Welcome to our African Weekly Roundup, where we bring you the most impactful news and deep-dive analysis from across Africa. Here’s a snapshot of the key events from the past week:?
- ???? Jan 5, 2024 | Senegal top court rejects opposition leader Sonko’s appeal in libel case: Senegal's Supreme Court has rejected opposition politician Ousmane Sonko's appeal in his defamation conviction, jeopardizing his chances of running in the upcoming presidential elections. The court upheld a six-month suspended sentence, preventing Sonko from participating in the elections scheduled for February 25. Sonko, who has faced multiple court cases, including charges of libel and rape, has been in jail since July and has been a popular figure among the youth in Senegal. Read more on Al jazeera
- ???? Jan 5, 2024 | Oscar Pistorius released from South Africa prison after serving 9 years for murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp: Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee Paralympic and Olympic sprinter, has been released from prison on parole after serving nine years for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, in a case that drew global attention. The parole board granted his release, citing that he had served half of his 13-year sentence, and he will be subject to strict conditions until his sentence expires in 2029, including mandatory programs on gender-based violence and anger management. Read more on ?CNN
- ???????? Jan 3, 2024 | US removes Uganda from Agoa trade deal: Uganda has been removed from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the United States, along with three other African countries—Central African Republic, Gabon, and Niger. The decision, effective from January 1, comes after Uganda passed a controversial Anti-Homosexuality Act, leading to concerns about gross human rights violations. AGOA provides duty-free access to the U.S. for eligible sub-Saharan African countries, and Uganda's removal could have significant economic consequences, impacting job losses and economic growth. Read more on Africanews
- ???????? Jan 3, 2024 | As Somalis Protest, Ethiopia Defends Sea Access Deal With Somaliland: Ethiopia has defended a maritime access deal with Somaliland, asserting a "longstanding cooperation agreement" and ongoing consultations on mutual benefits, a day after Somalia declared the deal "null and void." The deal, signed between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, grants Ethiopia naval and commercial sea access on lease for 50 years, with potential recognition of Somaliland's independence. Somalia strongly rejected the deal, recalling its ambassador from Addis Ababa, leading to protests in Somalia's capital and a call for diplomatic dialogue from the U.S. State Department. Read more on The New York Times
- ???? Jan 1, 2024 | Former Chad opposition leader appointed as PM of transitional government: Succes Masra, a former Chadian opposition leader who returned from exile in November after signing a reconciliation agreement with Chad's military rulers, has been appointed as the prime minister of Chad's transitional government. Masra, president of The Transformers party, previously opposed the military rulers who came to power in April 2021 after the death of Idriss Deby Itno. His return and appointment mark a development in the transitional process following the constitutional referendum held last month. Read more on VOA
- South Africa’s all-to-play-for election in 2024 | South Africa faces a pivotal election in 2024 as the ruling African National Congress (ANC) grapples with corruption, incompetence, and economic challenges. The ANC is expected to see its vote share drop below 50%, potentially pushing it into opposition or necessitating coalition partnerships. The election could bring significant changes, including the prosecution of corrupt politicians and a policy overhaul towards more private-sector-led economic strategies. The involvement of former President Jacob Zuma, endorsing a new party, adds complexity, and the outcome may reshape South Africa's political landscape. Independent candidates will participate for the first time, and the election's aftermath will test the ANC's commitment to democracy and the Independent Electoral Commission's capacity to manage a competitive election. Read more on The Africa Report
- Bridging the climate finance gap in Africa and beyond | This article discusses the pressing need to bridge the climate finance gap in Africa, emphasizing the transformative and innovative approaches required beyond traditional financing avenues. The article outlines the role of African and global leaders in championing a multi-faceted strategy that includes innovative financial instruments, enhanced involvement of the private sector, harnessing emerging technologies, and securing substantial climate financial commitments from major polluters. The strategies proposed include the use of greenhouse gas trading systems, green bonds, sustainability-linked instruments, efficient carbon markets, debt-for-climate swaps, and forward-looking domestic resource mobilization instruments. Additionally, the article underscores the importance of engaging the private sector, capitalizing on emerging technologies like fintech and blockchain, and securing climate financial commitments from the world's largest polluters. The creation of an enabling environment with agile governance and effective multi-stakeholder collaboration is deemed essential for successfully addressing climate finance challenges. Read more on The World Economic Forum
??? Which story do you think will have the biggest impact on the continent in the weeks and months to come? Feel free to share your insights in the comments below. ??
