Global Pulse

标签： Africa

非洲

  • Somalia marks 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China

    Somalia marks 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China

    Somalia and China have commemorated 65 years of established diplomatic relations, reaffirming their commitment to enhanced cooperation and shared developmental objectives. The milestone event, held in Mogadishu, brought together high-ranking officials from both nations to celebrate this enduring international partnership.

    Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre addressed attendees by highlighting the historical significance of this bilateral relationship, characterizing it as “a testament to enduring friendship between our two peoples.” He emphasized that this friendship has been fundamentally built upon mutual respect for national sovereignty and shared understanding across decades of regional and global transformations.

    Since initially establishing diplomatic ties on December 14, 1960, China has consistently emerged as a trusted partner to Somalia. This partnership has notably respected Somalia’s political independence while supporting its national priorities and belief in the country’s future potential. The cooperative relationship has yielded practical impacts across multiple sectors including critical infrastructure development, healthcare system strengthening, educational advancement, public service capacity building, and humanitarian response during crises.

    Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yu recalled the historical context of the relationship’s formation, noting that China was among the first nations to recognize Somalia’s independence. Somalia similarly distinguished itself as the first East African nation to establish formal diplomatic relations with China. Ambassador Wang acknowledged Somalia’s consistent adherence to the One-China principle while reaffirming China’s unwavering support for Somalia’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.

    The diplomatic celebration underscored how the China-Somalia relationship has evolved into a model of South-South cooperation, demonstrating how mutually beneficial partnerships can foster common development between nations.

  • Museum knows ‘little to nothing’ about new display

    Museum knows ‘little to nothing’ about new display

    In an unprecedented move confronting Britain’s colonial history, Manchester Museum has launched a groundbreaking exhibition featuring thousands of African artifacts with largely unknown origins—many acquired through questionable means during the Empire’s peak. The institution has deliberately placed these culturally significant objects in its newly established Africa Hub to openly address the substantial gaps in its historical records.

    The collection, comprising over 40,000 items from across Africa, reveals troubling acquisition methods including trade, anthropological collection, confiscation, and outright looting during colonial expansion. One particularly telling example is a carved figure depicting a horse with an ibis on its back, whose entire documented history consists only of its 1976 donation by a Mrs M A Bellhouse, with no information regarding its cultural context, place of origin, or traditional significance.

    Curator Lucy Edematie describes this exhibition as fundamentally different from traditional museum displays, characterizing it as “the beginning” rather than the culmination of research. “It is a chance to do our thinking in public, with honesty and transparency, and to involve people in that process from the start,” Edematie explained, highlighting the institution’s commitment to ethical reconsideration of colonial collections.

    The museum, part of the University of Manchester, acknowledges that this transparent approach may ultimately lead to repatriation decisions or collaborative partnerships with diaspora communities to develop culturally appropriate ways of preserving and celebrating heritage. In a significant co-curation effort, the Africa Hub features displays developed with Igbo Community Greater Manchester (ICM), representing one of West Africa’s largest ethnic groups.

    ICM Vice-Chairwoman Sylvia Mgbeahurike emphasized the exhibition’s profound significance: “Some of these objects were given, some were stolen, some were taken forcefully out of conquest. Bringing them together shows inclusiveness, demonstrates strength in diversity, and reaffirms that we are one people regardless of color or origin.”

    This bold institutional initiative represents a growing movement among museums to address colonial-era acquisitions honestly while developing new ethical frameworks for handling contested cultural property.

  • Liverpool rappers in Somalia during clan conflict

    Liverpool rappers in Somalia during clan conflict

    Two British drill musicians from Liverpool’s Toxteth area have become subjects of a potential police investigation following their apparent participation in armed activities within Somalia’s volatile clan conflicts. Abdifatah Gulaid, 31, and Noah Ihiekwe, 30, who perform under the stage names Still Brickin’ and Rayzer respectively, were documented in military attire alongside armed troops in northeastern Somalia earlier this year.

