Photos: Locals in Swaziland Use Personal Experience to Raise HIV Awareness

An MSF counselor teaches women about HIV testing and treatment. 

 

It’s still early, but the sun burns as if it were noon. In the sky, there is not a single cloud to soften the strong rays. Dry trees with few leaves scatter the ground, creating scarce shadows where dogs and goats are resting. On the horizon, the dry, yellow soil contrasts with the dark blue sky.

Women cook in large iron cauldrons marked by time while others hold buckets on their head filled with water collected from the nearest drinking-water hole. The men, from different homes, walk to the Kudla Inhloko—a circular plaza surrounded by tree branches.

What Is Behind the Oromo Rebellion in Ethiopia?

 
 Sima Amhamed holds the Ethiopian flag as she chants along with fellow protesters outside the Federal Building on West Broadway Wednesday afternoon as they denounce US support of the Ethiopian government. Dec. 23, 2015


The Ethiopian government is now faced with unprecedented rebellion from the Oromo ethnic group, consisting 35% of the Ethiopia's population, which it disingenuously claims is inspired by terrorism. The immediate pretext is the Addis Ababa Master Plan encroaching and displacing Oromo farmers, but this masks a deeper grievance which has been brewing for at least two decades under this regime, and for over a century under successive highland Ethiopian rulers. In the following, I will try to provide some context and offer some analysis of the danger Ethiopia and the region are facing.

Samia Nkrumah hopes to lead Ghana in 2016

 
 Samia Yaba Nkrumah, former CPP chair

Flagbearer aspirant of the Convention People’s Party, Samia Nkrumah is counting on her record in the CPP for victory in the party’s January 29 and 30 presidential primaries.

The party founded by her father opened nominations for the primaries on Monday 28th December, 2015

Several personalities including, 2012 flagbearer, Dr Abu Sakara and Lawyer, Dr Bright Akwetey are all expected to join what is expected to be a tight race to lead the party ahead of the 2016 elections.

Three reasons to smile if you live in South Africa today By Chandré Gould

 

In South Africa, the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign seldom provides reasons for optimism, let alone celebration. It has, instead, become a time to lament failures and point to the mountain of shattered lives that gender-based violence and violence against children contribute to our national landscape. Yet this year, there are several reasons to celebrate.

Telling South Sudan’s Tales in a Language Not Its Own By ISMA’IL KUSHKUSH

“I love the Arabic language. I am like writers who write in a language other than their own; I am no different" Stella Gaitano

 

WHEN dozens of people packed a hall in this capital city to celebrate the publication this year of the latest collection of short stories by Stella Gaitano, a South Sudanese commentator called her “our ambassador to the Arab world.” The audience included writers from Sudan, and when the book went on sale a few months later in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, the author received a glowing reception there as well.

Photos: Central African Republic waits for results after 'successful' elections

The Central African Republic (CAR) on Thursday began what could be a long wait for final results from the preceding day's presidential and parliamentary elections, which are being seen as key to resolving the country's bloody Muslim-Christian conflict

Burundi edges closer to civil war

REUTERS

A protester wears grass around his face to obscure his identity during a protest against President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to run for a third term, in Bujumbura, Burundi. 

 Burundi edged closer toward a civil war Thursday with the announcement of the launch of a new rebel group that aims to oust President Pierre Nkurunziza.

A former senior officer in Burundi’s army told The Associated Press that he and other army officers have formed a rebel movement known as the Republican Forces of Burundi to remove Nkurunziza from power.

Lebo M and Zoe Mthiyane engaged

The Voice and Spirit of The Lion King‚ legendary South African composer‚ producer and arranger Lebo M surprised by proposing to his partner Zoe Mthiyane in Cape Town on Saturday.

The well-known couple have been in Cape Town with family on holiday where Lebo M arranged an exclusive‚ top-secret proposal with no expense spared for his elegant fiancée.
While at sea‚ Lebo M‚ who is world-renowned for arranging and performing the music for The Lion King movies and stage productions‚ got down on one knee and popped the question to a surprised and emotional Zoe.

