- Algeria welcomed envoys from energy-rich nations to a significant summit aimed at addressing pressing challenges and exploring new avenues for collaboration. As leaders from 13 countries convened in the Algerian capital of Algiers for the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), the spotlight fell on Algeria's ambition to position itself as a critical natural gas supplier, particularly for European nations seeking to diversify their energy sources and reduce reliance on Russia.
- During the three-day summit, which includes prominent participants such as Russia, Iran, Qatar, and Venezuela, discussions revolved around the evolving dynamics of the energy market.
- Ahmed Dkhinissa, an analyst and professor at the University of Algiers, emphasized the significance of the GECF in fostering global cooperation.
Chad opposition leader Yaya Dillo killed in shooting
- An Opposition leader in Chad Yaya Dillo has been killed in a clash with security forces in Chad, officials report.
- Dillo was accused by the government of involvement in a deadly attack on the country's security agency, which he denied.
- Heavy gunfire erupted near his party's headquarters in the capital, N'Djamena, on Wednesday.
https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/29/chad-opposition-leader-yaya-dillo-killed-in-shooting/
Tanzania's second President Hassan Mwinyi dies aged 98
- Tanzania’s second President Ali Hassan Mwinyi Thursday died at the age of 98.
- News of Mwinyi's death was announced by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
- Mwinyi served as President of Tanzania between 1985 and 1995. He succeeded the founding president, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/29/tanzanias-second-president-hassan-mwinyi-dies-aged-98/
Several migrants died off Senegal's northern coast trying to reach Europе
- At least two dozen people died off Senegal's northern coast and many were injured when their boat capsized, said officials, underscoring the danger of the route used by an increasing number of migrants seeking to reach Spain from West Africa.
- The boat was bound for Europe and capsized near the town of Saint-Louis where bodies washed ashore Wednesday afternoon and the fire department was alerted, said Alioune Badara Sambe, the local governor.
- The injured are being treated in a hospital in Saint-Louis and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident has been opened, he said.
Senegal: Amnesty law passed by cabinet
- The cabinet of Senegal has approved an amnesty law during its session on Wednesday evening. This decision follows the proposal made last Monday during the inauguration of a national dialogue spearheaded by President Macky Sall.
- The cabinet of Senegal has approved an amnesty law during its session on Wednesday evening. This decision follows the proposal made last Monday during the inauguration of a national dialogue spearheaded by President Macky Sall.
- President Macky Sall, affirming his commitment to resolving the crisis, announced the adoption of the general amnesty law for "incidents related to political protests" dating back to 2021.
- President Macky Sall, affirming his commitment to resolving the crisis, announced the adoption of the general amnesty law for "incidents related to political protests" dating back to 2021. The decision comes after a period marked by protests, resulting in numerous arrests, casualties, and extensive property damage.
ICC orders reparations for victims of Ugandan rebel chief
- Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday granted reparations of more than 52 million euros ($56 million) to thousands of victims of a convicted commander in the shadowy Ugandan rebel group the Lord's Resistance Army.
- Dominic Ongwen was found guilty of 61 war crimes and crimes against humanity by the ICC in February 2021.
- The nearly 50,000 victims covered by the order included former child soldiers and children born as a result of rapes and forced pregnancies.
Mali, Russia foreign ministers hold talks in Moscow
- Mali's foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop was in Moscow on Wednesday for talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
- Addressing a press conference, the two leaders vowed to strengthen their bilateral security partnership.
- Fighters from the Russian group Wagner helped the army made inroads against separatist Tuareg forces in northern Mali at the end of last year, including at Kidal.
https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/28/mali-russia-foreign-ministers-hold-talks-in-moscow/
Zambia Declares National Emergency Due to Drought
- Southern Africa, including Zambia, faces severe drought due to El Niño.
- Hichilema urged security forces to prioritize food production in speech.
- He mentioned 84 of 116 districts hit by drought, proposing redistribution of surplus food to affected regions.
Read more at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/03/01/zambia-declares-national-emergency-over-drought/
Accusations: Kenyan University Allegedly Mandates Muslim Students to Attend Church
- Daystar University allegedly withholds grades from non-chapel attending students.
- The university denies claims, as per reports.
- Kenyan MP Mohammed Ali criticises the university for religious freedom infringement.
Read more at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/03/01/kenyan-university-accused-of-forcing-muslim-students-to-attend-church/
Former Opposition Leader Mamadou Oury Bah Named Guinea's Prime Minister
- Political veteran tasked with forming government amid Guinea's economic woes.
- Two fatalities reported as police clash with protesters during strike.
- Guinean trade unions demand lower food prices amidst high living costs.
Read more at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/28/guinea-names-former-opposition-leader-mamadou-oury-bah-as-prime-minister/
Senegal: June Presidential Polls Delayed - Will They Proceed?
- Senegal's delayed presidential election may happen on June 2nd.
- President Macky Sall organizes dialogue, proposes election date after tension.
- Participants propose Sall stays until successor elected amid dialogue.
Read more at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/28/senegal-will-delayed-presidential-polls-be-held-in-june/
Regional steering committee launches 7th session of SWEDD Project in Burkina Faso
- Country Coordinators prepare for Regional Steering Committee meetings.
- SWEDD Countries to elect President and Vice President, address urgent matters.
- Agenda focus is retaining girls in school.
Read more at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/27/swedd-project-regional-steering-committee-launches-7th-session-in-burkina-faso/
Haitian Prime Minister Visits Kenya for UN Mission Talks; Police Deployment Deal Signed
- PM Ariel Henry reiterates 2021 promise to organise elections in lecture.
- "Due to violence, elections are delayed; priority is stabilising the country," Henry states.
