It is important to understand the significance of a rating of “junk” for South Africa. The global financial markets, especially the credit market, depend heavily on statistical rating organizations. The Big Three credit rating agencies — S&P, Moody’s and Fitch — have dominated the market for years. They provide liquidity in the credit market by giving their stamp of approval… Read more »
Jacob Zuma danced and joked at his party in Johannesburg on Wednesday, but his 75th birthday was not a happy one. Tens of thousands of South Africans were protesting against the president again, days after crowds took to the streets in the biggest anti-government demonstrations since
Those who have the condition of albinism in Malawi are living in fear because criminals attack and kill them, hoping to sell their bones on the black market because they are believed to have magical powers. As I read this article and another one that described first hand stories I felt sickened and still do. I can not comprehend why… Read more »
United Nations investigators have found 17 new mass graves in the Democratic Republic of Congo , in an area that has seen fighting between soldiers and members of a local armed group, according to the UN rights chief. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN high commissioner for human rights, called the DRC’s government to launch an investigation, threatening that the… Read more »
Nigeria is one of the largest oil producers in the world. It is also one of the world’s most corrupt countries. Most of its population of more than 160 million see little of that wealth. Many are on the verge of starvation. It is different for those at the top, however, and many are accused of stealing billions of dollars… Read more »
Malawi’s refusal to push forward with prosecuting suspects accused of attacking and killing people with albinism has left a persecuted minority on the edge, according to the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM). Boniface Massah, national coordinator of APAM, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday that the government’s failure to conclude cases demonstrates that “security has not improved”, leaving… Read more »
The UN human rights chief has condemned a “campaign of terror” by government-backed militia in Burundi who are calling for the rape and murder of members of the opposition.
I found it interesting and alarming that people are going to the extreme of bleaching their skin. While I understand that President Omar al-Bashir has an economic incentive to undergo “Arabisation”, he is in a very tough situation because of the diversity and differing interests of his population.
The dynamics of the global economy are shifting apace. With uncertainty in developed markets such as the UK, the US and Europe, many brands are looking beyond their traditional customer bases in search of new opportunities and sources of growth. Africa, the world’s poorest continent but also the most untapped by consumer brands, looks set to benefit. Africa is of… Read more »
Congolese police deployed heavily across the capital Kinshasa on Monday as opposition calls for a general strike after a breakdown in talks with President Joseph Kabila’s allies last week raised fears of renewed violence. Security forces in Democratic Republic of Congo killed dozens in protests over election delays last year but the strike appeared to be peaceful on Monday morning… Read more »