🇿🇦 South Africa civil servants accept new pay deal
Government workers in South Africa are to receive a pay rise – bringing to an end months of negotiations and industrial action.
The union representing public servants, the Public Servants Association (PSA) has accepted the government’s offer of 7.5%. The pay hike will be implemented from 1 April.
"Although it's not all that we wanted but we believe that the 7.5% will make much better economic sense to our members given the hardships they find themselves in," said the acting deputy general manager of the PSA.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
Government workers in South Africa are to receive a pay rise – bringing to an end months of negotiations and industrial action.
The union representing public servants, the Public Servants Association (PSA) has accepted the government’s offer of 7.5%. The pay hike will be implemented from 1 April.
"Although it's not all that we wanted but we believe that the 7.5% will make much better economic sense to our members given the hardships they find themselves in," said the acting deputy general manager of the PSA.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇩🇰🌍🏴☠️ Pirates abandon Danish ship in Gulf of Guinea, take crew The owners of a Danish ship that was seized by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea last Saturday say the hijackers have now abandoned the vessel, taking some of the 16 crew members with them. Others…
🇺🇬🇸🇦 Uganda renews labour export deal with Saudi Arabia
Uganda and Saudi Arabia have renewed a bilateral agreement that allows resumption of labour export to the to Uganda.
The agreement was suspended in December last year following an uproar over alleged mistreatment and torture of Ugandan migrant workers. Some Ugandans migrants were reported to have committed suicide over alleged mistreatment in Saudi Arabia.
Uganda's Labour Minister Betty Amongi said on Thursday that both governments had agreed protect the rights of migrant workers.
The agreement was suspended in December last year following an uproar over alleged mistreatment and torture of Ugandan migrant workers. Some Ugandans migrants were reported to have committed suicide over alleged mistreatment in Saudi Arabia.
Uganda's Labour Minister Betty Amongi said on Thursday that both governments had agreed protect the rights of migrant workers
#Uganda #SaudiArabia
@africaintel
Uganda and Saudi Arabia have renewed a bilateral agreement that allows resumption of labour export to the to Uganda.
The agreement was suspended in December last year following an uproar over alleged mistreatment and torture of Ugandan migrant workers. Some Ugandans migrants were reported to have committed suicide over alleged mistreatment in Saudi Arabia.
Uganda's Labour Minister Betty Amongi said on Thursday that both governments had agreed protect the rights of migrant workers.
The agreement was suspended in December last year following an uproar over alleged mistreatment and torture of Ugandan migrant workers. Some Ugandans migrants were reported to have committed suicide over alleged mistreatment in Saudi Arabia.
Uganda's Labour Minister Betty Amongi said on Thursday that both governments had agreed protect the rights of migrant workers
#Uganda #SaudiArabia
@africaintel
🇨🇩 DR Congo rebels to hand over captured border town
The M23 rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo are withdrawing from the eastern border town of Bunagana and are expected to hand it over to Ugandan peacekeeping troops, the group’s spokesperson has said.
M23 spokesman that they will hand over the town on Friday morning. The town of Bunagana town was once the rebels' headquarters. They recaptured it in last June.
The withdrawal is part of a deal brokered by regional heads of state and army chiefs following meetings held in Angola, Burundi and Kenya.
The rebels are meant to withdraw from all areas of Rutshuru, Masisi and Nyiragongo that it has occupied.
#DRC
@africaintel
The M23 rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo are withdrawing from the eastern border town of Bunagana and are expected to hand it over to Ugandan peacekeeping troops, the group’s spokesperson has said.
M23 spokesman that they will hand over the town on Friday morning. The town of Bunagana town was once the rebels' headquarters. They recaptured it in last June.
The withdrawal is part of a deal brokered by regional heads of state and army chiefs following meetings held in Angola, Burundi and Kenya.
The rebels are meant to withdraw from all areas of Rutshuru, Masisi and Nyiragongo that it has occupied.
#DRC
@africaintel
🇷🇺🌍📄 Russia made an emphasis on Africa in its Foreign Policy Concept
Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a new version of the Foreign Policy Concept. In it Russia for the first time made an emphasis on Africa.
Despite the fact that the media constantly discussed the topic of Russia's active participation in African affairs, previously this direction was not a priority for the country. The main actor was Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner PMC.