- Kenyan President: Agreement Signed for Deployment of 1,000 Police Officers.
Concerns Arise Over Potential Oil Drilling Development in DRC
- Farmer attributes half-sized corn to the village's decade-old oil expansion.
- Congo, a mineral-rich central African nation, possesses substantial oil reserves.
- Limited drilling near coast; government plans auction for wider exploration.
Read more at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/03/01/drc-concern-over-the-potential-development-of-oil-drilling/
UK to Pay Rwanda Over $470m for Asylum Deal: Watchdog
- UK to pay up to $190,000 per person in Rwanda asylum deal.
- MPs seek transparency as NAO report reveals Rwanda asylum costs.
- Labour criticizes asylum deal amounts, deeming it a "national scandal".
Read more at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/03/01/rwanda-uk-to-pay-at-least-470m-to-rwanda-for-asylum-deal-watchdog-says/
Bomb threat forces President Mnangagwa to cancel trip to Victoria Falls
A bomb scare shut down Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls Airport on Friday, forcing the country's president to cancel a planned address at a conference on renewable energy, an official said.
Zimbabwean President Edson Mnangagwa was due to address the conference in the morning, but "had to suspend his trip to allow for investigations which are already underway," presidential spokesman George Charamba said.
Authorities couldn't confirm local media reports that the president's plane made a U-turn while traveling to the conference.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/03/01/bomb-threat-forces-president-mnangagwa-to-cancel-trip-to-victoria-falls/
Gunfire paralyzes Haiti as police, powerful gang leader fight
Heavy gunfire paralyzed Haiti’s capital Thursday, and at least four police officers were slain, as a powerful gang leader announced that he would try to capture the country’s police chief and government ministers.
The move came during the absence of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is in Kenya trying to finalize details for the deployment of a foreign armed force to Haiti to help combat gangs.
Gunmen shot at Haiti’s main international airport and other targets in a wave of violence that caught many people by surprise, forcing businesses, government agencies and schools to close early as parents and young children fled through the streets in panic.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/03/01/gunfire-paralyzes-haiti-as-police-powerful-gang-leader-fight/
Sudan: RSF commit ethnic killings in Darfur, UN says
Paramilitary forces and their allied militias fighting for power in Sudan have carried out large-scale ethnic killings and rapes as they take control of much of West Darfur, which could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, UN experts said in a new report.
The report to the United Nations Security Council, obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, paints a terrifying picture of the brutality of the Arab-dominated Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against Africans in Darfur. It also explains how Rapid Support Forces managed to take control of four of Darfur's five states, in part through complex financial networks involving dozens of companies.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/03/01/sudan-rsf-commit-ethnic-killings-in-darfur-un-says/
SWEDD project steering committee sets agenda for advancing demographic growth in Africa
In a gathering spanning four days in the heart of Burkina Faso's capital, the annual steering committee of the SWEDD (Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend) project concluded with a resolute vision for the upcoming year. Led under the watchful eye of Burkina Faso's Prime Minister, Apollinaire Joachim Kyélem de Tambèla, the deliberations charted a course aimed at harnessing the demographic potential of the region.
The SWEDD project, which initially encompassed six nations, has now expanded its reach to include a total of 12 countries. This collaborative effort sets its sights on a shared goal: leveraging the burgeoning population, estimated at 200 million inhabitants in 2022, to position Africa as a pivotal engine of global demographic growth
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/03/01/swedd-project-steering-committee-sets-agenda-for-advancing-demographic-growth-in-africa/
Zambia pushes for a deal on unresolved debt
Zambia still has nearly $7 billion of debt on its books pending resolution.That is despite a deal with bilateral lenders last year which treated over $6 billion.The $7 billion is owed to bondholders and commercial banks.
The southern African country's quest for debt relief has been long and exhausting. A deal with bondholders to restructure about $3 billion of debt last October was rejected by the official creditors.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/22/zambia-pushes-for-deal-on-unresolved-debt-business-africa/
Middle East conflict hits Africa and analysts examine impacts of African States’ exit from ECOWAS
The Middle East conflict, fueled by Houthi rebels disrupting Red Sea shipping routes, is casting a long economic shadow over Africa.
As rising prices and supply chain disruptions grip nations already reeling from the pandemic, the urgency to de-escalate becomes paramount.
The following report explores the economic domino effect on African economies. Hafed Al-Ghwell, a Senior fellow and executive director at the SAIS Foreign Policy Institute, John Hopkins University joined us to share his insights.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/08/middle-east-conflict-hits-africa-and-analysts-examine-impacts-of-african-states-exit-from-/
Ghana: New anti-LGBTQ law draws condemnations
Since the bill entitled "Promotion of proper human sexual rights and ghanian family values" was passed in Ghana, it has stirred controversy.
“The bill broadens the scope of criminal sanctions against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transexual and queer people – simply for being who they are – and threatens criminal penalties against perceived allies of LGBTQ+ people,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/28/mali-russia-foreign-ministers-hold-talks-in-moscow/
200 people, mostly women and children, abducted in northeastern Nigeria
The United Nations office in Nigeria said late Wednesday that at least 200 people, predominantly women and children displaced by violence in northeastern Nigeria, were kidnapped by Islamic extremists.
The incident happened as the victims were searching for firewood near the border with Chad. According to the U.N., the victims had ventured from several displacement camps to gather firewood in Borno state’s Gamboru Ngala council area when they were ambushed and taken captive.
This incident is the latest attack in the conflict-affected region, where frequent abductions and killings severely restrict movement.
“The exact number of people abducted remains unknown but is estimated at over 200 people,” the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Nigeria Mohamed Fall said in a statement about the attacks, which occurred several days ago but whose details are only emerging now because of limited access to information in the area.
