As Haitian PM Henry visited Kenya and US pushed for police mission, sceptical Haitians were seeking to rebuild their country

As Haitian PM Henry visited Kenya and US pushed for police mission, sceptical Haitians were seeking to rebuild their country

Since 400 Mawozo opened fire on a public minibus on February 18, killing 10 people in one of a string of recent attacks, buses have been unable to pass, and Lafontant Chipps is now waiting impatiently for the route to reopen.

Read more
War architecture: How robots are fighting robots in Russia’s war in Ukraine

War architecture: How robots are fighting robots in Russia’s war in Ukraine

Videos produced by Ukrainian and Russian soldiers show the drones, which are often first-person view (FPV) drones, being used to attack tanks and troops. As the war has raged on, another kind of robot has increasingly appeared in recent months: the unmanned ground vehicle or UGV.

Read more
Why Idi Amin wanted to annex western Kenya: Luhyia kingdom belonged to a slew of organised royals in East Africa that included Busoga and Buganda

Why Idi Amin wanted to annex western Kenya: Luhyia kingdom belonged to a slew of organised royals in East Africa that included Busoga and Buganda

The political infighting you describe among the Basoga is similar to what I see among the Luhyia of Kenya. They provide the ladder for others to ascend to power. Then there is the Busoga gold. Only Kakamega AND Busoga geologically belong to the same rock system. It extends into the DRC. My innocent and unqualified observation is that it is not coincidental that people in these parts of East Africa are choreographed – via scatter and rule – to be subservient to power or political wielders of power in their respective countries.

Read more
After two daughters joined Islamic State they had no idea their family story would vie for an Oscar award

After two daughters joined Islamic State they had no idea their family story would vie for an Oscar award

The real-life story of Hamrouni and her children is the focus of “Four Daughters,” an Academy Award nominee for best documentary feature film. On camera, there are many layers to Kaouther Ben Hania’s film: It’s about the radicalisation of two teenage girls; an intimate portrait of a chaotic and often dysfunctional family life; and reflections on generational trauma, patriarchy, motherhood and adolescence.

Read more
Investigation: In Ethiopia, a secret committee retained by PM Abiy Ahmed orders killings and arrest of rivals

Investigation: In Ethiopia, a secret committee retained by PM Abiy Ahmed orders killings and arrest of rivals

During Haile Selassie’s four-decade rule last century, the emperor created a network of spies known colloquially as the “joro tabi,” or listeners, to hunt his opponents. The communist Derg military junta that toppled Selassie in 1974 set up a vast new security system to eliminate threats to the regime.

Read more
US censorship: First Amendment must keep pace with ‘the rise of behemoth social media platforms’

US censorship: First Amendment must keep pace with ‘the rise of behemoth social media platforms’

An amicus brief is filed by non-parties to a lawsuit to provide information that has a bearing on the issues and to assist the court in reaching the correct decision.

Read more
Despite spirited push to incentivise local sugarcane growing, farmers in western Kenya are ditching the ‘lazy man’s’ crop for coffee

Despite spirited push to incentivise local sugarcane growing, farmers in western Kenya are ditching the ‘lazy man’s’ crop for coffee

Despite the government in the past two years trying to assuage sugarcane farmers by paying them for raw material deliveries that been pending for years, continued interest and investment in “lazy man’s crop” – as sugar cane is derided by agricultural experts and economists – has waned significantly in the sugar-belt.

Read more
How arbitrary tax led to rise of Mobondo militia that is killing Teke tribesmen in western Congo

How arbitrary tax led to rise of Mobondo militia that is killing Teke tribesmen in western Congo

Teke people own much of the land in Kwamouth. Communities from neighbouring provinces – who are considered “non-native” – have historically provided agricultural labour. Some have also settled on the land as farmers, and are taxed in-kind by Teke customary chiefs.

Read more
How $170,000 factory converted banana, potato farming from subsistence into commercial enterprise in western Kenya

How $170,000 factory converted banana, potato farming from subsistence into commercial enterprise in western Kenya

Now, as Kenya looks to be food secure, harvesting and drying up perishables such as bananas and potatoes (Irish and sweet) is expected to give such foods a longer shelf life, besides diversification.

Read more
How negligent regimes turned Uruguay into a narcotics paradise ruled by ruthless gangs

How negligent regimes turned Uruguay into a narcotics paradise ruled by ruthless gangs

European nations, which receive the bulk of the cocaine passing through Uruguay, also have a limited counter-narcotics presence here. Spain is the only European country with a permanent police attaché in Montevideo.

Read more