News That Matters To Africa©️
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We live in a time where intelligent people are being silenced so that…stupid people won’t be offended”.
HIGHLIGHTS
Somaliland opposition leader defeats incumbent
Mining company to pay Mali $160 million to resolve tax dispute, free staff Ramaphosa calls for safe recovery of illegal miners
Migrant rights advocate held in Tunisia
Congo-Brazzaville’s lack of electricity, water exasperates population
AFCON tells off hostile hosts of football.
TOP NEWS
Eastern Africa
DRC bishops ‘worried’ by constitution revision plans
Plastic waste chokes Congo dam, causing widespread power cuts
UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan visits Ethiopia for talks on transitional justice
Catholic Church rejects $40,000 from Kenya’s president
Church reclaims its voice after two decades of silence and compromise
Kenya: Counties face cash crunch, employees not paid for months
Four women runners brutally killed in Kenya: ‘It’s no longer safe for any athlete’
Mauritius’ new PM announces audit of public finances
EU agrees to give another €20 million to Rwanda Defence Force in Mozambique
The Great Kigali housing squeeze: A city bursting at the seams
Somaliland opposition leader Cirro defeats incumbent in presidential election
Donald Trump set to recognise Somaliland says ex-Tory minister after holding talks
Russia vetoes UN Security Council action on Sudan war
Sudan’s RSF takes to the podium in Nairobi to denounce rights abuses
Sudan: The caretaker of ancient treasures as looting and war rages on
Rescue efforts will continue at collapsed building in Tanzania where at least 13 died
Ugandan TikToker jailed for ‘insulting’ President Museveni
West Africa
Gabonese voters overwhelmingly back constitutional reforms
Ghana: Combating disinformation aheaad of December elections
Ghana blocks pension funds from offshore investment on currency concerns
‘Talking drum’ to return to Côte d’Ivoire as French government drags on restitution law
Liberia’s legislative impasse that risks paralysing Boakai’s government
Resolute Mining to pay Mali $160 million to resolve tax dispute, free staff
Nigeria begins delayed mpox vaccination programme
Nigeria plans increased spending for 2025
Who wins when Nigeria’s richest man takes on the ‘oil mafia’?
Oga Lecturer: The media platform combating sexual harassment in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions
Senegalese president’s party tipped to win legislative poll as some opposition concede
Video: Meet one of the teams patrolling Senegal’s waters to rescue migrants on small boats
ECOWAS at 50: Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities
Southern Africa
Mozambique: Meet the man who should probably lead
Namibia seeks to double GDP growth from oil and gas finds
South Africa’s Ramaphosa calls for safe recovery of illegal miners stuck underground
Explainer: South African miners trapped underground: What you need to know
Report – Presidential elites use South Africa as ‘property laundromat’
‘The UN must remain the centerpiece of multilateralism,’ says Ramaphosa
Controversial US Ambassador To South Africa resigns before Trump assumption of power
Zambia: Why hydropower is failing this nation — and could fail others
North Africa
Migrant rights advocate held in Tunisia under anti-terrorist investigation
Central Africa
Congo-Brazzaville: Lack of electricity, water and fuel exasperates the population
AFRICA-GENERAL NEWS
EASTERN AFRICA
DR CONGO
Bishops ‘worried’ by DRC constitution revision plans
Catholic bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), joined civil society leaders and political opposition called for a “general mobilisation” against President Felix Tshisekedi’s initiative to revise the constitution. Tshisekedi’s proposed lifting the two-term limit to presidential mandates to allow himself to seek re-election in 2028. The DRC’s Catholic bishops said such a constitutional change could provoke unrest and violence, reigniting conflict and wars in the country. Mgr Donoatien Nshole, the secretary general of the Congolese bishops’ conference, said the proposal was “worrying”. “We are closely following the debate on a possible change to the constitution. This sensitive issue has the potential to destabilise the country if not properly addressed,” he said. A statement from the conference warned the president not to pursue changes to presidential mandates. “To do otherwise would expose the country to social tensions that would be difficult to manage at a time when we need national cohesion more than ever,” it said. Tshisekedi’s supporters claimed that constitutional change was necessary because the existing text does not guarantee national sovereignty.
Plastic waste chokes Congo dam, causing widespread power cuts
A tide of plastic waste flowing into a major hydroelectric dam in eastern Congo is causing regular power cuts in several major cities, creating a challenge that local authorities are trying to solve. The Ruzizi dam located at the south end of Lake Kivu, which borders Rwanda, supplies the city of Bukavu and others with electricity and the power outages are hurting local businesses. The problem is linked to the growing use of plastics coupled with a lack of waste collection in the region. Heavy rainfall causes waste to flow down from the mountainous terrain to the lake, where it collects and blocks the machinery…Surface-level cleaning isn’t enough as the waste accumulates to a depth of 14 metres, with divers required to clean the river bed to prevent turbine blockages.
ETHIOPIA
UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan visits Ethiopia for talks on transitional justice
A member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, Barney Afako, today commenced a five-day visit to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Commission’s visit follows President Salva Kiir’s assent to two laws in the past week, marking a significant milestone towards the establishment of a Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing, and the Reparation Authority for addressing legacies of violations and the needs of victims and survivors. In September 2024, South Sudan’s leaders extended for another two years the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, raising concerns about their commitment to completing the political transition. The African Union and IGAD are among the main guarantors of the Revitalized Agreement.
KENYA
Catholic Church rejects $40,000 from Kenya’s president
Kenya’s Catholic Church has rejected a donation of about $40,000 (£32,000) made by President William Ruto. He offered the money towards the building of a priest’s house and as a gift to the choir during Mass on Sunday at the Soweto Catholic Church in the capital, Nairobi. The donation followed a recent statement by Catholic bishops, who had hit out at the government for failing to fulfil their electoral promises. Churches have been under pressure this year from young anti-tax protesters who have accused them of being too close to politicians. The president had given around 2.6m Kenyan shillings ($20,000, £16,000) in cash, pledged the rest of the money later and also promised to give the parish a bus. The Catholic Archbishop of Nairobi, Philip Anyolo, said the cash would be returned over “ethical concerns and the need to safeguard the Church from being used for political purposes”. He also declined his other pledges and said a donation of 200,000 Kenyan shillings made by the Governor of Nairobi, Johnson Sakaja – who attended the same service, was also being handed back. The long ties between churches and political institutions seem to be fraying. Three years ago, established churches banned politicians from using the pulpit during services in return for donations. But the relationship was still perceived to be close – with young demonstrators accusing the churches of siding with the government when it decided to impose new taxes earlier this year. Under the social media hashtag #OccupyChurch, many hit out at the churches for failing to take their side during the deadly protests that erupted in response to the planned tax hikes.
