24 May 2023
Nigeria: Production of petroleum products of 650,000 barrels a day at the just opened Dangote oil refinery will substantially reduce imports of the country where so far “more than 80% of its refined petroleum products” had to be imported. When in full operation, the refinery is estimated to create 250,000 direct and indirect jobs. Despite its several advantages (which the article enumerates more than explains), the refinery is only a short-term solution, it “should be viewed as a stepping stone towards a transition to cleaner energy sources in the medium term”.
https://theconversation.com/dangote-launches-africas-biggest-oil-refinery-4-ways-it-will-affect-nigeria-205685
Sudan: British colonial, African, Islamic – Khartoum has a triple heritage and Greater Khartoum consists of three towns separated by rivers and linked by a number of bridges: Omdurman, Khartoum, Bahri (or Khartoum North). The destruction of the city on a massive scale has the architect author of the article reflect – in a haphazard manner with too little structure – on how Khartoum was constructed.
https://theconversation.com/khartoum-the-creation-and-the-destruction-of-a-modern-african-city-205705
Somaliland: Has the country all of a sudden become prone to instability? After over 25 years of stability – “which has won international admiration but not recognition” –, the delay of presidential elections and the clashes between security forces and clan militias in some parts seem to indicate a serious degradation. The south-eastern city of Laas Caanood was the most concerned by these clashes. The tensions were also felt in Hargeisa (capital) and Berbera (port). In the article’s author’s view, the “roots of the political armed conflict” are “cumulative economic and political grievances of several clans at the periphery and President Muse Bihi Abdi’s authoritarian grip on power, which is in contrast with the conciliatory approach of his predecessor.” To save Somaliland from fragmentation, the president should try all to resolve the crisis peacefully, “engag(ing) Laas Caanood clan chiefs to address their grievances expressed violently by the population.”
https://theconversation.com/somaliland-crisis-delayed-elections-and-armed-conflict-threaten-dream-of-statehood-200566
Cholera: Contaminated food or water is what gets you infected by Vibrio cholerae bacteria. In 2021, in Africa, it was worse than ever before. This is due to “worsening sanitation, poor and unreliable water supplies and worsening socioeconomic conditions”. The newly urbanised and IDPs are especially vulnerable. On top of that, when there is an outbreak, authorities are mostly slow to react – but cholera patients need treatment very fast. Also, overuse of antibiotics has contributed to drug resistance of the Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Rapid diagnostic tests and oral cholera vaccines need to be much more used.
https://theconversation.com/why-cholera-continues-to-threaten-many-african-countries-197799
Peter Rabbit’s African roots: Africa-originated Brer Rabbit folktales inspired the famous Peter Rabbit tales “invented” by Beatrix Potter in the late 19th and early 20th century. But surprisingly, these roots are hardly ever talked or written about. This needs to be corrected, “through Potter’s silence concerning her sources, the African American tales that helped create her stories are passed over without acknowledgement or celebration”.
https://theconversation.com/beatrix-potters-famous-tales-are-rooted-in-stories-told-by-enslaved-africans-but-she-was-very-quiet-about-their-origins-202274
Methane: Global warming’s second-biggest culprit after CO2, methane is emitted by agriculture, solid liquid waste management and during the extraction, transportation, consumption of coal, oil, gas. Only 13% of global emissions are “regulated by policies capable of controlling and preventing them”. Such policies need to be strengthened and expanded to get results that matter.
https://theconversation.com/methane-must-fall-to-slow-global-heating-but-only-13-of-emissions-are-actually-regulated-205941
23 May 2023
South Africa: 15 deaths from cholera in Gauteng – angry residents blaming the mayor of Tshwane (ex-Pretoria) City “for failing to provide clean water” chased away the mayor, forcing him off the premises of Jubilee District Hospital in Hammanskraal area where he was “expected to join officials from the national government to assess the situation”. Authorities have warned residents not to drink tap water.
BBC Africa Live 23 May 2023. 7:12
Mozambique: An increase in rapes and murders has made the authorities close all of Maputo’s beaches between 19h00 and 5h00. A police post will be created on Costa do Sol beach for monitoring compliance with the new rule.
BBC Africa Live 23 May 2023. 6:45