East Africa

East Africa

Details: East Africa; 18 July 2024; 521

Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa Khanyo Farise urged Zimbabwean authorities on Wednesday to immediately release over 70 detained members of the opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and withdraw all their charges unconditionally.

According to Farise, Zimbabwean authorities breached Zimbabwe’s Constitution and international human rights obligations by arbitrarily detaining the members. Farise said Zimbabwean authorities “must end the crackdown on civic space and ensure everyone can freely speak and gather peacefully without fear of arrest or torture and other ill-treatment.”

CCC interim leader Jameson Timba and 70 other CCC members were previously arrested by Zimbabwean police on June 16 for disorderly conduct during a private meeting held over the weekend at Timba’s residence. Their lawyer agency Gumbo claimed that the authorities beat and injured Timba and the members. They were then charged with gathering to promote public violence and disorderly conduct. Zimbabwean authorities allegedly violated the country’s law by detaining them for over 48 hours without bringing them before a court. While a 17-year-old detainee was afterwards released by a court, other members were denied bail by the authorities. The members’ appeal for bail would be decided on July 18.

CCC is the main opposition party which runs against the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). In the 2023 elections, ZANU-PF won the Presidency, the National Assembly and the Senate. In January 2024, the former leader of the CCC, Nelson Chamisa, resigned from the party. Timba’s appointment is an interim replacement after Chamisa’s resignation. Amnesty International previously observed that the repression of dissent, deteriorating the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, was present in Zimbabwe during the election period and warned that the CCC was the main target of repression.

Relatedly, former member of CCC Job Sikhala was released on January 30 following an almost 600-day detention in Zimbabwe’s Chikrubi Maximum Security Prison, where he remained without a chance for bail. Sikhala’s legal team told the press that pre-trial incarcerations like that imposed on Sikhala are a human rights concern, a matter that keeps deteriorating in Zimbabwe. A 2023 Human Rights Watch report stated, “Authorities in Zimbabwe continued weaponizing the law against critics of the government, denying those arrested the presumption of innocence, the right to bail […] and access to a fair trial.”

In addition, a Zimbabwean court denied bail to Hopewell Chin’ono, a journalist who was arrested on charges of inciting public violence over anti-government protests, for the third time on August 24, 2020. Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume, president of the Transform Zimbabwe party, were arrested in July 2020 when they called for the removal of the ruling ZANU-PF. Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa Deprose Muchena said “[the arrests are] designed to intimidate and send a chilling message to journalists, whistle-blowers and activists who draw attention to matters of public interest in Zimbabwe.” Jurist News

Details: East Africa; 18 July 2024; 410

US President Joe Biden pauses to cough as he delivers remarks during Vote to Live Action Fund’s 2024 Prosperity Summit at the College of Southern Nevada North Las Vegas Campus, in Las Vegas, on Tuesday. (Photo: New York Times)

WASHINGTON — United States President Joe Biden tested positive for the coronavirus disease (Covid) on Wednesday, forcing him to cancel a campaign event in Las Vegas and likely sidelining him for days following the conclusion of former President Donald Trump's nominating convention Thursday.

The illness, which the president’s doctor said had produced only mild symptoms so far, was diagnosed even as the Democratic revolt over his candidacy got louder, with more of Biden’s allies and supporters calling on him to drop out of the race, citing concerns about his ability to defeat Trump.

Biden told reporters, "I feel good," as he boarded Air Force One in Las Vegas to fly back to his beach house in Delaware, where he plans to recuperate. He was not wearing a mask nor were the people closest to him on the tarmac.

But having Covid is all but certain to complicate the president's ability to answer his critics, many of whom have said they want him to show that he still has the vigour and energy to prosecute the case against Trump in campaign rallies, interviews and other events.

If Biden continues to test positive for the next week or more, it could keep him off the campaign trail. And if he continues to have congestion and a cough, as his doctor reported Wednesday, it could hamper his ability to perform well in any interviews that his campaign could schedule from his home.

