The United States tells Rwanda and Congo they must 'walk back from the brink of war'
- The United States told Rwanda and Congo on Tuesday that they "must walk back from the brink of war," the sharpest warning yet of a looming conflict between the African neighbors.
- U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood delivered the warning at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council called by France as violence has worsened in Congo's mineral-rich east which borders Rwanda.
- Wood said Rwanda and Congo, along with "regional actors," should immediately resume diplomatic talks. "These regional diplomatic efforts, not military conflict, are the only path toward a negotiated solution and sustainable peace," he stressed.
South Africa sets May 29 elections that could be the most pivotal since apartheid ended
- South Africa will hold pivotal national elections May 29 as polls show the ruling African National Congress could lose its majority for the first time since it came to power with the fall of apartheid 30 years ago.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the date Tuesday as Africa's most developed economy faces a myriad of problems under his ANC party.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the date Tuesday as Africa's most developed economy faces a myriad of problems under his ANC party.
Nigeria's defense chief accuses nations withholding arms sales over abuses of 'double standards'
- Nigeria's defense chief expressed frustration Tuesday with what he called the "double standards" of some countries that won't sell his military weapons because of human rights concerns.
- Gen. Christopher Musa's comment underscores one of the biggest challenges for Africa's most populous nation in combating a deadly and complex security crisis, from the Islamic militant insurgency in the northeast to the dozens of armed groups targeting travellers and communities in the northwest and central regions.
- "Even with our money, it is difficult getting equipment," Musa told reporters in Nigeria's capital of Abuja, acknowledging a huge need for items such as helicopters, drones and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.
Guinea's military junta dissolves govt as transition set to end this year
- Guinea's ruling National Council of the Rally for Development (CRND) has dissolved the interim government in the west African nation.
- A decree was read on state television on Monday by the presidency’s secretary-general, who was surrounded by other military officials and several armed and masked soldiers.
- The decree provides that directors of cabinet, secretary generals and their deputies will be in charge until a new government is formed.
Debate on ditching CFA begins as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger forge new path
- Amid talk of ditching the West African franc, a colonial-era legacy, analysts unpack what it means for the three troubled Sahel states.
- Since Niger’s July 30 coup, fissures within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have become bigger.
- This month, reports emerged of a possible parting with their currency, the West African franc (CFA).
- Captain Ibrahim Traore, leader of the Burkinabe transitional government, said in an interview in February.
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/2/23/burkina-faso-mali-and-niger-debate-exiting-cfa-zone
‘They could have done more’: Zimbabweans slam gov’t anti-cholera campaign
- Many Zimbabweans say the government is yet to tackle the cause of recurrent bouts of cholera in the nation.
- When Priscilla Moyo’s husband Brian returned home to Harare from Mvurwi, about 100km north of the capital on Sunday night, he seemed well. By 11pm, he was battling diarrhoea.
- When his situation was still the same on Tuesday morning, 39-year-old Moyo took him to a nearby clinic in Budiriro, the city suburb where they live. On arrival, she was told that her husband had cholera.
- Across Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces, a deluge of cases of cholera infections is crippling health facilities in the Southern African country. Some patients like Brian, have recovered.
“I will end my term on April 2nd”, Senegal's president pledges
Senegal's president has vowed to abide by the law and to not extend his mandate beyond April 2nd.
Macky Sall, who is wrapping up two terms in office, postponed the presidential election for 10 months, citing unresolved disputes over who could run.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/23/i-will-end-my-term-on-april-2nd-senegals-president-pledges/
Sudan: rape, sexual violence and war crimes, according to the UN
The U.N. human rights office said in a new report Friday that dozens of people, including children, have been victims of rape and other forms of sexual violence in the ongoing conflict in Sudan, attacks which could be assimilated to war crimes.
Sudan plunged into chaos in mid-April when clashes broke out in the capital, Khartoum, between rival Sudanese forces – the country's army, led by General Abdel Fattah Burhan, and a paramilitary faction known as the name Rapid Support Forces, under the command of General Mohammed Hamdan Daglo.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/23/sudan-rape-sexual-violence-and-war-crimes-according-to-the-un/
Zambia pushes for deal on unresolved debt [Business Africa]
- 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.
