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Editor's note
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The future of health in sub-Saharan Africa is the focus of a major new Lancet Commission report, the outcome of a four-year long project involving, among others, African academics, policymakers, business leaders and civil society. The report concludes that the gap between sub-Saharan Africa and other regions is most accentuated in terms of research and higher education. Alex Ezeh, Nelson Sewankambo, Peter Piot set out its findings.
Yesterday marked International Day of Democracy. Africa is in much better shape than it’s ever been as countries have ditched repressive regimes and deepened democratic systems. But, Nic Cheeseman warns, there’s still a long way to go. Political repression and economic inequality have increased over the past five years, calling into question the extent of the continent’s democratic gains.
Angola’s parliament will swear in João Lourenço as president today, the first change in the post since the country’s independence in 1975. But, warns Claudia Gastrow, Lourenço is likely to face a crisis of legitimacy given the loss of support for the ruling MPLA.
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Top stories
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Alex Ezeh, African Population and Health Research Center; Nelson Sewankambo, Makerere University; Peter Piot, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Sub-Saharan countries have unprecedented opportunities to substantially improve health outcomes within a generation, largely with their own resources.
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Nic Cheeseman, University of Birmingham
Until African political systems become less majoritarian and do a better job of protecting the rights of minorities, the true benefits of a democratic government are unlikely to be realised.
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Arts + Culture
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Duane Jethro, Humboldt University of Berlin
An exhibition in Berlin, called "Letters of Stone", shows that there is more to memory than words and ideas.
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Environment + Energy
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Willem Daniel Lubbe, North-West University
After decolonisation and independence a new conservation document was needed, one that looks after the needs of the people. That's what the Maputo Convention aims to do.
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Politics + Society
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Claudia Gastrow, University of Johannesburg
Angola's recent election results showed the ruling MPLA losing support across the country. If opposition claims are to be taken seriously, the losses could be more severe than they appear.
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Robtel Neajai Pailey, University of Oxford
The international media and her supporters continue to hoist Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf up as the matron of African women's rights. But she does not deserve this title.
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Enock C. Mudzamiri, University of South Africa
Zimbabwe's ZANU PF sees itself as having brought democracy too the country and will not leave power. Unless civil society succeeds in pressing for change, the 2018 elections will bring none.
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Jeremiah Ogonda Asaka, Middle Tennessee State University
Kenya's electoral commission faced many legal challenges before the general election, and yet another after the poll. But how will the Supreme Court's historic ruling impact the country's democracy?
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Health + Medicine
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Griffins Manguro, Ghent University
The introduction of Pre Exposure Prophylaxis drugs in Kenya aims at reducing new HIV infections among people facing substantial ongoing risk.
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Business + Economy
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Seán Mfundza Muller, University of Johannesburg
There is no good case for bailing out South African Airways, it's simply a matter of avoiding a potentially catastrophic debt default.
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Jyoti Devi (Brinda) Mahadeo, Eastern Institute of Technology; Teerooven Soobaroyen, University of Essex
Its been 13 years since Mauritius introduced codes of corporate governance for listed companies with mixed results. Its experience is useful for other developing countries looking to do the same.
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Science + Technology
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Tom Moultrie, University of Cape Town
Leaving no-one behind is a catchphrase that seeks to ensure that all people benefit from the global development agenda set in the sustainable development goals.
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Nox Makunga, Stellenbosch University
Women can often draw attention to dimensions of thinking that their male perspective may miss. But this will only work if they are in positions that allow them to lead and drive the research agenda.
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