United News of Bangladesh

The Ebola outbreak spreading rapidly in Congo has yet to reach its peak and could be several times larger than currently reported, according to data from Congolese health authorities and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The World Health Organization says the outbreak is advancing at an unprecedented pace and could eventually surpass the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, which killed more than 11,000 people. The latest outbreak has so far resulted in 2,516 deaths among 5,290 confirmed cases in Congo’s vast eastern region. The spread has been fueled by a highly mobile population, including people displaced by armed conflict, as well as widespread mistrust of health authorities. Only about 10% of current cases are linked to known contacts, far below the 90%-95% level considered necessary to bring an outbreak under control, according to Yap Boum, head of emergency preparedness and response at the Africa CDC. Boum told reporters Thursday that authorities may be detecting only 30%-40% of the actual cases. Rapid spread raises alarmBy the 13th week after the outbreak was officially declared, Congo had recorded about 10 times as many cases and seven times as many deaths as the West African Ebola outbreak had recorded at a comparable stage, according to Africa CDC data. The 2014-2016 outbreak eventually caused more than 28,000 cases and over 11,000 deaths. Congo’s previous deadliest Ebola outbreak, from 2018 to 2020, recorded about 3,400 cases and more than 2,200 deaths. The current outbreak is progressing much faster, with confirmed cases increasing at roughly 18 times the previous rate and deaths at about 13 times the rate. Experts are particularly concerned that the outbreak may have started in the mining town of Mongbwalu as early as February, months before authorities officially declared it on May 15. Contact tracing remains limitedAfrica CDC data from the past three weeks shows that health workers have traced 82% of the 19,630 contacts already identified. However, the agency estimates that nearly 100,000 contacts should have been identified based on an average of 60 contacts per confirmed case. That means the actual contact-tracing rate is only about 16% of what was expected. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a strain for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments. Its symptoms can also be milder than those associated with the more common Ebola virus, potentially leading some patients to delay seeking medical help. Outbreak reaches new provinceThe number of affected health zones has expanded from three at the beginning of the outbreak to 56 across six provinces. Bas-Uele province, which had previously reported no cases, has recorded two cases in separate locations during the past week and a half, according to government data. There are signs of improvement in some areas, however. South Kivu province, for example, has gone 79 days without reporting a new case. Most deaths occur outside treatment centersCommunity deaths, meaning those occurring outside Ebola treatment centers, have increased steadily. They accounted for 97% of reported deaths on Aug. 17, according to Africa CDC figures. Yet only about 20% of health alerts are coming from communities, highlighting the challenge of persuading people to report suspected cases. The overall case fatality rate stands at 46.7%, but it is considerably higher in some areas. In North Kivu, one of the country's most populous provinces, the fatality rate has reached 68.2%. Health officials say people are often delaying or avoiding treatment because of misinformation, reliance on traditional remedies, fears of isolation and concerns about being quarantined for symptoms that may turn out to be caused by other illnesses. The relatively mild early symptoms of the Bundibugyo strain may also discourage people from seeking care quickly.

In a quiet forested area on the outskirts of Kinshasa, a rare sanctuary is giving orphaned bonobos a second chance at life as poaching continues to threaten one of humanity’s closest relatives. At the Lola ya Bonobo centre in the Democratic Republic of Congo, caregiver Micheline Nzonzi gently held a one-year-old bonobo, feeding and comforting the fragile orphan she will help raise for the next several years. “Without me, without us, these bonobos cannot survive,” said Nzonzi, who has worked as a foster mother for 24 years. “They survive thanks to human affection.” The sanctuary is the world’s only facility dedicated to orphaned bonobos, many of whom are rescued from poachers or taken from households where they were illegally kept after being captured for bushmeat. Although bonobos are legally protected, hunting continues in parts of the Congo Basin, where demand for wild meat remains high. Conservation workers say bonobos often fetch higher prices because of their symbolic value as great apes. “We are educating people not to kill bonobos,” said Arsène Madimba, an educator at the sanctuary. “They cannot be kept as pets and cannot be eaten. Because of poaching, orphaned bonobos are traded across the country.” Bonobos raise their young for four to five years, making their population slow to recover. Conservation experts warn this leaves them highly vulnerable to habitat loss and hunting pressure. Last year, Congolese authorities floated the idea of “bonobo credits,” a scheme similar to carbon credits that would reward communities for protecting forests. The plan has yet to be implemented. Experts also point to cultural differences in attitudes toward primate meat in the region, which continue to fuel illegal trade despite bans intended to stop it. Inside the sanctuary, dozens of adult bonobos live alongside 11 young ones, each assigned to a human foster mother who cares for them until they are strong enough to join larger social groups. In rare cases, some bonobos may eventually return to the wild after years of rehabilitation. Scientists estimate that only about 20,000 bonobos remain in the wild today, down from around 100,000 in the 1980s, a sharp decline driven mainly by the bushmeat trade. Known for sharing nearly 99 percent of human DNA, bonobos are considered among the closest living relatives of humans. They are also noted for their peaceful social behavior and female-led groups. Despite protections, illegal trade continues in markets around Kinshasa, where wildlife meat is still sold secretly, including primates in some cases. Sanctuary workers say rescued babies often form strong emotional bonds with caregivers, recognizing them individually. During feeding time, bonobos gather excitedly, sometimes even showing gestures interpreted as gratitude.

