Global Pulse

标签： Africa

非洲

  • Fighting disrupts shipping, threatening Africa trade

    Fighting disrupts shipping, threatening Africa trade

    The escalating conflict in the Gulf region has unleashed severe disruptions across East Africa’s trade networks, with major shipping companies abandoning traditional routes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Global carriers including Maersk, CMA CGM, and Mediterranean Shipping Company have suspended sailings through these critical maritime corridors, redirecting vessels around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope instead.

    This strategic rerouting threatens to cripple East African exports, particularly perishable commodities. The extended journey—increasing transit times from 20 days to potentially 45 days—jeopardizes cold-chain logistics and threatens significant financial losses for regional exporters.

    Kenya’s agricultural sector faces immediate jeopardy. The East African Tea Trade Association warns that the country could lose up to 25% of its Middle Eastern tea market if hostilities persist. Meanwhile, Kenya’s meat export industry reports over 200 metric tons of product stranded in cold storage facilities, with daily exports of 130 tons completely halted.

    Agayo Ogambi, CEO of the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa, emphasized the critical timing for exporters handling perishables like avocados. “The extended transit will lead to cold-chain disruptions, higher rejection rates by buyers, and substantial financial losses,” Ogambi stated.

    Waweru Kamau of Juja International Abattoirs detailed the crisis: “All meat prepared for shipment remains frozen in our facilities. We’ve suspended operations and sent staff home as our primary market—the Middle East, particularly the UAE which accounts for 60% of exports—becomes inaccessible due to route disruptions.”

    The ripple effects extend beyond immediate cargo delays, threatening to increase freight charges at major East African ports including Mombasa, disrupt container circulation systems, and potentially trigger broader economic consequences across the continent’s trade-dependent economies.

  • Motorists stranded and military deployed after heavy rains pound Kenyan capital overnight

    Motorists stranded and military deployed after heavy rains pound Kenyan capital overnight

    NAIROBI, Kenya — Severe flooding triggered by relentless overnight rainfall has brought Kenya’s capital to a standstill, leaving motorists trapped for hours and prompting military deployment for emergency rescue operations. The crisis unfolded as torrential downpours that commenced Friday continued through the night, transforming major roadways into impassable waterways and submerging vehicles across the city.

    In response to the escalating situation, Kenyan military rescue units have been activated to support overwhelmed emergency services. The government’s intervention included the temporary suspension of toll fees on elevated highways to facilitate evacuation efforts. Kenya Red Cross response teams faced significant challenges reaching stranded residents due to severely compromised road infrastructure.

    Ahmed Idris, Secretary-General of Kenya Red Cross, confirmed via social media platform X that search and rescue operations were underway despite formidable obstacles. “Our teams are working tirelessly though severely constrained by the complete breakdown of road networks. We are prioritizing all efforts to reach those in critical need,” Idris stated.

    Social media platforms became flooded with visual evidence of the catastrophe, showing residential areas completely inundated and citizens wading through chest-high waters. The disaster has reignited public anger toward municipal authorities, with residents citing chronically inadequate drainage infrastructure as the primary cause of preventable flooding.

    Aisha Bajaber, a Nairobi resident, expressed the collective frustration on X: “Yet again our city drowns in floodwaters. When will officials address the complete absence of functional drainage systems?” This current emergency occurs within Kenya’s long-rains season, which traditionally begins in late February and has historically resulted in catastrophic consequences including lethal landslides, mudslides, and mass displacements affecting thousands of citizens.

  • Women in South Africa take up guns and martial arts for protection against gender violence

    Women in South Africa take up guns and martial arts for protection against gender violence

    In the agricultural town of Bronkhorstspruit, just outside Pretoria, a diverse group of South African women ranging from teenagers to senior citizens are learning firearm proficiency under female instruction. These training sessions at the Lone Operator shooting range represent a growing national movement as women seek protection against gender-based violence that reached such epidemic proportions that the government declared it a national disaster last November.

