Africa – Prologue Journal

A Fossilized Creature May Explain a Puzzling Painting on a Rock Wall

New York Times The artwork suggests that the San people of South Africa have an Indigenous knowledge of paleontology that predated Western approaches to the field. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/science/san-rock-art-fossil.html

Armed Men Attack Bamako Military Site, Mali’s Military Says

New York Times The West African country’s armed forces said the assault, on a school for military police, was carried out by terrorists. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/17/world/africa/mali-capital-attack-military.html

Michaela DePrince, War Orphan Turned Leading Ballerina, Dies at 29

New York Times In an impoverished orphanage in Sierra Leone, she longed to dance ballet. After being adopted by American parents, her improbable dream came true. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/obituaries/michaela-deprince-dead.html

Floods Kill More Than 1,000 People in West and Central Africa

New York Times Flooding caused by heavy rains has left more than 1,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/world/africa/floods-africa.html

The Lijadu Sisters, Nigeria’s Twin Musical Pioneers, Are Celebrated Anew

New York Times Taiwo and Kehinde were groundbreaking for their funky songs, as well as their feminism. Five years after Kehinde’s death, their albums will be reissued. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/arts/music/lijadu-sisters-numero-group-reissues.html

W.H.O. Authorizes Mpox Vaccine, Clearing Way for Use in Africa

New York Times The decision is a crucial step in getting shots to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the center of the outbreak. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/13/health/mpox-vaccine-world-health-organization.html

Three Americans Sentenced to Death for Failed Congo Coup

New York Times The sentences were handed down months after the central African country lifted a moratorium on carrying out the death penalty. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/13/world/africa/congo-coup-death-sentence-americans.html

U.S. Supports Africa’s Bid for U.N. Security Council Seats, With a Catch

New York Times The announcement provides U.S. support to permanent council seats for African nations, though not new veto powers. But the path to adding members requires far more than White House approval. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/12/world/africa/us-un-security-council-africa-permanent-seats.html

Cholera Deaths Soar Worldwide Despite Being Easily Preventable

New York Times Fatalities spiked 71 percent last year, far outpacing the 13 percent rise in cases, the World Health Organization said. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/11/health/cholera-deaths-cases.html

Boyfriend Who Set on Fire Olympic Runner Rebecca Cheptegei Dies

New York Times Dickson Ndiema died from injuries he sustained when he set Rebecca Cheptegei, his former partner, on fire. The police had planned to charge him with murder. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/10/world/africa/rebecca-cheptegei-boyfriend-dead-attack.html