In a landmark move, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Egypt issued a joint statement on Friday, advocating for a three-month humanitarian truce in Sudan, followed by a nine-month transitional period aimed at establishing civilian-led governance. Dr. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, hailed the statement as historic, emphasizing its clear roadmap to resolve the ongoing crisis in Sudan. Dr. Gargash, in a post on X, stated that the statement accurately diagnoses the crisis, asserting that there is no military solution and reaffirming the commitment to peace and Sudan’s unity. The foreign ministers of the four nations collectively agreed that the current conflict results in ‘unacceptable suffering’ and poses significant risks to peace and security. The statement also rejected any involvement of the Muslim Brotherhood or affiliated groups in Sudan’s governance, referencing the Islamists who previously controlled the country until 2019 and have recently resurfaced in support of the army. While it remains uncertain whether the warring factions will agree to the proposed truce, the statement marks a significant step toward addressing the humanitarian and political challenges in Sudan. The initiative aligns with previous calls for peace, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ appeal for a week-long ceasefire in al-Fashir earlier this year.
标签： Africa
非洲
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England and South Africa draw T20 series after washout
The highly anticipated third T20 match between England and South Africa, which was set to determine the winner of the series, was abandoned due to relentless rain at Trent Bridge on Sunday. The match, scheduled to begin at 14:30 BST, was called off by the umpires at approximately 16:20 after persistent rainfall prevented any play. This washout resulted in the series being drawn 1-1, leaving both teams without a decisive victory. The first match of the series had been shortened by rain, with South Africa emerging victorious, while England leveled the score with a record-breaking performance at Old Trafford. England’s Harry Brook expressed disappointment, stating, ‘It’s a shame the weather has ruined it again,’ but praised his team’s exceptional performance in the previous game. South Africa’s captain, Aiden Markram, acknowledged the frustration but emphasized the importance of building momentum ahead of the World Cup. The abandonment marks the end of England’s home summer cricket season, with an understrength squad set to begin a T20 series in Ireland on Wednesday, followed by white-ball fixtures in New Zealand in October.
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Malawi – where the petrol queue might overshadow the queue to vote
As Malawi approaches its general election on Tuesday, the pressing concerns for many citizens are not the candidates or their promises, but the dire economic conditions that have gripped the nation. Prolonged fuel shortages, frequent power outages, skyrocketing living costs, widespread hunger, and rampant youth unemployment have created a palpable sense of frustration among the populace. Against this backdrop, the presidential, parliamentary, and local council candidates are vying for votes, but the usual fervor of election campaigns has been noticeably subdued. The presidential race, a rematch between incumbent Lazarus Chakwera and former President Peter Mutharika, has been marked by a lack of the traditional campaign fanfare, with fewer billboards and limited distribution of free T-shirts. The economic strain has also led to tensions, with fistfights breaking out in long queues for petrol. Chakwera has attempted to address the fuel crisis, blaming corrupt officials for sabotaging the oil market, but the issue remains unresolved. The economic challenges are particularly significant for young voters, who make up around half of the electorate. Many express disillusionment with the political process, citing years of unfulfilled promises. Despite the cynicism, candidates like Chakwera, Mutharika, and former President Joyce Banda continue to campaign, each pledging to bring about radical change. However, the real test will be whether the eventual winner can deliver on their promises and alleviate the economic hardships faced by the majority of Malawians.
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Black Ferns beat South Africa to reach semis
In a thrilling Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash, reigning champions New Zealand showcased their resilience and skill to defeat a determined South African side 46-17. The match, held at Sandy Park in Exeter, saw the Black Ferns recover from a slow start to dominate the second half and secure their place in the semi-finals against Canada. South Africa, making their first-ever quarter-final appearance, opened the scoring through prop Babalwa Latsha, but New Zealand responded with tries from Theresa Setefano and Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Aphiwe Ngwevu’s try leveled the scores at halftime, but the Black Ferns unleashed a second-half onslaught with five tries, including doubles from Renee Holmes, Sorensen-McGee, and Kaipo Olsen-Baker. South Africa’s Lerato Makua scored a late consolation try, capping off a historic campaign for the Springbok Women. New Zealand’s clinical performance highlighted their title credentials, though their slow start and scrum penalties could be areas of concern ahead of the semi-finals. South Africa’s head coach, Swys de Bruin, praised his team’s legacy-building efforts, emphasizing the growth of women’s rugby in the country. The Black Ferns, unbeaten in World Cup matches since 2014, now turn their focus to Friday’s semi-final in Bristol.
