The Paris Techno Parade, celebrating electronic music for 25 years, brought together tens of thousands of fans on the Place de la Bastille. The parade, made up of 16 colorful and animated floats, set the streets of Paris ablaze with techno rhythms. The event, created in 1998, has grown in popularity over the years, attracting more than 250,000 people last year. Renowned DJs participated in the parade, contributing to the evolution of the perception of electronic music. The Techno Parade has become a symbol of joy and pacifism, and its success reflects the growing acceptance of electronic music as a musical genre in its own right.
The EITI-DRC organized workshops on the application of the Mining Code in the DRC, which concerns the allocation of 0.3% of the turnover of mining companies to community development projects. These workshops brought together players from the sector and made it possible to clarify the provisions of the Code and the orders relating to this allocation. They also addressed the challenges of its implementation, such as the lack of communication with communities and the lack of support from the government. The objective was to harmonize the understanding of the regulations and to set up a mechanism for sharing information between the different stakeholders. These workshops promoted awareness and transparency around this essential issue for community development in the mining sector of the DRC.
Thousands of people took part in a pro-European Union demonstration in London to express their support for the UK’s return to the EU. The protest, known as the National Rejoin March, highlights continuing sentiments in favor of returning to the EU, with more than 60% of Britons considering Brexit a failure. Protesters express their frustration with Brexit and emphasize the need to regain their place within the European Union. Although no major party is officially proposing a return to the EU, public opinion remains divided on the issue. The future of the UK-EU relationship remains a subject of debate and reflection for years to come.
The First Ladies of Africa and the First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, launched the “We Are All Equal” campaign to address gender inequalities in Africa. OPDAD organized a conference in New York to discuss actions undertaken in African countries, such as education, maternal and child health, women’s economic empowerment and the fight against sexual violence. Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi recalled the ten commitments made and stressed the importance of taking action. The first lady of the United States is also engaged in this fight. This campaign demonstrates the first ladies’ commitment to a continent where women and men are truly equal. The fight for gender equality is crucial for Africa’s development and for building a better future for all.
Thousands of people demonstrated in France last Saturday to denounce police violence and racism. Despite some incidents of violence, the demonstrators were above all engaged in a march to defend the Republic. They denounced systemic racism and police violence affecting working-class neighborhoods, and called for the preservation of public freedoms. It is crucial to recognize these legitimate demands and continue to fight against injustices to build a more inclusive and egalitarian society.
The Conference on Land Policies in Africa, organized by CLPA, will be held from November 21 to 24, 2023 in Addis Ababa. Under the theme “Promoting sustainable land governance in Africa to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area”, this event will bring together experts from government, academia, the private sector and civil society. Its objective is to deepen land policies in Africa in order to support the implementation of the AfCFTA. On the menu: best practices, inclusive governance, effectiveness of institutions, and monitoring of land policies. The conference aims to create an enabling environment for investment, land security and protection of land rights of local communities. By promoting knowledge sharing and regional integration, this key event will contribute to economic development in Africa.
A recent article highlights growing tensions in the Black Sea following the Ukrainian strike on the Russian fleet headquarters in Crimea. Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, relations between Ukraine and Russia have been tense. This attack reignited tensions and sparked strong reactions from both sides. The consequences of this strike are still uncertain, but it risks worsening the situation in the Black Sea. The peaceful resolution of this conflict is essential to avoid an even more dangerous escalation.
The ongoing electoral process in the DRC is a crucial issue for the country’s democracy. The mobilization of civil society, NGOs, religious denominations and the media is essential to raise awareness among the population and ensure the smooth running of the elections. Election observers also play a key role in the transparency of the process. Despite the rumors, the President of the CENI wants to be optimistic and mobilizes voters to actively participate. The DRC can thus progress towards a stronger and inclusive democracy.
The match between Ireland and South Africa was intense and close. The Irish won with a score of 13 to 8, confirming their status as favorites. Despite difficulty containing the power of the South Africans, the Irish were able to stay in the match and scored thanks to a try from Bundee Aki. The South Africans responded with a good try from Chelsin Kolbe, but the Irish regained the lead thanks to a penalty from Johnny Sexton. The solidity of their defense allowed the Irish to resist the attacks of the Springboks and add three additional points from penalties. With this victory, Ireland confirms its domination in the competition and positions itself as the big favorite to win the World Cup.
The Kasende Kasende family, resident in Kinshasa, warns against any illegal sale of their plots in Kananga, in the Kasaï Central province. They emphasize that the judgments presented by the person claiming to be liquidator are currently under appeal. The family wishes to preserve its rights and its heritage, and recalls the importance of respecting legal decisions. They seek to inform public opinion and avoid any attempt to plunder their property.