SA President Zuma "Let's work harder to make SA better for all in 2016"

President Jacob Zuma.

Wishing the country a happy and successful New Year, Zuma highlighted some of the achievements of 2015 as education, the increase in grant recipients, improving health care and the increase in life expectancy.
He thanked South Africans for their contribution in building the country.

Educate and save girls from abuse of forced marriage By Rhulani Siweya

The UN estimates that today over 40% of girls under the age of 15 get into involuntary marriages in Africa.
Last week, the African Union summit in Zambia highlighted the challenges faced by women and girls with a particular focus on child marriage. The marriage of girl children is informed by various social challenges and cultural and religious practices.
Many young girls are forced into marriage to escape poverty and this not only harms them psychologically but also physically.

Boko Haram keeps a million children out of school: UNICEF

A boy plays atop firewood before women and children rescued from Boko Haram in Sambisa forest by Nigeria Military arrive at the Internally displaced people's camp in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. File photo
Image by: REUTERS

 

 

Over 2,000 schools are closed across Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, while hundreds of others have been attacked, looted, or set on fire by Boko Haram jihadists in their quest to create an independent Islamic state, said UNICEF.
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has given his military commanders until the end of the month to end the Boko Haram insurgency, but even if victory is possible analysts say his government will have to contend with social turmoil stemming from a generation of children who have not gone to class.

Mass Killings and Allegations of Genocide Hit Burundi By Lizabeth Paulat

“Africa will NOT allow another Genocide to take place on its soil.” This was the communication from the African Union’s Peace and Security Council. However, even as members of the council met, extrajudicial killings were taking place in Burundi.
Photos, media reports and refugees tell harrowing tales of the political violence gripping the country. They speak of men being dragged out of their homes at night and killed on the street. Of neighbors and parents vanishing without a trace. It is a situation that calls for immediate and concerted international action. However, so far, according to sources, peacekeepers within the country have not been allowed to do their jobs.

Thomas Sankara : Burkina Faso 'issues warrant' for Former President Blaise Compaore

 

 Blaise Compaore

An arrest warrant has been issued for ousted Burkina Faso leader Blaise Compaore over his alleged role in the 1987 murder of ex-President Thomas Sankara, judicial sources say.

Mr Compaore's ally, Gen Gilbert Diendere, was recently charged in connection with the killing.
Both men have denied any wrongdoing. Mr Compaore is in exile in Ivory Coast after being forced to resign last year.
Mr Sankara, a left-wing radical, is considered a hero for many Africans.

Swann Galleries African-American Fine Art: Live Auction at www.invaluable.com

Auction!!!!!! Swaan Galleries African-American Fine Art live auction starts 2:30 PM EST on Tuesday December 15, 2015 live at www.invaluable.com featuring 150 lots of exclusive artworks. Invaluable has lots of fine art auctions, and is teaming up with Swann Auction Galleries to allow remote bidding online. The style of art in this auction includes City Scapes, Protrait and Abstract.

Here are a few noteworthy lots:

Lot 49: Norman Lewis (1909-1979), Untitled

Estimated Price: $250,000 - $350,000

Oil on linen canvas, circa 1958. 1295x1625 mm; 51x64 inches. Signed in oil, lower left. This masterful mid-century composition is a newly discovered and important example of Norman Lewis's painting. In 1955 Norman Lewis won the Carnegie International Award in Painting making him the first African-American artist to receive this prestigious prize. Then in 1956, Lewis was selected to represent the United States in American Artists Paint the City, an exhibition of 46 works by 36. Lewis joined fellow Willard Gallery artists Lionel Feininger and Mark Tobey; he and Jacob Lawrence were the only African-American artists included.