The president and his campaign strategists had hoped to use a two-day visit to Las Vegas to sell his economic and immigration policies to Latino voters in the crucial battleground state of Nevada as he tries to reenergise his campaign after three weeks of instability. In a parallel effort to reach Black voters, on Tuesday he spoke at an NAACP conference and sat for an interview with BET News that was released Wednesday.

He was scheduled to speak at the annual conference for UnidosUS, a Latino civil rights and advocacy organisation, but cancelled after an hourlong delay when his Covid test came back positive.

Biden is trying desperately to end the conversation about his cognitive capacity and address what polls suggest are three of his biggest political weaknesses: immigration, the economy and slipping support among Latinos. But the Covid diagnosis means he will not be able to mount an aggressive campaign push in the coming days.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said in a statement that "earlier today, following his first event in Las Vegas, President Biden tested positive for Covid-19." She added that "he is vaccinated and boosted, and he is experiencing mild symptoms."

The White House said Biden planned to remain at his beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware, to self-isolate and recuperate. Jean-Pierre said the president would continue to carry out his duties as president from Delaware.

Biden's doctor, Kevin O'Connor, said in a release from the White House that the president had a runny nose, a cough and “general malaise” starting Wednesday afternoon. O'Connor said that he was given a rapid test for Covid because he was still not feeling well later in the day, and the results were positive for the virus.

"Given this, the president will be self-isolating in accordance with CDC guidance for symptomatic individuals," he wrote, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He added that the president’s temperature was normal, and his blood oxygen was normal as well.

Biden has received an initial dose of Paxlovid, a treatment that may lessen the symptoms of the virus.

Before announcing the test results, Biden stopped at a restaurant earlier in the day. Reporters with him said he looked slower and a bit paler than the day before, when he delivered a speech at the NAACP convention.

Reporters travelling with the president said that there was a lengthy, unexplained delay in the afternoon leading up to the president’s scheduled appearance at the UnidosUS conference.

The first indication of Biden's diagnosis came not from the White House but from Janet Murguía, chief executive of Unidos, who addressed the conference more than an hour after Biden had been expected to speak.

"Regrettably, I was just on the phone with President Biden. And he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon,” she said. "The president has been at many events, as we all know, and he just tested positive for Covid."

Biden first tested positive for Covid in July 2022 and experienced mild symptoms for about a week. After testing negative, Biden tested positive again about a week later in what doctors said was a rebound case of Covid.

The president's trip to Las Vegas came as Republicans focused on their national convention in Milwaukee this week.

During an interview with BET News on Tuesday, Biden dismissed concerns over signs that his support among Black and Latino voters was declining. "If you notice, whether it's young Blacks or young whites or young Hispanics or young Asian Americans, they've never focused till after Labor Day," he said. "I mean, the idea they're focused intently on the election now, it's not there."

On Wednesday morning, he announced that starting Aug 19, immigrant spouses of American citizens would be able to apply for a new program that would shield them from deportation.

Last month, he announced the creation of the program, which could shield 500,000 people from deportation and give them a pathway to citizenship and the ability to work legally in the United States. In June, he also issued an executive order suspending asylum for most migrants at the border, to strike a balance on an issue that has been a major political vulnerability. This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Details: East Africa; 17 July 2024; 624

The air hung heavy with the stench of neglect as I stepped into Juba Teaching Hospital, our nation’s supposed beacon of medical care. The once-gleaming facade, a symbol of hope in a nation grappling with post-conflict recovery, now wore a cloak of grime and despair. This, our flagship hospital, the one meant to stand as a testament to our commitment to health and well-being, was a stark reminder of a systemic failure, a failure to prioritize and nurture the very institution meant to heal.

