Climate Crisis Fuels Conflict Along Kenya's Tana River

A proposed anti-gay law in Kenya has the potential to cost the country up to $7.8 billion annually, according to a report from the UK-based charity Open for Business. This figure highlights the economic implications of discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in East Africa, where Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda already endure losses totaling approximately $5 billion per year due to such discrimination. Currently, homosexuality is criminalized in Kenya under a colonial-era law, but enforcement is rare, allowing the country to maintain a degree of safety for LGBTQ individuals compared to other regional nations. However, stigma and discrimination remain pervasive, fueled by religious rhetoric and political populism. Proposed legislation, including a Family Protection Bill, seeks to impose severe penalties for gay relations, potentially hindering investments and foreign aid. Open for Business underscores that anti-LGBTQ laws deter economic growth and skepticism from investors. The report serves as a call to action for business leaders, civil societies, and government officials, arguing for a more inclusive approach that benefits all of East Africa's citizenry.

A BBC investigation has revealed TikTok is allegedly profiting from live-streamed sexual performances by underage girls, taking a staggering 70% cut from their earnings. The investigation highlighted cases in Kenya, where girls aged as young as 15 engage in suggestive dancing and advertise sexual services through the platform's Live feature. According to statements from a 17-year-old participant, who started at age 15, these girls often bypass age restrictions with the help of older friends. TikTok accounts with large followings reportedly act as digital pimps, facilitating these livestreams while evading content moderation efforts. A former moderator, known as Jo, criticized TikTok's insufficient guidelines for identifying sexual solicitation in livestreams, asserting that the platform benefits financially from such content. A lawsuit filed in Utah claims TikTok has been aware of the exploitation occurring through its Live feature but has ignored it due to high profitability. The UK watchdog has also initiated an investigation into TikTok's use of children's personal data, emphasizing concerns about the platform's practices regarding underage users.

As global tensions escalate, Africa emerges as a key battleground in the ongoing contest between major powers, including the United States, China, and Russia. According to Pádraig Carmody, a professor at Trinity College Dublin, this "New Cold War" reflects a shift from geo-economic to geo-strategic competition for resources and influence on the continent. With vast reserves of strategic minerals needed for technology and a burgeoning market of 1.4 billion people, Africa has become increasingly attractive to foreign powers. China, in particular, has significantly invested in infrastructure projects across the continent, even as recent financial constraints have led to reduced direct investment. Meanwhile, Russia flexes its influence through security partnerships and the paramilitary Wagner Group, despite setbacks in its military engagements elsewhere. The dynamics in Africa demonstrate a complex interplay where national actors may leverage competition between external powers for their advantage. Nevertheless, experts warn that this shift may entrench authoritarian regimes and suppress democratization efforts as foreign interests prioritize strategic alliances over civil and political rights.