Nigeria: Timeline

Here is the timeline of major developments concerning the naira redesign policy since its inception up to Friday when the Supreme Court is expected to give its judgement. The Supreme Court will Friday deliver its judgement on the propriety of the federal government’s naira redesign policy. The policy has caused banknotes scarcity with the associated

Read more

Mali: Expert weighs in on draft constitution

Mali’s draft constitution which gives the president sweeping powers has elicited diverse views. The text which was presented to army ruler Assimi Goita on Monday (Feb. 27) is supposed to replace that of 1992. Cconstitutional expert, Fousseynou Doumbia, says the draft has some progressive provisions. “This draft Constitution, as it has been characterized, it must be

Read more

Zambia: History of Green Policies Shows Why Environment and Development Must Go Hand in Hand #AfricaClimateCrisis

Climate change and environmental policy measures have become a central part of planning for sustainable development and avoiding crises such as food and water insecurity. Because “going green” is such an urgent issue now, some people may think it’s a newcomer to policy agendas. This may seem especially likely in developing countries, where other challenges

Read more

Africa: Germany’s New Migration Policy Could Take Away Vital Talent From Several African Countries

Germany has announced a project for migrant centres in five African countries which would offer a select category of Africans the possibility of settling on its soil. The Conversation Africa’s Assane Diagne spoke to sociologist Aly Tandian about the significance of this decision. Why is Germany considering bringing skilled labour into the country and how

Read more

Forest conservation summit kicks off in Gabon

The One Forest Summit kicked off in Libreville, Gabon on Wednesday, March 1st.   –   Copyright © africanews Libreville, Africanews Gabon Gabon’s One Forest Summit kicked off in Libreville Wednesday (Mar. 1st). The meeting aims to bring countries with large forest areas to collaboratively develop a platform of scientific and economic solutions; to combine forest consevation

Read more

Africa: Experts Call For Congo Basin Climate Science Initiative Ahead of One Forest Summit #AfricaClimateHope

Harare — Experts have called for a Congo Basin Climate Science Initiative to deploy the scientific underpinning of a forest protection plan. Attending a webinar ahead of the One Forest Summit, they outlined the importance of Congo Basin forests. French President Emmanuel Macron and Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba will co-host the One Forest Summit

Read more

Opposition parties demand fresh elections in Nigerian amid allegations of irregularities

Nigeria’s two main opposition parties have called for the annulment of what they have described as a “sham” election, denouncing the “massive manipulation” of the results. A partial count has given a slight lead to ruling party candidate and former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu. Saturday’s vote was generally peaceful, although there were some security

Read more

Africa: Organised Crime Is Infecting African and Global Supply Chains

The fishing and cocoa industries show how criminal networks and corrupt officials exploit multinational supply chains. Transnational organised crime is usually associated with violent mafia-style groups that traffic drugs, people, arms and wildlife. Less dramatic but equally damaging is the effect of organised crime on global supply chains for legal goods. These logistics networks provide

Read more

Symbol of resilience: Africa’s premiere film fest returns to Burkina Faso’s capital

**The weeklong FESPACO that opens Saturday (Feb. 25) in Burkina Faso’s capital goes beyond entertainment and seeks to also offer hope, and a symbol of endurance: In years of political strife and Islamic extremist attacks, which killed thousands and displaced nearly 2 million in the West African country, it’s never been cancelled.** “We only have FESPACO left

Read more

Tanzania: Tanzania Creates Clubhouse Account to Enhance Government Responsiveness

TANZANIA’s government has officially created a clubhouse account, a platform that will allow public officials to participate in debates virtually and clarify various burning issues in the country. Using his verified Twitter handle @Nnauye_Nape, the Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Mr Nape Nnauye on Friday debates will start on Saturday at around 9:00hrs.

Read more

Nigeria: Lassa Fever

NCDC noted that four new healthcare workers were infected in the reporting week six. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 68 additional Lassa fever infections and 15 deaths in the 6th week of 2023, spanning 6 to 12 February. The NCDC in its latest situation report published Monday on its

Read more

Nigeria: Nigeria 2023

This the first election in Nigeria in which the military will not be on the ballot or in the background as such. President Buhari is already a huge factor in the ballot with his insistence that the Central Bank’s currency reform should carry forward through the election season. The voting will take place in an

Read more

Africa: Wanted

While all our attention is focussed on the forthcoming Nigerian presidential elections, events of global proportions are shaping up elsewhere in the world. Since time will not wait for anyone, and considering that we all have to live with the consequences of those other events whether we pay attention or not, the wise thing to

Read more

Zimbabwe: ‘Patients Must Bring Own Blankets, Sleep On Pot-Holed Floors’

GOVERNMENT has been challenged to revamp the country’s referral hospitals as an legislator revealed that infrastructure at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) is in a shocking state of disrepair with patients forced to “sleep on pot-holed floors”. Speaking in Parliament Tuesday, Bulawayo East legislator Ilos Nyoni said the biggest referral hospital in the Matebeleland region