    Participants as young as 13 and as old as 65 practice with 9mm pistols, receiving guidance on proper grip and sight alignment from lead instructor Claire van der Westhuizen. The curriculum extends beyond basic marksmanship to include realistic scenarios such as firing from defensive positions on their stomachs and backs.

    This trend emerges against a harrowing statistical backdrop: United Nations data reveals South Africa’s femicide rates rank among the world’s highest, exceeding global averages by five to six times. A 2022 national study found over 35% of women aged 18 and older have experienced physical or sexual violence, predominantly from intimate partners. According to women’s rights organization Sonke Gender Justice, approximately 15 women are killed daily in gender-based attacks.

    The crisis has prompted varied responses across the nation. In Johannesburg, women are turning to martial arts like jiujitsu, learning practical techniques to escape chokeholds and break free from wall pinning. Many participants keep their training secret from partners, sometimes claiming shopping trips as cover.

    While President Cyril Ramaphosa’s disaster declaration enables redirected funding, activists point to a persistent implementation gap despite progressive policies. They cite socioeconomic inequality, patriarchal attitudes, and underresourced law enforcement as contributing factors, with rape conviction rates languishing at just 8% in 2021.

    For survivors like Sunette du Toit, a 51-year-old grandmother who endured a home invasion by five assailants, firearms training represents reclaimed agency. ‘I had to do this for myself to gain my confidence back,’ she explained, describing the community as ‘a family of support.’

    Yet women’s rights advocates caution that placing the burden of protection on potential victims rather than addressing perpetrators remains problematic. While self-defense training builds confidence, instructors acknowledge its limitations, emphasizing heightened awareness rather than guaranteed safety.

  • Tunisian authorities detain pro-Palestinian activists preparing new Gaza aid flotilla

    Tunisian authorities detain pro-Palestinian activists preparing new Gaza aid flotilla

    Tunisian authorities have initiated a significant crackdown on activists associated with the Global Sumud Flotilla campaign, detaining several key organizers on Friday amid mounting tensions surrounding the planned humanitarian mission to Gaza. The National Guard’s financial crimes unit has launched a formal investigation into alleged money laundering, fraud, and misuse of donated funds intended for the flotilla initiative.

    Among those detained were prominent committee members Wael Naouar, Jawaher Channa, and Nabil Channoufi, though none have been able to provide public statements regarding their detention. Organizers have condemned these actions as deliberate targeting of Palestinian solidarity efforts and are demanding immediate release of all detained activists.

    The crackdown follows several days of disrupted flotilla preparation events in Tunis, including a banned gathering that was expected to feature international figures such as Brazilian campaigner Thiago Ávila and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Ávila was subsequently detained at Brussels Airport while transiting from Tunis to Amsterdam for a meeting of the Hague Group.

    This development occurs against the backdrop of ongoing humanitarian challenges in Gaza. Despite a fragile ceasefire established in October, the United Nations reports that hundreds of thousands of humanitarian aid pallets remain stranded at crossings into Gaza. Israel has suspended over two dozen humanitarian organizations for non-compliance with new registration requirements, exacerbating the crisis for Gaza’s 2 million residents.

    The planned flotilla represents one of the largest civilian missions to challenge Israeli restrictions, with organizers anticipating participation from more than 1,000 activists including medical professionals, war crimes investigators, and engineers. The maritime component is scheduled to depart from Spain, Tunisia, and Italy, supported by a land convoy expected to attract thousands additional participants.

    Tunisian authorities have not issued official statements regarding the detentions or the ongoing financial investigation.

  • ‘Massive’ numbers killed by gunmen in latest Nigeria attack, senator tells BBC

    ‘Massive’ numbers killed by gunmen in latest Nigeria attack, senator tells BBC

    A devastating militant attack has struck the remote village of Ngoshe in Nigeria’s conflict-ridden Borno state, resulting in significant civilian casualties and mass abductions during Ramadan evening prayers. Nigerian Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume described the assault as “massive” in scale, though precise death tolls remain unconfirmed due to the remote location and ongoing assessments.

