By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW York (IDN) – The Rwandese government of Paul Kagame has outlawed the drawing of cartoons that portray politicians/leaders in an unflattering manner. Anyone who draws such a cartoon risks imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to Rwf1 million ($1,145). If the cartoon targets […]
Grim Shadow Over Cameroon President’s Re-Election Bid
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – As the clock ticked down to October 7 presidential elections in Cameroon, President Paul Biya remained tightlipped about a grisly video gone viral of two mothers and their infant children executed in cold blood by government soldiers. The grainy video shows two women – one […]
Africa Gets Ready for Biodiversity and Climate Change Summits
By Justus Wanzala NAIROBI (IDN) – African governments have been availing of two conferences at the UN Environment Headquarters in the Kenyan capital in September to gear up for the Biological Diversity Summit in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, and the Climate Summit in Katowice, Poland. The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) from September […]
Tanzanians Search For Reasons Behind Latest Ferry Disaster
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Tanzanian President John Magufuli took action against a ferry captain and all of the crew as the number of bodies pulled from Lake Victoria in the latest maritime disaster topped 200. Magufuli told the nation on September 21 that the captain left the ferry’s steering […]
Nelson Mandela Peace Summit Rebukes ‘America First’ Strategy
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa couldn’t be prouder as he unveiled a life-size statue of Nelson Mandela on September 24, a day before the start of the General Debate of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA73) and the opening of a day-long […]
Sustainable Development Award Winners Celebrated at UN
By Santo D. Banerjee NEW YORK(IDN) – Tanzania-based WomenChoice Industries and Mukuru Clean Stoves of Kenya are the global winners of the SDGs and Her Competition that seeks to increase knowledge about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their potential impact on women, as well as to encourage private sector partners and share best practices […]
African Countries Seek Relief from Burgeoning Chinese Loans
By Allan Olingo In the past 15 years, Beijing has written off more than $2 billion worth of debt advanced to African countries, says Allan Olingo, an accomplished business journalist from Kenya. This article first appeared in The East African on September 17, 2018. NAIROBI (IDN-INPS) – Some African countries are now seeking to write […]
When a Vice President is Nabbed With Million Dollar Watches
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – What does a suitcase full of million dollar watches look like? Well, it’s blinding for one and it caught the eye of police at the Sao Paulo Viracopos airport in Brazil who confiscated the gem-encrusted time pieces found in the luggage of the son of […]
South Sudan Moves from Despair to Hope after New Peace Deal
By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) – South Sudan, caught in brutal civil conflict for years, has engaged the United Nations three times since the South Sudan government and opposition groups signed a Revitalized Peace Agreement on September 13. The country gained its independence from the Republic of the Sudan in 2011, after two civil […]
Building Climate Resilience through Women’s Entrepreneurship in Ethiopia
By Kizito Makoye BOYNA, Ethiopia (ACP-IDN) – A long spell of drought three years ago made life extremely challenging for 48-year-old Medina Igahle, a mother of five living in Boyna village in the Bubta Wodera region, when some of her goats, cattle and camels starved. “When disaster hit, I had to bundle up what little […]