All Africa
First LookAs Ethiopia embraces forgiveness, government victims call for justiceAfter releasing thousands of prisoners, the Ethiopian government acknowledged abuses and preached forgiveness. Rights groups and Ethiopians who spent years in prison say justice for victims is necessary to keep the country from 'going backward.'
A nearly cashless Zimbabwe tests the limits of mobile moneyCurrency depends on trust and confidence. Years of economic crises in Zimbabwe have left all three in short supply, spurring a boom in 鈥渕obile money鈥� 鈥� an industry that is revolutionizing banking in Africa.
First LookZimbabwe opposition leader calls vote 'stolen from the people'The opposition leader Nelson Chamisa denounced the president's win as the result of voter rigging.聽President Emmerson Mnangagwa won Zimbabwe's general election with a reported 50 percent of the votes keeping the ruling party in power.聽
First LookUS military tightens troop security in Africa after ambush in NigerAfter last year's ambush in Niger that killed four US soldiers and four Niger counterparts, the US military is working to better protect troops on the ground. The military's presence in Africa is mainly to aid local partner forces, but extremist threats to soldiers remain.聽聽
On election day, the 'new Zimbabwe' looks closer 鈥� but still stubbornly far awayOn Monday, Zimbabweans will vote in the first elections after former president Robert Mugabe's resignation last year. But some feel the new Zimbabwe they hoped for has been slow to come.聽
鈥榃hy would anyone want to run this race?鈥� The question that prompted a storyMonitor writer Ryan Brown shares the story-behind-a-story of the "Unlikely Marathoner," a woman whose courage and generosity help the back of the pack finish South Africa's famous 56-mile Comrades Marathon. One in a series of monthly profiles of Monitor journalists and their most notable stories.
First Look Zimbabwe's female candidates turn abuse into political capitalA new political openness has fostered political paths for women in Zimbabwe. This year, the country has four female presidential candidates, a first since independence in 1980. However, candidates still face misogyny, threats, and harassment.聽
On the campaign trail, Zimbabweans cautiously test new freedomsOn Monday, Zimbabweans will vote for the first time since strongman Robert Mugabe was ousted last November. Concerns about intimidation remain, but candidates have been able to campaign more freely than in the past.
Across Africa, new battlefields for free speech take shape on social mediaGovernments are increasingly aware 鈥� and often wary 鈥� of the power of social media. But so are citizens and activists, and across Africa, many of them are pushing back against online restrictions.
First LookMalawi turns to solar irrigation to counter harsh droughtsWith frequent droughts threatening the future of Malawi's farming industry, local farmers in the country's Zomba district have created sustainable solutions: solar-powered pumps and water storage dams.
First LookFirst Ethiopia-Eritrea flight in 20 years lands after peace dealA violent border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea eliminated direct air travel between the neighboring nations for 20 years, but now citizens 鈥� many of whom were separated from family members during the conflict 鈥� can fly directly to and from the countries.聽
In Boko Haram鈥檚 hometown, a favorite pastime endures: going to the zooBoko Haram has inspired fear throughout northeast Nigeria, including at Maiduguri鈥檚 beloved zoo. But its leafy paths are also wells of calm, a treasured reminder that 'normal' life goes on.
First LookObama takes aim at 'strongman politics' in Mandela addressTo mark the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's birth, former President Barack Obama delivered an address promoting democracy, diversity, and tolerance. While not mentioning his successor by name, Obama's speech countered many Trump administration policies.聽
First LookAlgeria stops expelling migrants into Sahara after pushbackAlgeria鈥檚 deadly policy of leaving migrants in the Sahara Desert, where temperatures often exceed 122 degrees F., has almost completely ended after widespread condemnation. More than 13,000 people had been dropped off in the region since May 2017.聽
After years of unrest, Ethiopia enters new era of opennessAfter decades of repression, Ethiopia appears to be entering a new phase of reform, marked recently by the end of a 20-year border war with Eritrea. Thanks to a new prime minister, many Ethiopians are imagining a hopeful future.
What noodles can teach us about Nigeria's reluctance on free tradeNigeria recently declined to join a pan-African free trade deal. But closing its markets gives Africa's largest economy little incentive to improve business conditions and may ultimately leave it behind.聽
First LookEthiopia and Eritrea restore relations after ending 20-year border warAfter both countries accepted the terms of a peace agreement, Ethiopia and Eritrea have ended a 20-year war and reestablished a political relationship. "From this time on, war is not an option for the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia. What we need now is love," said Prime Minister聽Abiy.
South Africa's unlikely ultramarathoner helps others cross the finish lineCoverage of marathons usually focuses on the winners. But at the back of the pack of the world's largest ultamarathon is a story of humanity, strength, and great courage.
First LookKenyan farmers swap coffee for avocados to tap into global boomWhile a harsh drought has hindered progress for coffee farmers in Kenya and their thirsty crops, many farmers have switched to the avocado business 鈥� a crop that's proving to provide better earnings with less maintenance and resources.
First LookA new use for ATMs in Kenya: camel milk dispenserIn a country where temperatures often exceed 100 degrees F., a British funded initiative is providing women in a Kenyan village with refrigerated ATM-like machines to help them sustain and grow the booming camel milk business.