Africa.com

Truly honored to have interviewed the first female President of Ethiopia, Her Excellency Sahle-Work Zewde. An inspiring leader who raised two boys as a single mom and went on to lead her country in a culture with very traditional values. And a very kind person.

Kenya’s High Court Halts Deputy President Gachagua’s Replacement Following Impeachment Kenya’s High Court has issued a temporary order to prevent the replacement of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, just after the nation’s parliament and senate approved Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as his successor. Gachagua was impeached on five out of eleven charges, including gross constitutional violations. However, he was unable to defend himself due to hospitalization from chest pains. His lawyers argued that the allegations were unfounded and lacked supporting evidence, leading to the court’s intervention. The case will be reviewed by a full bench on October 24, with Chief Justice Martha Koome overseeing the proceedings. The court’s ruling also prohibits President William Ruto from nominating a new deputy until Gachagua’s case is resolved, adding further complexity to Kenya’s political landscape amid ongoing tensions and disputes within the government.

Global Consortium Targets Nigeria’s Power Woes with Renewable Energy Solutions Nigeria’s power sector may see improvements as the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), backed by the Rockefeller Foundation, Bezos Earth Fund, and Ikea Foundation, launches efforts to fix the country’s energy crisis. Nigeria, home to 86 million people without access to electricity, faces persistent power outages, worsened by outdated equipment and an underperforming national grid. GEAPP aims to build pilot solar mini-grids in the 11 power distribution regions across the country. The consortium has already built a one-megawatt grid in Ogun State that will provide 24-hour electricity to the local community rather than eight hours from the electricity distributor. With World Bank support, the project seeks to roll out 10 gigawatts of mini-grids, helping Nigeria overcome its energy poverty. Via its Demand Aggregation for Renewable Technology (DART) program, GEAPP aims to reduce solar equipment costs for developers by combining their needs. It also supports developers through a $25 million financing facility.

WHO Certifies Egypt Malaria-free After Nearly 100 Years of Efforts Egypt has been officially certified as malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) after nearly 100 years of efforts to eliminate the deadly mosquito-borne disease. This certification, granted after Egypt recorded no malaria transmission for three consecutive years, is a significant milestone in global health. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the achievement “truly historic,” noting that malaria, which plagued Egypt for millennia, is now relegated to the annals of history. Egypt becomes the third country in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region to achieve this status, joining the UAE and Morocco. However, the WHO cautioned that Egypt must remain vigilant to prevent a resurgence of malaria, which still claims over 600,000 lives annually, mostly in Africa. Egypt’s fight against the disease began in the 1920s, when it enacted measures to reduce human-mosquito contact, such as banning rice cultivation near homes.

UN Envoy Proposes Dividing Territory to End Western Sahara Dispute The UN’s envoy to Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, has proposed partitioning Western Sahara as a potential solution to the decades-long conflict between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front. His suggestion, presented to the UN Security Council, involves dividing the territory, allowing for both Moroccan sovereignty in the north and an independent state in the south. Although some countries involved in the issue expressed interest, both Morocco and Polisario have shown no willingness to explore the option. The Polisario insists on a referendum for self-determination, while Morocco refuses to negotiate on its sovereignty over the region. The UN has been mediating the dispute since the 1970s and helped negotiate a ceasefire agreement in 1991 with the eventual goal of holding a referendum. However, the peace process has since stalled, with both sides engaging in low-intensity hostilities amid questions over the UN’s ability to resolve the situation.

Nigeria Boosts Oil Output as Crackdown on Theft Intensifies Nigeria’s efforts to curb crude oil theft, which has intensified in recent months, has led to a 16.7% rise in oil production over the past year. According to the nation’s officials, Operation Delta Safe, led by commanders Jamal Abdussalam and Ali Idris, has shut down illegal refineries, seized millions of liters of stolen oil, and made several arrests. The operation, aided by new helicopters, aircraft, and surveillance technology, has bolstered security in oil-producing regions. The West African country loses millions of dollars to oil theft annually, with its Senate estimating that it lost $23 million daily in 2022 and $1.43 billion in March 2023 alone. With a production goal of 1.7 million barrels per day this year, authorities aim to build on recent successes and further reduce losses. However, challenges like difficult terrain and limited community engagement persist.

Senegal’s Leaders Set Fashion Trends with ‘Tradi-modern’ Style Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko have sparked a fashion movement with their “tradi-modern” style, blending traditional Senegalese attire with modern aesthetics. This style, popular across urban centers in Senegal for the past decade, has influenced young Senegalese professionals who wear these outfits in offices, bars, and even mosques. The “tradi-modern” look, epitomized by garments like the “demi-saison,” features hybrid designs incorporating elements of classic boubou attire, European cufflinks, and African fabrics. Key Senegalese brands, including Owens and Keyfa, are at the forefront of this trend, emphasizing the “Made in Senegal” narrative despite the country’s reliance on imported fabrics. With a growing global recognition of Senegalese craftsmanship, fashion brands are expanding beyond Senegal, catering to clients across Africa. Social media has been key to promoting this style, solidifying its place in modern African fashion.

Sudanese Army Announces Defection of Senior Rapid Support Forces Commander The Sudanese army has reported that a senior commander from the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has defected, marking the first such move since fighting erupted between the two sides over 18 months ago. Abuagla Keikal, previously an army officer and the RSF’s top commander in El Gezira state, reportedly switched sides along with some of his troops. Following the army’s announcement, the RSF accused Keikal of defecting due to a “deal” and claimed to have inflicted losses on his defectors. However, the army said that Keikal defected because of the RSF’s “destructive agenda.” The conflict, which began in April 2023 over power struggles between the RSF and the army, has resulted in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, displacing over 10 million people and driving many to extreme hunger or famine.

Emmanuel Khisa Leads Africa’s Digital Public Infrastructure Revolution, With Zambia Paving the Way In recent years, a plethora of issues, including rising energy and food costs, climate change, and poor governance, have led to a worsening of Africa’s debt. For instance, Zambia declared bankruptcy during the COVID-19 pandemic after it failed to meet its debt payments. Another country, Ghana, almost went bankrupt in 2022 but was able to avoid it by suspending debt payments. Both nations are negotiating debt restructuring with international creditors, including China, Africa’s largest lender. Meanwhile, other countries are negotiating debt restructuring with the World Bank, the IMF, and other financial institutions to avoid being in a similar situation. However, conflicting interests between China and Western countries complicate debt relief efforts. A recent study recommends a shift in international debt relief policies, supported by the West and China, to resolve Africa’s debt crisis. Also, the World Bank and the IMF have urged reforms to better integrate African nations into global financial systems.

Mozambique Opposition Figures Shot Dead as Vote-rigging Allegations Fuel Protests Two Mozambique opposition officials, lawyer Elvino Dias and Podemos party representative Paulo Guambe, were shot and killed by unidentified assailants in Maputo, the nation’s capital, sparking heightened tensions ahead of election protests. The murders occurred as the country awaited the final results of the disputed October 9 election, which Podemos and other opposition groups claim was rigged in favor of the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo). Western observers have also raised concerns about the polls, citing reports of vote-buying, intimidation, and inflated voter rolls in Frelimo strongholds. According to the latest election tally, Frelimo’s candidate is leading in all of the country’s 11 provinces, with final results to be announced on October 24. The killings, which are seen as politically motivated, have since been denounced by several groups, including Mozambique’s Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD).