African Union - The African Mirror

Sep

25

2024

UN security council: African countries face hurdles and dangers in getting permanent seats

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

THERE is growing global consensus among the members of the United Nations that the UN Security Council, responsible for maintaining international peace and security, requires reform or restructuring to reflect the current balance of forces, and to improve its working methods and ability to do its work. There is also growing consensus among members of the African Union that Africa deserves a permanent presence at the council. The debate took a new turn on 13 September, when the US announced it would support the creation of two new permanent seats for African countries, and a non-permanent seat for small island…

Sep

11

2024

By MISHECK MUTIZE

Rating agencies and Africa: the absence of people on the ground contributes to bias against the continent – analyst

BUSINESS

RATING agency Fitch recently warned that the rapid spread of the mpox virus in sub-Saharan Africa could add to the fiscal pressures many countries in the region are already experiencing. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have declared the latest outbreak of mpox in Africa a health emergency. An epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to neighbouring countries. Seven countries rated by Fitch – Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda – have confirmed mpox cases. Fitch cautioned investors about possible under-reporting of mpox cases and that…

Aug

29

2024

By The African Mirror

Raila Odinga launches bid for African Union Commission chairpersonship

NEWS

RAILA Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya, has launched his bid for one of the most sought-after top jobs in Africa - the chairpersonship of the African Union Commission. Backed by his country and President William Ruto, Odinga was this week revealed as Kenya's candidate. In his speech, he made a powerful pledge on why he is the best candidate for the position. Odinga expressed his gratitude for the support he has received: "I am personally encouraged and humbled by the collective support from my country and the Eastern Africa region. The official unveiling of my candidacy as Kenya's…

Aug

29

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Ten African countries prioritising education

EDUCATION

IN April 2024, the African Union (AU) declared this year the 'Year of Education,' urging governments to ramp up efforts to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4—to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” While countries require an additional US$77 billion annually to meet national education goals and deliver quality education, funding for education remains largely stagnant. Government spending on education as a percentage of GDP hovers at just 3.7% —a figure that has barely budged since 2012. According to a 2024 analysis by UNESCO, nine out of 49 African countries dedicate 20%…

Aug

07

2024

By The African Mirror

bird TenX: 10 high-speed rail systems

NEWS

IN 2013, the African Union unveiled the African Integrated High-Speed Railway Network (AIHSRN), a flagship project led by the African Union as part of its Agenda 2063. This 50-year development trajectory also includes a continental free trade zone, a common passport, and an end to armed conflict. In the decade since its introduction, African nations have planned and initiated several high-speed rail systems in an effort to connect vital routes on the continent. When Africa's pioneering railroads opened in the 1850s, with the Cairo-Alexandria line in 1856, the Cape Town-Port Elizabeth line in 1876 and the Dakar-Saint Louis line in…

Jul

11

2024

By OLIVIER WALTHER

West Africa trade will take a hit as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso leave Ecowas

BUSINESS

THE membership of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has been whittled down from 15 to 12 following the unilateral withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in February. Founded in 1975, Ecowas is one of eight regional economic communities recognised by the African Union to foster regional integration on the continent. Its main objective is to create a single, large trading bloc through economic cooperation. Since 1975, Ecowas and its sister organisation the West African Economic and Monetary Union (known by its French acronym, Uemoa) have implemented numerous policies aimed at improving how west African countries trade…

Jul

03

2024

By SETH ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Somali army close to autonomy as AU ramp up forces’ withdraw

NEWS

AFRICAN Union-backed forces in Somalia are transferring more military bases to their local counterparts as they gain offensive capabilities to fend off Al-Shabaab militants. This comes after more than a decade of training and rearming of the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) amid relentless attacks by the jihadi group. The scaling back of operations in the country by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) marks a crucial step in empowering the Somali army to combat Al-Shabaab effectively. The AU notes that while the threats persist, Somali forces are, more than ever, fit for combat after the country's military…

May

09

2024

By DANNY BRADLOW

South Africa will be president of the G20 in 2025: two much-needed reforms it should drive

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

SOUTH Africa will play an important international role in 2025 as president of the G20. The G20 is a group of 19 countries as well as the African Union and the European Union. Between them they represent 85% of the global economy, 75% of world trade and 67% of the global population. The G20 defines itself as the premier multilateral forum for international economic cooperation. During its G20 presidential year, South Africa will host a summit of heads of state and government. It will also be responsible for organising and chairing about 200 meetings of ministers and officials. These will…

May

01

2024

By BIRD STORY AGENCY

bird TenX: 10 major road networks connecting Africa

NEWS

MAJOR road networks are not merely stretches of asphalt; but vital arteries that boost trade, connect communities, and foster economic growth across the African continent. They represent a commitment to progress and the betterment of interconnectivity within Africa. The Trans-African Highway Network is an ambitious, pan-African road network of major roads aiming to cover 56,683 kilometres by merging 9 highways. The mega project is a collaborative initiative by the African Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in collaboration with individual countries. The following is a selected list of 10 of the…

May

01

2024

By MAYA MISIKIR

Weighed down by war and drought, Tigray struggles to get back on its feet

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

SEVENTEEN months since the fighting stopped in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, people are still trying to rebuild what was deliberately destroyed – a mammoth task for a population and local government left destitute by the two-year conflict. Every facet of life in the region – from jobs to social services to security – has been impacted by the scorched-earth war, in which as many as 600,000 people may have been killed. It ended with an African Union-brokered peace agreement in November 2022, but the bill for reconstruction has been calculated at $20 billion. The climate has also taken its toll in Tigray. A drought…