Latest Stories

Kagame: “On Judgement Day, I will get better marks than those who criticise us over human rights”

From the struggle against the coronavirus, to the relationship with France and with the neighbours, and the state of human rights in Rwanda, ... an interview with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

steps back

Coronavirus: Why Madagascar is back under lockdown

As coronavirus cases surge in Madagascar, President Andry Rajoelina announced a new lockdown order for the Malagasy capital. What is behind this ... reversal of course?

american race

DFC: Trump’s ‘weapon’ to thwart Chinese influence across Africa

The new US institution seeks to thwart China’s hegemony in developing countries, particularly in those on the continent. ...

Talking Africa Podcast

Recognise public health as part of economic development, Dr. Moeti

The number of COVID-19 infections across Africa surpassed half a million on 8 July said the World Health Organization, as it flagged growing ... concern of countries in the continent experiencing a sharp rise in cases.

disputing history

Rwanda: Rever’s disputed book on Tutsi genocide to be published in France

The French publishing house Max Milo says it go ahead and publish the translation of Judi Rever's  book 'In Praise of Blood, The Crimes of the ... Rwandan Patriotic Front' at the end of August. The book is controversial among many experts on the subject, who accuse the Canadian journalist of defending the controversial thesis of a double genocide.

looking ahead

Kenya comes out of lockdown with a set of new managers

Nearly four months after taking over the capital city’s management, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration is taking stock of its ... progress, as it prepares to reopen the country.

counter attack

DRC: Tshisekedi calls urgent meeting to stop rebellion in east

Warned of a rebellion brewing in South Kivu, the Congolese president convened an emergency meeting with the entire chain of command of the military ... of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).

future of food

Rebuilding resilient agri-food value chains fit for a post-COVID world

Policymakers are no exception, for whom the pandemics' uncontrollable nature has placed them in a difficult situation; the choice between the ... health of the nation and the economy. The impact of the lockdown has affected the supply and demand on a global scale not seen in our lifetime resulting in our first global depression. The effect will inevitably lead to an increase in inequalities and poverty, and the world may record its first increase in poverty since 1998. 

STEADY GOING    

Sasol Africa assets to aid debt stability path      

Sasol looks set to reach its target of raising $2bn via an accelerated asset disposal programme that will result in a rebalancing of its remaining ... Africa portfolio.

stormy days

Two corruption cases rattle Sonatrach in Algeria and Lebanon

Algeria has initiated an investigation into Sonatrach’s acquisition of the Augusta refinery in Italy. What’s more, one of the Algerian state-owned ... energy firm’s subsidiaries has found itself in the crosshairs of a Lebanese court.

ready to leave

Nigeria: Opera subsidiaries are the latest companies to quit the country

After a profitable 2019 for the Norway based Chinese-backed OPay, the company has announced that several of its subsidiaries will be exiting ... Nigeria or temporarily stopping operations. In 2018, Chinese investors backed the startup with $180 million to take over the mobile money space in Nigeria. 

HISTORIC CHANCE

Africa & Diaspora: Using Black Lives Matter campaign and Covid to change status quo

When news of COVID-19 reached the non-scientific world, there was panic and surprisingly, hope. Optimists saw this global crisis as an opportunity ... for people to empathize and connect based on our shared humanity. As heartwarming videos of quarantined Europeans singing on balconies went viral, for a brief moment,  this idea seemed possible.

deep sorrow

Côte d’Ivoire: Death of Prime Minister leaves political void

Côte d'Ivoire's Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, Alassane Ouattara's runner-up in the October presidential election, died suddenly on Wednesday ... 8 July in Abidjan.

remarkable reversal

Malawi’s Chakwera: Remarkable victory, but now the hard work

Lazarus Chakwera’s victory as the new president of Malawi represents a remarkable reversal of fortunes for Peter Mutharika, who almost a year ... ago was declared the winner in national polls. But the decision was annulled by the country’s judges, and a date for a new election set.

taste of power

Meet the strongmen of Libya’s Government of National Accord

While Fayez al-Sarraj is the leading man of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), other leaders have emerged, primarily following ... the operation to defend the Libyan capital from General Khalifa Haftar’s troops, which launched an offensive on the city in April 2019. Who are these men and what are their personal ambitions?

new law

Egypt: Sisi’s power reinforced after passing of new law

The Egyptian Parliament passed a law on 6 July requiring military personnel who wish to run for presidential, legislative or local elections ... to seek the endorsement of the powerful military council headed by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Additionally, the state of emergency law was ratified at the end of April, extending the powers of Sisi; a measure taken in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and denounced by NGOs.

tax justice

In our COVID-19 haste, we forget financial integrity at our peril

The virus causing COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the planet, threatening both millions of lives, and the global economy. Governments, ... multilateral institutions and investors are taking urgent action to respond to the health and economic crises.

RACE TO THE TOP

Egypt’s Mamdouh: ‘I am the only WTO candidate supported by AU’

After Benin withdrew from the race for head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Nigeria finally nominated Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to represent ... it, Egyptian lawyer Abdel Hamid Mamdouh says he is the AU's only legitimate candidate for the WTO leadership.

solidify friendship

US-Africa trade will be positively impacted by AfCFTA – Florizelle Liser

The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) is the leading business association focused solely on promoting business and investment between the United ... States and the African continent. In this time of pandemic, both the continent and the US are looking for ways to strengthen their relationship. 

musical chairs

DRC: Kamerhe’s imprisonment launches game of musical chairs

With former chief of staff Vital Kamerhe out of the game, there has been a staff shakeup at the government offices housed within the walls of ... the Cité de l’Union Africaine. We delve into the personnel changes impacting the presidency.