▪️However, the tide has turned. As the relations between the Western world and Russia heated up, the latter is looking for new directions, and Africa, given its rich history of cooperation with the Soviet Union, is now one of the key vectors.
🔻This document provides some insights, and the way it is put into practice needs to be monitored.
In a new concept "some developed states" (meaning the USA and European countries) are accused "of the sophisticated neo-colonial policies towards Africa".
▪️Russia intends to "support in ensuring the independence of the states through assistance in the areas of security, including food and energy security, military and military-technical cooperation".
Adding to that, Russia will provide an "assistance in settling and overcoming the consequences of armed conflicts in Africa advocating the leading role of African States in these efforts, based on their formulation of the principle "African problems - African solution"".
▪️The document puts an emphasis on "expanding trade and investment with African states and African integration structures (primarily the African Continental Free Trade Area, the African Export-Import Bank and other sub-regional organizations), including through the EAEU".
▪️Russia points out "the strengthening and deepening of Russian-African cooperation in various fields on a bilateral and multilateral basis, first of all within the framework of the African Union and the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum".
🔻Previously, Africa was delegated much smaller space in Foreign Policy Concepts and in the Foreign Policy overall.
However, now Russia shows that Africa is one of the most important regions, and Russia will do everything in its power to strengthen the influence on the continent.
#Russia #Africa
@africaintel
Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a new version of the Foreign Policy Concept. In it Russia for the first time made an emphasis on Africa.
Despite the fact that the media constantly discussed the topic of Russia's active participation in African affairs, previously this direction was not a priority for the country. The main actor was Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner PMC.
▪️However, the tide has turned. As the relations between the Western world and Russia heated up, the latter is looking for new directions, and Africa, given its rich history of cooperation with the Soviet Union, is now one of the key vectors.
🔻This document provides some insights, and the way it is put into practice needs to be monitored.
In a new concept "some developed states" (meaning the USA and European countries) are accused "of the sophisticated neo-colonial policies towards Africa".
▪️Russia intends to "support in ensuring the independence of the states through assistance in the areas of security, including food and energy security, military and military-technical cooperation".
Adding to that, Russia will provide an "assistance in settling and overcoming the consequences of armed conflicts in Africa advocating the leading role of African States in these efforts, based on their formulation of the principle "African problems - African solution"".
▪️The document puts an emphasis on "expanding trade and investment with African states and African integration structures (primarily the African Continental Free Trade Area, the African Export-Import Bank and other sub-regional organizations), including through the EAEU".
▪️Russia points out "the strengthening and deepening of Russian-African cooperation in various fields on a bilateral and multilateral basis, first of all within the framework of the African Union and the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum".
🔻Previously, Africa was delegated much smaller space in Foreign Policy Concepts and in the Foreign Policy overall.
However, now Russia shows that Africa is one of the most important regions, and Russia will do everything in its power to strengthen the influence on the continent.
#Russia #Africa
@africaintel
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🇨🇫🚚 Jihadists in CAR have invented an universal shaheed-mobile.
Preparing to adopt it in larger numbers.
#CAR
@africaintel
Preparing to adopt it in larger numbers.
#CAR
@africaintel
🇺🇸🇹🇿 Kamala Harris announces Tanzania trade boost
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced plans to boost trade with and investment in Tanzania during a visit there on Thursday.
On Wednesday she arrived in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam, where she met President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday.
Harris listed a number of initiatives. They included a new memorandum of understanding between the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and the government of Tanzania.
That will facilitate up to $500 million in financing to help U.S. companies export goods and services to Tanzania in sectors including infrastructure, transportation, digital technology, climate and energy security and power generation.
Harris also mentioned a new partnership in 5G technology and cybersecurity, as well as a U.S.-supported plan by LifeZone Metals to open a new processing plant in Tanzania for minerals that go into electric vehicle batteries.
#USA #Tanzania
@africaintel
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced plans to boost trade with and investment in Tanzania during a visit there on Thursday.
On Wednesday she arrived in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam, where she met President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday.
Harris listed a number of initiatives. They included a new memorandum of understanding between the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and the government of Tanzania.