Church reclaims its voice after two decades of silence and compromise
The scramble to respond to a statement released by Catholic bishops about the government’s underwhelming performance has rekindled memories of the church’s influential role as a crusader for good governance in the country. The hard-hitting statement released by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) accused the government of promoting a culture of lies and being out of touch with the reality over the plight of Kenyans. They also called for an end to the abduction of people and the unexplained disappearances, including the violation of human rights and the increased stifling of freedom of speech in the country. The church appears to be finding its voice again after lying low for many years, as people yearned for the good old days when clerics like Ndingi mwana ‘Nzeki, David Gitari, Alexander Muge, Henry Okul and Timothy Njoya loudly advocated for change in the 1990’s. The KCCB statement sparked immediate reactions, prompting government institutions and agencies to issue late-night counter-statements, dismissing the bishops’ claims as inaccurate.
Counties face cash crunch, employees not paid for months
Kenya’s central government is in the spotlight as the National Treasury continues to delay wages for 47 county or regional administrations. County governments in Kenya in have been facing a cash crisis for months, hindering the implementation of crucial development projects and resulting in delays in payment of employee salaries. The Council of Governors (COG), a national body comprising the 47 county leaders, is warning that the withholding of KSh63.95bn ($494m) by the Ruto government since September – over unexplained reasons – is crippling critical service delivery and having adverse effects on residents and employees of the counties. Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, who is also the chairperson of the COG’s finance committee, warned that if the situation remains unchanged, counties will be forced to shut down, leading to closure of critical services, including hospitals. It will also result in dismissals of employees, he said. “The national government is frustrating our work. Governors are forced to borrow money from banks to pay salaries,” said Barasa. Finance Minister John Mbadi blamed Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakango for introducing what he termed as bureaucratic processes for counties. In turn, the office of the Controller of Budget has questioned why her office has not received 2024-25 budgets from the majority of counties to facilitate their access to funds, apart from 19 that have cleared with her. According to Samwel Olando, a governance and social-economic expert, said that “Kenyans are witnessing unhealthy and unnecessary competition within national institutions that should offer solutions.”
Four women runners brutally killed in Kenya: ‘It’s no longer safe for any athlete’
The majority of Kenyan runners train in the town of Iten, near Eldoret. It lies above the Great Rift Valley on an escarpment a mile and a half high, the thin air and web of trails producing a regular stream of Olympic medallists. In Kenya, it has been named “the home of champions”. In recent years, it has become known for something else. Rebecca Cheptegei. Though she was born in and competed for Uganda, she had lived in Kenya since the age of two. Damaris Muthee Mutua — strangled in Iten in April 2022. Born in Kenya, she represented Bahrain internationally. The police named her boyfriend Eskinder Folie as the chief suspect but he fled across the border to his native Ethiopia. Edith Muthoni — murdered in October 2021. The 27-year-old sprinter also worked as a wildlife protection officer. Her husband was charged in relation to her death in 2022. Agnes Tirop — stabbed to death in the same week as Muthoni, a month after breaking the 10,000m world record in Germany. Her husband and coach, Ibrahim Rotich, confessed to beating her…Though the legal process is at a different stage in all four cases, there is an apparent pattern: each woman athlete was killed after a financial dispute involving their partner. Speaking to athletes around Iten, everyone worries that they will not be the last.
MAURITIUS
New PM Mauritius’ announces audit of public finances
The new prime minister of Mauritius has announced an audit of the public finances days after his coalition won a resounding election victory, casting a shadow over the accuracy of previous government data. Navin Ramgoolam’s opposition Alliance du Changement coalition won a landslide in the Nov. 10 ballot, giving him a fourth stint as prime minister. The 77-year-old premier said in a speech on Sunday that his government would conduct “an audit of the state, of the economy, and public finances” and that they would publish all the results. “All the numbers from the finance minister are wrong,” Ramgoolam said, according to reporting by Bloomberg. “Soon, you will know. They manipulated the data to make you believe that life is rosy.” His comments could cause unease among foreign investors and international lending institutions in the Indian ocean archipelago, which is an offshore financial centre marketing itself as a link between Africa and Asia.
RWANDA
EU agrees to give another €20 million to Rwanda Defence Force in Mozambique
The EU council has pledged to give to the Rwanda Defence force €20 million to aid its deployment in Mozambique, where it’s supporting an effort to tackle an Islamic State-backed insurgency. The move doubles the amount the EU previously pledged back in 2022. Rwandan forces in Mozambique have played an important role in holding back the insurgency for three years, in a region where fighting has delayed a liquefied natural-gas export project. Josep Borell, vice-president of the EU Commission said the ‘’presence of the Rwanda Defence Force troops has been instrumental to make progress and remains key.” Although the deal was anticipated, it has sparked tensions. It also comes with the condition that the funding will be pulled if money is spent on operations elsewhere than in Mozambique. This restriction is mainly the work of Belgium, which reiterated its condemnation of Rwandan troops’ alleged backing of M23 rebels in the DRC.