Deadly flooding triggered by weeks of torrential rain has claimed more than 100 lives across southern Africa, prompting helicopter rescues, mass evacuations, and warnings of further destruction as more rain is forecast, officials said Friday. The fatalities span South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, where prolonged downpours have overwhelmed rivers, damaged infrastructure, and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Meteorological agencies cautioned that continued rainfall could worsen the situation. Mozambique hardest hitMozambique has suffered the greatest impact, with flooding across large areas of its central and southern regions. The country’s disaster management agency reported 103 deaths during an unusually intense rainy season that began late last year. The fatalities include people killed by flooding, lightning strikes, collapsing buildings, and cholera outbreaks linked to the severe weather. According to the World Food Program, more than 200,000 people have been affected nationwide, thousands of homes have been damaged, and tens of thousands may need to be relocated. The crisis has stretched the capacity of one of the region’s poorest nations, already battered by multiple cyclones in recent years. Rising toll in neighboring countriesIn South Africa, authorities said at least 30 people have died in floods affecting two northern provinces, with search-and-rescue operations still underway. Zimbabwe’s disaster agency reported 70 deaths and the destruction of more than 1,000 homes since the start of the year, along with widespread damage to schools, roads, and bridges. Flooding has also been reported in Madagascar, Malawi, and Zambia. The U.S. Famine Early Warning System said flood conditions were occurring or anticipated in at least seven countries in southern Africa, potentially linked to the La Niña weather pattern, which often brings heavier rainfall to the region. Military rescue operations in South AfricaSouth Africa deployed its military to assist in rescue efforts, using helicopters to reach people trapped on rooftops and in trees in Limpopo province. The army also evacuated police and border officials stranded at a checkpoint along the Zimbabwe border. President Cyril Ramaphosa visited flood-hit areas on Thursday, saying some districts received nearly 400 millimeters (over 15 inches) of rain in less than a week. In one community, he said, dozens of homes were completely swept away. Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba reported that more than 1,000 houses were damaged across the province, many of them destroyed entirely. Significant destruction was also reported in neighboring Mpumalanga province, where roads and bridges collapsed. In Nkomazi Municipality near the Mozambican border, residents worked to salvage their homes while preparing for additional storms. The South African Weather Service issued its highest red-level warning for further severe rainfall and flooding in the area. “These were the worst rains I’ve ever seen here,” said resident Josephina Mashaba. “I’m still afraid they could come back.” Evacuations at Kruger National ParkSevere flooding also affected South Africa’s Kruger National Park, one of the world’s largest wildlife reserves. About 600 tourists and park staff were relocated from flooded camps to higher ground after rivers burst their banks. Park authorities closed the reserve to new visitors and said several areas were completely cut off. No injuries or deaths were reported, according to park officials. Growing climate pressuresSouthern Africa has endured a string of extreme weather events in recent years, including powerful cyclones and severe droughts that have intensified food insecurity across the region. The World Food Program said current flooding in Mozambique has submerged more than 70,000 hectares of farmland, including rice and maize crops, further threatening the livelihoods and food supplies of thousands of small-scale farmers.

