🇬🇭 Ghana central bank calls for tighter fiscal policy as it hikes again
Ghana's central bank called on Monday for tighter fiscal policy to help bring down stubbornly high inflation as it hiked its main interest rate by another 50 basis points to 30.0%.
Ghana is grappling with its worst economic crisis in a generation, characterised by double-digit inflation and ballooning public debt.
It has secured a $3 billion support package from the International Monetary Fund conditional on debt restructuring.
Central bank governor Ernest Addison said on Monday that the latest interest rate increase was needed to prevent a disinflation trend from being blown off course. "You will continue to see policy tightening until we get inflation where we want it to be," Addison told.
#Ghana
@africaintel
Ghana's central bank called on Monday for tighter fiscal policy to help bring down stubbornly high inflation as it hiked its main interest rate by another 50 basis points to 30.0%.
Ghana is grappling with its worst economic crisis in a generation, characterised by double-digit inflation and ballooning public debt.
It has secured a $3 billion support package from the International Monetary Fund conditional on debt restructuring.
Central bank governor Ernest Addison said on Monday that the latest interest rate increase was needed to prevent a disinflation trend from being blown off course. "You will continue to see policy tightening until we get inflation where we want it to be," Addison told.
#Ghana
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇩🇿 Wildfires kill 15 in Algeria as heatwave hits north Africa Wildfires killed 15 people in the mountainous Bejaia and Bouira regions of Algeria on Monday, the interior ministry said, as a heatwave spreads across north Africa and southern Europe. Some 7…
🇩🇿 Wildfires kill 34 in Algeria as heatwave sweeps north Africa
The death toll as wildfires sweep across regions of Algeria has risen to 34 people including 10 soldiers on Monday, the interior ministry said, as a heatwave spreads across north Africa and southern Europe.
Some 8,000 firefighters were battling to bring the flames under control, authorities said.
The interior ministry said that it is continuing its firefighting operations in the Boumerdes, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou, Jijel, Bejaia and Skikda regions. The authorities have launched a judicial investigation into the causes of the fires.
Meanwhile, wildfires has spread to Greece.
#Algeria
@africaintel
The death toll as wildfires sweep across regions of Algeria has risen to 34 people including 10 soldiers on Monday, the interior ministry said, as a heatwave spreads across north Africa and southern Europe.
Some 8,000 firefighters were battling to bring the flames under control, authorities said.
The interior ministry said that it is continuing its firefighting operations in the Boumerdes, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou, Jijel, Bejaia and Skikda regions. The authorities have launched a judicial investigation into the causes of the fires.
Meanwhile, wildfires has spread to Greece.
#Algeria
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇩🇿 Wildfires kill 34 in Algeria as heatwave sweeps north Africa The death toll as wildfires sweep across regions of Algeria has risen to 34 people including 10 soldiers on Monday, the interior ministry said, as a heatwave spreads across north Africa and southern…
🔥🇩🇿🇹🇳 Deadly fires rage along Algeria coast, spread to Tunisia
The fires broke out in several provinces in Algeria on Monday, ripping through forests, olive groves and low-lying shrubland. Fanned by strong winds, fires had also spread to neighbouring Tunisia, forcing the closure of two border crossings.
Tunisia on Monday evacuated inhabitants of a village in the northwestern province of Jendouba.
#Algeria #Tunisia
@africaintel
The fires broke out in several provinces in Algeria on Monday, ripping through forests, olive groves and low-lying shrubland. Fanned by strong winds, fires had also spread to neighbouring Tunisia, forcing the closure of two border crossings.
Tunisia on Monday evacuated inhabitants of a village in the northwestern province of Jendouba.
#Algeria #Tunisia
@africaintel
🇬🇦 Gabon selects 19 presidential candidates for August election
Gabon has validated 19 candidates, including current President Ali Bongo and several former ministers, for a presidential election next month, the election commssion said.
Bongo's candidacy was approved despite opposition claims that he is unfit for the presidency. He suffered a stroke in October 2018 and was flown to Morocco for medical treatment.
The president of the Gabonese Elections Center, Michel Stephane Bonda, said on Sunday 27 applications were received by the deadline for filing nomination papers and 19 were approved.
Former Mines Minister Alexandre Barro Chambrier is seen as Bongo's main challenger.
#Gabon
@africaintel
Gabon has validated 19 candidates, including current President Ali Bongo and several former ministers, for a presidential election next month, the election commssion said.
Bongo's candidacy was approved despite opposition claims that he is unfit for the presidency. He suffered a stroke in October 2018 and was flown to Morocco for medical treatment.
The president of the Gabonese Elections Center, Michel Stephane Bonda, said on Sunday 27 applications were received by the deadline for filing nomination papers and 19 were approved.