The Great Kigali housing squeeze: A city bursting at the seams
Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city, is facing a housing crisis of epic proportions. The city’s population has roughly doubled in the last two decades, and it’s set to double again in the next 2 1/2 decades. But where will all these people live? Rwanda is already the most densely populated African country after Mauritius: The situation has developers and planning authorities scratching their heads. In a culture that values standalone homes, they’re building apartments in double- and triple-story blocks to maximize space. But convincing Rwandans to live in these integrated communities is like trying to convince a cat to take a bath. Alphonse Rukaburandekwe, the director general of the Rwanda Housing Authority, put it bluntly: “Our culture needs to change to understand that you can actually live in an integrated community.” The challenges don’t stop there. Kigali needs about 25,000 affordable units annually to accommodate everyone, but in the past decade, they’ve only managed to build 2,600 spaces in total. Developers are also struggling with the mismatch in supply and demand. Almost a third of Kigali’s households earn less than $200 monthly, while the cheapest single-bedroom unit sells for $15,000. To qualify for a mortgage, a household would need to prove earnings of at least $700, locking many people out of affordable housing. The Rwandan government has taken steps to address the issue, like partnering with the World Bank and private sector to build homes and offering incentives like tax breaks. But the housing crisis remains a tough nut to crack. Kigali has gone back to the drawing board with a new master plan called Kigali Yacu, which means “our Kigali.” The plan aims to accommodate 3.8 million people and create 1.8 million jobs by 2050.
SOMALILAND
Opposition leader Cirro defeats incumbent in presidential election
Somaliland opposition leader Abdirahman Cirro defeated incumbent president Muse Bihi Abdi in last week’s election, the electoral commission said on Tuesday, setting up a leadership change as the breakaway Somali region pushes for global recognition. Somaliland has had de facto self-rule since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, but has not been recognised by any country, restricting access to international finance and the ability of its six million people to travel. Cirro, leader of the opposition Waddani party, won 64% of the vote against Bihi’s 35%, said Musa Hassan, chairman of the Somaliland Electoral Commission. Occupying a strategic location at the juncture of the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, Somaliland sees international recognition as being within reach after signing a preliminary deal with landlocked Ethiopia in January that would grant Addis Ababa a strip of land on its coast in exchange for recognition. The capital Hargeisa is also hopeful that the incoming U.S. administration of President-election Donald Trump will be favourable to its cause. Several leading Africa policy officials from Trump’s first term have voiced support for recognising Somaliland. Somaliland has enjoyed a comparative period of peace since achieving autonomy three decades ago, just as Somalia plunged into a civil war from which it has yet to emerge. While Cirro has signalled broad support for the preliminary pact with Ethiopia, his commitment to implementing it is not clear. Some analysts suspect he could be more open to dialogue with Somalia’s government, which opposes the agreement.
Donald Trump set to recognise Somaliland says ex-Tory minister after holding talks
Donald Trump is poised to recognise a former British protectorate as an official country, according to a former UK defence secretary who lobbied the president-elect. Sir Gavin Williamson told The Independent he has held talks with Trump’s team about the official recognition of Somaliland which holds a crucial strategic position on the Red Sea. He said he was confident Mr Trump would take up the issue once he assumes office in January. The former Tory cabinet minister has been the leading advocate for official recognition of the ex-British protectorate, which has in effect been independent from Somalia since 1991. It is uncomfortable for Labour that a senior Tory figure is seeking to influence US foreign policy, and potentially bounce the UK government into changing its stance on the issue. “They should agree to it, though when he assumes office it will probably all take a little longer than we hope,” he said. “But had really good meetings with his policy leads so fingers crossed.” He added: “One of Trump’s last orders as president was to withdraw troops from Somalia but then Biden countermanded that order. There is nothing that Trump hates more than someone overruling him so I used that to push the argument.” The first Trump administration came close to recognising the tiny de facto state before Mr Trump lost the election in 2020. If he were to go ahead with recognition, it would put pressure on the UK to follow suit. Earlier this year, Liverpool City Council became the first British body to formally recognise Somaliland, in the hope it would raise the issue’s profile and put pressure on Mr Lammy. Meanwhile, sources in Washington DC have told The Independent that the State Department “has warmed up” to the idea of supporting Somaliland’s claim in the days following Mr Trump’s victory.
SUDAN
Russia vetoes UN Security Council action on Sudan war
Russia on Monday vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution that called on Sudan’s warring parties to cease hostilities immediately and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. All other countries of the 15-member council, including China, voted in favor of the measure drafted by Britain and Sierra Leone. Russia was the sole member to vote against, in a move that British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said was “mean, nasty and cynical” and sent a message to the warring parties that they can act with impunity. The army-aligned Sudanese foreign ministry supported the Russian move. The draft resolution called on the parties to the conflict to “immediately cease hostilities and engage, in good faith, in dialogue to agree steps to de-escalate the conflict with the aim of urgently agreeing a national ceasefire”. Russia accused Britain of attempting to meddle in Sudanese affairs. “We agree with all Security Council colleagues that the conflict in Sudan requires a swift resolution. It is also clear that the only way to achieve this is for the warring parties to agree to a ceasefire,” Deputy Russian U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy told the meeting. He accused backers of the draft resolution of “double standards” when they were giving carte blanche to Israel to continue violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza, and said Lammy’s criticism was an “excellent demonstration of British neo-colonialism”.
