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Benin migrant killed in youth attack in Sfax Tunisia
Benin migrant killed in youth attack in Sfax Tunisia: A migrant from sub-Saharan Africa was stabbed to death and five others wounded in an attack by a group of Tunisian youth in east-central Tunisia, a spokesman for the Sfax court announced.
Benin migrant killed in youth attack in Sfax Tunisia
The attack was carried out between May 22 and 23 by seven Tunisians armed with knives and sabers, against 19 migrants gathered in a dwelling in El Haffara, a popular district of Sfax, said the public prosecutor and court spokesman, Faouzi Masmoudi.
A 30-year-old man from Benin died in the attack, and five other people from sub-Saharan African countries were hospitalized. “They were not seriously injured,” said the same source.
Indeed, three Tunisians, aged 17, 23 and 36, were arrested following the opening of a judicial inquiry, said Mr. Masmoudi.
Xenophobic attacks and rising violence against sub-Saharan migrants
Since the Tunisian president’s racist remarks, attacks and violence against sub-Saharan migrants have intensified.
Also, since this diatribe, exiles have faced a wave of attacks. A significant proportion of the 21,000 officially registered sub-Saharan Africans, most of whom are in an irregular situation, have lost their jobs and homes overnight.
Several human rights organizations have denounced this crime. This tragedy “comes against a backdrop of uninterrupted speeches inciting hatred and racism against migrants from sub-Saharan Africa”, reads a press release issued by the FTDES (Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights) and signed by some twenty NGOs.
In the same time, the European border surveillance agency, Frontex, recorded a 1% increase in crossings from Tunisia, compared with the same period last year.
“A climate of fear”: in Tunisia, sub-Saharan migrants stigmatized and attacked
“Patrick”*, a 29-year-old Congolese, arrived in Tunisia six months ago to study international business. But the climate in the country has deteriorated dramatically in recent months for people like him from sub-Saharan Africa.
Patrick lives at home with another student, who also prefers to stay off the streets. The two men sometimes “make an effort” to run small errands:
“We just go out near the house to buy bread, juice…in small stores. That’s it.”
Sub-Saharan Africans are targeted by Tunisians, as in Sfax, where four of them were victims of stabbings on the night of February 25, or in Tunis, where four Ivorian students were attacked as they left their hostel.
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Clear trends in the results of Senegal’s communal elections
Since yesterday, provisional results have been coming in all over Africa. While the figures are tight in some localities, there are several where clear trends are emerging in the results of Senegal’s communal elections.
Clear trends in communal election results in Senegal.
In Niaguis, Victorine Ndeye is well ahead.
Grand Yoff won’t have a new mayor. Madiop Diop is set to run again.
As announced, Serigne Mboup is well placed to be the next mayor of Kaolack.
Mbour, on the other hand, is on course to have a new mayor, whose name is likely to be Cheikh Issa Sall.
In Dakar, it’s a known fact: Barthélémy Dias is in the lead for the commune and the city.
In the commune of Yoff, Diouf Sarr was beaten by Seydina Issa Laye.
But, in Fouta, Matam mayor Mamadou Mory Diaw retained his seat.
In Ourossogui, Moussa Bocar Thiam, the state’s judicial agent, also retained his post.
In Agnams, Farba Ngom is in the lead, as is Abdoulaye Sali Sall, who should be re-elected in Nabadji Civol.
Clear trends in the results of Senegal’s communal elections
The mayor of Kanel, Haymouth Daf, was defeated by Mamadou Sadio Diallo.
Thilogne is set for a new mayor. The likely new mayor is Mamadou Eline Kane.
In the commune of Cambérène, Benno Bok Yakaar’s Doune Pathé Mbengue came out on top.
Again, in Mbacké, Sogip CEO Gallo Bâ won ahead of Abdou Mbacké Ndao, the commune’s outgoing mayor.
In Podor, Racine Sy is ahead. In Ndioum, Cheikh Oumar Hann is expected to repeat as mayor.
Also, in the Commune des Parcelles assainies, Yéwi Askan Wi is in the lead according to trends.
In Yeumbeul Sud, outgoing mayor Bara Gueye is well placed ahead of the defeated Amadou Hot.
In Les Hlm, Yéwi Askan Wi is leading the trends, while in the commune of Biscuterie, outgoing mayor Djibril Wade is in the lead.
Abdoulaye Timbo leads in Dalifort-foirail, the outgoing mayor according to Le Soleil. In Mbao, Abdou Karim Sall is expected to be installed as the new mayor.
In Kaffrine, Minister Abdoulaye Sow is ahead in the trends for the commune.
