Category: Opinion

RWANDAN-BACKED M23 REBEL GROUP SEEKS LOCAL POWER IN DRC, NOT JUST CONTROL OVER MINING OPERATIONS

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Thu 30 January 2025: The violence wrought by the Rwandan-backed rebel group M23 Movement is often narrowly framed as intended to control eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s resource-rich mining sites. The rebel group launched its most recent offensive in 2021 and currently controls vast territories in the south-east of North Kivu province, surrounding and cutting off the main city of Goma. […]

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DRC HAS CREATED A RESERVE FORCE TO FIGHT THE M23 – WHY THIS MAY BACKFIRE

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Tue 28 January 2025: After nearly three decades of warfare, armed conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has only intensified. The Rwanda-backed M23 rebellion – which claims to control the main eastern DRC city of Goma since January 26 – has been at the centre of attention in recent years. However, eastern DRC is home to […]

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‘THIS GUY IS DANGEROUS’: BRITISH PAKISTANIS FEAR MUSK IS STOKING RACISM

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Mon 27 January 2025: Some are concerned that collective punishment could be a consequence of the tech billionaire’s relentless posts about historic child sex abuse cases. London, United Kingdom – Azmat Khan, a British Pakistani taxi driver, is not usually much of a worrier. But recently, as he drives his cab at night through London’s ice-cold […]

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WEST AFRICA COULD SOON HAVE A JIHADIST STATE – HERE’S WHY

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Sun 26 January 2025: The Sahel region of Africa, between the Sahara and the tropical savannahs to the south, has emerged as a significant base of groups that want to establish jihadist states. A jihadist state is a structure that operates under Islamic law, or sharia, and is directed by a single leader, or caliph, who combines political and […]

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AFRICAN COUNTRIES CAN’T RESOLVE THEIR DEBT CRISIS UNDER A SYSTEM RIGGED AGAINST THEM

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Fri 24 January 2025: The debt situation in many African countries has escalated again to a critical juncture. Twenty are in, or at risk of, debt distress. Three pivotal elements significantly contribute to this. Firstly, the rules governing the international banking system favour developed countries and work against the interests of African countries. Secondly, multilateral financial […]

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NIGERIA’S ECONOMY IN 2025 DOESN’T LOOK BRIGHT – ANALYST EXPLAINS WHY

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Thu 23 January 2025: Nigerians may be wondering whether the year 2025 will bring the “renewed hope” promised by the President Bola Tinubu administration – or whether they are in for another year of economic despair. Nigerians are facing unprecedented economic challenges, arising from the removal of fuel subsidies. This has raised the price of petrol by nearly 500% within one […]

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BRICS: AFRICAN COUNTRIES FACE OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS IN ALIENATING CHINA OR THE US – AN EXPERT WEIGHS IN

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Wed 22 January 2025: The Brics+ grouping is emerging as a possible rival to US dominance of world affairs. The US and China lie at the heart of this debate. They are the two biggest trading partners of most African countries and both have strategic interests that they are determined to protect. The Conversation Africa’s […]

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26 MILLION NIGERIANS FACE ACUTE HUNGER: 4 BIG IDEAS TO TACKLE THE FOOD CRISIS IN 2025

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Tue 21 January 2025: Food security in Nigeria is at a critical point and needs urgent attention. Over 26 million people out of an estimated population of 229.5 million faced acute hunger in the period June to August 2024. Around 84 million Nigerians – 37% of the total population – live below the poverty line. Poverty restricts households’ ability to purchase or produce […]

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PAKISTAN PULLS CLOSER TO POST-HASINA BANGLADESH AMID SHARED INDIA CONCERNS

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 Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, right, meets with Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hassan, principal staff officer of the Bangladesh army, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan [Handout/Inter-Services Public Relations] Mon 20 January 2025: Since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, Pakistan and Bangladesh have edged closer as politics in both countries ride on a general anti-India sentiment. Islamabad, Pakistan – The […]

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