Dear Reader,
Kenya is today mourning the loss of one of its most influential figureheads and activists, Professor Wangari Maathai. She died in Nairobi on Sunday night after a long battle with cancer. After launching the Green Belt movement in 1977, her conservationist efforts were constantly marked by achievements, most notably winning the Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to sustainable development. She will also be remembered for her political endeavours, opposing President Moi’s attempts to build on national parks and going on hunger strike to free political prisoners.
As Nigeria prepares to celebrate the 51st anniversary of its independence, there are growing concerns that these celebrations could be marred by Boko Haram. After reports that the United Nations have sacked security chiefs in Abuja for negligence in the August bombing, there are fresh fears that a series of government buildings in the federal capital could become targets of terrorist attacks.
The surprise victory of Michael Sata in last week’s Zambian election ended the 20-year rule of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy. This has been heralded as a move towards accountability and transparency, showing concerns beyond the mere provision of services, and is analysed in further detail
here.
Our latest special investigation,
Population Matters, has also been launched. It features a variety of internationally renowned experts on the challenges posed by radically changing numbers of people in Africa.
Below are a few highlights from the past week:
All the best,
The Team at Think Africa Press