Former Mines Minister Alexandre Barro Chambrier is seen as Bongo's main challenger.
#Gabon
@africaintel
🇺🇸🇲🇱 US sanctions three Malian officials over alleged ties to Wagner Group
The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on three Malian officials, including the minister of defense, over accusations they facilitated the deployment and expansion of the Russian Wagner Group's activities.
The U.S. Treasury Department said it imposed sanctions on Mali's Minister of Defense, Sadio Camara, who it said made several trips to Russia in 2021 to solidify an agreement between the Wagner Group and the Malian transition government to deploy the mercenary force.
Monday's sanctions also target Mali’s Chief of Staff of the Air Force Alou Boi Diarra and Malian Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Adama Bagayoko, the department said.
Both Russia and Mali have said Russian fighters in the African nation are not mercenaries but trainers helping local troops fight a decade-long insurgency by Islamist militants.
#USA #Mali #Wagner
@africaintel
The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on three Malian officials, including the minister of defense, over accusations they facilitated the deployment and expansion of the Russian Wagner Group's activities.
The U.S. Treasury Department said it imposed sanctions on Mali's Minister of Defense, Sadio Camara, who it said made several trips to Russia in 2021 to solidify an agreement between the Wagner Group and the Malian transition government to deploy the mercenary force.
Monday's sanctions also target Mali’s Chief of Staff of the Air Force Alou Boi Diarra and Malian Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Adama Bagayoko, the department said.
Both Russia and Mali have said Russian fighters in the African nation are not mercenaries but trainers helping local troops fight a decade-long insurgency by Islamist militants.
#USA #Mali #Wagner
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Suspended Nigerian central bank governor denies firearm charges
Suspended Nigerian central bank governor Godwin Emefiele appeared in court on Tuesday to deny illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, a TV station reported, the first time he has been seen in public in more than a month.
Emefiele was detained by a state security agency on June 10, a day after new President Bola Tinubu suspended him. A judge this month ordered the agency to file charges or release him.
Emefiele pleaded not guilty to two counts of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He has challenged his detention and has filed an application for bail.
Government lawyers had asked the courts in June to authorise Emefiele's detention for allegedly misappropriating funds and "criminal breach of trust", charges that carry lengthy jail terms if proved.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Suspended Nigerian central bank governor Godwin Emefiele appeared in court on Tuesday to deny illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, a TV station reported, the first time he has been seen in public in more than a month.
Emefiele was detained by a state security agency on June 10, a day after new President Bola Tinubu suspended him. A judge this month ordered the agency to file charges or release him.
Emefiele pleaded not guilty to two counts of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He has challenged his detention and has filed an application for bail.
Government lawyers had asked the courts in June to authorise Emefiele's detention for allegedly misappropriating funds and "criminal breach of trust", charges that carry lengthy jail terms if proved.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇪🇺🇸🇩 EU to toughen its stance on Sudan war with sanctions framework
The European Union is setting up a dedicated sanctions framework for Sudan to eventually target key actors in the ongoing war with travel bans and asset and bank account freezes.
A proposal document was shared between member states late last week and the details will be discussed over the following weeks. The aim is to finish the framework by September, after which it could be used to compile a list of banned individuals and companies.
U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order in early May laying groundwork for potential U.S. sanctions.
"Setting up the regime should serve as a deterrent to Sudanese warlords. It's a last warning," sources said, adding that the framework would stick to individual targets rather than any sectoral moves.
#EU #Sudan
@africaintel
The European Union is setting up a dedicated sanctions framework for Sudan to eventually target key actors in the ongoing war with travel bans and asset and bank account freezes.
A proposal document was shared between member states late last week and the details will be discussed over the following weeks. The aim is to finish the framework by September, after which it could be used to compile a list of banned individuals and companies.
U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order in early May laying groundwork for potential U.S. sanctions.
"Setting up the regime should serve as a deterrent to Sudanese warlords. It's a last warning," sources said, adding that the framework would stick to individual targets rather than any sectoral moves.
#EU #Sudan
@africaintel
🇷🇺🌍 Russia-Africa summit to discuss Moscow's grain and fertiliser exports
Russia and nations taking part in this week's Russia-Africa summit will discuss Moscow's grain and fertilisers exports, Oleg Ozerov, ambassador at large at the Russian foreign ministry, told.
Last week, Russia withdrew from the year-long Black Sea grain deal that ensured the safe export of Ukrainian grains, saying that Russia's conditions for the extension of the deal had been ignored.
The second Russia-Africa summit will take place in St. Petersburg on July 27-29, as Moscow and the West compete for influence in Africa.
"The creation of logistics corridors, hubs not only for food and fertilizers, but also for any other products that the Russian Federation produces - this will be one of the topics of discussion," Ozerov told.