Not far, in Kédougou, the outgoing mayor is likely to be replaced by Ousmane Sylla, who leads the trends according to Le Soleil.
In Saint Louis, Mansour Faye, the outgoing mayor, is likely to remain in office in view of the trends.
Clear trends in the results of Senegal’s communal elections
In Bignona, Yéwi Askan Wi is the front-runner for the time being.
More, in Linguère, too, Aly Ngouille Ndiaye is set to retain his seat as mayor.
In Sokone, Abdou Latif Coulibaly is set to replace the outgoing mayor.
Minister Moustapha Diop, outgoing mayor of the commune of Louga, leads the poll.
In Thiès, Talla Sylla congratulated Babacar Diop on his Tweeter page.
In the commune of Kolda, Mame Boye Diao leads the trends.
Mainly, in the commune of Gandon, young Alpha Mamadou Diop, candidate for the Convergence Patriote pour la Justice de l’Équité Naay Leer, defeated Benno Bokk Yakaar candidate Khoudia Mbaye by a margin of 20.68%.
In the commune of Mpal, Benno’s Mor Guèye Gaye, with a percentage of 49.76%, beat outgoing mayor Dr Moussa Diaw.
The commune of Fass Ngom also fell to Benno Bokk Yakaar with the victory of Ibrahima Diaw. The ex-DG of Crous won his commune with a percentage of 64.59%.
In Ndiebene Gandiol, outgoing mayor Arouna Sow was unseated by businessman and candidate Pape Ndiaga Fall. Fall won with a percentage of 25.68%.
Trends and fever on the eve of the presidential race
Reported missing by his party, opponent Ousmane Sonko “brought back” to Dakar by the authorities
Senegalese police abruptly ended opposition leader Ousmane Sonko’s march across the country on Sunday, arresting him in the south and forcibly returning him to Dakar, authorities said.
Interior Minister Antoine Diome cited the clashes between Sonko supporters and police that have accompanied the opponent’s return to Dakar in convoy by road since Friday, and in which one man was killed.
“A man was killed in Kolda, so is the State going to stand idly by (…) the answer can only be in the negative,” said the minister on public television.
He argued that Ousmane Sonko should have requested prior authorization before organizing what he called a “freedom caravan”.
“As a result, we were able to escort the leader of the Pastef (party) (Ousmane Sonko) to his home (in Dakar), where he was deposited,” he said.
The Interior Minister reported that weapons had been found in the vehicle carrying Ousmane Sonko.
Political tension grows in the streets and in the digital space
The official website of the Senegalese presidency was temporarily blocked on Sunday, May 28, following the launch of a cyberattack claimed by a group claiming solidarity with the anti-government protest. Inaccessible at the start of the day, the site was back online by late morning.
Two days earlier, the presidency had already been targeted by an attack affecting dozens of official sites. The @MysteriousTeamO account, which claims to belong to the hacker group Anonymous, announced a second wave on social networks. This is one of the very first attacks of its kind in Senegal.
The 2024 presidential election comes against a backdrop of great tension nine months ahead of the next presidential election. On the one hand, President Macky Sall remains uncertain as to whether or not he will run for a third term. On the other, opposition politician Ousmane Sonko is raising tensions as he risks losing his eligibility. This June 1, a criminal chamber is due to deliver a long-awaited verdict in a trial against him for rape. He has refused to appear in court, claiming that the authorities are plotting to keep him out of the presidential election.
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Libya – agreement on electoral law reached in Morocco
Libya – agreement on electoral law reached in Morocco: The agreement provides that the legislative and presidential elections will be held simultaneously and that the next legislative authority will be composed of two chambers, the National Assembly and the Senate.
Libya – agreement on electoral law reached in Morocco
The Joint Commission for the preparation of electoral laws in Libya (6+6), composed of deputies of the House of Representatives and members of the High Council of State, announced that it has reached a “full agreement” on the points relating to the election of the head of state and deputies.
This was announced in a statement of the same Committee at the end of the second day of negotiations in the city of Bouznika, Morocco. The agreement provides that the legislative and presidential elections will be held simultaneously and that the next legislative authority will be composed of two chambers, the National Assembly and the Senate. The note notes, however, that time is still needed to “formulate and complete the legislative framework.
The 6+6 Committee also called for the formation of a “unified government” to prepare the country for elections before the new electoral laws come into effect, assuming, not assuming, that they are approved by a majority of the members of the House of Representatives (the eastern-based parliament) and the High Council of State (a kind of “upper house” based in Tripoli).
