South Sudan braces for permanent mass displacement due to climate change as Lake Victoria overflows
Around 2.6 million people were displaced in South Sudan between 2020 and 2022 alone, a result of both conflict and violence (1 million) and flooding (1.5 million). In practice, the two are interlinked, as flooding has caused displaced herders to come into conflict with resident farmers over land.
Tree of life: Why African baobab is a ‘superfood’ consumers in US and Europe are jostling for
The global market for baobab products has spiked, turning rural African areas with an abundance of the trees into source markets. The trees, known for surviving even under severe conditions like drought or fire, need more than 20 years to start producing fruit and aren’t cultivated but foraged.
Nigerians resort to fortified bouillon to cut steep rise in malnutrition as Africa grapples with climate-enforced hunger
If public health advocates and the Nigerian government have their way, malnourished households in the West African nation soon will have a simple ingredient available to improve their intake of key vitamins and minerals. Government regulators on September 17 are launching a code of standards for adding iron, zinc, folic acid and vitamin B12 to bouillon cubes at minimum levels recommended by experts.
How Kenyan church named Good News presided over cult massacre that haunts survivors
Many of Africa’s evangelical churches are run like sole proprietorships, without the guidance of trustee boards or laity. Pastors are often unaccountable, deriving authority from their perceived ability to perform miracles or make prophecies. Some, like Mackenzie, can seem all-powerful.
Why mistrust between warring communities creates an arms race among pastoralists in Kenya
Free movement across the rangelands is central to both the local economy and the pastoral lifestyle. But the creation of county borders following devolution in 2013 has interrupted that mobility and led to boundary disputes – particularly in areas with abundant grazing land, water and minerals, with communities vying for control.
Kenya’s security paradox: Sandwiched between bandit communities citizens in the north query deployment of elite police to Haiti
The North Rift region is made up of five counties: Turkana, Baringo, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot. It’s known for its beautiful rugged terrain, arid landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Pastoralist communities – including the Turkana, Pokot, and Samburu – dominate the region.
Chadian women defy discrimination, violence to assert their rights to own and control land
Village chief Marie Djetoyom, a woman in the hereditary role, said that she was afraid to take action and risk being imprisoned in retaliation. She asserted that she must act within the customary land laws. Despite the lack of support from traditional leaders and local authorities, women in the village of around 120 people have found strength in the collective.
Flowers of Good: Brazilian women spearhead campaign for medical marijuana for sick children
In drugstores, a 30 millilitre bottle (1 fluid ounce) of the CBD that Murillo’s paediatrician prescribed for his condition costs as much as 900 reais ($180) – more than half Silva’s monthly wages as an office assistant. Since June, she has spent zero on Murillo’s CBD medication. Twice a day, she drips the oil into the boy’s mouth and each bottle lasts about 45 days.
Domino effect of 10 million uprooted Sudanese ricochets far and wide as host families are stripped savings, privacy
Host families interviewed said they are sheltering people out of a sense of comradeship, and because of a desire to help ameliorate the vast humanitarian disaster and famine that now threatens millions of lives.
Nigerian cows crossing: Give way, herders are grazing their animals to ease gravity of climate change
Fulani herders like Abubakar are traditionally nomadic and dominate West Africa’s cattle industry. They normally rely on wild countryside to graze their cattle with free pasture, but the pressures of modernisation, the need for land for housing and crop farming and human-caused climate change are challenging their way of life. To keep cattle off of Abuja’s major roads and gardens, some suggest that herders need to start acquiring private land and operating like other businesses. But to do that, they’d need money and government incentives.
