Five African Countries Elected to the UN Human Rights Council
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been elected to the UN Human Rights Council, despite opposition from civil society and political groups. Alongside the DRC, Benin, Gambia, Kenya, and Ethiopia will also join the 15-member council for three-year terms starting in January 2025. The DRC’s election was virtually unopposed, with the country securing 172 […]
Nigeria’s Federal Government Implements Zero-tax Policy on Pharmaceuticals
The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the implementation of zero VAT and excise duties on pharmaceutical products and medical devices to reduce drug prices across the country. This move follows the gazetting of an Executive Order, which allows the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to apply these tax exemptions. […]
Ethiopia’s New President Urges Peace Talks
Recently, Ethiopia’s former foreign minister, Taye Astke Selassie, was appointed president following parliamentary approval. Though the role is largely ceremonial, experts believe that Taye, an experienced diplomat and close ally of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, may play a crucial part in promoting peace. In his inaugural address, Taye emphasized his commitment to fostering sustainable peace, […]
Three African Countries Poised to Abolish Death Penalty
Amnesty International has urged Gambia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe to abolish the death penalty and set an example for other countries around the world following a decade-long halt in executions in these countries. Amnesty’s Zimbabwe head, Lucia Masuka, highlighted that global trends are shifting away from the death penalty and called on African nations to follow […]
Government Critic Jailed in Rwanda for YouTube Videos
Rwandan YouTuber Rashid Hakuzimana has been sentenced to seven years in prison for charges including genocide denial, inciting ethnic division, and spreading false information. Arrested in 2021, Hakuzimana denied the accusations, claiming his criticism of President Paul Kagame’s government in his YouTube videos was the real reason for his arrest. Rwandan law criminalizes denying or […]
Hemedti, Leader of Sudan’s RSF, Accuses Egypt of Supporting Rival
Sudanese paramilitary leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has accused Egypt of conducting airstrikes on RSF troops and supplying drones to Sudan’s army. In a recorded speech released on Wednesday, he claimed Egypt used US bombs in the attacks and alleged that foreign mercenaries, including Tigrayan and Eritrean forces, […]
Burkina Faso Seeks Broader Ties with Russia
The Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Apollinaire Kyélem de Tambèla, is currently in Moscow for the Burkina Faso Economic Days Forum, which will run from October 8 to 11. The forum aims to expand economic ties between the two nations, shifting focus beyond military cooperation. Speaking at the event, Tambèla emphasized Burkina Faso’s interest in […]
Egypt Builds Alliance with Somalia and Eritrea to Counter Ethiopia
Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea are discussing the possibility of building a security alliance. However, the move threatens to further worsen tensions in the Horn of Africa. According to a statement by the Egyptian presidency, the three countries are meeting to discuss “bilateral ties and stability in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea.” The dispatch […]
Algeria Bars France from Wheat Supply Tender
Algeria barred French companies from a recent wheat import tender and prohibited bidders from offering French-origin wheat, reflecting strained diplomatic ties with Paris. This move follows France’s decision in July to support Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, angering Algerian authorities, which backs the Polisario Front’s independence efforts. This exclusion boosts the dominance of Black Sea […]
Report Reveals 73% Plunge in Global Wildlife Populations
A new report from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has revealed that global wildlife populations have experienced a 73% decline over the past 50 years, primarily due to human activity. The Living Planet Report assessed over 35,000 populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish, identifying overexploitation, invasive species, disease, and habitat loss […]
