Africa: AU Appeals for Calm in Ethiopia-Somalia Row

[ad_1] The African Union on Thursday joined the United States in appealing for calm in the Horn of Africa after regional tensions soared following a contested deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland. Somalia has vowed to defend its territory after Monday's agreement, which it described as an "aggression" and a "blatant assault" on its sovereignty by neighbouring Ethiopia. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) gives landlocked Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous country, long-desired access to the Red Sea through […]

January 5, 2024

Africa

Africa: Horn of Africa – a Conflict Evolving Around Berbera Port

[ad_1] A new deal granting landlocked Ethiopia access to a seaport holds potential for a huge upheaval in the Horn of Africa. The breakaway region of Somaliland finds itself in a make-or-break situation. Under different circumstances, the kind of deal agreed between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland would have been fairly straightforward. One country grants its landlocked neighbor access to a seaport and by extension to international trade -- and in return is rewarded a political prize. But […]

January 5, 2024

Africa

Africa: AU Calls for Calm to De-Escalate Simmering Tension Between Ethiopia and Somalia

[ad_1] The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Amb. Moussa Faki Mahamat, has called for calm and mutual respect to de-escalate the simmering tension between the governments of Ethiopia and Somalia, following the signing of a port access deal between the former and Somaliland. Somaliland is an unrecognised state in the Horn of Africa, recognised internationally as de jure part of Somalia. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission made the observation in a statement issued on January 3. The […]

January 5, 2024

Africa

Africa: Editors’ Picks – Power Up Your Thinking for 2024

[ad_1] Some of our most compelling coverage to inform your new year Set yourself up for 2024 with this selection of 2023 reports and our editors' thoughts on how each will inform continuing challenges in humanitarian aid. With the Israeli assault on Gaza well into its third month as the new year begins, dip into our on-the-ground and first-person reporting. As the international community reconsiders engagement with the Taliban, take a look at how Afghan women are navigating Taliban restrictions. […]

January 5, 2024

Africa

West Africa: INEC Chair Seeks Collaboration Among Electoral Commissions in West Africa

[ad_1] Mr Yakubu underscored the complexity of election management and urged electoral commissions to prioritise peer support amid limited resources and escalating election costs. The head of Nigeria's electoral commission, INEC, Mahmoud Yakubu, has emphasised the need for collaboration among electoral commissions in West African countries. Mr Yakubu spoke at the weekend in Liberia where he was honoured by Liberia's National Elections Commission (NEC), according to a statement by Mr Yakubu's Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi. The statement said Mr […]

January 4, 2024

Africa

Africa: 10 Major International Events That Made Headlines in 2023

[ad_1] The year 2023 will be remembered as one of the most eventful years in recent history. The year 2023 will be remembered as one of the most eventful in recent history with many events making international headlines from different parts of the world. These include the Nigerian elections in February and March, the Sudan crisis that erupted in April, the Sierra Leone elections in June, and the Niger coup of July. This 2023 wrap-up by PREMIUM TIMES also looks […]

January 4, 2024

Africa

Africa: The Destructive Drive in African Politics

[ad_1] The descent into normlessness in various African countries calls for a new scholarly and policy approach. In the middle of December, the protracted political tussle between incumbent Governor of oil-producing Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor and now Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, took a bizarre turn when Governor Fubara ordered and briefly oversaw the demolition of the State House of Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, the state capital. In a statement to the media, […]

January 4, 2024

News

Morocco: Upper House Unanimously Approves Bill to Combat Doping in Sport

[ad_1] Rabat — The House of Advisors unanimously approved, at a legislative session held on Tuesday, bill no. 06.23 amending and supplementing law no. 97.12 on the fight against doping in sport. Presenting this text, Minister of National Education, Preschool Learning and Sports, Chakib Benmoussa, affirmed that the government is determined to redouble its efforts to rehabilitate and modernize sports legislation, and to promote reforms aimed at bringing about a qualitative change in the working methods and mechanisms of national […]

January 3, 2024

Africa

Africa 2024 – Volatile Elections Threaten Democracy

[ad_1] Africa has a raft of elections scheduled for 2024, including in South Africa. Experts say the continent's economy is growing, despite instability in several regions. The new year is shaping up to be an interesting one in Africa. In West Africa, mass protests have already broken out in Senegal ahead of the election scheduled for February. President Macky Sall has withdrawn his candidacy for a third term, sending Prime Minister Amadou Ba into the race for the country's top […]

January 3, 2024

Governance