Somalia: Somalia - Journalist Shot Dead in Kismayo

[IFJ] The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), in condemning this brutal killing and calling for an urgent investigation. Source

Nigeria: Tinubu Lauded Over Extension of Raw Shea Nut Export Ban

[Leadership] Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been commended for approving the extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, a policy widely seen as a move to boost local processing and strengthen Nigeria's agro-industrial value chain. Source

Nigeria: Panic Grips Civil Servants As Firefighters Battle to Quell Inferno At Head of Service

[Leadership] Panic gripped civil servants on Monday morning as firefighters battled to quell an inferno at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) in Abuja, forcing workers to flee the premises for safety. Source

Botswana: Same-Sex Couple Challenges Marriage Act

[Botswana Daily News] Gaborone -- A same sex couple, Bonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile, has approached the High Court on Friday, challenging the constitutionality of the Marriage Act, arguing that it is unconstitutional for the Act to outlaw same-sex marriages. Source

Botswana: Opposition Leader Warns Against Electricity Tariff Hike

[Botswana Daily News] Gaborone -- The Leader of the Opposition and Maun North MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando, has urged government to tread carefully regarding electricity tariffs, warning that further increases would have a detrimental effect on citizens. Source

Nigeria: Army Base Overrun - Commanding Officer Killed in Brutal Raid

[Daily Trust] Boko Haram terrorists have overrun another military camp in Borno State, killing the commanding officer and other officers. Source

Gambia: Peter Obi to Arrive in Banjul Today for Refela's Landmark Women's Conference

[The Point] Banjul is poised to take centre stage on the global map as Peter Obi, former Nigerian presidential candidate, and former governor of Anambra State arrives to join distinguished delegates at Refela's landmark women's conference. Source

Rwanda: Cervical Cancer - Rwanda Rolls Out New HPV Vaccine

[New Times] Rwanda has started using a new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil 9, in four districts to broaden protection against virus types that cause cervical cancer, according to the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC). Source

Somalia: Somali President Praises Women's Role On International Women's Day

[Shabelle] Mogadishu -- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday congratulated women across the country and in the diaspora as Somalia marked International Women's Day on March 8. Source

Kenya: Ti-Kenya Report - Political Elites Undermining Leadership Integrity Framework

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- A new report by Transparency International Kenya has revealed a persistent gap between the constitutional ideals of leadership and integrity and the realities of political practice in Kenya, attributing the disconnect largely to the influence and interests of political elites. Source

Africa: Une Vie d'Impact Honorée : Bineta Diop reçoit le prix Women of Impact in Africa

[FAS] Il est des moments dans l'histoire où une récompense signifie bien plus qu'un accomplissement individuel. Des moments où l'honneur décerné porte le poids de milliers de voix, la douleur de communautés brisées par les conflits, et le courage silencieux mais persistant de femmes qui ont refusé d'être effacées. Source

South Africa: Soldiers Promised to Fight Gangs but Parliament Has No Clear Plan

[Scrolla] Ian Cameron, chair of Parliament's police portfolio committee, says oversight committees still do not have a full strategic deployment plan. Cameron warned the deployment could expand from gang violence to illegal mining, two criminal problems that need very different approaches. Source