By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Three noted Africa experts, at a Roundtable with the BBC, are warning of endless “forever wars” if Africa continues to rely on military solutions with weapons and training from the U.S. and the international community instead of addressing local grievances. The group spotlighted the case […]
Fire Through Sierra Leone Leaves Thousands Without Shelter
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — A scorching blaze that turned a crowded neighbourhood of Sierra Leone’s capital city into rubble and ashes has left an estimated 4,500 residents homeless with many searching for missing family. The inferno which broke out on March 24 between 7 and 10 p.m. in Susan’s […]
Extremist Groups’ Attacks on Civilians in Niger Condemned
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — “Multiple senseless attacks” on civilian populations by armed groups in the Tahoua and Tilabery regions of Niger were condemned by world leaders and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) which noted the recent killings of some 200 civilians including children in the violence. In the last […]
Relaxed Public Health Measures Trigger New Wave of COVID-19 in Africa
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Africa is experiencing a second coronavirus wave more severe than the first, according to a worrying new study published on March 24 by the medical journal The Lancet. The Lancet said one reason for the rise was that some countries were implementing fewer public health […]
Development Needs to Come from The People
By Jones Ntaukira KAPITA, Malawi (IDN) — Most development agencies fail because they don’t listen to the people and end up imposing projects on people. This is an important lesson I learned over 10 years working as a development worker here with Empower Malawi. I joined the Empower Malawi team in 2010 as a fresh […]
Congo Opposition Candidate Dies of COVID-19
By Lia Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Another African leader has lost the fight for his life—this time in a private hospital in Brazzaville, where he was last seen lifting up his oxygen mask and warning his supporters that he is “fighting death.” Family members of Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas—the leading opposition […]
Tanzanian Populist President Dies, Leaving A Mixed Legacy
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Flags are flying at half-mast in Tanzania over the passing of President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, the country’s populist leader who passed away in the port city of Dar es Salaam on March 17 following his hospitalization for heart complications. The President was 61 years […]
A National Security Adviser Lost in Translation in Nigeria
Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Interview magazine based in Abuja, Nigeria. ABUJA (IDN) — Last week, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mohammed Babagana Monguno, stripped the government bare in public only to try hiding the ugly sight with fig leaves shortly after. The pathetic damage control didn’t work. Monguno, […]
UN Acclaims VODAN’s Contribution to Fight COVID-19 in Africa
By Reinhard Jacobsen BRUSSELS (IDN) — The United Nations has commended VODAN-AFRICA for their innovative approach to “data sharing and re-use under the present COVID-19 circumstances”. The Virus Outbreak Data Network is a system of sharing data on Coronavirus that ensures that the information remains in the country that generated it, rather than being exported […]
Keeping an Eye on The Situation in Tigray War
By Reinhard Jacobsen BRUSSELS (IDN) — The midnight of November 3-4, 2020 witnessed the unleashing of the armed conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa. For nearly a fortnight there was a communication blackout until on November 17 the Europe External Programme with Africa (EEPA) launched a daily situation report. […]