Tag: Africa

Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traoré: An Emerging Pan-African Icon

13May

By adminNo Comments

Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traoré: An Emerging Pan-African Icon

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – May 13, 2025 Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso’s 37-year-old military leader, is capturing global attention as a self-styled pan-Africanist, drawing both fervent admiration and sharp criticism as he steers the West African nation through a transformative yet turbulent period. A BBC report published on May 12, 2025, highlights Traoré’s growing international appeal, particularly among African youth, for his bold anti-imperialist stance and economic reforms, even as his regime faces accusations of authoritarianism and struggles with a persistent jihadist insurgency. Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, has positioned himself as a modern-day Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary Burkinabè leader assassinated in 1987. His rhetoric, railing against Western im...

Hunger Crisis in West & Central Africa Worsens

12May

By adminNo Comments

Africa, United Nations

Hunger Crisis in West & Central Africa Worsens

Dakar, Senegal – May 12, 2025 Without immediate funding, WFP will be forced to scale down even further, both in the number of people reached and the size of food rations distributed A dire hunger crisis is unfolding in West and Central Africa, with nearly 53 million people projected to face severe food insecurity during the June-August 2025 lean season, according to the latest Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis. The World Food Programme (WFP) has sounded the alarm, warning that almost three million people are at risk of emergency or catastrophic hunger levels, with 2,600 individuals in Mali facing the most extreme conditions (IPC/CH Phase 5). This marks a 16-million-person increase in food insecurity since earlier this year, driven by a toxic combination of conflict, climate sh...

Africa Weekly News Roundup: May 3–9, 2025

12May

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Economy, Security, Violence

Africa Weekly News Roundup: May 3–9, 2025

The past week in Africa was marked by significant developments across political, economic, social, and humanitarian spheres. From escalating conflicts and economic reforms to cultural milestones and environmental challenges, the continent saw a range of events that shaped its trajectory. Below is a detailed roundup of the major news stories from Africa for the week of May 3–9, 2025, organized by key themes. Political Developments Nigeria’s Senate Passes Tax Reform Bills On May 9, Nigeria’s Senate approved tax reform bills aimed at boosting government revenue, a critical step in addressing the country’s fiscal challenges. The reforms focus on improving tax collection efficiency and broadening the tax base to reduce dependency on oil revenues. However, the International Monetary...

Guinea-Bissau’s President Threatens to Expel ECOWAS Mission

3Mar

By adminNo Comments

ECOWAS, Guinea-Bissau, News

Guinea-Bissau’s President Threatens to Expel ECOWAS Mission

Political tensions in Guinea-Bissau reached a boiling point on Monday as President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s threat to expel a mediation mission from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) dominated headlines across Africa. The dramatic standoff, which saw the ECOWAS team abruptly depart the country over the weekend, has raised fresh concerns about stability in the coup-prone West African nation and the broader region’s unity. The ECOWAS mission, deployed in late February to broker a resolution to an ongoing election dispute, left Bissau in the early hours of March 1 after what the regional bloc described as explicit threats from President Embalo. The delegation had been tasked with facilitating dialogue between the government and opposition parties over the timing of legis...

Five Years On: What Has become of the AfCFTA?

10Feb

By adminNo Comments

Africa, Economy, News, Trade

Five Years On: What Has become of the AfCFTA?

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was ambitiously launched with the goal of transforming trade across Africa, creating what would be the world's largest free-trade zone by connecting 1.3 billion people and aiming for an additional $450 billion in revenue by 2035. However, five years after its signing in 2019, questions arise about its implementation and overall impact. The Promise of AfCFTA The AfCFTA was designed to dismantle trade barriers, reduce tariffs on 90% of goods by 2034, and foster a single market for goods and services across 55 African countries. It was seen as a pivotal step towards economic integration, promising to elevate intra-African trade, stimulate industrial growth, and enhance economic competitiveness. Early transactions under this framework, suc...

