By Kizito Makoye PAJE, Zanzibar (IDN) – As the morning breeze sweeps Mwanamkasi Jumbe wade through knee-deep water, her gown flapping in the wind as she drags a pile of seaweed seedlings to her farm before it is too hot. Armed with a bundle of sticks, she hangs pieces of fresh seaweed haphazardly hooked on […]
Mozambique Imposing Hefty Fees on Local and Foreign Media
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Press freedom in Mozambique just got a lot less free. Under a new government decree, local and foreign journalists must now pony up thousands of dollars for the right to report in this Southern African country. The little dribble of news about Mozambique in the […]
Africa’s Emerging Markets Vulnerable To Cyber Attacks
By Emmanuel Tita Sama* LAGOS (IDN) – As emerging markets race to join the digital revolution they are fast being hijacked by cybercriminals, who are preying on the fledgling IT environment with potential security weaknesses and using them to launch attacks on territories with more advanced defence strategies. The United Nations recently reported that, shockingly, […]
‘Skulduggery’ Foils Zimbabwe Inauguration Of Mnangagwa
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | HARARE (IDN) – The hastily organized inauguration of Emmerson Mnangagwa as president of Zimbabwe has hit a brick wall. Invitations to the heads of diplomatic mission, international organizations and consulates were pulled back after challenges to July 30 general election put a question mark around the […]
Security Council Calls for Better UN Agency Cooperation in Central Africa
By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) – In view of “the volatile and fast‑evolving nature of the political, security and social situation” in Central Africa, the United Nations Secretary-General has asked the Security Council to extend by three years from September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2021 the mandate of the UN Regional Office for […]
UN Supports Comprehensive Reform Process in Lesotho
By Ntsoaki Nkoe MASERU (IDN) – Lesotho has launched a landmark project with the European Union willing to provide Euros 12.5 million (approx. USD14.4 million) and the United Nations USD 2 million. Known as the Lesotho National Dialogue and Stabilization Project (LNDSP), the initiative aims to stimulate a comprehensive national reforms process the southern African […]
Thirteen-Year-Old Defies Family, Escapes Forced Marriage
By Billy Ntaote This report is part of a series on Human Trafficking by MNN Centre for Investigative Journalism in Lesotho. MASERU (IDN) – For people living in the rural parts of the country, early child marriage doesn’t exist – but when a teenager is impregnated, families rush to organise a traditional wedding ceremony and […]
Trump’s Conservative Nominee For Post In Kenya Gets Grilling
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Democrats are challenging President Trump’s nominee from the Midwestern state of Illinois for the post of U.S. ambassador to Kenya. State Sen. Kyle McCarter’s conservative views run the gamut from opposition to gay rights, restrictions on immigration and locking up former Senator Hillary Clinton. A […]
South African Women March Against Gender-Based Violence
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | PRETORIA (IDN) – Thousands of women and gender activists joined together on the first day of Women’s Month to protest the rising incidence of gender-based violence across the country. The movement’s Brenda Madumise said the marchers, under the banner #TheTotalShutdown, were taking control of their destiny. […]
Stakes High in Returning Nigerians’ Stolen Millions
By Kwame Buist LONDON (IDN) – Of the estimated 20-40 billion dollars stolen annually from developing countries and hidden abroad every year, a small proportion is sometimes successfully confiscated and returned to the country it came from. However, where institutions of accountability do not work well, this poses a complex problem: how to make sure […]