UN envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily has repeatedly stated publicly that everyone should be allowed to run as a candidate in Libya, including divisive figures such as Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, General Khalifa Haftar and Tripoli’s Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba. A new passage in the House of Representatives led by Aguila Saleh, an eastern politician strongly opposed to Mistino Dabaiba’s entry into the presidential elections, could hinder the success of the initiative and at least postpone the presidential elections “sine die.
End of political impediments?
Since February 2022, Libya has been divided by two rival political and military coalitions: on the one hand, Prime Minister Dabaiba’s national unity government based in Tripoli, recognized by the international community and supported above all by Turkey; on the other hand, the government of national stability, in fact a parallel executive based in Cyrenaica, initially supported by Egypt and Russia but now increasingly abandoned to itself.
Indeed, the general at the head of the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA), Haftar, holds power in eastern Libya. To break the political deadlock, UN envoy Bathily launched a plan on February 27 to set up a new “High Level Committee” to draft the constitutional amendments and electoral laws needed to hold “free, inclusive and transparent” elections by 2023. Yet the new initiative presented by the UN envoy, which was coolly received in Tripoli and Benghazi, does not seem to be gaining momentum. Partial stability currently exists in the country, based on an implicit agreement between two powerful families: the Dabaiba and the Haftar in power in Tripoli (west) and Benghazi respectively.
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Will the President of Tanzania achieve the expected “political reconciliation”?
Tanzania has taken a major step towards achieving “political reconciliation” promised by the country’s President, Samia Solo Hassan, upon her accession to power in 2021, by canceling a ban imposed on political gatherings more than 6 years ago, and sparked repeated tensions between the police and opposition forces. Will the President of Tanzania achieve the expected “political reconciliation”?
FILE PHOTO: Tanzania’s new President Samia Suluhu Hassan takes oath of office following the death of her predecessor John Pombe Magufuli at State House in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania March 19, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo Will the President of Tanzania achieve the expected “political reconciliation”?
Encouraging political signals
Samia Hassan assumed power after the death of former President John Magufuli in March 2021, whose rule was seen as the “most tyrannical” in the country’s history, according to international human rights organizations, which repeatedly accused him of “carrying out repeated arrests of opposition political figures.” Hassan said, in a meeting in her office in the capital, Dar es Salaam, with the leaders of 19 political parties registered in Tanzania, on Tuesday evening, that “political parties have the right to hold their public meetings,” stressing “allowing the lifting of the declaration banning public meetings.” However, with the abolition of the ban, she stipulated a security guarantee, she said: “The government will be responsible for ensuring security during gatherings, but I urge all politicians to practice civilized politics as well,” noting that “the security services will evaluate the requests, and if there is any threat, they will not allow ». The Tanzanian president also expressed her patience over the opposition’s criticism.
International NGO Welcome
Samia Hassan’s decision to lift the ban is part of a declared strategy for reconciliation and political reforms, which includes resuming the stalled constitution review process, as promised to the political forces.
The Tanzanian presidential decision was welcomed locally and internationally. “It is good that the president allowed political meetings… We are now waiting to see implementation by other government officials,” said prominent dissident Freeman Mboye, who spent seven months in prison on “terrorism” charges. Tanzanian political activist Leon Copeland described Samia Hassan as having “applied her courage,” noting in statements that the decision “comes within multiple demands for political reform and the establishment of a true democratic system that allows the transfer of power and freedom for political parties,” calling on the president to implement it.
In turn, Amnesty International welcomed the lifting of the ban on political assemblies in Tanzania, and said that “although the ban should not have taken place in the first place, we salute the Tanzanian government’s decision to lift the comprehensive ban on political assemblies in the country, a ban that was used in the past.” For the arbitrary arrest and detention of prominent opposition politicians.
A conciliatory phase in Tanzanian politics
Furthermore, she considered the move “comes in the right direction,” calling on the Tanzanian authorities to “move forward towards greater protection of human rights, including by repealing or amending the Political Parties Law to remove all obstacles to the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, association and expression.”
After his election in October 2015, President Magufuli banned public gatherings of political parties, stressing at the time that “the time has come for action, not politics.” However, this prohibition did not actually extend to the opposition, because the ruling party since independence in 1961, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, could still organize rallies whenever it wanted.
Will the President of Tanzania achieve the expected “political reconciliation”?
Samia Hassan, 62, is the first woman to reach this position in the East African country. According to the description of the African affairs expert and professor of political science, it represents “the beginning of a conciliatory phase in Tanzanian politics, which enhances the democratic transition.”
