“Inequality has reached extreme levels in West Africa, and today the wealthiest one percent of West Africans own more than everyone else in the region combined.” That was the finding in a new report published by Oxfam and Development Finance International. According to the “West Africa Inequality Crisis” report, six of the ten fastest-growing economies…

By Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell, The New Tri-State Defender It was quite an extraordinary encounter: a Christian, a Muslim and a Spiritualist on a panel at the Hattiloo Theatre talking about their belief systems during a discussion framed against a backdrop of 400 years of Africans living in America. One truth outweighed every likely point…

A law adopted on June 21 but still awaiting presidential approval would send writers to jail for up to 10 years’ jail for “demoralizing the defense and security forces of Burkina Faso.” A fine of up to $3,500 would be imposed for publishing what the government called “fake news information compromising security operations, false information…

Family and friends are mourning the untimely death of Mandla Maseko, South Africa’s candidate to be the first Black African in space. Maseko was killed when a car struck his bike in Pretoria over the weekend. He was 30. In 2013, the part-time disc jockey and candidate officer for the South African air force beat…

The government of Muhammadu Buhari is bringing back the teaching of history in all basic and secondary schools – ending a decade in which departments of history were dismantled or merged into other programs as having little earnings potential for the high school graduate. In a release signed by Sonny Echono, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of…

If a democratic society is characterized by “tolerance, diversity and open-mindedness,” three countries in Africa have now reached that pinnacle. This month, Botswana joined Angola and Mozambique in decriminalizing same-sex relations. High Court Justice Michael Lebruru, in his defining decision, added: “human dignity is harmed when minority groups are marginalized.” The ruling decided a case…

Leaders of the Sudanese resistance are calling for a one-day nationwide “civil disobedience” campaign on July 14. The action is expected to push the ruling generals towards a settlement and the creation of a civilian government, which has been the demand from the beginning. The nationwide action will be preceded by mass protests on July…

A shipload of desperate Bangladeshi migrants was told to turn the boat around and go home by Tunisian officials or be deprived of food, water and medicines. The migrants, trapped on a merchant ship off Tunisia for three weeks, were sent back to their home country against their will, according to relatives. The International Organization…

A foreign investor with mineral assets throughout Africa is alleged to have made a secret payment of $250,000 to a company run by the brother of the president of Senegal, in a bid to obtain the country’s assets, according to recently published reports in the BBC and Global Witness. The payment to Aliou Sall, brother of…

Rebel gunmen launched a coordinated assault over the weekend in the Ethiopian state of Amhara in a challenge to President Abiy Ahmed and his sweeping reform program. Several senior government officials died in the assault including the army chief and the governor of Amhara state. Mr. Ahmed rushed to the region and, wearing army fatigues,…