Extreme Poverty Drops Worldwide – A new study by the World Bank indicates that “the world has achieved its first Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty in half ahead of the 2015 deadline.” 1.29 billion people are still living in extreme poverty, which is defined by the report as living under $1.25 a day. Despite the fact that the developing world has made significant progress in the fight against extreme poverty, the bank highlights the fact that “a large number of people remain vulnerable to moving back into poverty.” (NYTimes, Nikhila Gill)
Report shines rare light on Somali gov’t finances – A new report written by the former head of the Public Finance Management Unit in Somalia, shows that the Somali government spent a mere $1 million on social services during last year’s famine and $165,000 on ‘disaster preparedness’ despite having $58 million in revenue. The Somali government has challenged these findings, saying that they are “very committed in terms of fighting corruption.” Foreign governments and aid agencies have reiterated the need for greater transparency in Somalia and the need for the government to provide basic social services. (AP, Katherine Houreld)
Senegal presidential run-off set for March 25 – The second round run-off in Senegal’s presidential election between the incumbent, Abdoulaye Wade, and ex-prime minister Macky Sall is set to occur on March 25. Wade called for a recount of the first round votes on Saturday, in which he won 34.8% of the vote to Sall’s 26.5%. (AFP)
Sudan, South Sudan Resume Oil Talks – Sudan and South Sudan will resume negotiations over disputed oil-transit fees on Tuesday, as tensions along the border continue to mount. Aid agencies report that both nations are continuing to “amass troops along their common borders, despite the nonaggression pact signed by the two former civil war foes last month.” Experts predict little headway during this week’s talks, as both countries remain rigid negotiating positions. (WSJ, Nicholas Bariyo)
ICYMI: Africa Agricultural Reforms Could Ensure Food Security – A new report points to “substantial inefficiencies in trade, transportation, communication, credit and storage in Africa” that must be resolved in order to overcome food shortages and high prices. A “comprehensive regional trade policy” would help ensure food security and greater regional stability, while mobile phones could “provide farmers with the latest market prices or to receive the latest weather forecast,” and storage facilities would ward off pests, spoilage and plant diseases. (VOA, Joe DeCapua)
