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Yearly Archives: 2023

Wagner: The Cornerstone of Russia’s Strategy in Africa.

The Wagner Group – Russia’s most prolific and infamous private military company (PMC) – formed during Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine, a mission that was influential in establishing Russia’s growing strategy of pursuing state goals through deniable PMC activities. Although other PMCs such as the Moran Security Group, Rossiskie System Bezopasnosti (RSB) Group, and Patriot…

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Ch’alla. Rite of Thanksgiving to Mother Earth.

It is a rite of gratitude of the native Andean peoples towards Pachamama (Mother Earth), an obligatory gesture towards nature to obtain better crops, health, and prosperity in all activities of daily life. In Bolivia, the ceremony stands out for its picturesque authenticity, with an outpouring of gifts to Mother Earth, while at the same…

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São Tomé and Príncipe. A Lost Paradise.

São Tomé and Príncipe, a former Portuguese colony, is among the smallest independent states in the world. It is composed of an archipelago located off the Atlantic coast of the African continent, opposite the Gulf of Guinea and located just north of the equatorial line. In addition to the two main islands of São Tomé…

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The shadow of China.

The economy of São Tomè and Princìpe is poor. The main resources are linked to the tourism, fishing, and cocoa sectors, with most of the population working in public services and agricultural and subsistence activities. The succession of various governments over the years has not created the conditions to put a stop to rampant poverty,…

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Iran. Young Generation: “We want to be free”.

The current Iranian Revolution is entering its fourth month, with people all over Iran protesting. Iran’s Gen Z is leading the charge as the loudest voice of the protests not only in the streets but also in the cybersphere. Generation Z (Gen Z) are individuals roughly born between 1997 and 2012, a generation that is…

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The DRC vows to become a world leader in car batteries but challenges remain.

The country has the ambition to become the world leader in batteries for electric cars. But despite its huge mining assets, important challenges must be addressed. Besides its copper and gold mines, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is endowed with the minerals of the energy transition. During his visit to President Felix Tshisekedi…

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Latin America. Liturgical Art at the Service of the Poor.

A Spanish Claretian, for 35 years a missionary in Latin America, Fr. Maximino Cerezo Barredo, now ninety years old, is nicknamed ‘the painter of liberation’ because his artistic work has renewed the sacred iconography of the continent starting from the preferential option for the poor. The murals and works of Fr. Maximino have decorated many…

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The political and economic problems.

Having obtained independence from the mother country, the country was led for 16 years by a socialist regime, headed by Manuel Pinto da Costa. Within a decade, a strong disaffection towards the establishment grew among the population; it was mainly caused by the economic decline, the impact of which on living conditions was considerable. This…

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A long road to Independence.

The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe were deserted until their discovery by Portuguese navigators. Even today we do not know for certain the date of this event or the names of those who first discovered the islands. According to some scholars they were discovered by João de Santarém and Pedro de Escobar in 1451,…

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The Maasai. The origin of cattle.

Naiteru-Kop, one of the gods of the Maasai, walked the earth at the dawn of the world and he found it already held some inhabitants. He found a Dorobo (a member of a hunting people, also known as Okiek), a snake, and an elephant living together. After Naiteru-Kop had passed by, the Dorobo found a…

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Turkey Toward 2023, Erdogan’s Turning Point?

Turkey is heading for crucial presidential and parliamentary elections in a pivotal year for its history. Indeed, October 2023 will mark the centenary of the founding of the Republic. Before that date, in June, Turkey will go to the polls, which will either consolidate President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s longstanding power or mark a seismic shift,…

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The Cities of Africa. Urban and Decolonial.

The key to understanding the growth of cities in the African continent. At a frenetic pace, Africa has gone from being the least urbanized continent to be the fastest urbanizing region on the planet. With urbanisms and complex dynamics as diverse as the histories that have shaped them, African metropolises today stretch across the continent…

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Advocacy

Adenike Oladosu. Climate Change: Time to Act.

Nigerian ecofeminist Adenike Titilope Oladosu is the founder of   I Lead Climate Action, an initiative aimed at empowering women and youth to combat climate change.…

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Baobab

The Crocodile and the Cockerel.

Once upon a time, the crocodile was king of the animals. He was holding court one day. He sat majestically on his throne as he received…

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Youth & Mission

Jubilee of the Youth: An Unforgettable Journey of Hope.

Coming from five continents, 270 young people belonging to the Comboni Youth Movement gathered in Rome (24th July – 4th August 2025) to celebrate the Jubilee.…

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