South Africa’s crime statistics for the third quarter of 2023 show that people continue to face a serious problem of violent crime, especially murder and attempted murder. The country’s per capita murder rate for 2022/23 was the highest in 20 years at 45 per 100,000 (a 50% increase compared to 2012/13). In response to this … Read more
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u has admitted to members of parliament that President William Ruto’s government is running low on cash to the extent that it is currently struggling to pay salaries of civil servants and fulfil other obligations. Ndung’u, who appeared before the National Assembly Finance Committee on Wednesday, was responding to angry lawmakers … Read more
In 1994, South Africa became a democracy founded on a supreme constitution. The constitution’s preamble affirms the nation’s quest to establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights. The constitution clearly envisioned political accountability and judicial review of executive and legislative actions. But, almost three decades on, this vision is … Read more
The decision by Orange in November to pull out of the process to buy a stake of up to 45% in Ethio Telecom shows the French telecoms company has the government’s number. There’s more to this story Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report … Read more
In a recently published book Steven Friedman, who has written extensively on the political and social aspects of apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa, explores the racist underpinnings of the west’s responses to Israel’s war in Gaza. This is an extract from the book, Good Jew, Bad Jew. Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani sees a link between … Read more
President William Ruto’s affordable housing project hangs in the balance as a dispute between labour unions and the implementing ministry over the collection of a levy to back the plan escalates. There’s more to this story Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from … Read more
As the security situation in Haiti deteriorates, Kenya has offered to lead a new sort of UN mission to the country from 2024. In early October, the UN Security Council authorised a Multinational Security Support mission led by Kenya to confront the paramilitary-style gangs that control the capital city of Port-au-Prince and other parts of … Read more
Italian oil giant Eni plans to invest $10bn, alongside Côte d’Ivoire’s national oil company Petroci, in the development and exploitation of its Baleine (the French word for ‘whale’) mega-field. Discovered in August 2021, the field is located 80 kilometres south-east of Abidjan, off the coast of the seaside resort of Assouindé. Its potential is estimated … Read more
Security in Nigeria has degenerated in the last 10 years. Various non-state armed groups have emerged countrywide. These actors include criminal gangs, separatist groups, Islamic fundamentalists and kidnappers. They all have different motivations and ways of operating. One of the country’s most pressing security challenges is described as “banditry”. It includes armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, … Read more
Cash-strapped Ethiopia has secured a $1.5bn debt relief agreement with creditors, its central bank chief said, temporarily easing the country’s financial burden as it seeks a wider funding programme. The accord was announced on Wednesday by National Bank of Ethiopia governor Mamo Mihretu and confirmed in a statement from the Paris Club of creditor nations … Read more
