Africa

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Partey is to appear at crown court next month, charged with raping a woman in December 2020.

Partey is to appear at crown court next month, charged with raping a woman in December 2020.

In the Al-Azraq camp in northern Syria, 10-year-old Abeer Al-Qaddour sits, browsing a colourful book with intense focus and curiosity. Nearby stands a bus, elegantly inscribed with the words ‘The Cultural Bus’. Around the vehicle, dozens of children have gathered with visible joy, engaging in collective drawing activities for the very first time. Not far […]

Unsplash Fort of Goree Island, Senegal, was the site of one of the earliest European settlements in Western Africa. Source UN News
The calls for reparatory justice can no longer be ignored, speakers at the fourth session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on African Descent said last April.
They urged greater collaboration between governments, civil society and regional organizations to create a system that would compensate Africa and the African diaspora for the enduring legacies of colonialism, enslavement, apartheid and genocide between the 16th and 19th centuries. “Africa was under siege,” said Hilary Brown, speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) about the 300 years of enslavement and exploitation on the continent. “Her political, economic and social systems thrown into chaotic instability as Europe plundered the continent for her most valuable asset, her people.”

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
MOSCOW, Mar 13 2026 (IPS)

Professor Jude Osakwe—a Nigerian scholar at the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Continental Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Africa (NIDOAF)—has reiterated the absolute truth over Reparations for Africa, noting that African governments have consistently expressed only ’emotional solidarity’ over Reparations instead of tackling and addressing, with seriousness, this pertinent issue within the context of diplomacy.

He strongly believes that despite sharp political and cultural diversity influencing developments, African leaders can still adopt a collective strategy in pursuit of advantageous aspirations for sustaining continental sovereignty. The concept of Pan-Africanism is noticeably fragmented while grassroot movements lack strategic coordination.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

How well do African people represent the continent on Reparations and Pan-Africanism?

Professor Jude Osakwe: Honestly, inadequately, but not without effort. Representation is fragmented. The loudest voices on reparations often come from the Caribbean and African-American communities, while continental Africans, remain largely sidelined in that global conversation.

Pan-Africanism as an ideology is more spoken about than practiced. There is emotional solidarity, but very little structural unity. The honest reality is that African governments have not made reparations a serious diplomatic priority, and grassroots movements lack the coordination to pressure them to do so.

Does the diaspora media landscape affect how these topics are viewed in a Western light?

Professor Osakwe: Absolutely.

Western media frames Pan-Africanism as either nostalgic romanticism or a political threat, and frames reparations as a Black American issue, effectively erasing the continental African dimension entirely. As an African in the diaspora, you are constantly navigating between your own lived framework and a media environment that either misrepresents or ignores your perspective.

This creates a psychological burden, you must actively resist the dominant narrative just to maintain an accurate self-understanding. African diaspora media exists, but it remains underfunded and underreached compared to mainstream outlets, which means the Western framing dominates public discourse by default.

What are the measures for upholding African identity in the diaspora, and diaspora contributions amid geopolitical shifts?

Professor Osakwe: Key measures:

• Intentional cultural transmission, language, history, and values must be actively taught, not assumed
• Building diaspora institutions that are African-led, not just African-themed
• Political engagement both in host countries and in countries of origin
• Economic networking through platforms like NIDO that connect diaspora professionals to continental development

On geopolitical contributions: The current moment, with Africa renegotiating relationships with Western powers, China, Russia, and Gulf states, is actually an opportunity for the diaspora. Diaspora Africans sitting inside Western governments, universities, and financial institutions carry real leverage.

The question is whether that leverage gets used collectively or dissipates individually. Remittances already outpace foreign aid to many African countries. What’s needed now is moving beyond remittances to strategic investment, policy advocacy, and knowledge transfer, turning the diaspora from a financial lifeline into a genuine development partner.