RSF takes to the podium in Nairobi to denounce rights abuses
Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) took to the podium in Nairobi on Monday to reject allegations of civil rights abuses, including ethnic cleansing, rape and murder. In a rare press conference since the start of the war last April, the RSF delegation appeared in Nairobi to deny the allegations and defend President William Ruto for allowing them space in Kenya. They spoke on the day the UN Security Council was due to meet in New York to discuss a draft resolution on Sudan, as human rights watchdogs called for a UN peacekeeping mission to protect civilians from injuries. The draft resolution condemns “ethnically motivated crimes, sexual and gender-based violence … and the destruction and looting of livelihoods and homes by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF )… “ RSF acknowledges that there have been some human rights violations in Al-Gezira state, south of Khartoum, where violence has recently raged. But the group claims the perpetrators are impersonators led by Abu Agla Keikel, an RSF commander who defected to the SAF in October…For Nairobi, the presence of the RSF could trigger a diplomatic row with Burhan. Nairobi did not immediately comment on the press conference, but President Ruto has in the past called for dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure an end to the war. And he got a nod from Burhan for that. Earlier this year, Burhan suspended cooperation with the regional bloc the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) after appearing to invite the RSF. Burhan had earlier refused President Ruto’s mediating role under Igad, although he visited Nairobi after which they agreed to continue pursuing peaceful means, he indicated at the time last November
The caretaker of ancient treasures as looting and war rages on
Fozia Khalid, the sole caretaker of an ancient archaeological site, is standing between priceless art treasures and rampaging armies accused of looting museums across the country. Khalid is the brave woman in her sixties, and the only person left to protect the pyramids at Meroë, a former capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kush in Sudan. In peacetime, Meroë was a hotspot for tourists who wanted to see the carvings and hieroglyphs housed in some of the 200 pyramids (that’s right, more than in the whole of Egypt!). But since civil war broke out in April 2023, the site has been deserted, and Khalid has been bracing for its destruction. The group she fears most is The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group that has taken over much of the country and left a trail of wreckage in its wake. But it’s not just the RSF that’s causing trouble: Reports of looting have become so persistent that Unesco issued a statement in September warning that the “threat to [Sudan’s] culture appears to have reached an unprecedented level.” Zeinab Badawi, a Sudanese-British author and president of the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said the war in Sudan now threatens the country’s entire cultural heritage. “Today Sudan is a country that’s synonymous with conflict, but in the ancient world it was the centre of an amazing civilisation.”
TANZANIA
Rescue efforts will continue at collapsed building in Tanzania where at least 13 died
Rescue efforts continued for a third day Monday after a building collapsed and killed at least 13 people in Tanzania’s commercial capital, with the government saying it will push on until all those trapped inside are saved. The number of people trapped was unclear. Several people have told local media they have lost contact with relatives who they believed were inside. More than 80 people have been rescued from the four-story building that housed dozens of shops and collapsed Saturday morning in Dar Es Salaam. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said Sunday that more than 20 people were receiving medical treatment and the government would cover the costs. She ordered an audit of all buildings in Dar Es Salaam’s Kariakoo area, which is popular among traders, and asked police to obtain the ownership and construction permits for the collapsed building. It is currently the rainy season, when building collapses are common in the East African country. Buildings that collapse are often found to have violated construction regulations.
UGANDA
TikToker jailed for ‘insulting’ President Museveni
A 21-year-old Ugandan TikTok creator has been sentenced to 32 months in prison for allegedly insulting President Yoweri Museveni in a satirical video. Emmanuel Nabugodi, who gained popularity for his comedy sketches among his 20,000 followers, pleaded guilty to charges including hate speech and spreading malicious content about the president. The sentencing took place on Monday, following his guilty plea last week. The video in question featured a mock trial of President Museveni, where Nabugodi depicted the leader being subjected to public flogging. Chief Magistrate Stellah Maris Amabilis of Entebbe’s court said the sentencing aimed to deter social media users from targeting others, including high-profile individuals like the president. Nabugodi’s case is the latest in a string of arrests targeting social media users. In July, another TikTok creator, Edward Awebwa, received a six-year prison sentence on similar charges. Meanwhile, three others are awaiting trial for their TikTok content. The convictions stem from Uganda’s 2022 amendment to the Computer Misuse Act, which criminalizes sharing content online that could “ridicule, degrade, or demean” others based on their identity or affiliation.
WEST AFRICA
GABON
Voters overwhelmingly back constitutional reforms
Gabonese voters have approved a new constitution, with over 91% voting in favor, following a referendum held more than a year after the military ousted former President Ali Bongo Ondimba. The new draft, which aims to curb dynastic power, requires a simple majority to be adopted. It introduces significant reforms, including a seven-year presidential term renewable only once. It also prohibits family members from succeeding the president. This shift follows Bongo’s two-term rule, marred by allegations of mismanagement and corruption, ended with a military coup in 2023. The junta, led by Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema—Bongo’s cousin—aims to guide the country through a transitional phase. The proposed changes also include abolishing the prime minister’s office, reflecting Gabon’s desire to break from its political past.
GHANA
Combating disinformation aheaad of December elections
Democracy watchdogs have noted a dangerous rise in disinformation ahead of the December 7, 2024 election…During the 2020 election [in Ghana], fake news and misinformation contributed to unrest, with at least eight deaths linked to political violence. This year, technology and political experts are concerned that AI cloning technologies could worsen the situation…According to the news website MyJoyOnline, on November 9, a coalition of civil society organizations known as the Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition launched a major initiative to combat misinformation and disinformation that threaten the country’s democratic integrity. This initiative brings together over 100 media outlets and nearly 50 journalists across Ghana, who will help verify and distribute fact-checked reports to communities nationwide. To reach diverse audiences, the reports will be available in approximately 45 local languages.
Pension funds blocked from offshore investment on currency concerns
Ghana is clamping down on private pension fund managers who want to invest in offshore assets on concerns it could worsen pressure on its cedi currency, according to three industry sources. After pension reforms in 2010, workers’ retirement contributions in the world’s number two cocoa producer enjoyed strong growth, buoyed by a tiered scheme that allow private firms to manage some contributions. Assets under management by the pension fund industry were 78.2 billion Ghanaian cedis ($4.93 billion) in June, of which over 73% were managed by 39 private fund management firms. Ghana’s state-run pension fund handles tier one contributions towards employees’ monthly retirement benefits, which are mandatory, while private firms manage tiers two and three – mandatory and voluntary contributions respectively – for lump-sum payment at or before retirement. The majority of contributions are invested in Ghanaian assets, including Ghana government Eurobonds. However, private fund managers have been eager to explore offshore investment opportunities following the restructuring of 31 billion cedis of their holdings under a local debt rework. Ghanaian laws permit private fund managers to invest up to 5% of total assets abroad, approximately 2.8 billion of current assets under management, though firms and authorities differ on the necessity of prior approval. Some fund managers invested in offshore assets earlier this year, the sources, two in the private pension firms and one at the finance ministry said, but were stopped by the regulator, the national pensions regulatory authority (NPRA).