    The attack occurred Wednesday evening as residents were breaking their daily fast, with suspected Islamist militants targeting both civilian populations and security installations. Local reports indicate over 100 women and children were abducted during the coordinated assault, which also targeted a military base and camp for displaced persons. Several soldiers and civilians were killed, including the village’s chief cleric and community elders.

    Senator Ndume revealed to BBC Hausa that militants maintained control of Ngoshe for approximately 48 hours before Nigerian military forces deployed aerial strikes and ground troops to reclaim the area. The lawmaker expressed concern that stolen military equipment from the overrun base could enhance the militants’ capabilities for future operations.

    This represents the most severe attack in the region since Boko Haram’s peak dominance over a decade ago, according to local accounts. Umaru Yakubu Kirawa, a Borno-based journalist, confirmed residents reported substantial casualties and hundreds of abductions during the Ramadan violation.

    The incident highlights the persistent security challenges in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap) maintain active insurgencies. Despite nearly doubled defense budgets from 2024-2025, civilian protection remains inadequate according to critics.

    Official response included Borno state police spokesperson Nahum Daso Kenneth acknowledging the Wednesday night incident while emphasizing successful repulsion of insurgents. Search and rescue operations continue as Governor Babagana Umara Zulum met with survivors, distributing supplies and promising comprehensive efforts to secure hostages’ release.

  • Islamic militants abduct more than 300 people in northeastern Nigeria, officials say

    Islamic militants abduct more than 300 people in northeastern Nigeria, officials say

    ABUJA, Nigeria — Islamic extremist groups launched a series of coordinated attacks across northeastern Nigeria this week, culminating in the mass abduction of more than 300 civilians from the town of Ngoshe in Borno state on Friday. Local officials confirmed the large-scale kidnapping targeting women and children, marking one of the most significant security breaches in recent months.

    According to Bulama Sawa, an official from the Gwoza area, the Ngoshe assault appears to be retaliatory action following a Nigerian military operation that eliminated three high-ranking Boko Haram commanders. The attack demonstrates the militants’ continued operational capability despite sustained counterinsurgency efforts.

    Military spokesperson Uba Sani reported simultaneous assaults on multiple communities—Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Mainok—between Wednesday and Friday. While Nigerian forces successfully repelled these attacks, Sani acknowledged significant military casualties, including the death of a senior officer and “a number of brave soldiers [who] paid the supreme price in the line of duty.”

    Security analysts point to evolving tactical capabilities among jihadist groups operating in the region. Ulf Laessing of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation noted increased cross-border coordination between militant factions and their adoption of drone technology for reconnaissance missions. “The army is fighting a ghost—fighters descending with motorbikes on villages and disappearing into the bush before the army can respond in time,” Laessing observed.

    The security landscape has grown increasingly complex with the convergence of multiple extremist organizations, including Boko Haram, its Islamic State-affiliated breakaway faction (Islamic State West Africa Province), and IS-linked Lakurawa. Additionally, the crisis has expanded to include Sahel-based militants from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which conducted its first Nigerian attack last year.

    United Nations data indicates several thousand fatalities resulting from Nigeria’s security crisis, with analysts criticizing the government’s inadequate protection of civilians. The United States has deployed military advisors to assist Nigerian forces, but the persistent violence underscores the challenges in containing the multifaceted insurgency.

  • Ugandan students who fled Iran air strikes recall ‘ground trembling’

    Ugandan students who fled Iran air strikes recall ‘ground trembling’

    Emotional reunions unfolded at Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport as 43 students evacuated from conflict-ridden Iran returned home safely. The evacuation followed coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets on Saturday, which triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran against Israeli and U.S. allies throughout the Gulf region, creating widespread disruption across the Middle East.

