Editor's note

Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir has stood firm against weeks of street protests over inflation and rampant corruption. Although the Sudanese have a long history of overthrowing unpopular regimes, Martin Plaut explains why the prospects of a repeat are narrow this time around. Not only has al-Bashir set up parallel security organisations to police Khartoum, he also enjoys a wide range of foreign backing.

When its bloody civil war ended in 2002, Sierra Leone introduced a number of laws designed to protect women and girls against violence. But, as Luisa T Schneider sets out why, these laws haven’t made women feel much safer - and that’s particularly true for married women trying to navigate relationships where the lines between violence and love are often blurred.

South Africa has earned itself praise for being a stable democracy. But a critical flaw is that the people don’t get to vote for their president and MPs directly. Roger Southall writes that critics of the country’s electoral system might be tempted to see referenda as a solution to this shortcoming. He warns, however, that this is only likely to increase polarisation - as shown by the growing controversy in the UK over Brexit.

Julius Maina

Regional Editor East Africa

Top story

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir at the 2015 AU Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. EPA/Kim Ludbrook

How foreign backing is keeping Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir in power

Martin Plaut, School of Advanced Study

Given the range of support for President Omar al-Bashir it isn't surprising that he's managed to resist pressure to step down.

Politics + Society

Why Sierra Leonean women don’t feel protected by domestic violence laws

Luisa T. Schneider, Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology

Very few women, especially those married, feel protected by the domestic violence laws in Sierra Leone.

A referendum on land reform in South Africa? Brexit suggests not

Roger Southall, University of the Witwatersrand

Referenda have their place in democracy, but can also be misused.

Environment + Energy

African countries should turn to lower risk solutions to fight fall armyworm

Dr Melanie Bateman, University of Neuchâtel

Farmers should use biopesticides - naturally occurring substances that kill pests such as the fall armyworm - instead of using pesticides, which are often highly toxic.

Managed bees versus wild bees? It’s not that simple in South Africa

Tlou Masehela, South African National Biodiversity Institute

Research shows that managed honey bees may pose a threat to free roaming honey bee populations.

From our international editions

Women seeking asylum for family violence don’t have an easy time getting it

Tamara Wood, UNSW

The refugee convention wasn't designed with women in mind. Women fleeing domestic violence and asking for asylum face many barriers to qualifying for protection under international law.

Venezuelans want President Maduro out, but most would oppose foreign military intervention to remove him

David Smilde, Tulane University

Maduro, who starts his second term on Jan. 10, has rigged elections, jailed rivals and plunged Venezuela into crisis. But most people there still reject Trump's proposed 'military option' to oust him.

You’re probably brushing your teeth wrong – here are four tips for better dental health

Clement Seeballuck, University of Dundee; Nicola Innes, University of Dundee

You may think you know everything about keeping your teeth healthy, but what you don't know might surprise you...

Hair dye is toxic – could natural alternatives be made to work?

Madeleine Bussemaker, University of Surrey

New research suggests ultrasound could make henna-based hair dyes more effective.

 
 
 
 

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