Africa: Flawed Elections and Poor Governance Underlie Africa’s Backsliding

[ad_1] With nearly 20 polls this year, can a floundering AU give elections the attention they desperately need? How do we explain the developmental and governance reversals now haunting Africa? Reasons for the apparent collapse of security are complex, but the thread running through insurgencies, coups and instability is slow development, bad governance and the nature of Africa's demographic transitions. Geopolitics marked by increasing competition makes for an unfavourable international environment. And although the global context influences Africa's conflicts, a […]

January 18, 2024 2

Japan

War pushes Sudan to brink of first famine in decades

[ad_1] Sudan is on the verge of a famine in parts of the capital city Khartoum and the central Darfur region due to the conflict between two rival military factions, the World Food Programme said.Millions of people are at risk of starvation amid the worst conditions since at least 2003. A nine-month war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has cut off huge swaths of the North […]

January 18, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: The Global Femicide Epidemic

[ad_1] Brussels — 'Per Giulia e per tutte' ('For Giulia and for all') echoed through the streets of Italy in mid-November 2023. Thousands of women, activists and supporters gathered to protest and show solidarity with the 22-year-old student Giulia Cecchettin, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend on the night of 11 November 2023. The outrage over the murder of the young student unleashed a wave of protest that was audible far beyond the country's borders in the weeks after the […]

January 18, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: Malaria-Free Cape Verde a ‘Beacon of Hope’ for Africa

[ad_1] The World Health Organization has certified Cape Verde as malaria-free, hailing the development as a significant milestone in the fight against the disease. But much remains to be done. The news that Cape Verde is malaria-free was received with great joy. Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva said the "historic moment" called for celebration -- and not just because of the positive impact on the health of the population. "In a country where tourism is a main source of […]

January 18, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: The Impact of Climate Migration On Developing Nations

[ad_1] Bangkok — As the world is still gearing up to welcome 2024, let us find a moment to reflect on some of the key trends of the past year and pursue now to embrace the path towards hope and promise for everyone, everywhere. Deepening global inequalities are having enormous socio-economic implications across countries. Increasing income and social disparities are spreading around regions. Growing intensities of climate induced natural disasters, the uneven speed of post-pandemic recoveries, and cost-of-living crises from […]

January 18, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: World Bank Enables Foreign Aid Theft

[ad_1] Kuala Lumpur, — World Bank aid encourages governments to enable illicit financial outflows to offshore tax havens by reducing capital controls, thus draining precious foreign exchange and government resources. Aiding elite wealth Aid disbursements to highly aid-dependent countries coincide with sharp increases in bank deposits in offshore financial centres known for banking secrecy and private wealth management. Using Bank for International Settlements (BIS) data, Jørgen Juel Andersen, Niels Johannesen and Bob Rijkers found trends suggesting wealth accumulation abroad by […]

January 18, 2024 1

Africa

Africa: How Do You Break the Mould Around International Aid? Try Genuine Trust

[ad_1] Nairobi — In search of a model beyond trickle-down aid. At an upscale hotel in a leafy Nairobi suburb, amid the hustle of an international development forum's lunch break, I overheard a jarring declaration from the buffet line: "Somali organisations are just cash fronts for warlords, from my experience," the European woman said to her companion. I wasn't particularly shocked. As the director of a Somali NGO, Iftiin Foundation, I have been hearing some version of this statement - […]

January 18, 2024 2

Africa

Africa: Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Hammer Travels to Uganda and Ethiopia

[ad_1] HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases...Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Hammer Travels to Uganda and Ethiopia hide Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Hammer Travels to Uganda and Ethiopia U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer will travel to Kampala and Addis Ababa January 17-24. In Kampala, Ambassador Hammer will attend the 42nd Extraordinary Summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Assembly Heads of State and Government, focused on the ongoing situation between […]

January 18, 2024 2

Japan

Japan inks deal to buy 400 long-range missiles from U.S.

[ad_1] Japan signed a deal with its ally the United States on Thursday to buy 400 long-range Tomahawk missiles as it ramps up its military capacity to counter regional security threats. Faced with growing Chinese military clout and a nuclear-armed North Korea, the Japanese government plans to double its defense spending to the NATO standard of 2% of GDP by 2027. A sale of up to $2.35 billion (¥348 billion) […]

January 18, 2024 1

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