Emergent BioSolutions has announced a significant donation of 50,000 doses of its ACAM2000 smallpox vaccine to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other affected countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, in response to the ongoing mpox outbreak. The donation, revealed on Monday, aims to curb the rapid spread of the virus, which Read More…
Tag: Africa
G7 summit concludes with focus on China and historic papal appearance
The Group of Seven (G7) leaders are set to wrap up their annual summit on Friday, with discussions heavily centered on China before a historic appearance by Pope Francis to deliberate on artificial intelligence (AI). The inclusion of the Pope, alongside 10 other heads of state and government, including India’s Prime Minister and Jordan’s King, Read More…
After the AU Summit, Africa continues its drift
If a family meets in a room, members give themselves pecks, exchange polite greetings, make flowery speeches and emerge laughing for group photographs, likely, they have not been truthful to themselves. That was my impression following the 37th Summit of the African Union, AU, from February 17–18, 2024, in Addis Ababa. After attending a few Read More…
Nigeria eyes growth despite challenges, President Tinubu reassures investors
President Bola Tinubu is determined to steer Nigeria through economic headwinds, emphasising his unwavering commitment to reforms and investments that support businesses and create opportunities for the growing population. “We are right in the middle of a challenging stage of our reforms. We have headwinds, no doubt, but we are not going back,” he declared Read More…
The Road to the Country: Heart-Racing Journey Through War and Redemption
Chigozie Obioma’s “The Road to the Country” emerges as a sweeping narrative set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s civil war. The story centres on Kunle, a university student in Lagos, who embarks on a perilous journey to save his missing brother amid the chaos of conflict. Obioma’s prose, described by The Wall Street Journal as Read More…
African Development Bank reports decline in economic growth, foresees recovery
Africa’s economic growth witnessed a decline to 3.2% last year from 4.1% in 2022, as reported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Friday. Despite this setback, the bank projected higher growth rates this year for all regions except central Africa. According to the AfDB, factors such as political instability and China’s economic slowdown, compounded Read More…
Military or civilian, a coup is a coup!
Coup-making is not the exclusive preserve of soldiers or the armed forces. Civilians, too, do stage coups. In Nigeria, we have had our fair share of coups and counter-coups and have resolved that our collective aspirations as a people are best served by a government of the people, for the people, and by the people. Read More…
South Africa and Morocco clash over UN Human Rights Council presidency
Tensions arise between South Africa and Morocco as they vie for the presidency of the United Nations’ top human rights body, with South Africa accusing Rabat of rights violations in Western Sahara, questioning its credibility to lead the council. According to diplomats, the U.N. Human Rights Council faces an unprecedented situation, lacking a president at Read More…
German Institute urges EU-Africa WTO reform to counter Chinese influence
The German Economic Institute (IW) is advocating for a strategic collaboration between the European Union (EU) and African nations to overhaul World Trade Organisation (WTO) subsidy regulations, aiming to mitigate Chinese market imbalances and diplomatic leverage. In a recent publication, the IW proposed this strategy, emphasising the need to address distortions caused by China’s economic Read More…
Cuba: Where dedication to humanity is like religion
THE Israeli bombs that rained down on Gaza have killed over 200 health workers, with 215 injured. In Havana, Cuba, 10,953 kilometres away, Palestinian youths being trained as medical doctors gathered to mourn the human carnage in their country and vowed to take the next available flight back once they complete their studies to replace Read More…