The stark reality of Juba Teaching Hospital’s decline is a tragedy, particularly in a nation starved for quality medical care. It is not just the dilapidated state of the wards, the overflowing bins, and the perpetually choked toilets. It is the pervasive sense of neglect and the absence of a culture of care that permeates every corner of this once-promising institution. It is a chilling reflection of our disregard for the very people we are meant to serve.

The sight of patients crammed into overcrowded wards, their suffering compounded by the environment, is a heartbreaking testament to our apathy. The stench of urine and decay, constantly reminding them of the neglect that surrounds them, is a grim indictment of our collective conscience.

Then, there are the medical practitioners, some of whom seem to have lost the very essence of their calling. Apathy and disinterest replace the compassion and dedication that should be the hallmark of their profession. The casual dismissal, the lack of empathy, and the indifference to the suffering of the patients is a symptom of a deeper malaise, a societal disregard for the sanctity of life.

The government deserves praise for the monumental effort in constructing this hospital, a vital infrastructure for our nation. But building a structure is not enough. It takes a consistent and unwavering commitment to its upkeep, a dedication to ensuring that it functions not just as a building but as a haven of healing. It requires an investment not just in physical structures, but in the people who work within those structures, empowering them to become agents of change, and champions of compassion and care.

We cannot allow Juba Teaching Hospital to continue its descent into disrepair. This is not just a matter of aesthetics; it is a moral imperative. It is a call to action, a plea for our government, the Ministry of Health, to address this crisis with urgency and commitment.

Here are concrete steps that must be taken:

Prioritize funding and maintenance

Adequate resources must be allocated for regular maintenance and upkeep. This includes not just cleaning and repairs, but also investing in modern equipment and technology, ensuring that Juba Teaching Hospital remains a modern and efficient medical facility.

Invest in staff development and training

Regular training programs must be conducted, focusing on professionalism, patient care, and ethical conduct. This must go beyond mere technical training and focus on cultivating empathy, compassion, and a sense of professional responsibility.

Promote transparency and accountability

Mechanisms must be implemented to ensure transparency in resource allocation and accountability for the quality of care provided. This includes robust monitoring and evaluation systems, as well as clear channels for reporting concerns and grievances.

Empower patient advocacy

A culture of patient advocacy must be fostered. This includes establishing patient support groups, providing clear communication channels between patients and hospital staff, and ensuring that patients have a voice in their healthcare experience.

Juba Teaching Hospital is not just a building; it is a symbol of our nation’s commitment to the health and well-being of its people. Let us not allow it to crumble. Let us make Juba Teaching Hospital a beacon of hope, a testament to our collective dedication to providing quality healthcare to all, regardless of their circumstances.

We can and must do better. Let this be a wake-up call, a catalyst for change, a renewed commitment to building a healthy and thriving nation.

Sirir Gabriel Yiei Ruot is a concerned South Sudanese currently working as the Press Secretary in the Office of the Minister of Petroleum. He can be reached via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. By SIRIR GABRIEL YIEI RUOT, Radio Tamazuj

Details: East Africa; 17 July 2024; 860

Lydia Charles Moyo (centre) with her team from the organisation she leads, Her Initiative. It is a youth-first and women-led NGO that offers programmes to equip young women with education, skills, and resources for entrepreneurship and employment. PHOTO | POOL

Lydia Charles Moyo vividly recalls the realities of her school days, which were far from rosy. Raised by a single mother, Lydia attended public schools, where resources were scarce, and the environment was less than conducive to academic success.

Her secondary school, Kingongo, on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam city, was especially challenging, lacking basic facilities such as libraries and laboratories. With no mathematics teacher for an entire year and a daily two-hour walk to and from school, Lydia witnessed many of her peers, especially girls, drop out due to poverty, early marriages, and teen pregnancies.

Despite these challenges, Lydia was one of the few who persevered. Out of 200 students, only nine made it to high school, and she was one of the three girls who did.

