Mass exodus of Afghans as deadline to leave Pakistan expires
1/11/2023: Hundreds of thousands of Afghans living in Pakistan face detention and deportation as the government's November 1st deadline for them to leave expires. More than 140,000 people have left Pakistan since the start of October.
Source: CNA
Biden to strike off Uganda from AGOA trade terms
31/10/2023: US President Biden intends to remove Uganda's eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), alongside Gabon, Niger and the Central African Republic, on account of their human rights records. He said that the enactment of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act is a violation of universal human rights.
Source: The East African
Green hydrogen: Africa’s can break the extractive dynamic
25/10/2023: Several European governments are exploring agreements with African countries to produce green hydrogen through huge renewable energy farms. These agreements should be conditional on action to offset energy poverty on the continent, where 600 million people lack access to electricity.
Source: African Arguments
Is debt restructuring the magic wand for Africa?
23/10/2023: The recent annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank returned to Africa after 50 years but only Zambia emerged with a debt relief package, among ten countries on the continent that are in debt distress. The charity ActionAid is calling for change that prioritises development over debt repayments, shifting away from austerity and fiscal fundamentalism.
Source: The East African
Loss and Damage Committee fails to reach consensus
20/10/2023: Negotiators preparing for COP28 in December have failed to reach consensus on recommendations for addressing loss and damage from climate impacts. The Committee will reassemble for an extra-ordinary session in early November to try to reach agreement prior to the COP28 summit.
Source: World Resources Institute
Africa and India push rich nations to phase out fossil fuels
16/10/2023: Noting the key principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” in UN climate conferences, the African Group of negotiators wants rich countries to stop greenlighting new fossil fuel production projects by 2030. Major nations like the US, UK, Australia and Norway have continued to approve oil and gas pumping and have not set end dates for fossil fuel production.
Source: Climate Home News
Ignoring water crisis could cost global economy
16/10/2023: Research by WWF suggests that governments would take more action on water scarcity if they were more aware of the economic value of freshwater systems. Already, half the global population experiences water scarcity on a monthly basis and 55 million people are affected by droughts each year.
Source: Devex
Bjørn Lomborg: The climate contrarian who puts poverty first
16/10/2023: Under political pressure, the World Bank has unequivocally added climate change to its anti-poverty mandate. Bjørn Lomborg speaks out for those who believe that limited resources should be prioritised to tackle poverty and hunger.
Source: Devex
Israel-Gaza crisis: US vetoes Security Council resolution
18/10/2023: The US has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have called for “humanitarian pauses” to deliver lifesaving aid to millions in Gaza. The US Ambassador explained her country’s veto saying “this resolution did not mention Israel’s right of self-defence.”
Source: UN News
Why donors hesitate over Kenya’s refugee reform plan
21/10/2023: Kenya’s refugee reform programme could see the Kakuma and Dadaab camps converted into formal towns whose residents will no longer be restricted in movement. But potential development partners seek more direct benefits to refugees as the basis for committing funds.
Source: The East African