By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — You’ve hailed an Uber, waved down a taxi—now a Nigerian start-up will take you to the next level. Their company—Plentywaka—will let you call a bus. Founder Onyeka Akumah and his team are planning to make their international debut in the Canadian market after recently receiving […]
Economic and Social Development of the African Continent — A Russian Perspective
Kester Kenn Klomegah* interviews Prof. Ksenia Tabarintseva-Romanova and Prof Alexei Antoshin MOSCOW (IDN) — After the Soviet collapse, Russia has maintained strong and time-tested relations with African countries, particularly as the Soviet Union had played an important role during decolonization. The African continent comprises a diverse collection of countries, each with its own set of […]
Two Years On: Geopolitics of The 2019 Easter Sunday Crime in Sri Lanka and Cover-Up
The Weaponization of Religion Amid Hybrid Cold War in The Indian Ocean Region Viewpoint by Darini Rajasingham-Senanayake The writer is a cultural and medical anthropologist with research expertise in international political economy, peace, and development studies in South and South-East Asia. Her research spans issues in gender and women’s empowerment, migration and multiculturalism, ethno-religious identity […]
UN Chief Calls for Reflecting on Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — In a message marking the grim anniversary of the 1994 genocide of Tutsi in Rwanda, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the rise of extremist groups and the inflammatory rhetoric that produced horrific consequences. “Everyone must take a hard look at today’s world and ensure […]
Key Opposition Leaders Disqualified, Exiled or Under Investigation In Benin’s Presidential Poll
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore…and then run?” Those were the prophetic words of poet Langston Hughes but they could also explain the rising frustration in an African election season […]
Discussion About the Repatriation of Nigeria’s ‘Benin Bronzes’ Looted by British Soldiers
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — The Church of England is joining a handful of museums, universities, and private owners exploring the repatriation to Nigeria of thousands of brass plaques, wooden and ivory sculptures known as the Benin Bronzes looted by British soldiers in the waning days of the colonial era.
Sudan Declines Ethiopian Proposal for Data Sharing on Dam Filling
By Sudan Tribune KHARTOUM (IDN) — Sudan has declined an Ethiopian offer to share data on the second filling of a giant dam before reaching a legally binding agreement. Egypt has adopted a similar position. Ethiopia’s foreign ministry on April 9 said it has formally requested Sudan and Egypt to “nominate dam operators to exchange […]
Experts Urge US to End Military Solutions for African Problems
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 […]
‘Human Rights’ and Ecological Crisis in Sri Lanka
Viewpoint by Dr Asoka Bandarage The writer, a scholar and practitioner, has taught at Yale, Brandeis, Mount Holyoke (where she received tenure), Georgetown, American and other universities and colleges in the U.S. and abroad COLOMBO (IDN) — The recent UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution A/HRC/46/L.1/Rev.1 of March 16 has brought extensive charges against Sri […]
China’s Growing Network of Ultra-High Voltage Power Lines Has Hit Its Fair Share of Snags — Part Two
Please click here for Part One of this article. By Ye Ruolin and Yuan Ye * SHANGHAI (IDN | China Dialogue) — The Hunanese experience and other cases demonstrate how this vision may prove difficult to realise. The Baihetan dam, currently under construction on the Jinsha River straddling the border of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, […]