Global Issues: Africa

The UN system plays a critical role in coordinating aid of all types — to help Africa help itself — through its special abilities as the world's leading mechanism for international cooperation. The UN is present on the ground supporting economic and social development as well as the promotion and preservation of human rights. This support ranges from encouraging the establishment of democratic institutions to achieving peace between warring states.

The UN collaborates extensively with regional cooperation frameworks throughout Africa on this endeavor, and there are currently six peacekeeping operations underway. Mali, Western Sahara, South Sudan, Sudan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one mission in Darfur (with the African Union), and one mission in the contentious Abyei region all have UN forces on duty.

In order to strengthen international support for African development and security and to better coordinate UN system support, the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa was formed in 2003. Additionally, it aids in advancing discussions about Africa on a global scale, notably in relation to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), a strategic plan established by African leaders in 2001. The NEPAD mandate underwent reform in 2019. It is currently acting as the African Union's primary development organization.

Every year on May 25, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) celebrates Africa Day to mark its founding. In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on that day, the founding charter was signed by 32 independent African nations. The African Union replaced the OAU as of 2002. Worldwide celebrations of Africa Day take place.

African economic, social, and environmental growth is seriously threatened by climate change. The health, livelihoods, and food security of people in Africa have clearly been impacted by the large increase in warming that has occurred in Africa over the past 50 to 100 years, according to strong evidence. The continent faces a significant challenge as a result of climate change, which is predicted to reduce crop production, worsen water scarcity, accelerate the loss of biodiversity, and contribute to desertification.

281.6 million Africans experienced hunger in 2020. The percentages vary depending on the subregion; according to the research, there are roughly 44% of undernourished individuals in Eastern Africa, 27% in Western Africa, 20% in Central Africa, 6,2% in Northern Africa, and 2,4% in Southern Africa.

Millions of the region's poorest and most vulnerable individuals have had their standard of living affected by the epidemic, which has halted economic growth and forced the closure of enterprises. The international community launched the first-ever emergency health mission, the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Reaction, as part of the response on September 19, 2014. The mission's primary goal of escalating the local reaction was accomplished when it was concluded on July 31, 2015. Millions of the region's poorest and most vulnerable individuals have had their standard of living affected by the epidemic, which has halted economic growth and forced the closure of enterprises. The international community launched the first-ever emergency health mission, the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Reaction, as part of the response on September 19, 2014. The mission's primary goal of escalating the local reaction was accomplished when it was concluded on July 31, 2015.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) is the first international court to rule on cases involving genocide and the first to interpret the Geneva Conventions' 1948 definition of genocide. It is also the first international tribunal to recognize rape as a method of committing genocide and to define it in international criminal law. Additionally, it is the first international tribunal to hold media outlets accountable for broadcasts that aim to incite the public to commit acts of genocide.

The ICTR handed down its final trial verdict in December 2012. Since that time, the remaining duties of the ICTR have been handled by the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals, including cases before the appeals chamber and the pursuit and capture of suspects who have eluded capture.

Nearly all of the nations in Africa were governed or administered by colonial powers at the conclusion of World War II in 1945. Africa is already essentially free of colonial authority thanks to the UN's extensive decolonization efforts after its foundation in 1945. When South Sudan declared its independence from the rest of Sudan in 2011, it became the newest nation in Africa.

Africa's GDP expanded by about 3.4% in 2019, marking one of the longest periods of continuous economic growth in the continent's history. As a result, more and more Africans are becoming middle class members every year. Africa's GDP did, however, decrease by 3.4 percent in 2020. According to forecasts based on rising export and commodity prices as well as increasing domestic demand, the nation is anticipated to have a mild recovery in 2021.

Women control nearly one-third of the parliamentary seats in eleven African nations, according to Women in Parliament in 2020. Rwanda has the highest percentage of female lawmakers in the world (61%). The rate of female entrepreneurs in Africa is the highest in the world. One out of every four women runs or owns a business. The top ten nations with the most gender equality include two Sub-Saharan African nations, Rwanda and Namibia, according to the 2021 World Global Gender Gap Report.