Migrants waiting in Tunisia react to Albania's controversial deal with Italy
Migrants and asylum seekers in Tunisia's capital on Thursday expressed divided opinions over Albania's controversial migration deal with Italy.
Albania’s parliament approved a deal for the country to hold thousands of asylum seekers for Italy in a vote on Thursday, despite protests from opposition lawmakers and human rights groups.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/23/migrants-waiting-in-tunisia-react-to-albanias-controversial-deal-with-italy/
A Kenyan start-up turns plastic waste into solar-powered freezers
A Kenyan company is proving the saying: "one person's waste is another person's treasure," still rings true.On a February morning, a group of women on a Mombasa beach pick up plastic waste that will serve to build freezers.
The waste is sold to company Kuza Freezer where employees first break it down into pellets before moulding it into cold storage units.
Read ahead at:https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/23/a-kenyan-start-up-turns-plastic-waste-into-solar-powered-freezers/
Sudan: Desperate malnutrition crisis in Zamzam camp, North Darfur
Displaced people living in the Zamzam camp in North Darfur are suffering from high levels of malnutrition amid insufficient humanitarian aid almost one year since the violence began.
Some 300,000 people displaced by the war in Sudan are living in difficult conditions in the camp, located 15 kilometres (nine miles) south of El Fasher, the capital of the state.
Kenya Removes Entry Fee for South Africans and Other Foreign Visitors
The objective is to enhance tourism and appeal to corporate travellers.
Before, all foreign passport holders needed visas, sparking cost concerns.
Passport holders from specific countries now exempt from visa requirements.
Somalia-Turkey Deal Thwarts Ethiopia's Sea Access via Breakaway Region.
Wednesday: Somalia, Turkey defense pact thwarts Ethiopia's Somaliland sea access.
Ethiopia and Somaliland inked memorandum of understanding on January 1st.
Somalia alarmed by agreement, willing to fight over Somaliland claim.
DR Congo Government Dissolved Following Prime Minister's Resignation.
DR Congo's Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde resigns, prompting government dissolution.
Lukonde resigned to President Tshisekedi, eight days post his mandate validation.
He intends to join parliament after winning December polls.
Read more at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/21/dr-congo-government-dissolved-after-prime-minister-resigns/
France Urges Rwanda to Cease Support for M23 Rebels.
France urges Rwanda to halt backing M23 rebels in Congo.
Quai d'Orsay expresses concern over East Congo, specifically Goma and Saké.
The statement emphasises DRC's territorial integrity, urges M23 to cease fighting.
Read more at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/21/end-support-for-m23-rebels-pull-troops-out-of-dr-congo-france-tells-rwanda/
Libyan Government Reaches Agreement with Militias, Restores Order in Tripoli.
Long-term controllers of Libya's capital agree to withdraw armed presence.
UN-backed government's Interior minister made the announcement on Wednesday.
Militias confined to headquarters; government to deploy only when necessary.
Read more at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/22/libya-govt-strikes-deal-with-militias-regular-forces-will-police-tripoli-again/
Morocco's King Welcomes Spain's Prime Minister.
Leaders meet in Rabat, discuss Western Sahara, 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Sánchez reaffirms Spain's support for Moroccan plan on Western Sahara.
King Mohammed VI appreciates Spain's support, emphasizes mutual cooperation and respect.
Read more at: https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/22/moroccos-king-hosts-spains-premie-minister/
Zimbabwe Launches Emergency Polio Vaccination Drive Due to Rare Mutation.
Lab tests in Harare found mutated polio virus from oral vaccines.
Live polio virus in vaccines can mutate, sparking outbreaks.
Global polio cases reduced by over 99% since 1988 eradication efforts.
News bits compiled by:
Alithia Clemency Paul (M.A. I.R., 2nd Year) (Region Head)
Drafted by:
Swapnil Tiwari (B.A. I.R. 1st Year)
Daney Antonio Martin (B.A. I.R., 1st Year)
Manjyot Kaur (B.A. I.R., 1st Year)
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