    The BBC-obtained footage shows Gulaid delivering inflammatory statements to soldiers, declaring that ‘the time for talk is finished’ and promising to demonstrate their ‘mettle in battle.’ The rappers’ journey to conflict zones began under suspicious circumstances—they were among six men detained during a January drug raid in Phuket, Thailand, where authorities seized 6kg of cannabis and 39 tanks of nitrous oxide from their luxury villa. Though released without charges, the men subsequently traveled to Somalia’s Sanaag region.

    This territory remains disputed between the self-declared Republic of Somaliland and the autonomous state of Puntland, with longstanding inter-clan tensions over resources and historical grievances. Gulaid maintains affiliation with the Warsangeli clan, currently engaged in hostilities against the rival Isaaq clan aligned with Somaliland.

    An international consultant present at Badhan’s Laasqoray Hotel described witnessing the rappers transition from casual Western attire to combat gear while brandishing assault rifles. Their presence coincided with a significant escalation in regional violence, including armed confrontations that endangered civilian areas.

    According to Dr. Idil Osman of the University of Leicester, diaspora communities often maintain strong connections to Somali clan politics, sometimes drawing them into overseas conflicts. While the UK government emphasizes that any citizen engaging in unlawful activities abroad faces investigation upon return, legal expert Clive Walker notes prosecution complexities unless involvement with proscribed organizations like Al-Shabaab is established. The individuals were last reported in Dubai, with their eventual return to Britain likely to prompt official inquiries.

  • Refugee firefighters in Mauritania battle bushfires to give back to the community that took them in

    Refugee firefighters in Mauritania battle bushfires to give back to the community that took them in

    In the harsh expanse of Mauritania’s desert landscape, a unique partnership has emerged between Malian refugees and their host community through the shared battle against destructive bushfires. At sunset in Mbera, synchronized movements of volunteer firefighters create a rhythmic cadence as they practice with acacia branches—a specialized technique perfected over years of combating desert blazes.

    These 360 refugees, operating under UNHCR patronage with EU funding, have transformed environmental protection into a reciprocal gesture of gratitude toward the Mauritanian communities that sheltered them from Mali’s violence since 2012. The region houses approximately 300,000 Malian refugees, with half residing in formal camps and others integrated into local villages.

    Hantam Ag Ahmedou, who arrived as a child refugee, explains the critical methodology: “Water proves futile against fires that ignite hundreds of kilometers from sources. Our branches smother flames effectively—this knowledge became our contribution.” The volunteer brigade responds urgently to alerts, deploying in coordinated teams with heat-resistant acacia branches to contain infernos that threaten both refugee settlements and local villages.

    The environmental context heightens the urgency: Mauritania, with 90% Sahara coverage, faces accelerated desertification from climate change. Tayyar Sukru Cansizoglu of UNHCR notes that single fires now carry life-threatening consequences for all residents amid strained natural resources. Tensions over grazing areas and water access underscore the fragility of this coexistence.

    Beyond firefighting, the initiative has expanded into ecological restoration with tree nurseries cultivating acacias, citrus, and mango trees to counteract vegetation loss. For veterans like 52-year-old Abderrahmane Maiga, this work represents necessary reciprocity: “After people welcomed us, standing to help them is only right.”

    The refugees acknowledge the permanence of their situation—with returning to Mali increasingly implausible amid ongoing violence. Ag Ahmedou articulates their resolve: “We cannot abandon our home for Europe. We must resist. We must fight—for survival is our only option.”

  • ILT20: MI Emirates stun Dubai Capitals in low-scoring thriller

    ILT20: MI Emirates stun Dubai Capitals in low-scoring thriller

    In a stunning display of defensive cricket, MI Emirates clinched a nail-biting seven-run victory against Dubai Capitals in the DP World ILT20 Season 4 clash at Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday. Defending a modest total of 137/8, the Emirates orchestrated a remarkable turnaround that saw them leapfrog their opponents into third place on the tournament table.