Since 2002, Charles Owusu Aseku has been travelling across Ghana and beyond in search of treatment for a large keloid growth on his neck. The 46-year-old grew increasingly disheartened after undergoing two unsuccessful surgeries and making a trip to South Africa that resulted only in a consultation. He was preparing for yet another medical journey when, in late February, he took part in Ghana’s first trial of 3D telemedicine technology, which operates via computer screens at the back of a van. ZTE Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro Golden Saga Special Edition Review Developed by Microsoft’s research team in collaboration with local doctors and researchers, the initiative aims to facilitate remote medical consultations for patients awaiting surgery or requiring post-operative care in a region with one of the world’s lowest doctor-to-patient ratios. The project builds on earlier trials in Scotland and has evolved into a portable system with improved lighting and upgraded cameras. Inside the van, cameras create a 3D model of each patient, which is then displayed on a large computer screen. Multiple doctors can join the consultation remotely and manipulate the 3D model to evaluate the patient’s condition. “The idea behind the van is to bring specialised care to remote villages that lack access to it … enabling pre- or post-surgical consultations,” explained Spencer Fowers, principal software developer and lead of the 3D-telemedicine project at Microsoft Research. The initiative also allows patients to receive multiple medical opinions. During Aseku’s session, doctors from Rwanda, Scotland, and Brazil participated, an experience that gave him renewed optimism. "I see many doctors here, and I am very happy because each of them brings their expertise—maybe they will find a solution to my problem," said the 46-year-old. Researchers hope that the trial at Koforidua Regional Hospital, located in Ghana’s eastern region, will serve as the foundation for a broader project that expands the service and explores additional applications. The use of telemedicine has increased in recent years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts believe that such digital tools could be especially beneficial in Africa, where specialist doctors are scarce for the continent’s 1.4 billion people. George Opoku, 68, was initially referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, nearly 100 kilometres from Koforidua Hospital, which is much closer to his home. He had first sought treatment for sarcoma, a rare type of cancer that affects the bones and soft tissues. Upon learning about the 3D telemedicine trial, his doctor enrolled him in the programme, sparing him the additional costs and strain of long-distance travel. “This time, I simply had to sit in a van and introduce myself and my condition to not just one doctor, but several. I was able to answer all their questions, and I am hopeful they will discuss my case and find a cure for me,” Opoku said. “I already feel better and optimistic.”One of the main challenges facing the project is the lack of stable internet connectivity, a common issue in Africa’s remote regions. At the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, the technology is benefiting patients in need of plastic surgery. Due to a shortage of plastic surgeons, patients often have to consult with different doctors during each visit. Dr Kwame Darko, a consultant plastic surgeon at the hospital and one of the project’s principal investigators, stated that 3D telemedicine could enable patients to be examined by multiple doctors in a single session. Dr Ahensan Dasebre, chief resident doctor at the National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre at Korle-Bu, who is not involved in the project, believes that 3D technology has the potential to make a significant impact if adopted widely in Ghana and beyond. Elon Musk transfers ownership of X to his AI company, xAI, in a $33 billion all-stock transaction “We are already facing a shortage of doctors to adequately care for the population,” he said. “If someone is in a remote area without access to specialised services but requires them, the referring doctor could use this telemedicine system to ensure the patient receives the best possible care.”

A jihadi group’s assault on a village in western Niger has resulted in the deaths of 44 civilians, according to the country's Interior Ministry. The attack occurred on Friday afternoon in Fambita, a village within the rural commune of Kokorou, near the tri-border area with Mali and Burkina Faso, the ministry stated. It attributed the attack to the Islamic State in the Great Sahara (EIGS). At least 10 Nigerian soldiers are killed in an ambush, the army says The Associated Press was unable to contact EIGS for comment. "Around 2 p.m., while Muslim worshippers were engaged in Friday prayers, these heavily armed terrorists surrounded the mosque and carried out their massacre with exceptional brutality," the statement said. The gunmen also set fire to a market and homes before withdrawing, it added. According to the ministry, at least 44 civilians were killed, while 13 others sustained severe injuries. It declared three days of national mourning. For more than a decade, Niger and its neighbouring countries, Burkina Faso and Mali, have struggled against an insurgency waged by jihadi groups, some of which are affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, the ruling juntas expelled French forces and sought security assistance from Russian mercenary units. The three countries have pledged to enhance their cooperation through the establishment of a new security alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States. Death toll from Nigerian gasoline tanker explosion rises to 86 However, analysts say the security situation in the Sahel—a vast region on the edge of the Sahara Desert—has deteriorated significantly since the juntas took control, with a surge in attacks and an increasing number of civilian casualties inflicted by both Islamic militants and government forces.

