against soldiers near the Burkina Faso border. A coalition of armed groups killed 20 troops and one civilian in the region of Tera in jihadist-plagued western Niger on June 25, the army said. "More than 100 terrorists have been killed since," the army said in […] today4 July, 2024
insert_link Africa How Zambia’s modern literary movements are nurturing talent By Oliver Ochieng, bird story agency Zambia has a rich literary history, cultivated in the past by groups like the New Writers Group and the Mphala Creative Society. These organisations have nurtured world-renowned authors such as Binwell Sinyangwe and Ellen Banda-Aaku, among others. However, a new wave of modern literary groups is emerging, promising to develop and elevate talent while continuing Zambia's rich literary […] today4 July, 2024
