Journalist exposes dire conditions in Makala prison
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Makala prison holds over 15,000 inmates, far exceeding its 1,500 capacity.
Most are in pre-trial detention, creating inhumane conditions, according to a December 2023 report by the Bill Clinton Foundation for Peace.
Journalist Stanis Bujakera, formerly detained in Makala, posted videos on social media showing extreme overcrowding. He describes the prison as a place where "people are dying alive."
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/07/22/journalist-exposes-dire-conditions-in-makala-prison/
Sudan: UAE president expresses support in call with Burhan
The President of the United Arab Emirates has expressed his country's support for Sudan and finding a solution to end the ongoing conflict there.
His comments came in a phone call on Thursday with the head of of the Sudanese army, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, according to the Emirati news agency, WAM.
President Mohammed ben Zayed is reported to have said the UAE is keen "to support all solutions and initiatives aimed at halting escalation and ending the crisis in Sudan."
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/07/22/sudan-uae-president-expresses-support-in-call-with-burhan/
African Union addresses integration issues at Ghana conference
The African Union convened in Ghana on Sunday to address issues related to African integration and to establish a unified stance before engaging with the G20 and UN.
Mauritania's President and current African Union Chair, Mohamed Cheikh Ghazouani, urged for the acceleration of the African integration process.
He stressed the importance of expediting economic integration to support the continent and fulfill the aspirations of African citizens.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/07/22/african-union-addresses-integration-issues-at-ghana-conference/
Cholera outbreak: Medical experts, government move to curb spread
The Nigerian government is currently grappling with a cholera outbreak that has swept through the West African nation. As authorities work tirelessly to contain the spread of this diarrheal disease, medical experts are urging residents to maintain proper hygiene when handling food and liquids.
Dr. Adewale Adeleye emphasized that thorough hand washing and safe food and water practices are crucial in preventing the spread of cholera. He advised citizens to heed all health advisories and take proactive measures, as the disease is highly transmissible.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/07/20/cholera-outbreak-medical-experts-government-move-to-curb-spread/
Kenya: Court suspends police ban on protests in Nairobi
A Kenyan court on Thursday (Jul. 18) halted a police ban on protests in the capital.
The Milimani law courts ruled the ban remains suspended pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by a Kenyan NGO challenging the police directive.
On Wednesday (Jul. 17) the acting police inspector general banned protests in Nairobi's central district (CBD) and surroundings indefinitely citing a lack of leadership that would ensure peaceful protests.
The suspension came before a planned demonstration, in which protestors were expected to march to the president’s office.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/07/19/kenya-court-suspends-police-ban-on-protests-in-nairobi/
South Africa: Ramaphosa opens new coalition legislature
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa opened a new parliament on Thursday, nearly two months after a historic election result that reshaped the country's politics and led to the formation of an unprecedented multi-party coalition government.
Mr Ramaphosa's speech to lawmakers at Cape Town City Hall - a replacement venue after the fire that gutted the parliament building two years ago - marked the official start of operations for the new coalition, which brings together at least 10 parties to govern Africa's most industrialised country.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/07/19/south-africa-ramaphosa-opens-new-coalition-legislature/
Drought threatens millions of children as school dropouts rise along with hunger in southern Africa
It’s Tuesday morning, and 5-year-old Talent should be in school. Instead, he's foraging for the fruit that his family is counting on for food now that crops have withered in the heat.
Blame the El Nino phenomenon that altered weather worldwide for over a year, or the larger problem of climate change that's bearing down on the African continent, the region most vulnerable to it. The boy's grandmother, Winnie Chihota, knows she's watching part of a generation slip away.
For many in Zimbabwe’s rural northeastern Mudzi district, crops mean survival. When they fail, the future can, too.
Ivory Coast deports 164 Burkinabe refugees amid concerns
The Burkinabe government has expressed regret over the deportation of 164 of its citizens, who recently sought refuge in Ivory Coast. This comes amid ongoing efforts to accommodate the 60,000 Burkinabe who have fled instability in their homeland since 2021. Many of these refugees are hosted by local families, while others are housed in government-established reception centers.
On July 13, 2024, a group of 173 Burkinabe, predominantly women, children, and about fifty men, arrived in Ouangolodougou, Ivory Coast. Seven members of the group reported to local authorities to register their livestock. However, three days later, 164 of the refugees were deported back to Burkina Faso without any official explanation.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/07/19/ivory-coast-deports-164-burkinabe-refugees-amid-concerns/
Niger: IMF approves $71 million disbursement
Niger will receive new loans from the IMF to undertake reforms to reduce risks to prospective balance of payments stability and resolve its protracted balance of payments problems.
The Executive Board of the IMF completed Wednesday the Fourth and Fifth Reviews of Niger’s economic and financial program supported by the Extended Credit Facility arrangement (ECF), and the First Review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility arrangement (RSF).
The completion of the reviews allowed for the immediate disbursement of SDR 19.74 million(about US$ 26 million) under the ECF—bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 157.92 million (about US$ 210million)—and of SDR 34.216 million (about US$ 45 million) under the RSF.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/07/19/niger-imf-approves-71-million-disbursement/
South Africa: Ramaphosa opens new Parliament
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will open a new parliamentary term on Thursday to mark the official start of his 11-party coalition government, an uneasy union held together following a historic election result.
In his speech, Mr Ramaphosa will likely outline the new government’s priorities, which became clear after his once-dominant African National Congress party lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in elections on 29 May. Voters, driven by anger over sky-high levels of unemployment and inequality and the failing state of many basic public services, gave the ANC its worst result in a national election.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/07/19/south-africa-ramaphosa-opens-new-parliament/