Sudan’s military stated on Friday that it had regained control of the Republican Palace in Khartoum, the last heavily fortified stronghold of rival paramilitary forces in the capital, following nearly two years of conflict. Videos shared on social media depicted soldiers inside the palace, mentioning the 21st day of Ramadan, the Muslim holy fasting month, which coincided with Friday. In the footage, a Sudanese military officer, identified by his captain’s epaulettes, confirmed the troops’ presence within the compound. Can technology help more sexual assault survivors in South Sudan? The palace appeared to be partially destroyed, with soldiers stepping on shattered tiles. Armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, they chanted, “God is the greatest!” Khaled al-Aiser, Sudan’s information minister, announced in a post on the social platform X that the military had retaken the palace. “Today, the flag is raised, the palace is reclaimed, and the journey continues until complete victory,” he wrote. The Palace's Fall: A Symbolic and Strategic Shift The capture of the Republican Palace, a complex along the Nile River that served as the government's seat before the war and is featured on Sudanese banknotes and postage stamps, marks another significant military gain for Sudan’s armed forces. Under the leadership of army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, they have made steady progress in recent months. This development signifies that the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, have been largely expelled from Khartoum since the conflict erupted in April 2023. Sporadic gunfire was heard throughout the capital on Friday, though it was unclear whether it was due to ongoing clashes or celebratory gunfire. The RSF did not immediately acknowledge the loss, and the battle is unlikely to end, as the group and its allies still control territory in other parts of Sudan. On Thursday night, the RSF claimed it had seized al-Maliha, a strategically important desert city in North Darfur near the borders of Chad and Libya. Sudan’s military confirmed that clashes had occurred in the area but did not state that it had lost control of the city. Al-Maliha is located approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of El Fasher, which remains under the control of the Sudanese military despite frequent RSF attacks. The head of the U.N. children’s agency has described the war as having created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. More than 28,000 people have been killed, and millions have been displaced. Some families are resorting to eating grass as famine devastates parts of the country. Other estimates suggest an even higher death toll. The Republican Palace has historically been a centre of power, serving as the seat of government during Sudan’s British colonial period. It was also where Sudan’s independent flag was first raised in 1956. Before the conflict, it housed the offices of the president and other top officials. The Sudanese military has long targeted the palace and its surroundings, subjecting it to shelling and heavy fire. UN halts food aid to famine-hit Sudan displacement camp Sudan’s Long History of Unrest and Conflict Located in northeastern Africa, Sudan has faced persistent instability since a popular uprising led to the ousting of longtime autocratic President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. A brief transition to democracy was halted in 2021 when Burhan and Dagalo orchestrated a military coup. The RSF and Sudan’s military eventually turned against each other in 2023. Since early this year, Burhan’s forces—including Sudan’s military and allied militias—have advanced against the RSF, recapturing a crucial oil refinery north of Khartoum before launching attacks on RSF positions around the capital. The conflict has resulted in a growing number of civilian casualties. Al-Bashir faces charges at the International Criminal Court for orchestrating a genocidal campaign in the early 2000s in the western Darfur region, using the Janjaweed militia, the RSF’s precursor. The U.N. and human rights organisations accuse the RSF and allied Arab militias of targeting ethnic African communities in the current war. Both the Sudanese military and the RSF have been accused of human rights violations since the conflict began. Before leaving office, U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration declared that the RSF was committing genocide. Both sides deny any wrongdoing.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has renewed its efforts to explore business opportunities in Africa by addressing the challenges.   As part of its renewed initiative, the ministry hosted an inter-ministerial meeting on January 15 chaired by Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin. The meeting, the first of its kind, underscored the ministry's commitment to facilitating constructive dialogue and supporting the efforts of Bangladeshi businesses in Africa. Chinese envoy discusses bilateral ties with foreign secretary The discussion centered on addressing challenges faced by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs operating in Africa and exploring actionable solutions. The meeting also focused on how Bangladesh Missions in Africa, in coordination with the relevant ministries and agencies of Bangladesh, can facilitate the import of agro-products, including cotton, from Africa, while also encouraging Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to expand their presence on the continent. Key proposals included the establishment of free zones for importing agro products, simplification of the Letter of Credit (LC) process, and exploring fund support options through Bangladesh Bank, said the MoFA on Thursday. Dhaka shares national aspiration for "credible, inclusive" polls with UN Representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Textiles and Jute, National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh Bank, Bangladesh Cotton Association, Cotton Development Board, and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association took part in the discussions. Entrepreneurs engaged in agricultural production in African countries, including cotton and lentils, shared their insights and highlighted the challenges they face.

