In the News, 2019: AFRICA

The black rhino is a critically endangered species, according to the World Wildlife Fund, with only about 5,000 remaining worldwide. Poachers kill the animals for their horns, which bring huge amounts of money on the black market, mostly in Asia. As part of an effort to save black rhinos from extinction, conservationists are moving them to safety from areas in Kenya and South Africa where they’re at great risk. One group, called Rhinos Without Borders, is airlifting endangered rhinos to protected areas in Botswana at an estimated cost of $45,000 per animal.

After 37 years of rule by strongman Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe has a new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa. But the presidential election in July 2018 was marred by accusations of fraud by the opposition candidate. Mnangagwa now leads a nation facing massive problems, including a collapsed economy, high inflation, and an unemployment rate that some observers say may be as high as 95 percent. 

Islamic militant groups—such as Boko Haram in Nigeria and Al Shabab in Somalia and Kenya—remain a substantial threat in both East and West Africa. Both groups have imposed a strict version of Islamic law in the areas they control. They also both have associations with larger terrorist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda and have carried out an increasing number of attacks that include kidnappings and bombings.