Kester Kenn Klomegah focuses on current geopolitical changes, foreign relations and economic development-related questions in Africa with external countries. Most of his well-resourced articles are reprinted in several reputable foreign media.

IPS UN Bureau

 

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The Women in Politics 2026 map from IPU and UN Women was launched at an event at CSW70, 11 March 2026. Credit: UN Women/Ryan Brown. Source: IPU
 
New Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) – UN Women data show women remain far from equal political power, holding just 22.4 per cent of cabinet posts and 27.5 per cent of parliamentary seats worldwide.

By UN Women
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 13 2026 (IPS)

Across the world, women remain vastly under-represented in political leadership, with the most powerful decisions still overwhelmingly made by men. In 2026, only 28 countries are led by a woman Head of State or Government, while 101 countries have never had a woman leader, according to the latest data released by Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women.

When women are shut out of political leadership, decisions that shape peace, security, and economic priorities are made without half of the world’s experience at the table. The new global data reveals stagnation, and in some cases regression, in women’s political leadership, particularly in executive government.

Key findings from the data released by IPU and UN Women include:

o Women hold just 22.4 per cent of cabinet minister positions globally, down from 23.3 per cent in 2024, marking a reversal after years of gradual progress.

o Fourteen countries have achieved gender parity in cabinets, demonstrating that equal representation is possible, yet eight countries still have no women ministers at all.

o Women hold 27.5 per cent of parliamentary seats worldwide, up slightly from 27.2 per cent in 2025. The increase of just 0.3 percentage points marks the second consecutive year of the slowest growth recorded since 2017, highlighting how slowly women are advancing in political decision-making power.

o Women are also losing ground in parliamentary leadership. As of January 2026, 54 women serve as Speakers of Parliament globally, representing 19.9 per cent of all Speakers. This represents a nearly four-percentage-point decline from the previous year and the first drop in women Speakers in 21 years.

o Women in politics face rising hostility and intimidation from the public, both online and offline. Seventy-six per cent of women parliamentarians surveyed report experiencing intimidation by the public, compared with 68 per cent of men – a trend that deters women from seeking office and slows progress toward equal political power.

o Even when women reach leadership positions, they are often concentrated in a narrow range of portfolios traditionally linked to social sectors.

o Women lead 90 per cent of gender-equality ministries and 73 per cent of ministries responsible for family and children’s affairs, reinforcing long-standing gender stereotypes in political leadership. Men continue to lead almost exclusively ministries like defense, home affairs, justice, economic affairs, governance, health, and education.

“At a time of growing global instability, escalating conflicts and a visible backlash against women’s rights, shutting women out of political leadership weakens societies’ ability to respond to the challenges they face,” said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.

“Women bring perspectives and experience that are essential for making better decisions, preventing conflict and building lasting peace. When women are fully involved in political leadership, countries are more stable, policies work better for people, and societies are better prepared to face the crises shaping our world today.”

“Parity is a moral imperative, because women have an equal right to shape the decisions that govern their lives. But it is also the smart thing to do. Institutions make better decisions when they reflect the societies they serve. They are better able to identify bias, design fairer responses, and earn public trust when women from all backgrounds are present, and influential, at every level,” said IPU President Tulia Ackson.

“The IPU has constantly proven that well-designed quotas and strong political will are essential to speed up change and ensure that women’s voices are heard in democratic decision-making. At the same time, men and women must work together as equal partners to transform political culture, challenge stereotypes, and build inclusive parliaments that reflect the people they represent,” said IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong.

Despite the slow pace of change, women around the world continue to push boundaries and assert their place in political life. Removing structural barriers, including discriminatory laws, violence against women in politics, and unequal access to resources, as well as challenging negative social norms, will be critical to ensuring women’s equal political leadership in the years ahead.

This year’s 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women – (which is scheduled to conclude March 19) the United Nations’ highest-level intergovernmental body that sets global standards for women’s rights and gender equality – is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reverse the rollback of women’s rights.

