‘Tigrayan rebels didn’t differentiate between farmers and trained fighters, they simply massacred’
Tigrayan rebel forces have called for an immediate ceasefire after withdrawing from towns across the Amhara and Afar regions amid a government offensive that has dramatically shifted the balance of Ethiopia’s devastating 13-month conflict. In a letter sent yesterday to the UN secretary-general, Tigray’s president Debretsion Gebremichael said he has...
Reviving Sudan’s moribund economy is PM Hamdok’s primary goal, but winning over donors is a major challenge
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s administration is struggling with a mountainous in-tray of problems inherited from the 30-year rule of al-Bashir. Behind the scenes, the military resisted moves to hold them accountable for the deaths of civilian protesters, and the equally sensitive matter of liquidating the network of opaque business activities...
Sudan’s guardians of revolution speak for ‘voice of the streets’ to push for pro-poor economic agenda
Mass demonstrations are expected in Sudan this weekend, on the third anniversary of the country’s revolution, in a new test of strength between pro-democracy activists and the military, whose coup in October toppled the country’s fragile transitional government. Neighbourhood-based resistance committees are, once again, playing a key role in mobilising...
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta’s frequent rifts with players of African origin points to inherent racism he’s hiding
Does Mikel Arteta a problem with players of African origin? When the Gunners’ boss arrived at the Emirates nearly two years, Arsenal strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette had formed a partnership that carried Arsenal through a tur Bulent phase. Their goal celebration suggested an understanding on and off the...
Analysis: UN mission’s drawdown in Congo should be alive to security and civilian protection concerns
The UN Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the world body’s peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo during discussions later this month in New York. But as the mission – known by its French acronym Monusco – makes plans to draw down and eventually exit...
She’s poised to unseat Benin President Talon, then Reckya Madougou was jailed for financing terrorism
She would have been the first female presidential candidate for a major political party in Benin, where analysts predicted she had the best shot at dethroning the incumbent strongman. But the historic bid of Reckya Madougou, former justice minister in the West African nation, ended abruptly in March when security...
Mikel Arteta’s three-man shortlist for Arsenal captaincy after new leaders emerge
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could have the skipper’s armband taken off him after he was left out of Arsenal’s squad against Southampton due to a disciplinary breach. Mikel Arteta has three obvious candidates to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Arsenal captain. The Athletic claims the striker was given permission to fly abroad for...
Summit for Democracy: Paradox of US President Biden ‘teaching’ Africa sanctity of the ballot
As the Biden administration prepares for its virtual Summit for Democracy this week, and looks ahead to host the second African Leaders Summit in 2022, one of the fundamental challenges for US policy will be how to advance the agenda of the African people, without contributing to the inertia of...
Sigh of relief as preliminary indications show Omicron may not be a pneumonic and severe disease
While researchers are warning that it might be too early to tell, doctors are seeing a significantly different clinical profile in their patients admitted for Covid in Tshwane hospitals – giving preliminary and early indications of less Covid pneumonia and less severe disease. Tshwane is significant as it is the...
Arsenal legends revel in chance for Gunners to make ‘statement of intent’ against Man United
Former Arsenal strikers Ian Wright and Thierry Henry have warned the Gunners about a possible “new manager bounce” when they face Manchester United and fears his former club could get blown away if “main guy” Thomas Partey is stopped. Henry qualified his views with a call to the Gunners to...
