January 16, 2024 at 6:17 am EST
In a chilling narrative unfolding in Nigeria, a university student, Nabeehah, was among six sisters abducted in Abuja, has perished in captivity, sparking widespread outrage. Her life was tragically cut short after her family could not meet the staggering $63,000 ransom demand. The ripple of anger and grief underscores the volatile security situation in the country.
Starvation in Tigray
Meanwhile, in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, a grim scenario is playing out. Officials report approximately 225 deaths, including innocent children, attributed to starvation. The region, scarred by a two-year civil war and drought, is trapped in a devastating humanitarian crisis. Ethiopia’s federal government, however, denies the existence of a famine and asserts their commitment to aid provision. Yet, over 20 million Ethiopians remain dependent on food aid due to conflicts, drought, and flooding.
Cholera Outbreak in Southern Africa
Further south, in the Limpopo province of South Africa, two cholera cases have been identified. Both patients are Zimbabwean nationals who recently returned from their home country. This development follows a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe that has claimed over 200 lives. Neighboring Zambia is not spared either, having witnessed about 300 cholera-related deaths since October.
Niger’s Diplomatic Moves
On the diplomatic front, Niger’s junta-appointed Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine is in Moscow, seeking to strengthen economic and military ties with Russia. Amid sanctions from West African neighbors, Niger is keen to diversify its partnerships and reduce Western influence.
Emmy Win for Trevor Noah
In a brighter development, South African comedian Trevor Noah has bagged an Emmy award for his talk show ‘The Daily Show’. Noah’s remarkable achievement marks him as the first African and first black person to win in the outstanding talk series category since its introduction in 2015.
