Africa News Update
Africa News Update offers news, background and feature articles from African sources twice weekly. The newsletter is free of charge and is edited by the Norwegian Council for Africa. Some of the articles may be shortened.
Cote d'Ivoire: Universities reopen after "blank" years
Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire) - When Côte d'Ivoire's five public universities reopen on 3 September, 61,000 students will arrive for the first time after almost two "blank" years since universities were closed in the violent unrest sparked by the disputed 2010 presidential vote. The influx could cause chaos. Read >
Friday, 24 August 2012
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)
Kenya: Women seek justice over sterilisation
Nairobi (Kenya) - Over 40 HIV-postive women who were allegedly sterilized against their will go to court to demand justice and possible compensation. Read >
Friday, 24 August 2012
The Star (Kenya)
Congo (DRC): Bushmeat blamed for Ebola outbreak
Kinshasa (Congo DRC)- Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo's north-eastern Orientale Province are urging the population to desist from activities that could put them at risk of contracting the Ebola virus, including contact with infected individuals and the consumption of bushmeat. Read >
Friday, 24 August 2012
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)
Ethiopia: Getting a better deal for coffee farmers
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) - Ethiopia is regarded as arabica coffee's birthplace, but while the country's high-quality coffee has made it to the gourmet shelves of major coffee houses around the world, many of its growers remain poor. Read >
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
UN Integrated Regional Infoirmation Networks (IRIN)
Kenya: New property equity fund for East Africa
Nairobi (Kenya) - British American Investments Company is planning a $100 million private equity fund targeting investments in the East African region. Read >
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
The East African (Kenya)
Somalia: Why East Africa and the world are watching closely as Somalia votes
Nairobi (Kenya) - What is at stake as Somalia votes? A number of countries from the region have strategic interests in Somalia that are at variance with each other, even though they have come together under the umbrella of the African Union Mission in Somalia, Amisom, to defeat Al Shabaab and stabilise the country. Read >
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
The East African (Kenya), by Fred Oluoch, Special Correspondent
Uganda: Criticism of government leads to harassment of NGOs
Kampala (Uganda) - In the face of rising public criticism over a range of controversial political manoeuvres, the Ugandan government has become increasingly hostile to the work of non-governmental organisations, particularly those advocating for the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, according to a new report from Human Rights Watch. Read >
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Inter Press Service (IPS), by Andrew Green
Congo (DRC): Violence hampers aid work in the northeast
Bunia (Congo DRC) - Inter-ethnic tensions have again turned violent in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri region, compromising the delivery of humanitarian aid to more than 100,000 people, according to officials there. Read >
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
UN Integrated Regional Information Netsworks (IRIN)
Rwanda: Paul Kagame can teach us the fine art of making lemonade (opinion)
Nairobi (Kenya) - When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade with it. The recent move by several Western countries to suspend aid to Rwanda could be the best thing to happen to Africa. Read >
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
The East African (Kenya), by Joachim Buwebo*