AFRICA DYNAMITE 🌍

Another 61 lives were lost to its cold embrace on December 16, 2023, adding another tragic chapter to the ongoing tale of the Central Mediterranean migration route. Another 61 lives were lost to its cold embrace on December 16, 2023, adding another tragic chapter to the ongoing tale of the Central Mediterranean migration route. Shortly after leaving the Libyan coast near Zwara, a small, overloaded vessel carrying 86 souls—dreams intertwined with hope and prayers—capsized. The victims, who came from war-torn regions of Africa and included Nigerians, Gambians, and other nationalities, fled to Europe. They were fleeing poverty, violence, and an unfulfilled future. Their hopes, as flimsy as the inflatable raft that carried them, were destroyed by the merciless waves, leaving a trail of sorrow and unsolved questions in their wake. The causes of this tragedy are not unclear, even though the exact cause of the capsize is still being investigated. Hundreds of lives are lost on this route every...

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a well-known Catholic figure is Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu. He recently attacked African leaders for disregarding the moral principles taught to them in Catholic schools. He thinks that a large number of the leaders who have brought suffering and hopelessness to their nations received their education in Catholic institutions. This is a powerful statement that emphasizes the significance of moral principles in leadership. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu On January 24, 1960, Cardinal Ambongo was born in Boto, Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1988, he received his priestly ordination, and in 2004, he was made a bishop. He was named Archbishop of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's capital, Kinshasa, in 2018. He is renowned for being vocal and dedicated to social justice. Cardinal Ambongo's statement contains several lessons that African leaders can apply. They should first acknowledge the significance of moral principles in ...

Hildegard Steenkamp, a woman from South Africa, has been handed a 50-year prison sentence for embezzling more than $28 million from her former employer, Medtronic (Pty) Ltd. Steenkamp, who worked as an accountant at the company, had been diverting funds for a period of 13 years. She admitted to 336 charges linked to the theft of R537 million from the company. In order to legitimize her extravagant lifestyle, Steenkamp established multiple business ventures. Initially, her husband and son were also implicated in the case, but the charges against them were eventually dropped due to lack of evidence. Hildegard Steenkamp The theft has garnered significant attention from the South African media, leaving many individuals astonished and incredulous at the magnitude of the incident. Moreover, this case has sparked inquiries into the efficacy of internal controls and the role of auditors in identifying fraudulent activities within establishments across the country. Steenkamp's sentence sta...

  The recent presidential election in Liberia has been a topic of discussion in many African countries. Elected incumbent George Weah conceded defeat to opposition leader Joseph Boakai after a hotly contested presidential election. The election has been hailed as a victory for democracy in Africa, and other African countries can learn a lot from the election. One of the main takeaways from the election is the importance of holding peaceful elections. Liberia has experienced a lot of violence in the past, including two civil wars in 1989 and 2003, and an Ebola outbreak that killed thousands between 2013 and 2016. Despite all this, the country was able to hold peaceful elections, a testament to the resilience of the Liberian people . Other African countries can learn from Liberia’s example and strive for peaceful elections. Another important lesson from the election is the importance of transparency. Liberia was praised for holding peaceful elections by international observers, inclu...

Seven years into the war in Cameroon, the Cameroon government is yet to look for a concrete solution to end the war in the Southern Cameroon with thousands of people being displaced from their communities and thousands of lives being lost as a result of the war, many are beginning to ask the question if the Cameroon government really have what it takes to provide solutions for the crisis. Many people I also questioning why very little support is being gotten from the French speaking part of Cameroon since the war started. Others are also questioning if the war was to be in the French part of Cameroon will the government have also shown such a laissez-faire attitude toward ending the war.    Very little of what is happening in the southern Cameroon is not being covered by the French media as a result most French speaking Cameroonians know absolutely nothing or very little  of what is happening in the English speaking part of Cameroon, the atrocities being commi...

