Africa: Food and Agriculture Announcements at COP29 were Positive Steps

Algeria's expulsion of 12 French consular staff has dashed hopes for improved relations with France following a recent diplomatic thaw. This action, prompted by the arrest of an Algerian consular official in France linked to a kidnapping case, underscores ongoing tensions, particularly targeting French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, perceived as undermining President Macron's conciliatory approach. The deterioration in ties, marked by accusations and the arrest of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, has diminished prospects for future...

In Gran Canaria, a gathering of Senegalese teenage boys and girls, primarily asylum seekers facing harsh conditions in detention centers, find solace in their Mouride brotherhood, celebrating their Sufi heritage through prayers and communal meals. The rising number of Senegalese migrants, driven by job scarcity at home, reflects a broader trend as nearly 47,000 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands in 2024 via perilous routes. The local dahira not only fosters community and support but...

A high-level international conference in London, hosted by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, aims to find "a pathway to peace" in Sudan, where a civil war has caused the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The UK pledges an additional $120 million in assistance as 30 million people face starvation, with reports of widespread violence and displacement. The African Union emphasizes the need for an immediate ceasefire and inclusive dialogue, while the main warring parties are excluded...

The UN reports over 400 deaths in recent attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's Darfur region, with verified killings between Thursday and Saturday at 148, excluding subsequent violence. The RSF has targeted refugee camps around el-Fasher in a bid to capture the last major town held by the Sudanese army, escalating a conflict that has led to a humanitarian crisis and millions displaced since April 2023. As the civil war marks its...

Heba BitarBBC Eye Investigations, el-GeneinaIn el-Fasher, Darfur, 21-year-old Hafiza recounts her mother's death from a shelling during Sudan's civil war, which began two years ago, leaving her to care for her siblings. Conditions have deteriorated as the city remains under siege, with rampant violence and humanitarian crises, illustrated by Mostafa and Manahel, who document their struggles to provide basic necessities and food to displaced individuals. The ongoing conflict has led to severe shortages, blurring class...

The investigator examining the death of ANC stalwart Chief Albert John Luthuli, 56 years after the event, highlighted the challenges encountered in retrieving evidence from the original inquest. With the reopening of the 1967 inquest, the investigator emphasized the complexities involved in tracing and tracking crucial information that had previously been documented. This effort underscores the ongoing significance of Luthuli's legacy and the importance of uncovering the truth surrounding his passing. Full Article