Senior government officials in South Sudan have embezzled US$36 million from the country’s coffers with the aid of international institutions and multinational banks, says Yasmin Sooka, the head of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights for the nation. “It is worth noting this is just what we were able to…
The struggle against extremism in northern Mozambique has escalated since 2017, notably as local fighters claiming alignment with Islamic State seized the strategic port at Mocimboa da Praia in August – a development the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) called a milestone for the insurgents, and their ability…
Officials in Mauritius say they’ve offloaded nearly all the fuel that was still trapped aboard the ill-fated MV Wakashio, the Japanese-owned ship that is stranded and leaking oil into a protected marine area of the Indian Ocean island nation. That’s according to Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on Wednesday, as he…
There has been little progress in the stalemate over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), according to the Ethiopian government as it continues lengthy and oft-contentious negotiations with Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopia’s foreign ministry said Tuesday that the three nations have been unable to resolve their differences over access to…
Nine Nigerian nationals working aboard the Sendje Berge have been abducted by armed attackers, according to vessel operator BW Offshore. The nine were taken about 4:20 a.m. local time on Thursday, said the company in a statement. The incident happened on the Okwori oil field, located offshore of Bonny Island…
There are now nearly 10,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in 51 African nations, with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reporting 442 fatalities as of Monday. Yet as the global pandemic continues to impact the continent, there’s growing concern over the economic impacts as well. A newly released report…
By NJ Ayuk, African Energy Chamber Sometimes it is easy to forget how interconnected human lives across the globe have become. Perhaps we no longer talk as much about globalization as we used to in the 1990s because it is no longer an issue to be discussed or protested against,…
Ethiopia’s withdrawal from United States-led negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project have led to much speculation over what happens next if a deal falls through, and some are fearing the worst now that talks appear to have completely collapsed. “Ethiopia has a general election later this year, which…
Human rights campaigners say they welcome the decision by Canada’s Supreme Court to allow a lawsuit against the Nevsun mining firm, which is accused of human rights violations during operations in Eritrea. Human Rights Watch said a 2013 investigation first found that an Eritrean construction firm owned by the country’s…
Leaders from the 15 member nations of the West African regional body ECOWAS say they’re pushing for a unified front on improved fuel standards and vehicle emissions, as part of the effort to address climate goals. They’ve decided to establish a shared regional standard for petrol and diesel, limiting the…
The environmental records of oil majors with operations in Nigeria have long been placed under scrutiny, along with investigations into corruption and human rights violations. This year promises to be a watershed year for cases involving Shell entities, according to a summary from Amnesty International. The organization says at least…
Liberia’s clean-energy plans are getting a boost from the African Development Fund, which has approved a $34.7 million grant and loan package to improve renewable energy access and promote investment in the West African nation. Renewable Energy for Electrification in Liberia, the first project, has been awarded more than $33…
Ethopia, Egypt and Sudan have made progress in the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which will provide a much-needed 15,000 GWh per year in energy for Ethiopia but threatens Nile River water resources on which the other nations depend. The foreign affairs and water resources ministers of…
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said he’s invited South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to help mediate talks in the stalemate over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project. Abiy made the announcement during an official visit to South Africa at the weekend, where he and Ramaphosa discussed how the latter might…
Human rights organizations in France say two Ugandans are now in danger after they testified against oil major Total last month for alleged human rights and environmental violations linked to its Tilenga project. Fred Mwesigwa, a farmer who says he has faced numerous threats since May 2017 because of pressure…