Sudan: AU-IGAD-Unitams Trilateral Mechanism Suspends Dialogue After Junta Withdraws

[Dabanga] Khartoum -- The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), African Union (AU), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Trilateral Mechanism has announced the suspension of the dialogue that began on June 8 this year, after the withdrawal of the Sudanese military from the negotiations. Source

Gambia: Exports of Endangered Rosewood Banned But Enforcement Woes Remain

[VOA] Dakar, Senegal -- Gambia has banned all exports of timber to curb rampant illegal logging and protect critically endangered African rosewood, but conservationists remain skeptical that the ban will be enforced. Source

Malawi: Albino Man's Murder - Ex-President Under Investigation

[VOA] Blantyre, Malawi -- Malawi's government has ordered police to investigate former president Peter Mutharika and an aide in connection with the 2018 murder of a 24-year-old albino man. Days earlier, Malawi's high court sentenced 12 people, including a Catholic priest and a police officer, for taking part in the murder. Some of those convicted named the former president as an accomplice, which Mutharika dismissed as a ploy to tarnish his image. Source

Kenya: Court Dismisses Case That Sought Ruto's Impeachment

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- The High Court has thrown out a case that sought to have Deputy President William Ruto removed from office over alleged gross misconduct and abdication of his role. Source

Kenya: Ruto Maintains Handshake to Blame for High Cost of Living

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential flagbearer William Ruto has blamed the handshake as one of the reasons for the current high cost of living in the country. Source

Africa: Great Green Wall - Researchers Push New Advances Despite Conflict, Funding Challenges

[VOA] Paris -- African and European researchers are meeting in France to give fresh impetus to Africa's ambitious Great Green Wall project, intended to fight climate change and support communities across the Sahel region. Much of the area is plagued by conflict and hunger, but scientists are looking at new ways to move ahead. Source

Ethiopia: UNICEF Official Warns of Looming Famine in Ethiopia

[VOA] Geneva -- A UNICEF official has told VOA that Ethiopia's drought-stricken population could face a full-blown famine without immediate help. Source

Cameroon: Lawmakers Ask for Military Protection in English-Speaking Western Regions

[VOA] Yaounde, Cameroon -- Lawmakers from Cameroon's troubled English-speaking regions are calling for more troops to protect officials, government workers, and their families from separatists. Addressing Cameroon's parliament Wednesday night, the lawmakers said the rebels have abducted hundreds of officials and their family members and killed at least 20 workers in the past month. Source

West Africa: Greater Democratic Rule Vital to Boost Security, UN Security Council Told

[UN News] Democratic and responsible governance is needed to counter ongoing insecurity in West Africa and the Sahel, the UN Special Representative for the subregion told the Security Council on Thursday. Source

Africa: All Rural Workers Deserve Social Protection Coverage - New ILO Report

[UN News] Social protection for rural workers "remains a dream", according to a report launched in Geneva on Thursday by the Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV), part of the UN's International Labour Organization (ILO). Source

Africa: Covid-19 Deaths, Recoveries Rise Across Continent

[allAfrica] As of July 08, 2022, confirmed cases of Covid-19 from 55 African countries reached  11,948,607 while  334,203,313 vaccinations have been administered across the continent. Source

Nigeria: 100 Days - Families, Friends of Train Victims Hold Peaceful Protest in Kaduna

[Daily Trust] The families and friends of the remaining 50 abducted Abuja-Kaduna train passengers held a peaceful street protest in Kaduna Wednesday to demand the immediate release of the victims. Source