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South Africa inflict record defeat on New Zealand
In a historic showdown at the Wellington Regional Stadium, South Africa delivered a commanding performance, defeating New Zealand 43-10 in the Rugby Championship. This marked New Zealand’s heaviest defeat in history, surpassing their previous 35-7 loss to the Springboks in 2023. The world champions showcased their prowess with six tries and an impressive 36 unanswered points in the second half, bouncing back from their loss to the All Blacks just a week prior. Key players like Cheslin Kolbe, who scored two tries, and Manie Libbok, who contributed 16 points through conversions and a penalty, were instrumental in the victory. South Africa’s captain, Siya Kolisi, praised his team’s fearless approach and self-belief, crediting their success to a united effort and strategic execution. New Zealand’s captain, Scott Barrett, acknowledged the Springboks’ dominance and admitted his team’s shortcomings, emphasizing the need for improvement. Meanwhile, in another Rugby Championship clash, Argentina edged out Australia 28-26 in a tense match in Sydney, with Santiago Carreras’ accurate kicking proving decisive. As the championship progresses, South Africa and New Zealand remain in close contention, with Australia currently leading the standings.
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Ivory Coast’s ‘iron lady’ – from hiding in a bunker to presidential hopeful
In a dramatic political resurgence, former Ivory Coast First Lady Simone Gbagbo has announced her candidacy for the upcoming presidential election, marking a significant turn in her tumultuous career. Once a fugitive hiding in a bunker to evade arrest, Gbagbo, now 76, has emerged as a defiant contender, promising to modernize and revitalize the nation. Her journey from the shadows of her ex-husband Laurent Gbagbo’s presidency to the forefront of Ivorian politics is a testament to her resilience and ambition. Known as the ‘Iron Lady’ for her steely demeanor, Gbagbo has long been a polarizing figure in Ivory Coast’s political landscape. Her tenure as first lady from 2000 to 2011 was marked by her influential role in her husband’s administration, where she was both revered and feared. Despite a criminal conviction and a highly publicized divorce, Gbagbo has methodically rebuilt her political base, founding the leftist Movement of Capable Generations (MGC) and positioning herself as a formidable challenger to incumbent President Alassane Ouattara. Her candidacy is not only a political milestone but also a symbolic one, as she seeks to become Ivory Coast’s first female president. Gbagbo’s campaign, fueled by her powerful rhetoric and extensive political experience, has garnered significant attention, particularly among her ex-husband’s supporters, who have been barred from backing Laurent due to his ineligibility. As the election approaches, all eyes are on Simone Gbagbo, whose potential victory would mark a historic chapter in Ivory Coast’s turbulent political history.
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How AI is helping some small-scale farmers weather a changing climate
In the wake of Cyclone Freddy’s devastation in 2023, Alex Maere, a 59-year-old farmer from Malawi, faced the loss of his farm and livelihood. The catastrophic floods stripped his land of fertile soil, leaving behind a barren wasteland of sand and rocks. Once producing 850 kilograms of corn annually to support his family, Maere salvaged a mere 8 kilograms from the wreckage. Determined to adapt, he turned to an AI chatbot developed by Opportunity International, a non-profit organization, for farming advice. Supported by the Malawi government, the AI tool suggested Maere diversify his crops by growing potatoes alongside corn and cassava. Following the guidance, Maere cultivated half a soccer field’s worth of potatoes, earning over $800 in sales and securing his children’s education. This success story highlights the transformative potential of AI in sub-Saharan Africa, where smallholder farms account for 70-80% of the food supply. Despite challenges like language diversity, low literacy, and poor digital infrastructure, AI is empowering farmers with critical insights on crop diseases, drought forecasting, and yield optimization. The Ulangizi app, accessible via WhatsApp and available in Chichewa and English, bridges the gap for farmers without smartphones through on-the-ground support agents. However, scaling up remains a hurdle due to limited internet access and affordability. Trust in AI is fragile, as inaccurate advice could devastate already vulnerable farmers. Yet, by combining AI with traditional community collaboration, Malawi is fostering resilience and productivity in its agriculture sector.
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Party like it’s 2018 – Ethiopians celebrate their new year
Ethiopia has ushered in its new year, 2018, according to its unique calendar, which is seven years behind the Gregorian calendar. This discrepancy stems from a different calculation of the birth year of Jesus Christ, as the Ethiopian Orthodox Church did not adopt the Catholic Church’s revised calculation in 500 AD. The celebrations, known as Enkutatash, are a time of joy and renewal for all Ethiopians, transcending religious boundaries. The capital, Addis Ababa, is adorned with yellow ‘adey ababa’ flowers, which grow wild this time of year and are sold in small bunches for around 50 Ethiopian birr ($0.35). These flowers, along with freshly cut grass, play a central role in traditional coffee ceremonies, a nod to Ethiopia’s status as the birthplace of coffee. The festivities also include bustling markets, where vendors sell chickens, mutton, and even oxen for New Year’s feasts. Chickens, priced between 2,000 and 3,000 birr, are popular for making ‘doro wat,’ a spicy stew served with injera, while mutton and oxen cater to those with larger budgets. Families gather to share meals and invite friends, and the celebrations culminate in concerts and live music on New Year’s Eve. The following morning, the traditional song ‘Abebayehosh’ fills the air, performed by young girls who go door-to-door in some neighborhoods. Orthodox Christians attend church services, and vendors sell ceremonial umbrellas near churches. The Ethiopian calendar, with its 13 months, marks the end of the rainy season and the start of spring, symbolizing renewal and optimism. This year’s celebrations are particularly significant, as they coincide with the formal launch of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd), a source of national pride and unity.