That will facilitate up to $500 million in financing to help U.S. companies export goods and services to Tanzania in sectors including infrastructure, transportation, digital technology, climate and energy security and power generation.
Harris also mentioned a new partnership in 5G technology and cybersecurity, as well as a U.S.-supported plan by LifeZone Metals to open a new processing plant in Tanzania for minerals that go into electric vehicle batteries.
#USA #Tanzania
@africaintel
🇪🇹🇸🇴 At least 11 Ethiopian migrants die in Somalia accident
Six women and five men from Ethiopia are known to have died in a road accident in Somalia, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says.
They were being transported by smugglers who reportedly planned to take them to Yemen via the port city of Bosaso, the IOM adds. But the lorry carrying them overturned on Tuesday, a short distance from Bosaso.
Investigations into how it happened are still under way, but at this stage local authorities say they believe the lorry had a mechanical issue and that no other vehicle was involved.
They confirm that 11 bodies have been buried. At least 20 other passengers were injured, the IOM says.
#Ethiopia #Somalia
@africaintel
Six women and five men from Ethiopia are known to have died in a road accident in Somalia, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says.
They were being transported by smugglers who reportedly planned to take them to Yemen via the port city of Bosaso, the IOM adds. But the lorry carrying them overturned on Tuesday, a short distance from Bosaso.
Investigations into how it happened are still under way, but at this stage local authorities say they believe the lorry had a mechanical issue and that no other vehicle was involved.
They confirm that 11 bodies have been buried. At least 20 other passengers were injured, the IOM says.
#Ethiopia #Somalia
@africaintel
🇹🇳 Rations begin as Tunisia battles drought
Tunisia has introduced strict water rationing in the face of a prolonged drought that has severely depleted the country's main reservoirs.
The use of potable water on agricultural land is banned until the end of September, a move which the farmers' union says will result in a disastrous harvest.
Residents say that drinking water has been cut overnight in parts of the capital, Tunis, and in other cities in a bid to limit consumption.
Water levels in Tunisia's main dam have fallen to just 16% of maximum capacity.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
Tunisia has introduced strict water rationing in the face of a prolonged drought that has severely depleted the country's main reservoirs.
The use of potable water on agricultural land is banned until the end of September, a move which the farmers' union says will result in a disastrous harvest.
Residents say that drinking water has been cut overnight in parts of the capital, Tunis, and in other cities in a bid to limit consumption.
Water levels in Tunisia's main dam have fallen to just 16% of maximum capacity.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
🇸🇩 Gold miners killed in Sudan
At least 10 gold miners have been killed in an accident in northern Sudan, and more than 20 others injured.
Local media have blamed the collapse of the gold mine on the use of heavy machinery.
Accidents are not uncommon in Sudan's under-regulated mining industry.
Six months ago 11 people died in a similar incident in the same part of north Sudan, while other fatalities have been reported in the western Darfur region and Kordofan in the south.
#Sudan
@africaintel
At least 10 gold miners have been killed in an accident in northern Sudan, and more than 20 others injured.
Local media have blamed the collapse of the gold mine on the use of heavy machinery.
Accidents are not uncommon in Sudan's under-regulated mining industry.
Six months ago 11 people died in a similar incident in the same part of north Sudan, while other fatalities have been reported in the western Darfur region and Kordofan in the south.
#Sudan
@africaintel
🇺🇬🇨🇩 Ugandan troops began their duty in eastern DR Congo
Ugandan troops have taken up peacekeeping duties in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the East African Community Regional Force.
They will be expected to protect civilians in the areas of Bunagana, Kiwanja and Mabenga in Rutshuru territory.
The troops are also tasked with overseeng the withdrawal of the M23 rebels from an area they’ve occupied since last June.
The 2,000-strong force will also oversee the reopening of trade routes between the border town of Bunagana and the regional capital, Goma.
#Uganda #DRC
@africaintel
Ugandan troops have taken up peacekeeping duties in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the East African Community Regional Force.
They will be expected to protect civilians in the areas of Bunagana, Kiwanja and Mabenga in Rutshuru territory.
The troops are also tasked with overseeng the withdrawal of the M23 rebels from an area they’ve occupied since last June.
The 2,000-strong force will also oversee the reopening of trade routes between the border town of Bunagana and the regional capital, Goma.
