SPECIAL FEATURES - The African Mirror

May

24

2025

Colonial-era borders create conflict in Africa’s oceans – how to resolve them

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

AFRICA has 38 coastal and island nations. Their maritime industries – including energy, tourism, maritime transport, shipping and fishing – play a crucial role in developing these nations. Key to harnessing these resources are Africa’s maritime boundaries – lines on a map showing the legal divisions of the ocean between neighbouring coastal states. Some of these boundaries were created by colonial powers and were kept after independence. Their purpose was to achieve territorial security and ensure the exclusive exploitation of resources and to maintain navigational freedom. But Africa’s maritime boundaries sometimes lead to conflict, prevent cooperation on resource management and…

May

20

2025

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

A conversation on turning South Africa’s ambitious renewable energy goals into reality

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

SOUTH Africa’s renewable energy ambitions are evolving beyond clean electricity generation into a full-scale industrial strategy aimed at economic renewal. With the launch of the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM), the country has set its sights not only on expanding its green energy footprint but also on building a domestic manufacturing ecosystem for solar panels, wind turbines, and battery technologies. Earlier this month, bird story agency explored how the SAREM framework marks a pivotal shift — from merely installing renewables to anchoring a new era of industrial growth. SAREM targets R15 billion (more than US$800 million) in investment and…

May

19

2025

By The African Mirror

Congolese escaping the M23 conflict face new hardships in Burundi

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

This story was originally published by The New Humanitarian. NEWLY arrived Congolese refugees in Burundi are struggling with harsh living conditions in camps and border areas, amid growing tensions with local authorities and aid groups over where they should be allowed to live and be supported in the country. More than 70,000 have braved dangerous border crossings in recent weeks, driven by intensifying conflict between the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel movement and the national army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite the violence, interviews by The New Humanitarian show some refugees are already returning home because they are unable…

May

16

2025

By KEVIN KIRKMAN, CRAIG MORRIS and HELGA VAN DER MERWE

Southern Africa’s rangelands do many jobs, from feeding cattle to storing carbon: a review of 60 years of research

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

SOUTH Africa’s rangelands have always had great value for the country. These areas offer more than just grazing for livestock. They provide services like purifying water, storing carbon and conserving biodiversity. The grassland biome (28%), along with the savanna (32.5%) and the Nama-Karoo (19.5%), are collectively referred to as rangelands. They make up almost 80% of the land area of South Africa. Their ecological services haven’t always been fully appreciated. Research into rangelands has evolved in response to environmental changes, human needs and scientific discoveries. Commercial livestock production was the main concern when academics, researchers and practitioners met for the…

May

14

2025

By VICKI SQUIRE

Humanitarian aid depends on good data: what’s wrong with the way it’s collected

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS, EDITORS CHOICE

THE defunding of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), along with reductions in aid from the UK and elsewhere, raises questions about the continued collection of data that helps inform humanitarian efforts. Humanitarian response plans rely on accurate, accessible and up-to-date data. Aid organisations use this to review needs, monitor health and famine risks, and ensure security and access for humanitarian operations. The reliance on data – and in particular large-scale digitalised data – has intensified in the humanitarian sector over the past few decades. Major donors all proclaim a commitment to evidence-based decision making. The International Organisation for…

May

10

2025

By DANIEL BERHANE

How to resolve Tigray’s dangerous demobilisation deadlock

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

This story was originally published by The New Humanitarian.By Daniel Berhane OVER the last few weeks, more than 12,000 Tigrayan ex-combatants have demobilised and transitioned to the next phase of their lives – but they are the lucky ones. Some 250,000 former fighters have been left behind, their futures on hold, despite the war in Ethiopia’s northern region coming to an end more than two years ago. These delays and setbacks to the demobilisation programme represent a serious security risk. The socio-economic toll of keeping a large, productive force idle has yet to be fully assessed, but disillusionment is reflected…

May

09

2025

By MOHAMED OKASH and ABDIKAFI HASSAN ABDI

Somalia’s exports are threatened by climate change and conflict: what 30 years of data tell us

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

IN the sun-scorched lands of Somalia, farmers and livestock keepers have grown accustomed to the extremes of the climate. In 2022, for example, the country suffered the longest drought in 40 years. This affected nearly half the national population of 18 million people. The following year, heavy and widespread flooding devastated the country’s farmlands and infrastructure. For a country whose economy breathes through its agriculture and livestock sectors, these extremes have adverse implications. Over 70% of the population relies on farming, herding and pastoral activities for their livelihoods. Despite these climatic shocks, agriculture contributes about 60% of Somalia’s GDP. This…

May

08

2025

By SARLI SARDOU NANA

How to stop Nigeria’s worsening farmer-pastoralist violence

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

This story was originally published by The New Humanitarian.By Sarli Sardou Nana PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has big dreams for Nigeria’s new Federal Ministry of Livestock Development. In a speech announcing the ministry, Tinubu shared his hope that it would “enable Nigeria to finally take advantage of livestock farming” and overcome “this adversity that has plagued us”. The adversity he is alluding to is farmer-herder conflict: the violent disputes between farmers and pastoralists over land and land access that are estimated to have killed 2,600 people in 2021 alone. Created last year, the Ministry of Livestock is tasked with mending relations…

May

07

2025

By MARGARET CHITIGA-MABUGU and RAMOS EMMANUEL MABUGU

Investing in agriculture reduces poverty and inequality: economic model finds the best funding mix for 10 African countries

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

AFRICA faces challenges in reducing extreme poverty and inequality. In 2024, 8.5% of the global population was living in extreme poverty (that is, on less than US$2.15 a day). Nearly 67% of these people were living in sub-Saharan Africa. To tackle these significant issues of poverty and inequality, it is essential to identify the locations of the most impoverished individuals. This enables investments to focus on generating growth and productivity that are both inclusive of poor people and sustainable. About 70% of the poor in sub-Saharan Africa live in rural areas. Most (65% to 70%) are employed in agriculture. Agriculture…

May

05

2025

By The African Mirror

Maserati Unveils the New Grecale: The Dawn of Everyday Italian Excellence

MOTORING

MASERATI, the legendary house of Italian luxury and performance, has unveiled the latest evolution of its iconic SUV: the new Grecale MY25. With this launch, the Trident brand redefines what it means to experience “Everyday Exceptional”-infusing passion, innovation, and unmistakable Italian style into every journey. The Grecale stands shoulder to shoulder with Maserati’s most celebrated creations, including the GranTurismo, GranCabrio, MC20, and the ground-breaking Grecale Folgore, each model a testament to the brand’s devotion to grand touring and the art of driving. The 2025 Grecale line-up is broader and more versatile than ever. Maserati introduces the new “Grecale” trim, joining…