Dikembe Mutombo, a Towering N.B.A. Presence, Dies at 58
Coming late to basketball, he nevertheless found stardom, retiring with the second-most blocked shots in league history. He devoted much of his life to humanitarian causes.
Why Kenyan Police Officers Are Deployed in Haiti
About 400 Kenyan officers have deployed to Haiti as part of the first wave of a multinational contingent tasked with trying to restore order in the gang-plagued Caribbean nation.
Often Misunderstood, an African Tradition Comes Alive at Benin Festival
January 2nd to 10th marked the fifth edition of the International Festival of Voodoo Culture, Arts, and Civilization that was held in the African nation of Benin. The theme of the Festival was: “Restoring Benin’s heritage. Research on the origin and transmission of knowledge in Porto-Novo’. The 2022 Festival was an opportunity to present to…
In Somalia, U.S. Troop Withdrawal Is Seen as Badly Timed
Somali presidential elections are scheduled in just a few months, war is erupting in neighboring Ethiopia, and Shebab militants are still strong. The timing, Somalis say, could not be worse.
Covid-19 Spared Africa — A Reality American Media Won’t Admit
In journalism, there is such a thing as agenda-setting – how the mass media — newspapers, radio, and TV, and the plurality of online channels — prioritize the news for publication. The idea that some news stories would take precedence over others gained credence with thought leaders, Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw, during the 1968…
Russian Trolls in Ghana, Nigeria — What CNN Got Right and Wrong
If you are an avid consumer of international news you may have seen the story that Cable News Network aka CNN ran recently about Russian trolls in Ghana and Nigeria. This story is especially relevant for the United States government as it relates to the issue of meddling in its elections by foreign entities. But…
CAF Elects New President—The African Continent Rejoices
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), responsible for organizing the African Cup of Nations, elected a new president on March 16 at the Africa Union headquarters in Ethiopia. He is Madagascar’s Vice-President of the Senate, Ahmad Ahmad. Ahmad, 57, was also the leader of the Madagascar Football Federation. He defeated longtime CAF President, Issa Hayatou…
Trump’s Africa Policy Leaves HIV Programs Intact
The sad thing about the 2016 U.S. Election is not that Donald Trump was elected president of the United States; it is that the new administration may be abandoning the African continent. And the damages caused by the new U.S. administration continue. The other news is that China and other big powers have stepped in…
Trump Administration Cuts Aid to Africa
This week we learned the Trump administration has proposed a budget that would cut foreign aid drastically. The issues, facts, and implications of decisions made under the administration are inescapable. The State Department, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), would be greatly impacted by these cuts. If you are not aware, the State…
Cameroonians in Colorado Rally Against President Paul Biya
Since November 2016, the African nation of Cameroon has been embroiled in civil unrest marked by demonstrations and boycotts against the Francophone-dominated government of President Paul Biya. Recent news reports point to many civilian deaths through police action, while others, including journalists, lawyers, and civil society leaders, have been arrested and placed on trial. The Cameroon administration…