Africa: Israeli Furore Over Drugs for Ethiopian Jews

The director of the Ministry of Health in Israel, Roni Gamzo, has issued a formal directive instructing that gynaecologists should not inject women with the contraceptive… Read more »

Ethiopia: What Caused the Religious Protests in Ethiopia?

Tensions have been simmering over several months between Muslims and the government, with thousands holding demonstrations in protest at the government's alleged interference in… Read more »

Sierra Leone: Health Fees Scrapped but Gaps Remain

Under the new directive government health facilities are to provide free care to under-five children and pregnant and lactating women. Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Separated Children Yet to Return Home

Hundreds of children in Côte d'Ivoire were separated from their parents when people fled their villages during post-election violence in 2011, but nine months after the… Read more »

Madagascar: Vaccination Efforts Pay Off

Tahiri and her baby daughter have joined a courtyard full of women sheltering their babies from the midday sun at a health centre in Ankareira, near Madagascar's southern tip. Read more »

Mali: Disabled Seek Jobs, Not Charity

Mali's disabled have access to some free healthcare options, and are supported by a number of associations and charities, but what they really want is to find work and contribute… Read more »

Sudan: Clashes and Demos in Abyei

Tension over the future of Abyei, a flashpoint region roughly the size of Lebanon on Sudan's north-south border, erupted into armed violence and street demonstrations this week. Read more »

Swaziland: Faceless Bombers Sow Insecurity

No individual or group in Swaziland has admitted responsibility for a spate of recent bombings against government and opposition party targets, but their actions are creating a… Read more »

Senegal: Killing Babies to Hide Indiscretion

In Senegal women who become pregnant outside of marriage - their husbands living abroad - commonly kill their babies out of fear and shame. Read more »

Madagascar: Timeline - a Turbulent Political History

Madagascar's history is marked by a struggle for political control. By 1700, France and England had attempted to establish settlements, while the rulers of the island's many… Read more »

Gambia: Timeline of Crackdown On Journalists

Below is a timeline outlining the arrests and detention of prominent journalists in Gambia over recent years, as reported by Reporters without Borders and Amnesty International. Read more »

Burkina Faso: 'Pleasure Hospital' for Genital Mutilation Victims

Construction has begun of West Africa's first clinic for reconstructing clitorises for victims of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Amid high demand, the US non-profit… Read more »

West Africa: Genital Repair Surgery Remains Prohibitely Expensive

Amid high demand from victims of female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) for clitoral reconstruction surgery available in Burkina Faso, the procedure remains unaffordable for… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Toxic Waste Criminal Investigations May Indict Higher-Ups

Ivorian government lawyers have said they may pursue criminal investigations against the Netherlands-based oil trader Trafigura, which owned the oil waste dumped in open-air sites… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: Who is to Blame for Dumping Toxic Oil Sludge?

A trial is under way in Abidjan of local officials accused of conniving in the dumping of toxic oil sludge in August 2006 and causing over a dozen deaths, and illnesses to tens of… Read more »

Cote d'Ivoire: UN Warns Toxic Waste Still a Threat

Two years after an illegal toxic dumping operation in the Ivorian capital Abidjan created a widespread medical emergency and political scandal, UN contamination expert Okechukwu… Read more »

Mauritania: Military Ousts President, Seizes Power

International leaders, heads of states and human rights lobbyists have condemned the military ouster of Mauritania's President Sidi Mohamed ould Cheikh Abdallahi, and Prime… Read more »

West Africa: Sahel is 'Ground Zero' for Climate Change

The Sahel region of West Africa is "ground zero" for vulnerable communities struggling to adapt to climate change, the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on conflict, Jan… Read more »

Sudan: Fears of More Conflict Amid Abyei Suffering

Failure to allow thousands of Abyei civilians to return home following recent conflict could destabilise other parts of Sudan, the UN has warned. Read more »

Guinea: President Sacks PM, Names Close Ally to Post

In a move which could potentially plunge Guinea into political and social turmoil, President Lansana Conté sacked his internationally-backed prime minister Lansana… Read more »

Comoros: Anjouan Road to Recovery Now Open

Over half a million dollars of much-needed emergency funding will help Anjouan, one of three islands in the Comoros archipelago, to address humanitarian needs and re-establish… Read more »

Comoros: No Quick Fix After Military Strike

The end of Mohamed Bacar's rebel rule in Anjouan could boost political stability on the Comoros archipelago, but the humanitarian problems will take longer to fix. Read more »

Liberia: Special Court for Sexual Violence Underway

The Liberian government has created a special court to deal with not only rising rape cases, but also other forms of violence against women, Liberia's Information Minister Laurence… Read more »

Senegal: Rebels Act On Kidnap Threats in Casamance

Rebels belonging to the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) kidnapped 16 villagers in Bissine, 64 km east of Ziguinchor near the Guinea-Bissau border on 16 March… Read more »

Chad: Refugees From Capital Still Fear Returning

Fighting ended in Chad's capital N'djamena almost a week ago but many of the tens of thousands of Chadians who sought refuge across the River Chari in northern Cameroon say they… Read more »