    The match pivoted dramatically when Rashid Khan’s crucial two-wicket intervention shattered the Capitals’ commanding position. Despite a strong foundation built by Jordan Cox (46 off 41) and Shayan Jahangir (34 off 27), who hammered 51 runs during the powerplay, the Capitals’ chase unraveled spectacularly in the final overs.

    Earlier, Jonny Bairstow’s explosive 67 off 40 deliveries, featuring eight boundaries and three sixes, provided the cornerstone of MI Emirates’ innings. His 30-ball half-century seemed to set a competitive platform until Muhammad Jawadullah’s brilliant spell (2/7) and Mustafizur Rahman’s devastating 3/34 triggered a collapse that limited the Emirates to what appeared to be a below-par total.

    The turning point arrived during the penultimate over when Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed both Cox and Mohammad Nabi within three deliveries, effectively sealing the Capitals’ fate. The final over witnessed three more wickets falling as the Capitals capitulated at 130 all out.

    Post-match, Player of the Match Rashid Khan emphasized the team’s collective effort: ‘Today was a proper team effort and bowling performance. The way we fielded gave us the energy needed to defend this total.’

    Dubai Capitals captain Dasun Shanaka reflected on missed opportunities: ‘We bowled exceptionally well, but crucial dropped catches and my own dismissal at a critical juncture ultimately cost us the game.’

  • India-South Africa 4th T20 International abandoned due to fog

    India-South Africa 4th T20 International abandoned due to fog

    The highly anticipated fourth T20 International between cricket powerhouses India and South Africa was officially abandoned Wednesday evening due to unsafe playing conditions caused by persistent dense fog in Lucknow. Despite multiple pitch inspections at Ekana Stadium, match officials determined that visibility remained insufficient for play to commence.

    The scheduled toss at 6:30 PM local time was repeatedly postponed as umpires conducted assessments amid deteriorating conditions. After three hours of evaluation, the match was formally called off at 9:30 PM, leaving disappointed spectators to exit the venue without witnessing any action.

    India, current T20 world champions, maintain their 2-1 series advantage heading into Friday’s decisive fifth match in Ahmedabad. This bilateral series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka commencing February 2026.

    Environmental concerns emerged as a subplot when Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was photographed wearing a protective mask, sparking online discussions about northern India’s pollution challenges. IQAir monitoring data revealed PM 2.5 microparticle levels reached 78 micrograms per cubic meter in parts of Lucknow—exceeding WHO safety recommendations by more than fivefold.

    This incident highlights a recurring pattern of atmospheric challenges in northern India during winter months, where temperature inversions trap pollutants from agricultural burning, industrial emissions, and vehicular exhaust. The abandonment underscores how environmental factors increasingly influence international sporting events in the region.

  • Gulf nations push to the front of global sustainability race as ESG becomes economic engine

    Gulf nations push to the front of global sustainability race as ESG becomes economic engine

    The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, particularly the United Arab Emirates, are undergoing a remarkable transformation from hydrocarbon-dependent economies to global sustainability pioneers. This strategic pivot positions Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles as central drivers of economic diversification and long-term growth rather than mere corporate social responsibility initiatives.

    This paradigm shift finds its most concrete expression in the UAE’s groundbreaking Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024, which became effective in May 2025. This legislation establishes the world’s first legally enforceable ESG compliance framework, mandating that all entities across sectors and free zones measure, report, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by May 30, 2026. Non-compliant organizations face substantial penalties ranging from Dh50,000 to Dh2 million, signaling a decisive transition from voluntary commitments to mandatory accountability.

    The regulatory framework requires businesses to maintain comprehensive annual emissions inventories, preserve GHG data for five years, and develop detailed decarbonization plans aligned with the national Net Zero 2050 strategy. This approach transcends environmental regulation, representing a comprehensive economic vision projected to generate 200,000 new jobs in clean energy sectors and contribute 3% to national GDP.

