Africa: Explainer – What Is UNFPA and Why Does It Matter?

Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu has died at the age of 68 while receiving specialized treatment in South Africa for an undisclosed illness, as announced by his party, the Patriotic Front (PF). Lungu served as president from 2015 to 2021, losing his re-election bid to Hakainde Hichilema. Despite being barred from running again due to term limits, he remained influential in Zambian politics, facing police harassment and expressing intentions to defend democracy before his passing....

SummaryKenya will utilize the 60,000-capacity Kasarani Stadium and the 22,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium for the upcoming CHAN tournament, though concerns remain about infrastructure at Nyayo, particularly regarding a perimeter wall and traffic management systems. Local organizing committee CEO Mike Rabar noted that while some elements were successful during a previous game, improvements are needed before the tournament, including connectivity and power issues. The sports ministers from the three host nations have committed to a $39m...

Africa is the continent most impacted by the travel ban announced by US President Donald Trump, affecting seven of the twelve listed countries. The order, effective June 9, prohibits entry from Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan, alongside Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, and Yemen, with additional restrictions on other nations. While Trump cites security concerns, critics have previously labeled similar bans as discriminatory, and legal challenges to the current measure are anticipated....

Voters in Burundi are heading to the polls amid soaring inflation, fuel shortages, and allegations of political repression, with the governing CNDD-FDD party seeking to maintain its power after two decades. President Évariste Ndayishimiye is secure in his role until 2027, while opposition parties face harassment from the ruling party's youth league, the Imbonerakure. Despite the economic struggles, including a severe decline in foreign currency reserves and low average income, the CNDD-FDD argues that it...

SummaryImane Khelif, scheduled to compete in the Eindhoven Box Cup, has been barred from participating until she undergoes mandatory sex testing introduced by World Boxing to ensure safety and fairness in competitions. This decision arises amid concerns regarding the implications of her participation following reports of her having XY chromosomes, although she has always competed as a woman and the IOC clarified this is not a transgender case. The new policy mandates that all athletes...

Tanzania's government has blocked access to the social media platform X, citing its sharing of pornographic content as incompatible with the country's laws and cultural values, according to Information Minister Jerry Silaa. The restriction on X follows a rise in political tensions and accusations of digital repression ahead of upcoming elections, with rights groups expressing concerns over the government's increasing authoritarianism. Additionally, prominent activists have faced harassment, and there are calls for investigations into allegations...