The sense of responsibility she felt for her friends who couldn't continue with education spurred her to action. Along with her friends, she started campaigns in high school to boost girls' confidence and educate them about their rights.

Today, she heads an organisation, Her Initiative, recognised as a youth-first and women-led NGO that offers programmes to equip young women with education, skills, and resources for entrepreneurship and employment. It leverages technology to advance digital inclusion and remove barriers for young women and girls.

“When I got to high school, I felt this huge guilt because I’d left my friends behind. And I knew it was not that they were not smart, but we did not have a conducive environment that supported us academically. So I spoke to a few of my friends and we started campaigns in schools to boost girls' confidence and esteem because we realised the reason we made it to high school was because we had the urgency and the confidence to navigate the day-to-day challenges to achieve our dreams. So we wanted to instil this in our peers. We also spoke to them about their rights,” she explains.

Together with her friends, they invited role models from various fields to inspire the girls and provide guidance on succeeding in life.

By the time Lydia joined university, many of her peers were still struggling to meet their basic needs, often resorting to risky behaviours for financial gain. Determined to make an even bigger difference, she and her friends organised entrepreneurship workshops aimed at fostering financial independence among college girls.

Lydia Charles Moyo receives the King Baudouin Foundation 2023-2024 Africa Prize for Her Initiative organisation. PHOTO | POOL

A programme known as Panda, Kiswahili for “plant” – denoting the initiative’s objective of planting the seeds of financial self-reliance. The programme reached more than 1,000 young women in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza.

After working for a few years post-graduation, Lydia decided to dedicate herself full-time to the empowerment of girls and women. In 2019, she established Her Initiative, aiming to empower young women through economic independence.

“Gender-based violence, underage marriage and HIV are just a few examples of the problems that are stopping women from going to school, getting a job and breaking the cycle of poverty. My friends and I experienced these barriers when we were in high school, and so we started to look for solutions to the challenges we were coming up against. And that’s how Her Initiative started,” Lydia says.

“We support young women to build their financial resilience in six Tanzanian regions, but with the KBF Africa Prize we will be able to scale our work to help so many more women to achieve their dreams in Tanzania and beyond.”

Lydia Charles Moyo makes her speech after receiving the King Baudouin Foundation 2023-2024 Africa Prize for Her Initiative organisation. PHOTO | POOL

The KBF Africa Prize is her latest accolade given by the King Baudouin Foundation, in recognition of her work to unlock women’s economic potential, tackle the youth unemployment crisis and accelerate economic and social development in sub-Saharan Africa.

Her Initiative recently won the King Baudouin Foundation 2023-2024 Africa Prize, receiving €200,000 ($218,267) to expand its impact and support 100,000 more women across East Africa, in achieving financial resilience, promoting financial independence, digital inclusion, and a thriving ecosystem of youth-driven organisations, over the next five years.

Additionally, the funds will help bring together an ecosystem of youth organisations to facilitate knowledge sharing, resource pooling and harnessing the power of African youth.

The prize comprises the opportunity to connect with the KBF’s international network of non-profits and development professionals.

The 2023-2024 Africa Prize was presented to Her Initiative at an awards ceremony held on June 27, at the Royal Palace of Laeken in Brussels, Belgium.

The organisation was selected from a pool of more than 400 applicants.

Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, chair of the KBF Africa Prize Selection Committee 2023-2024 said: “The selection committee was highly impressed with Her Initiative’s combined approach to advancing women’s rights and financial independence. Coupled with its innovative use of modern technologies and strategic local partnerships, Her Initiative is a highly deserving recipient of this year’s KBF Africa Prize. We look forward to seeing what the team achieves in the years to come.”

The KBF Africa Prize recognises African organisations working to drive African-led solutions to the challenges facing the continent and to sustainably improve the lives of Africans. The Prize plays a transformative role in helping organisations scale up and advocate for their work on a wider stage. Several past laureates, including Dr Denis Mukwege, Elman Peace and Grameen Bank, have since been awarded and shortlisted for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Since its inception, Her Initiative has grown significantly, reaching over 15,000 young women and girls across Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Iringa, Morogoro, Pwani and Dodoma regions. The organisation offers diverse programmes tailored to the needs of girls in and out of school and unemployed youth.