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Best ten Cities in Africa
Best ten Cities in Africa to live: Africa is a continent with a diverse range of cities, each with its own unique culture, history, architecture, and attractions. As a matter of fact, from the bustling metropolises of Lagos and Cairo to the scenic coastal cities of Cape Town and Rabat, there is no shortage of amazing cities to explore. In this blog post, we will explore the best 10 cities in Africa that you must visit or live in.
Best ten Cities in Africa to live: Africa is a continent with a diverse range of cities, each with its own unique culture, history, architecture, and attractions. As a matter of fact, from the bustling metropolises of Lagos and Cairo to the scenic coastal cities of Cape Town and Rabat, there is no shortage of amazing cities to explore. In this blog post, we will explore the best 10 cities in Africa that you must visit or live in.
Best ten Cities in Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is a coastal city known for its stunning natural beauty, including Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope. It is also home to vibrant neighborhoods such as Bo-Kaap and a bustling food and wine scene.
Marrakesh, Morocco
Marrakesh is a city known for its vibrant markets, stunning architecture, and rich history. Indeed, it is home to iconic attractions such as the Koutoubia Mosque and the Bahia Palace.
Cairo, Egypt
Cairo is a city known for its ancient history and iconic landmarks such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. It is also home to vibrant neighborhoods such as Zamalek and a bustling food and nightlife scene.
Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi is a city known for its wildlife and natural beauty, including the Nairobi National Park and the Ngong Hills. It is also a hub for business and technology, with a growing food and arts scene.
Tunis, Tunisia
Tunis is a coastal city known for its stunning architecture, including the Bardo Museum and the Medina. It is also home to a vibrant food and arts scene, with a growing startup culture.
Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos is a bustling city known for its vibrant nightlife, music scene, and street food. It is also home to iconic attractions such as the National Museum and the Lekki Conservation Centre.
Dakar, Senegal
Dakar is a coastal city known for its vibrant culture and arts scene, including the African Renaissance Monument and the Gorée Island. It is also home to a growing tech and startup culture.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa is a city known for its rich history and culture, including the Ethiopian National Museum and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. It is also a hub for business and diplomacy, with a growing food and arts scene.
Accra, Ghana
Accra is a coastal city known for its vibrant arts and music scene, including the National Museum and the Osu Castle. It is also home to a growing startup culture and a bustling food scene.
Rabat, Morocco
Rabat is a coastal city known for its stunning architecture, including the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas. In fact, it is also home to a vibrant food and arts scene, with a growing tech and startup culture.
Criteria for choosing the best cities to live in
The 198 criteria of the ranking are divided into ten categories: quality of life, safety, health, transportation, shops and services, environmental protection (new category), education, solidarity, sports and leisure, and real estate attractiveness.
These categories were not defined at random. The categories were defined by scientists, through surveys (OpinionWay), on the themes that define, for them, a city or a village where it is good to live.
Indeed, these themes constitute the categories of the ranking and are prioritized by the Africans during each survey.
The last survey dates from October 2022. It was conducted on a sample of 1004 people, representative of the African population aged 18 and over.
The sample was constituted according to the quota method, based on gender, age, socio-professional category, urban area and region of residence. FLA conducted this survey in accordance with the rules and procedures of the ISO 20252 standard.
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Best thirteen cuisines in Africa
Best thirteen cuisines in Africa: Africa is a continent with a rich and diverse culinary heritage.
Best thirteen cuisines in Africa
#Africa is a continent with a rich and diverse culinary heritage.
From the spicy flavors of North Africa to the savory stews of West Africa, there is something for everyone to enjoy. In this blog post, we will explore the best cuisines in Africa that you must try:
Moroccan Cuisine
Moroccan cuisine is known for its bold flavors and spices, with dishes such as tagine, couscous, and harira soup being popular staples.
Ethiopian Cuisine
Ethiopian cuisine is characterized by its use of injera, a sourdough flatbread, and spicy stews known as wats. Dishes such as doro wat (chicken stew) and injera with various toppings are must-tries.
Nigerian Cuisine
Nigerian cuisine is diverse, with dishes such as jollof rice, egusi soup, and suya (spicy grilled meat) being popular favorites.
South African Cuisine
South African cuisine is a fusion of various cultures, with dishes such as biltong (dried meat), boerewors (sausage), and bobotie (spiced meat pie) being must-tries.
Ghanaian Cuisine
Ghanaian cuisine is known for its use of spices and herbs, with dishes such as fufu (pounded yam) and banku (fermented corn and cassava dough) being popular staples.
Tunisian Cuisine
Tunisian cuisine is a blend of Mediterranean and North African flavors, with dishes such as brik (fried pastry) and couscous being popular favorites.
