Many studies of climate and its relationship to conflict have been inconclusive, with mixed results on how drought or deforestation might be driving tensions that can lead to violence. A new International Monetary Fund working paper, seeking to shed light on climate-conflict dynamics specifically on the African continent, details how…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
A painstakingly detailed Reuters report on abortion at the hands of the Nigerian military, forced on women and girls held by Boko Haram members in the country’s northeast since former president Goodluck Jonathan was still in office, has shocked the international community—but not Nigerian defense officials who denied the abortions…
The European Union failed to fully consider the potential for surveillance-related human rights violations as it equipped African nations with technologies and surveillance training through its EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTFA). That’s the decision of the EU Commission Ombudsman, following a formal complaint filed by a group of…
Eric Overvest, the United Nations coordinator for São Tomé and Príncipe, thanked authorities on Friday after an attack on a military barracks, part of a reported coup attempt, was shut down. Overvest said military and judicial authorities acted swiftly and appropriately transferred the detainees after the attack. He appealed for…
Angola’s President João Lourenço announced that negotiations between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, held in Luanda on Wednesday, resulted in a ceasefire agreement among parties who have been fighting in eastern DR Congo and along the border near Goma. Lourenço, heading up a peace talk process meant to end…
Côte d’Ivoire has been one of the Top 10 nations to contribute troops to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, but the government has announced it’s pulling out of the mission in a letter sent to the UN. The letter, according to Radio France International (RFI), confirms Abidjan’s decision…
The Democratic Republic of Congo has expelled Rwandan ambassador Vincent Karenga, the latest move in escalating tensions between the neighboring Central African nations. Karenga was told to leave by Tuesday following the capture of Kiwanja and Rutshuru, towns in the volatile eastern DR Congo, by March 23 (M23) rebels over…
Violence in Chad, sparked by postponed elections and a crackdown on opposition political parties, has led to a call for human rights protections and a full inquiry into the deaths of at least 50 people last week in N’Djamena. Although Prime Minister Saleh Kebzabo, speaking on behalf of the transitional…
The head of the Uganda Medical Association says officials need to consider a lockdown in Kampala as the Ebola case count continues to rise in the capital. Dr. Samuel Oledo told local media outlets that he fears the worst is yet to come if aggressive measures aren’t taken quickly. The…
The acting director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says he won’t be attending this year’s World Health Summit in Berlin after experiencing difficulties with immigration control when his flight landed in Germany — a situation that immediately sparked outrage on social media. “I’ve been mistreated at…
Twenty African nations, along with European partners and the United States, are participating in the Grand African Navy Exercise for Maritime Operations (NEMO) in the Gulf of Guinea. The exercise, led by French forces, is designed to support cooperative security efforts in West African waters. Along with coastal and island…
Authorities in the small southern African kingdom of Lesotho have come under scrutiny from human rights advocates who say excessive force is part of a pattern when security forces arrest and detain suspects. Ahead of general elections planned for next week, the Amnesty International appeal calls on political candidates in…
The United States has again urged the Ethiopian government and Tigray leaders to negotiate a peace deal, while insisting that Eritrea needs to step away from fueling conflict in the northern Ethiopian region. Ned Price, spokesman for the U.S. Department of State, said Tuesday that the U.S. does not favor…
More than 600,000 people in Burkina Faso now face severe food insecurity, with nearly one in 10 people displaced by conflict and in urgent need of assistance. That’s according to a statement signed by 28 different nonprofit agencies, including Oxfam, the Danish Refugee Council, the International Rescue Committee and World…
At least 32 people have died in renewed fighting in Tripoli, ending the relative peace that has held for the last two years and signaling the breakdown of a political process that’s brought Libya no closer to long-delayed elections and a unified state. Libya’s health ministry, cited by Al Jazeera,…