nder The Radar is a special series and newsletter offering from Diplomatic Courier bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world over the past month. This month in Africa: Senegal’s extraterrestrial ambitions, a once–in–a–century drought in southern Africa, and a growing mental health crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
Senegal seeks technological sovereignty with launch of first satellite
As the U.S., China, and Russia continue to compete in a new space race, some smaller nations want skin in the game for simpler purposes. Following a tremendous 95% decrease in heavy launches to low–Earth orbit (LEO), Senegal has seized the opportunity and launched their first satellite in August 2024: a CubeSat called GaindeSAT–1A. The Earth observation nanosatellite was built by Senegalese technicians in collaboration with the University Space Centre of Montpellier (CSUM) and launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Resulting from five years of hard work, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye celebrated the launch, stating that it marks a new era for Senegal as they march toward “technological sovereignty.”
While Africa currently does not have any space launch facilities of its own, the continent has now launched more than 60 satellites from 17 countries, moving away from its reliance on international data sources. In Senegal’s case, the primary goal is to develop essential infrastructure, such as satellites, to enhance national stability and strengthen technological sovereignty. Though more satellites are needed to fully realize this goal, GaindeSAT–1A will allow for increased accessibility to critical data that can predict, manage, and monitor everything from: extreme weather events and water resources to civil aviation. Given the exceptional vulnerability to climate change the continent faces, the development of technological infrastructure in Senegal and other African countries is a critical need, and as Sarah Kimani, from the Kenyan Meteorological Department, states, “Only Africa understands her own needs.”
Worst drought in 100 years triggers hunger crisis in southern Africa
As of 15 October 2024, five southern African countries have declared national disasters over the hunger crisis and drought triggered by El Niño: Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In July 2023, the World Meteorological Organization declared an El Niño phase, a naturally occurring climate pattern that affects precipitation and temperatures. The 2023–2024 El Niño phenomenon hit southern Africa hard with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) calling it the worst drought in over 100 years.
This drought—which has plagued southern Africa for over a year—caused the worst hunger crisis the region has experienced in decades, according to The United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP). With over 27 million people affected and 21 million children malnourished due to crop failure, the WFP has warned it could develop into a “full–scale human catastrophe.” At this point, people in the affected countries are fortunate to receive one meal per day. Crops such as maize, soya beans, and rice have suffered from scorching temperatures and livestock have perished, causing food insecurity and threatening livelihoods.
Typically, the rainy season would begin in October or November, but if conditions mimic 2023’s, there will not be rain until December followed by severely dry months. Unfortunately, various aid groups like WFP and USAID are experiencing obstacles such as limited donations and, in some cases, local government pushback. A freelance journalist based in Zimbabwe claims it may not be until September 2025 that they can expect weather conditions, and thus food security, to improve.
Sexual assaults and suicidal thoughts surge in war–torn DRC
A Tutsi–led insurgency in mineral rich eastern Congo has, as of August 2024, displaced millions and imposed the DRC with the second highest number of internally displaced people in the world: 7.2 million as of August 2024. Of those, over 600,000 are sheltering in camps near Goma where people in need of psychosocial support has increased by more than 200% since 2023.
From suicidal thoughts and PTSD as a result of sexual violence, these mental health issues are life threatening and worsening rapidly. At the beginning of 2024, there were roughly five reports of suicidal thoughts per month. Those reports have since jumped to 120 per month. Similarly, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have reported an unprecedented amount of sexual assault—treating more than two victims every hour in 2023 with that number climbing in 2024. The majority of the sexual assault is occurring at gunpoint when women and girls go to collect water or wood on camp grounds. In fact, some of these armed men are living in these camps—their presence triggering survivors’ PTSD and causing more anxiety for others displaced.
Aid groups such as MSF and War Child are doing their best to teach coping mechanisms as well as train community leaders to spot signs of psychological hardships; though the escalated violence, camps’ proximity to the front lines, and stigmas surrounding mental health, presents an overwhelming challenge. The cultural hurdle of stigma in the DRC is especially troublesome for Congolese women who are raped as they face social and spousal rejection and difficulties regaining their “worth” in the village.
a global affairs media network
Senegal’s march toward ‘technological sovereignty’
Photo by Omoniyi David on Unsplash.