Egyptian Cuisine
Egyptian cuisine is known for its use of legumes, vegetables, and spices, with dishes such as koshari (a mix of rice, lentils, and pasta) and ful medames (stewed fava beans) being must-tries.
Senegalese Cuisine
Senegalese cuisine is a blend of West African and French influences, with dishes such as thieboudienne (fish and rice stew) and yassa (chicken or fish marinated in lemon and onions) being popular favorites.
Kenyan Cuisine
Kenyan cuisine is diverse, with dishes such as ugali (maize meal), nyama choma (grilled meat), and chapati (flatbread) being popular staples.
Cameroonian Cuisine
Cameroonian cuisine is known for its use of spices and herbs, with dishes such as ndole (bitterleaf stew) and plantains being popular staples.
Ivorian Cuisine
Ivorian cuisine is a blend of West African and French influences, with dishes such as attiéké (cassava couscous) and kedjenou (chicken stew) being popular favorites.
Tanzanian Cuisine
Tanzanian cuisine is diverse, with dishes such as pilau (spiced rice), ugali, and mishkaki (grilled meat skewers) being popular staples.
Zimbabwean Cuisine
Zimbabwean cuisine is known for its use of maize, with dishes such as sadza (maize meal) and muriwo unedovi (vegetables with peanut butter) being popular staples.
Varied and original african cuisine, as rich as its culture
If you visit any of the countries here, you will notice that they, too, like to have three meals a day and more. We attribute this to the fact that we often have garden food.
If there is one thing that makes the charm of Africa, it is its delicious, varied and original cuisine which is as rich as its culture.
Christian Abégan (Cameroonian chef, author, expert in gastronomy and food security & a pioneer of African gastronomy): “Africa must reconsider its place in the culinary world”.
Africa is a continent with a rich and diverse culinary heritage, with each region offering its own unique flavors and dishes. From the bold flavors of Moroccan cuisine to the spicy stews of West Africa, there is something for everyone to enjoy. So why not try something new and explore the best cuisines in Africa?
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Think Tanks in Africa
Best Think Tanks in Africa: Think tanks are research institutions that conduct research and analysis on various issues of public interest. What about Africa?
Think Tanks in Africa: What are they and why do they matter?
Think tanks are research institutions that conduct research and analysis on various issues of public interest. They provide policy recommendations to governments, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. In Africa, think tanks have become an important part of the policy-making process, providing valuable insights on a range of issues that affect the continent.
The role of Think Tanks in Africa
Think tanks in Africa play a critical role in shaping public policy. They provide evidence-based research and analysis that informs policy decisions. They also provide a platform for dialogue and debate on critical issues facing the continent. This helps to ensure that policy decisions are informed by a wide range of perspectives.
The Challenges facing Think Tanks in Africa
Despite the important role that think tanks play in Africa, they face a number of challenges. One of the biggest challenges is funding. Many african think tanks are underfunded, which limits their ability to conduct research and provide policy recommendations. This has led to a situation where many think tanks are unable to attract and retain top talent, which further limits their impact.
Another challenge facing those research institutions in Africa is the lack of recognition and support from governments. Many governments in Africa are reluctant to engage with think tanks, which limits their ability to influence policy decisions. This has led to a situation where many think tanks are forced to rely on external funding sources, which can limit their independence and objectivity.
Best Think tank in Africa for public policy
Think tanks in the continent play a critical role in shaping public policy. They provide valuable insights and recommendations that inform policy decisions. However, they face a number of challenges, including funding and lack of recognition from governments. Addressing these challenges is critical if african think tanks are to continue to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of the continent.
Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA)
Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA)
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis (BIDPA)
Future Leaders Academy of Africa (FLAA)
African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Conflicts (ACCORD)
Political Center for the New South (PCNS)
Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies (ACPSS) -
UN blames Malian army for five hundred civilian deaths
UN blames Malian army for five hundred civilian deaths: In a report, the United Nations has accused the Malian army and “foreign” fighters of executing at least 500 people in March 2022.
UN blames Malian army for five hundred civilian deaths
The United Nations on Friday accused the Malian army and “foreign” fighters of executing at least 500 people in March 2022 during an anti-jihadist operation in Moura, in a damning report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). As documented in the report, the events in the central city of Moura, which have been the subject of conflicting versions for the past year, are the worst of their kind in a country familiar with atrocities by jihadists and other armed groups since 2012. The report is the most damning document produced against Malian forces, which have been implicated on multiple occasions in the past.
