In Africa’s first ‘safe city’ surveillance reigns but crime levels are rising as CCTV cameras don’t work

In Africa’s first ‘safe city’ surveillance reigns but crime levels are rising as CCTV cameras don’t work

Nairobi launched its massive traffic surveillance system in 2014 as the country was grappling with a terrorism crisis. A series of major attacks by al-Shabab militants, including the September 2013 attack at Nairobi’s Westgate shopping complex in which 67 people were killed, left the city reeling and politicians under extreme pressure to implement solutions. A modern, digitized surveillance system became a national security priority. And the Chinese tech hardware giant Huawei was there to provide it.

Read more
Somaliland war drums: AU urge restraint between Somalia and Ethiopia as EAC meets in Uganda

Somaliland war drums: AU urge restraint between Somalia and Ethiopia as EAC meets in Uganda

The East African trade bloc Igad said last week it will meet January 18 in Uganda to discuss the tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia. Somaliland, a territory of about 4.5 million people, has been on a quest for formal statehood for more than three decades, but it remains unrecognized globally, leaving it poor and isolated.

Read more
Kenya cult leader charged with terrorism-related crimes in starvation deaths

Kenya cult leader charged with terrorism-related crimes in starvation deaths

A judge in a different court, in the coastal town of Malindi, ordered on Wednesday that Mackenzie and 30 of his associates be taken for mental health evaluations before being charged with murder in connection with 191 of the deaths.

Read more
Hopes of Kenya tapping into bond market knocked back by IMF’s concern the country ‘is at a high risk of debt distress’

Hopes of Kenya tapping into bond market knocked back by IMF’s concern the country ‘is at a high risk of debt distress’

Rising social discontent, mainly driven by the high cost of living, was further compounding the challenges which also include underperforming revenue collection, the IMF said.

Read more
Unperturbed Israel scoffs at harsh Israeli rhetoric claim that’s central to South Africa’s genocide case

Unperturbed Israel scoffs at harsh Israeli rhetoric claim that’s central to South Africa’s genocide case

The genocide case against Israel opened last week at the International Court of Justice at The Hague. South Africa is looking to prove that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and that Israel has specific intent to commit genocide. It is using the litany of harsh statements as part of the evidence in its case.

Read more
Trump’s campaign like no other: He’s in courtroom in the morning, courting voters in the evening

Trump’s campaign like no other: He’s in courtroom in the morning, courting voters in the evening

Trump and his campaign are keenly aware of the publicity and sympathy his court appearances can generate with his loyal base of supporters while he attempts to stave off challenges from Republican rivals Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis.

Read more
South African case against Israel is an example of activist foreign policy that’s ignored Russia’s crimes in Ukraine

South African case against Israel is an example of activist foreign policy that’s ignored Russia’s crimes in Ukraine

Having taken up the cause of Palestinians in Gaza, South Africa could come under pressure to take up the causes of other groups whose human rights are trampled upon, and which could face genocide. If South Africa really wants to pursue an activist foreign policy, it has to be all-embracing, as no just cause can be neglected. There is no sign that it is prepared to do so.

Read more