IVORY COAST
’Talking drum’ to return as French government drags on restitution law
Côte d’Ivoire has been waiting two years for the return of the Djidji Ayôkwé, nicknamed the “talking drum,” whose return it called for in 2019. For two years already, this imposing instrument, weighing 430 kilos and measuring 3 meters in length, has been laying dormant in the reserves of the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, after being restored with the aim of being transferred. Confiscated in 1916 by the French army from the Ebrié community, the Djidji Ayôkwé was to have been the very first beneficiary of the framework law accelerating the restitution of works of art looted in Africa during the colonial era. However, the legislation was postponed, and on Monday, November 18, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati and her Ivorian counterpart Françoise Remarck signed a simple agreement to “deposit” the precious object at the Musée des Civilizations de Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan. During a 2017 speech in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, President Emmanuel Macron nonetheless pledged to make it possible within five years to restitute objects unduly entered into public collections. A bill was drafted in 2023 by the previous culture minister, Rima Abdul Malak. However, the Council of State, which advises the government in drafting legislation, noted a legal flaw that risked restricting its scope, as Le Monde revealed in February. In the eyes of the councilors, the reasons for restitution cited in the text, namely “the conduct of international relations and cultural cooperation,” do not justify a departure from the provisions of French law declaring cultural property entered into public collections by gift or bequest to be inalienable. In itself, this legal hurdle is not insurmountable. It would suffice to include a “compelling reason” or “overriding general interest” in the bill, as was the case for the framework law on the human remains and property of people looted under the Occupation, passed by Parliament in 2023. But the bill makes no mention of the colonial context, even though the majority of the objects being reclaimed originated there. The reformulation of the text, as well as its examination by Parliament, have since been postponed indefinitely. “Rachida Dati hasn’t grasped the issues of memory and history raised by such a law, because it’s of no political interest to her,” said Communist Senator Pierre Ouzoulias, a member of the Sénat’s Culture Committee.
LIBERIA
Legislative impasse that risks paralysing Boakai’s government
Members of Liberia’s House of Representatives are at loggerheads over bids by the majority to remove Jonathan Fonati Koffa, the speaker since January, who is accused of gross corruption and financial mismanagement. The impasse is increasingly causing unease within the government of President Joseph Boakai…In October, Boakai submitted his budget for the next fiscal year to Koffa as the House also holds the exclusive right to introduce revenue bills to the legislature. The president’s attempt was met with resistance from the “majority bloc”, comprising of ruling Unity Party legislators and some “rebels” from the main opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) of ex-president George Weah…Information minister Jerolinmek Mathew Piah stated on state radio this week that the delay in the budget process caused by the legislative impasse threatens to stall critical government functions.
MALI
Resolute Mining to pay Mali $160 million to resolve tax dispute, free staff
Australia’s Resolute Mining said on Monday that it would pay $160 million to Mali’s government to help resolve a tax dispute after the West African country detained its CEO Terence Holohan and two other employees this month. Resolute has made an initial payment of $80 million as part of the settlement from existing cash reserves and will make future payments of about $80 million in the coming months from existing liquidity sources, it said in a statement. After the news, Resolute shares fell as much as 14.3% in early trading on Monday to A$0.345, their lowest since March 1. The detained employees were in Mali’s capital Bamako to hold discussions with mining and tax authorities regarding general activities related to the company’s business practices, the company said last week. Resolute is currently working with the Mali government to release the detained employees, who remain “safe and well” and are receiving support from the UK and international embassies and consulates, the miner said on Monday. Resolute’s gold mine in Syama, Mali – one of its two operational mines – contributed nearly two-thirds of its annual sales of 329,061 ounces in 2023. Resolute owns an 80% stake in the project, while Mali’s government holds the rest. “The Company notes that operations on site continue as normal and have not been impacted,” Resolute said in its statement.
NIGERIA
Delayed mpox vaccination programme begins
Nigeria started mpox vaccinations on Monday, administering shots to health workers and people with weak immune systems at hospitals in the capital Abuja, more than a month after the programme was scheduled to start. Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria received its first batch pf 10,000 doses of the mpox vaccine from the United States in August after the World Health Organisation declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years. Nigeria, one of the African countries where mpox is endemic, has recorded 94 confirmed cases and no deaths since the start of this year, the WHO said in a report last month. Hardley Ikwe of the U.S. Centre for Disease Control said the initial vaccination programme would last 10 days, focusing on Abuja and seven states, including oil-producing Akwa Ibom, Baylesa and Rivers, where several cases have been recorded. An initial 899,000 vaccine doses have been allocated for nine countries across Africa hit hardest by the mpox surge, the WHO said this month.
Nigeria plans increased spending for 2025
Nigeria’s government has unveiled a 47.9 trillion naira ($28 billion) budget for 2025 — more than 60% bigger than this year’s spending plan. It assumes an exchange rate of 1,400 naira to the dollar, the budget minister told reporters last week. The naira has depreciated 70% against the dollar since May 2023. Nigerian budgets are anchored on oil sales because the country is Africa’s top crude producer. The latest estimates a price of $75 per barrel in 2025 and daily production of 2 million barrels. Olufunmilola Adebowale, of Lagos-based broker Parthian Partners, said the oil price estimate is “reasonable” but the production target seems “overly optimistic”, citing OPEC data that Nigeria produced 1.4 million barrels per day in October. Funding could also come from debt financing. Nigeria plans to raise $1.7 billion from a eurobond sale, finance minister Wale Edun said last week.
Who wins when Nigeria’s richest man takes on the ‘oil mafia’?
Petrol production at Nigerian business tycoon Aliko Dangote’s $20bn (£15.5bn) state-of-the-art oil refinery ought to be some of the best business news Nigeria has had in years. But many Nigerians will judge its success on two key questions – firstly: “Will I get cheaper petrol?” And secondly: “Will I still have to spend hours watching my hair turn grey in a hypertension-inducing fuel queue?” Hopefully those days are gone but it might partly depend on the behaviour of what Mr Dangote calls “the oil mafia”. Oil revenue accounts for nearly 90% of Nigeria’s export earnings but a relatively small number of business people and politicians have gorged themselves on the oil wealth. Aspects of the business model have been baffling, including that of Nigeria’s four previously existing oil refineries. Built in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, they have fallen into disrepair. Last year Nigeria’s parliament reported that over the previous decade the state had spent a staggering $25bn trying and failing to fix the moribund facilities. So Africa’s largest oil producer has been exporting its crude which is then refined abroad, much to the delight of some well-connected traders. It would be like a bakery with a broken oven. But rather than fix it, the owner sends balls of dough to another firm that shoves them in a working oven and sells the loaves back to the baker.
