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Agence de Presse Ouest-Africaine

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Author: Kabir Isa

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Beyond the Screen and the Home: A Dual-Front Battle Against Gender-Based Violence in Burundi

By Kabir Isa

A conference in Burundi, organized by CARE and government partners, has spotlighted two critical but often overlooked forms of gender-based violence: the growing threat of digital violence and the persistent burden of unvalued domestic and care work. Experts warn that digital tools are now weaponized to intimidate and control women, creating a new, insidious layer of harm. To effectively combat violence against women, the event concluded that a holistic, multi-pronged response is essential, demanding coordinated legal, educational,

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From ARPANET to Aviation: The Untold Story of Gert van der Veer, South Africa’s Internet Pioneer and SAA CEO

By Kabir Isa

South Africa's connection to the internet's origins is a story of regulatory breakthrough, not just technical adoption. In 1974, a demonstration by Vint Cerf on the South African Railways' private network directly catalyzed a change in the Post Office Act, enabling data networks and packet sharing in the country. This pivotal moment, facilitated by engineer Gert van der Veer, highlights how early internet growth often depended on circumventing state telecom monopolies through alternative infrastructure. The episode underscores that the internet's

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Waje’s ‘African Child’: More Than a Song – An Anthem for Street Children and a Call to Action

By Kabir Isa

Nigerian singer Waje releases "African Child," a charity single produced by E-Kelly to support the Child Life Line Initiative for street children. The track showcases her powerful vocals in service of a social cause, blending artistic talent with direct philanthropic action. This initiative highlights the potential for music to drive awareness and resources toward vulnerable youth. The release provides both a compelling listening experience and a tangible opportunity for audience engagement with the cause.

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Beyond the Dispensary: How Mali’s Pharmacists Are Redefining Their Role as Frontline Guardians in Epidemic and Disaster Response

By Kabir Isa

The SYNAPHARM union in Mali is strategically positioning pharmacists as central, proactive agents in public health, moving beyond their traditional dispensing role to become key players in epidemic and disaster management. This vision is being operationalized through concrete actions like drug donations, public health campaigns, and advocacy for systemic improvements, such as resolving medication importation challenges. The union's collaborative engagement with the Ministry of Health highlights a critical partnership for strengthening the national healthcare system. Ultimately, this represents a significant evolution of the pharmacy profession

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Severe Weather Alert: Navigating Thunderstorms, Fire Danger, and Damaging Winds Across South Africa

By Kabir Isa

The South African Weather Service has issued significant multi-hazard warnings for 16 December 2025, with severe thunderstorms, flooding, and damaging winds forecast for the central and eastern interior, while extreme fire danger threatens the central Northern Cape. Residents in Gauteng and Mpumalanga should prepare for isolated thundershowers and high UV exposure. This combination of concurrent and contrasting severe weather events—from flooding to extreme fire risk—presents a complex and heightened risk landscape requiring tailored regional preparedness.

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Beyond the Headlines: The Mbappé-PSG Labor Court Battle and Its Far-Reaching Impact on Football’s Financial Power Dynamics

By Kabir Isa

A Paris labor court is set to rule on the high-stakes financial dispute between Kylian Mbappé and PSG, following their tumultuous 2024 separation, with both parties seeking massive compensation. This case underscores the extreme financial and contractual complexities in modern elite football, where player-club separations can escalate into multi-million-euro legal battles. The outcome will establish a significant precedent for contract enforcement and termination clauses within the sport's biggest institutions. Ultimately, it highlights the severe business and relational

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Kwara Government Debunks Viral Arrest Claims: A Case Study in Combating Security Misinformation

By Kabir Isa

The Kwara State Government has categorically denied a viral report that the Nigerian Army arrested armed bandits in Ifelodun LGA, clarifying the suspects were detained in Auchi, Edo State. It refutes claims of providing weapons, noting no state government can legally distribute AK-47s, and explains a vehicle mentioned was a security van legitimately given to now-departed local vigilantes. This official rebuttal highlights a dangerous case of geographic misinformation being used to falsely implicate a state government

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Beyond the Headline: Decoding the $41 Billion Airline Profit Boom and the Structural Storms Ahead

By Kabir Isa

The global airline industry is achieving record profits through unprecedented operational efficiency, but this success masks a severe regional divide. While Middle Eastern carriers lead with near 10% profit margins, African airlines are crippled by unit costs nearly double the global average, resulting in a meager 1% margin. This disparity is driven by Africa's structural inefficiencies—including aging fleets and market fragmentation—amid a worldwide aircraft shortage that forces older, costlier planes to remain in service. The industry's overall

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From World Cup Heartbreak to Afcon Ambition: How Benin’s ‘Cheetahs’ Are Primed for a 2025 Breakthrough

By Kabir Isa

Benin's national football team enters the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a resilient and ambitious mindset, channeling the recent heartbreak of narrowly missing their first World Cup qualification into a powerful motivator. Under the leadership of coach Gernot Rohr, the squad aims to surpass its 2019 quarter-final peak by showcasing a compelling style of play to validate their selection. Their core strategy leverages the cohesion and momentum from a strong World Cup qualifying campaign, despite the painful conclusion. Facing

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ECOWAS at a Crossroads: Can a Diminished Bloc Forge a New Path After the Sahelian Exodus?

By Kabir Isa

West African leaders, facing unprecedented regional instability and the definitive withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, have taken decisive but belated action. The ECOWAS summit resulted in a firm commitment to establish a regional anti-terrorist force by 2026, signaling a shift from past inaction as violence spreads from the Sahel to coastal states. Concurrently, the organization has reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy against unconstitutional power grabs, aiming to restore its credibility after a wave of coups