By Ashley Repp

News Desk Reporter, Africa

Yaounde, CAMEROON- Rising numbers of cholera cases make aid needed to control outbreaks, but political insecurity and the impending rainy season challenge efforts, while the Ebola virus overshadows those grappling with the cholera outbreak

While the fight against the Ebola virus occupies the global spotlight and rages on, another invisible killer has quietly crept onto the stage with much less ado.  In the Lake Chad river basin countries, the occurrence of cholera has dramatically spiked in recent months.  The illness has already claimed the lives of over 1,200 individuals, and has infected nearly 40,000.

Cholera is a water-borne illness that often strikes in regions where sanitation is poor and water is generally not potable.  Despite being one of the first studied illnesses in history, Cholera still ravages many parts of the world and claims the lives of over 100,000 people every year.  The illness causes sever vomiting and diarrhea that leads sever dehydration, and in some cases, death.

Information regarding lake basins and nutrients in river beds have uncovered information that suggests that certain high nutrient levels and river surges are responsible for a growth in plankton populations.  These plankton populations have been isolated as one cause of the transmission of cholera.  Even more concerning, river surges and growth in plankton populations are associated with warming waters, according to the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.  Bearing this in mind, there is concern that global warming may lead to an increase in the number of cholera cases.  While this information is not conclusive, the issue must be paid attention as global temperatures rise and the disease claims more lives in some of the poorest countries of the world, including those of the Lake Chad river basin.

Compounding the cholera problem is the current insecurity that affects the region, most notably, the rise in power of Boko Haram, an Islamic militant group in Nigeria.  As people have fled Nigeria, some have brought cholera with them.  In fact, the first family with cholera in Cameroon was a Nigerian family that fled from Boko Haram.  The porous border of countries in the region undoubtedly contribute to the easy spread of disease, and the political insecurity makes it difficult for health organizations to distribute medical supply kits and potable water to areas affected by both cholera and instability.

While cholera cases are already high than usual, this may just be the beginning as the rainy season approaches.  Incidents of cholera tend to spike dramatically during the rainy season when flooding and water stagnation are not uncommon.  With the rainy season fast approaching, it will be difficult for health organizations to extend aid to the areas that need it most if cholera cases continue to rise in the context of instability.

For more information, please visit:

All Africa- Cameroon: Cholera surges in Cameroon– 4 Sept, 2014

All Africa- Cameroon: Ebola distracts from worsening cholera outbreak in Cameroon– 4 Aug, 2014

Inter Press Service- Recurrent cholera outbreak in far north Cameroon highlights development gaps- 19 Aug, 2014

Rueters- Cameroon cholera outbreak worsens

By Ashley Repp
News Desk Reporter, Africa

Mogadishu, KENYA- Al-Shabab grapples with the death of leader killed this week by a US strike, reveals new leader, and contends with revenge

In a missile operation on September 1st, carried out by the United States, the leader of al-Shabab, Ahmed Godane, was killed along with two other al-Shabab members.  The United States has targeted Godane since 2012, offering a reward for information regarding his whereabouts that would lead to his subsequent death or capture.  The Islamic militant group, rooted in Somalia, confirmed the news and announced that there would be repercussions for Godane’s death, and that it is the duty of the al-Shabab organization to avenge the death of the fallen militant leader.  Along with this statement, the group also asserted that the enemies of al-Shabab should expect to be caused “great distress.”

In stark contrast to the al-Shabab announcement, the Pentagon acknowledged the death of Godane as significant and politically symbolic.  Godane played a key role in increasing the attention given to the militant group by carrying out significant attacks, including the Westgate Mall attack in Kenya last year and the bombing during the 2010 World Cup that took the lives of over 70 people.

Indeed, Godane’s involvement and leadership within the group elevated the notoriety of al-Shabab.  He rose to power in 2008 after the death of his predecessor; once in this role, he strengthened ties with the Al-Queda organization and declared allegiance to the group.  Godane expanded the breadth of the organization’s influence and began to plan attacks with targets outside of Somalia.  Such a rebranding has incited fear, and caused international political leaders to pause and asses how to best manage the risk posed by the militants.

In the wake of Godane’s death, the Somalian government has intercepted information that al-Shabab may be planning retaliatory attacks that will specifically cause the distress that the group has warned will be next.  The information reveals that the attacks are likely to target civilians, including hospitals and educational facilities.  The Somalian government has put the country on alert and has increased security forces in response to the information.  In an attempt to diffuse the potential backlash to follow in the wake of Godane’s death, the Somalian president has offered political amnesty for al-Shabab members that leave within a 45 day grace period.

While al-Shabab has named Godane’s successor, Sheikh Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah, it remains unclear what step will be next for the group.  And as retaliatory action for the death of Godane has been at the forefront of possibilities, it is likely that tensions will remain high in the region.

For more information, please visit:

BBC News- Al-Shabab Names New Leader After Godane Death in US Strike- 6 Sept, 2014

Rueters- Somalia’s al-Shabaab confirm leader killed by US airstrike, name new head- 6 Sept, 2014

Aljazeera- Somalia’s al-Shabab names new leader- 6 Sept, 2014

Business Week- Al-Shabaab seeks successor to US-killed leader- 6 Sept, 2014