In Cape Verde, music plays a crucial role in shaping the national identity and significantly contributes to the economy, with approximately 25% of jobs linked to the music industry. The legacy of Cesaria Evora, a renowned Cape Verdean singer, continues to inspire a new generation of artists, enhancing the country's cultural and economic landscape.

In Benin, voodoo practices are used to mend broken hearts, with rituals involving sacrifices and spiritual consultations. The Beninese government is promoting voodoo to boost tourism, with plans for a voodoo museum and festival. The article highlights the cultural significance of voodoo in Benin, its historical spread to the Americas, and the challenges posed by deforestation. Personal experiences with voodoo practitioners reveal insights into the religion's practices and beliefs.

Polls have opened in Senegal for a presidential election after months of uncertainty and unrest, with around 7.3 million voters registered to participate.

Senegal opened its polls on March 24 for a presidential election with 17 candidates, marking the highest number in the nation's history. The election had been preceded by months of uncertainty and unrest.

A new IPSOS poll reveals that 59 percent of French people succeeded in fulfilling their New Year's resolutions for 2023. The most popular resolutions for 2024 include practicing physical activity (34%), spending more time with friends and family (23%), improving sleep quality (22%), eating a more balanced diet (20%), reducing screen time (17%), quitting smoking (9%), and limiting alcohol consumption (7%). The article highlights the challenges and motivations behind these resolutions, such as the influence of the 2024 Olympics in Paris and the impact of the cost of living crisis on dietary choices.

The Légion d'honneur, France's highest award, can be stripped from recipients for criminal convictions or dishonorable acts against France. Gérard Depardieu faces a disciplinary procedure for sexual assault allegations. Notable figures stripped of the honour include Philippe Pétain, Maurice Papon, Bashar al-Assad, John Galliano, and Lance Armstrong. Controversial figures like Vladimir Putin, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Benito Mussolini, Francisco Franco, and Nicolae Ceaușescu still hold the title, with some legal barriers preventing posthumous removal.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to end violence against women, citing measures taken by his administration such as easier abuse reporting, expanded emergency hotline hours, hiring specialized investigators, and creating new emergency accommodations. Despite recording 244,000 domestic violence victims in 2022, double the number from 2017, and 118 women killed by partners, protesters across France argue that progress is too slow. Feminist collectives and trade unions demand early prevention through education, regulation of the porn industry, sanctions for companies not preventing sexist violence, and 15,000 new emergency accommodation spots.

In Senegal, traditional healers like Karamba, who claims to command spirits, are gaining popularity through social media platforms like TikTok. Despite the country's limited healthcare system, many turn to these healers for treatment, often resulting in financial loss and unproven remedies. Critics argue that these practices are harmful and exploitative, with some healers being arrested for fraud. The article highlights the tension between traditional healers and critics who view their practices as dangerous and un-Islamic.

A group of 11 homeless individuals, including Xolani Siboxi, are suing the Cape Town municipal government over its treatment of rough sleepers, challenging the constitutionality of by-laws that penalize homelessness. The case, lodged at the Western Cape High Court and Equalities Court, seeks to overhaul punitive measures and promote a more humane approach. The municipal government, led by Mayor Dan Plato, opposes the challenge, arguing that by-laws must be upheld. The legal battle also involves ratepayers' organizations concerned about property values and crime. Advocates like Jonty Cogger and Jon Hopkins call for a developmental, long-term approach to homelessness, emphasizing the need for affordable housing and supportive services.

In Guinea-Bissau, a nation grappling with a severe drug crisis, the primary rehab center in Quinhámel is criticized for inhumane treatment methods, including chaining and beating patients. Despite claims of spiritual healing by its founder Domingos Té, the center faces allegations of torture and deaths. The United Nations Human Rights Office has called for an investigation. The country, plagued by drug trafficking involving high-ranking officials, lacks adequate treatment facilities, forcing families to choose between poor conditions at Quinhámel or expensive private clinics. Efforts to combat drug trafficking are ongoing, but the involvement of political-military elites hampers progress. Harm reduction initiatives by NGOs like ENDA Santé offer some relief to drug users.