Africa Gets Its Chance to Lead the Commonwealth

[ad_1] Africa takes the reins for the first time in 20 years, but will the new secretary-general adopt a more assertive stance? The Commonwealth holds its biennial summit - the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) - in Samoa next week, amid the perennial soul-searching about its relevance in 2024. It is a significant CHOGM as the 56 member states will elect a new secretary-general to succeed Britain's Patricia Scotland. And it is Africa's turn to get the secretary-generalship - […]

October 18, 2024

Africa

Africa: Statement of Dr Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, Director of Conflict Management, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, AUC, At the 9th Informal Annual Joint Seminar Between Members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the African Union Peace and Security Council (Aupsc) Tarrytown, Ny 16 and 17 October 2024

[ad_1] Let me begin by expressing my gratitude to the Co-Chairs for inviting the AU to discuss the adverse effects of climate change on Africa's stability and development. While climate change poses significant threats, it also presents an unprecedented opportunity for positive change if we adopt a common approach. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that global temperatures have increased by 1.1°C since 1990. This alarming statistics underscores the urgency for coordinated international action. Although Africa accounts […]

October 18, 2024

Africa

Africa: Internet Shutdowns – A Threat to Free Speech and Democracy in Africa

[ad_1] Internet shutdowns are a worrying trend in African countries, often justified during elections, protests, and periods of civil unrest, as measures to prevent the spread of misinformation or maintain public order. These actions violate the basic human right to free speech, silencing opposition and limiting democratic participation. Countries like Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Ethiopia faced Internet shutdowns during its polls, raising concerns. For example, during Uganda's 2021 elections, the government cut off Internet connectivity, leaving millions silenced. These actions not […]

October 18, 2024

Africa

Francis Ngannou vs Renan Ferreira: MMA & boxing risk-taker changing landscape of combat sports

[ad_1] Ngannou's heavyweight fight against Brazil's Renan Ferreira in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday is his first MMA bout since defending his UFC title against Ciryl Gane in 2021.Despite boxing twice since, Ngannou is adamant he never departed MMA, even interrupting the interview midway to clarify his point."I'm not returning to MMA - I never left," said Ngannou.During the period when Ngannou's only competitive action came in the boxing ring, […]

October 18, 2024

Africa

Africa’s week in pictures: 11

[ad_1] A selection of the week's best photos from across the African continent: Shahzaib Akber/EPAOn Thursday, South African artists from the Ajao Africa group dazzle audiences at the Arts Council of Pakistan festival in the capital Karachi...Thomas Mukoya/ReutersA family of elephants strikes a pose at the Aberdare National Park in Kenya. Thomas Mukoya/ReutersOn Saturday, rippling muscles are on display at the Mr and Miss East Africa Bodybuilding Contest...Gerald Anderson/Getty ImagesThe […]

October 18, 2024

Africa

Africa: French Police Release Anti-Western Firebrand Kemi Seba Without Charge

[ad_1] Controversial activist Kemi Seba, known for his fiercely anti-Western, pan-Africanist stance, has been released from French custody without charges, two days after he was arrested in Paris. French prosecutors confirmed on Thursday that Seba was released the day before, although preliminary investigations into his activities are continuing. The France-born activist, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, was detained on Monday on suspicion of "foreign interference" in French affairs. He has previously been sentenced in France several […]

October 18, 2024

Africa

Africa: How the World Bank and IMF Can Truly Drive a Clean Energy Transition

[ad_1] The financial institutions' current approaches to funding renewable energy projects are far too limited, rigid, and opaque. As ministers around the world gear up for annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG), on 21-26 October in Washington DC, climate will be high on the agenda again. Many discussions will centre on climate finance, while the World Bank is set to replace its Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) and implement a new Corporate Scorecard. […]

October 18, 2024

Africa

Kenya’s deputy president sacked by the Senate while in hospital

[ad_1] Kenyan senators have voted to remove Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office despite his failure to testify at his impeachment trial after his lawyer said he had been taken to hospital.In one of the most dramatic days in Kenya's recent political history, Gachagua had been due to appear in the Senate after lunch to defend himself, a day after he had pleaded not guilty to 11 charges.However, Gachagua, popularly […]

October 18, 2024

Africa

Africa Must Invest in School Feeding Programs to Boost Its Future

[ad_1] Speaking on World Food Day, Wawira Njiru, CEO of Kenyan non-profit Food for Education, has called on African and world leaders to invest in school feeding programs to feed the future of all of Africa. Ahead of a visit to Washington where she will meet with officials from the World Bank and pointing to data in the World Bank's recent Africa Pulse report, Wawira Njiru called for urgent investment in the school feeding revolution to ensure children across Africa […]

October 18, 2024

Africa