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#Africa

  1. Botswana marks 60 years of independence today, Wednesday 30 September 2026, with community-led celebrations across the country.
  2. At independence in 1966 it had just 12km of paved road and 22 university graduates, according to economists Acemoglu, Johnson and Robinson.
  3. Diamonds found at Orapa in 1967 powered decades of rapid growth, but a global slump shrank the economy in 2024 and 2025.
Gist Reel

History · 5 min read

Botswana at 60: how an exiled chief and a diamond find built a nation

As Botswana marks 60 years of independence today, here is how a protectorate once governed from South Africa became a diamond-powered democracy, and why economists compare it with Nigeria.

Updated 10:42 WAT, 30 Sep 2026: Botswana is marking its 60th Independence Day today. This story has been updated. Today, Wednesday 30 September 2026, marks 60 years of Botswana independence. The Diamond Jubilee is being celebrated across the country, from a crafts market and carnival in Gaborone's Main Mall to festivals in Maun, Kang and Tsabong, after Independence Eve celebrations…

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  1. VP Shettima delivered Nigeria's statement at UNGA 81 on 24 September
  2. Africa wants two permanent seats with the veto and five more elected seats
  3. Any change needs two-thirds of UN members, including all five permanent members
Gist Reel

Explainers · 2 min read

Explainer: why Nigeria wants permanent Security Council seats for Africa

At the UN General Assembly, Nigeria again demanded two permanent seats with veto power for Africa. Here is what that means and why it is so hard.

Every September, world leaders take turns at the podium of the UN General Assembly in New York. This year Nigeria used its slot to repeat a demand it has made for years: Africa must have permanent seats on the UN Security Council. Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered the national statement on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at the 81st session…

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