ADB Commits $2 Billion to Clean Cooking Access in Africa

16May

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Environment, Finance, Infrastructure, News, Safety

ADB Commits $2 Billion to Clean Cooking Access in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged a monumental $2 billion over the next decade towards enhancing access to clean cooking solutions in Africa. This commitment was announced during a landmark summit on Clean Cooking in Africa held in Paris, where the Bank's President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, emphasized the critical importance of safe cooking alternatives beyond just culinary needs, highlighting the profound impact on dignity. The significance of this commitment lies in its potential to save the lives of approximately 600,000 individuals annually, predominantly women and children. The AfDB plans to allocate 20% of its energy project financing towards promoting safe cooking alternatives, aiming to address the prevalent use of charcoal, wood, and biomass for cooking in Africa. ...

Opposition in Zimbabwe Demands Fresh Elections Amid Fraud Allegations

30Aug

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Corruption, Elections, News, Zimbabwe

Opposition in Zimbabwe Demands Fresh Elections Amid Fraud Allegations

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the opposition party in Zimbabwe, has raised serious allegations of fraud following last week's general election. The party is calling for fresh elections and the disbandment of the electoral commission, accusing the ruling party, Zanu-PF, of manipulating the results. Deputy CCC spokesperson, Ostallos Siziba, addressed the media, stating that his party intended to appeal to the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to exert pressure on the government to organize new elections. The CCC's leader, Nelson Chamisa, secured 44% of the vote, but he maintains that the election results are inaccurate and tainted by manipulation. While Siziba did not directly reveal whether the CCC would pursue legal action to challenge the...

Army Officers Announce Coup in Gabon, Overturn Election Results

30Aug

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Armed Forces, Breaking News, Elections, Gabon, News, Security

Army Officers Announce Coup in Gabon, Overturn Election Results

A group of army officers in Gabon has declared a coup, claiming to have taken power and annulling the results of the recent presidential election. The military takeover was announced on national television by twelve soldiers who appeared early on Wednesday morning. The officers disclosed that the election results were being cancelled, and all institutions of the republic were being dissolved. They also revealed that the country's borders had been closed "until further notice." The move comes after the opposition alleged that Saturday's election, which declared President Ali Bongo as the winner, was fraudulent. Bongo was reported to have won just under two-thirds of the votes, an outcome that was met with skepticism from the opposition. If this coup is successful, it will bring an end to...

ECOWAS Condemns Threats to Prosecute Ousted Niger President, Calls for Peaceful Resolution

14Aug

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Armed Forces, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone

ECOWAS Condemns Threats to Prosecute Ousted Niger President, Calls for Peaceful Resolution

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strongly condemned the threats made by Niger's military rulers to prosecute the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum. The military leaders, who staged a coup that led to the removal of Bazoum from power, announced their intention to prosecute him for "high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger." In response, ECOWAS issued a statement on Monday expressing its astonishment and concern over the threats. The regional bloc characterized the move as a form of provocation and highlighted its contradiction with the military authorities' stated willingness to restore constitutional order in Niger through peaceful means. See Also: ECOWAS Chair: No Option Off the Table in Niger Republic Crisis Resolution ECO...

Uche Jombo Says African Leaders Makes Her Sad

8Sep

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

Africa, Movies and Films, News

Uche Jombo Says African Leaders Makes Her Sad

Nollywood Actress, Uche Jombo, said on Tuesday that the kind of leadership from African and Nigerian Leaders saddens her. Speaking at an event held in Dubai, She said Nigerian leaders visit other countries but don’t apply what they learned from their trip. See Also: Peter Okoye Gives Reason Why Opponents attack Peter Obi Jumbo also gave an example of how Dubai was developed using its crude oil, adding that Nigeria which is an oil nation should follow suit. "It makes me sad with the kind of leaders we have. This is my individual opinion and I have to say it. I mean Nigeria is an oil country. We can do so much if we have the right leadership," She said. “Look at what Dubai is doing. Dubai constantly shows and reminds you of what is possible. ” Also present at the event,...