NEWSBRIEFS

Photo: President Kagame meets Chinese President in Beijing. Credit: Paul Kagame's website.

African Critics Warn of Dark Side to China's ‘Charitable' Loans

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – There are two sides to every coin and two widely opposing views on China's offer of generous loans and grants to African countries announced at the recent China-Africa Cooperation Forum in Beijing.

At the conference, with representatives from 53 of 54 African countries, sky-high numbers were bandied about. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced $60 billion in funds for eight initiatives over the next three years, in areas ranging from industrial promotion, infrastructure construction and scholarships for young Africans.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 12 September 2018

South Africa Faced with Rising Suicides among Young and Old

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – South Africa’s rising suicide rate was in the spotlight as the World Health Organization marked World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10. 450 men take their lives every month with four out of five deaths being the result of suicide, according to the Men’s Foundation of South Africa.

Suicide is among others the visible end product of struggle, stress, mental illnesses or disorders.

In August, Professor Bongani Mayosi succumbed to the pressures of being one of the few Blacks at the mostly white University of Cape Town’s Department of Medicine and Groote Schuur Hospital, colleagues said.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 12 September 2018

Photo: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pose for members of the media with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his wife Margaret Kenyatta as they arrive at the White House, August 27, 2018, in Washington. Credit: U.S. Department of State.

Kenya Signs Deal with U.S. to Finance Wind Power

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) - Kenya has signed agreements with a U.S. wind energy company, providing a major boost for wind power and food security.

President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya said the 'Big Four agenda' projects – boosting manufacturing industry, promoting food security, providing affordable housing and universal healthcare coverage – present major opportunities for local and foreign investors.

The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and Kipeto Wind Energy Company signed documents to close a $232 million deal in financing the construction and operation of a 100-megawatt grid-connected wind power plant south of Nairobi.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 28 August 2018

Photo: #TheTotalShutdown organisers said they were seeking legal advice after they were instructed to hand themselves over to the police. Credit: Alaister Russel | Times Live, South Africa's news website.

South African Women March Against Gender-Based Violence

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK | PRETORIA (IDN) – Thousands of women and gender activists joined together on the first day of Women's Month to protest the rising incidence of gender-based violence across the country.

The movement's Brenda Madumise said the marchers, under the banner #TheTotalShutdown, were taking control of their destiny.

"We are saying that we had enough,” said Patience Mpani from the Center for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria. “We are dying every day and we cannot continue to live like this. It can't be business as usual in South Africa when women are dying every day."

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 07 August 2018

Photo: Brian Gitta (centre) has been named a finalist for the prestigious Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. Source: Daily Monitor, Uganda.

Young Ugandan Wins Major Prize For Malaria Detector

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – Ugandan inventor Brian Gitta, 24, has scooped a major prize for his device that detects tell-tale signs of malaria – the leading cause of death in his country.

In fact, Gitta developed the device, called “Matibabu” after blood tests failed to diagnose his own malaria. It took four blood tests to diagnose him with the disease, said Shafik Sekitto, part of the Matibabu team in an interview with the BBC.

"Matibabu is simply a game-changer," said Rebecca Enonchong, a judge for the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation and Cameroonian technology entrepreneur.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 20 June 2018

Photo: Ramon Esono Ebale María. Credit: ED Justice

Campaign Frees Famous Cartoonist In Equatorial Guinea Prison

By Lisa Vives

Global Information Network

NEW YORK (GIN) – If you’ve ever received a request to step up for a jailed author, artist or journalist, you might have wondered later: Was he ever freed?

In the case of Ramon Nse Esono Ebale – he certainly was and he thanks you.

In a moving letter published under the title “Artist, Finally Free, Leaves Country,” artist Ramon Esono Ebale confirms he was released after six months in prison on apparent false charges and then a three month wait for travel documents.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 12 June 2018

Photo: Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara. Credit: Togo Tribune.

Ivory Coast President's Agenda 2030 Evokes Protests

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YOK (IDN) - In a recent interview with a French magazine, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara revealed his vision of two more terms in office despite having repeatedly said he would step down at the end of his second term in 2020.

The news throws cold water on the plans of the opposition and even members of Ouattara’s own coalition who had been lining up to run for the powerful job.

But it’s hardly a surprising move in Africa, which is home to many of the world’s longest-ruling heads of state. A phenomenon which had its start under colonialism has taken a life of its own. The trend of entrenched leadership can be seen across the continent, feeding corruption, instability, societal fractures and economic stagnation.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 05 June 2018

Photo: Cyril Ramaphosa (L) and Jacob Zuma before his ouster. Credit: Face2FaceAfrica

Infighting Delays a ‘New Dawn’ in South Africa

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – South Africa’s former leader Jacob Zuma is among those said to be impeding efforts by his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to create a “new dawn” for citizens and foreign investors – free of corruption and cronyism which became associated with the Zuma regime.

Zuma was ousted as president of South Africa three months ago. It was a humiliating end to his nine-year rule. Now Zuma’s shadow is looming large over the Ramaphosa era as his allies launch a fight back within the ANC."There is bad blood there, and Zuma is feeling betrayed – it is an open secret," political analyst Somadoda Fikeni from the UNISA university in Pretoria told the French news service.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 05 June 2018

Photo: Families of massacre victims, in Kumasi Ghana, April 2018. © 2018 Reed Brody/HRW

Gambia Ex-President Tied to 2005 Murders of Refugees

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK | ACCRA (IDN) – Strong evidence has been gathered linking the former president of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, to the murder of 44 West African migrants mostly from Ghana by operatives of the ex-president.

The sole survivor of the mass killing, also from Ghana, promised himself not to rest until Jammeh was brought to justice. ''It is my mission, on behalf of my friends, we want justice,'' Martin Kyere, now age 37, told the BBC.

Kyere was selling shoes in Ghana and the Ivory Coast when he decided to use his savings to travel to Senegal and then to Europe. His plan fell apart when the boat used by migrants ran out of fuel and beached in the Gambia. The group was arrested, detained for a week in Banjul and beaten.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 29 May 2018

Photo: Rwandan President Kagame with the President of Niger and Champion of the CFTA Process, Mahamadou Issoufou, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat. Credit: The New Times Rwanda.

Me Too Movement Challenges African Halls Of Power

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK | JOHANNESBURG (IDN) – A promised investigation into gender discrimination at the African Union appears to be idling on the back burner, according to the South African Mail & Guardian.

Some 37 women employees at the African Union Commission (AUC) have complained of “ill-treatment and humiliation”, investigators at the South African paper found.

The women, who work at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, appealed to Moussa Faki Mahamat, the new AUC chair, and Rwanda President Paul Kagame, the AU chair, in a signed letter obtained by the paper.