🔅 From Visa Biases to Shifting Sands

Africans' Schengen Struggles, an Orangutan's Medicinal Marvel, and Chad's Pivotal Election

Photo of the Day

A film set in Lagos Nigeria.

---

Spotlight Stories

Visa Woes: Why Being African Matters More Than Your Application

Blake Guidry

If you're an African dreaming of a European getaway, brace yourself for a visa application process that's about as smooth as a pothole-ridden road. In 2022, a staggering 30% of African Schengen visa applications were rejected, making it the region with the highest rejection rate despite having the lowest number of applications per capita.

That's right, one in three Africans had their travel plans shattered, compared to a mere one in ten applicants worldwide.

What's more, out of the top ten countries with the highest rejection rates were from Africa, with Algeria taking the crown at a whopping 45.8%. Apparently, being Algerian means you're ten times more likely to be rejected than a Canadian, and being Ghanaian means you're four times more likely to face rejection than a Russian. 

Talk about unfair odds.

The poorer your country, the higher your chances of rejection, as the visa system seems to favour those with economic and passport power. And if you thought travelling within Africa would be a breeze, think again. Many African passports hinder rather than facilitate mobility, thanks to limited global visa access and restricted opportunities within the continent.

European states claim that most rejections are based on doubts about applicants' intentions to return home, but the numbers don't add up. Malta, with a 35.5% rejection rate, had only 750 unauthorized residents in 2022. 

Might the system be a little biased against Africans?

---

The Orangutan Doctor

Pic: PA — Obtained from Sky News

Biologists have observed a wild Sumatran orangutan named Rakus using a medicinal plant to treat a wound on his face. This marks the first time a wild animal has been caught red-handed (or, in this case, orange-handed) using nature's pharmacy.

Rakus, the resourceful ape, was spotted selectively ripping off leaves from a climbing plant known as Akar Kuning, chewing them into a juicy mixture, and applying the resulting herbal concoction to a wound just below his right eye. For over 30 minutes, Rakus diligently covered the injury with the plant's healing properties, which are known to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.

The result is a closed wound within five days, and complete healing in just a month.

This remarkable finding showcases apes' intelligence and adaptability and sheds light on the evolution of wound medication. As one of only 7,500 critically endangered Sumatran orangutans left in the wild, Rakus' story serves as a reminder of the invaluable knowledge and skills these incredible creatures possess.

---

Chad's Election: A Pivotal Moment in the Sahel's Shifting Sands

Mahamat Idriss Deby

Chad is taking a shot at democracy. Yesterday, its citizens gathered to cast their votes in the first presidential election in the Sahel since a wave of military takeovers swept through West and Central Africa.

The front-runner is none other than Mahamat Idris Deby, the military leader who seized power after his father, long-time ruler Idriss Deby, was killed by rebels in 2021.

Deby has promised to boost security, strengthen the rule of law, and increase electricity production. His chief rival, Prime Minister Succes Masra, has been drawing surprisingly large crowds on the campaign trail, but analysts still expect Deby to clinch the victory.

Not everyone is thrilled about the election, though. Some opposition members and civil society groups called for a boycott, citing concerns about potential vote-rigging. And the mysterious shooting of opposition politician Yaya Dillo on the day the election date was announced initially raised fears of violence.

---

Food for Thought

“An orphaned calf licks its own back."

— Kenyan Proverb