Rooted in Exile: Preserving Culture in African Refugee Communities
Culture and tradition have long stood as pillars of African society, shaping the identities, behaviours, and worldviews of individuals and communities alike. For African children and adults, these elements are not merely ceremonial, they inform social structures, define spiritual beliefs, transmit knowledge, and offer meaningful frameworks for addressing governance and environmental issues. Among displaced populations, however, these foundational elements often face erosion. Refugee camps and communities present a particular challenge to maintaining cultural integrity, Gregory Scarborough the author...
The Eastern Route: Where Despair Crosses Borders and Hope Dies Quietly
Between 2019 and 2024, the borderlands between Yemen and Saudi Arabia became a stark landscape of peril for Ethiopian migrants navigating the Eastern Route. Along this path, individuals have faced violence, exploitation, and a lack of legal protection. While multiple testimonies and reports have surfaced, international accountability has proven elusive. A 2023 report by Human Rights Watch exposes the widespread use of explosive weapons, firearms, and other forms of abuse by border guards, allegations...
Empowering Youth: Honoring Courage, Fighting for Change & Shaping a Better Future
In June, we celebrate Youth Month in South Africa, marked by an annual event on June 16. The national holiday commemorates the Soweto uprising, a youth-led protest that challenged the former apartheid government. The protest took place on June 16, 1976, after over a year of mounting frustration from Black communities across South Africa due to a new policy that required Afrikaans and English to be the only languages taught in Black schools. It entailed upwards of 20,000 participants and...
Trafficking in Persons Crackdowns: Ethiopia, Kenya and Malawi
Human trafficking remains a critical issue in many nations. Security agencies in Ethiopia and Malawi have increased efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and address irregular immigration. Investigations reveal the involvement of travel agencies, officials, and brokers in these activities. Successful operations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Malawi highlight the crisis's severity and the need for ongoing measures, including stronger border security, improved intelligence-sharing, and better legal frameworks, to combat exploitation.
