Nigerian Designer’s Fit for First Ladies Collection
Ever since Nigerian-born British fashion designer Duro Olowu launched his eponymous label in 2004, his aesthetic has remained remarkably consistent. Known for his use of color and pattern, Olowu also favors the sharply tailored silhouettes of his multicultural 1970s upbringing, including fitted jackets, precision-cut wide-leg trousers, billowing capes and kimonos, and intricately cut yet liberating […]
The Role of Chancellors in African Institutions
In theory the chancellor is a ceremonial position. But in practice chancellors are able – and even expected – to steer their universities in specific directions. This power is underlined in the three epochs that characterise the evolution of public universities’ chancellorship in the country. These are the political chancellor; the academic chancellor; and, more […]
Power Struggles ahead of Somalia Vote
Hassan Ali Khaire has been removed after 170 out of 178 lawmakers felt he was unfit for office. Khaire has been in dispute with President Mohamed over when to hold Somalia’s national elections. A simmering power struggle between Khaire and President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed provided the backdrop to the vote, which resulted in 170 of […]
Optimism for African Free Trade Deal Post Pandemic
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was due to come into force on July 1, but that proved unworkable after the virus forced widespread border closures and halted talks between governments over the removal of tariffs. It may now begin operating from the start of 2021. The pandemic is expected to cost Africa up […]
Activists Say Egypt is Using TikTok as the Latest Battleground against Women
A court in Egypt has sentenced five young women to two years in prison for posting “indecent videos” on the video-sharing app TikTok. The women were fined almost $19,000. Haneen Hossam was arrested in April after posting a three-minute clip telling her 1.3m followers that girls could make money by working with her. Mawada al-Adham […]
Ethiopia’s First Locally Assembled Electric Car Goes on a Test Drive
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has unveiled a locally-assembled electric car from Marathon Motor, a joint venture between Korean auto giant Hyundai and Haile Gebreselassie, most famous for his achievements as a long-distance runner. The prime minister’s office said that the project came about after Mr Abiy convinced Hyundai’s CEO to establish an electric car […]
Morocco Bans Local Travel after COVID-19 Spike
Morocco has banned all travel to and from some of its major cities in a bid to stem an increase in coronavirus cases. In a joint statement quoted by the MAP state news agency, the health and interior ministries said the travel restrictions imposed on Monday affected the cities of Tangier, Tetouan, Fez, Meknes, Casablanca, […]
No Safe Haven for Rwandans Suspected of Genocide
France has opened an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity by a top former Rwandan military official, Aloys Ntiwiragabo, during the country’s 1994 genocide that killed at least 800,000 people. Prosecutors said on Saturday a preliminary investigation was opened after Ntiwiragabo was found hiding in the suburbs of the city of Orleans, about 100km (62 […]
Togolese Nun Ramps Up Efforts for HIV Care during Pandemic
Marie-Stella Kouak is one of the few well-known female community leaders in Dapaong, a buzzing, multi-religious city, 13 miles south of Togo’s border with Burkina Faso and more than 300 miles north of the capital, Lomé. Kouak has built up one of Dapaong’s most impactful non-profit organisations. In 1999, she founded Vivre dans l’Espérance (To […]
Cameroonians Demand Answers about COVID-19 Funds they Donated
Cameroon has bowed to pressure from rights groups and ordered investigations into the management of the COVID-19 solidarity fund contributed to by civilians. The rights groups said most of the $40 million cash and material had been embezzled. An outcry was sparked after rights groups said 4,000 bags of rice donated to COVID-19 patients were […]
