South Africa, after hearing the news that a ceasefire has been brokered, is calling for peace between both Israelis and Palestinians. It follows testimony from mediators that say that a ceasefire will come into effect on January 19, if approved. So far, the war has killed tens of thousands and caused great violence that the ICJ(International Court of Justice) views… Read more »
In Kenya, on the outskirts of its capital Nairobi, a new startup city named Tatu City has been created. Thanks to new surveillance cameras, reckless drivers are forced to slow down and penalties are enforced for littering and speeding. The new city now houses 5,000 residents, and the rigorously enforced laws make living there more appealing. Designers hope Tatu will… Read more »
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/somalias-president-visit-ethiopia-boost-strained-relations-2025-01-11 The article discusses a recent diplomatic visit by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to Ethiopia, showing a shift toward improved relations between the two countries after a year of tension. The tensions stemmed from Ethiopia’s plans to build a naval base in Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia. This move sparked conflict, as Somalia saw it as a threat… Read more »
https://www.reuters.com/world/nigeria-china-deepen-ties-with-pledge-security-finance-economic-growth-2025-01-09 The article reports on Nigeria’s growing cooperation with China, following a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two countries are focusing on strengthening ties in many areas like clean energy, defense, and finance, with China offering support for Nigeria’s Panda bonds to fund infrastructure projects. Wang’s visit to Nigeria is part of a broader tour aimed at… Read more »
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/28/un-authorises-new-mission-against-al-shabaab-in-somalia The United Nations has authorized a new peacekeeping mission to assist Somalia in its ongoing battle against the militant group al-Shabaab, which has been very active in the country for years now. The new mission, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (Aussom), will replace the previous African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis). The UN resolution… Read more »
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-african-police-lower-cage-into-mine-check-if-anyone-left-after-78-died-2025-01-16 Since August there have been reports of people working and staying in an illegal gold mine. Police had cut off water and food access to the mine in hopes to push people out to be put under arrest. GIWASU Labour Union called this incident “the worst state-sponsored massacre since the end of apartheid.” 78 dead bodies had been pulled… Read more »
Link to Article: https://apnews.com/article/interpol-west-africa-illegal-mining-arrests-95eb68d0dc2351485b081865e0a61eff Interpol’s recent Operation Sanu, spanning Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, and Senegal, targeted illegal gold and sand mining, resulting in 200 arrests and the seizure of toxic chemical, explosives, and equipment. Gold mining, often involving harmful substances like mercury and cyanide, poses severe health risks to miners and devastates the environment. Painkillers used to mitigate these effects… Read more »
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/2/at-least-27-people-killed-dozens-rescued-after-two-shipwrecks-off-tunisia On Thursday January 2, 2025 Al Jazeera reported on the National Guard responding to multiple shipwrecks being found outside of Tunisia. The area where these ships were found are known departure points for migrants or refugees wanting to head towards Europe. It is reported by the Tunisian National Guard that the boats set sail around, “December 31 to January… Read more »
Link to Article: https://afpnews.com/article/congo-rebels-northkivu-goma-44d802cead4adde2b9aea5515bb83172 In eastern Congo, government forces have recaptured several towns in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces from armed groups, according to army spokesman Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko. These include Ngungu in Masisi territory and other villages such as Lumbishi and Kabingo. While these victories are significant, the security situation remains unstable as other towns, including the Masisi… Read more »
Link to Article: https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/mali-started-flying-gold-stocks-out-barrick-site-saturday-sources-say-2025-01-13/ On January 13th, Mali’s government seized three metric tons of gold worth $245 million from Barrick Gold’s Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex, citing a $5.5 billion debt owed to Mali’s economy ministry. The gold was transported by helicopter to the state-owned Banque Malienne de Solidarité in Bamako. This seizure stems from a long-running dispute between Barrick and Mali… Read more »