OHCHR “has reasonable grounds to believe” that at least 500 people, including some 20 women and seven children, were “executed by Malian armed forces and foreign military personnel” between March 27 and 31, 2022, in this town of a few thousand people, the report says. It is based on an investigation by the human rights division of the peacekeeping mission deployed in Mali since 2013 (Minusma), 157 individual interviews and 11 group interviews.
Wagner pointed out
UN blames Malian army for five hundred civilian deaths: In March 2022, 500 civilians were executed in Moura, a village in central Mali. The massacre was the deadliest since the war in Mali began a decade ago. In a report released on Friday, the UN agency accused the Malian army and “foreign” fighters of being behind the killing.
The massacre is said to have taken place after an anti-jihadist operation “after the area [had] been fully contained” between March 27 and 31, 2022. Malian soldiers, flanked by “foreign fighters,” most likely Wagner fighters, allegedly detained, sorted, tortured, and shot hundreds of civilians, including about 20 women and seven children. Within five days, 500 people had lost their lives. According to the report, there are “reasonable grounds to believe that 58 women and girls were victims of rape and other forms of sexual violence.
Neither Bamako nor Moscow has reacted
While the report does not explicitly identify “foreigners,” it mentions Malian statements about Russian “instructors” present in the country to fight jihadists. The head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, had himself attested to the presence in Mali of the Russian private security company Wagner, as recently as last February. Among the testimonies collected by the UN investigators, some describe white men in fatigues speaking an “unknown” language.
The investigations took place in an extremely tense atmosphere. Witnesses were intimidated: “Some sources were even arrested and detained by Malian security services during interviews with human rights officers. Neither Bamako nor Moscow, to whom the report was submitted prior to publication, have commented.
Washington ‘appalled’ by Malian army abuses
“The United States is appalled by the disregard for human life shown by elements of the Malian armed forces in cooperation with the Kremlin-backed Wagner group during an operation in Moura in March of last year,” said a statement from State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
“We call on the transitional government to conduct an independent, impartial, effective, thorough, and transparent investigation to hold those responsible accountable, consistent with the recommendations of the U.N. report,” the spokesman continued in the statement.
Furthermore, “it is crucial that UNMISMA be able to continue its mandate without hindrance,” he added, denouncing “the transitional government’s restrictions on the freedom of movement” of this UN force.
The United States on Monday urged Mali’s transition government to pursue an “independent, impartial, efficient, exhaustive, and transparent investigation” to hold accountable those responsible for the likely execution of hundreds of people in one village.
“The United States is appalled by the disregard for human life exhibited by elements of the Malian Armed Forces in cooperation with the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group – a transnational criminal organization – during the operation in Moura,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
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Africa Talks or the multiple challenges of Africa in 2023
Mazars organized on Thursday, May 4, 2023 in Casablanca, the 4th edition of Africa Talks. Many leaders and decision makers of the continent attended the event. Africa Talks or the multiple challenges of Africa in 2023:
Africa Talks or the multiple challenges of Africa in 2023
2023 is a year full of uncertainties because of the multiple crises that spare no country. Better still, with the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the US-China dispute over Taiwan, the overtaking, at the end of 2022, of the wealth created by the G7 group by the five Brics countries, and the strong trend towards an upheaval of the world economic order, leading some to speak of “plate tectonics” to allude to the strong trend that should lead to the formation of new political and economic blocs, the political and economic stakes for African countries are enormous.
It is in this context that the theme of the 4th edition of Africa Talks, held in Casablanca on Thursday, May 4, was: “2023, a year full of economic and political challenges”. From the outset, Abdou Diop, Managing Partner of Mazars in Morocco, explains that through this annual meeting, Mazar “wants to take an anticipatory look at the major issues that will be the focus of the year on the continent. And for this year, the crisis in Ukraine, US-China tensions, terrorism and political crises in Africa, rising interest rates, high inflation, liquidity crises, debt, the impact of climate change on the economy and the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are some of the issues that African countries will face as a whole.
African countries should pool their efforts
Faced with these challenges, Chakib Alj, President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Business (CGEM), returned to the problem of the transformation of African economies which makes that the value added of African economies represents barely 1.8% of that of the planet. However, with its enormous potential, the continent can meet the challenge of industrialization, vital to absorb the 10 to 12 million young people who arrive annually on the labor market for a job offer not exceeding 3 million per year.
For the boss of Moroccan employers, African countries must pool their efforts to create supply chains, processing units, boosting the Zlecaf … Only, for Chakib Alj, Africa can not win the bet of transformation while the continent has a huge deficit in electricity. What is more an aberration, the continent holding the greatest natural potential for energy production in the world. In terms of renewable energy alone, Africa has a potential of 60 million terawatts (TW), compared to 30 million for Asia and only 3 million for Europe. Of this potential, only a tiny part is currently exploited.
