Hello everyone! Here is a roundup of our top stories from last week.
President Bola Tinubu’s response to plans by some Nigerians to protest against the high cost of living in the country, the acute malnutrition crisis in southern Africa, and the human rights issue in Uganda all got reactions from us.
Planned Hunger Protests: Vital Action Tinubu Must Take
President Bola Tinubu, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, appealed to citizens who plan to stage nationwide protests over high cost of living to shelve the plan, adding that he did not see any need for that. President Tinubu needs to listen to the demands of Nigerians, and ensure that they are not denied their constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to peaceful protest. Read more
Dangote and Monopoly Allegations: Again, Government Must Fulfil Refinery Promise
With news of the conflict between Nigeria’s oil regulatory bodies and the Dangote Refinery gaining public attention, where does this faceoff leave the country’s four nonoperational state-owned refineries? The Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, needs to provide Nigerians with an update on the commencement of oil refining and production at the state-owned refineries to regain public trust. Read more
Malnutrition: Addressing Hunger Crisis in Northeast
The displacement caused by insecurity and economic hardship in Nigeria’s northeast is leading to an alarming level of acute malnutrition, according to the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The Ministry of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation needs to intensify efforts in providing immediate relief to those displaced. We also urge President Bola Tinubu to address the ongoing food inflation and the widespread insecurity across the country. Read more
Niger: IDPs Need Urgent Humanitarian Support
Escalating violence by non-state armed groups in Burkina Faso has forced thousands of Burkinabé civilians to seek refuge in neighbouring Niger. Humanitarian organisations, donors and other development partners need to assist in providing help to displaced communities now sheltered in Niger, to help mitigate possible growing tensions between asylum seekers and host communities. Read more
Acute Malnutrition: 270,000 Children in Southern Africa Need Urgent Aid
Drought has impacted large swathes of Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, threatening the lives of children. Governments across the region must ensure nutrition and food interventions are ramped up to avoid catastrophic humanitarian conditions. Read more
Uganda: Respect Citizens’ Rights to Peaceful Protest
Ugandan security forces stormed the Hotel Eliana in Ntinda, Kampala, during a press conference on Wednesday, whisking away several activists to an unknown destination. The Ugandan government needs to immediately order the release of every protester detained by security forces in line with the country’s commitment to respect citizens’ rights to peaceful protests and assembly. Read more
That is the roundup of some stories that made headlines last week. More headlines are available on Development Diaries or dev_diaries on IG and X, and development diaries on Facebook.
