🔅 South Africa Recalls Israel Diplomats, Madagascar's Presidential Race Gets Steamy
Plus, Caster Semenya Battles World Athletics & Kenya's Got a Tree-ific Plan
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Catholic Church, Comoros
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Ethiopia's Credit Score Takes a Hit: From Bad to Worse | Ethiopia just got a significant downgrade from Fitch, going from CCC- to CC. Basically, this means they're at serious risk of defaulting on their foreign currency debt. The downgrade results from the country's "external financing gaps," meaning they're struggling to pay their bills, partly due to a disruptive civil war that ended last year.
*Data accurate as of the close of markets across the continent
Brief & Bright: Africa's Top Five
South Africa Recalls Diplomats from Israel
South Africa is calling back its diplomats from Israel to assess their relationship amid a recent spike in civilian casualties from the ongoing war with Hamas. South Africa has always been a supporter of Palestine, drawing parallels between their struggle and their own fight against apartheid. But the country's foreign minister says this isn't a breakup, just "normal practice" to determine if they can still be friends. Israel is not happy about the recall, saying it's a win for Hamas. South Africa doesn't have a full-fledged ambassador in Israel, so maybe they were not that close to begin with. South Africa raised concerns about the death "of children and innocent civilians" on Israel's side, and is calling for a ceasefire. It added that “Cabinet has also noted the continuing disparaging remarks of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa about those who are opposing the atrocities and the genocide of the Israeli government,” adding that the ambassador’s role “is becoming very untenable.” Meanwhile, Chad recalled the country’s chargé d’affaires to Israel on November 4 in reaction to the conflict in Gaza.
Madagascar's Presidential Race: Protesters and Candidates Detained
Madagascar's opposition is not giving up without a fight. They've been protesting and rallying against what they see as an "institutional coup" to favor the current president in the upcoming election. But the police are not having it—tear gas, detentions, and a general ban on rallies are just some of the tactics being used to shut down the opposition. Candidates are feeling the heat too—one of them, Jean Jacques Ratsietison, was even detained for a short time. But they're not backing down, vowing to continue the fight against "dictatorship." The government claims its detention was to ensure the protection of the candidates and their families.
South Africa's Education Revolution: A Bill That Could Put Parents in Jail
Parents, beware: if your kid is skipping school or not enrolled when they're supposed to be, you could be looking at up to 12 months in prison. That's right, South Africa's parliament just passed a major education bill that introduces severe consequences for parents of truant children (it also bans corporal punishment in schools). The ruling party, the ANC, says this bill will transform the education system, but the biggest opposition party, the DA, is not having it. They say it gives the government too much control and won't actually fix any of the issues with the education system.
Caster Semenya vs. World Athletics
The legal battle between Caster Semenya and World Athletics is heating up, with the case now heading to the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. Semenya, a double Olympic champion, is fighting against regulations that require female athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs) to reduce their testosterone levels medically. She argues that this is discrimination against athletes with hyperandrogenism, a condition that naturally increases muscle mass and strength. While her competitive running days may be over, Semenya is determined to continue fighting for what she believes is right. World Athletics, on the other hand, claims that their regulations are necessary to ensure a level playing field for female athletes. Who will come out on top? Stay tuned.
Kenya's Got a Tree-ific Plan: A Surprise Tree Planting Holiday
Who needs a boring old national holiday when you can have a tree planting day? That’s what Kenya’s government thinks, at least. They’ve declared Nov. 13 a public holiday for all citizens to plant trees as part of their goal to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. The idea is to increase the country’s forest cover from 7% to 10% and help fight climate change. The government has set aside $80 million this financial year for the mission, so they’re serious about it.
Food for Thought
"One may have two legs, but that does not mean one can climb two trees at the same time."
— Ethiopian Proverb