#Uganda #DRC
@africaintel
🇰🇪 Kenya police, crowds clash in third wave of price rise protests
Protesters threw stones at police in Kenya's capital and attackers set fire to an office run by the president's party in a western town on Thursday during a third wave of demonstrations organised by his opponents.
Thousands joined marches called by opposition leader Raila Odinga against high living costs and alleged fraud in last year's vote. The government has said the vote was fair, defended its economic record and called for the protests to stop.
At least six journalists have been reportedly injured. More than 20 police officers had sustained serious injuries, one officer died.
President William Ruto has criticised the protesters, saying the constitution does not permit them to engage in violence.
Odinga has accused the police of brutality against his supporters and warned of what he described as the "mother of all demonstrations" next Monday.
#Kenya
@africaintel
Protesters threw stones at police in Kenya's capital and attackers set fire to an office run by the president's party in a western town on Thursday during a third wave of demonstrations organised by his opponents.
Thousands joined marches called by opposition leader Raila Odinga against high living costs and alleged fraud in last year's vote. The government has said the vote was fair, defended its economic record and called for the protests to stop.
At least six journalists have been reportedly injured. More than 20 police officers had sustained serious injuries, one officer died.
President William Ruto has criticised the protesters, saying the constitution does not permit them to engage in violence.
Odinga has accused the police of brutality against his supporters and warned of what he described as the "mother of all demonstrations" next Monday.
#Kenya
@africaintel
🇸🇸 South Sudan Vice-President rejects new defence minister
South Sudan's Vice-President Riek Machar, who is also leader of the opposition SPLM-IO party, has rejected the appointment of Gen Chol Thon Balok as the new defence minister.
The general is from the President Salva Kiir's party and replaces Angelina Teny, Machar's wife, who was sacked a few weeks ago.
A peace deal that ended a brutal five-year civil war splits cabinet posts between Kiir's and Machar's parties.
The SPLM-IO has urged Kiir to revoke Gen Thon's appointment, saying the president should not take such unilateral decisions until the row over the sacking is resolved with his deputy.
#SouthSudan
@africaintel
South Sudan's Vice-President Riek Machar, who is also leader of the opposition SPLM-IO party, has rejected the appointment of Gen Chol Thon Balok as the new defence minister.
The general is from the President Salva Kiir's party and replaces Angelina Teny, Machar's wife, who was sacked a few weeks ago.
A peace deal that ended a brutal five-year civil war splits cabinet posts between Kiir's and Machar's parties.
The SPLM-IO has urged Kiir to revoke Gen Thon's appointment, saying the president should not take such unilateral decisions until the row over the sacking is resolved with his deputy.
#SouthSudan
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇰🇪 Kenya police, crowds clash in third wave of price rise protests Protesters threw stones at police in Kenya's capital and attackers set fire to an office run by the president's party in a western town on Thursday during a third wave of demonstrations organised…
🇰🇪 Kenya opposition leader claims 'assassination' attempt
Kenya's former prime minister Raila Odinga claimed that his car was shot at seven times on Thursday during anti-government protests and said it was an attempt on his life.
Odinga said police targeted his vehicle and those of other opposition leaders during a protest procession in the Eastlands part of the capital, Nairobi.
He also accused police of targeting journalists during the anti-government protests and claimed there were plans to attack the offices of the leading Royal Media Services group in Nairobi.
Odinga criticised the international community for allegedly ignoring human rights abuses by the authorities during the protests.
#Kenya
@africaintel
Kenya's former prime minister Raila Odinga claimed that his car was shot at seven times on Thursday during anti-government protests and said it was an attempt on his life.
Odinga said police targeted his vehicle and those of other opposition leaders during a protest procession in the Eastlands part of the capital, Nairobi.
He also accused police of targeting journalists during the anti-government protests and claimed there were plans to attack the offices of the leading Royal Media Services group in Nairobi.
Odinga criticised the international community for allegedly ignoring human rights abuses by the authorities during the protests.
#Kenya
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Senegal says H5N1 bird flu has likely spread from wild birds to farm
Senegal has reported an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on a poultry farm in the northwestern part of the country, the government and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said.
The outbreak occurred on March 18 on a farm in the village of Potou near the town of Louga, not far from the Langue de Barbarie National Park where an H5N1 outbreak had been found.
