[This monthly media roundup addresses significant, non-comprehensive news and updates from/on Sub-Saharan African countries, including additional themes on major powers’ intervention and activities in the continent, recent publications and studies, and other relevant material. Should you have any comments or submissions, please email us at SSAR@Jadaliyya.com.]
Arab League Countries in Africa
Djibouti
'Djibouti' gets clean U, release on Dec 31 (12/01/2021) Malaysia's film censorship board has greenlighted the release of a film about and set in Djibouti.
Djibouti: Can IOG ‘finish the job’ during his last term in office? (01/20/2022) A preview of Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh's agenda after he was reelected with over 97 percent of the vote on 9 April 2021
Djibouti: United States Donates Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines to Djibouti (01/05/2022) The US Embassy in Djibouti announced the donation of 22500 doses of COVID19 vaccine to help that country's citizens.
IMF: Djibouti's Port Investments May Haunt its Economy
Tribunal Sets the Cost of Djibouti's Refusal to Return Doraleh Terminal to DP World at $54m a year (01/24/2022) A tribunal at the Court for International Arbitration in London imposed a $54m annual penalty on Djibouti for its refusal to return the Doraleh Terminal to DP World. The latter company operates the concession for the port until Djibouti kicked it out last year.
Somalia
AMISOM hands over election security materials to Somali Police Force (12/01/2021) AMISOM has provided election security materials to the Somali police force. These materials include plywood and fencing and will be used to harden polling locations against potential disruption.
African Union Chairperson calls for utmost restraint in Somalia(12/30/2021) The Chair of the African Union called for an agreement to be reached between Somalia’s warning political factions.
Al-Shabab Militants Claim Somalia Suicide Bombing Aimed at UN Convoy (11/25/2021) Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for an attack on a UN convoy. Extremist militants launched an attack in the capital of Mogadishu during the morning commute, killing 17 people. Numerous other people were injured.
As cinema returns to Somalia, upcoming film Ayaanle rides the wave (11/26/2021) Cinema is returning to Somalia, with an upcoming film called Ayaanle out soon.
Body on stretcher after bomb explodes in Somalia (11/01/2021) Updated news about a bombing in Somalia that killed one person.
Somalia's Al-Shabab fighters kill at least 7 in attack (12/31/2021) Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for an attack that killed seven people in Somalia.
Sudan
Sudanese citizens decry exclusion from Twitter's geographical regions (01/31/2022) Sudanese citizens have complained about their exclusion from Twitter as a geographical region. This limits their ability to sign up for new accounts with Sudanese phone numbers. The country has been able to reestablish ties with a number of other tech firms, so the question is why has there not been headway with Twitter?
Sudanese security forces kill another demonstrator as protests continue (01/31/2022) Sudanese security forces have killed a demonstrator opposing the country's recent military coup. The total number of protesters killed since the military seized power on 25 October 2021 is 79.
Uncertainty in Sudan as PM Resigns: Crisis explained in 600 words (01/03/2022) Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok resigned, saying this was a necessary step towards national reconciliation. Hamdok was part of the civilian government overthrown by the October 2021 military coup, before returning to his office after that coup.
Sub-Saharan African Countries
Eritrea
'I Love My People': Go Inside Tiffany Haddish’s Holiday Trip To Eritrea (12/31/2021) Tiffany Haddish recounts her recent visit to see relatives in Eritrea. This includes her experiences in country and traveling there. Eritrea is her father's country of origin.
Eritrea: potash and the pariah state (01/14/2022) The article describes the potential for potash production in Eritrea, a state known for having an extremely repressive regime.
Ethiopia: to achieve peace take Eritrea out of the game (01/20/2022) Eritrea's campaign in the Tigray region has resulted in substantial human rights abuses, with the full backing of the Ethiopian regime. To achieve peace in Ethiopia, the author argues all Eritrean forces should be withdrawn.
‘A Cauldron of Virus Stew’: The Country Not Vaccinating Anyone Against COVID (12/16/2021) Eritrea is virtually alone among the world's countries in not offering COVID19 vaccines to its citizens. Critics of the government call the actions political.
Ethiopia
'A sliver of hope' for peace in Ethiopia (12/28/2021) Tigray Fighters have announced they are withdrawing to their home Tigray region ahead of peace talks. The withdrawal is intended to pave the way for a ceasefire.
5,185 new coronavirus cases confirmed on Tuesday (12/28/2021) Ethiopia suffered from a serious outbreak of COVID19. A total of 5185 cases were confirmed in the last week of December 2020. The country has experienced a civil war between the government and its Tigray opponents.