For schoolgirls, Her Initiative runs Mshiko Clubs, which focus on promoting the capacity of women and girls for entrepreneurship and financial literacy. These clubs engage them in savings challenges, small businesses, and rights education, boosting their confidence and interest in continuing their education.

For girls out of school, the organisation provides skills, resources to start small businesses, and education on gender-based violence (GBV). This support helps them become economically independent and less vulnerable to exploitation.

For young women entrepreneurs, Her Initiative's Panda Digital platform offers hybrid e-learning opportunities. Through a combination of website access and AI-powered SMS courses, young women acquire business skills and certifications, regardless of their internet access.

The other programme, Digimali, helps young entrepreneurs digitalise their businesses, enhancing their reach and efficiency in the digital economy. yet another project, Youth Employability Bootcamp, targets unemployed young women and men, providing skills training and job placement assistance.

“With the financial support, we plan to scale our programmes, leveraging the network and publicity from KBF to attract new partners who can invest in our initiatives. Additionally, we'll continue learning from different partners within KBF's network, including previous winners who are doing exceptional work in other countries,” Lydia says.

Her Initiative already collaborates with youth-led and women's rights organisations in the country, such as Wildaf (Women in Law and Development in Africa) and Digital Opportunity Trust.

This year has been particularly good for Her Initiative. In May, the organisation won the Global Citizen Award in New York, as well as received the Tanzania Digital Award. Additionally, it’s been recognised by the Tanzanian Ministry of Gender for its support for girls across the country and by Mkwoki, a coalition of organisations fighting against gender-based violence, for the innovation in accelerating GBV reporting within the Panda digital platform. By PAULINE KAIRU, The East African

Details: East Africa; 17 July 2024; 538

The innovation of skill based game Candy Kash which was inspired by famous Candy Crush game has revolutionized the mobile gaming industry.

“We stand at a pivotal moment in history, where the potential for innovation and positive change is boundless. As the problem solvers our country needs, we possess the energy, zeal, and passion to transform challenges into opportunities. Let’s channel our creativity and drive to reshape the narrative. By leveraging innovative business ideas and technology, we can create jobs, spur economic growth, and build a brighter future.” Said Gilisho.

The founder said the candy Kash will not only be a global leader in the gaming industry but also expanding across Africa and beyond.

“The platform aims to revolutionize skill-based games by offering a unique blend of entertainment and financial rewards. The ultimate goal is to create a multi-billion-dollar company listed on global stock exchanges, setting a new benchmark in the gaming world,” said Gilisho.

Gilisho noted that the gaming App is dedicated to give back to the community by supporting young innovators by building innovation hubs and providing resources that will bring the youths ideas to life.

Candy Kash distinguishes itself from other gaming Applications by the following unique features

Skill-Based Earnings: Inspired by the popular Candy Crush game, Candy Kash allows enthusiasts to earn real money based on their gaming skills by competing against other players. This feature transforms casual gaming into a profitable venture.

Fair Play Environment: The platform is designed to be unhackable, ensuring that all outcomes are purely skill-based and unalterable.

Real Opponent Matches: Players are matched with real human opponents, enhancing the interactive and competitive experience.

Customized Music Experience: Enjoy a personalized music experience while playing, making the game even more engaging and enjoyable.

Since its inception, Candy Kash has achieved several significant milestones:

Financial Rewards: The platform has paid out millions of Kenyan Shillings to winners, with instant transactions ensuring seamless financial benefits.

Growing User Base: Despite limited advertising, Candy Kash has attracted tens of thousands of users, with expectations to reach millions in the next two years.By Noel Nabiswa, The Standard.