Sub-Saharan Africa
The future of Africa is often regarded in a strangely unimaginative and pessimistic way. Yet Africa today is full of diversity, economic potential and innovative development.
However, the continent faces numerous challenges. As a liberal foundation, we believe that sustainable development depends on strong democratic institutions. Through our activities, we therefore promote liberal policies such as human rights, the rule of law, innovation, digitalisation and free trade.
From our offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Harare, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Abidjan and Dakar, we support partners in several African countries in advocating liberal values and implementing democratic structures.
News
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The Effects of Low Vaccinations Numbers in the Region
Meanwhile, low vaccination rates in the region have also hit vaccine makers in Africa who hoped to use demand for vaccines to generate orders. In May, a South African factory in Gqeberha said that it was on the verge of shutting down the production line it had set up to manufacture a version of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine because it had not received a single order for its product. “International agencies” are being blamed for not placing orders.
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Behind Zimbabwe’s Currency Woes
The Z$750 000 note shocked many as a bigger banknote, but the Z$100 billion-dollar note in 2008 stole the show, which remains named as the Guinness record world's highest denomination banknote notwithstanding the ensuing introduction of a Z$100 trillion dollar note. The 100 trillion-dollar note became part of Zimbabwe’s former central bank chief Gideon Gono's failed efforts at saving an economic Armageddon characterised by a feisty inflation and deficits...
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The DRC joins the East Africa Community bloc
On April 8, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) formally joined the East African Community (EAC), a regional trade and political bloc. Analysts say that both the DRC and its neighbours stand to benefit from the new arrangement, which will expand the EAC as far west as the Atlantic Ocean and further open Congo’s market of 90 million people to the region. But the DRC’s ongoing security challenges could also complicate its integration.
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The Shaky Peace Deal in South Sudan
According to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, more than 400 people were massacred in bitter rival militias in the country between June and September 2021. Kiir and Machar's militias allegedly committed the atrocities. The oil rich South Sudan has been engulfed in ethnic violence since December 2013 and over 400 000 people have died since the conflict started. South Sudanese entrusted the AU to ensure that justice is served and end the culture of impunity.
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COVID-19 Impact on Women Informal Cross Border Traders in Southern Africa
‘Women informal cross border traders’ (WICBTs) play a vital role in sustaining Africa’s economy. Estimates suggest that between 50% to 60% of total intra-African trade is informal, and in most regions in Africa, including Southern Africa, women constitute around 70% of informal cross border traders (ICBTs). WICBTs do not only support their families and communities, they also provide an important contribution to the domestic and regional economies of their countries.
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Rwanda’s Digital Free Speech Comes Under Siege
As Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame tightens his grip on power, freedom for many who have switched to digital media to find a footing for their voices has come under siege from the country’s regime. Rwanda’s YouTube bloggers & commentators have of late found themselves in trouble for using the platform to point out perceived negative government reports. It has been reported that more than 20 bloggers and YouTubers in Rwanda were detained or disappeared in 2020 alone.
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Russian Invasion on Ukraine: Impact on Africa
When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the effects immediately rippled out around the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, the conflict has thus far been felt most acutely as a commodities crisis, with prices of key goods imported from Russia and Ukraine already beginning to spike. But there are also diplomatic tensions brewing over the treatment of African students in Ukraine, as well as how African countries position themselves in relation to the conflict.
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Will Africa Rise to Sustain its Bold AfCFTA Project?
On paper, the African Continental Free Trade Area seeks to boost intra-Africa trade, create a formidable single market, push the movement of capital and people, realise the establishment of continental customs union, improve competitiveness in the continent and more. The first shipment sunder agreement took place on 4 January 2021. Even with the high hopes placed on the potential of the AfCFTA, Africans are not oblivious to the many challenges that are in the way.
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What's in Store for Africa for 2022?
January has passed, but what's in store for Africa for the rest of 2022? A number of countries will be hosting elections of some form in 2022. The eyes of the world will be on the African continent assessing whether there is progress on some thorns that have hindered Africa’s image in the past. Will we see a drop in human rights violations? Will there be efficient economic progress to lift people out of poverty. Or will it be more of the same talk and no action?
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The FNF Africa Freedom Prize - “Then, Now and Beyond”
The Africa Freedom Prize was introduced in 2016 and it honours outstanding personalities who provide decisive impulses for the development of liberal civil society in African countries. Today, well known South African media personality Redi Tlhabi hosts the Africa Freedom Prize — “Then, Now and Beyond” feature that is looking back at the past recipients of the award. More importantly, we reflect on where the continent is today and more.
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Tensions Rise in Cameroon in the Face of AFCON
The assassination of Barrister Kemende at the wake of the great ongoing Africa football spectacle in Cameroon continues to raise a lot of dust on the question of insecurity and gross human rights violation that has plagued the two English speaking regions of the country for six years now. There has been a rise in kidnappings, mass arrests, detentions as well as attacks on educational establishments, among others.
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Omicron in South Africa: a sour note
“We are deeply disappointed by the decision of several countries to prohibit travel from several Southern African countries following the identification of the Omicron variant. This is a clear and completely unjustified departure from the commitment that many of these countries made at the meeting of G20 countries in Rome last month. These restrictions are unjustified and unfairly discriminate against our country.”
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Promoting Women Empowerment Through Football
“Sport has a vital role to play in promoting women's rights. It offers women and girls vastly underestimated opportunities to assert themselves as independent individuals in patriarchal societies. This requires low-threshold access to sports – with more trained female coaches, an improved infrastructure and enhanced club structures. Numerous organisations are promoting women's football in Africa, but development is still proceeding slowly.
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Uganda after the January 14 Presidential Elections with opposition leader Bobi Wine
Bobi Wine was in South Africa at the invitation of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom. The media was invited to a press briefing and Q & A session with opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi to reflect on Uganda's January 2021 election, and the current state of human rights in country. A few months after the elections, Bobi Wine says he's disappointed and questions motives on why the international community continues to work with President Yoweri Museveni.
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The Freedom Festival : 27 September 2021
Through their music, BANTU and Bobi Wine call for tolerance, the right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression. The musicians openly speak out against corruption and injustice in their countries and in the region. Their questioning and critical response to what they consider human rights violations have led to arrests, indictments, torture and strict surveillance especially that of Bobi Wine. The Foundation collaborated with the musicians, including Zolani Mahola and the MIAGI Youth Orchestra.
Social Media
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On the 17th of May 1990, humanity took a big step forward when homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organisation. Today, 32 years later, we still commemorate International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. Yet there are still nearly 70 countries worldwide that criminalise same-sex relationships. Today we raise awareness of the struggles that the LGBTQI community fight and pledge to support the movement. We will stand with you 🏳️🌈 #LGBTQI #Discrimination #WeStandWithYou
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🆕 The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in sub-Saharan Africa sets to launch the cross-regional radio programme “Freedom Pioneers of Africa”. In twelve episodes, local change-makers will present their successful projects and discuss topics such as innovation, digitalisation and entrepreneurship. The programme will be broadcast on community radio stations in six countries in the region and subsequently published as a podcast. The first episode is scheduled for release today May 16, 2022. ℹ https://www.freiheit.org/sub-saharan-africa/focus/freedom-pioneers-africa
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#InvestigatingCorruption - a series of articles by #journalists in partnership with Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe and FNF Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 "Nobody held to account as obscure company awarded tender and disappears with huge sum of money," writes Moses Ziyambi. The city of Masvingo has apparently lost US$137 000 in fraudulent bitumen deal. ℹ https://enviropresszim.com/2022/04/29/masvingo-loses-us137-000-in-fraudulent-bitumen-deal/
