Action is needed now to pave the way for timely and credible elections in South Sudan next December, the UN Special Representative for the country told journalists in the capital, Juba, on Wednesday. “With only 17 months remaining on the Roadmap timelines before elections in 2024, I repeat what I had said in an earlier […]
Tag: International Organizations and Africa
New charcoal production method gives communities a sustainable fuel and income source “The idea of grass charcoal had never crossed my mind!” exclaims Mary Tiekor, Handi Women’s Group member and charcoal producer, as she holds a freshly made organic briquette in her hands. “And yet, here it is – and the process is so quick!” […]
Geneva — The World Health Organization reported Monday that progress was being made in efforts to prevent and respond to cases of sexual misconduct but acknowledged that abuse by WHO staff remained problematic. “For the past two years, WHO has intensified our work to prevent and respond to any form of sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, […]
In light of the growing public outcry following the recent 44% devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha by the Reserve Bank of Malawi, ActionAid Malawi has called for a reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure that the institution champions pro-poor and gender-just macroeconomic policies in the country. ActionAid Malawi believes the Kwacha devaluation […]
Vaccination is crucial for preventing the spread of the polio, a highly contagious disease that can lead to paralysis and even death. But widespread, ongoing conflict in Somalia means that vaccination campaigns are hampered by restricted access to conflict zones, and the displacement of communities – making it difficult for healthcare workers to reach vulnerable populations. The […]
Cape Town — Good afternoon, everyone. How are you? Are you excited to be here? It’s so great to see all of you, and my cards are falling because I like to speak with my hands, which is a very good thing we do in Africa here. My name is Dr. Faith Mwangi-Powell. I’m the […]
Dubai — African scientists and researchers are concerned that the data shows that the continent is being cornered by the spiraling effects of climate change, that the real impact of climate devastation is yet to unfold, and that the region is on the cusp of more severe and catastrophic consequences. Given Africa’s high exposure and […]
Over a quarter million civilians have fled Sudan’s Al-Jazeera State, the UN reports, after four days of fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces last weekend. “First, I was displaced from Khartoum, now I am forced to move again,” says Siddiq Ahmed*, a former resident of Khartoum who relocated in May to […]
A rapid nutrition and mortality assessment carried out by MSF reveals that a catastrophic situation has unfolded in Zamzam camp, North Darfur, since the conflict in Sudan began in April 2023. All emergency thresholds for malnutrition have been reached and MSF is calling for an immediate, coordinated and rapid scale-up of the humanitarian response in […]
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said the Nigerian government has, through the backdoor, resumed the payment of subsidies on the premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol. Recall that on May 29, 2023, during his swearing-in speech, President Bola Tinubu announced an end to petrol subsidy, triggering a hike in the prices of […]
The following statement from Dr Christos Christou, International President, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), outlines the dire situation for people caught up in the war in Sudan ahead of the first anniversary of the start of the conflict. “Sudan is one of the worst crises the world has seen for decades. There are extreme levels of […]
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Africa: Debt, Debt Everywhere…
Rising debt waves across the world remains a major risk for global financial stability and undermines efforts to engender sustainable development. One of the dominant issues discussed at the just concluded Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank was the elevated global debts. This remains a concern to countries, especially […]
Of every 10 babies born, 1 is preterm – and every 40 seconds, 1 of those babies dies Preterm birth rates have not changed in the past decade in any region of the world The impacts of conflict, climate change, COVID-19 are increasing risks for women and babies everywhere Action is needed urgently to improve […]
Samre, Ethiopia — ‘Our children are falling like leaves.’ A freeze on the delivery of food assistance in Ethiopia by the country’s two largest food donors is having a devastating impact in Tigray, with more people dying of hunger “as a direct result of no aid”, according to one of the northern region’s top relief […]
Pressured by the Malian military junta, the UN Security Council has decided to withdraw all MINUSMA peacekeepers by the end of this year. What are the consequences? Last week, the UN Security Council decided to withdraw approximately 13,000 MINUSMA peacekeepers at the explicit request of the Malian military government. The move will have an impact […]
African leaders have complained about wrongful targeting by the International Criminal Court during the 25 years since its founding — but some African legal experts say those claims are unjustified. Since its inception 25 years ago, 33 African states have joined the ICC with Ivory Coast the most recent to do so in 2013. They […]
By the time the current conflict in Sudan broke out in mid-April, its Darfur region had already been facing war and ethnic violence for over two decades. Today’s fighting has rekindled fault lines in communities throughout Darfur, particularly the city of El Geneina. Intense fighting, intercommunal violence, and large-scale attacks against civilians have driven hundreds […]
Given current threats to safety and stability, Africa needs decisions that are properly drafted and funded. Africa is contending with growing threats of violent extremism, entrenched localised conflicts that intersect with organised crime, coups and democratic backsliding. The African Union (AU) has a vital role in resolving these problems, but 20 years since its inception, […]