#Russia #Africa
@africaintel
Russia and nations taking part in this week's Russia-Africa summit will discuss Moscow's grain and fertilisers exports, Oleg Ozerov, ambassador at large at the Russian foreign ministry, told.
Last week, Russia withdrew from the year-long Black Sea grain deal that ensured the safe export of Ukrainian grains, saying that Russia's conditions for the extension of the deal had been ignored.
The second Russia-Africa summit will take place in St. Petersburg on July 27-29, as Moscow and the West compete for influence in Africa.
"The creation of logistics corridors, hubs not only for food and fertilizers, but also for any other products that the Russian Federation produces - this will be one of the topics of discussion," Ozerov told.
#Russia #Africa
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇬🇧🇳🇬 London judge orders confiscation of $130 mln from Nigerian ex-governor Ibori Britain will seek to confiscate $130 million from James Ibori, a former Nigerian state governor who "abused his office to get rich and laundered millions in Britain and elsewhere"…
🇳🇬 Nigeria to recover 150 million euros from Ibori fraud
A British court has ordered a former politician and his accomplices convicted of fraud and money laundering to return 150 million euros to Nigeria, investigators announced on Monday.
He had been convicted after pleading guilty in a £50million fraud case.
But following a forfeiture hearing at Southwark Crown Court in London, a judge ordered him to repay more than £101.5 million, Britain's crime agency (NCA) said.
According to the NCA, the fraudulent profit attributed to James Ibori amounts to nearly £116 million. If he does not pay his dues, he faces an additional eight years in prison, according to the NCA.
A woman linked to James Ibori's cases, convicted in 2010 of money laundering, has to pay back more than £ 2.6 million.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
A British court has ordered a former politician and his accomplices convicted of fraud and money laundering to return 150 million euros to Nigeria, investigators announced on Monday.
He had been convicted after pleading guilty in a £50million fraud case.
But following a forfeiture hearing at Southwark Crown Court in London, a judge ordered him to repay more than £101.5 million, Britain's crime agency (NCA) said.
According to the NCA, the fraudulent profit attributed to James Ibori amounts to nearly £116 million. If he does not pay his dues, he faces an additional eight years in prison, according to the NCA.
A woman linked to James Ibori's cases, convicted in 2010 of money laundering, has to pay back more than £ 2.6 million.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇲🇱 HRW accuses army and alleged fighters from Wagner group of "new atrocities" in Mali
Human Rights Watch accused on Monday, the Malian armed forces and foreign fighters likened to paramilitaries from the Wagner group of "executing dozens of civilians in central Mali since December 2022, during anti-jihadist operations."
The NGO has also "denounced cases of torture of detainees, destruction and looting of civilian property."
With the UN Mission due to leave the country by the end of 2023, the NGO is urging the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States to bring pressure to "put an end to the abuses and hold the Malian authorities accountable."
Mali government denies all presence of Wagner and speaks instead of Russian army instructors deployed in the name of state-to-state cooperation.
#Mali #Wagner
@africaintel
Human Rights Watch accused on Monday, the Malian armed forces and foreign fighters likened to paramilitaries from the Wagner group of "executing dozens of civilians in central Mali since December 2022, during anti-jihadist operations."
The NGO has also "denounced cases of torture of detainees, destruction and looting of civilian property."
With the UN Mission due to leave the country by the end of 2023, the NGO is urging the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States to bring pressure to "put an end to the abuses and hold the Malian authorities accountable."
Mali government denies all presence of Wagner and speaks instead of Russian army instructors deployed in the name of state-to-state cooperation.
#Mali #Wagner
@africaintel
🇨🇩 The soldier responsible for a family massacre in DRC is arrested
The Congolese soldier allegedly responsible for a family massacre that killed 13 people including nine children on Saturday in Ituri, in the north-east of the DRC, was arrested and will be tried on Tuesday.
According to testimonies collected, this soldier had not supported that one of his children, who died in his absence, was buried without him being informed. Returning to the locality of the death, the fishing village of Nyakova, in the territory of Djugu, he opened fire on the people gathered for the mourning of the child.
Thirteen of them, including at least nine children, were killed, according to a report released by concordant sources. According to an army spokesman, two of the soldier's own children were among the dead.
#DRC
@africaintel
The Congolese soldier allegedly responsible for a family massacre that killed 13 people including nine children on Saturday in Ituri, in the north-east of the DRC, was arrested and will be tried on Tuesday.
According to testimonies collected, this soldier had not supported that one of his children, who died in his absence, was buried without him being informed. Returning to the locality of the death, the fishing village of Nyakova, in the territory of Djugu, he opened fire on the people gathered for the mourning of the child.
