🇫🇷🇹🇳 France expelled "radical" Tunisian Islamic leader
France has expelled a Tunisian Islamic religious leader for being "radical", France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.
"The radical Imam Mahjoub Mahjoubi has just been expelled from the national territory, less than 12 hours after his arrest. We will not let people get away with anything," Darmanin said.
In an earlier statement, Darmanin said he had given instructions to issue a ministerial deportation order against "this radical 'imam' with unacceptable remarks". "Firmness is the rule," he added.
In a post that went viral on social media and was widely reported in French media, the imam referred to "the three-coloured flag" as "satanic".
Mahjoubi told that his comments had been taken out of context and that he had not meant to disrespect the French flag. His lawyer told he will appeal the expulsion procedure.
#France #Tunisia
@africaintel
France has expelled a Tunisian Islamic religious leader for being "radical", France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.
"The radical Imam Mahjoub Mahjoubi has just been expelled from the national territory, less than 12 hours after his arrest. We will not let people get away with anything," Darmanin said.
In an earlier statement, Darmanin said he had given instructions to issue a ministerial deportation order against "this radical 'imam' with unacceptable remarks". "Firmness is the rule," he added.
In a post that went viral on social media and was widely reported in French media, the imam referred to "the three-coloured flag" as "satanic".
Mahjoubi told that his comments had been taken out of context and that he had not meant to disrespect the French flag. His lawyer told he will appeal the expulsion procedure.
#France #Tunisia
@africaintel
🇪🇹🇫🇷 Ethiopian police arrest French journalist, employer says
Ethiopian police have arrested a French journalist on suspicion of "conspiracy to create chaos", his employer said on Monday.
Antoine Galindo was arrested last Thursday while on assignment in the capital Addis Ababa, the Africa Intelligence publication said in a statement. It said a judge on Saturday prolonged Galindo's detention until March 1.
Africa Intelligence said Galindo "has been suspected of 'conspiracy to create chaos in Ethiopia' and was brought before a judge on 24 February." The publication said its lawyer attended the hearing and was told about the charges.
"Africa Intelligence condemns the unjustified arrest and calls for his immediate release," it said.
#Ethiopia #France
@africaintel
Ethiopian police have arrested a French journalist on suspicion of "conspiracy to create chaos", his employer said on Monday.
Antoine Galindo was arrested last Thursday while on assignment in the capital Addis Ababa, the Africa Intelligence publication said in a statement. It said a judge on Saturday prolonged Galindo's detention until March 1.
Africa Intelligence said Galindo "has been suspected of 'conspiracy to create chaos in Ethiopia' and was brought before a judge on 24 February." The publication said its lawyer attended the hearing and was told about the charges.
"Africa Intelligence condemns the unjustified arrest and calls for his immediate release," it said.
#Ethiopia #France
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇪🇹🇫🇷 Ethiopian police arrest French journalist, employer says Ethiopian police have arrested a French journalist on suspicion of "conspiracy to create chaos", his employer said on Monday. Antoine Galindo was arrested last Thursday while on assignment in…
🇪🇹🇫🇷 Ethiopian police release French journalist after a week, employer says
French journalist Antoine Galindo was released by Ethiopian police on Thursday after a week, his employer said.
He was arrested last Thursday while on assignment in the country's capital Addis Ababa on charges of "conspiracy to create chaos".
Galindo has left for France and is due to arrive on Friday, the publisher of Africa Intelligence said.
#Ethiopia #France
@africaintel
French journalist Antoine Galindo was released by Ethiopian police on Thursday after a week, his employer said.
He was arrested last Thursday while on assignment in the country's capital Addis Ababa on charges of "conspiracy to create chaos".
Galindo has left for France and is due to arrive on Friday, the publisher of Africa Intelligence said.
#Ethiopia #France
@africaintel
🇷🇺🇫🇷🌍 Putin addresses French president's concerns over Russian presence in Africa
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that heightened Russian influence in Africa has caused an "emotional reaction" in French President Emmanuel Macron.
“I think there is some kind of resentment, but when we maintained direct contacts with him (Macron), we spoke quite openly on this topic,” Putin said.
Putin also maintained that Russia did not "go into Africa and force France out," and that Macron's main problem was to do with Wagner being a Russian organisation.
“It’s probably more convenient to be offended by someone without seeing your own problems. Perhaps such an acute, rather emotional reaction on the part of the French President is also connected with what is happening in some African states,” he added.