Photos: Coronation of The New Olu OF Warri

The Itsekiri nation of Delta state on Saturday, December 12, 2015 crowned Ogiame Ikenwoli I as the 20th Olu of Warri. Guests at the ceremony included APC National leader Bola Tinubu, the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, former Delta state governor Emmanuel Uduaghan among others. More pics after cut

Gambia President, Yahya Jammeh" Skinny jeans & underwear making our women infertile' Declares Gambia an Islamic State

 

 

Enforcing a ban on dangerous skin bleaching, condemning female genital mutilation and encouraging women to not marry for money, Gambian president Yahya Jammeh’s latest speaking engagement was almost a home run – almost.

Unfortunately Jammeh then added that the adoption of western dress, especially tight jeans and underwear, has made the women of his country barren.
The President, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh Babili Mansa, had been speaking at a meeting in Banjul as part of his nationwide tour when he made the comments.

Death toll from day of clashes in Burundi capital rises to nearly 90

 

Spent bullet casings on the streets of the Nyakabiga neighbourhood of Bujumbura on Saturday. Photo: STR

Nearly 90 people were killed during Friday's clashes in the Burundian capital, the army said, the worst outbreak of violence in Burundi since a failed coup in May.
Blasts and gunfire echoed around Bujumbura for most of Friday and residents said officials spent the day collecting bullet-riddled bodies from city streets.

DJ DIMPLEZ BRINGS THE SUMMER HEAT SA meets Naija meets Moz on “Clean In This B ft. Burna Boy”

DjDimplez drops video for his new single “Clean In This B” featuring multitalented Nigerian artist, Burna Boy and popular Mozambican producer, Ellputo on the beat. A collaboration featuring the artistic efforts of three African countries “South Africa meets Nigeria meets Mozambique”.

Dimplez released a single with Nigerian artist, Ice Prince, titled 'Bae Coupe', after the release of the album and now it comes as no surprise that he's teamed up with another Nigerian multitalented artist, Burna Boy, in this summer heat track titled 'Clean in this B'. Video after cut..

Photos: From Neighbourgoods Market, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa

 The Neighbourgoods Market is open every Saturday morning at Braamfontein in Johannesburg. Try and be part of the market when next you are in Jozi. More pics after cut.....

Photos: Survivors of Boko Haram: Abducted girls describe escaping the world’s deadliest terrorists

Lydia (Picture: Ruth McDowall)

These powerful pictures show the survivors of Boko Haram.
The extremist group operate mostly in Nigeria – they’ve been called the world’s deadliest terror organisation and their brutal attacks have killed more innocents than Islamic State.
These images show the brave but broken survivors.
Photographer, Ruth McDowall, explained that both boys and girls abducted by Boko Haram are often threatened into marriage, enslaved, forced to convert to Islam and raped.
Others are trained in killing and given guns and girls as young as 11-years-old are being sent out as suicide bombers.
In each image, the survivor tells of their harrowing experience at the hands of Boko Haram. More pics after cut...

Beyond #BringBackOurGirls An interview with Nigerian-American journalist Alexis Okeowo by Nicole Hamer

#BringBackOurGirls failed. Maybe the popular hashtag, coined in 2013 after militant group Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls in Nigeria, was just too narrow, too fine a point in the ongoing regional terror that begat the tragic abductions. If Alexis Okeowo, Nigerian-American journalist and Boko Haram watchdog, had crafted the hashtag, it might have been something more like #SaveNigeria: Over 7,512 Nigerians were killed in 2014 as the result of terrorist activity, an increase of more than 300 percent since 2013, according to the Global Terrorism Index (issued by the Institute for Economics and Peace). Worldwide, Boko Haram is now one of two groups responsible for 51 percent of deaths related to terrorist attacks. The other group on that list? ISIS.

Nigeria's Baby Farmers By Nonuk Walter

It is understandable why a desperate childless couple might do anything to have a baby, but those who exploit their unhappiness for profit are not so easy to forgive.
In this deeply disturbing episode of Africa Investigates, Ghana's undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and investigative reporter Rosemary Nwaebuni team up to identify and expose some of those those behind Nigeria's heart-breaking baby trade.

