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South Africa is facing a serious economic crisis which has sent the economy into a technical recession. Matthew Kofi Ocran sets out why it would be well advised to turn to the International Monetary Fund for help.
The idea of a common currency for West Africa has been on the cards for a long time. Now a new deadline has been set. But even this one is unlikely to be met, argues Tahiru Azaaviele Liedong because the criteria for convergence are just too hard to meet.
Today marks the beginning of world breastfeeding week. The idea is to encourage breastfeeding by underscoring its importance to the health of babies. Giant strides have been made across Africa, but more still needs to be done to promote the benefits. Judith Kimiywe explains
how more Kenyan women have been encouraged to breastfeed their babies by providing information at health facilities as well as follow up home-based counselling. And Chantell Witten explores why South Africa has achieved phenomenal success in getting more women to breastfeed yet the practice is still
taboo in public places.
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Tahiru Azaaviele Liedong, University of Bath
West African leaders have nursed the idea of a common currency for the sub-region since the turn of the century. But conditions for member countries to make this happen appear unattainable.
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Business + Economy
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Matthew Kofi Ocran, University of the Western Cape
The International Monetary Fund's view of how to fix South Africa's economy deserves to be seriously considered.
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Politics + Society
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Nelson Alusala, University of Pretoria
President Joseph Kabila remains in office despite upheaval in the DRC. He can still save face and a change of heart could see him become the first Congolese president to relinquish power.
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Pundy Pillay, University of the Witwatersrand; David Everatt, University of the Witwatersrand
South Africa's governing ANC has always seen economic growth as the driving force for change. This was wishful thinking as the damage done by apartheid will take far more to undo.
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Health + Medicine
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Judith Kimiywe, Kenyatta University; Elizabeth Kimani-Murage, Brown University
Breastfeeding has many health benefits for both baby and mother. But it can also can be difficult to sustain exclusively without support.
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Chantell Witten, North-West University
South African health authorities educate the public about breastfeeding but without supportive legislation and strong communication, it will never be normalised.
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Elloise du Toit, University of Cape Town
The bacteria in a mother's breast milk are important because it helps develop a baby's gut. Research shows this bacteria are different depending on where mothers live and what they eat.
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From our international editions
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Pamela Abbott, University of Aberdeen; Andrea Teti, University of Aberdeen; Kevin M. DeJesus, Johnson & Wales University
Survey data shows that Iraqis of all sectarian stripes agree on what's wrong with their country.
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Maria Fletcher, University of Glasgow
It's never been used in the history of the EU, but Poland could be about to feel the full force of this powerful mechanism.
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Bill Adams, University of Cambridge; Shane McCorristine, University of Cambridge
In defence of 'cryptozoologists': we have a lot to learn from their curiosity and sense of wonder.
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