Putin said that he was not "inciting anyone" and was not setting anyone up against France.
#Russia #France #Africa
@africaintel
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that heightened Russian influence in Africa has caused an "emotional reaction" in French President Emmanuel Macron.
“I think there is some kind of resentment, but when we maintained direct contacts with him (Macron), we spoke quite openly on this topic,” Putin said.
Putin also maintained that Russia did not "go into Africa and force France out," and that Macron's main problem was to do with Wagner being a Russian organisation.
“It’s probably more convenient to be offended by someone without seeing your own problems. Perhaps such an acute, rather emotional reaction on the part of the French President is also connected with what is happening in some African states,” he added.
Putin said that he was not "inciting anyone" and was not setting anyone up against France.
#Russia #France #Africa
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇱🇷 French court confirms Liberian ex-rebel's conviction
A French court has confirmed the conviction of Liberian former rebel, Kunti Kamara, for his role during Liberia's civil war three decades ago.
At his first trial in 2022, following his arrest in France, he was found guilty of crimes against humanity and violence against civilians, but appealed against the ruling.
He was accused of failing to prevent soldiers who were under his command from raping two teenage girls in 1994, the AFP news agency reports.
Kamara was a regional commander of a faction of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy which fought the National Patriotic Front of former President Charles Taylor.
The conflict between 1989 and 2003 killed more than 250,000 people.
#France #Liberia
@africaintel
A French court has confirmed the conviction of Liberian former rebel, Kunti Kamara, for his role during Liberia's civil war three decades ago.
At his first trial in 2022, following his arrest in France, he was found guilty of crimes against humanity and violence against civilians, but appealed against the ruling.
He was accused of failing to prevent soldiers who were under his command from raping two teenage girls in 1994, the AFP news agency reports.
Kamara was a regional commander of a faction of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy which fought the National Patriotic Front of former President Charles Taylor.
The conflict between 1989 and 2003 killed more than 250,000 people.
#France #Liberia
@africaintel
🇨🇫🇫🇷 Faustin-Archange Touadéra to meet Emmanuel Macron in Paris again
The Central African Republic president will hold talks with his French counterpart at the Elysée Palace in mid-April. They are expected to sign off on a roadmap for restoring bilateral relations.
#CAR #France
@africaintel
The Central African Republic president will hold talks with his French counterpart at the Elysée Palace in mid-April. They are expected to sign off on a roadmap for restoring bilateral relations.
#CAR #France
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇨🇫 France and the Central African Republic pave the way for reconciliation
On Wednesday April 17, Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadéra was received at the Élysée Palace by his counterpart Emmanuel Macron. This meeting - the second in less than six months - aims to ease the rift between the two countries, whose relations have deteriorated sharply following the rapprochement between Bangui and Russia.
The meeting between Faustin-Archange Touadéra and Emmanuel Macron provided an opportunity to review " the various aspects of the bilateral relationship as well as the regional situation ", according to the press release issued by the Élysée Palace.
In " continuity with their last meeting " on September 13, France and the Central African Republic adopted " a roadmap " for establishing " a constructive partnership " between the two countries. The Élysée's stated aim is to " contribute to stability, reinforce the broadest possible national cohesion and support the economic and social development of the Central African Republic ". " A joint mechanism for monitoring these commitments was also adopted by the two leaders ", he added at the end of the working lunch.
This could be a further step towards normalizing relations between the two countries - at a time when France has denounced the Wagner group's growing influence in the Central African Republic in recent years. Paris has also deplored disinformation campaigns in the past, which have fuelled anti-French sentiment in the Central African Republic.
#CAR #France
@africaintel
On Wednesday April 17, Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadéra was received at the Élysée Palace by his counterpart Emmanuel Macron. This meeting - the second in less than six months - aims to ease the rift between the two countries, whose relations have deteriorated sharply following the rapprochement between Bangui and Russia.
The meeting between Faustin-Archange Touadéra and Emmanuel Macron provided an opportunity to review " the various aspects of the bilateral relationship as well as the regional situation ", according to the press release issued by the Élysée Palace.
In " continuity with their last meeting " on September 13, France and the Central African Republic adopted " a roadmap " for establishing " a constructive partnership " between the two countries. The Élysée's stated aim is to " contribute to stability, reinforce the broadest possible national cohesion and support the economic and social development of the Central African Republic ". " A joint mechanism for monitoring these commitments was also adopted by the two leaders ", he added at the end of the working lunch.