Cameroon is a country in Central Africa that has been facing political and ethnic tensions for several years. The media in Cameroon is failing to hold the government accountable for its actions, which is contributing to the country's instability.  The media in Cameroon is not free and independent. The government controls most of the media outlets in the country, and journalists who criticize the government are often harassed, arrested, or even killed. According to the 2022 Freedom in the World report by Freedom House, Cameroon is rated as "not free" in terms of press freedom. This means that the media in Cameroon is not able to operate freely and independently, and is subject to government censorship and control. The lack of press freedom in Cameroon has serious consequences for the country's democracy and stability. Without a free and independent media, the government is able to act with impunity and without accountability. This has led to widespread corr...

Rwanda and Kеnya havе rеcеntly announcеd visa-frее travеl for all Africans. Rwanda announcеd on Novеmbеr 2, 2023 that it will allow all Africans to travеl visa-frее to thе country, bеcoming thе latеst nation on thе continеnt to announcе such a mеasurе aimеd at boosting frее movеmеnt of pеoplе. Kеnya’s Prеsidеnt William Ruto also announcеd plans to allow all Africans to travеl to thе East African nation visa-frее by Dеcеmbеr 31. This movе is aimеd at boosting frее movеmеnt of pеoplе and tradе to rival Europе’s Schеngеn zonе. Thе African Union launchеd an African passport in 2016 with thе aim of unlеashing thе potеntial of thе continеnt, but only diplomats and AU officials havе bееn issuеd thе travеl documеnt so far. Thе African Passport and frее movеmеnt of pеoplе is aimеd at rеmoving rеstrictions on Africans’ ability to travеl, work and livе within thеir own continеnt.  president Ruto Thе visa-frее travеl policy is еxpеctеd to havе a positivе impact on thе еconomiеs of both countri...

As of 2023, Japan is grappling with a significant demographic challenge that is negatively impacting its economy. The country's population is aging rapidly, leading to a decline in the labor force and consequently, a decrease in productivity and economic output. Japan ageing  Japan's population in 2023 is estimated at approximately 123.3 million people, making up about 1.53% of the total global population. However, this figure represents a decrease from previous years. For instance, as of January 1, 2023, Japan's population stood at 125.4 million, indicating a drop of around 511,000 from the previous year. This trend of a shrinking population is expected to continue, with projections for 2025 and 2030 showing further decreases. The median age in Japan is relatively high at 49.1 years, reflecting the country's aging population. This demographic shift has significant implications for the country's economy. As the proportion of elderly people increases, so does the cos...

A frica, the world's youngest continent, is paradoxically governed by some of the oldest leaders globally. This stark contrast between the median age of Africa's population, which is about 19 years, and the median age of its leaders, approximately 63 years, presents a unique challenge for the continent's development and progress. The age gap between the leaders and those led in Africa is not just a demographic anomaly; it has profound implications for the continent's socio-economic and political landscape. some of the oldest leaders on the continent The African continent is home to the world's youngest population, with 40 percent of its inhabitants aged 14 years and younger. Yet the leadership structure does not reflect this youthful demographic. The mean age of the ten oldest African leaders is an astonishing 80.2 years, a figure that stands in stark contrast to the average age distribution of the continent. This discrepancy is not merely a statistical curiosity bu...

I n the ever-evolving realm of science and technology, a young visionary from the University of Rwanda, Theofrida Muginga, is making significant strides in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). She is developing 'Mkulima GPT,' a ChatGPT-driven Swahili chatbot designed to empower smallholder farmers. This innovative project, launched in September 2023, is a testament to the transformative power of technology when applied to address real-world challenges. University of Rwanda The University of Rwanda, where Theofrida is studying, is a public collegiate institution based in Kigali, Rwanda's capital. Established in 2013 through the merger of several independent educational institutions, it has grown to become the largest education institution in the country. It was here that Theofrida's journey began, leading her to create 'Mkulima GPT.' 'Mkulima GPT' is not just any chatbot; it is a revolutionary tool designed to serve the agricultural community. Its m...

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The move will distinguish the DRC as one of the few nations with embassies in the disputed city of Jerusalem joining the United States, Guatemala, and Honduras. The relocation is anticipated within the coming months, though no specific date has been disclosed. The decision to transfer the embassy has garnered varied reactions. Advocates argue that it signifies the acknowledgment of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and a stride towards regional peace. They further assert that it demonstrates the strong bonds between Israel and the DRC. president of DRC and Prime Minister of Israel   However, critics contend that it defies international law and undermines endeavors to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Jerusalem holds immense religious significance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike, and has long been the focal point of the Israeli-Palestinian confl...

