"We are ready to fight," President Kagame responds to DRC
In an exclusive interview with France 24, Rwandan President Paul Kagame declared Rwanda's readiness to go to war with the Democratic Republic of Congo if necessary, stating, 'they are ready to fight and are not afraid of anything.'
This follows accusations from Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, who claimed Rwanda is organizing a genocide in Eastern DRC. Kagame responded by accusing Tshisekedi of promoting a genocidal ideology against Congolese Tutsis.
Kagame also refused to confirm the presence of Rwandan soldiers in the DRC, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of regional tensions.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/21/we-are-ready-to-fight-president-kagame-responds-to-drc/
Niger revokes French company's operating licence at major uranium mine
Niger’s military government has revoked the operating licence of French nuclear fuel producer, Orano, at one of the world’s biggest uranium mines, the company said on Thursday.
The decision has highlighted tensions between the junta, which came to power in a coup in July last year, and the former colonial power, France.
The military seized control of Niger on the pledge of cutting ties with the West, vowing to review mining concessions in the country, and ordering the withdrawal of Western troops.
Orano said it has been told to leave the Imouraren mine in northern Niger, which sits on an estimated 200,000 tonnes of uranium that is vital for producing nuclear energy.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/21/niger-revokes-french-companys-operating-licence-at-major-uranium-mine/
Climate crisis: Zambia responds to consequences of drought on women, girls
Monze village in southern Zambia has about 43 health facilities but in times of crisis some residents can't embark on sometimes long journeys for a consultation.
Some of these communities live hours from the nearest health facility - in Hakukunla village, the nearest clinic is at least 30 km away. Taking services to communities is critical amid concerns that women and girls are prioritizing the search for food and water instead of their health.
Zambia is currently going through its driest agricultural season in more than 40 years.
As crops have been wiped out and livestock have died, poverty is deepening.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/21/climate-crisis-zambia-responds-to-consequences-of-drought-on-women-girls/
South Sudan's vice president expresses concerns over ongoing peace talks
South Sudan's vice president said Thursday that peace talks in neighbouring Kenya have failed to acknowledge the country's peace agreement established in 2018, alleging a new draft agreement is aimed at replacing the original peace deal.
Riek Machar in a protest letter to the talks' mediator said the draft established alternative institutions to replace or run in parallel with those established by the previous peace agreement. He added that the current peace talks should complement and not obliterate the original deal.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/21/south-sudans-vice-president-expresses-concerns-over-ongoing-peace-talks/
Chad: Residents react after deadly military ammunition depot blast
One day after a military ammunition depot in Chad's capital exploded, the neighborhood next to the depot still bears the marks of the incident.
On Wednesday (Jun. 19), nine people were confirmed dead.
Residents of the neighborhood around the Chadian army's weapons depot were still in shock.
“The house was destroyed and the boys' room was set on fire, but nothing was saved, as you can see, it's like this because of the shells (that hit the house),” a resident named Mahamat said.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/20/chad-residents-react-after-deadly-military-ammunition-depot-blast/
Libyans demand elections and unity, says UN envoy
Libyans from rival regions and all walks of life are fed up with the country’s divisions and want political players to end their years-long impasse and agree to hold national elections, a key step to peace in the oil-rich North African country, the U.N. deputy representative said Wednesday.
Stephanie Koury told the U.N. Security Council that she has been meeting political leaders, civil society representatives, academics, women’s groups, military leaders and others in the country’s rival east and west to listen to their views. She said there is consensus that the current “status quo is not sustainable” – and the political process needs to advance toward elections.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/20/libyans-demand-elections-and-unity-says-un-envoy/
Jihadis from Africa's Sahel have crossed into Nigeria's North, a new report says.
Jihadi fighters who had long operated in Africa's volatile Sahel region have settled in northwestern Nigeria after crossing from neighbouring Benin, a new report said Wednesday, the latest trend in the militants' movements to wealthier West African coastal nations.
The extremists believed to be linked to al-Qaida have in the last year crossed over from Benin's hard-hit northern region and settled in the Kainji Lake National Park, one of Nigeria's largest which had been under security threats, according to the report by the Clingendael Institute think tank.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/19/jihadis-from-africas-sahel-have-crossed-into-nigerias-north-a-new-report-says/
Sudan accuses UAE of fueling war with weapons to paramilitary rivals
The Sudanese government on Tuesday, June 19 accused the United Arab Emirates of fueling the 14-month war in the African country by providing weapons to a rival paramilitary force.
The UAE dismissed the allegation as "ludicrous," calling it "a shameful abuse by one of the warring parties."
The clash came during a U.N. Security Council meeting at which Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee warned that atrocities are being committed along ethnic lines in Sudan's western Darfur region.
She urged an immediate cease-fire in the North Darfur capital, El Fasher, which is besieged by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, "to prevent further atrocities, protect critical infrastructure, and alleviate civilian suffering."
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/19/sudan-accuses-uae-of-fueling-war-with-weapons-to-paramilitary-rivals/
Burundi: shortages and power cuts slow a return from international isolation
A deadly nationwide political crackdown in the East African nation is now in the past. But the return to international favour, and benefits like development assistance that come with it, has been slow. As always, everyday citizens feel it most.
According to United Nations figures, it’s never been easy in landlocked Burundi, which at times has been described as the world’s poorest country.
The list of commodities in short supply in recent months has ranged from fuel to sugar. But an electricity shortage is hitting the hardest, slowing attempts at economic recovery.
Read ahead at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/18/burundi-shortages-and-power-cuts-slow-a-return-from-international-isolation/
Pope Francis urges action to end bloodshed in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Pope Francis called on national and international authorities to take action to stop the bloodshed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo following a week in which dozens were killed in the North Kivu province.
At the end of his weekly Sunday prayers on St Peter’s Square, he said the victims included many Christians.
“Painful news continues to arrive of battles and massacres that are happening in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the pontiff said
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/16/pope-francis-urges-action-to-end-bloodshed-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo/
