Africa

Photo: Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov (right) welcoming Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali, Tiébilé Dramé (let), on June 10 in Moscow.

Russia, Mali to Strengthen Economic and Military Cooperation

By Kester Kenn Klomegah

MOSCOW (IDN) – As Russia and Mali prepare to mark their 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, Moscow has reaffirmed its unreserved preparedness to strengthen economic cooperation and provide support in bringing political stability to Mali and other African countries threatened by or gripped in conflicts.

"Over these decades, we have gained extensive positive experience, which we have agreed to actively use to promote cooperation in various areas on a mutually beneficial basis in the modern era," Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov said, welcoming Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali, Tiébilé Dramé, to a diplomatic meeting in Moscow.

: Kester Kenn Klomegah; THE WORLD; Africa; 16 June 2019

Photo: Women taking part in a demonstration to oppose sextortion in Dar es salaam in 2018. Credit: Edwin Mjwahuzi

African Governments Join Activists to Fight Sextortion

By Kizito Makoye

DAR ES SALAAM (IDN) – A poster bearing a message “Graduate with A’s not with AIDS” at the University of Dar es Salaam, tells a grim story of female students who offer sex to obtain higher grades.

“My teacher wanted to date me. When I refused his sexual advances, he retaliated by giving me poor grades,” says Helena (not her real name).

The 23-year-old law student, who has since experienced dismal performance in her studies, is increasingly worried about her academic future.

: Africa & ME Editor; THE WORLD; Africa; 12 June 2019

Photo: Cameroon opposition leader Maurice Kamto. Credit: journalducameroun.com

Growing Opposition to Cameroon President Paul Biya

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK | YAOUNDE (IDN) – Facing a growing pro-democracy movement, Cameroon is resorting to an old formula – namely unleashing government power in the form of threats, arrests and excessive force.

Hundreds of supporters of Maurice Kamto, leader of the opposition Cameroon Resistance Movement, have been filling the streets, demanding his release from detention but were detained themselves by security forces on June 8, 2019. According to his lawyer, Kamto could be charged with: insurrection, hostility against the homeland, criminal association, threats to public order, rebellion, group rebellion, and inciting insurrection.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 12 June 2019

Photo credit: Women Deliver 2019 Conference

Ghana’s President Stuns Women with Demeaning Remarks

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – In this day and age of “Me Too” shaking up outdated gender relationships around the world, it was somewhat unsettling to hear Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo demean his country’s working women as insufficiently activist and dynamic enough to obtain better leadership jobs.

Did he really say this at the Women Deliver 2019 Conference from June 3-6 at Vancouver attended by gender activists from around the world? Really?

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 11 June 2019

Photo: Sub-Saharan Africa: undemocratic regimes undermine anti-corruption efforts. Source: Transparency International

New President Feels the Heat of Trouble Brewing in Liberia

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK | MONROVIA (IDN) – Liberian President George Weah is having a few bad days. And more may be on their way. A citizen action group – the Council of Patriots (COP) – has a long list of demands covering governance, human rights and the rule of law, national peace and reconciliation, integrity and accountability, among others. The group has called on President Weah to part ways with some of his closed lieutenants they believe are not up to the task and may cause him more harm politically.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 11 June 2019

Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-19). Credit: Russian President's Website.

SDGs Offer Russia New Opportunities in Africa

By Kester Kenn Klomegah

MOSCOW (IDN) – The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-19) that brought together thousands of foreign delegates, including those from Africa, prioritized "sustainable development" as the key theme. It offered an opportunity to discuss in-depth the significance, challenges and prospects of sustainable development, and cooperation among state institutions and businesses as well as between countries in achieving the global development goals endorsed by world leaders in September 2015 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

: Kester Kenn Klomegah; THE WORLD; Russia; 10 June 2019

Photo: An electric vehicle and an antique car on display at a 1912 auto show in Toronto, Canada. Credit: William James. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

The Electric Vehicle Revolution Is Underway in Africa

By Giles Kirkland

An automotive expert and blogger, Giles Kirkland says he has a passion for new technologies.

LONDON (IDN) – In 2016, a businessman called Francis Romano imported an electric car Nissan Leaf to Nairobi, Kenya. However, the car was held up at the Customs for an intriguing reason: they had never seen an electric vehicle before! Fast-forward to today and Romano claims that the use of electric vehicles (EVs) has saved him a staggering 70 percent of fuel costs in his business.

: Europe Editor; THE WORLD; Africa; 07 June 2019

Photo: The writer. Credit: Orange Business Services

Why African Retailers Should Shift to Data-Driven Business

Viewpoint Toros Esim

The writer is Head of Digital Retail and Regional Director of Digital Strategy for the Middle East & Africa at Orange Business Services. Views expressed are the writer’s.

JOHANNESBURG (IDN) – In a continent the size of Africa, comprising more than 50 countries, it can be very tempting to make sweeping generalisations about the adoption of digital technologies, and the transformation of the retail sector across the continent. The potential scale of the opportunity cannot be ignored – the large and young population, emergence of a middle class, strong retail revenues and second fastest growing consumer region in world.

: Africa & ME Editor; OPINION; 07 June 2019

2019] Photo: Mariam Kassim Salum charging her phone on a solar equipment at Kizimkazi village in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Courtesy: Barefoot College

Female Solar Engineers Light Up Remote Villages in Zanzibar

By Kizito Makoye

KENDWA, Tanzania (IDN) – As darkness falls, Natasha Mahmood and her brother huddle around the weak flame of a paraffin lamp, rushing to finish their homework before their mother blows it out to save fuel.

“I often try to get it done early. But that’s not always the case. My teacher sometimes punishes me for failing to complete my work," says Mahmood, as a trail of smoke from the lamp rises into a corrugated roof smirched with soot.

: Africa & ME Editor; THE WORLD; Africa; 06 June 2019

Photo: Agricultural countryside in Kenya with surrounding hills of Kapsowar with Mt. Kipkinurr in background. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Kenya ‘Hanging at the Edge of a Debt Trap’

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – Lending institutions fear that Kenya’s foot may be stuck on the debt pedal with the latest loan of USD 750 million from the World Bank to be paid over 30 years. Several experts and players in the financial sector do not think all is well.

The Central Bank, which is the government’s banker, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) all say Kenya’s debt position is getting to dangerous levels and the country must engage a lower gear before it is too late.