04 March 2022
Tanzania: 7 months of prison for nothing? Freeman Mbowe, chairman of the Chadema opposition party, accused of terrorism and economic sabotage, has been in jail since July 2021. He was now freed since “the prosecution indicated it had no interest in pursuing charges against him”.
BBC Africa Live 04 March 2022. 9:33
Patriarchy in Kenya: According to the article’s author, the range of factors perpetuating patriarchal attitudes goes from language used by media to reigning stereotypes and traditions. He identifies the obstacles faced by women who want to participate in politics as “inadequate political support from their parties, particularly in the primaries; a lack of financial resources; gender-based violence; gender stereotyping; and patriarchal structures across society.” In pre-election times especially, sexist language prevails. He gives plenty of examples for this. In the 2017 elections, for the first time, women were elected governors (3) and senators (3) – out of 47 senators and 47 governors. The two-thirds gender rule of the 2010 constitution – no more than two thirds of members of elective or appointive bodies should be of the same sex – is still far from being put into practice.
https://theconversation.com/kenya-election-sexist-language-shows-that-patriarchy-refuses-to-give-way-178066
South Africa: Retirees are three times more likely to experience poverty than any other age group – and women are particularly disadvantaged – for them, economic inequality started well prior to retirement (they make up the largest group of low-paid employees, face unequal labour market opportunities, have family care responsibilities). The article presents results of research into poverty of retired women who self-define as poor.
https://theconversation.com/retired-women-in-south-africa-carry-a-huge-burden-of-poverty-177379
South African Women: Imbodko – “rock” in isiZulu – is a series of books that presents histories of remarkable South African women, histories all too often neglected. The title comes from a chant sung by women liberation fighters which translates to: “You strike women, you strike a rock, you will be crushed! You should be careful!” Interested? To buy: https://jacana.co.za/series/imbokodo-women-who-shape-us-2/?per_page=12
https://theconversation.com/imbokodo-is-a-long-overdue-series-of-childrens-books-on-south-african-women-177754
Uganda/Congo-Kinshasa: Reparations practices are growing in international courts. But calculating damages and liabilities is highly controversial, as shown by the recent International Court of Justice ruling that Uganda has to pay 325m USD in reparations to Congo-Kinshasa for serious violations of international law committed during the 1998-2003 in Congo-Kinshasa – much less than the latter had demanded, but still quite a lot & Uganda says it cannot pay the 65m USD annually over the next 5 years. The ICC has no means whatsoever to enforce its ruling or even to verify whether Uganda is paying. An additional potential problem: “If participation in international law practice carries deep financial risks to states, they may be less willing to engage. This could carry risks for the peaceful resolution of disputes.”
https://theconversation.com/uganda-drc-reparations-verdict-raises-questions-about-the-price-of-justice-177485
World market fertiliser prices: Globally, Russia is the biggest exporter of fertiliser materials including minerals or chemicals such as nitrogen to phosphourous and potassium. Fertiliser prices, already very high, are likely to increase further because of the disruptions caused by Russia’s war with Ukraine. Though sub-Saharan Africa consumes relatively little fertiliser (estimated at 19,9kg of nutrients per cropland ha – well below the 128,7kg of nutrients per cropland ha of developed countries e.g., the US), this will be hard on farmers, especially in countries above the regional averages like South Africa (72.8kg/ha), Zambia (52.5kg/ha).
https://theconversation.com/russias-war-with-ukraine-risks-putting-fresh-pressure-on-rising-fertiliser-prices-178334
Mali/Sweden: Sweden has announced that its 220 Minusma soldiers will leave Mali in June 2023, one year earlier than planned. The reason is most likely the presence of Russian mercenaries in Mali.
BBC Africa Live 04 March 2022. 5:30
Plastic pollution: By 2050, unless something is done about it, “there may be more plastic by weight than fish in the ocean” according to a January 2016 WEF-commissioned study. Plastic needs to be reduced throughout its life cycle – from production to disposal. Banning or phasing out single-use plastic products will no doubt be necessary and also more money for waste collection, recycling, development of environmentally benign plastics.
https://theconversation.com/plastic-pollution-is-a-global-problem-heres-how-to-design-an-effective-treaty-to-curb-it-176226
03 March 2022
Mozambique: In November 2021, the ministers of the interior and of defence had been replaced by President Nyusi. Now, six ministers have been sacked, including the minister of finance. Neither the reasons for the sacking nor the names of the new ministers were given.
BBC Africa Live 03 March 2022. 4:38
Miriam Makeba: Music interwoven with activism. “There’s nobody in Africa who made the world more aware of what was happening in South Africa than Miriam Makeba.” An homage with interesting video links.
https://theconversation.com/the-legacy-of-iconic-singer-miriam-makeba-and-her-art-of-activism-178230
ADF/Uganda/Congo-Kinshasa/Kenya/Tanzania: The terrorist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have widened their recruitment base to include – beyond the traditional RDC and Uganda – Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. ADF’s primary motive seems to be organised crime – first of all exploiting minerals – facilitated by terror tactics (terrorising locals to make them leave so they have unhindered access to the mines). With the East African Community trying to abolish borders, ADF’s activities could benefit.
https://issafrica.org/iss-today/expansion-of-the-allied-democratic-forces-should-worry-east-africa
Mozambique: Progress against terrorism in the country’s north is insufficient. The article reflects on what is missing. “Many of the challenges emerging in Mozambique have also confronted Mali and the wider Sahel region. These include the complexity of different and poorly coordinated foreign interventions, the lack of synergy among humanitarian, military and peacebuilding actors, and a focus on military deployments instead of root causes.”
https://issafrica.org/iss-today/lessons-for-mozambique-after-frances-withdrawal-from-the-sahel
Burundi: Sanctions have been lifted by the US and the EU – which is excellent news for Burundi’s economy which has been in recession for some time – but this comes despite human rights not having been substantially improved nor political space having been opened. Only external politics seems to really have changed from an isolationist stance under Nkurunziza to a re-engagement with the international community under Évariste Ndayishimiye. Burundi’s human rights situation has been described as “dire” in the September 2021 report of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi, citing “cases of arbitrary arrests and forced disappearances by the National Intelligence Service, violent attacks on civilians by the government-affiliated Imbonerakure youth militia and intimidation of journalists”.
https://issafrica.org/iss-today/burundis-return-to-the-international-fold
Libya: Fathi Bashaga has been sworn in as prime minister in Tobruk (east of the country) where parliament elected him in February. But the old prime minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah will not step down and has closed down Libyan airspace to stop ministers from reaching Tobruk. Two of Bashaga’s ministers are said to have been abducted while travelling by land.
BBC Africa Live 03 March 2022. 16:25 resp. 12:24
Mozambique: Adriano Afonso Maleiane, so far finance minister, has been named new Prime minister. Mr Nyusi is in the process of reshuffling his cabinet. Maleiane was “key in restructuring the country's hidden debts which were at the heart of a corruption scandal that shook the country to its core”.
BBC Africa Live 03 March 2022. 17:41