Since September, a vampire scare has triggered mob violence in Malawi that has killed at least eight people accused of being blood suckers including two killings reported in the second city, Blantyre on Thursday (October 19). The vampire rumours appear to have originated in neighbouring Mozambique, although it was not clear what had sparked them. Belief in witchcraft is widespread in rural Malawi and authorities say they are struggling to convince the population that the vampire rumours are anything but true.
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Tag Archives: Least developed countries
Rwanda’s tech entrepreneurs use technology to tackle reproductive health challenges amongst youth
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) develops an innovation accelerator programme that is supporting young entrepreneurs in addressing reproductive health challenges in Rwanda. ‘Tantine’- an app developed by twins Sylvie and Sylvain Uhirwa – both medical students at the University of Rwanda. The app opens up a channel of communication on sexual and reproductive health issues to Burundian refugees living in Mahama Refugee Camp in the south of the country.
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Norway unseats Denmark as world’s happiest country – report
Norway displaces its neighbour Denmark as the world’s happiest country in a new report that assesses life expectancy, freedom, social support and corruption, among other measures.
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Some Africans to remember from 2016
A chief that ends marriages, a 12-year-old boy who is a ballet dance prodigy and an opposition leader’s death that was expected to change the landscape of politics in Sudan – just some of the people that made headlines in Africa in 2016.
South Sudan conflict tops agenda at African Union summit
The 27th ordinary session of Africa’s Assembly of Heads of State and Government kicks off in Kigali, Rwanda with renewed fighting in South Sudan dominating the agenda.
Malawi struggles to host thousands of Mozambicans escaping violence.
Hundreds of Mozambicans continue to cross over the border into neighbouring Malawi as they escape fighting between rebels and government forces in the country’s west. The UN is increasing support to cater for a growing number of affected civilians.
U.N. seeks 1.3 billion dollars in humanitarian funding for South Sudan
Aid agencies have launched a humanitarian appeal for 2016 calling for 1.3 billion U.S. dollars to provide vital assistance to 5.1 million people across South Sudan. Two years of conflict, high food prices and a worsening economy have pushed over 5 million South Sudanese into hunger.
Zambia and Zimbabwe’s Kariba dam levels sink to 12 percent as drought scorches
LUSAKA, Jan 19 (Reuters) – Water levels in southern Africa’s Lake Kariba have dropped to 12 percent of capacity, the authority in charge said on Tuesday, raising concerns about severe power rationing in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Both countries rely heavily on the Kariba dam for electricity.
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Rwanda’s top court clears way for Kagame third term
Rwanda’s Supreme Court ruled to lift a constitutional two-term presidential limit following a petition by the ruling RPF to extend long-time President Paul Kagame’s time in office. The ruling is likely to draw attention to a host of other African leaders, from Congo Republic’s Denis Sassou Nguesso to DRC’s Joseph Kabila who are trying to do the same.
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