What began as a childhood hobby more than six decades ago has led to what might be Africa's largest butterfly collection in a suburb of Kenya's capital. Steve Collins, 74, was born and raised in western Kenya. By the age of 5, he was fascinated by butterflies and started building a collection that has grown to more than 4.2 million, representing hundreds of species. “My parents encouraged us to look for butterflies after visiting the Congo and were gifted a trapping net by some friends," Collins said. “By the time I was 15 years old, I was already visiting other countries like Nigeria to study more about butterflies.” During his 20-year career as an agronomist, Collins dedicated his free time to research. He established the African Butterfly Research Institute in 1997. Now, running out of space and time, he hopes to hand it over to the next generation. On his 1.5 acres (0.6 hectare) of land, hundreds of indigenous trees and flowering bushes form a well-knit forest. Hundreds of butterflies dance from one flower to another, at times landing on Collins' hand. His collection is private, although it was initially open to the public when he ran it as an education center between 1998 and 2003. Collins has 1.2 million butterflies from across Africa delicately pinned in frames and stored in rows of shelves, with another 3 million in envelopes. “They need to be kept in dark spaces," he said. “The form of storage also ensures the dried butterflies are not eaten by other insects, parasites and predators. We also ensure we apply insecticides once a year to keep them safe.” Julian Bayliss, an ecologist specializing in Africa and a visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University, said he has collected butterflies for Collins over two decades. LA Zoo hatches first-ever perentie lizards, one of largest lizard species in the world “There is a large part of that collection that is completely irreplaceable because a large part of Africa’s habitat is being destroyed,” Bayliss said. Africa is vulnerable to climate change, with periods of prolonged drought and serious flooding destroying forests and other butterfly habitats. Bayliss suggested digitizing the collection to make it accessible worldwide. Whoever takes it over "needs to be an institution that is well-founded, well-funded and secure,” he said. Scott Miller, an entomologist at the Smithsonian Institution, met Collins almost 30 years ago. He said such collections provide critical information that could show environmental changes over 60 years. “These physical specimens, you can actually keep going back to them to get new layers of information as you learn more or you get a different technology or you get different questions," he said. Collins is concerned that soon he will no longer be able to sustain his research. He said his most prized butterfly costs $8,000 — which he keeps from sight, concerned about possible theft — and hopes to sell the collection to an individual or research institution. The costs of running his institute are high. An annual budget posted in 2009 on the Lepidopterists' Society of Africa website was $200,000. Collins estimates that the specimens and other assets are worth $8 million. “This has been my hobby for decades, and I can’t put a price on what I have done so far. I’m currently seeking to ensure the species are in safe hands when I’m out of this world,” he said.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has highlighted the imperative of tapping into unexplored trade opportunities between Bangladesh and African countries. He attended at an interaction session held on Thursday at the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum Bangladesh 2023 in Dhaka. Bangladesh sends humanitarian aid to flood-affected Libya Momen underscored the critical need to establish robust trade and investment relations with African countries, particularly in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, energy, blue economy and information and communication technology (ICT). The session also shed light on Bangladesh's visionary 'Look Africa' policy, which represents a strategic commitment to bolster relations with African nations. This outlines various areas of cooperation, including trade and the economy, education, IT and ICT, air and maritime connectivity, healthcare, contract farming, people-to-people contact and visa waivers for diplomatic and official passport holders. This multifaceted approach demonstrates Bangladesh's dedication to fostering deeper connections with the African continent. CWEIC chairman applauds Bangladesh’s “incredible” economic success story The foreign minister also stated that Bangladesh is one of the world's fastest-growing economies. The country's focus on enhancing engagement with African nations aligns with its ambitious economic and social development trajectory, aimed at achieving Vision 2041 and creating a Smart Bangladesh. He also highlighted that new African markets have opened doors for Bangladeshi enterprises, leading to diversification in export destinations. Despite challenges, the potential for economic cooperation between Bangladesh and African nations remains promising, Momen said. Devastation in Libya: Bangladesh PM expresses deep shock He also stated that Bangladesh will welcome any election observers from African countries in our upcoming National Parliament Election scheduled to be held in early January 2024. Ministers from several African countries, High level government delegates and business entities attended this event.