    Uganda’s diplomatic mission in Tehran orchestrated the complex evacuation operation, arranging for students to travel by bus to the Turkish border before continuing to Istanbul for their flight home. The returning students provided harrowing accounts of their experiences during the bombardment. Oscar Nyegyema described to AFP the terrifying moments of the attacks: “We could hear the ground trembling, we could hear the ground shake. We really did not know whether we could make it out.”

    Nyegyema revealed that his university had been directly hit by an airstrike, leaving students “scared and devastated.” Despite the trauma, he expressed determination to return and complete his academic program as soon as conditions permit. Not all Ugandan students chose evacuation, however. According to Ugandan State Minister Balaam Barugahara, eight students voluntarily remained behind despite government offers of repatriation.

    Aloisius Ssegawa, one of the evacuated students, explained the financial concerns motivating those who stayed: “The truth is for these students, they believe that if they return home, the two years spent in their four-year degree study may go to waste because they may not be able to afford the ticket back to the university.”

    The personal costs of the conflict varied significantly among students. Jonan Gumushabe told Reuters he was merely days away from completing his degree when forced to evacuate. Sharon Twiine, who had been studying international relations at Ahlul Bayt International University in Tehran, described the experience as “scary, traumatizing” and indicated she would require psychological therapy before considering a return to her studies.

  • A Lagos rave rewrites the rules of nightlife, drawing young Nigerians priced out of club culture

    A Lagos rave rewrites the rules of nightlife, drawing young Nigerians priced out of club culture

    LAGOS, Nigeria — In a striking departure from Nigeria’s conventional club scene, thousands of young Lagosians are flocking to underground raves that prioritize communal experience over financial status. The movement represents a cultural shift in Africa’s most populous nation, where traditional ‘table culture’ nightlife has increasingly excluded youth grappling with record inflation.

    At Group Therapy—a pioneering rave event in the upscale Lekki district—revelers experience a radically different social environment. The venue operates without the hierarchical seating arrangements that dominate mainstream clubs, featuring instead a unified dance floor where attendees dance shoulder-to-shoulder under pulsating green strobe lights. A single, modestly-priced bar replaces the multi-tiered bottle service endemic to Lagos nightlife.

    Founder DJ Aniko explained the philosophy behind the movement: ‘Raves restore the essential element missing from conventional parties—actual space for dancing and genuine human connection. Typical Lagos venues require reservations and complicated bookings, transforming leisure into a competitive financial performance.’

    Economic realities drive this cultural transformation. Traditional clubs often charge between 100,000 naira ($72.34) to one million naira for bottled drinks, effectively pricing out most young Nigerians. By contrast, Group Therapy charges a flat 21,000 naira ($15.19) entrance fee without pressure for additional purchases.

    Cultural analyst Oluwamayowa Idowu of Culture Custodian notes: ‘This demonstrates declining purchasing power among youth. Raves offer democratic alternatives where enjoyment isn’t predicated on financial display. People now seek authentic experiences rather than performing affluence.’

    The events feature continuous, high-tempo house music infused with African sonic elements—a trend that gained momentum post-pandemic through cross-pollination with South African genres. This musical choice deliberately avoids mainstream Nigerian artists who typically control club playlists, ensuring the focus remains on collective experience rather than celebrity culture.

    Attendee Yetunde Onikoyi, 28, describes the appeal: ‘Since discovering raves last year, I’ve been completely captivated. The environment creates genuine connection through shared musical experience.’

    Consultant Dayo Williams echoes this sentiment: ‘Finding spaces that prioritize human aspects over materialism feels like a blessing in today’s climate.’

    The phenomenon represents both a cultural rebellion against Nigeria’s conservative social norms and an adaptive response to economic pressures, signaling a broader redefinition of leisure and community among urban youth.

  • These women fought in Ethiopia’s last civil war and warn against another one

    These women fought in Ethiopia’s last civil war and warn against another one

    In the aftermath of Ethiopia’s devastating two-year civil war, female veterans from the Tigray region continue grappling with profound psychological wounds while facing the terrifying prospect of renewed hostilities. Their stories reveal the hidden human cost of conflict that extends far beyond battlefield casualties.

