In Kenya, the latest proposals to control the sale and consumption of alcohol, including raising the minimum drinking age from 18 to 21 is reportedly brewing crisis.
According to the sweeping proposed rules, unveiled on Wednesday, they include a ban on purchasing alcohol in supermarkets, restaurants, and on public transport. The online sale and home delivery of alcoholic drinks, as well as celebrity endorsements, will also be outlawed.
The authorities have defended the planned measures as necessary to address substance abuse especially among the youth.
But many Kenyans, including those in the alcohol industry, have criticized the proposals as misguided and potentially destructive to the economy.
On Tuesday, in a statement regarding Lagawa camp, the Sudan Doctors Network wrote: “The network calls on the international community and humanitarian organisations to act immediately to provide food and basic healthcare to the camp’s residents, especially children and pregnant women.”
El-Daein is the capital of East Darfur, a state entirely controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is battling the army.
Now in its third year, the civil war has crippled humanitarian networks, collapsed the economy and broken down social services. These factors, and more, have led to a food crisis.
In addition to famine conditions, aid groups have warned of a cholera outbreak in Darfur.
The United Nations said cases of the disease have been rising in the city of Tawila, where 1,500 serious infections, suspected and confirmed, have been reported since June.
The breakdown of water and sanitation services, combined with low vaccination coverage, has increased the risk of cholera outbreaks, the UN said.
Sudan was plunged into a civil war in April 2023 after a vicious struggle for power broke out between its army and the RSF.
The two rivals had been allies – coming to power together in a coup – but fell out over an internationally backed plan to move towards civilian rule.
It has led to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, more than 12 million have been forced to flee their homes and nearly a million are in famine.