The group of the world's 20 leading economies is welcoming the African Union as a permanent member, a powerful acknowledgement of Africa as its more than 50 countries seek a more important role on the global stage. U.S. President Joe Biden called last year for the AU’s permanent membership in the G20, saying it’s been “a long time in coming.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the bloc was invited to join during the G20 summit his country is hosting this week. The African Union has advocated for full membership for seven years, spokesperson Ebba Kalondo said. Until now, South Africa was the bloc's only G20 member. Here’s a look at the AU and what its membership represents in a world where Africa is central to discussions about climate change, food security, migration and other issues. Read: India hopes for progress on global agenda as G20 leaders meet despite rifts over the war in Ukraine WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR AFRICA?Permanent G20 membership signals the rise of a continent whose young population of 1.3 billion is set to double by 2050 and make up a quarter of the planet's people. The AU's 55 member states, which include the disputed Western Sahara, have pressed for meaningful roles in the global bodies that long represented a now faded post-World War II order, including the United Nations Security Council. They also want reforms to a global financial system - including the World Bank and other entities - that forces African countries to pay more than others to borrow money, deepening their debt. Africa is increasingly courting investment and political interest from a new generation of global powers beyond the U.S. and the continent's former European colonizers. China is Africa’s largest trading partner and one of its largest lenders. Russia is its leading arms provider. Gulf nations have become some of the continent’s biggest investors. Turkey ’s largest overseas military base and embassy are in Somalia. Israel and Iran are increasing their outreach in search of partners. African leaders have impatiently challenged the framing of the continent as a passive victim of war, extremism, hunger and disaster that's pressured to take one side or another among global powers. Some would prefer to be brokers, as shown by African peace efforts following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Granting the African Union membership in the G20 is a step that recognizes the continent as a global power in itself. Read: G20 must urgently tackle global poverty with financial inclusion: deVere WHAT DOES THE AFRICAN UNION BRING TO THE G20?With full G20 membership, the AU can represent a continent that's home to the world's largest free trade area. It's also enormously rich in the resources the world needs to combat climate change, which Africa contributes to the least but is affected by the most. The African continent has 60% of the world’s renewable energy assets and more than 30% of the minerals key to renewable and low-carbon technologies. Congo alone has almost half of the world’s cobalt, a metal essential for lithium-ion batteries, according to a United Nations report on Africa's economic development released last month. African leaders are tired of watching outsiders take the continent’s resources for processing and profits elsewhere and want more industrial development closer to home to benefit their economies. Take Africa’s natural assets into account and the continent is immensely wealthy, Kenyan President William Ruto said at the first Africa Climate Summit this week. The gathering in Nairobi ended with a call for fairer treatment by financial institutions, the delivery of rich countries’ long-promised $100 billion a year in climate financing for developing nations and a global tax on fossil fuels. Finding a common position among the AU's member states, from the economic powers of Nigeria and Ethiopia to some of the world’s poorest nations, can be a challenge. And the AU itself has long been urged by some Africans to be more forceful in its responses to coups and other crises. The body's rotating chairmanship, which changes annually, also gets in the way of consistency, but Africa “will need to speak with one voice if it hopes to influence G20 decision-making,” Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, a former prime minister of Niger, and Daouda Sembene, a former executive director of the International Monetary Fund, wrote in Project Syndicate this year. Read: China's Xi will skip G20 summit in India during a period of soured bilateral relations African leaders have shown their willingness to take such collective action. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they united in loudly criticizing the hoarding of vaccines by rich countries and teamed up to pursue bulk purchases of supplies for the continent. Now, as a high-profile G20 member, Africa’s demands will be harder to ignore.