Oga Lecturer: The media platform combating sexual harassment in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions
In 2018 World Bank survey: 70 percent of women graduates from Nigerian tertiary institutions have faced sexual harassment from fellow students and lecturers. The survey, conducted in 19 tertiary institutions across six states, highlighted a lack of clear reporting channels as a major barrier to reporting such incidents. To combat the culture of silence,Oga Lecturer, a project by the International Centre for Investgative Reporting (ICIR), aims to document and amplify stories of sexual harassment in higher institutions. Oga Lecturer encourages victims and witnesses to report incidents, which are then made public via Oga Lecturer’s website and social media platforms, pushing the relevant authorities to take action. To protect their sources, Oga Lecturer maintains confidentiality. “Anybody who has spoken to us did so in strict confidentiality. We don’t reveal our sources to anybody because of the sensitivity of sexual harassment,” Dayo Aiyetan, ICIR’s executive director emphasised. Between 2018 and 2023, no fewer than 43 lecturers were accused or indicted for sexual harassment. Many of these cases were swept under the carpet, with only a few lecturers suspended or dismissed. Oga Lecturer continually reports on ignored cases to keep authorities accountable.
SENEGAL
President’s party tipped to win legislative poll as some opposition concede
Expectations were growing that President Faye’s party would win Senegal’s Sunday legislative elections after two opposition leaders conceded while votes were still being counted. The heated campaign period had revived concerns about unrest as political rivals clashed, sometimes violently. The West African nation saw some of the worst political violence in recent history ahead of the presidential election in March. Faye, who is seeking a clear parliamentary majority to implement his promised reform agenda, urged the electorate to remain calm no matter the outcome, as he voted in his home town of Ndiaganiao. “I once again call on voters… to show serenity, commit to the peaceful route, and to accept the popular will that will be expressed through the ballot box.” Polls opened at 8 a.m. (0800 GMT) and closed at 6 p.m. It is not clear when provisional results will be announced, but tallies from polling stations showed Faye’s Pastef party with a sizable lead, a source in the interior ministry said.
ECOWAS at 50: Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities
As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Her Excellency Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, revisits some of the organization’s major achievements. This includes investments in the region’s energy supply, food security, and human capital development that have strengthened member states and contributed to the region’s economic growth. ECOWAS initiatives like these are enhancing resiliency to violent extremism, transnational organized crime, ongoing economic shocks from the pandemic, and a growing youth bulge. In the face of West Africa’s challenges, Vice-President Tchintchibidja sees the region’s peace, security, and prosperity as tied to a more deeply integrated ECOWAS.
Meet one of the teams patrolling Senegal’s waters to rescue migrants on small boats
SOUTHERN AFRICA
MOZAMBIQUE
Meet the man who should probably lead
The electoral commission gave Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo more than 70% of the recent elections vote. But the opposition party’s tabulation, based on tallies from polling stations, suggests that Venâncio Mondlane won an outright majority and should be Mozambique’s next president. Mondlane alleges that the result was rigged, and called for massive protests. In response, outgoing president Filipe Nyusi mobilised police and military, resulting in at least 40 people killed by security forces.
NAMIBIA
Namibia seeks to double GDP growth from oil and gas finds
Namibia could double its annual GDP growth to 8 per cent within a decade and reduce its dependence on diamonds because of new offshore oil and gas finds, according to the southern African country’s mining and energy minister Tom Alweendo. Alweendo’s party Swapo, in power since independence in 1990, hopes the promise of riches from big energy discoveries in the past five years — which have lured TotalEnergies, Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Galp to Namibia — will help it win the November 27 election. But dissatisfaction with the economy among Namibia’s 3mn people has been rising, increasing the risk for Swapo that it could lose its parliamentary majority as its fellow “liberation parties” did in neighbouring South Africa and Botswana this year. “If these oil finds are developed to their potential, Namibia could easily double its GDP [growth]. And that’s huge,” said Alweendo in an interview, when asked about the growth rate. “But the major focus for us will be on how this resource could help improve the livelihood of the average Namibian.” Alweendo — an influential leader of Swapo who in 1997 became the first Namibian governor of the country’s central bank — cited the cautionary tales of Angola and Nigeria, which both discovered oil decades ago, but which still suffer from high poverty rates. Namibia’s government has faced criticism over its inability to address unemployment of about 20 per cent and high inequality — second only to South Africa — despite its diamond wealth. “A lot of Namibians feel that, 34 years after independence, their lives haven’t improved that much economically, despite resources like diamonds and uranium,” said political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah. “People are sceptical that the new discoveries of oil and gas, as well as green hydrogen, will benefit the majority.”
SOUTH AFRICA
President Ramaphosa calls for safe recovery of illegal miners stuck underground
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday lives should not be put at risk in a standoff between police and hundreds of illegal miners stuck underground in a disused mine shaft and the miners should be recovered safely. The police have blocked miners’ supplies of food and water to force them out and arrest them for illegally entering the abandoned mine in North West province in search of leftover gold – an issue that has plagued South Africa for decades. More than 1,000 illegal miners have resurfaced in recent weeks but police said last week that hundreds could still be underground. Local residents and human rights groups have criticized authorities for blocking their supplies. In a weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said the situation was precarious and could potentially turn volatile. “The Stilfontein mine is a crime scene where the offence of illegal mining is being committed. It is standard police practice everywhere to secure a crime scene and to block off escape routes that enable criminals to evade arrest,” he said. Illegal mining has thrived in South Africa through small-time pilfering and organised criminal networks, costing the economy billions of rands in lost income and royalties.