    According to the PROI Worldwide’s Global ESG Report 2025, this transformation extends across the Gulf region, with national development frameworks such as Saudi Vision 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030 integrating sustainability objectives into their core economic planning. Unlike the politically charged ESG debates occurring in Western nations, GCC policymakers approach sustainability as a practical economic transformation tool rather than an ideological battleground.

    The regulatory evolution is fundamentally altering corporate communication strategies, with companies increasingly emphasizing tangible outcomes through terminology such as ‘sustainability,’ ‘resilience,’ and ‘nationalization’ rather than acronyms like ESG or DEI. Organizations including Spinneys, Ecolab, and EQUATE Petrochemicals are embedding sustainability KPIs into executive performance metrics and aligning local initiatives with global climate frameworks.

    As mandatory reporting requirements take effect, businesses must advance beyond narrative-driven sustainability reporting to provide verified, evidence-based progress updates, third-party validated data, and demonstrable emission reduction achievements. Media outlets across the region are expected to intensify scrutiny of corporate compliance as the 2026 deadline approaches.

    Marianna Wisden, Associate Partner at Mojo Communications Consultancy, notes: ‘Sustainability in the region is driven by outcomes that genuinely matter to people. It shapes how companies create jobs, build skills and support a future that relies on a broader base than oil alone. The frameworks are in place and businesses are getting on with the work.’

    The Gulf’s sustainability transformation establishes not merely regional standards but provides an implementable model for emerging economies worldwide, demonstrating how environmental responsibility and economic growth can be strategically aligned for long-term prosperity.

  • Dubai’s commercial property market heading for major reset

    Dubai’s commercial property market heading for major reset

    Dubai’s commercial property landscape is undergoing a fundamental structural transformation that will culminate in a distinct two-tier market system by 2028, according to real estate experts. This market reset will see premium next-generation Grade A office spaces commanding substantial price premiums while older commercial buildings face increasing competitive pressures.

    The transformation comes despite impressive short-term performance metrics. Commercial real estate transactions have demonstrated remarkable growth throughout the current year, with sales value surging by 77.9 percent to reach AED 15.5 billion during the first eleven months, while transaction volume increased by 35.1 percent to 5,364 deals compared to the same period last year.

    According to Firs Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties, the commercial sector has lagged significantly behind Dubai’s residential market in architectural innovation and quality standards for over fifteen years. “Since 2008, Dubai has not witnessed a genuine new generation of office developments,” Al Msaddi noted. “The residential segment underwent comprehensive transformation with new design languages, architectural standards, and construction codes, while the commercial sector awaited its reset moment.”

    The market shift will accelerate as the first wave of next-generation Grade A office buildings begins delivery in 2028. This influx of modern, efficient, and architecturally relevant office spaces will provide tenants with superior alternatives, fundamentally reshaping market dynamics and pricing structures across Dubai’s commercial landscape.

    Al Msaddi cited Vision Tower in Business Bay as a precursor to this trend, noting its consistent market outperformance due to its appeal to established corporate tenants. The building’s minimum half-floor requirement naturally filters for serious companies, demonstrating the substantial latent demand for genuine Grade A office space in Dubai.

    The emerging two-tier system will see commercial properties repricing according to quality benchmarks, creating distinct market segments with varying valuation models and tenant profiles.

  • Amazon holds talks to invest in OpenAI, source says

    Amazon holds talks to invest in OpenAI, source says

    Amazon.com Inc. is currently engaged in high-stakes negotiations to secure a substantial investment in OpenAI, the pioneering artificial intelligence research laboratory behind ChatGPT. According to sources familiar with the matter, this potential strategic partnership could value OpenAI at an extraordinary $500 billion valuation, signaling a seismic shift in the AI industry’s competitive landscape.