Two children killed in airstrike on Tigray refugee camp (01/11/2022) Two children were reported killed in an airstrike by Ethiopian forces against a Tigray refugee camp. The United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) is calling for all parties to refrain from actions that harm civilians.
Kenya
ANDREW MARINGA: Ruto fighting losing battle in Uhuru, Raila bill (12/31/2021) Deputy President William Rufo appears set to lose the battle over legislation proposed by current President Uhuru Kenyatta. The legislation – which governs political parties – is also supported by Kenyatta’s ally and erstwhile rival Raila Odinga.
Azimio or OKA? Western region politicians are at a crossroads
Brawl erupts in Kenyan parliament | Latest World English News | WION (12/30/2021) The Kenyan parliament was the site of a recent brawl between rival politicians.
Kenya reshapes election with political parties bill (01/28/2022) Kenya has passed the political parties bill with support from President Uhuru Kenyatta. He and former political opponent Raila Odinga have agreed to have Odinga represent the incumbent coalition to replace the term-limited Kenyatta. The agreement was fiercely opposed by current Deputy President William Rufo. Rufo was the odd man out in the "handshake" agreement between Kenyatta and Odinga.
Kenya: No, CNN Did Not Report On Kenyan Politician Musalia Mudavadi - Screengrab Old and Photoshopped (01/24/2022) This article refutes the claim that CNN reported on Kenyan politician Musalia Mudavadi. Mudavadi endorsed deputy President William Rufo in his upcoming electoral contest against Raila Odinga, a rival-turned-ally of term limited incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mozambique
France's Total to resume gas project in Northern Mozambique (01/31/2021) TotalEnergies S.A. halted a gas project in Northern Mozambique in 2021 due to attacks by Islamic militants. The company's CEO Patrick Pouyanné met with Mozambican President Felipe Nyusi to discuss restarting the project. In other media reports the insurgency appears to be declining in strength.
Tanzanian jihadist leader responsible for Mozambique attacks has been killed, police say (01/31/2022) Mozambican police say that Tuahil Muhadim - a Tanzanian-born jihadist leader responsible for attacks that shut down gas projects in Northern Mozambique - has been killed. The police claim he was killed by a coalition of Mozambican and Rwandan forces.
War in Mozambique follows those who fled from the coast (01/31/2022) The conflict in Mozambique has moved from the coastal region of Cabo Delgado to the neighboring Mecula district. In Cabo Delgado, insurgents had been able to halt gas projects that were operating under the auspices of TotalEnergies. Now, residents that region is more secure, but residents having fled there to Mecula are now experiencing danger.
“Kidnapped, raped and trafficked”: women and girls exposed to sexual violence in war-torn Mozambique (12/30/2021) Sexual violence against women and girls has increased dramatically in Mozambique as a result of the recent conflict.
Nigeria
2022: Prospects Of NCC, SMEDAN Digital Skill Enhancement For MSMEs (12/31/2021) This article describes how Nigeria's ICT sector is growing much more rapidly than the economy as a whole. The ICT sector grew at 17 percent in the most recent quarter compared to 11 percent for the whole economy.
2023: Our mission is to install govt –PDP NWC (12/12/2021) The Nigerian People's Democratic Party stated its objective of winning the 2023 Presidential election. Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is not eligible to run for a third consecutive term.
2023: Yahaya Bello Has Done Well in Kogi, Deserves To Be President, Smart Adeyemi Declares (12/01/2021) Senator Smart Adeyemi of the PDP is promoting Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi to be President following the 2022 elections.
Akintunde: We've ensured more Nigerians have houses of their own (12/31/2021) An article discussing issues that Nigerians face when building a home. Many factors such as corruption in contracting or human error can result in a home becoming unsafe after it is built.
MTN launches sale of shares to Nigerians, offers 'free shares' (12/01/2021) Nigerian mobile carrier MTN is launching an initial public offering in Nigeria with promotions to lure investors.
South Africa
CROSS-BORDER CRIME FILES: PART ONE: KZN border area under siege: Car theft syndicates abduct – and kill – to ...(11/29/2021) Cross-border car theft rings seeking to fuel smuggling in Mozambique have become a serious problem for South African residents living near the border.
More than 600 people arrested for attempting to cross Lebombo Border Post illegally (12/24/2021) Migrants and refugees have been crossing the border from Mozambique to South Africa in violation of South African laws. This article discusses one particular incident at the lemombo border post.