Explainer: South African miners trapped underground: What you need to know
Hundreds – possibly thousands – of miners remain trapped in an abandoned gold mine in South Africa’s northwestern Stilfontein town, fearful to come out of hiding and face arrest by security officials in a tense standoff that has continued for weeks. South African police have guarded the site’s entrance since early November. Illegal mining is a widespread crime and Authorities have increasingly taken a hard line, cracking down on miners, called “zama zamas”. Officials cut off food and water supplies earlier to force the miners out and vowed they would not assist with rescue opersations. Police also say some of the miners could be armed, and that would pose a risk to officials rescuing them. Here’s what we know about the miners and how the situation came about:
Presidential elites use South Africa as ‘property laundromat’, new report claims
Poor scrutiny of lawyers and estate agents transacting huge property deals could hamper South Africa’s efforts to get off the Financial Action Task Force grey list. Elites from Mozambique, Equatorial Guinea and Democratic Republic of Congo are stashing money of questionable origin in luxury properties in South Africa yet authorities are turning a blind eye, an investigation by nonprofit Open Secrets has found. It also found that South African authorities weren’t doing enough to prevent this “property laundering” or to hold those who bought the properties, as well as the lawyers and property agents involved in the deals, to account. Money laundering is one of the issues that saw South Africa greylisted by the Financial Action Task Force in February 2023.
“Lawyers and estate agents weren’t being scrutinised enough for their role in this greylisting,” said Raeesa Pather, one of the authors of the report, at the launch of the report in Cape Town…The report found that outside of the money laundering concerns, the actions of the elites have caused poverty to those affected in their home countries. In South Africa, “while powerful families hide illicit cash in sprawling properties, homeless people live without secure basic shelter”, the report says. It recommends that law enforcement probe these deals, seize the assets and sanction negligent agencies. It also says lawyers and estate agents should be trained to do the necessary reporting on suspicious transactions.
The UN must remain the centerpiece of multilateralism,’ says Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has used the G20 Leaders’ Summit to call for respect for the United Nations Charter. Addressing world leaders on Monday night, Ramaphosa said: “The principle of self-determination is also enshrined in the Charter…He said: The world faces many challenges that pose a danger to global peace and justice. They pose a danger to the very existence of this very precious planet that we share. These challenges include soaring global temperatures, rising inequality between nations and people, and escalating geopolitical tensions in areas such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan, among others. To address these challenges, Ramaphosa said the world needs more robust multilateralism and a renewed commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Controversial US Ambassador resigns before Trump assumption of power
United States ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety has announced his resignation, effective from January 2025, in line with the standard transition after a change in the US presidential administration. Brigety will step down shortly before Donald Trump’s inauguration, following the Republican Party’s decisive victory in the 5 November election. Brigety’s tenure, which began in August 2022, was defined by a major diplomatic crisis in May 2023, when he accused South Africa of docking weapons for Russia onto the vessel Lady R at Simon’s Town naval base. These unproven allegations resulted in strained relations between Pretoria and Washington. At the time, the South African government strongly denied the claims, while the fallout sent the rand tumbling and sparked fears of strained relations with Western allies. An independent inquiry led by the retired supreme court of appeal judge, Phineas Mojapelo, later found no evidence to support Brigety’s allegations…Although Brigety’s tenure was marked by diplomatic issues, he argues that he had made positive strides in the US-South Africa relations during his time in office, which saw an increased economic cooperation and investment through Agoa.
ZAMBIA
Why hydropower is failing this nation — and could fail others
Hydropower is the world’s most widely used form of renewable energy, propelling development in South America, parts of China and India, and much of sub-Saharan Africa. But over the past two years, a wave of extreme droughts has wreaked havoc on this critical energy supply. As the Earth warms, this once promising resource is becoming less reliable in meeting the needs of the growing population — in some instances leading to desperation and potential political instability…In good times, the Zambezi is fed by rainfall across a wide area that includes Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. But research shows that droughts have increased in frequency since the dam was built. And hotter temperatures linked to climate change have increased evaporation rates. Human activity has also played a role in increasing the vulnerability of the hydro system. Both the Zambian and Zimbabwean utility companies have sometimes drawn water from the dam beyond their allotted share, especially in seasons of scarcity…With the vulnerability of its electricity system fully exposed, Zambia now finds itself in a position common among African countries…It has a growing population and scores of rural areas still to connect to the grid. Its massive debt makes it hard to borrow and attract investment. How Africa scales up power — and whether governments here tap clean energy or fossil fuels — is complex and will help shape the planet’s climate over the next century.
NORTH AFRICA
TUNISIA
Migrant rights advocate held in Tunisia under anti-terrorist investigation
Tunisian anti-terrorist investigators are handling the case of a leading advocate for migrants who has been taken into custody, in what the head of a rights group said was a troubling first for the country. Abdallah Said, a Tunisian of Chadian origin, was questioned along with the secretary general and treasurer of his association, Enfants de la Lune, said Romdhane Ben Amor, the spokesperson for the Tunisian Forum for Social and Economic Rights…In May the Tunisian president, Kais Saied, lashed out at organisations that defended the rights of migrants, calling their leaders “traitors and mercenaries”…Ben Amor said this was the first time authorities had used anti-terrorist investigators against associations specialising in migration issues. The arrest was “a dangerous signal” and part of “a new wave of even tougher repression” against migration activists after a crackdown in May, he said. Tunisia has received large funds from the EU in exchange for help with curbing small boat crossings to Europe, under an agreement signed last year. In 2023, the Guardian revealed how thousands of people from sub-Saharan Africa had been forcibly returned by Tunisian officers to remote desert regions where some died of thirst. Last month another investigation revealed abuses by EU-funded security forces in Tunisia, including allegations that members of the Tunisian national guard were raping migrant women and beating children.
CENTRAL AFRICA
CENTRAL AFRICA REP (CAR)
CAR applauds extension of peacekeepers’ mandate
Political parties and civil society groups in the Central African Republic are welcoming the U.N. Security Council’s decision to extend the mandate of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission, or MINUSCA. Civil society groups say the U.N. peacekeeping troops will protect civilians from rebels during parliamentary and local elections that have now been rescheduled for April 6…Last week, the U.N. Security Council extended the MINUSCA mandate through November 15, 2025…MINUSCA said it had developed what it called an integrated security plan with C.A.R military and police to ensure the safety of election officials, civilians and material during the April 6 polls and to lay the groundwork for presidential elections the next year.
