Burundi officials rubbish warnings in new UN report

Burundi officials rubbish warnings in new UN report

High-level officials in Burundi say they strongly reject the conclusions of a United Nations report released Wednesday, one that expressed concern over risks associated with human rights concerns as the volatile nation moves toward 2020 elections. The report, completed by a team of UN experts including Doudou Diène of Senegal…

Study finds drug-resistant malaria a looming threat

Study finds drug-resistant malaria a looming threat

Resistance to malaria treatment drugs that began with a strain of malaria in Cambodia has quickly spread to other Southeast Asian nations, according to authors of a new study that may have implications for the African continent. The researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, University of Oxford, and Thailand’s Mahidol…

Africans make progress on HIV, but the success is uneven

Africans make progress on HIV, but the success is uneven

Africa has made some great strides in reducing HIV infection rates and their impacts, but the trends are uneven on the continent and across the globe. That’s worrying as progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS has slowed, according to an annual report from UNAIDS. “We urgently need increased political leadership…

DA vows to fight as SA land reform plans move forward

South Africa is one step closer to implementing controversial land reforms through expropriation, after a majority in its parliament on Tuesday voted to adopt a recommendations report on amending the country’s constitution. “The National Assembly has agreed that section 25 of the Constitution be amended to make expropriation of land…

SA land reform amendment advances with key JCRC approval

South Africa is one step closer to implementing controversial land reforms through expropriation, after a key committee announced Thursday that it has adopted a recommendations report on amending the country’s constitution. The Joint Constitutional Review Committee (JCRC) said the African National Congress, the Economic Freedom Fighters and the National Freedom…

Ibrahim report sees concern for youth, economic opportunity

Despite strong GDP growth over the last ten years, Africa has failed to generate economic opportunities for its young population – and that spells trouble for a sustainable future. It’s a key finding of the 2018 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), released Monday by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. The…

UNAIDS: West and Central Africa fall behind in progress on HIV

A new report from UNAIDS warns that HIV infections are on the rise in nearly 50 countries, with West and Central Africa lagging behind on reducing infection rates and securing access to treatment. “We are sounding the alarm,” said Michel Sidibé, executive director of UNAIDS. “Entire regions are falling behind,…

UN Security Council hears from African peacekeeping unit leaders

The commanders from three United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa briefed the UN Security Council on Wednesday on the evolving security challenges they face in their respective roles. Jean‑Paul Deconinck, commander for United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), was joined by Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, the commander of United…