UNICEF and the Government of Iceland have launched the second phase of a $6.4 million Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiative to enhance climate-resilient WASH services in Sierra Leone’s coastal and rural fishing communities. Key Objectives: The partnership, established in 2019, has already impacted over 50,000 people through initiatives like solar-powered water systems and improved…
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing growing pressure to resign following his failed attempt to impose martial law, as parliament nears an impeachment vote. Protests demanding his resignation have continued for a second day in Seoul, while police investigate him for “insurrection.” The opposition is pushing for a Saturday vote on his impeachment,…
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is set to tender his resignation today, following his ousting in a no-confidence vote hours earlier. Barnier’s government collapsed after a decisive parliamentary vote, with MPs overwhelmingly backing the motion against him, just three months after being appointed by President Emmanuel Macron. Barnier is likely to remain in office as…
The final replenishment meeting of the International Development Association (IDA21) began today in Seoul, uniting global leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to address poverty and advance sustainable development in low-income countries. IDA, a key financier for these nations, supports economic growth, tackles critical challenges, and aligns efforts with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This high-stakes…
Namibia elected its first female president, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who won 57% of the vote in a controversial election. The vote was delayed by three days due to technical issues, including ballot shortages, leading opposition parties to label the extension unconstitutional and vow to challenge the results in court. Despite these challenges, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s ruling…
Sierra Leone’s U-20 female football team triumphed 2-0 over Liberia on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, in their second match of the ongoing Mano River Union Female Football Tournament. This victory follows their 0-0 draw against Guinea in the opening match on December 2. After a goalless first half, Adama Mansaray broke the deadlock in the…
President Joe Biden arrived in Angola on Monday for his first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa. Thousands lined the streets of Luanda as he arrived. His trip follows a brief stop in Cape Verde for a meeting with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva. In Angola, Biden will meet with President João Lourenço, visit the…
Egypt hosted an international conference on Monday in Cairo to garner humanitarian support for Gaza, which has been severely impacted by over a year of conflict between Hamas and Israel. The event was attended by senior regional and Western officials, as well as UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and other high-ranking UN representatives. The…
As Sierra Leone tackles deforestation and climate change, the European Union (EU) Delegation hosted a stakeholder meeting in Freetown to address the implications of the EU’s Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) for key export sectors like cocoa, coffee, and palm oil. Held on December 2, 2024, at Radisson Blu, the event brought together government officials, industry leaders,…
Aminata Wurie, Governance Specialist with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone, recently shared her assessment of the 2023 elections, highlighting key challenges and successes during an event at Fourah Bay College. Key Challenges Notable Successes Recommendations for Future ElectionsWurie proposed expanding biometric voter registration, deploying mobile registration units to underserved areas, and…