Africa

In Senegal, despite clear legislative progress towards gender equality and the huge contribution women make to the rural economy, they remain in the minority or even absent from strategic and operational land governance bodies at ‘commune’ level. Furthermore, the legal recognition of the principle of citizens’ engagement in public affairs is not accompanied by any working mechanism to ensure that grassroots communities are able to participate.

Four officers have been detained for questioning in Burkina Faso, a day after the military government announced it had thwarted a coup attempt. Also, although Tunisia was decades ahead of many other countries in the region and the world in giving women the right to choose whether to go ahead with unwanted pregnancies, taboos remain. We take a closer look. Finally, we see how Africa's wine market is becoming increasingly full-bodied.

Morocco has slowly transformed from a transit country to a destination country for sub-Saharan African migrants — almost half of whom are women.

France's ambassador to Niger has left the country amid a deterioration of relations between the West African country's new military rulers and the former colonial power.

The West African country's military government — which seized power from a different junta a year ago — said it has detained four people for attempting a coup.

Since 2019, when two French citizens were kidnapped from Benin's Pendjari National Park and their local guide murdered, the West African country has been dealing with regular incursions by armed groups, including terrorists. According to official figures, 40 civilians and 20 soldiers have been killed over the past three years. Our regional correspondents followed the Beninese army in the northern border areas, where it has beefed up its presence.

Mali's military leadership has said presidential elections could not be held on schedule due to "technical" reasons. Since taking power in 2020, the junta has promised to hold elections, but has repeatedly issued delays.

Social and political issues continue to plague South Africa even 30 years after the end of apartheid. Instead of blaming poor leadership and a corrupt government, many are turning their anger against foreigners, with xenophobic attacks on the rise. One anti-immigrant group now even wants to run for office in the 2024 elections. But are migrants linked at all to the state of affairs in the country?

The German and US defense ministers have said they see no immediate need to leave Niger, following France's decision to withdraw troops. Niamey's junta has been more focused on the former colonial power's presence.

A devastating storm has caused extensive damage and widespread flooding across South Africa's Western Cape, with provincial officials warning that the impact on informal settlements would be vast.

Citing declining inflation and a strong rebound in economic activity, Ghana's central bank on Monday (September 25) held its interest rate at 30%.

This week in Across Africa, Georja Calvin-Smith speaks to Namibian President Hage Geingob ahead of his arrival in New York for the UN General Assembly. He shares his perspective on governance, the impact of Africa's first climate change summit and the role of the African Union in responding to regional upheaval.