Africa – Prologue Journal

In South Africa, Food Poisoning Kills at Least 23 Children

New York Times The South African government said that nearly 900 people, many children, had fallen sick since September. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/23/world/africa/south-africa-food-poisoning-kills-children.html

How a Nigerian Nurse Abducted by Boko Haram Planned Her Escaped

New York Times After being abducted by an offshoot of Boko Haram in Nigeria six years ago, a Christian nurse describes her daring escape and how faith kept her alive. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/23/world/africa/she-faked-a-religious-conversion-to-escape-terrorists.html

South Africa’s A.N.C. Rejects Jacob Zuma’s Appeal Against His Expulsion

New York Times The country’s governing party had severed ties with the former president in July after he campaigned for an opposition party in the last general election. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/22/world/africa/anc-jacob-zuma-appeal.html

Mali’s Junta Replaces Civilian Prime Minister With One of Its Own

New York Times The prime minister had been fired for criticizing the country’s junta. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/world/africa/mali-military-replace-prime-minister.html

From Chimpan-A to Chimpanzee, These Apes May Have Humanlike Culture

New York Times Researchers describe a link between genetic relatedness and sophisticated tool use in primates in East and Central Africa, suggesting their culture is cumulative. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/science/chimpanzees-culture-dna-tools.html

Ugandan Opposition Leader Charged After Being ‘Kidnapped’ in Kenya

New York Times Kizza Besigye, a former presidential candidate, went missing over the weekend as he visited the Kenyan capital, reappearing days later in military custody back in Uganda. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/20/world/africa/uganda-opposition-leader-kidnapped-court.html

Mining Company Whose C.E.O. Was Detained Agrees to Pay Mali $160 Million

New York Times Three executives of the Australian company Resolute Mining were arrested this month. Mali, a major African gold producer, has been trying to increase its share of mining profits lately. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/18/world/africa/mali-mining-detensions.html

First U.S. Case of Severe Form of Mpox Reported in California

New York Times The unidentified patient had recently returned from Africa, where the virus has caused a deadly epidemic, health officials said. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/16/health/mpox-california.html

South Africa Police Try Siege Tactics on Illegal Mining, Igniting Debate

New York Times The police have cut off food and water to miners for weeks in a bid to force them out of an abandoned mine. Human rights advocates and community leaders call the tactics inhumane. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/16/world/africa/south-africa-illegal-mining-seige.html

How the Protea Became a Symbol for South Africa

New York Times The resilient species — which regrow after wildfires — are said to capture the spirit of a nation reborn. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/14/t-magazine/proteas-south-africa-symbol.html