NEWS - The African Mirror

Mar

17

2024

Corrupt, brutal and unprofessional? Africa-wide survey of police finds diverging patterns

NEWS

AFRICANS generally have a low regard for the quality of policing on the continent. Perceptions of police misconduct, corruption and brutality are widespread, according to a new survey by Afrobarometer. The independent research network surveyed 39 countries between 2021 and 2023. Our survey offers new evidence of how Africans experience and assess their police. It shows people often have to contend with demands for bribes from police officers. But assessments varied by country: in some, police were said to be helpful. Afrobarometer currently surveys 39 of Africa’s 55 countries. As researchers at Afrobarometer, we have published on police professionalism and…

Mar

18

2024

By The African Mirror

Senegal opposition leader backs off promise to create national currency

NEWS

SENEGAL will seek to implement a reform of the West Africa region's CFA franc currency at a regional level first and if that fails, will consider creating a national currency, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko said. Speaking at a joint press conference with presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye a day after they were both released from jail, Sonko's comments seemed aimed at easing concerns after their election campaign, which promised to introduce the new currency if Faye wins. Faye is one of the main candidates in Senegal's March 24 presidential election. He is backed by the popular firebrand Sonko, who was disqualified from…

Mar

17

2024

By GARBA MOHAMMAD, ABRAHAM ACHIRGA and GIULIA PARAVICINI

Nigeria kidnappings break up families, keep children out of school

NEWS

ESTHER Joseph said she went "almost mad" with anguish when her 13-year-old daughter Precious Sim was kidnapped from a northern Nigeria high school along with other students on July 5, 2021. In the following days, she tried to go after the kidnappers in the surrounding forest, but army soldiers - alerted by fellow community members - caught up with her and brought her back. In the end, she sold her meagre possessions - including pots, fans and a television set - and enlisted the help of her brothers and in-laws, as well as local church members, to pay a ransom…

Mar

16

2024

By NYASHA CHINGONO

Zimbabwe sect leader held after 251 children rescued from farm labour

NEWS

A Zimbabwean sect leader and "self-styled prophet" appeared in court charged with child abuse after police raided his farm and rescued more than 200 children doing physical labour, police said. The children "were subjected to abuse as cheap labour, doing manual work in the name of being taught life skills", a police statement said. Police found 251 children on the farm who were not attending school, most of whom did not have birth certificates. They also found 16 graves, including seven for infants, all of which were unregistered, the statement said. Advertisement · Scroll to continue Ishmael Chokurongerwa, 56, described…

Mar

15

2024

By SEFAKOR FEKPE, BIRD STORY AGENCY

It looks so good: How Charity Adupong is redefining local cuisine in Tema, Ghana

NEWS

FOR years, Charity Adupong's shopping experiences were marked with disappointment as she searched for nutritious local foods in major shopping malls and retail stores. The few that were on the shelves lacked attractive packaging. Increasingly she realised that a huge opportunity existed in providing shoppers with well-packaged indigenous foods. She decided to tap into the growing demand. “I have never liked the way our markets are structured so I used to shop from where I bought regular local foods like tomatoes, beans… as a young person who had just come to Tema as a National Service Personnel. On one of…

Mar

17

2024

By SOFIA CHRISTENSEN and BATE FELIX

Freed from jail, Senegal opposition presidential candidate draws hundreds to first event

NEWS

A day after his release from jail, Senegal opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye drew hundreds of supporters at his first public appearance as a presidential contender for the March 24 elections, promising to tackle corruption. Next to him, the popular firebrand opposition leader Ousmane Sonko urged supporters to vote for his ally. "We have an election to win. We have lost too much time," Sonko, also released from prison on Thursday, said at a joint news briefing. Firebrand Sonko - who was seen as the key challenger to President Macky Sall's ruling party - threw his support behind Faye after being disqualified over…

Mar

17

2024

By JOE CASH

China’s Xi willing to work with Angola as it moves on from oil

NEWS

CHINESE President Xi Jinping said he would support Chinese firms that invest in Angola's agriculture and manufacturing sectors, state media reported on Friday, as the African oil-producing nation seeks help in diversifying its economy. "The Chinese side is willing to work with Angola to implement key infrastructure projects and support strong Chinese companies to go to Angola to carry out various forms of cooperation," Xi told visiting Angolan President Joao Lourenco at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Lourenco's visit follows Angola's announcement in December it would leave producer group the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and agreements with…

Mar

16

2024

By ABDI SHEIKH

Three soldiers die in hotel attack in Somali capital: policeoldiers die in hotel attack in Somali capital: police

NEWS

THREE soldiers were killed and 27 people wounded in an attack on a hotel in Somalia's capital, police said on Friday, the latest incident highlighting al Shabaab insurgents' ability to strike. Security services were earlier seen surrounding the Syl Hotel, usually frequented by government officials and lawmakers, following the late Thursday attack claimed by the al Qaeda-allied militants. "Three soldiers died. Eighteen civilians and nine soldiers were injured in the hotel attack, Kasim Ahmed Roble, police spokesperson, told a news conference. "All the five terrorists were shot dead and their bodies displayed." Al Shabaab has been waging a brutal insurgency…

Mar

15

2024

By The African Mirror

Spain arrests 14 accused of defrauding families of missing migrants

NEWS

SPAIN'S Civil Guard has arrested 14 people for allegedly seeking to profit from the families of missing migrants from North Africa, promising them to find, identify and repatriate their bodies in return for money, it said on Wednesday. The network lured victims by posting messages offering their services on social media, police said. The group allegedly spoke over several years with relatives in Morocco and Algeria whose family members were missing and feared to have died at sea while trying to reach the Spanish coast in small boats. The Civil Guard said they offered to act as intermediaries with the…

Mar

15

2024

By OPENING doors for private investors has spurred a rise in investments in Ethiopia's key sectors, allowing the country to maintain higher economic growth rates than its African and global peers and elevating its global reputation.

Economic reforms propel Ethiopia to world’s third fastest growing nation brand status

NEWS

ONGOING economic reforms that are also seeing Ethiopia opening up its traditionally closed sectors to private investment are helping to lift the country’s image, globally, according to a new report. UK-based Consultancy, Brand Finance in its Global Soft Power Index 2024 ranked Ethiopia the third fastest-growing nation brand in the world. In the ranking of the most valuable nations, Ethiopia’s brand value grew 23% - the highest growth in Africa - and the Brand Finance report said positive economic prospects had significantly contributed to the improvement. “Ethiopia is the fastest-growing African Nation Brand this year. It was one of the…