By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema recently announced on his Facebook page that he officially abolished both the death penalty and the offence of criminal defamation of the president. The Penal Code of 2022 repeals the mandatory death sentence in the absence of extenuating circumstances. The provisions […]
Unprecedented Drought Emergency in the Horn of Africa
Catastrophic Consequences Feared By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) — The United Nations has warned that the Horn of Africa is facing an unprecedented drought emergency, which will unleash catastrophic consequences. Communities in the region are in the midst of a likely fifth consecutive failed rainy season. They may face a sixth failed season in […]
More Than 20 Million Children Suffering in The Horn of Africa
UNICEF Warns of Funding Shortfall in The Face of Drought By Devendra Kamarajan NAIROBI (IDN) — UN Children’s Agency UNICEF has urged the international community to “commit to responding now for what might hit the Horn of Africa” in 2023, “and in the years to come”. UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa […]
Ramaphosa To Lead ANC For Second Term but Faces Stiff Headwinds
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — President Cyril Ramaphosa sailed over an impeachment inquiry this past week but faced a seriously divided party at the recent National Convention of the African National Conference, nearly upending his victory race for ANC party leader and ultimately President for a second term.
‘We-Are-Suffering’-Rally in Monrovia While Biden Hosts Liberian Leader
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Confronting soaring prices and shortages of basic goods, Liberians held a “We are Suffering” rally in Monrovia while the president, George Weah, comfortably watched the 2022 World Cup at the White House. The Monrovia protest was organized by opposition leader Alexander Cummings and drew several […]
Military Spending a Non-Issue at the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Africa had a centre stage at a U.S.-based summit this month for what leaders hope will be more than a brief moment and whose achievements will be more than talk. The U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit opened on December 13 with a full plate of critical topics—from […]
Lusaka Demands Probe of Zambian Student Killed on Battlefield in Ukraine
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | LUSAKA (IDN) — Zambian officials are seeking an explanation of the death of Lemekhani Nathan Nyirenda, a former student of nuclear engineering in Moscow, who died in September fighting on the side of the Russian army. Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Russian paramilitary Wagner group, acknowledged […]
Kenya Prides in Progress Towards Attainment of Development Goals
By Joseph Maina NAIROBI (IDN) — Seven years after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, Kenya has made significant strides towards the realisation of the SDGs. Official sources cite “remarkable progress” made towards achieving the goals. SDGs and other development initiatives are well anchored in its long-term development blueprint dubbed […]
Planned Biden-Museveni Meeting at U.S.-Africa Summit Draws Protests
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni on the sidelines of the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit this on December 13-15 in Washington, DC. The meeting will take place at the White House with the two leaders expected to discuss, among other […]
Long Sentences in Corruption Trial for Angolan Ex-President’s Soldiers and Bankers
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Dozens of former soldiers who performed illegal services for Angola’s ex-president Jose Eduardo dos Santos received jail terms for up to 14 years for fraud and embezzlement in a closely-watched high profile mass corruption trial. In addition to the soldiers who went on trial in […]