Photos: Minister Of Communication, Lai Mohammed Visit To Soldiers At Bama Camp

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, paid a visit to Borno state over the weekend where he met with some Nigerian Soldiers during their parade at their headquarters in Bama, Borno state. He also paid a visit to the State governor, Kashim Shettima and visited Bama community to see the destruction after the Boko haram attacks. More pics after cut.....

‘Ukuthwala condemns girls to a life of servitude and poverty’

WARY EYES: A girl at her home in Magangangosi - an 'ukuthwala' hot spot
Image by: Times

 

The organisation said the cultural custom “was originally a practice that fulfilled many functions in the family”‚ but “now usually involves a girl‚ reported to be as young as nine or 10 years old‚ being married to men sometimes five times their age”.
“They are beaten if they object, and very often raped to prevent parents from initiating efforts to have the girl returned or to report the matter,” the study, part of a series called Culture and Human Rights: Challenging Cultural Excuses for Gender-Based Violence’, noted.‚” The Salvation Army said in a statement.

They’re Burning Girls’ Breasts in Africa Philip Obaji Jr.

 
  When Grace Tchami started showing signs of puberty at age nine, her mother, hoping to protect her, began to torture her. At about seven o’clock every morning, her mother would take one of the heavy stone pestles used for grinding food and heat it burning hot over a charcoal fire, then press it on Grace’s breasts, attempting to flatten them.

Rebels in Central African Republic kidnap, burn 'witches' in public ceremonies

An anti-Balaka soldier holds a handmade gun as former child soldiers wait to be released in Bambari, Central African Republic, May 14, 2015. REUTERS

Rebels in Central African Republic have kidnapped, burnt and buried alive "witches" in public ceremonies, exploiting widely held superstitions to control areas in the war-torn country, according to a leaked United Nations report.

The report by U.N. human rights officers, seen exclusively by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, contains graphic photographs of victims tied to wooden stakes being lowered towards a fire as well as the charred torsos of those subjected to the ritual.

Over 1mn CAR children in dire need of aid – UNICEF

Nearly three years of shockingly brutal religious conflict in the Central African Republic has left more than a million children in state of humanitarian disaster, the UN body announced, hopeful that the Pope’s Sunday visit to the country will bring some relief.

“The violence that has plagued this country has had a devastating impact on the lives of children,” said Mohamed Fall, UNICEF representative in the Central African Republic (CAR), a mostly Christian state of some 4.6 million people.

South Africa: The justice system is failing women By Kubi Rama

Reeva Steenkamp
Indeed, a television production company is reported to be shooting a reality show on Pistorius’s house arrest. It is alleged Pistorius is earning $25,000 (over R340 000) per episode for a planned 26 episodes depending on rating. The show is entitled “Oscar Shoots for the Moon” with the tagline “Wait until you see what cool and fun adventures Oscar gets himself into next!”

Photos: President Buhari In Paris for United Nations Climate Change Conference

more pics after cut...

Africa without borders could soon be a reality

Agenda 2063 is a call to action to African society to work together to build a prosperous and united Africa based on shared values and a common destiny.

 

African Union Commissioner on Political Affairs, Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, said part of Agenda 2063 was to see free movement for Africans.
He was speaking at the Africities summit in Sandton yesterday.

What does China’s role in Africa say about its growing global footprint? By Mark Esposito and Terence Tse

Asian and African leaders march together, with China’s President Xi at the center.
Image by: Reuters 

The run-up to the sixth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to be held early next month in South Africa is under way. The forum – in its 15th year and the first held under President Xi Jinping’s administration – has been the main venue for setting the investment, trade and integration agenda between China and countries in Africa.

