By Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar
 

Mothers and their babies queue for food aid at the Raghe Ugas School in Waberi, Mogadishu. / Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar

MOGADISHU, Sep 5 (IPS) – Masses of food meant for famine victims in Somalia are being stolen, an investigation has revealed.
 

“There is widespread food aid corruption, that is why I am calling [...]

By Miriam Gathigah
 

The economy of most African countries depends on women who are deprived of the right to own land says Mwanahamisi Salimu, from Oxfam, Tanzania. / Miriam Gathigah/IPS

NAIROBI, Jul 14 (IPS) – Even at the best of times, obtaining a title deed from the ministry of lands is a difficult process. But as [...]

By Isolda Agazzi

GENEVA, May 24 (IPS) – Some of the decisions taken on trade in the Istanbul Plan of Action are likely to disadvantage poor countries while others are so vague as to be meaningless, says Abdoulaye Sanoko, counsellor at the mission of Mali to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva.

By Amanda Fortier

DAKAR, May 24 (IPS) – The manatee, or sea cow, is a torpedo-shaped marine mammal that moves languidly through the tepid waters of the Caribbean, South America and along the coast, rivers and wetlands from Senegal down to Angola. In the late 18th century, one of the manatee’s closest and much larger relative, the Stellar Cow, were hunted to extinction. Today, the future of the West African manatee may not be far behind.

A hardy, high-yielding sorghum variety is winning a place in the hearts – and plates – of local farmers.

James Odhiambo is searching Nairobi for malaria drugs bearing the green leaf logo of the Global Fund.

Charcoal seller Latifat Agboola sees herself as a businesswoman on the rise.

Safe water and sanitation are cost-effective public health measures, but have not been prioritised in most poor countries.

Transitional authorities struggling to enforce April 2010 ban on logging, transporting, trading and export of precious woods.

Microfinance institutions fill an important niche across the continent, offering savings and loans to people that the commercial banking system fails to cater for.

Nearly half the residents of key town have returned, going through the motions of daily life despite threat of attacks.

Data exclusivity would hamper Indian pharmaceutical companies’ production of affordable generic versions of essential medicines.

Victoria Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi admits she’s no angel. Probably a good thing, now she is leader of her own political party.

Christian Aid says long-term investors – rather than ‘cowboy’ speculators – driving up commodities futures.

Analysts says none of the major parties have mainstreamed gender, as conditions for women have declined.