    The discussions, while characterized as “very fluid” by anonymous insiders, potentially involve an investment approaching $10 billion from the e-commerce and cloud computing giant. This development emerges as OpenAI prepares for what could become a landmark initial public offering, with previous Reuters reports suggesting the company might target a staggering $1 trillion valuation.

    This potential Amazon-OpenAI collaboration represents a significant evolution in OpenAI’s corporate structure following its transformative restructuring with Microsoft, which holds a 27% stake in the AI firm. The Microsoft partnership previously established OpenAI as a public benefit corporation controlled by a non-profit entity, effectively removing traditional constraints on capital raising and computing resource acquisition.

    Industry analysts note that the Amazon investment could facilitate OpenAI’s broader access to cutting-edge hardware, particularly Amazon’s proprietary Trainium chips that directly compete with Nvidia and Google’s AI accelerator technologies. Additionally, the negotiations reportedly include discussions about OpenAI providing an enterprise version of ChatGPT to Amazon, though specific details regarding integration with Amazon’s existing AI-powered shopping features remain undisclosed.

    The potential Amazon financing might also catalyze a comprehensive fundraising round involving additional investors, according to industry reports. This development underscores OpenAI’s remarkable transition from its non-profit origins to becoming one of the most valuable and strategically significant technology companies in the AI revolution.

  • Trump’s expanded travel ban hits Africa the hardest but reactions are muted

    Trump’s expanded travel ban hits Africa the hardest but reactions are muted

    ZIMBABWE (AP) — The Trump administration’s significant expansion of travel restrictions has placed Africa at the epicenter of its immigration policy, with twenty additional nations added to the prohibited list. Despite affecting approximately 1.5 billion people across the continent, official responses remained measured Wednesday as governments assessed the implications of the sweeping measures.

    The newly announced restrictions build upon June’s limitations but represent a more comprehensive and punitive approach than those implemented during Trump’s initial presidency. Unlike the previous Muslim-majority focused bans reversed in 2021, the current policy cites security vulnerabilities, documentation deficiencies, and visa overstay concerns as justification.

    Notably, four African nations—Burkai Faso, Mali, Niger, and South Sudan—joined the complete prohibition list alongside Syria and Palestinian Authority document holders. Sierra Leone and Laos, previously under partial restrictions, now face comprehensive bans. Twelve of the fifteen countries subjected to partial restrictions are African, including Nigeria, Senegal, Zimbabwe, and Ivory Coast, complemented by Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Tonga.

    The African Union, through spokesman Nuur Mohamu, reiterated its call for balanced, evidence-based border protection that acknowledges the longstanding partnership between the U.S. and African nations. The 55-member organization warned of potential damage to educational exchanges, commercial engagement, and diplomatic relations cultivated over decades.

    Reactions from affected governments varied from diplomatic engagement to cautious silence. Sierra Leone’s government expressed commitment to addressing U.S. immigration concerns through constructive dialogue, while Malian officials declined immediate comment, reflecting the cautious stance adopted by many administrations.

    Analysts and citizens alike criticized the measures as disproportionately affecting African nations. Ramlah Ibrahim Nok, a business lawyer in Abuja, noted the unfairness of blanket restrictions that fail to distinguish between legitimate travelers and violators. Beverly Ochieng of Control Risks Group predicted the policy would create “incoherent, unpredictable and challenging” relations between the U.S. and African countries, potentially driving partnerships toward Washington’s rivals like Russia and China.

    The timing raises additional concerns regarding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Sports enthusiasts expressed uncertainty about fan attendance despite anticipated exemptions for players and staff.

    In South Sudan, human rights activist Rajab Mohandis interpreted the ban as diplomatic punishment for the government’s slow implementation of the 2018 peace agreement that ended a devastating civil war.

    Across Africa, the expanded travel restrictions have sparked concerns about economic impact, diplomatic relations, and the future of people-to-people exchanges between the continent and the United States.