Ethiopia implements taxation overhaul to address USAID funding gap

Ethiopia’s parliament has enacted a sweeping tax reform targeting both private and public sector employees to fill the financial void created by USAID’s recent funding suspension. The newly established Ethiopian Disaster Risk Response Fund will channel these tax revenues toward critical projects previously sustained by USAID, which had been Ethiopia’s foremost development and humanitarian partner. […]

Congolese Gynecologist Adds Sakharov Prize to his Collection of Awards

Congolese Gynecologist, Denis Mukwege, has won the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2014 awarded by the European Parliament for his standing up for women´s rights. “The Conference of Presidents decided unanimously to award Dr Denis Mukwege from Democratic Republic of Congo the Sakharov Prize for his fight for protection especially of women,” said EP […]

Polisario camps, a tinderbox waiting to explode

The inhumane conditions imposed on thousands of Sahraouis held against their will in the Polisario-run camps of Tindouf in Algeria, coupled with a bloody crackdown on dissent, are creating conditions auguring for violent uprising. This week, disenchanted youth from Oulad Tidrarine tribe revolted against the Polisario militias, torching vehicles and exchanging fire in full media […]