insert_link Africa Africa can transform its aviation sector by harnessing new routes – report By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency A new study by European aircraft manufacturer Airbus reveals that West Africa holds the potential for an aviation revolution leveraging its booming population, diverse economies, and strategic geographical position to open up new routes. The study ‘Exploring the horizons: A study of unserved air routes to, from and within Africa’ highlights that nine out of the top […] today4 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Kenya unrest: Ruto awakened class politics that now threatens to engulf him By Peter Lockwood, University of Manchester Many of the grievances of Kenya’s Gen-Z, young people who took to the streets in late June, have been palpable for years. I witnessed these during field research as a social anthropologist studying land, livelihoods, urbanisation and electoral politics in Kiambu County, which borders Nairobi to the north and west. I spent nearly two years there between 2017 […] today4 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Niger’s Junta Agrees to Talks with Benin to Restore Relations Post-Coup Niger's junta has agreed to discussions with Benin's government, facilitated by former Benin presidents Thomas Boni Yayi and Nicephore Soglo, to restore relations following last year's coup. The coup had led to the closure of the border and the shutdown of a China-backed oil pipeline. This decision came after a meeting between Niger's military leader General Abdourahamane Tiani and the former presidents on June 24, as announced by Niger's government […] today4 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Kenyan Activists Rethink Strategy Amid Violence in Anti-Government Protests Activists leading Kenya's anti-government protests are re-evaluating their approach after Tuesday's demonstrations were disrupted by violence and looting, which they fear could undermine their efforts to push President William Ruto to resign as reported by Reuters. The activists attribute the violence to "goons" allegedly hired by politicians to discredit the protests or pursue personal agendas. Some activists have called on social media to cancel the next planned demonstration on Thursday. today4 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Sierra Leone bans child marriage with new law Sierra Leone has brought in a new law banning child marriage with much fanfare at a ceremony organised by First Lady Fatima Bio in the capital, Freetown. The BBC reports that invited guests, including first ladies from Namibia and Cape Verde, watched as her husband President Julius Maada Bio signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act into law. Anybody now involved in the marriage of a girl aged under the […] today3 July, 2024
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. […] today3 July, 2024
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 […] today3 July, 2024
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 […] today3 July, 2024
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 […] today3 July, 2024
