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Monthly Archives: May 2025

Mauritius. Erosion of democracy.

Mauritius is considered a beacon of good governance, but during the Jugnauth administration, there has been a decline. The last elections saw the victory of the opposition. The challenges facing the new prime minister. Mauritius, once considered a bastion of liberal democracy in sub-Saharan Africa, has seen a significant decline in democratic standards over the…

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Climate Crisis. Saving the Environment and Tourism.

Mauritius is being hit hard by rising sea levels and coastal erosion. This has serious implications for the tourism sector, which is vital to the state budget. Mauritius contributes to the world’s greenhouse gas production with an insignificant share, equal to about 0.01% of the total. However, the islands are hit hard by the climate…

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South Africa. A waste of water.

The country loses 40% of its water to crumbling pipes, with peaks of 45% in the eThekwini (Durban) metropolitan area. Drought, climate change, corruption and ineffective management of funds contribute to the problem. South Africa is a semi-arid country with an average annual rainfall of 497 mm, compared to the global average of 860 mm.…

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Chagos Archipelago. A Leaky Agreement.

Mauritius and the United Kingdom have reached an agreement on the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, almost bringing to a close a little-known but truly global dispute. One of the atolls hosts a major US military base. The Chagos Archipelago is located in the heart of the Indian Ocean: a group of 60 small islands…

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South Sudan. Bishop Carlassare. “His gaze also fell on me.”

“He leaves us at a time when we seem to need him even more, the only firm voice of brotherhood and peace.” Christian Carlassare, bishop of Bentiu, in South Sudan, remembers Pope Francis. The Pope has shown us God’s merciful love from the very beginning and has become a witness to it not only with…

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Music. Desert Blues.

Inspired by his Tuareg origins. Bombino is considered one of the best living blues guitarists. We met him in Madrid during one of his tours. “The best place to create and listen to music is in the desert. It is there that you live a unique experience. You have the feeling that when you hold…

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Sudan. Soft drinks are increasingly tasting blood.

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After diamonds and minerals, soft drinks and other products are increasingly profiting from bloodshed. Most of the world’s supply of Gum Arabic, which the food industry relies on, is controlled by Sudanese warlords. Moreover, alternatives are unlikely to emerge soon. Traditionally, gum Arabic, derived from the sap of acacia trees, serves as an emulsifier in…

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Bolivia. Santa Vera Cruz Tatala, the feast of fertility.

The feast of Santa Vera Cruz marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of a new life cycle. It is considered the fertility feast for the regeneration of human and animal life. According to oral narratives, the festival was anciently celebrated on a stone bearing the sign of a cross, a symbol of…

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Mongolia. Batmunkh Luvsandash. A Steward of the land.

Determined to protect his homeland from mining, Batmunkh Luvsandash’s activism resulted in the creation of a 66,000-acre protected area in Dornogovi province in April 2022, abutting tens of thousands of acres already protected by Batmunkh and allies. Mongolia is a large and sparsely populated nation – with numerous nomadic and semi-nomadic communities – whose economy…

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Pope Francis to Young People. “¡Hagan lío!”

During his pontificate, Pope Francis has placed young people at the centre of his pastoral attention, recognising them as key players in building a better future. He has sought a sincere and profound dialogue with new generations, addressing their challenges and encouraging them to be agents of change in society and the Church. Below are…

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Arts. Symbols of resistance.

Video makers, sculptors, painters and creative Sudanese have taken part in the civil society protests of recent years, but after the outbreak of the conflict they had to leave. In Nairobi they have enriched an active and supportive community of artists. We met some of them at the Kuona Artists Collective. Yassir Ali Mohammed is…

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Adiós, Francisco.

Poverty, peace, creation and mercy are the four pillars of the intense adventure of the first Pope, called “from the far side of the world”. Peripheries always at the centre. Preference for the poorest. An outgoing Church. Starting from his choice of name, Bergoglio wants to give a clear indication of what his pontificate will…

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Advocacy

Mongolia. Batmunkh Luvsandash. A Steward of the land.

Determined to protect his homeland from mining, Batmunkh Luvsandash’s activism resulted in the creation of a 66,000-acre protected area in Dornogovi province in April 2022,…

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Baobab

The Nyanjira smile.

Once upon a time, there was a girl of enchanting beauty. Her name was Nyanjira. She had soft, smooth skin and a very sweet smile that…

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Youth & Mission

Pope Francis to Young People. “¡Hagan lío!”

During his pontificate, Pope Francis has placed young people at the centre of his pastoral attention, recognising them as key players in building a better future.…

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