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Wednesday, October 7, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
West Africa
RIGHTS-TOGO: Children Suffer Multiple Forms of Abuse
A study just completed in Togo has revealed high levels of child abuse in the West African state.DEVELOPMENT-AFRICA: Food Security Depends on Access to Western Markets
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has renewed his appeal to the West to open up its market so as to enable Africa to achieve food security.ECONOMY-NIGERIA: Putting the Oil Industry in Local Hands a Slippery Business
Oil is the undisputed kingpin of Nigeria's economy, contributing over 90 percent of its export earnings. But more than four decades after the start of oil extraction in Nigeria, the industry remains in foreign hands - much to the frustration of local entrepreneurs.POLITICS-NIGERIA: Ruling Party Consolidates Power in Local Elections
The ruling People's Democratic Party in Nigeria has won local elections in almost all the 31 states where polls were held this weekend - even as election-related violence claimed up to 50 lives.POLITICS-NIGERIA: Little Excitement Over Local Government Elections
Low voter turnout, boycotts and a lack of ballot papers in various wards have marred local government elections in Nigeria, which took place on Saturday (Mar. 27) in 31 of the country's 36 states.RIGHTS: Zimbabwe and the World Bank Under Scrutiny at CIVICUS
Human rights activists from Zimbabwe have called on African leaders to condemn what they describe as ongoing human rights violations in their country. This came during the biennial meeting of the World Alliance for Citizen Participation (CIVICUS), which ended Thursday (Mar. 25).RIGHTS-BURKINA FASO: Helping Girls to Keep Marriage Under Wraps
It is an article of faith in development circles that assisting girls to complete their education – and postponing the age at which they have children – benefits both the girls and the communities they live in.RIGHTS: Civic Groups Want a Bigger Voice in SADC
Delegates to the biennial conference of the World Alliance for Citizen Participation (CIVICUS) have called on the Southern African Development Community to become more responsive to the concerns of civil society.RIGHTS: Relocation of San an Immediate Talking Point at CIVICUS Conference
The World Alliance for Citizen Participation (CIVICUS) has begun its biennial World Assembly with strong words from Botswana President Festus Mogae about the relocation of members of his country's San community. The assembly is being held in Botswana's capital, Gaborone.HEALTH-AFRICA: A Church Group Makes Strides in Supplying ARVs
The case for providing anti-retroviral drugs to as many HIV-positive Africans as possible was made again this week in South Africa, by the Community of Sant' Egidio, a Catholic organisation.POLITICS-LIBERIA: Investigation of Taylor’s Home Halted – For the Moment
Efforts by the United Nations war crimes tribunal for Sierra Leone to investigate Charles Taylor were put on hold this week, when lawyers acting for the former Liberian President applied for a court order to halt a search of his residence.ENVIRONMENT-GABON: Turtles Fight a Losing Battle
As most people who've seen them will attest, Gabon's leatherback turtles are a majestic sight.POLITICS-AFRICA: Dogs of War to Nip at Heels of Continental Parliament
When the new Pan-African Parliament is inaugurated in Ethiopia next week, it will confront a host of challenging issues - not least the role of mercenaries in Africa.HEALTH-NIGERIA: Pharmaceutical Firms Support Beleaguered Drug Agency
Pharmaceutical manufacturers in Nigeria have rallied around the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control - this after possible arson attacks on two buildings that house agency premises.RIGHTS-CAMEROON: Report Paints Bleak Picture of Women’s Lives
"The situation of women in this country is worrisome. At home, women are beaten, girls are sexually abused, there is violence linked to the dowry and there is marital rape," says a new report about the challenges facing women in Cameroon.RIGHTS-SIERRA LEONE: ‘Putting People on Trial May Ignite Fresh Conflict’
Sierra Leone's war crimes court has opened in the capital Freetown to try persons who bear the greatest responsibility for the atrocities committed during the country's 1991-1999 conflict.ENVIRONMENT: A Third of Bird Species At Risk
The plight of birdlife in Africa and other parts of the world is being highlighted at a meeting that is currently underway in the South African port city of Durban.ECONOMY-NIGERIA: The Oil Leaks That Yield Vast Profits – and Tragedy
It happens at night, under cover of darkness. Thieves move into the mangrove swamps and creeks of Nigeria's southern Niger Delta region, homing in on the oil pipelines that criss-cross the area.DEVELOPMENT-MALI: Government Faces Stiff Challenges in Meeting Water Needs
"Our country has an enormous potential when it comes to water resources. If we develop these resources properly, they should allow us to try and get beyond food self-sufficiency," says Mali’s President, Amadou Toumani Toure.ECONOMY-BENIN: U.S. Market So Near – And Yet So Far
The start of 2004 has presented a set of challenges to the business community in Benin.DEVELOPMENT-LIBERIA: Women Fighters Try to Reclaim a Normal Existence
The journey back to normal life was never going to be an easy one for the ex-combatants of Liberia's civil war. But, it could be argued that women fighters face a particularly tough challenge.« Previous Page — Next Page »
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