October 29, 2024
Diplomatic Courier editor Melissa Metos brings you three under–the-radar stories from Africa in October: Senegal's first satellite, a drought and hunger crisis in southern Africa, and a disturbing rise of sexual assaults and other trauma–induced mental health issues in the DRC.
U
nder The Radar is a special series and newsletter offering from Diplomatic Courier bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world over the past month. This month in Africa: Senegal’s extraterrestrial ambitions, a once–in–a–century drought in southern Africa, and a growing mental health crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
Senegal seeks technological sovereignty with launch of first satellite
As the U.S., China, and Russia continue to compete in a new space race, some smaller nations want skin in the game for simpler purposes. Following a tremendous 95% decrease in heavy launches to low–Earth orbit (LEO), Senegal has seized the opportunity and launched their first satellite in August 2024: a CubeSat called GaindeSAT–1A. The Earth observation nanosatellite was built by Senegalese technicians in collaboration with the University Space Centre of Montpellier (CSUM) and launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Resulting from five years of hard work, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye celebrated the launch, stating that it marks a new era for Senegal as they march toward “technological sovereignty.”
While Africa currently does not have any space launch facilities of its own, the continent has now launched more than 60 satellites from 17 countries, moving away from its reliance on international data sources. In Senegal’s case, the primary goal is to develop essential infrastructure, such as satellites, to enhance national stability and strengthen technological sovereignty. Though more satellites are needed to fully realize this goal, GaindeSAT–1A will allow for increased accessibility to critical data that can predict, manage, and monitor everything from: extreme weather events and water resources to civil aviation. Given the exceptional vulnerability to climate change the continent faces, the development of technological infrastructure in Senegal and other African countries is a critical need, and as Sarah Kimani, from the Kenyan Meteorological Department, states, “Only Africa understands her own needs.”
Worst drought in 100 years triggers hunger crisis in southern Africa
As of 15 October 2024, five southern African countries have declared national disasters over the hunger crisis and drought triggered by El Niño: Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In July 2023, the World Meteorological Organization declared an El Niño phase, a naturally occurring climate pattern that affects precipitation and temperatures. The 2023–2024 El Niño phenomenon hit southern Africa hard with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) calling it the worst drought in over 100 years.
This drought—which has plagued southern Africa for over a year—caused the worst hunger crisis the region has experienced in decades, according to The United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP). With over 27 million people affected and 21 million children malnourished due to crop failure, the WFP has warned it could develop into a “full–scale human catastrophe.” At this point, people in the affected countries are fortunate to receive one meal per day. Crops such as maize, soya beans, and rice have suffered from scorching temperatures and livestock have perished, causing food insecurity and threatening livelihoods.
Typically, the rainy season would begin in October or November, but if conditions mimic 2023’s, there will not be rain until December followed by severely dry months. Unfortunately, various aid groups like WFP and USAID are experiencing obstacles such as limited donations and, in some cases, local government pushback. A freelance journalist based in Zimbabwe claims it may not be until September 2025 that they can expect weather conditions, and thus food security, to improve.
Sexual assaults and suicidal thoughts surge in war–torn DRC
A Tutsi–led insurgency in mineral rich eastern Congo has, as of August 2024, displaced millions and imposed the DRC with the second highest number of internally displaced people in the world: 7.2 million as of August 2024. Of those, over 600,000 are sheltering in camps near Goma where people in need of psychosocial support has increased by more than 200% since 2023.
From suicidal thoughts and PTSD as a result of sexual violence, these mental health issues are life threatening and worsening rapidly. At the beginning of 2024, there were roughly five reports of suicidal thoughts per month. Those reports have since jumped to 120 per month. Similarly, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have reported an unprecedented amount of sexual assault—treating more than two victims every hour in 2023 with that number climbing in 2024. The majority of the sexual assault is occurring at gunpoint when women and girls go to collect water or wood on camp grounds. In fact, some of these armed men are living in these camps—their presence triggering survivors’ PTSD and causing more anxiety for others displaced.
Aid groups such as MSF and War Child are doing their best to teach coping mechanisms as well as train community leaders to spot signs of psychological hardships; though the escalated violence, camps’ proximity to the front lines, and stigmas surrounding mental health, presents an overwhelming challenge. The cultural hurdle of stigma in the DRC is especially troublesome for Congolese women who are raped as they face social and spousal rejection and difficulties regaining their “worth” in the village.