This could be a further step towards normalizing relations between the two countries - at a time when France has denounced the Wagner group's growing influence in the Central African Republic in recent years. Paris has also deplored disinformation campaigns in the past, which have fuelled anti-French sentiment in the Central African Republic.
#CAR #France
@africaintel
⚡️🇧🇫🇫🇷 Burkina Faso expels three French diplomats for 'subversive activities'
Burkina Faso's military government has expelled three French diplomats for alleged subversive activities, the foreign ministry said in a letter on Thursday.
The three diplomats, two of whom were listed as political advisers, were declared persona non grata and given 48 hours to leave the country, according to the letter dated April 16, which was addressed to the French embassy.
It did not elaborate on what they were accused of.
#BurkinaFaso #France
@africaintel
Burkina Faso's military government has expelled three French diplomats for alleged subversive activities, the foreign ministry said in a letter on Thursday.
The three diplomats, two of whom were listed as political advisers, were declared persona non grata and given 48 hours to leave the country, according to the letter dated April 16, which was addressed to the French embassy.
It did not elaborate on what they were accused of.
#BurkinaFaso #France
@africaintel
🇸🇳🇫🇷 Senegalese prime minister criticises French military bases on territory
Senegal's prime minister Ousmane Sonko raised the possibility of closing French military bases in the West African country in a wide-ranging speech that also touched on the euro-backed CFA franc currency, oil and gas deals.
Sonko, a firebrand politician who gained power when his hand-picked presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye won a decisive victory in March, is known for criticising perceived overreach by France in its former colony.
France has about 350 troops in Senegal.
"More than 60 years after our independence ... we must question the reasons why the French army for example still benefits from several military bases in our country and the impact of this presence on our national sovereignty and our strategic autonomy," Sonko said at a joint conference with the French left-wing politician Jean-Luc Melenchon in the capital Dakar.
Neighbours Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have pushed out French troops and turned to Russia for help fighting jihadist insurgencies on their territory.
They have also turned away from West African bloc ECOWAS - which condemned their coups - and formed their own alliance of Sahel states.
But Sonko had friendly words for them on Thursday.
"We will not let go of our brothers in the Sahel and we will do everything necessary to strengthen the ties," he said.
He also said Senegal, which shares the euro-pegged CFA franc currency with seven countries, would like a flexible currency pegged to at least two currencies to help absorb shocks and support export competitiveness.
During the election campaign, Faye had initially pledged to abandon the CFA franc but later backed off his promise. Sonko reiterated promises to renegotiate oil and gas contracts in Senegal, where production is due to begin this year.
#Senegal #France
@africaintel
Senegal's prime minister Ousmane Sonko raised the possibility of closing French military bases in the West African country in a wide-ranging speech that also touched on the euro-backed CFA franc currency, oil and gas deals.
Sonko, a firebrand politician who gained power when his hand-picked presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye won a decisive victory in March, is known for criticising perceived overreach by France in its former colony.
France has about 350 troops in Senegal.
"More than 60 years after our independence ... we must question the reasons why the French army for example still benefits from several military bases in our country and the impact of this presence on our national sovereignty and our strategic autonomy," Sonko said at a joint conference with the French left-wing politician Jean-Luc Melenchon in the capital Dakar.
Neighbours Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have pushed out French troops and turned to Russia for help fighting jihadist insurgencies on their territory.
They have also turned away from West African bloc ECOWAS - which condemned their coups - and formed their own alliance of Sahel states.
But Sonko had friendly words for them on Thursday.
"We will not let go of our brothers in the Sahel and we will do everything necessary to strengthen the ties," he said.
He also said Senegal, which shares the euro-pegged CFA franc currency with seven countries, would like a flexible currency pegged to at least two currencies to help absorb shocks and support export competitiveness.
During the election campaign, Faye had initially pledged to abandon the CFA franc but later backed off his promise. Sonko reiterated promises to renegotiate oil and gas contracts in Senegal, where production is due to begin this year.
#Senegal #France
@africaintel
🇫🇷🌍 Delegates announce $1.2 billion in funding to produce vaccines in Africa
World leaders, health groups, and pharmaceutical firms announced $1.2 billion in funding to produce vaccines in Africa, at the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation in Paris on Thursday.