A frican leaders have been responding to the ongoing dispute between Israel and Hamas in the wake of Hamas' unprecedented and multifaceted attack on Israel. The attack, known as "Al-Aqsa Storm" by Hamas, stands as the largest and most devastating assault on Israel since the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Indeed, militants made their way into Gaza early on Saturday, employing various modes of entry, including land, air, and sea, thereby leaving behind a trail of terror and destruction. In light of these events, Israel has officially declared a state of war, initiating "Operation Sword of Iron" which involves targeted strikes against suspected Hamas and Islamic Jihad locations within Gaza.   Chairperson Moussa Faki  Israel has also announced a comprehensive siege of Gaza, cutting off vital supplies such as fuel, electricity, food, and water. The ongoing conflict has tragically resulted in a substantial loss of life, with the Israeli Health Service reporting at least 1,20...

A kinwumi Adesina, the leader of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has expressed that corruption is not solely an issue in Africa and that it is essential to have faith in the future of the continent. In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Adesina declared that there has been a renewed belief in the economic prospects of Africa and strongly criticized the negative stereotypes associated with it. He emphasized that there are numerous reasons to be hopeful and optimistic. Akinwumi Adesina Adesina, who is currently in the middle of his second five-year term as president of the AfDB, asserted that Africa possesses the potential workforce required by aging economies in the western world. He further emphasized that it is high time to discard the misconceptions surrounding corruption and risk. He stated that the most expedient route to poverty is by simply exporting raw materials, while the path to prosperity lies in participating in global value chains and adding value to every avai...

A police officer from Nigeria has been condemned to death for the fatal shooting of a pregnant lawyer in Lagos. The officer in question, Drambi Vandi, has been proven guilty of the crime of murder by the esteemed Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos High Court. The tragic incident took place on Christmas Day in the year 2022 when Vandi, at a checkpoint in the town of Ajah, opened fire on Bolanle Raheem after her vehicle failed to halt as instructed 1 .  Drambi Vandi AND  Bolanle Raheem Raheem, a woman in her early forties who was carrying a child, met her untimely demise during this unfortunate episode. The ruling has garnered widespread praise as a strong measure against police misconduct. Nigeria has been plagued by numerous allegations of police abuse and extrajudicial killings, thus sparking hope that this verdict will serve as a cautionary tale for officers who frequently elude accountability. In Nigeria, the issue of the death penalty sparked intense controversy, with ...

D ieudonné Murengerantwari, formerly in charge of overseeing the operations of Burundi's central bank, has been apprehended under the suspicion of engaging in corrupt practices. The Ministry of Justice has lodged a series of allegations against him, including actions that hindered the smooth functioning of the national economy, participation in passive corruption, involvement in money laundering activities, and the misappropriation of public resources. Murengerantwari assumed the position of leading Burundi's central bank in August last year, with a planned tenure of five years. However, his presidency was abruptly terminated by President Évariste Ndayishimiye on Sunday, and Édouard Normand Bigendako was appointed as his successor. Dieudonné Murengerantwari The lawyer general, Leonard Manirakiza, has expressed that the accusations against Murengerantwari are temporary as investigations proceed. Furthermore, he mentioned that Murengerantwari is receiving lawful treatment while h...

A ngolan TikToker Neth Nahara has received a two-year prison term for "disparaging" President João Lourenço on TikTok. The sentence was extended from an initial six-month term to two years following an appeal made by the prosecution. Neth Nahara, known in real life as Ana da Silva Miguel, is a well-liked social media influencer in Angola, boasting over 1.1 million followers on TikTok. Neth Nahara's charges stem from a TikTok video where she voiced criticism towards the president's management of the nation's economy and accused him of engaging in corrupt practices.   Neth Nahara The video gained significant attention and triggered anger among the president's supporters, who claimed that Neth Nahara had insulted the nation's leader. In August, she was taken into custody and initially sentenced to six months in prison. However, the prosecution contested the verdict, resulting in a subsequent two-year sentence. The case has ignited fury among activists champio...