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The Africans to watch at the World Athletics Championships
The 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo are set to be a spectacular showcase of talent, with over 2,200 athletes from across the globe competing for glory. Among them, a host of African stars are poised to make their mark on the world stage. The event, scheduled from September 13 to 21, will feature some of the most celebrated names in track and field, including Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, and South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso.
Faith Kipyegon, the reigning world champion in the 1500m and 5000m, is one of the most decorated athletes in Kenyan history. With three Olympic gold medals and four world titles to her name, Kipyegon is aiming to defend her titles and make history by becoming the first athlete to win gold in both distance events at more than one World Championships. Despite a recent setback in her attempt to break the four-minute mile barrier, Kipyegon shattered her own 1500m world record earlier this year, proving her dominance in the sport.
Prudence Sekgodiso, the 23-year-old South African middle-distance runner, is on a mission to break one of the oldest world records in athletics. After becoming the World Indoor champion in Nanjing earlier this year, Sekgodiso has set her sights on surpassing Caster Semenya’s national record of 1:54.25 and Czech runner Jarmila Kratochvilova’s long-standing world record of 1:53.28. ‘I just have to believe and know what I want and train hard for it,’ Sekgodiso told the BBC World Service. ‘It’s doable, but it’s a long-term goal for me.’
Letsile Tebogo, the 22-year-old Botswanan sprinter, made history at the Paris Olympics by winning the 200m gold medal. Despite a mixed season marred by a recurring hamstring injury, Tebogo remains optimistic about his chances in Tokyo. ‘I feel there is still a lot more in the tank that people need to see,’ he said. Tebogo, who claimed silver in the 200m and bronze in the 100m at the last World Championships in Budapest, will compete in both events again, aiming to showcase his true potential.
Other notable African athletes include Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet, who completed the Olympic double in the 5000m and 10,000m in Paris last year, and Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele, who clocked the fastest marathon time this year in Tokyo. With such a stellar lineup, the 2025 World Athletics Championships promise to be an unforgettable event, showcasing the best of African talent on the global stage.
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Fatal dam collapse: ‘How do you restart from nothing?’
The city of Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria remains haunted by the devastating floods that struck a year ago, leaving a trail of destruction, loss, and ongoing suffering. Torrential rains and the collapse of the Alau dam submerged entire neighborhoods, claiming at least 37 lives and displacing two million people. For many residents, the scars of the disaster are still fresh, and the looming threat of another flood season has heightened anxiety. Among the victims is Sa’adatu Dahiru, a 42-year-old mother who lost her two-year-old son to hunger and fever during the crisis. ‘We had no proper food, no medicine, and no safe place to stay,’ she recounted, describing how her family fled in the middle of the night with only a few belongings. Despite receiving 10,000 naira ($7) in state aid initially, Dahiru claims that further government promises remain unfulfilled, leaving her family in continued hardship. The Borno state government asserts that it has provided relief camps, food aid, and cash handouts to affected communities. Reconstruction of the dam and dyke system at Alau, which caused the flooding, is also underway. However, the region’s long-standing insurgency by the Boko Haram group has complicated maintenance efforts, according to Mohammed Shettima, head of the Chad Basin Development Authority’s engineering department. The dam’s proximity to the Sambisa forest, a known jihadist stronghold, has made it vulnerable to neglect and attacks. The floods have compounded the struggles of residents already displaced by Islamist violence. Maryam Jidda, a 72-year-old grandmother, fled her hometown of Damboa after a Boko Haram attack four years ago, only to face the floods in Maiduguri. ‘I stood in waist-deep water, crying,’ she recalled, describing the moment her home was overwhelmed. Now living in temporary shelter with scarce food and unclean water, Jidda mourns the loss of her family’s memories, including cherished photographs. Young people like Ali Kadau, 21, have also been severely impacted. Kadau, who once worked at a mechanic shop, lost his livelihood and possessions in the flood. ‘Now, I just sit around. No job. No school. No money to start anything,’ he lamented. The Borno state government, led by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, has described the flood response as a daunting task, particularly given the region’s ongoing conflict with violent extremism. Efforts to address the crisis have included desilting rivers, constructing new drainage systems, and distributing 28.2 billion naira ($18 million) in aid to over 100,000 households. However, the need for additional funding to rebuild infrastructure remains critical. As the rainy season peaks, residents like Dahiru and Jidda face an uncertain future, grappling with the question of how to rebuild their lives from nothing.