Beyond that, African countries must invest massively in infrastructure, agriculture, health, education…
Security in Africa remains a major concern that hinders the continent’s development
Current issues in Africa 2023
However, in order to make significant economic progress, security and safety must be present. Unfortunately, this is far from being the case in Africa today. Everywhere, insecurity is gaining ground, deplores Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal and President of the Pan African Institute of Strategies (IPS).
In addition to the Sahel countries (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad), jihadist terrorism is wreaking havoc in Nigeria, where Boko Haram has claimed more than 40,000 victims, in Cameroon, in the DR Congo… From now on, the nebula is looking for any means to take over a coastal country, hence the attempts to extend terrorist attacks to Ghana, Togo, Mozambique, the Ivory Coast…
A situation that leads the former head of Senegalese diplomacy to ask Africans to ask themselves questions: “who finances these jihadists, who wants to move the capital of the Islamic Khalifa in Africa” and “why Africans do not take the security issue as a priority” by setting up a strong African force able to fight terrorists in countries where they want to establish their Khalifa.
The problem is that “the executives and political elites of African countries have decided to resign, leaving the place to an inflation of political actors” little concerned with the political and economic issues of the continent. And in the face of the terrorist threat, “African countries must take the destiny of Africa together to face this existential risk of African states,” explains Paulo Fernando Gomes, former presidential candidate of Guinea-Bissau, co-founder of New African Capital Partners and president of Orango Investment Corporation. This is all the more true since “the technology of the plates may have impacts in Africa”, knowing that “Africa is very dependent on China in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI), import of raw materials …”.
For the emergence of Africa
In any case, in the face of the current heavy trends that the world is facing, including particularly “the emergence of the global south” (Brics, Africa …), as pointed out by the former Minister of Economy and Finance and former boss of Moroccan employers Salaheddine Mezouar, Africa does not intend to be a simple follower. The continent aspires to more freedom in its choices, putting forward its own interests. The Russia-Ukraine war has clearly demonstrated this. As a result, “the African voice is being heard”.
However, in order for this voice to be more audible and to defend the interests of the continent, it is urgent that a reform of the Security Council be carried out to give Africa and its 1.3 billion inhabitants a permanent seat.
Despite the many obstacles, the fact remains that the economic outlook for Africa is good. Xavier Reille, director for the Maghreb and Djibouti at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, highlights some interesting trends. First, there is the rise in power of African multinationals. While these champions were previously confined to two key sectors – telecoms and banking – African multinationals are now present in many sectors: agriculture, services, NICTs…
Africa Talks or the multiple challenges of Africa in 2023
The geography of these African champions is diversifying. Then there is the significant development of African startup ecosystems, led by young people from the continent, and which are innovative. South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya dominate this sector, but experts redorded a lot of talent and innovation in many countries.
Current events about africa
This means that Africa must focus on education by investing massively in engineering schools to provide the continent with quality human resources and to ensure a better training-job match.
However, the impacts of climate change that affects particularly the countries of North Africa with water stress, climate risks … could impact the good economic prospects in Africa, according to Reille, by A situation that must push countries to better use of water resources by agriculture and industry.
In short, after the crises of Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine, against which the continent has shown strong resilience, for 2023, the political and economic stakes are enormous. And it is up to Africans to transform the many challenges into opportunities. And it is possible.
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Ranking of the best universities in Africa
The American newspaper US News has published its latest ranking “2022-2023 Best Global Universities”. Hereafter the ranking of the best universities in Africa – 2023.
The American newspaper US News has published its latest ranking “2022-2023 Best Global Universities”. Hereafter the ranking of the best universities in Africa – 2023. It is intended to help students seeking prestigious universities to better navigate the higher education environment. Leadership!
Methodology
To create the pool of 2,011, U.S. News first included the top 250 universities in the results of Clarivate’s global reputation survey, described further below. Next, they added any other institutions that met the minimum threshold of at least 1,250 papers published from 2016 to 2020. Therefore, this paper threshold is unchanged from last year. Those two criteria created the final 2022-2023 ranking pool of 2,011 institutions from which the top-scoring 2,000 universities are ranked in the overall ranking.
As a result of these criteria, many stand-alone graduate schools, including Rockefeller University in New York and the University of California—San Francisco, were eligible to be ranked and were included in the ranking universe.
The second step was to calculate the rankings using the 13 indicators and weights that U.S. News chose to measure global research performance. Each of the school’s profile pages on usnews.com lists the overall global score as well as numerical ranks for the 13 indicators, allowing students to compare each school’s standing in each indicator.
