18 July 2021
Egypt: One of the most prominent activists of the 2011 revolution, Esraa Abdel Fattah, has been released from jail (pre-trial detention) after almost 2 years spent there for allegedly spreading false news and collaborating with a terrorist group. She had claimed that she had been tortured in custody by security forces and went on a hunger strike to protest. She drew international attention. “A number of other prominent journalists and opposition figures, including activist Gamal El-Gammal and Abdel Nasser Ismail – leader of the Popular Alliance party – were also freed this weekend.”
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57882069
17 July 2021
Nigeria: Disenchantment with the postcolonial state creates calls for self-determination. The Indigenous People of Biafra is not the only secessionist movement in the country. The government is partly responsible for its radicalisation, seeking “to extinguish the agitations of disillusioned young people through unfiltered brutality (and) unwittingly elevated Kanu into a cult hero”, like it had done in 2009 with Boko Haram’s founder Muhammad Yusuf, who died in police custody. Declaring the group a “terrorist organisation” in September 2017 has been heavily criticised by some. In the author’s view, as it is not feasible to hold an unwilling people hostage, it is time for the government “to present the olive branch”.
https://theconversation.com/what-drives-the-indigenous-people-of-biafras-relentless-efforts-for-secession-163984
South Africa: The country has by far enough food to go around, but accessibility – so far this meant first of all people not having enough means to purchase food – remains a threat to food security. Covid had already reduced food security. Now the riots disrupting supply chains in KwaZulu Natal present new threats. There, intervention is urgently needed to make transport possible. For the rest of the country, there is presently no heightened threat to food security.
https://theconversation.com/south-african-riots-and-food-security-why-theres-an-urgent-need-to-restore-stability-164493