REP. CONGO
Congo-Brazzaville: Lack of electricity, water and fuel exasperates the population
For several months, the Congolese capital Brazzaville has been hit by recurring blackouts, water and fuel shortages, episodes that have negatively affected the regularity of transport and the daily life of the residents of the city, where over 2 million people live. With temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees, the suspensions of electricity supply force the inhabitants to not be able to use air conditioners and to stock up on food for a short period, not being able to keep them cool. The recurring shortage of fuel has affected urban transport to such an extent that motorists are forced to spend hours, sometimes even nights, at service stations in the hope of refueling. It is not uncommon to see long lines of vehicles for dozens of meters near service stations. Added to theses discomforts is the lack of drinking water. In the Jacques Opango neighborhood of Brazzaville, a mother coplained that “we don’t have water every day. You have to try to get up around 4 in the morning to hope to see a trickle of water from the tap.”
AFRICA-GENERAL NEWS
Potential of AI & digital tool in securing integrity of Africa elections
AI can significantly enhance democratic processes, but only if ethical and inclusive considerations are prioritized. The widespread availability of AI tools like ChatGPT and AI-driven video and image generators has given political parties new ways to connect with voters, engage them, and shape public opinion. However, these technologies do more than provide new opportunities; they introduce complex challenges, particularly in combating misinformation and ensuring the ethical use of data. The question remains: Are these technologies truly benefiting democratic processes, or are they creating new obstacles that need to be addressed? In an interview with Victoria Turk of The Rest of The World, an organization that tracks AI use in elections globally, highlighted this dual nature of AI.
How African seeds can solve tomorrow’s hunger games
Contributions of seeds from Chad and Nigeria are among 30,000 specimens recently transported to Norway and deposited in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. It is the latest collection of seeds from the Africa that will safeguard against food insecurity, says the Crop Trust, an international non-profit dedicated to helping farmers. In the last century, more than 75% of crop diversity has been lost; a third of today’s diversity could be gone by 2050, when the global population is estimated to reach nearly 10 billion people…In Kenya, scientists and technicians are working together on a national level. At KALRO seed cold-storage facility and genetic research institute in Muguga South, 28km from Nairobi, in Kiambu County, work on seeds is being carried out in four departments: exploration and cultivation, seed technology, regermination, and information management and documentation.
Insights into the future of U.S.-Africa relations under a new Trump Administration
What approach will President-elect Trump’s administration take towards foreign policy in Africa? As foreign policy priorities for the new administration solidify, and the transition team reimagines U.S. engagement with Africa and U.S. approach to international development, relations with the African continent will also see dramatic changes. Unlike in 2016, advisors to the president-elect have been preparing for victory and are poised to launch a wide range of programs and initiatives within the first 100 days in office. To better understand the forthcoming changes, the Carnegie Africa Program will convene officials from the previous Trump administration to offer their insight and suggestions on the future of U.S. policy towards Africa.
Hostile hosts in African football
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is Africa’s biggest football festival, captivating millions across the continent and beyond. With up to USD 7 million in prize money and a staggering global viewership of up to 2 billion in the 2023 tournament, AFCON has become one of the most anticipated sporting events in Africa. However, in recent years, TotalEnergies, the headline sponsor of the AFCON tournament, has faced criticism for using sportwashing tactics to obscure its exploitation of African resources and contributing to climate challenges on the continent. These controversies have unfolded alongside growing discussions around unethical host practices during AFCON events. According to CAF President Patrice Motsepe, several visiting teams have been subjected to inhumane treatment. In October, a Group D qualifying match between hosts Libya and Nigeria never took place after Nigeria’s plane was diverted and stranded on an airport runway for 16 hours, leading to accusations of sabotage and foul play. AFCON subsequently gave Nigeria the 3 points and fined Libya $50,000. Abd during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers, Benin refused to play a decisive African Cup of Nations qualifying game in Sierra Leone after disputing that five of its players had tested positive for COVID-19 just before kickoff…other unethical practices that visiting teams have faced include substandard accommodation and facilities, travel logistics issues, intimidation from fans, poor pitch conditions, refereeing bias, deliberate delays during matches, schedule manipulation, psychological warfare, and security negligence.
New report shows sub-Saharan Africa receives the least diabetes treatment
A new study has found that over 800 million adults suffer from the condition worldwide and more than half of those aged over 30 who have it are not receiving any treatment. In African countries they are among those most affected, as each year, 17 million people die from a non communicqlble disase like diabetes before turning 70. The report shows that in sub-Saharan Africa, only about 5 to 10% of adults with the disease receives any treatment.
Certain Unavoidable Facts:
The Big Picture
Food for Thought: New York state’s GDP ($2.284 trillion) exceeds the combined economies of Africa’s top five: 🇳🇬 Nigeria ($395Bn), 🇿🇦 South Africa ($373Bn), 🇪🇬 Egypt ($347.6Bn), 🇩🇿 Algeria ($266.8Bn), and 🇪🇹 Ethiopia ($192Bn).
70%: M23 rebels now control this much of eastern DR Congo’s mineral-rich North Kivu province, gaining significant leverage over the region’s gold and coltan resources since their 2021 advance.
In a dramatic Mauritius election upset, the incumbent party won no parliamentary seats amid a wiretapping scandal that briefly led to social media bans – a rare political earthquake in one of Africa’s most stable nations.
Unopposed: WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala runs unopposed for a second term, cementing her position as the first woman and African to lead the organization.
$160 Million: Mali’s tax demand from Australia’s Resolute Mining, whose CEO remains detained in Bamako — part of the military government’s push to renegotiate economic terms with foreign companies.
20 Years: The time taken to complete Angola’s new Luanda airport, which can now handle 15 million visitors annually.
The Africa Edition ©️ 
Leave a comment