Read more

South Africa: Public Urged to Report Vandalism of Electricity Infrastructure

Eskom has called on the public to report the theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure which has risen to disastrous proportions, threatening essential services and the lives of innocent people across the Gauteng province. Eskom has reported concerning levels of damage to its network such as transformers and substations, leading to prolonged outages to customers

Read more

Africa: ‘Hate Speech Loads the Gun, Misinformation Pulls the Trigger’

Madrid — In this world of wars, massive weapons production, sales and use; of sharpening inequalities and deadly climate emergencies, hate speech and its inhumane impact, is being amplified at ‘unprecedented scale’ by new technologies. Hate speech has now reached dangerous records, fuelling discrimination, racism, xenophobia and staggering human rights violations. It mainly targets whoever

Read more

Gambia: Gambia-Bangladesh Agree to Co-Deploy Troops to UN Peacekeeping Mission

The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, has embarked on an official visit to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Prime Minister, Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina on Thursday, 8th February 2023. Honourable Minister Dr. Tangara took the opportunity to deliver a

Read more

Gambia: ‘Decentralisation of Court System Will Enhance Justice Delivery System’

Hon. Baboucarr Boye, the minister of Public Service, said on Thursday that the decentralisation of the court system will enhance justice delivery service in The Gambia. The minister made the remark while deputising President Adama Barrow at the inauguration of the newly built court complex in Bundung. “My government will remain steadfastly committed to providing

Read more

Nigeria: CBN Debunks Misleading Report, Says NSPMC Has Capacity to Produce New Banknotes

*Insists it’s working to boost circulation nationwide Contrary to a misleading report, which misquoted the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, as attributing the current challenge in the distribution of the redesigned naira banknotes to a shortage of printing materials at the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) Plc

Read more

Nigeria: Supreme Court Replies Critics, Says Its Silence Must Not Be Taken for Weakness or Cowardice

*Urges attackers to channel their grievances to political parties The Supreme Court yesterday reacted in anger to the attacks on its judges over the recent judgments they delivered, warning that those who had been “venting convoluted anger” were ignorant of the law. Recently, the apex court had delivered what many Nigerians thought were controversial verdicts

Read more

Ethiopia Orthodox leaders postpone protest called amid hegemony claims

The Orthodox Church in Ethiopia has called off demonstrations planned for Sunday following a meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The protests followed the creation of a breakaway synod by Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church bishops in Oromia. Breakaway bishops accused the Church of discrimination and linguistic and cultural hegemony, saying congregations in Oromia are not

Read more

Togo’s Covid-19 fund scandal: Government denies misappropriation claims

The Togolese government has dismissed allegations of malfeasance in the management of the fund intended to fight the coronavirus epidemic, saying that spending is “compliant, regular and sincere”. Significant irregularities have been pinpointed in an audit report by the Court of Auditors, sparking outrage in the West African country. In a press release published Thursday

Read more

French-Moroccan diplomatic ties in turmoil: Ambassador’s mission comes to an end amid crisis

The mission of Morocco’s ambassador to France has ended without a successor being appointed, in a climate of diplomatic crisis between Rabat and Paris, local media announced on Friday. “In accordance with high royal instructions, it has been decided to terminate the functions of Mr. Mohamed Benchaâboun as Ambassador of His Majesty to the French

Read more

Uganda: Minister Amongi Speaks Out On Disagreement With Nabbanja, Byarugaba Interdiction and the Shs 6 Billion

Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Betty Amongi Akena speaks to NBS Television’s Canary Mugume about her suspicions regarding the management of the National Social Security Firm (NSSF) that have led to the parliament probe. The board recommended Richard Byarugaba to be re-appointed despite him clicking retirement age. Why did you not go by

Read more

Sudan: EU-U.S. Envoys and Russian Foreign Minister Visit Sudan for Geopolitical Talks

Khartoum — Journalist and political analyst Ashraf Abdelaziz says that the official visit of six international envoys yesterday, along with a visit from Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov today, is linked to conflict over Sudanese resources. Six envoys representing the US, UK, France, Germany, Norway, and the European Union envoy to the Horn of

Read more

Sergei Lavrov meets with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani

Russian FM Lavrov meets Mauritania counterpart Merzoug and President Ghazouani Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Mauritania on Wednesday, holding talks with his colleague Salem Ould Merzoug and President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas, as well as regional and international issues. Mauritania is interested in

Read more

African leaders send condolences to Turkey, Syria over devastating earthquake

African leaders are expressing condolences and solidarity with Türkiye and Syria after a 7.8 magnitude  earthquake hit parts of the two countries Monday. They included the presidents of Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Burundi and Gambia. Also the AU chairperson Moussa Faki-Mahamat in a tweet welcomed the “global outpouring of support and solidarity”. Their condolences

Read more

Zimbabwe: 2023 Elections

Youths say this year’s elections will shape the way for their future as they get a chance to choose their own leaders. Some young people who were registering to vote told 263Chat that the time to be politically heard is nigh and are eager to exercise their constitutional rights. “It is important for me to

