Freed Nigerian schoolboys welcomed; calls for more security
KATSINA, Nigeria—Bleary, barefoot, apparently numbed by a week of captivity, more than 300 Nigerian schoolboys, freed after being kidnapped in an attack on their school, were welcomed by the governor of Katsina state and Nigeria’s president on Dec. 18. Reunions with their parents began late in the day. “Since this incident happened, I have not been able to sleep, but...
In letter to UN, Eritrea accuses U.S. of destabilizing Ethiopia’s Tigray region
Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has blamed the United States for “stoking further conflict and destabilization” in Ethiopia’s Tigray through interference and intimidation in the northern region. In a letter to the UN Security Council (UNSC) circulated on June 7, the top Eritrean diplomat said that consecutive U.S. administrations had supported the armed rebels of Tigray People’s Liberation Movement (TPLF) for...
U.S. created the atmosphere in Sudan for military coup: Journalist
The United States created the political atmosphere in the Republic of Sudan that led to the military coup in the African country, according to African American journalist Abayomi Azikiwe. Mr. Azikiwe, editor at the Pan-African News Wire, warned in an interview with Press TV on Oct. 26 that there is no solution to the African crisis as long as imperialist...
Exploring Senegal and appreciating Africa
DAKAR, Senegal—“Bye, bye cold weather” and “As-Salaam Alaikum, Africa.” That’s what our group of 14, eight adults and six children, said as we boarded a nonstop plane to the Motherland for a 10-day trip to one of West Africa’s most popular destinations. Let the excitement begin! The capital of Senegal in Dakar is famous for its lively markets, access to...
Deception, destruction and no end to Libya’s suffering
Chaos is the order of the day in Libya more than a decade after the American-NATO overthrow and murder of longtime leader Muammar Gadhafi who ruled the North African nation and led a revolutionary movement for 42 years. Acute tribal discord, a grueling civil war, and failure to create a comprehensive government have plagued Libya. The country is still torn between...
A year of challenges and opportunities in Africa
Africa will be remembered in 2022 as the year of the “Sirens of apocalypse: UN climate report warns of worst to come.” Adding insult to this was the Ukraine-Russia war which has limited access to wheat, on a continent that in the past has said its arable land could feed the globe. Cold War revisited the continent, and U.S....
China’s grievances with the West are echoed by the Global South
On the eve of the upcoming BRICS Summit to be held in August in South Africa, a U.S.-initiated trade war with China over the future of semiconductors has escalated. BRICS is an acronym for the world economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Beijing hit back by playing a trump card: It imposed export controls on two strategic raw materials, gallium and germanium....
Kenya marks 60 years of independence, and the president defends painful economic measures
NAIROBI, Kenya—Kenya’s president on December 12 defended the high taxes the government recently imposed, calling them a “necessary sacrifice” in helping the country deal with ballooning foreign debt which now stands at $70 billion. Speaking at celebrations marking 60 years since Kenya’s independence from Britain, President William Ruto said East Africa’s largest economy was no longer at risk of defaulting on...
Tunisia appoints new prime minister
Tunisia’s president has appointed Interior Minister Hichem Mechichi as the new prime minister of the country to form a new government and end months of political deadlock. President Kais Saied in late July designated Mr. Mechichi to succeed Elyes Fakhfakh, who resigned over allegations of a conflict of interest. The new prime minister has one month to form a government capable...
Rape and killing of Dalit woman shocks India, draws outrage
NEW DELHI—The gang rape and death of a woman from the lowest rung of India’s caste system sparked outrage across the country in late September, with several politicians and activists demanding justice and protesters rallying in the streets. The attack of the 19-yearold is the latest gruesome case of sexual violence against women to rile India, where reports of rape...