In Africa, civil rights have become a greater focus in the past several decades than previously. The oppressive governments in Africa turn to punishing their opposition because freedom of speech is not guaranteed. Even the democratic governments do not guarantee the rights to their citizens. In Nigeria, there are protests with crowds demanding the release of Omoyele Sowore who was… Read more »
JOHANNESBURG (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Gabon’s new environment minister, Lee White, a British-born conservationist, has vowed to fight illegal logging by strengthening governance of forests after a national scandal in which about 350 containers of rare kevazingo wood went missing. Illegal logging, political apathy and climate change are key reasons why White made the move into politics, hoping to bolster… Read more »
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria’s state security agency on Wednesday denied that its officers opened fire on campaigners calling for the release of a Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate who remains in detention despite having been granted bail. Omoyele Sowore, who ran for president as a minor candidate in the February election in which former military ruler President Muhammadu Buhari… Read more »
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria and neighboring countries Benin and Niger have agreed to set up a joint border patrol force to tackle smuggling between the West African countries, they said in a communique on Thursday. Foreign ministers from the three countries met to discuss smuggling following a decision by regional giant Nigeria, which has Africa’s largest economy and biggest population,… Read more »
CONAKRY (Reuters) – A young demonstrator was killed in Guinea on Thursday during protests against President Alpha Conde’s perceived attempt to extend his mandate, the security minister told Reuters. At least fourteen people have now died since demonstrations erupted in the West African country last month against changes to the constitution that many fear could allow Conde to seek a… Read more »