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed gaping global inequalities in access to vaccines, including in Africa which is facing numerous health crises.
Speaking at the gathering, French President Emmanuel Macron said the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator would be “an essential step towards a genuine African vaccine market”.
"Africa produces only two per cent of the vaccines it uses and the goal that we have set is that by 2040, that production is increased to sixty per cent," he said.
A recent resurgence of cholera in many parts of Africa has highlighted the need for more local vaccine producers.
#Africa #France
@africaintel
World leaders, health groups, and pharmaceutical firms announced $1.2 billion in funding to produce vaccines in Africa, at the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation in Paris on Thursday.
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed gaping global inequalities in access to vaccines, including in Africa which is facing numerous health crises.
Speaking at the gathering, French President Emmanuel Macron said the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator would be “an essential step towards a genuine African vaccine market”.
"Africa produces only two per cent of the vaccines it uses and the goal that we have set is that by 2040, that production is increased to sixty per cent," he said.
A recent resurgence of cholera in many parts of Africa has highlighted the need for more local vaccine producers.
#Africa #France
@africaintel
🇱🇾🇫🇷 The Supreme Council of State of Libya signed an agreement on technical cooperation with the French Experts Foundation, which will train officials of the North African country.
This agreement is part of an already existing program aimed at improving the skills of officials.
#Libya #France
@africaintel
This agreement is part of an already existing program aimed at improving the skills of officials.
#Libya #France
@africaintel
Carrying backpacks and small children, hundreds of people sleeping on the streets of Paris climbed aboard buses surrounded by armed police on Thursday, the latest group of migrants and homeless people to be driven out of the city ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics.
The group of largely African migrants headed for the fringes of the city in buses paid for by the French government and into temporary lodging until at least the end of the Games. While some living on the streets were happy to have a roof over their head for the night, few knew what laid ahead once the world's eyes were off Paris.
French authorities have been tearing apart migrant and homeless encampments for months leading up to the massive global sports event, which is an important moment for President Emmanuel Macron at a time of political turmoil.
The buses Thursday came after three days of protest by hundreds of migrants and other homeless people. They railed against authorities breaking up homeless encampments and demanded better access to temporary housing.
Many of the families relocated by French authorities are from African countries once colonized by the French, including Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Senegal.
#France
@africaintel
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🇲🇦🇫🇷🇩🇿 France backs Moroccan autonomy plan for the Western Sahara
France recognises a plan for autonomy for the Western Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty as the only way of resolving a long-running dispute over the territory, President Emmanuel Macron said in a letter on Tuesday.
The dispute, dating back to 1975, pits Morocco, which says the Western Sahara is its territory, against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which says it is an independent state.
France, as the former colonial power in the region, has walked a diplomatic tightrope between Rabat and Algiers on the issue. Most of France's Western allies already back Morocco's plan.
#Morocco #France #Algeria
@africaintel
France recognises a plan for autonomy for the Western Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty as the only way of resolving a long-running dispute over the territory, President Emmanuel Macron said in a letter on Tuesday.
The dispute, dating back to 1975, pits Morocco, which says the Western Sahara is its territory, against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which says it is an independent state.
France, as the former colonial power in the region, has walked a diplomatic tightrope between Rabat and Algiers on the issue. Most of France's Western allies already back Morocco's plan.
#Morocco #France #Algeria
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇳🇪 French nuclear giant slips into the red following Niger-French breakup
French nuclear giant Orano ended the first half of the year with a loss of €133 million, weighed down by difficulties in its mining activities in Niger due to a "highly degraded" political context since a military regime came to power a year ago.
The coup in Niger on 26 July last year led to a halt in imports of critical materials necessary for uranium exploitation in Orano's Somaïr mine, such as soda ash, carbonate, nitrates and sulphur.
And although uranium extraction continued in the first quarter of 2024 "after several months of early maintenance," Somaïr’s sales were unable to resume "due to a lack of logistics solutions approved by the Niger authorities".
In late June, Niger decided to withdraw the licence of Imouraren SA, a company jointly operated by Orano, Niger Mining and Korea Electric Power, and which ran the Somaïr mine.
The situation could eventually lead to "insolvency in the short to medium term, in the coming months", Claverie said.
#France #Niger
@africaintel
French nuclear giant Orano ended the first half of the year with a loss of €133 million, weighed down by difficulties in its mining activities in Niger due to a "highly degraded" political context since a military regime came to power a year ago.