The future of democracy will be stronger, fairer, and more resilient when women are equally represented in decision-making at all levels.

IPS UN Bureau

 

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European Council President António Costa invited leaders to the meeting of 19 and 20 March 2026 in Brussels, during which they will discuss Ukraine, Middle East, defence and security, competitiveness and single market, next Multiannual Financial Framework, and migration. 

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/455 of 26 February 2026 on restrictive measures to combat terrorism, repealing Articles 2, 3 and 3a of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2025/1577 and Decision (CFSP) 2026/421.

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/421 of 19 February 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2025/1577 updating the list of persons, groups and entities covered by Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism.

Press briefing ahead of the upcoming General Affairs Council will take place on Friday, 13 March 2026 at 13:45.

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Le niveau général des prix à la consommation est resté stable au Bénin en février 2026, selon les données publiées par l'Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (INStaD).

L'Indice Harmonisé des Prix à la Consommation (IHPC), s'est établi à 101,6 en février 2026, soit le même niveau que le mois précédent.

Selon l'Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (INStaD), le niveau général des prix est ressorti stable avec un niveau de 101,6 comme au mois précédent.

Malgré cette stabilité globale, plusieurs produits alimentaires ont enregistré des baisses notables.
Les prix des huiles végétales ont reculé de 5,2 %, une évolution liée à la disponibilité accrue de l'huile de palme sur le marché.

De même, les prix de la sous-classe « autres légumes, tubercules, plantains et bananes à cuire séchés et déshydratés » ont diminué de 2,3 %, en raison notamment de « la période d'abondance des produits dérivés du manioc », souligne l'INStaD.

À l'inverse, plusieurs produits ont connu des hausses au cours du mois.
Les prix du poisson réfrigéré ou congelé ont augmenté de 2,5 %, une hausse attribuée notamment au chinchard et au maquereau.

Dans le même temps, les prix des légumes frais ou réfrigérés ont progressé de 2,7 %, en lien avec la hausse de l'oignon frais rond, tandis que les épices, herbes culinaires et graines ont enregistré une augmentation de 3,5 %, tirée par le renchérissement du piment frais.

Produits importés en hausse

En variation mensuelle, les prix des produits importés ont progressé de 0,4 %, alors que ceux des produits locaux ont diminué de 0,2 %, selon l'INStaD.

L'inflation dite sous-jacente, qui exclut les produits saisonniers et énergétiques, est restée stable. L'indice correspondant s'est maintenu à 100,5, identique à celui de janvier.

Sur une base annuelle, l'évolution des prix montre un léger recul. En glissement annuel, le niveau général des prix a diminué de 0,1 % par rapport à février 2025. Cette baisse est notamment liée au recul des prix dans certaines catégories de consommation, dont les produits alimentaires et boissons non alcoolisées (-0,2 %), les transports (-1,9 %) et les restaurants et services d'hébergement (-5,6 %).

Cependant, cette tendance a été partiellement compensée par la hausse de plusieurs postes de dépenses, notamment le logement, l'eau, l'électricité, le gaz et les combustibles (+6,5 %), ainsi que les vêtements et chaussures (+2,1 %) ou encore la santé (+2,1 %).

Inflation modérée dans l'UEMOA

En moyenne annuelle, le taux d'inflation au Bénin s'est établi à 1,1 % à fin février 2026, soit une légère baisse de 0,1 point de pourcentage par rapport au mois précédent. Cet indicateur, utilisé pour mesurer la convergence économique entre les pays de l'Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest-Africaine (UEMOA), reste ainsi bien en dessous du seuil communautaire généralement fixé à 3 %.

Pour calculer l'IHPC, l'INStaD s'appuie sur un vaste dispositif de collecte de données couvrant l'ensemble du territoire. Le panier de consommation comprend 844 produits suivis dans 2 583 points d'observation, avec plus de 21 800 relevés de prix effectués chaque mois dans les différentes régions économiques du Bénin.
M. M.

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