Nigeria

Nigeria’s 29 children face death sentences for protests

Africa /

There has been widespread outrage in Nigeria over the potential death sentences facing 29 children accused of participating in protests against the cost-of-living crisis. The minors, aged 14 to 17, were part of a group of 76 individuals charged in court on Friday. The charges include treason, destruction of property, public disturbance, and inciting a military coup. During the proceedings, four of the children collapsed from exhaustion before entering a plea. Reports indicate they have been in police custody since August. Protests erupted across Nigeria in August against economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and currency devaluation, which have led to soaring inflation and increased hardship for many citizens. Despite this, President Bola Tinubu insists these reforms are essential for the country’s stability. Security forces have faced allegations of excessive force during the protests, with Amnesty International reporting at least 13 fatalities in clashes with police. Lawyers representing the children confirmed they were granted bail, with the case set to go to trial in January. The death penalty has been on the books in Nigeria since the 1970s, but there have been no executions since 2016.

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Fitch affirms Nigeria’s ‘B-’ rating with positive outlook

Business /

 Fitch Ratings said Friday it affirmed Nigeria’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating at ‘B-‘ with a positive outlook. The rating agency said Nigeria’s rating is supported by the country’s large economy, developed and liquid domestic debt market and large oil and natural gas reserves. Those factors, however, are balanced against weak governance indicators, high hydrocarbon dependence, weak net foreign exchange reserves, high inflation, ongoing security challenges and low non-oil revenue. Fitch expects crude oil production to increase in 2024-2026, averaging 1.4 million barrels per day, from 1.23 million in 2023, due to improved onshore surveillance.

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WHO Allocates Nearly 1 Million Mpox Vaccine Doses to Africa

Africa /

The World Health Organization announced on Friday that nearly one million doses of mpox vaccines have been allocated to nine African countries. This follows the creation of an Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM) last month to ensure equitable access to the vaccines. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that over 50,000 individuals have already been vaccinated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, thanks to donations from the U.S. and the European Commission. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 500 percent increase in mpox cases compared to last year, now affecting 19 countries. The WHO declared mpox a global health emergency in mid-August after a new strain began spreading from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Dr. Ghebreyesus stated that the allocation of approximately 900,000 doses was based on public health needs, especially in areas with significant transmission. He emphasized that this is the first allocation of nearly six million doses expected to be available by the end of 2024. While vaccination is a critical component, he highlighted the importance of other strategies, including case finding, contact tracing, infection prevention, clinical care, risk communication, and testing, as part of a comprehensive response plan.

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At least 15 killed in attack in Nigeria’s Benue state

Africa /

 At least 15 people have been killed in an attack by armed bandits in Nigeria’s Benue state, local media reported Thursday. Several people were also wounded when the assailants invaded the town of Anyiin in the Logo Local Government Area. Nigeria has long been facing attacks from armed gangs as well as the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist groups in various regions of the country. Despite the death penalty being enforced for kidnapping, incidents of abduction for ransom are still common. Armed perpetrators typically target villages, schools and travelers in the northern part of the country to demand ransoms.

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Climate change fuels health crisis, warns new report

Africa, Discover /

A new report from global health experts warns that climate change is pushing temperatures to dangerous levels, leading to increased deaths and the spread of infectious diseases. The Lancet Countdown report, released ahead of the COP29 climate summit, highlights that every country faces unprecedented health threats due to climate change. The experts urge governments to redirect the trillions spent on fossil fuels towards protecting health and livelihoods. “Resources should not perpetuate fossil fuel use but rather promote access to clean, renewable energy,” said Dr. Marina Romanello, the report’s executive director. The study, conducted by 122 experts, reveals record levels of heat-related deaths, food insecurity, and infectious diseases driven by climate change. In 2023, people faced an average of 50 additional days of extreme temperatures. Nearly half of the global land area is experiencing extreme droughts, exacerbating food insecurity for 151 million people in 124 countries. Romanello emphasized that climate change is a critical health issue affecting all demographics, particularly vulnerable populations. “The health implications are enormous,” she stated, referencing the acute hunger crisis in regions like Somalia due to drought.

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