Top stories that shaped Africa in 2022

By Osoro Nyawangah, MWANZA Tanzania

The year of 2022 has been a challenging year for Africa, but one that has had many bright spots too. When the bell for the year 2023 is about to ring, let’s look back at top stories that shaped Africa in the past year.

This year started with the Russian-Ukraine conflict that had an impact on the Africa. The conflict led to the food prices increase, which jeopardized food security in the continent.

The year of 2022 was meant to be the year of climate action with many pledges being made by world leaders in Glasgow during COP26 last year. however, as the year ends, it wraps up a year that set grim new records on climate change which saw Africa batter record-breaking floods and droughts.

Democratically, the year saw US president, Joe Biden inviting 50 African leaders to a 'US, Africa leaders' summit' where he commited financial support and had a special meeting with leaders of Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria and Sierra Leone where they discussed their upcoming elections during what the White House says is a "critical time for democracy globally."

Politically, Africa witnessed two coups in Burkina Faso and one attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau.

The province of North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has faced significant instability due to the resurgent March 23 Movement (M23), which has resumed clashes with the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) in the territories of Rutshuru and Nyiragongo since June 2022.

The Congolese government claims the aggression is orchestrated by Rwanda, using M23 as a cover, arguing that M23 would otherwise have neither the manpower nor the material capacity to confront the FARDC.

In Chad, protesters took to the streets in October to demand that the ruling military junta stick to its promises to hold elections. Security forces reportedly opened fire on protesters in several cities across the country, including N’Djamena, the capital, killing at least 50 people and injuring dozens more.

In Sudan, protests against military rule continued throughout the year. Sudan’s military and civilian leaders in December signed an initial deal aimed at ending the crisis that followed a coup a year ago.

In Sierra Leone, dozens of protesters and police officers were killed in August as people vented their anger over the soaring cost of living. The West African political and economic bloc ECOWAS condemned the violence.

In 2022, Ethiopian government and the TPLF signed a peace agreement in a bid to stop a conflict that has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and displaced millions more. One month on, the guns have fallen silent and there’s been a resumption of basic services like water and electricity in parts of the Tigray region.

Though 2022 has not entirely been a year riddled with political instability for the continent, there have also been a few bright spots. A number of African countries went to the polls this year and despite some disputes were able to navigate the process successfully.

In this year, relations between China and Africa continued to grow as the two sides collaborated in various sectors, including partnering to fight the COVID pandemic, addressing food security challenges and generating economic development and empowerment.

The year saw over 20 million people, including 10 million children, in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia facing water and food shortage due to drought.

As severe malnutrition and the risk of water-borne disease collide, children could die in devastating numbers unless urgent support is provided. - Africa