Africa / World – Windhoek Observer

11 Jul

MPs back Eiseb, call for stronger action against corruption

Africa / World, Uncategorised

Members of the National Assembly on Friday unanimously endorsed President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s nomination of Bryan Eiseb as the next director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), with other members across party lines urging the commission to pursue corruption cases without fear or favor. During the debate, IPC MP Tuhafeni Vaino said Parliament’s support came with high expectations, warning that the public had grown frustrated with the commission’s performance over the years. “We are weary of the torturous two decades of sweeping corruption under the carpet. We are weary of the net that catches the small fish while the big fish…

12 May

SADC PF starts drafting governance model law

Africa / World

Moses Magadza The SADC Parliamentary Forum has formally launched the process to develop a new SADC model law on constitutionalism and the rule of law, with regional stakeholders convening in Johannesburg, South Africa, for a consultative meeting aimed at shaping the proposed soft law. A stakeholders' consultative meeting, held from 22 to 23 April 2026, brought together parliamentarians, constitutional experts, jurists, civil society representatives, electoral practitioners and development partners to begin deliberations on the content and priorities of the proposed model law. Opening the meeting, SADC FP secretary general Boemo Sekgoma said the initiative emerged from a growing recognition within…

01 Dec

A slap in the face to Trump: The EU-AU summit declaration hits US interests

Africa / World, Featured

In the final declaration of the 7th EU–AU Summit, adopted on November 25, 2025, in Luanda under the chairmanship of Angolan President João Lourenço, there is a passage about “volatility of tariffs and uncertainty in trade policy” that in Washington will almost certainly be perceived as a direct and undisguised criticism of the United States. The tariffs are quite unambiguously contrasted here with the “stability and predictable rules” that Europe supposedly offers to African countries. “We emphasise that growing uncertainty in trade policy and tariff volatility in global trade pose a challenge to the world economy. In this context, trade…

28 Nov

SADC PF executive meets under newly elected president

Africa / World

Moses Magadza The new president of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) and Speaker of the National Assembly of Madagascar, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, officially opened the SADC PF executive committee meeting in Durban on Wednesday, marking his debut in the role. In his maiden address, he expressed humility, gratitude and a firm commitment to strengthening regional parliamentary cooperation. “This is my first meeting as President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum,” Randrianasoloniaiko said, adding that he is “conscious of the responsibility I now carry.” He acknowledged his predecessor, Justin Tokely, for “his professionalism, dedication and steady leadership” and noted that Madagascar and…

27 Nov

Disability advocate challenges climate bill

Africa / World

Moses Magadza The sun is blazing mercilessly over Mbire, one of the hottest corners of Zimbabwe, but Mamera Kadzingatsayi is already at the venue, seated quietly with a notebook and pen in hand. The Parliament of Zimbabwe, with support from Sweden under the SRHR, HIV and AIDS Governance project of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, has gone to the people. Kadzingatsayi is among the first to arrive for one of the last public hearings on the proposed Climate Change Management Bill. The heat is unforgiving, yet he is undeterred. He wants to understand every word. Every clause. Every intention of this…

24 Nov

Africa tops global climate funding support list

Africa / World, National News

Justicia Shipena Africa is receiving the largest share of support from four global climate funds, according to new data from the Multilateral Climate Funds. The report shows that the continent benefits more than any other region from climate adaptation, nature protection and renewable energy investment. The joint results report from the Adaptation Fund, Climate Investment Funds (CIF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Green Climate Fund (GCF) states that Africa accounts for 58% of all people supporting strengthening climate resilience. This represents more than 216 million people. The report provides the clearest view to date of collective progress across four shared…

21 Nov

Advocates demand community action to stop child marriage

Africa / World

Moses Magadza Participants at the inaugural public lecture honouring the late chief Theresa Kachindamoto of Malawi have called for stronger collaboration, greater community engagement and intensified sensitisation efforts to end child marriage across Zambia and the SADC region. The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), with funding from Sweden and in collaboration with the National Assembly of Zambia, the University of Zambia’s School of Law, CARE International, and other partners, convened the lecture at the University of Zambia last week. Kachindamoto was a Malawian traditional leader who annulled more than 3 500 child marriages and championed girls’ education…

20 Nov

Africa warns high debt threatens its climate action

Africa / World, Featured

Justicia Shipena Africa’s climate negotiators say that high debt, costly finances and new trade barriers are making it harder for the continent to meet its climate commitments. The message was delivered by Richard Muyungi, chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), during a meeting on Wednesday with United Nations (UN) secretary general António Guterres at the 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) climate conference in Belém, Brazil. Many African countries, according to Muyungi, are grappling with high borrowing costs, limited access to long-term finance, and increasing debt vulnerabilities. He also warned that new unilateral climate-related trade measures threaten African industries…

20 Nov

SADC stakeholders demand coordinated effort to end child marriage

Africa / World, Featured

Moses Magadza A panel discussion following the inaugural public lecture honouring the late chief Theresa Kachindamoto of Malawi stirred reflection, debate and renewed urgency for coordinated regional action to eradicate child marriage. The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), with funding from Sweden and in collaboration with the National Assembly of Zambia, the University of Zambia’s School of Law, CARE International, and other partners, convened the public lecture on Monday last week. Moderated by gender advocate Lynn Chinene of CARE Zambia, the panel discussion brought together traditional leaders, legal experts, lawmakers, youth representatives and students as efforts intensified…

06 Aug

Zimbabwe launches national campaign against child abuse

Africa / World, National News

Moses Magadza The minister of state for provincial affairs and devolution for Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe, Ezra Chadzamira, has officially launched a national campaign against child abuse, rape, and the denial of sexual and reproductive health and rights. The initiative forms part of the SRHR, HIV and AIDS Governance Project (2023–2026), funded by the Swedish Government and implemented through the SADC Parliamentary Forum and the Parliament of Zimbabwe. It supports the domestication of key regional legal instruments, including the SADC Model Laws on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage (2016), Gender-Based Violence (2021), and Public Financial Management…