Former football star and current president of Liberia, George Weah, has made known his intention to seek a second term in office, despite facing criticism for his handling of the country's economic and social challenges. Weah, who won the presidential election in 2017, has been heavily criticized for his government's failure to address corruption, soaring inflation, and high unemployment rates. However, he staunchly defends his track record, emphasizing the need for more time to implement his policies and enact necessary reforms. GEORGE WEAH Weah's announcement comes at a time when concerns about Liberia's economy are growing. The nation is grappling with a severe foreign exchange crisis, as the Liberian dollar has plummeted by over 50% against the US dollar since Weah assumed office. Moreover, the government has been accused of mismanagement of funds and delays in paying civil servants. Adding to the woes, Liberia is plagued by a crippling electricity shortage, with ex...

Z oleka Mandela, the esteemed granddaughter of the legendary Nelson Mandela, tragically departed from this world on the somber date of October 7, 2023, at the relatively tender age of 43. She graced the realm of literature and activism, and conquered the formidable obstacles of cancer, a battle that persisted for an arduous span of over ten years. Zoleka earned widespread recognition for her tireless efforts in enlightening the masses about the perils of cancer as well as promoting road safety within the boundaries of her beloved South Africa. Captivating audiences with her powerful oratory skills, she also delved into the realm of writing, blessing the world with literary gems such as "When Hope Whispers" and "Hope in a Time of Darkness." Zoleka Mandela Zoleka was bestowed upon the world on the auspicious day of December 9, 1979, within the vibrant confines of Soweto, South Africa. She emerged as the radiant offspring of the distinguished Zindzi Mandela and the ill...

L okassa ya Mbongo, a renowned guitar player from the Congo, has been deprived of a proper burial for nearly seven months since his demise, inflicting insufferable anguish and ignominy upon his kin. Presently, Lokassa's mortal remains languish in a mortuary in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, having been transported back from the United States, in accordance with his desire to rest in his homeland. André Marie Lokassa, his son, lamented the government's unfulfilled pledge to orchestrate a funeral that would benefit the stature of this esteemed musical icon. Regrettably, such assurances have thus far been left unfulfilled. Conversely, a local charity that supports artists claimed that internal familial disputes have contributed to this inordinate delay. In an attempt to overcome this predicament, the family has submitted a funding proposal amounting to $75,000 (£61,000) to the government to cover the expenses of the funeral, yet it awaits approval, leav...

O ver the past week, a total of ten lions have lost their lives in the southern part of Kenya. This includes the unfortunate demise of six lions on Saturday alone. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has reported an alarming rise in human-wildlife conflicts in the region. The KWS spokesperson stated that the number of lion fatalities in a single incident is unusually high. These lions were all residents of the Amboseli ecosystem in Kajiado County, which is recognized by the United Nations as a biosphere reserve near Mount Kilimanjaro. LIONS BASKING On Saturday, KWS issued a press release revealing that the six lions responsible for the killings had attacked and claimed the lives of 11 goats and one dog. These incidents occurred just weeks after the tragic news of the death of Loonkiito, one of Africa's most senior lions at the age of 19. It was reported that Loonkiito, due to severe hunger, had strayed from a protected area and entered a livestock enclosure where he was ultimately kil...

N igeria's President, Bola Tinubu, stands accused of fabricating a diploma from an American university. The alleged falsification was submitted to Nigeria's election commission prior to the February vote. The accusations have been brought forth by Atiku Abubakar, the runner-up in the election, and his legal representative. Their claims rely on evidence obtained from the university during court proceedings in the United States. These records have also been shared with The Associated Press. Tinubu and his spokesperson vehemently deny these allegations, including the most recent one. The controversy has captivated the attention of numerous Nigerians, particularly after a highly contentious election where Tinubu secured victory with less than 50% of the total votes, marking a significant departure from Nigeria's historical norms. Bola Tinubu  In Nigeria, the decision to charge Tinubu with counterfeiting has provoked a variety of responses. Certain individuals have embraced this...