The indicators and their weights in the ranking formula are listed in the table below, with related indicators grouped together; an explanation of each follows.
RANKING INDICATOR WEIGHT Global research reputation 12.5% Regional research reputation 12.5% Publications 10% Books 2.5% Conferences 2.5% Normalized citation impact 10% Total citations 7.5% Number of publications that are among the 10% most cited 12.5% Percentage of total publications that are among the 10% most cited 10% International collaboration – relative to country 5% International collaboration 5% Number of highly cited papers that are among the top 1% most cited in their respective field 5% Percentage of total publications that are among the top 1% most highly cited papers 5% Ranking of the best universities in Africa – 2023
Rank in Africa University City Country Global score Global ranking 1 University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa 68,00 125 2 University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa 60,80 244 3 Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa 58,10 304 4 University of Ibadan Ibadan Nigeria 56,10 344 5 Cairo University Giza Egypt 55,60 363 6 University of Kwazulu Natal Durabn South Africa 55,30 370 7 University of Johannesburg Johannesburg South Africa 53,90 421 8 Mansoura University Mansoura Egypt 53,30 447 9 University of Pretoria Hatdied South Africa 53,10 452 10 North West University Potchefstroom South Africa 51,70 487 11 Mekelle University Mekelle Ethiopia 51,60 493 12 Ain Shams University Cairo Egypt 50,00 540 13 Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia 49,00 573 14 University of Lagos Lagos Nigeria 48,60 587 15 Alexandria University Alexandria Egypt 48,10 611 16 University of the Western Cape Belville South Africa 47,70 625 17 Kafrelsheikh University Kafr El-Sheikh Egypt 47,20 639 18 Zagazig University Zagazig Egypt 46,70 661 19 Kwame Nkrumah University Science & Technology Kumasi Ghana 46,00 688 20 Assiut University Assiut Egypt 45,40 710 21 University of Zambia Lusaka Zambia 45,10 725 22 Al Azhar University Cairo Egypt 44,60 739 23 Makerere University Kampala Uganda 44,30 757 24 University of Nairobi Nairobi Kenya 43,30 794 25 Suez Canal University Ismailia Egypt 43,00 807 26 University of South Africa Pretoria South Africa 42,50 821 27 Tanta University Tanta Egypt 42,30 835 28 Hassan II University of Casablanca Casablanca Morocco 41,80 860 29 Mohammed First University of Oujda Oujda Morocco 41,50 871 30 University of the Free State Bloemfontein South Africa 41,40 875 31 University of Ghana Legon Ghana 40,80 907 32 Universite de Tunis-El-Manar Tunis Tunisia 40,50 920 33 Menofia University Shebin El Koum Egypt 40,30 928 34 University of Gondar Gondar Ethiopia 40,20 930 35 Rhodes University Grahamstown South Africa 40,10 935 36 Benha University Benha Egypt 40,00 943 37 Minia University Minya Egypt 39,90 948 38 Beni Suef University Beni Suef Egypt 39,70 959 39 Fayoum University Al Fayoum Egypt 39,20 977 40 University of Yaounde I Yaounde Cameroon 38,90 992 41 Mohammed V University in Rabat Rabat Morocco 38,70 1002 41 Tshwane University of Technology Pretoria South Africa 38,70 1002 43 Universite de Sfax Sfax Tunisia 38,40 1017 44 Helwan University Cairo Egypt 39,90 1085 45 Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Nigeria 36,80 1088 46 Sohag University Nasir City Egypt 36,70 1095 47 Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech Marrakech Morocco 36,60 1101 48 University of Zimbabwe Harare Zimbabwe 34,50 1190 49 University of Nigeria Nsukka Nigeria 34,40 1198 50 Universite de Carthage Tunis Tunisia 34,10 1216 Analysis
Egypt and South Africa are by far the countries with the best universities in Africa, with 17 and 12 respectively in the ranking. They are followed by Nigeria and Morocco with 4 universities each. Then come Ethiopia and Tunisia, followed by Ghana, and finally Zambia, Uganda and Kenya. Note that only 10 countries are represented in this ranking.
Country Number of Universities Average ranking Average Scoring Egypt 17 26,00 44,23 South Africa 12 15,50 50,94 Nigeria 4 28,00 43,98 Morocco 4 36,25 39,65 Ethiopia 3 19,33 46,93 Tunisia 3 41,67 37,67 Ghana 2 25,00 43,40 Zambia 1 21,00 45,10 Uganda 1 23,00 44,30 Kenya 1 24,00 43,30