05 January 2023
“If you want to donate a piece of cloth to a lazy person, make sure you dye it first”
BBC Africa Live 05 January 2023. 4:34. Proverb of the day. A Yoruba proverb from Nigeria sent by Ola Oduwole in London, the UK
Kenya/FGC: Although the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2011 provides “a good environment for programmes and development of policies for 22 hotspot counties”, female genital cutting remains a problem – especially amongst Somali, Samburu, Kisii and Maasai, where prevalence rates are 94%, 86%, 84% and 78% respectively. One of the interventions against FGC which has and was proven (by a 2019 impact study) to be successful in reducing the harmful practice is the alternative rite of passage. “The new ritual combines aspects of the traditional ceremony with educational components of sexual and reproductive health, human rights and gender norms” with the programme supporting “girls’ self-esteem and ability to exercise their power.” Alternative rites of passage ceremonies organised within the Amref International University programme have been held for more than 20,000 girls so far. FGC “prevalence rates declined by 24.2 percentage points, from a mean of 80.8% before the alternative rite rollout, to 56.6% afterwards (between 2009 and 2019).” Beyond that, girl schooling was increased, the rate of forced marriages has declined as has teenage pregnancy. And there is a follow-up to make sure uncut girls stay uncut.
https://theconversation.com/female-genital-mutilation-rates-peak-in-kenya-during-school-holidays-an-alternative-option-offers-a-solution-176483
Kenya: President Ruto says he fired the head of criminal investigations George Kinoti in September because “(t)here was a container at the Nairobi area where people were being slaughtered – in a police station” and the country cannot have such a rogue institution. The case is being investigated.
BBC Africa Live 05 January 2023. 5:14
Somaliland/Puntland: The gold, frankincense and myrrh brought by the three kings to Jesus are thought to have come from the Golis range which straddles de facto independent Somaliland and Somali state Puntland. Anywah, the three precious substances “have been exported from the region for thousands of years”. But now the exploitation of gold is threatening the harvesting of frankincense and myrrh – the ancient trees are cut when areas are cleared for mining or the digging hurts their roots. Gold mining is also destroying the environment – and traditional social structures. On top of all that, according to the article, “(t)he Islamist groups, al-Shabab and the Somali branch of Islamic State, have started to demand taxes from the gold-diggers”.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64162379
04 January 2023
Uganda: This Guardian photo essay is about Florence Lugemwa, successful trumpeter and DJ, and about the band she has formed with slum children. The only criterion for participation is that they have to commit to practise, to be there when needed and to be obedient. According to Lugemwa, “(t)he band stops them from straying into the wrong peer groups or into trouble. It gives them structure.”
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/jan/03/musician-florence-lugemwa-kampala-slums
Mozambique/UN: Replacing Kenya, Mozambique will serve as one of the ten non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for two years. It has announced that it will focus fighting terrorism and also work towards increasing Africa’s role in the UN institution. The USA, UK, Russia, France and China are the Security Council’s permanent members.
BBC Africa Live 04 January 2023. 5:39
Zambia: Mostly because of Kariba dam’s low water level, with routine annual maintenance of a Maamba Power Plant generator adding to the woes, 12-hour power cuts have been announced by national power utility Zesco.
BBC Africa Live 04 January 2023. 15:02
Algeria: The pharmaceutical industry minister has announced that insulin production is about to start on 15th of January. Half of the insulin needed will then be produced within the country. About 2.8 million Algerians are diabetic.
BBC Africa Live 04 January 2023. 15:42