Mercedes Sayagues

Contemporary art rocks remote islands.

Why does this city have such a lively arts scene?

A miracle cure for infertility turned out to be quite the opposite as authorities uncovered an international baby smuggling ring that implicated some of the country’s top officials.

As Mozambique prepares to go to the polls tomorrow, a small army of reporters are safeguarding the democratic process.

What is the point of having women make up half of Parliament, if they vote for laws that put girls and women right back into the 19th century? This is happening today in Mozambique. In April, the country’s lawmakers will debate and approve the review of the new Penal Code, provisionally approved in December 2013. The revision is long overdue and welcome: finally, Mozambique is getting rid of the colonial Penal Code in use, which dates from 1886. That makes it 127 years old.

For erectile dysfunction, herbal healers in the islands of Sao Tome and Principe prescribe a bit of bark to heat until soft, chew and spit out. The reddish-brown bark from the pausinystalia yohimba tree contains a powerful alkaloid that increases blood flow to the pelvic area - the same effect as Viagra. This is just one example of the bona fide medicinal value of the rich herbs and vegetation on the islands.