NEWS - The African Mirror

Jan

29

2023

Nigerian artist’s exhibition showcases food preservation methods

NEWS

IN his latest exhibition, Nigerian artist Olufela Omokeko is exploring the importance of food preservation in a country where food is often spoiled due to a lack of quick access to markets and cold storage. During a recent art exhibition in Iwaya, a slum in the commercial capital Lagos, guests also had the chance to taste Omokeko's puree from dried tomatoes, peppers and local spices as he showcased age-old traditions on how to extend the shelf life of perishable food. Nicknamed "son of a pepper seller," Omokeko grew up seeing women who sell perishables at their homes or at the…

Jan

29

2023

By The African Mirror

Zimbabwe court grants bail to 26 opposition party members

NEWS

A Zimbabwean court granted bail to 26 opposition party members who were arrested for holding what authorities said was an unlawful gathering. The arrest of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members, including two Members of Parliament, stoked fears of a crackdown on opposition politicians ahead of a crucial election this year at a yet-to-be-announced date. "This confirms that the arrest was an abuse of process in the first place," CCC spokeswoman Fadzayi Mahere told journalists outside court. "All this shows that the regime's paranoia has reached fever pitch and they notice that they are staring defeat in the face." Zimbabwean…

Jan

28

2023

By The African Mirror

US kills Islamic State leader in Somalia

NEWS

THE U.S. military carried out an operation that killed a senior Islamic State leader in northern Somalia, U.S. officials said on Thursday. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told reporters that Bilal al-Sudani, a U.S.-designated ISIS leader in Somalia, was killed in the operation along with about 10 of his associates. They added that the operation was approved by President Joe Biden earlier this week and carried out within the past 24 hours. The officials declined to discuss the basic details of the operation. They declined to articulate any direct threat posed by Sudani to the United States,…

Jan

28

2023

By The African Mirror

$30-billion plan to help Africa feed itself

NEWS

BATE FELIX DEVELOPMENT partners have committed $30 billion to boost food production in Africa over the next five years, the president of the African Development Bank said on Friday at the close of a summit on food security on the continent. The continent is facing its worst food crisis ever, with more than one in five Africans – a record 278 million people – facing hunger, according to United Nations estimates. A major theme of the three-day summit in the Senegalese capital Dakar was that African countries need to boost their food production capacity rather than relying on imports that have left them…

Jan

28

2023

By The African Mirror

Human Rights Watch urges Morocco not to extradite Saudi Shi’ite

NEWS

A human rights watchdog called on Morocco not to extradite a Shi'ite Muslim to his homeland of Saudi Arabia, citing fears he could face torture and an unfair trial there. Hassan Al Rabea, who has been in Morocco since last summer, has been held in a prison near Rabat after being arrested at Marrakech airport on Jan. 14, Human Rights Watch said in a statement. Saudi prosecutors accuse Rabea of leaving the kingdom illegally with the help of terrorists, the campaign group added. Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has denied previous accusations that…

Jan

28

2023

By The African Mirror

Yellen says she discussed Russia sanctions in every stop on Africa tour

NEWS

ANDREA SHALAL U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she had discussed economic sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine at every stop on her Africa tour and she was hopeful an agreement on the next Russian oil price cap could be reached soon. Yellen is wrapping up a three-country visit to Africa that is aimed at deepening U.S. economic ties with the continent and countering China's long dominance of trade and lending with many African nations. In comments to reporters during a visit to the South African coal-mining province of Mpumalanga, Yellen said the United States was "in the middle of…

Jan

27

2023

By The African Mirror

A Queen with a plan: She is bringing girls back to class

NEWS

NOKUKHANYA MUSI–AIMIENOHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY WHEN 16-year-old Nomalungelo* (not her real name) lost her only surviving parent to COVID-19, she dropped out of school to fend for her younger siblings. "I had to wake up as early as 5 am and leave the informal settlement to look for work. On some days, I'd be lucky and make E50 (US$3) from reselling the scrap metal I found from the dumpsite, but on normal days, I'd make E30 (US$1.50)." She also hints at experiencing sexual abuse by men who expected payment 'in kind' for any help they rendered her. Nomalungelo tells us…

Jan

27

2023

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s power cuts leave fruit farmers in despair

NEWS

WENDELL ROELF and KOPANO GUMBI ON the cusp of harvesting this season's first fruit, South African deciduous farmer Heinie du Toit frets as the worst power cuts on record threaten to take the shine off his apple and pear crop destined for foreign markets. Situated in Ceres, one of the country's major fruit-growing regions around 120km (75 miles) northeast of Cape Town, the century-old family farm "Remhoogte" needs a steady electricity supply for an automated irrigation pump network that sprays thousands of trees heavy with fruit. Too little water during the irrigation peak, from the end of November to mid-March,…

Jan

27

2023

By The African Mirror

Yellen welcomes South Africa’s energy transition, steers clear of Russia mention

NEWS

ANDREA SHALAL and KOPANO GUMBI U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen lauded South Africa's "bold" participation in an energy transition partnership backed by the United States and other Western nations but steered clear of mentioning U.S. concerns about Pretoria's planned military drills with China and Russia. She welcomed Godongwana's "cooperation and insightful views" in their previous discussions and said she would raise several issues, including Zambia's stalled sovereign debt restructuring effort, given South Africa's key role on the country's creditor committee. "The United States strongly values our relationship with South Africa," Yellen said in remarks that included no mention of Russia…

Jan

27

2023

By The African Mirror

France to recall Burkina ambassador over tensions, foreign ministry says

NEWS

THE French foreign ministry said it was recalling its ambassador to Burkina Faso, citing "the context of recent developments", a day after Paris announced it would withdraw its troops from the African country. "We have decided to recall our ambassador in Paris, to conduct consultations on the state and perspectives of our bilateral cooperation", the ministry said in a statement. Protests by opponents of the French military presence have surged in Burkina, partly linked to perceptions that France has not done enough to tackle an Islamist insurgency that has spread in recent years from neighbouring Mali. France on Wednesday said it would…