Zimbabwe: South African Opposition Leader Asks Ramaphosa to Impose Sanctions On Zimbabwe
South Sudan
Death by peace: how South Sudan's peace agreement ate the grassroots (01/06/2022) The author argues that the 2018 South Sudanese peace agreement has encouraged conflict, far from bringing about peace. The agreement envisions a rentier-based South Sudan with a small elite ruling over the rest of the population, with the grassroots excluded.
South Sudan gov’t, SPLM-IO splinter group sign peace agreement (01/17/2022) The South Sudanese government signed a peace treaty with a minor faction of the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement.
South Sudanese President fires Governor for the fifth time (04/01/2022) South Sudan's President has fired a fifth Central Bank Governor since he first assumed office.
South Sudanese envoy in Khartoum for talks about political crisis (01/06/2022) South Sudan’s envoy is visiting the Northern Sudanese city of Khartoum for talks about North Sudan’s political crisis.
What disease does WHO say is causing deaths in South Sudan? (01/06/2022) The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a mysterious disease is causing illnesses in South Sudan.
Thematic Section
Arts and Culture
'It's news to me' — Zodwa Wabantu clears the air on Botswana arrest warrant claims (12/31/2021) Reality star Zoda Wabantu rejected the claim that she missed a music festival in Botswana due to a legal problem there. Botswanan authorities also claim that she has no legal problems in their county that they know of, and none that would bar her entry.
AFCON 2021 Cameroon: Fixtures, Teams, Kickoff Time (12/18/2021) The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations began on 9 January 2022 with teams from all over the continent arriving in Cameroon for the highly anticipated tournament.
AFCON 2021: Ethiopia first to arrive in Cameroon (12/22/2021) Ethiopia's football squad was the first foreign team to arrive in Cameroon for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament itself began on 9 January 2022.
Accra provides insights into Guyana/Ghana cooperation agreements (12/31/2021) Ghana's leadership provided updates about a recent agreement with Guyana. The agreement concerns investment promotion and other areas such as petroleum cooperation. The two nations aim to develop their petroleum resources in a way that will foster their development.
Afcon 2021 kits: Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon & what all the teams will wear at the African competition (12/31/2021) A discussion of the uniforms that teams intend to wear at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
India strike first in dominant defeat of South Africa (12/30/2021) India has defeated South Africa's national team in a cricket match in a strong performance according to commentators.
Sudanese protesters accuse Cairo of supporting coup, straining relations (01/31/2022) Many Sudanese observers and activists accuse Egypt of supporting the recent military coup. The leaders of the coup appear to have strong ties to the regime of Egyptian President Sisi.
War in Mozambique follows those who fled from the coast (01/31/2022)
China, the United States, and other countries "in" Africa
6 African countries added to red list to protect public health as UK designates new variant under investigation (11/26/2021) The British government is adding six African countries to its COVID19 "red list" as of 28 November 2021. Travelers from these countries will be required to isolate for ten days upon arrival in the United Kingdom.
Amir meets President of Djibouti (01/12/2022) Emir Tamam of Qatar met with Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh in Doha
China to deepen ties with Nigeria on sports, says envoy (12/01/2021) Chinese officials in the country's embassy in Nigeria said that they sought to strengthen ties between the two countries in the field of sporting.
Director-General condemns killing of journalist Abdiaziz Mohamud Guled in Somalia (11/25/2021) The Director General of UNESCO condemned the killing of Abdiaziz Mohamud Guled in Somalia.
Reports and Research on Africa(n) Countries
2021 Review: Major protests that hit Africa this year (12/31/2021) A summary of major protests all across Africa during the last year. There have been protests in Algeria, Ghana, Mali, Chad, Tunisia, and numerous other countries in Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa
A Return to Business as Usual in Sudan? (12/01/2021) This article argues that Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok appears to have made his peace with the military. But this could lead to business as usual returning in the country. So several opposition organizations have rejected this agreement.
Access to HIV self-tests in Kenya | Penn Today (11/30/2021) A University of Pennsylvania study found that women who are given HIV self tests are not less likely to contract HIV/AIDS. However, they are more likely to learn the HIV/AIDS status of male partners.
CDC Awards $2 Million to Penn to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in Southern Africa
Jake Sullivan Must Resolve Biden’s Berbera Impasse (01/04/2022) The United States seeks to use the Berbera airfield as a base. The airfield served a similar function during the Cold War. However, this has forced the issue of whether or not the United States should recognize Somaliland to the fore.
Strengthening management of childhood cancer in Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe (12/01/2021) A discussion efforts to address childhood cancers in Zimbabwe on ReliefWeb. Also addresses the risks that COVID poses to people who have non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer.