Arabic version: تطورات أفريقية تشمل الطاقة والانتخابات والصحة العامة
According to Allafrica, a September 25 press review highlighted developments in Uganda, Malawi, Liberia and Zimbabwe involving electricity infrastructure, electoral administration, cybercrime legislation and wastewater management.
Uganda has begun implementing the South Sudan-Uganda Power Interconnection Project after securing US$121 million from the African Development Fund for the Ugandan component. Together with counterpart funding from the Ugandan government, the financing will support high-voltage transmission infrastructure connecting Uganda’s grid to South Sudan. The project is expected to enable cross-border electricity trade, reinforce Uganda’s northern transmission network and give South Sudan access to more reliable and affordable power.
In Malawi, the Electoral Commission faces pressure over plans to relocate to Blantyre, the commercial capital, following an executive order. The commission had moved its headquarters to Lilongwe in June 2023 to be closer to the seat of government. Its staff union has called for an urgent meeting with leaders over unresolved relocation matters and uncertainty around leases, concerns reported as potentially affecting public confidence ahead of elections.
Liberian Senator Francis Dopoh said the country’s newly enacted cybercrime law is not designed to curb criticism or peaceful dissent. His comments followed the arrest of an individual over a social-media post and ensuing public debate. Dopoh said the law targets conduct posing direct threats to people, institutions and national security, while provisions protecting women, girls and children address online threats, blackmail and non-consensual sharing of private images.
Zimbabwe’s Parliament has raised alarm over Harare’s sewage crisis. A parliamentary committee report said raw sewage is flowing into rivers that feed Lake Chivero, the capital’s main water source. It found that only 20 of 63 sewage treatment plants nationwide are operational, and that active plants discharge an estimated 570 megaliters of raw sewage each day, intensifying pollution of major water sources.
