African policymakers, business leaders, and development institutions have renewed calls for visa-free travel across the continent, describing the free movement of people as essential to unlocking Africa’s economic transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The call was reinforced at a High-Level Symposium on Advancing a Visa-Free Africa for Economic Prosperity, co-convened by…
Addis Ababa — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has described the Victory of Adwa as the day “the sun broke through a sky that had been dark for all of Africa and Black people,” underscoring its historic and symbolic significance. In a message shared on his social media channels to mark the 130th anniversary of the…
Rwanda Slams ‘Biased’ U.S. Sanctions on Military Chiefs The Rwandan government rejected sanctions imposed by the United States Department of the Treasury on the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and four senior commanders. They argued that the move was “targeting only one party” to the Washington Accords and a misrepresentation of the conflict in eastern DR…
Determined to reduce reliance on imported medicines and better prepare for future pandemics, East Africa is strengthening regional collaboration to boost health security and accelerate local production of vaccines and other critical health products. Regional health leaders, policymakers, academics, and industry representatives convened in Kigali on February 25-26 for the Conference of Partners of the…
Conduct Prompt and Thorough Investigation; Ensure Accountability Two unknown assailants shot and killed housing rights activist Zweli ‘Khabazela’ Mkhize on February 12. Treasurer of the eNkanini branch of Abahlali baseMjondolo, a shack dwellers’ movement that has faced significant threats and violence from both state and non-state actors, Mkhize was killed while visiting a friend near…
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe — Your morning cup of coffee could soon cost more, thanks to climate change, which is raising the heat on the production of the world’s most loved beverage. Increased episodes of high heat in top coffee-growing regions of the world are affecting the production of coffee, leading to low harvests and high prices…
Moscow is less welcome than other powers, but many Africans are still making up their minds. Key findings On average across 38 countries, 36% of respondents say Russia’s economic and political influence on their country is “somewhat positive” or “very positive,” while 23% say it is somewhat or very negative. But a plurality (42%) do…
On Friday the General Assembly was briefed on the latest developments of the UN80 Initiative – a system-wide reform effort to make the organisation more effective and fit for the future – including progress on the New Humanitarian Compact and on training and research reforms. Teams under the leadership of UN Secretary-General António Guterres have…
The gut bacterium Bacteroides fragilis has long presented researchers with a paradox. It has been associated with colorectal cancer, yet it also lives quite happily in most healthy people. A new study from a Danish research team offers a possible clue. When they looked beyond the bacterium itself and into its genome, they found a…
Football’s lawmakers on Saturday backed a review to bring in rules to stop players walking off the pitch if they disagree with a referee’s decision and also covering their mouth when confronting opponents during matches. The International Football Association Board’s (Ifab) move follows the chaotic denouement to the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of…
