Welcome to the Development Diaries weekly roundup of top African stories for Sunday, 08 October, 2023.
Last week, we reported the Tinubu certificate saga, teacher shortage in Africa, child labour in Egypt, and violation of human rights in Eswatini and Niger, among other top stories.
Nigeria: On Tinubu’s Chicago State University Certificate Saga
The controversy surrounding the release of President Bola Tinubu’s academic records brings to the fore the issue of transparency in governance. The Chicago State University (CSU), United States, Monday released the academic records of the Nigerian leader as requested by one of the candidates in the country’s 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar. Read more
Addressing Teacher Shortage in Africa
Education is often regarded as the cornerstone of progress and development in any society as it empowers individuals, fosters economic growth, and contributes to the overall well-being of a nation. Unfortunately, many African countries face a shortage of trained and competent teachers. Read more
South Africa: ‘We Have Nothing’ – Fire Survivors Need Urgent Support
Many survivors of the fire outbreak in Johannesburg, South Africa, now find themselves in a world of uncertainty as their temporary emergency accommodation expired on 30 September. While civic organisations have since taken the lead in providing survivors with food and cloths, many of the survivors said they were tired of receiving empty promises from the government. Read more
Eswatini: Grave Violation of Human Rights Recorded
Eswatini‘s human rights records appear questionable following the reported attack on a former Member of Parliament (MP), Mduduzi Mabuza. Mabuza was beaten by correctional services officers on Friday, 29 September, 2023. Read more
Egypt: Move against Child Labour
Child labour remains a menace in Egypt, as children are forced to engage in commercial sexual exploitation, which occasionally results from human trafficking and limestone mining. Around 1.3 million children are engaged in child labour activities, with about 900,000 exposed to hazardous work environments, 2021 data from the Egypt Family Health Survey shows. Read more
Niger: Where Is Activist Sabou?
Niger‘s human rights record was under scrutiny following the arrest and detention of activist Samira Sabou, who was picked up by masked men on 30 September. Sabou, also a journalist and President of Bloggers of Niger, was arrested at her mother’s home in Niamey by several masked men who identified themselves as members of the security forces. Read more
Ethiopia: Unexploded Weapons Pose Deadly Threat
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Ethiopia warned that the lives of children and farmers were at risk from unexploded weapons. The lives and livelihoods of people living in weapon-contaminated areas in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar are being threatened despite the recent improvement in humanitarian situations. Read more
Malawi: HRDC Condemns Silence on Fuel Crisis
The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) condemned the silence and inaction of the Malawi government over the fuel crisis that has gripped the country. Citizens reported fuel shortages in major cities, including Blantyre, Mzuzu, and Zomba. Read more
Liberia: Calls for Urgent Action against FGM
The harmful practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) has continued in Liberia despite the country’s council of chiefs and elders moving against the practice. Read more
That is the roundup of some stories that made headlines last week. More headlines are available on Development Diaries.
Photo source: Daily Maverick