Read more

Murder of Cameroon journalist Zogo: Prominent tycoon arrested

Two weeks after the dead body of Cameroonian journalist Salomon Mbani Zogo better known as Martinez Zogo was found, an influential tycoon is being questioned. Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga was arrested Monday (Feb. 06) according to the Cameroonian Communications ministry. Belinga’s media group l’Anecdote confirmed its owner was undergoing questioning by the gendarmerie’s top institution. Martinez

Read more

Ethiopia: Measles, Cholera Outbreaks Pose Deadly Threat to Already Malnourished Children in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa — Children are facing a growing risk of disease as cholera and measles outbreaks tighten their grip on Ethiopia, raising fears for the many vulnerable children already suffering from malnutrition, Save the Children said. A cholera outbreak is affecting the Oromia and Somali regions, with at least 1,055 cases reported, including 28 deaths

Read more

Nigeria: Abuja Building Collapse

Residents and passersby gathered as night fell on Thursday as they joined a team of emergency and aid workers who searched through the rubble looking for survivors. At least two people have now been confirmed dead after a two-storey building collapsed in Abuja, officials of the emergency response services said. Twenty-one people have been rescued

Read more

South Africa: New Twist in South Africa’s Tottenham Hotspur Sponsorship Deal Opens Can of Worms

Harare — Lindiwe Sisulu, the Minister of Tourism, distanced herself from the reported R1 billion deal to sponsor Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, which has sparked widespread outrage. This comes after SA Tourism (SAT) was lambasted after the Daily Maverick’s publication of its proposed plans for a three-year deal worth £42.5 million (approximately R900 million) beginning

Read more

Southern Africa: Namibian President Geingob Worried By Escalation of Tensions in eSwatini

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob yesterday expressed concern about the escalation of tensions in Eswatini, and reiterated his call for authorities in the kingdom to investigate the death of human rights and political activists Thulani Rudolf Maseko. Maseko, who was assassinated at his home in Mbabane a week ago, was the chairperson of the Multi-Stakeholder Forum. The

Read more

Kenya: Govt Unveils Plans to Accede the Establishment of a Green Growth Institute

Nairobi — The Government of Kenya has unveiled plans to accede to the establishment of a Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) that will support green investments in the country. The GGGI, established in 2012, is a treaty-based international, intergovernmental organization whose vision is a low-carbon, resilient world of inclusive and sustainable growth by supporting members

Read more

Tunisia: Legislative Elections

Tunis/Tunisia — January 29 is the only legal date for the second round of legislative elections, President of the Independent High Authority for Elections (French: ISIE) Farouk Bouasker said as he paid Thursday a working visit to Béja. “The date will be maintained regardless of weather conditions in the northwest,” Bouasker further told TAP. Polls

Read more

Davos: Spurring growth in developing countries [Business Africa]

The African continent fueled many debates at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. The forum’s discussions centred around sustainable solutions, ranging from energy transition, reimagining globalisation, inclusion and diversity to prepare the world to collaborate and share equally in all future opportunities. How can the African continent position itself to thrive in an

Read more

Yellen tours Zambian health institute

Yellen’s trip comes a month after the US-Africa summit in Washington, where the US president pledged billions of dollars in investment, trade and development assistance   –   Copyright © africanews Yesica Fisch/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved. By Africanews Last updated: 14 hours ago Zambia U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is in Zambia on the

Read more

Africa: Pepfar At Twenty -Africa Relations

PEPFAR’s twentieth anniversary should prompt reflection on some inconvenient truths for U.S.-Africa relations. This month marks the twentieth anniversary of President George W. Bush’s signature global HIV/AIDS initiative, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. From the outset, PEPFAR was profoundly ambitious in its vision, rejecting conventional wisdom about the viability of providing

Read more

Africa: Us

Nairobi, Kenya — U.S. officials say food insecurity in Africa will worsen this year because of climate change, conflict, and market disruptions caused partly by Russia’s war on Ukraine. Speaking online to journalists Thursday from Malawi, Cary Fowler, special envoy for Global Food Security, said looking for solutions is key. “As much as I wish

Read more

Zimbabwe: Delta Corporation Credits Policy Measures for Easing Inflation

LISTED beverages manufacturer, Delta Corporation Limited, has credited policy interventions employed by monetary authorities for easing inflation and spurring foreign currency sales for businesses across the economy. Monetary authorities have sustained the implementation of measures aimed at stabilising the economy, which have seen annual inflation receding from over 800% recorded in July 2022 to the

Read more

Nigeria: Buhari Reappoints ‘Incompetent’ Official Sacked By Jonathan As Nigeria’s Investment Chief

Despite the indictment and consequent sack, Mr Buhari known for his anti-corruption rhetoric reappointed her. In 2015, former President Goodluck Jonathan sacked Saratu Umar as the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). The sack followed a recommendation by a ministerial panel that indicted her for several offences, including lack of administrative competence

Read more