    Abeba Amdu, once a promising 22-year-old football star studying IT in Mekelle, saw her athletic career and academic ambitions shattered by the conflict. The talented striker who challenged traditional gender norms in sports now bears both physical and emotional scars from her military service. “I lost everything,” she confesses, describing how the trauma has left her isolated and unable to reclaim her former athletic prowess.

    Her decision to join the Tigray Defence Forces stemmed from both familial legacy—her parents were veterans of the 1991 revolution—and the terrifying reports of systematic sexual violence against Tigrayan women. “It was the whole situation that forced me to fight,” she explains, noting that basic necessities like sanitary pads became luxury items during combat.

    The war officially concluded with an African Union-brokered peace agreement in 2022, but peace remains elusive for these veterans. Selam Hailu, a 30-year-old lawyer and mother of two, joined the conflict after her retired parents returned from frontline service physically broken and bearing accounts of “sexual violence and mass killings.”

    As an educated professional, Selam confronted institutional sexism within military leadership, challenging the “unprincipled relationships” between officers and young female combatants. Her advocacy resulted in overnight detention—a punishment that highlighted the systemic challenges women faced even within their own forces.

    Dr. Rahwa Gebremedhin, a university lecturer, approached the conflict from an academic perspective, her military knowledge derived solely from war films. The transition back to civilian life has proven nearly impossible, with she and many others displaying “all the symptoms of PTSD.” She states bluntly: “I’m just trying to survive.”

    These women’s struggles are compounded by recent military developments. January witnessed brief clashes between federal troops and Tigrayan fighters, accompanied by drone strikes and suspended flights. Both sides exchange accusations: the federal government alleges Eritrean interference while the TPLF claims troop buildups along regional borders.

    Abeba articulates the collective anxiety: “Right now, I see fear everywhere—the fear of another conflict.” Their hard-won perspective suggests diplomatic solutions rather than renewed combat: “We have seen that in the end, it is negotiation—not combat—that provides the solution.”

    Despite attempts at rebuilding—Abeba briefly established a women’s football mentoring program called “Wegahta”—financial constraints and psychological burdens have hampered recovery efforts. These initiatives represent not just career moves but desperate searches for sanctuary from memories that continue to haunt Ethiopia’s female veterans.

  • Regragui departs as Morocco appoint Ouahbi as new coach

    Regragui departs as Morocco appoint Ouahbi as new coach

    In a dramatic shift just months before the 2026 World Cup, Morocco’s national football team has severed ties with head coach Walid Regragui. The decision comes despite Regragui’s historic achievement of guiding the Atlas Lions to become the first African semifinalists in World Cup history during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

    The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has appointed 49-year-old Mohamed Ouahbi as Regragui’s successor, promoting him from the under-23 squad. This strategic move mirrors Regragui’s own appointment in August 2022, just three months before the previous World Cup.

    Official statements characterized the change as part of a “structured roadmap” for Moroccan football’s continuous development rather than a simple coaching swap. The federation’s decision follows Morocco’s recent Africa Cup of Nations final appearance on home soil, where they suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 extra-time defeat to Senegal in a match marred by controversy when Senegal briefly refused to play after a late penalty award.

    Regragui, who also led Wydad Casablanca to the African Champions League title before taking the national team job, acknowledged the need for fresh leadership. “The team needs a new lease of life before the World Cup, a new vision to continue progressing,” stated the departing coach, who had faced mounting pressure to deliver Morocco’s first continental title since 1976.

    Team captain Achraf Hakimi paid tribute to Regragui’s “unforgettable mark on Moroccan football history” as the team prepares for a challenging World Cup campaign. Morocco will open against five-time champions Brazil on June 13th before facing Scotland and Haiti in Group C. The North African side will test their new leadership in upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Paraguay during the next international window.