Africa

Photo: Adrianne Vlok, Minister of Law in Apartheid regime. Credit: SABC

South African Apartheid-Era Minister Who Sought Amnesty Dies

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK | PRETORIA (IDN) — There were many heartless, soulless, violent men and women who defended apartheid during the years of racist white rule in South Africa. Some held government jobs, some were brutal enforcers of law, some gave quiet approval as tens of thousands of Blacks were detained, locked up without trial, deprived of their lands, their rights and finally their lives.

But one man was the “face of evil”, according to many who lived during those times. His name was Adriaan Vlok.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 09 January 2023

Photo: Protests in the streets of Accra against surge in inflation. File photo courtesy of Nipah Dennis/AFP.

Ghana Seeks IMF Bailout As Inflation Soars

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK | KAMPALA (IDN) — For years, few expected a financial crisis in Ghana, much less to see Ghana become a debtor nation like some of its more troubled neighbors in West Africa.

“Ghana is a major cocoa and gold exporter, so why is the West African nation battling its worst economic crisis in decades?” asked Kent Mensah, a journalist.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 02 January 2023

Photo: Kampala Shopping Mall before the fireworks display. Source: The Star.

New Year’s Tragedy at Uganda Mall Takes Nine Lives

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK | KAMPALA (IDN) — A poorly designed shopping mall in Kampala, Uganda, according to visitors, was a disaster waiting to happen.

On New Year’s Eve, that disaster became every parent’s nightmare. After fireworks were exploded outside the Freedom City Mall, families moved towards narrow corridors to exit—and the crowd became a crush separating children from their parents. Nine people died, mostly between 10 and 20 years of age.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 02 January 2023

Photo: Shell spills in Nigeria. Source: Global Information Network

Dutch Court Upholds $15 Million Payout to Nigerian Communities

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK | AMSTERDAM (IDN) — A Dutch court has upheld a payout to residents of the Niger Delta of US$15.9 million for oil spills that contaminated land and waterways in three communities.

In the case brought by Friends of the Earth, Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary was found to be responsible for the spills that occurred between 2004 and 2007.

The payout will benefit the communities of Oruma, Goi and Ikot Ada Udo that were impacted by the four spills.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 02 January 2023

Photo: Major General Lucky Irabor, Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff. Credit: Twitter/@BashirAhmaad

Nigerian Military Performed "Forcible Abortions on Thousands"

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — U.S. security assistance and cooperation programs with Nigeria are facing a review after an investigation by a Reuters news team found evidence of a secret illegal abortion program carried out by the Nigerian military during its war against an insurgency in the largely Muslim northeast since at least 2013.

It was estimated that thousands of illegal abortions were carried out by soldiers in the belief that the women had been kidnapped and raped by the militants.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 28 December 2022

Photo: A photo shared on Twitter by the US Embassy in Zambia on April 27 shows Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema flanked by Brigadier General Peter Bailey (R) and US Embassy Zambia Chargé d'Affaires Martin Dale. The US Embassy was announcing its Africa Command had established an Office of Strategic Cooperation in Zambia. Credit: US Embassy in Zambia.

Zambian Leader Cancels Death Penalty but Welcomes A US Base

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema recently announced on his Facebook page that he officially abolished both the death penalty and the offence of criminal defamation of the president.

The Penal Code of 2022 repeals the mandatory death sentence in the absence of extenuating circumstances. The provisions of Section 69, which pertain to criminal defamation of the president, have also been repealed.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 27 December 2022

Photo: Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Source: Global Information Network

Only Three Africans on Forbes List of 100 Most Powerful Women

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is the current Director General of the World Trade Organization, and Nigerian media mogul Mosunmola Abudu are the only African women featured in the list of the World’s Most Powerful 100 Women by Forbes.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the top-ranked African woman at position 91. The Director-General of the World Trade Organization since March 2021, she is the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization as Director-General.

: Global Information Network; SUSTAINABILITY; Gender Equality; 27 December 2022

Photo: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Source: The Conversation | GCIS/Flickr

Ramaphosa To Lead ANC For Second Term but Faces Stiff Headwinds

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — President Cyril Ramaphosa sailed over an impeachment inquiry this past week but faced a seriously divided party at the recent National Convention of the African National Conference, nearly upending his victory race for ANC party leader and ultimately President for a second term.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 19 December 2022

Photo: US President Biden with the Liberian leader. Source: Front Page Africa.

'We-Are-Suffering'-Rally in Monrovia While Biden Hosts Liberian Leader

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — Confronting soaring prices and shortages of basic goods, Liberians held a "We are Suffering" rally in Monrovia while the president, George Weah, comfortably watched the 2022 World Cup at the White House.

The Monrovia protest was organized by opposition leader Alexander Cummings and drew several hundred people.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 19 December 2022

Military Spending a Non-Issue at the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — Africa had a centre stage at a U.S.-based summit this month for what leaders hope will be more than a brief moment and whose achievements will be more than talk.

The U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit opened on December 13 with a full plate of critical topics—from the environment to public health, democratic governance and security.