| Welcome to Next Africa, a twice-weekly newsletter on where the continent stands now — and where it's headed. Deaths of more Africans on dangerous journeys across rough seas highlight the worsening tragedy of young people trying to flee to Europe. At least 17 people drowned soon after they set off from Senegal in a small boat that may have been sailing to Spain, according to authorities in the West African nation. The tragedy comes a month after Walking Borders, a Spanish group that helps migrants, said three boats carrying about 300 people departing from Senegal had gone missing. The Senegalese government denied the report.  The Tunisian Maritime National Guard intercepts boats of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea on June 9. Photographer: Hasan Mrad/DeFodi Images Like several developing nations, Senegal is battling high unemployment, climate-related disasters and social unrest that's pushed some of its people to leave. The latest incident has seen human-rights defenders bring into focus the responsibility of governments where migrants are departing, as much as those where they are headed. "These undeniable deaths show the unmeasurable cost of this migration," said Boubacar Seye, head of Horizons Sans Frontieres, an advocate for migrants. Senegal's "government must restore hope to the youth," he said. In Europe, from Spain to Italy, debate on the issue has left the situation uncertain for immigrants who survive the voyage. The European Union signed a controversial agreement with Tunisia to curb migration at a time when the North African nation faces criticism over its poor treatment of sub-Saharan Africans. Such partnerships, emphasizing tighter border controls, have left migrants making an increasingly perilous gamble. More than 900 Africans have died this year while trying to head to Spain. An average of five people lost their lives daily in the six months through June while enroute to the European country, according to a Walking Borders report. For the migrants, they are increasingly caught between hardships at home and harsh migrant policies overseas. — Yinka Ibukun & Momar Niang. The number of service-delivery protests in South Africa — demonstrations over the failure of providing services such as electricity and water — may reach a new annual record. The country is suffering its worst-ever electricity blackouts and patience is fraying over the deterioration of municipal services, leading to 122 protests in the first six months of the year. At that rate, this year may overtake the 237 incidents of 2018, dwarfing the lull during the pandemic years.  A protest organized by the Economic Freedom Fighters in Pretoria. Photographer: Guillem Sartorio/Bloomberg Ghana's anti-graft agency arrested a former minister after her household help was accused of stealing more than $1.4 million in foreign and local currency that was stashed at her house. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who resigned as minister of sanitation and water resources on Saturday, was arrested two days later. The ex-minister disputed the figures, according to a statement she issued. Calls to Dapaah's mobile phone didn't connect when Bloomberg sought comment. Kenya's dollar bonds have reversed a peer-beating performance following deadly protests. After handing investors a 5% return in June, the nation's securities advanced early this month as financing from the International Monetary Fund tamped down fears that Kenya may be unable to pay a $2 billion eurobond that falls due next year. Since then, Fitch Ratings downgraded Kenya's credit outlook and the opposition revived protests over the high cost of living. Russia is supplying wheat to Mali, bolstering ties with one of its strongest African allies. News of the shipments comes days after Russia ended an agreement that had allowed Ukraine — one of the world's biggest wheat producers — to export grain from Black Sea ports. African countries have been among those most impacted by the rise in food prices triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. About 42,000 people are on the verge of starving to death in northeast Burkina Faso as Islamist militants lay siege to towns and villages, an International Rescue Committee official said. About 800,000 people are trapped in the settlements, most notably in Djibo, which has largely been cut off from the outside world for more than a year. Ghana's central bank surprised financial markets by raising borrowing costs to a record high of 30% to speed up a deceleration in inflation. Annual inflation, which has been above the central bank's 6% to 10% target range since September 2021, unexpectedly quickened in the past two months to reach 42.5%. Thanks for reading. We'll be back in your inbox with the next edition on Friday. Send any feedback to us at dmalingha@bloomberg.net. | 
No comments:
Post a Comment