Halima Gikandi

Africa Correspondent

Halima Gikandi is the Africa Correspondent at The World. She covers the continent, with a focus on politics, security and human rights.

Halima Gikandi is The World’s Africa Correspondent based in Nairobi, Kenya. She reports on current affairs in Africa, with a focus on politics, security and human rights. Her reporting has taken her across the continent, from Sudan to South Africa.Before joining The World in 2019, Halima was a freelance journalist based in East Africa, where she covered major regional events like the political revolution in Sudan and the Dusit terrorist attack in Nairobi.


"And this shall also pass II," by Nigerian artist Ngozi-Omeje Ezema, 2022, work from Kó gallery in Lagos, Nigeria.

After decades of being overlooked, African art gets its moment

African art served as an inspiration in the 19th century for some of the greatest European artists, like Picasso, Gaugin and Matisse. But artists from Africa have played a small part in the international art world — until now. Earlier this month, a gallery in New York City held one of the largest showings of African contemporary art in the world. 

children on the grass

The backstory of The World’s Uganda orphanage investigation

sign

A tale of two children’s homes in Uganda

children's home

A Dutch children’s home in Uganda full of complaints

sign

American missionary accused of abuse at his organization, AidChild

Despite a global movement to deinstitutionalize orphans, Americans continue to support Ugandan orphanages

For the past year, The World’s Africa correspondent Halima Gikandi has looked into Western-sponsored orphanages in Uganda, and seen what can go wrong. This is part one of her investigation.

The first group of Kenyan evacuees from Sudan arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, April 24, 2023.

Millions of Sudanese displaced by war at home grapple with an uncertain future

Displacement

More than 10 million people have been displaced by the ongoing war in Sudan. They’re hoping for an internationally mediated end to the conflict and a new democratic government for their country.

plane

War in Sudan enters 9th month

Conflict

The fighting between Sudan’s Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary militia broke out last April following tensions over integrating the two forces. Those plans were part of an effort to transition Sudan to a civilian-led democracy after years of dictatorship. Now, the country is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in the world. The fighting has led more than 7 million people to flee their homes. 

people near wreckage

‘You don’t know if you’re ever coming back’: Stories from a bus ride out of Khartoum

Displacement

Fighting continued on Wednesday on the outskirts of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. A short-term ceasefire is in place, but the United Nations says it is only partially successful. Over the last 12 days, hundreds of people have been killed. Sudanese residents from the capital region are making tough decisions about leaving. 

smoke comes out from a building

Sudan’s health care system near collapse amid fighting

Conflict

The fighting between Sudan’s rival armed forces continues to have a devastating impact on civilians and civilian infrastructure across the country. Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed. The fighting has also damaged Sudan’s health facilities, making it difficult for the country’s health workers to help those caught in the crosshairs.