By Jeffrey Moyo CHIPINGE, Zimbabwe (IDN) – When he fled from his country’s 1994 genocide, now 63-year old Iradukunda Nyaruyonga, a Rwandese national had four teenage children whose education he thought had been prematurely ended by the civil war in the home country. Now, despite having grown up in a refugee camp, Nyaruyonga’s children are […]
Burundi Joins Other African States to Move Its Capital
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Remember Bujumbura? Once upon a time it was the political capital of Burundi. But no more! The Burundian government has just adopted a historic bill in which Gitega on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, becomes the political capital and Bujumbura the economic capital.
Smallholder Farmers in Africa Get Lifeline from EU
By Jeffrey Moyo MUREHWA, Zimbabwe (IDN) – Year after year since 2015, 56-year old Hapias Zindove has delivered hundreds of tonnes of soya beans to Zimbabwe’s Grain Marketing Board (GMB). With proceeds from soya beans, he – the father of seven children – has managed to send four of them to universities. “I have risen […]
Burgeoning Urban Population Will Decide the Future of Africa
Viewpoint by Henrik Maihack * NAIROBI (IDN-INPS) – In the next 25 years, Africa’s urban population is set to double. By 2040, the majority of Africans will be living in cities. There are numerous reasons for this: climate change, violent conflicts and the hope of finding work or education, although this list could easily be […]
Nobel Laureate Banerjee’s Prescription for Indian Economy
By Rohan Venkataramakrishnan, Scroll.in This article first appeared on Scroll.in on 14 October 2019. MUMBAI (IDN-INPS) – Abhijit Banerjee, the renowned economist who was one of three awarded the Nobel prize for economics on October 14, put together some prescriptions for what the Indian economy needs right now. The last item on the list? “Pray.” […]
Timing of Nobel Peace Prize for Ethiopian Leader Questioned
Viewpoint by Makeda Saba BRUSSELS (IDN) – On October 11, 2019, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace prize to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Dr Abiy Ahmed. He is the fourth African leader to be bestowed that honour after President Anwar Sadat in 1978; President FW de Klerk in 1993); and President […]
Uganda Outlaws Opposition Leader’s Trademark – The Red Beret
By Lisa Vives NEW YORK (IDN) – The Uganda government is taking action against the popular red beret, calling it official military clothing that could earn the wearer imprisonment for life. According to the new rule, the sale or wearing of any attire which resembles the army uniform is also banned. Prohibited items include side […]
Saudi Arabia Seeks to Enrich Uranium
By Shannon Bugos The writer is a Research Assistant at the Arms Control Association, where she contributes research and analysis, reports for Arms Control Today. WASHINGTON, DC (IDN-INPS) – Saudi Arabia intends to enrich uranium to fuel its planned nuclear power program, the country’s new energy minister said on September 9. The Saudi position could […]
What Modi-Xi Meeting Doesn’t Tell About the Sino-Indian Tango
Viewpoint by Manish Uprety* F.R.A.S. and Dr. Yiyong Liang NEW DELHI (IDN) – Informal meetings are a rarity between two formal regional powers, more so between two tea-drinking nations that comprise over 37% of the human population. The Modi-Xi informal meeting in Mamallapuram – a World Heritage Site in the south Indian state of Tamil […]
Foreign Policy Options for a New Administration in Sri Lanka
Viewpoint by Dr Palitha Kohona The writer is former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, and former Foreign Secretary.The following is based on a presentation made at the Annual Convention of the Organisation of Professional Associations. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and […]