Women scramble for condoms Zimbabwe after pastor anoints them

According to myzimbabwe.co.zw, the Zimbabwean pastor said a congregant brought the condoms asking if it was proper for her to use them.

"I prophesied to a certain woman that her husband would return two years after his mysterious disappearance... the husband called her telling her he would come back home.

South Sudan: Horrid Conditions for Displaced People in Malakal : MSF

Nya and her children live in a 50-person tent in the Malakal Protection of Civilians Camp.

For the first two months of her life, Mary James slept with no blanket on a steel bedframe inside a small, damp shelter in the middle of an overcrowded displaced persons camp. Now, she’s sleeping in an MSF hospital bed, fighting for her life.

Each time the three-month-old exhales, her breath rasps in her tiny, infected lungs. When the infant cries, her body contorts with the effort of breathing. Until recently, she’s been connected to an oxygen machine.

Karabo Mogane Wins 2015 Idol SA

The nation tuned in to their screens to watch the season finale of Idol SA this Sunday – with what many are describing as some of the most amazing events taking place with Idols being broadcast for the first time in 5.1 surround sound.

Standing for the title of the 2015 Idols SA was Karabo Mogane and Mmatema Moremi.

Photos: More Pics from President Buhari and Nigerian Delegate to Iran.

President Buhari, Dr Ali Magashi the Nigerian representative in Iran and the Minister of works, power and housing, Babatunde Fashola and others. More pics after cut..

The Crisis in Burundi Takes a Troubling Turn for the Worse : Global Voices

Burundians living in Nairobi, Kenya and friends of Burundi says no to a third term for President Pierre Nkurunziza. 

Burundi has been in crisis since April, but the country is still too rarely mentioned in international media. However, in the last two weeks of October, the level of violence and random assassinations have reached proportions that make crisis observers fear the worst.

Video: Zimbabwe's Mr Ugly pageant turns ugly

William Masvinu, a three-time Mr Ugly winner who walked off with a $100 second prize this year, cried foul. 

Maison Sere, who was missing several teeth and dressed in torn overalls, beat off five other contestants for the $500 Mr Ugly prize -- a large sum in a country facing massive unemployment.

Video after cut...

Women to blame for rape because of clothes they wear: Grace Mugabe

Mrs Mugabe's disapproval of miniskirts is well-known: last year she expressed her disgust that then vice president Joice Mujuru had (so the first lady said) worn a short skirt. File photo
Image by: PHILIMON BULAWAYO 

The Zimbabwean first lady, 50, told rally-goers in Mberengwa, southern Zimbabwe that "if you are raped, it's your fault", according to an update from the private Newsday online.

Speaking in Shona, she reportedly castigated miniskirts.

Photos: President Buhari Official Visit to Iran.

President Buhari is presently in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran for the 3rd Summit of the Gas Exporting Country's Forum. More pics after cut...

Photos: Former President Goodluck Jonathan 58th Birthday Celebration.

Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan on Friday 20th November 2015 
celebrated his 58th birthday. More pics after cut....

Photo: Afro Beat Legend, Femi Kuti Undergoes Surgery.

Yeni kuti was online to tell his fans that her brother is fine after the surgery. 

Read Yeni's message at the African shrine below:

 “THIS IS TO INFORM OUR FANS AND LOVERS OF AFROBEAT THAT THERE WILL NOT BE SUNDAY JUMP ON 22-11-15 BECAUSE AMBASSADOR FEMI KUTI IS GOING FOR AN OPERATION AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PERFORM FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. WE WILL KEEP ALL UPDATED ON THE SCHEDULE OF WHEN THE POSITIVE FORCE BAND WILL PLAY AS OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH AMBASSADOR FEMI KUTI, AFROBEAT FOREVER!!!!!

