By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – If a democratic society is characterized by “tolerance, diversity and open-mindedness,” three countries in Africa have now reached that pinnacle. Botswana joined Angola and Mozambique in de-criminalizing same-sex relations in June 2019. High Court Justice Michael Lebruru, in his defining decision, added: “human dignity is […]
Nigeria Restores the Study of History in Public Schools
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – The government of Muhammadu Buhari is bringing back the teaching of history in all basic and secondary schools – ending a decade in which departments of history were dismantled or merged into other programs as having little earnings potential for the high school graduates. In […]
Ethiopian Old Guard Rejects Prime Minister’s Sweeping Reforms
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | ASMARA (IDN) – Since becoming prime minister of Ethiopia in April 2018, Abiy Ahmed has launched a wide-ranging programme of political and economic reforms, not all of which have met with favour by supporters of the federalism-based constitution and system of the land-locked country on the […]
Continuous Influx of Eritrean Refugees Challenges Ethiopia
Viewpoint by Kristina Melicherová BRUSSELS (IDN) – Refugee and host communities in Ethiopia came together on June 20 to commemorate World Refugee Day through various cultural activities, organized within refugee camps as well as urban settings. But the reality behind the festivities is that hundreds of Eritrean refugees continue to cross the border between Eritrea […]
The Pillaging of Mineral Resources Leaves Behind Poverty Holes for Africans
By Jeffrey Moyo HARARE (IDN) – More than a decade ago, he lost his home as diamond miners from China razed it to the ground searching for the gems. Still, today, 74-year old Tobias Mukwada lives with his family in shanty thatched huts they erected hoping that perhaps one day the Chinese diamond merchants would […]
Orthodox Church in Ethiopia Blocks Gay Group Planning Tour
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Pride parades, gay friendly diners, movies, books and fashion. The gay life style is coming to town but the welcome mat is still far from ubiquitous. Ethiopia, home to Abiy Ahmed, the “hugging president”, has yet to come to terms with LGBT or Q. In […]
African Cocoa Growers Demand Better Prices or No Sale!
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Strike! That’s the sound of the world’s top two producers of cocoa who say they are suspending their sales for better prices. The governments of Ivory Coast and Ghana are trying this time-honored strategy to address the imbalance between farmers’ income and money made by […]
Russia, Mali to Strengthen Economic and Military Cooperation
By Kester Kenn Klomegah MOSCOW (IDN) – As Russia and Mali prepare to mark their 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, Moscow has reaffirmed its unreserved preparedness to strengthen economic cooperation and provide support in bringing political stability to Mali and other African countries threatened by or gripped in conflicts. “Over these decades, we […]
African Governments Join Activists to Fight Sextortion
By Kizito Makoye DAR ES SALAAM (ACP-IDN) – A poster bearing a message “Graduate with A’s not with AIDS” at the University of Dar es Salaam, tells a grim story of female students who offer sex to obtain higher grades. “My teacher wanted to date me. When I refused his sexual advances, he retaliated by […]
Growing Opposition to Cameroon President Paul Biya
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | YAOUNDE (IDN) – Facing a growing pro-democracy movement, Cameroon is resorting to an old formula – namely unleashing government power in the form of threats, arrests and excessive force. Hundreds of supporters of Maurice Kamto, leader of the opposition Cameroon Resistance Movement, have been filling the […]