The outbreak killed 500 birds at the farm in Potou. The remaining animals in the 11,400-strong flock were culled, the WOAH said.
Senegalese authorities said in the statement that 1,229 bird deaths were recorded at the Langue de Barbarie Park and surroundings, to date. At the Pink Lake, and Yoff Island, 323 and 213 bird deaths were recorded, it added.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Senegal has reported an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on a poultry farm in the northwestern part of the country, the government and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said.
The outbreak occurred on March 18 on a farm in the village of Potou near the town of Louga, not far from the Langue de Barbarie National Park where an H5N1 outbreak had been found.
The outbreak killed 500 birds at the farm in Potou. The remaining animals in the 11,400-strong flock were culled, the WOAH said.
Senegalese authorities said in the statement that 1,229 bird deaths were recorded at the Langue de Barbarie Park and surroundings, to date. At the Pink Lake, and Yoff Island, 323 and 213 bird deaths were recorded, it added.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇿🇦 African Eskom's interim profit fell by nearly two-thirds
South African power utility Eskom said on Friday its half year profit fell by nearly two-thirds, driven by rolling power cuts and poor plant performance.
The state-owned utility's profit for the six months fell to 3.84 billion rand from 10.61 billion rand in the year earlier period.
The government, which has struggled for years to overhaul the power firm, said in February it planned to take on 254 billion rand of Eskom's 423 billion rand debt.
For 2023, Eskom said it would need 60 billion rand for operations, three quarters of which has already been arranged with the remainder to be secured through a private share placement.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
South African power utility Eskom said on Friday its half year profit fell by nearly two-thirds, driven by rolling power cuts and poor plant performance.
The state-owned utility's profit for the six months fell to 3.84 billion rand from 10.61 billion rand in the year earlier period.
The government, which has struggled for years to overhaul the power firm, said in February it planned to take on 254 billion rand of Eskom's 423 billion rand debt.
For 2023, Eskom said it would need 60 billion rand for operations, three quarters of which has already been arranged with the remainder to be secured through a private share placement.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇸🇩 Sudanese talks hit roadblock over security sector reform Talks in Sudan aimed at reaching a final agreement to name a civilian government next month and launch a new transition towards elections have hit a roadblock over the issue of restructuring the…
🇸🇩 Signing of political agreement in Sudan delayed due to "outstanding issues"
The signing of a final political agreement in Sudan was delayed due to a lack of "consensus on some outstanding issues", the spokesperson of the negotiation process said.
The final accord to name a civilian government this month and launch a new transition towards elections was originally to be signed on Saturday.
Disagreements surfaced this week over the timeline for integrating the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the military, a move called for in a framework deal for the new transition signed in December.
#Sudan
@africaintel
The signing of a final political agreement in Sudan was delayed due to a lack of "consensus on some outstanding issues", the spokesperson of the negotiation process said.
The final accord to name a civilian government this month and launch a new transition towards elections was originally to be signed on Saturday.
Disagreements surfaced this week over the timeline for integrating the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the military, a move called for in a framework deal for the new transition signed in December.
#Sudan
@africaintel
🇸🇩 Signing of Sudan political agreement delayed to April 6
The signing of an agreement to name a Sudanese civilian government and launch a new transition towards elections was delayed until April 6, a spokesman for the negotiation process said on Saturday.
Khalid Omar Yousif said that military and civilian parties have unanimously agreed to "redouble efforts to overcome the remaining obstacle within a few days and pave the way for the signing of the final political agreement on April 6".
The accord was originally scheduled to be signed on Saturday but was delayed due to a lack of "consensus on some outstanding issues," Yousif said earlier in the day.
#Sudan
@africaintel
The signing of an agreement to name a Sudanese civilian government and launch a new transition towards elections was delayed until April 6, a spokesman for the negotiation process said on Saturday.
Khalid Omar Yousif said that military and civilian parties have unanimously agreed to "redouble efforts to overcome the remaining obstacle within a few days and pave the way for the signing of the final political agreement on April 6".
The accord was originally scheduled to be signed on Saturday but was delayed due to a lack of "consensus on some outstanding issues," Yousif said earlier in the day.
#Sudan
@africaintel