Weekly Roundup of Top Stories

By Managing Editor
July 23, 2023

Welcome to the Development Diaries weekly roundup of top African stories for Sunday, 23 July, 2023.

Reactions to the hike in the prices of premium motor spirit (PMS) in Nigeria, human rights violations in Tunisia, the launch of AFSIT, and attacks on journalists in Cameroon are some stories that made headlines across development in Africa last week.

Nigeria: Hardship over Petrol Price Hike Lingers

Nigerians woke up on Tuesday to realise that the prices of premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, had been adjusted at fuel stations across the country as hardship over the removal of petroleum subsidy lingers. Filling stations, including those of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) Limited, now sell the product between N565 and 617.

Tunisia: HRW Reports Abuses against African Migrants

Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned serious abuses against African migrants allegedly committed by security forces in Tunisia. There have been documented abuses like beatings, use of excessive force, some cases of torture, arbitrary arrests and detention, collective expulsions, dangerous actions at sea, forced evictions, and theft of money and belongings.

AU, UNDP Launch AFSIT

The African Union Commission (AUC) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the launch of the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT). The launch happened on the sidelines of the fifth African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, in Nairobi, Kenya.

AfDB, World Bank Partner for Key Support

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank teamed up to identify key areas for intervention and collaboration. According to the AfDB, the collaboration aims to strengthen efforts to tackle poverty and climate change, develop various sectors, including energy and agriculture, and deal with pandemics.

Kenya: Rights Group Demand Release of Akach

The Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCWG) lamented the use of intimidation, harassment and arbitrary arrests by the Kenyan government against human rights defenders in the country. The group made this known following the forced disappearance of human rights activist Boniface Akach, who was reportedly abducted by plain-clothed police officers.

Africa CDC, Partners Launch Disease Surveillance

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) launched a health security partnership to strengthen disease surveillance and epidemic intelligence in Africa. The partnership aims to strengthen Africa’s health security capabilities in the areas of biosecurity, integrated disease surveillance, event-based surveillance, genomic surveillance, and epidemic intelligence.

Zambia: NGOs Seek Clean-Up of Toxic Lead Waste

Environment Africa and Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the government of Zambia to make comprehensive efforts to clean up the contaminated former lead mine in Kabwe. The organisations released a video in which youth activists from Environment Africa describe life in a dangerously polluted town and actions needed to remedy the situation.

Mauritania: AfDB Provides Livestock Support

The African Development Bank (AfDB) announced the approval of $767,000 to develop livestock farming in Mauritania. AfDB, in a statement, said Mauritanian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Abdessalam Saleh, and the bank group’s Deputy Director General for North Africa, Malinne Blomberg, signed a funding agreement in Nouakchott on 19 July, 2023.

Liberia: UMOVEMENT to Track School Fees

The Youth Movement for Collective Action (UMOVEMENT) launched the Liberia Civil Society Activity (CSA) to monitor and investigate public school registration fees and remittances in Margibi and Monstserrado Counties. The project was launched with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Cameroon: Attacks on Journalists Recorded

A group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Cameroon condemned what it observed as the politically motivated detention and suppression of human rights of journalists in the country. The American Bar Association Centre for Human Rights, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Freedom House made the observation six months after the abduction and killing of prominent Cameroonian journalist Martinez Zogo.