Africa’s Absence As Permanent Member a ‘Flagrant Injustice,’ Says UN Chief

[ad_1] United Nations — As the UN continues its never-ending saga on the reform of the Security Council (UNSC), one of the political anomalies that keeps cropping up is the absence of Africa, among the five permanent members (P5)--a privilege bestowed only on the US, UK, France, China and the Russian Federation. The African continent, which has been shut out, consists of 55 states with a total population of over 1.4 billion people. Providing a list of his "priorities for […]

February 10, 2024

Africa

Africa: COP10 – The Apparent Link Between Taxation And Illicit Trade

[ad_1] The 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is currently taking place in Panama, until February 10, 2024. COP10 discussions hold the key to shaping the future of reduced-risk tobacco and nicotine products encompassing a range of alternatives such as nicotine vapes, snus, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products. Within this context, taxation emerges as a pivotal issue with the WHO advocating for a unified tax approach on […]

February 9, 2024

Africa

Africa: War of Influence at COP 10 – The Intricate Dance Between WHO, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Harm Reduction Advocates

[ad_1] The 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is currently held in Panama until February 10th, 2024, and amidst the discussions on tobacco control, a complex debate unfolds regarding the influence of Bloomberg Philanthropies in the policymaking. Founded by Michael Bloomberg, Bloomberg Philanthropies has since 2005, "invested $1.58 billion to fight tobacco use, working with a global network of partners to prevent tobacco-related illnesses and save lives ", […]

February 9, 2024

Africa

Africa: 34 African Leaders, Heads of Int’l Institutions to Attend AU Summit

[ad_1] Addis Ababa, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) — At least 34 African leaders and heads of international institutions are expected to attend the upcoming African Union (AU) Summit, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday. The AU has announced that the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government is scheduled to be held in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Feb. 17-18. The 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, which brings […]

February 9, 2024

Africa

Africa: Suddenly, Senegal Is a New Risk for Democracy in Africa

[ad_1] U.S., African and international partners should join to help Senegalese defend constitutional rule. The sudden actions by Senegal's president to postpone this month's presidential election by 10 months threaten to seriously undermine political stability and peace in a nation that has been a resilient democracy in West Africa, where multiple military coups d'état have occurred in recent years. This move poses risks of authoritarianism, violence and economic setbacks for Senegal's 17 million people, and deeper regional insecurity. Friends of […]

February 9, 2024

Africa

Africa: COP10 – Debate on Novel tobacco and Nicotine Products; It is High time to Listen to Each Other

[ad_1] Delegates from around the world are gathering in Panama City since Feb 5th for the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). At COP10, delegates from 183 countries discuss various points including implementation of FCTC Articles 9 and 10 (regulation of contents and disclosure of tobacco products), tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship among others and one the most controversial subject in the current debate, the novel and emerging tobacco […]

February 9, 2024

Africa

Africa: Proposed Ecowas Exits Leave West Africa At a Crossroads

[ad_1] Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger's request to withdraw presents a crucial opportunity to improve the regional bloc's functioning. On 8 February, the Mediation and Security Council of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will hold a special session in Abuja. The ministerial-level meeting will discuss political and security issues, including the withdrawals of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the organisation. This follows the announcement on 28 January by the three countries' military leaders that the nations […]

February 8, 2024

Africa

Africa: COP 10 – Does the Implementation of the FCTC Exclude the People Most Affected by Tobacco?

[ad_1] Tobacco continues to affect the entire planet. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of smokers is estimated at 1.1 billion smokers in 2025 if recent trends continue. The WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), during its tenth Conference of the Parties (COP 10), is currently examining in Panama the implementation of tobacco control with the 183 member countries of the Convention. The poor countries most affected Cigarette smoking is spreading even more in middle- and […]

February 8, 2024

Africa

Africa: World News in Brief – Unprecedented Cholera Spike in Africa, Julian Assange Extradition Update, Locusts Compound Sudan Crisis

[ad_1] Cholera cases are surging globally, and there's been an unprecedented spike in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. Dr. Fiona Braka from WHO's regional office in Brazzaville, Congo, said that eastern and southern Africa have been particularly badly affected. In just the first four weeks of the year, 10 African countries reported more than 26,000 cases and 700 deaths, which is nearly double the number reported last year over the same period. Zambia and Zimbabwe have […]

February 7, 2024

External Relations