The coup in Niger on 26 July last year led to a halt in imports of critical materials necessary for uranium exploitation in Orano's Somaïr mine, such as soda ash, carbonate, nitrates and sulphur.
And although uranium extraction continued in the first quarter of 2024 "after several months of early maintenance," Somaïr’s sales were unable to resume "due to a lack of logistics solutions approved by the Niger authorities".
In late June, Niger decided to withdraw the licence of Imouraren SA, a company jointly operated by Orano, Niger Mining and Korea Electric Power, and which ran the Somaïr mine.
The situation could eventually lead to "insolvency in the short to medium term, in the coming months", Claverie said.
#France #Niger
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇳🇬 French TotalEnergies reportedly exits Africa with sale of two oil fields to Nigerian company
TotalEnergies announced the sale of two oil fields in Nigeria, Africa's leading oil exporter. The Olo and Olo West blocks were sold to local firm Aradel Holdings for $19.5 million, according to the media report.
The company has been reducing its investments in Africa, optimizing its oil and gas portfolio, and cutting management. In July, the company sold 10% of its shares in Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, exiting 18 oil and gas projects in the Niger Delta.
These actions aim to bolster the role of Nigerian national companies in oil extraction, previously limited to receiving royalties.
#France #Nigeria
@africaintel
TotalEnergies announced the sale of two oil fields in Nigeria, Africa's leading oil exporter. The Olo and Olo West blocks were sold to local firm Aradel Holdings for $19.5 million, according to the media report.
The company has been reducing its investments in Africa, optimizing its oil and gas portfolio, and cutting management. In July, the company sold 10% of its shares in Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, exiting 18 oil and gas projects in the Niger Delta.
These actions aim to bolster the role of Nigerian national companies in oil extraction, previously limited to receiving royalties.
#France #Nigeria
@africaintel
🇧🇫🇫🇷 Burkina Faso refuses visas to several French diplomats and civil servants
Burkina Faso authorities have refused to issue visas to several French diplomats and civil servants amid a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations.
Also denied entry to the country were the new director of the French school in Ouagadougou and some gendarmes who were supposed to ensure the safety of the French chargé d'affaires in Burkina Faso.
#BurkinaFaso #France
@africaintel
Burkina Faso authorities have refused to issue visas to several French diplomats and civil servants amid a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations.
Also denied entry to the country were the new director of the French school in Ouagadougou and some gendarmes who were supposed to ensure the safety of the French chargé d'affaires in Burkina Faso.
#BurkinaFaso #France
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇺🇬 Paris to name sports venue after dead Ugandan Olympian Cheptegei
The French capital will pay tribute to Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who was set on fire by her boyfriend, by naming a sports facility in her honour, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on Friday.
The marathon runner, who competed in the Paris Games last month died on Thursday, four days after she was doused in petrol and ignited by her boyfriend in Kenya, in the latest attack on a female athlete in the country.
The 33-year-old, who finished 44th in her Olympic Games debut, suffered burns to more than 75% of her body in Sunday's attack, Kenyan and Ugandan media reported.
"She dazzled us here in Paris. We saw her. Her beauty, her strength, her freedom, and it was in all likelihood her beauty, strength and freedom which were intolerable for the person who committed this murder," Hidalgo told reporters.
"Paris will not forget her. We'll dedicate a sports venue to her so that her memory and her story remains among us and helps carry the message of equality, which is a message carried by the Olympic and Paralympic Games."
#France #Uganda
@africaintel
The French capital will pay tribute to Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who was set on fire by her boyfriend, by naming a sports facility in her honour, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on Friday.
The marathon runner, who competed in the Paris Games last month died on Thursday, four days after she was doused in petrol and ignited by her boyfriend in Kenya, in the latest attack on a female athlete in the country.
The 33-year-old, who finished 44th in her Olympic Games debut, suffered burns to more than 75% of her body in Sunday's attack, Kenyan and Ugandan media reported.
"She dazzled us here in Paris. We saw her. Her beauty, her strength, her freedom, and it was in all likelihood her beauty, strength and freedom which were intolerable for the person who committed this murder," Hidalgo told reporters.
"Paris will not forget her. We'll dedicate a sports venue to her so that her memory and her story remains among us and helps carry the message of equality, which is a message carried by the Olympic and Paralympic Games."
#France #Uganda
@africaintel