Mali Hostages: 'Did you load it? Let's go': Freed Mali hostage says gunmen spoke English; 70 still held

In this TV image taken from Mali TV ORTM, a woman is led away by security personnel from the Radisson Blu Hotel hotel in Bamako, Mali. Picture; AP

About 80 of 153 hostages (140 guests, 13 staff) have been freed from the Radisson Blu hotel in the Mali capital of Bamako, reports are saying.
Mali special forces have entered the building, and are freeing hostages 'floor by floor'.
The 80 hostages who are now free include three Turkish Airlines staff, 12 Air France staff and Guinean singer Sekouba Bambino.
 Sekouba Bambino said he heard the gunmen talking in English in the next room, saying: 'Did you load it? Let's go'. More pics after cut....

Photos: HIP HOP ARTIST, LAYLIZZY WINS BIG!!!

 

Johannesburg, Wednesday 18 November 2015- ‘Award winning hip hop artist with no album’ is a magnificent title that hip hop/ rap artist, Laylizzy acquired on the night of the 31^st of October 2015. Lay Low now Laylizzy had been nominated for the 2015 Mozambique Music Awards in the past month and word was received on set during the music video shoot for his latest single “Tha Crew”, that he scooped the award for the Best Hip Hop Song for his previous hit single ‘Chapa’ featuring Hernani da Silva. More pics after cut....

Nigeria may be Africa’s biggest economy, but most of the continent’s wealthy don’t live there By Omar Mohammed

President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote

South Africa’s economy may play second fiddle to Nigeria these days, but the “rainbow nation” still boasts the richest individuals on the continent.

In Forbes magazine’s latest list of Africa’s 50 richest, South Africans take up 16 spots compared to Nigeria’s 10. Overall, Africa’s 50 richest are worth a total of $95.6 billion. This is almost as much as the combined GDPs of Kenya and Tanzania, two of the biggest economies in East Africa.

The Pervasiveness of Patronage Politics in Africa By Jonathan Bissell

During his recent trip to eastern Africa, President Barack Obama highlighted a number of challenges that characterize bilateral relations between the United States and countries in the sub-Saharan region. The U.S. has both long-term economic and political interests, along with short-term security goals, in the resource-rich area. With the rise of regionally-based transnational security threats (Boko Haram and al-Shabbab) growing and China’s increasing influence over the continent, it is imperative the United States strengthen relations with its African partners. For these partnerships to be sustainable, the U.S. needs to apply its soft power, and encourage the strengthening of democratic institutions while mitigating the corrosive influence of existing patronage networks.

Is Kenya at 50 Teetering on Failed Statehood? By Washington Osiro

Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta

A year ago this month my son and I celebrated Thanksgiving with family and friends in the Washington DC area. In one of the gatherings I attended during the weeklong sojourn in the nation's capital, I got into a discussion with a group of Kenyans where I posed the question (or made the claim according to some):

Is Kenya @50+ teetering on failed statedhood?

Gunmen seize 170 hostages at Radisson hotel in Mali capital

Security forces drive near the Radisson hotel in Bamako, Mali, November 20, 2015. Gunmen shouting Islamic slogans attacked a luxury hotel full of foreigners in Mali's capital Bamako early on Friday morning, taking 170 people hostage, a senior security source and the hotel's operator said.
Image by: REUTERS

Malian security forces are storming the hotel and at least a dozen hostages have been freed after the attack by "two or three" assailants, a spokesman for the security ministry told AFP.

Photos: Nigerian Army Destroys Boko Haram Camps

 More pics after cut....

The Islamic State wants you to hate refugees : Adam Taylor

Migrants wait to register at a refugee center in the southern Serbian town of Presevo on Monday. (AP)

As the Syrian refugee crisis mutated from a regional problem to a global one, security concerns have increasingly been cited as a justification for keeping borders closed and refusing to resettle migrants. This argument has gathered momentum in the wake of the attacks in Paris on Friday, after a Syrian passport with the name Ahmad al-Mohammad, a 25-year-old born in Idlib province, was found near the body of a suicide bomber. French authorities say fingerprints from the suicide bomber match those of someone who passed through Greece in early October.