Displaying items by tag: Africa

On 9 October, 17 million Mozambicans voted for a new president who many hope will bring peace to the oil- and gas-rich Cabo Delgado province, which has faced a jihadist insurgency since 2017. Over 1.3 million people have been displaced due to violence, with 600,000 returning to destroyed homes. The presidential candidates, including Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo, Lutero Simango of the Democratic Movement, and independent Venacio Mondlane, have promised to prioritise peace and rebuilding. Chapo has pledged to end terrorism and rebuild infrastructure, while Simango has focussed on addressing unemployment, poverty, and healthcare. Mondlane has promised to eradicate terrorism within a year. Frelimo is expected to win again, despite wide-ranging allegations of electoral fraud in last year’s local elections;it also has been tainted by corruption scandals, with politicians jailed for taking payoffs to favour government-controlled fishing companies. The country is also facing severe food shortages as a result of a long drought: the UN says that 1.3 million people are affected.

Kenya has officially requested the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to conduct a comprehensive review of its corruption and governance challenges. Cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi said that this will help the government address corruption, a persistent issue negatively impacting the economy and the livelihoods of Kenyans. President William Ruto, who has been facing pressure from widespread protests over high living costs, pledged in July to amend laws aimed at closing loopholes which enable corruption. He wants to focus on holding corrupt officials accountable, reducing government wastage, and curbing opulence among leaders. The IMF's review, which will encompass all government ministries and institutions, aligns with its previous calls for Kenya to address these challenges. Kenya hopes this effort will also secure delayed financial assistance from the IMF, crucial for its 2024/2025 budget.

After Omar, from Morocco, risked watching a video entitled 'The Koran is NOT the Word of God', he found himself questioning the authenticity of Islam. After weeks of research, he became convinced the Bible was the true Word of God and embraced Christianity. He shared the videos with his coworker Ali, and both men eventually accepted Jesus into their hearts. Though his newfound faith brought joy, it also led to hardship: his brother-in-law, an extremist, separated him from his wife, Fatima, labelling him an infidel. After a year, Fatima, disobeying her brother, returned to Omar. However, she remained unconvinced about Christianity. When she needed surgery, it was the local church that cared for her, not her friends. Over time, seeing the love of Christ in action led her to accept Jesus. Christianity in Morocco, despite societal pressures, continues to grow as more people seek truth in Christ amidst disillusionment with Islam and its institutions.

On 1 October, in a televised speech to mark Nigeria’s 64 years of independence, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the financial struggles and search for meaningful employment faced by many people. He listed security gains and investments in farm machinery among achievements which would help ease economic pressures, and also announced a national youth conference, known as ‘the 30-day Confab’, whose recommendations would be considered and implemented. The president stressed that the government is mindful of future generations and their potential to contribute to the nation’s progress. However, protests against the current economic hardships have taken place in several states, reflecting discontent among citizens. Some expressed disappointment with the lack of concrete measures to reduce inflation and improve living standards. Tinubu defended his economic reforms, which have pushed the inflation rate to a 28-year high.

In recent weeks, heavy rains have devastated Mayo Danay in the far north of Cameroon, with Yagoua particularly affected. The unprecedented flooding has caused at least ten deaths, submerged entire neighbourhoods, and damaged 185 primary schools and 13 high schools. Over a thousand livestock have been lost, and more than 200,000 people have been impacted, with 8,000 homes destroyed. Many are struggling to meet basic needs, having lost everything. There are temporary camps for the displaced, and the destruction of a crucial bridge has worsened the isolation of the region.The government has promised a temporary bridge solution and 350 million CFA francs (£450,000) in aid. However, many consider this amount insufficient, given the scale of the crisis, and for now canoes are the only means of transport.

Guediawaye beach, close to Senegal’s capital Dakar, is suffering from coastal erosion, leaving residents with limited access to safe, local beaches. The Senegal Youth Consortium (CJS) has launched a project to rehabilitate the beach while empowering youth. Through cultural and sports activities such as swimming, boxing, and golf, the initiative attracts hundreds of young people each weekend. It educates participants about environmental issues, particularly coastal erosion, and encourages them to take ownership of the beach’s preservation. The project is set to create 400 jobs in the coming months; unemployment is particularly prevalent among Senegal’s youth. The country’s coastline is estimated to be retreating by 0.5 to 2 metres per year. Meanwhile, a new technique for combating erosion is being trialled in Togo: see

Liu Yuxi, China’s special envoy for African affairs, says China and Africa are set to strengthen their partnership in response to global challenges, particularly hegemonism and Cold War-era attitudes. He has outlined plans for this week’s Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, which will enhance collaboration in global governance, security, trade, and investment. There will be mutual benefits from this partnership, with Africa's natural resources and growing population complementing China's capital, technology, and development experience. African leaders have gathered in Beijing for the summit, hosted by Xi Jinping, at which China, Africa's largest trading partner, will focus on further cooperation. Liu rejected the idea of Africa being a battleground for major powers, urging the international community to consider Africa’s perspective and support its peace and development.

There has been widespread outrage after the government acquired an Airbus A330 for the presidential fleet despite the severe economic crisis. This move comes just weeks after nationwide protests over rising hunger and living costs. President Tinubu, who has implemented several economic reforms like the removal of fuel subsidies, justifies these changes as necessary for reducing government spending and fostering long-term growth. Despite announcing a 60% reduction in official travel delegations, he travelled to France using the newly acquired plane, which was bought to replace an older one. The cost of the plane and the purpose of his trip remain undisclosed. Many have condemned the purchase as insensitive, but officials said that the presidential fleet had a high maintenance cost due to the age of its planes, so it was a necessary investment.

The USA is launching new peace talks to end Sudan’s 16-month civil war, driven by fears that the conflict is plunging the country into potentially the worst famine in decades. Sudan’s military, one of the two warring factions, had originally agreed to attend the negotiations in Switzerland, but changed their minds after a drone attack on the army chief, dashing hopes for a quick ceasefire. The talks aim to broker a ceasefire and secure humanitarian access for over ten million displaced people. Famine has been declared in Sudan’s Darfur region, with estimates suggesting up to 2.5 million people could die of hunger by September. Only one-third of the $2.7 billion requested by the UN for Sudan has been received so far: the UN fears that as many as 26 million face acute hunger. See

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to a new variant of the mpox viral disease spreading across thirteen African countries, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The variant, known as clade Ib, is more easily transmissible and has led to over 17,000 suspected cases and 517 deaths in Africa this year, marking a 160% increase from the previous year. WHO’s director-general emphasised the global threat, committing to coordinated efforts to prevent transmission and save lives. The PHEIC declaration facilitates accelerated research, funding, and international cooperation. Africa’s top public health body has also declared an mpox emergency, working with the EU and vaccine manufacturers to secure an initial 215,000 vaccine doses, with plans for up to ten million by 2025. Efforts include extensive media outreach to raise awareness, particularly using social media to target the young, who constitute 60% of the cases in the DRC.