12 September 2021
Nigeria: Switching off mobile phone towers (along a “sustained air and ground operation”) in Zamfara is the latest measure in the state’s fight against “armed men rule” and the kidnapping crisis. While it seems that the measure has some success, it may drive the criminals to neighbouring states.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58506419
11 September 2021
Covid-19: Most African countries are in the early stages of vaccination rollout. The article contains a map, updating daily, which shows how many people have been vaccinated in every one of Africa’s countries
https://theconversation.com/interested-in-vaccine-rollouts-across-africa-heres-a-map-to-guide-you-156802
Guinea: This article examines the context of Guinea’s coup of 5/9/2021. According to the author, the five most saliant factors are: “1. Guineans were frustrated with Condé’s presidency. But their frustrations go beyond him.” “2. Guineans are celebrating the coup, but still fear the military.” “3. Guinea is rich in resources, but that hasn’t helped most Guineans.” “4. Guinea is ethnically and linguistically diverse. New leaders might seek to manipulate these differences.” “5. Guinea has never had a war. But its people have endured tumultuous times, and more may be imminent.”
https://theconversation.com/guinea-has-a-long-history-of-coups-here-are-5-things-to-know-about-the-country-167618
Madagascar: The country may be living a “climate change famine”. “(C)limate change is amplifying the magnitude of natural variations, such as El Niños and La Niñas. This contributed to post-2014 increases in eastern and southern African food insecurity.” Other African countries could follow, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia seem to be in particular danger. An expert from the Climate Hazards Group explains.
https://theconversation.com/how-climate-change-contributed-to-madagascars-food-crisis-167370