Africa: How Transparency International Fought Corruption in 2023

A Kenyan police officer, PC James Mukhwana, has been arrested in connection with the death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in custody, which has led to public protests in Nairobi. An autopsy contradicted police claims of self-inflicted injuries, suggesting assault instead, prompting calls for accountability and a swift investigation into police conduct amidst a troubling history of extrajudicial killings. More Context

All four African teams at the Club World Cup receive a participation fee of $9.55m, significantly less than South American ($15.21m) and European clubs ($12.81m to $38.19m). Despite this disparity, the African Club Association aims to leverage the tournament for greater representation and financial support in future competitions. More Context

The ruling CNDD-FDD party in Burundi won all 100 parliamentary seats in an election criticized by the opposition and Human Rights Watch as a blow to democracy, claiming over 96% of the vote amidst allegations of rigging and intimidation. The electoral commission reported minor irregularities, while the African Union praised the election's transparency, leading to widespread discontent in Bujumbura. More Context

A 14-year-old boy, taken from London to Ghana under false pretenses by his parents due to concerns about criminal influences, has won a Court of Appeal ruling allowing his case against them to be reheard. The court emphasized the importance of considering the child's voice in legal matters, as he feels alienated and desperate to return to the UK. More Context

South Africans are currently facing two misleading health hoaxes circulating on social media: one falsely claims a dangerous new Covid-19 variant, Omicron XBB, while the other incorrectly links a Salmonella outbreak to local eggs. Authorities have confirmed that both claims are untrue and do not pose any immediate threat to public health in South Africa. More Context

China has announced its readiness to eliminate tariffs on imports from all 53 African countries it has diplomatic relations with, amid concerns over rising US tariffs on African products. This decision, which follows a previous agreement for 33 least developed nations, aims to strengthen trade ties as Africa exported approximately $170bn worth of goods to China in 2023. More Context