There are security concerns in a number of North African countries as important elections approach. In Libya, tensions across regional, tribal and ethnic lines are rising, and free and fair elections are essential for the country’s short-to-medium-term stability. In Algeria, security has been significantly bolstered ahead of tomorrow’s National Assembly elections amidst fears of protests or attack. And in Egypt, there have been demonstrations putting pressure on the ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces to ensure the elections go ahead as scheduled.
As the food crisis in the Sahel region deepens, there are still serious shortfalls in funding for emergency food aid. The WFP’s school meals programme in Mauritania and aid for refugees from Mali are both running out of supplies. Donations are urgently needed along with longer-term solutions to boost agricultural production and make food production less reliant on rainfall.
Nigeria’s House of Representatives concluded their discussions regarding the probe into fuel subsidy payments last week. $6.8 billion was found to be missing since 2009 and a number of high-profile companies and government organisations were implicated. Not all Nigerians, however, are convinced the executive branch will act appropriately on the findings. A similar probe investigating Nigerian Stock Exchange this week uncovered a range of fraudulent practices.
Finally, Think Africa Press, in partnership with London's Globe Theatre, is delighted to offer free and discounted tickets to tonight and tomorrow night’s performances of Two Gentlemen of Verona in Shona. The play is being put on by London-based Zimbabwean theatre company Two Gents Productions as part of the Globe's "Globe to Globe" series of 37 plays in 37 seven languages. For more details, click here.
North: Libya: The Upcoming Election and its Security Implications
West: Nigeria's National Assembly Shows its Mettle over Fuel Fraud
Central: Sahel Food Crisis: Chad’s Perfect Storm
East: China in East Africa: Win-Win?
South: South Africa: The Impact of Iran's Oil Sanctions
Below are a few highlights from the past week: