Rare Pictures from Western Sahara
The US’ plans to open a consulate in Western Sahara marks a turning point for the disputed territory. Washington’s recognition of Morocco’s authority over the land frustrates indigenous Sahrawis seeking independence but others see the future US consulate as a boost for Western Sahara cities like Dakhla. SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
Stand Out in Liberia’s Traffic Jams
The cash-strapped government in Liberia has introduced the use of personalised number plates for vehicles. Dubbed “vanity” or “luxury” plates, they will cost between $1,000 and $1,500 annually. The annual fee for regular plates is usually around $100, depending on the vehicle. Those willing to fork out money for a more personal touch would be […]
This Observatory in Cape Town has Shaped How We Look at the Stars
The South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town is the oldest permanent observatory in the southern hemisphere: it turned 200 in 2020. The Royal Observatory, Cape Town of Good Hope (today the South African Astronomical Observatory) was established in 1820. It became – and remained for 150 years – the most important source of star […]
Nigeria Launches a Human Rights Hub
Ventures Platform Foundation, the social impact arm of Ventures Platform Hub, has launched a call for applications for its latest incubation programme, Gov Labs – a 12-week programme for tech solutions implementing accountability and transparency within the Nigerian government’s COVID-19 response. The foundation said the new initiative, created with support from the National Endowment for […]
Search for Top Senegalese Student Continues
Before she vanished in France eight days ago, the young woman had become an academic legend in Senegal. Her name – Diary Sow – is practically synonymous with achievement in this West African nation, which crunches grades every year and names a top student. Sow won that honour in 2018 and 2019. She landed a […]
Major Scientific Discovery in Guinea
In 2018, scientists set out on an expedition to survey the habitat of an endangered bat species in the West African country of Guinea. One night, a trap turned up something unusual: a new species of bat with a fiery orange body strikingly juxtaposed with black wings. There are more than 1,400 species of bats, […]
Addis Kills Some of the Masterminds Behind the Tigray Resistance
Ethiopia says its forces have killed three members of the conflict-hit Tigray region’s former ruling party, including ex-Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin. The three Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) officials were killed after they refused to surrender to the military, the government’s task force for the crisis in Tigray said on Twitter on Wednesday. Five […]
Mozambican Army Wins the Battle, But the War isn’t Over
Fifteen women and six children kidnapped by Islamist militants in the gas-rich northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado have been rescued by the army. Most of them had been abducted from the island of Matemo last week, police chief Bernardino Rafael said. Recent fighting meant the security forces knew where the militants were located, so […]
Africa Buys 300m Vaccines to Fight Pandemic
The African Union has secured close to 300 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in the largest such agreement yet for Africa. The 300 million doses are being secured independently of the global COVAX effort aimed at distributing COVID-19 vaccines to lower-income countries, said Nicaise Ndembi, senior science adviser for the Africa Centers for Disease Control and […]
#WeAreRemovingADictator Trends ahead of Uganda Election
Ugandans head to the polls Thursday to cast ballots for the country’s next president. Musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine is the most prominent of 11 candidates challenging President Yoweri Museveni, who has led the country for nearly 35 years. Stability, security and peace have been President Museveni’s key selling points to Ugandan voters with a campaign themed, […]