Thirteen of them, including at least nine children, were killed, according to a report released by concordant sources. According to an army spokesman, two of the soldier's own children were among the dead.
#DRC
@africaintel
🇺🇸🇷🇺🇰🇪🇸🇴 Senior US Treasury official to raise Russia grain deal in visit to Kenya, Somalia
US's Brian Nelson, Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, will highlight Washington's efforts to facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer exports during a visit to Kenya and Somalia and stress that Moscow's exit from the Black Sea grain deal will hurt African states, a spokesperson said on Monday.
This week's visit comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to host African leaders in St. Petersburg on Thursday and Friday and promises them free Russian grain "to replace Ukrainian grain."
"He will highlight the exemptions in U.S. sanctions that have always allowed the continued flow of food and agriculture transactions," the Treasury spokesperson added of Nelson's trip.
#USA #Russia #Kenya #Somalia
@africaintel
US's Brian Nelson, Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, will highlight Washington's efforts to facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer exports during a visit to Kenya and Somalia and stress that Moscow's exit from the Black Sea grain deal will hurt African states, a spokesperson said on Monday.
This week's visit comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to host African leaders in St. Petersburg on Thursday and Friday and promises them free Russian grain "to replace Ukrainian grain."
"He will highlight the exemptions in U.S. sanctions that have always allowed the continued flow of food and agriculture transactions," the Treasury spokesperson added of Nelson's trip.
#USA #Russia #Kenya #Somalia
@africaintel
🇱🇾🇮🇹 Libya - Italy flights to resume in September
Libya’s prime minister, Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, boarded a commercial flight from Fiumicino airport in Rome, to return to Tripoli on Monday. This is the first direct flight between both countries in a decade.
The Libyan prime minister said Monday that Libyans would be able to book direct flights to Italy in September after the Italian government agreed earlier this month to lift a 10-year-long ban on civil aviation in the North African nation.
“Commercial flights for citizens will start in September, God willing. Of course, we still have a lot of work ahead of us. But there is no doubt that what we have achieved today will greatly help the issue of lifting the embargo,” said Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah.
#Libya #Italy
@africaintel
Libya’s prime minister, Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, boarded a commercial flight from Fiumicino airport in Rome, to return to Tripoli on Monday. This is the first direct flight between both countries in a decade.
The Libyan prime minister said Monday that Libyans would be able to book direct flights to Italy in September after the Italian government agreed earlier this month to lift a 10-year-long ban on civil aviation in the North African nation.
“Commercial flights for citizens will start in September, God willing. Of course, we still have a lot of work ahead of us. But there is no doubt that what we have achieved today will greatly help the issue of lifting the embargo,” said Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah.
#Libya #Italy
@africaintel
🇰🇪 Kenya's Odinga denounces "unprecedented police brutality" against protesters
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday denounced "unprecedented police violence" during the anti-government and anti-expense protests that have been taking place in Kenya in recent months.
Since March, the opposition coalition Azimio has organized nine days of action against the policies of President William Ruto, sometimes resulting in looting and clashes with the police. According to Azimio, at least 50 people have been killed since March, some 20 according to official figures.
Accusing the opposition of inciting violence, President Ruto affirmed on Wednesday his support for the police, who "must ensure that they are firm against criminals, gangs, anarchists and all those who want to sow chaos".
#Kenya
@africaintel
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday denounced "unprecedented police violence" during the anti-government and anti-expense protests that have been taking place in Kenya in recent months.
Since March, the opposition coalition Azimio has organized nine days of action against the policies of President William Ruto, sometimes resulting in looting and clashes with the police. According to Azimio, at least 50 people have been killed since March, some 20 according to official figures.
Accusing the opposition of inciting violence, President Ruto affirmed on Wednesday his support for the police, who "must ensure that they are firm against criminals, gangs, anarchists and all those who want to sow chaos".
#Kenya
@africaintel
🇸🇴 At least 20 soldiers killed in a suicide attack in Somalia
An Islamist suicide bomber blew himself up inside a Somali army camp in Mogadishu on Monday and killed at least 20 soldiers, officials and witnesses said.
The attack, which occurred at the Jaalle Siyad Military Academy, was claimed by the Al -Qaeda -linked Al-Shabaab group.
"More than 20 people died in the explosion," a member of the Somali parliament told. "The victims are soldiers who were defending their country against terrorists," he added. Another parliamentarian reported 27 dead and around 60 injured.
#Somalia
@africaintel
An Islamist suicide bomber blew himself up inside a Somali army camp in Mogadishu on Monday and killed at least 20 soldiers, officials and witnesses said.
The attack, which occurred at the Jaalle Siyad Military Academy, was claimed by the Al -Qaeda -linked Al-Shabaab group.
"More than 20 people died in the explosion," a member of the Somali parliament told. "The victims are soldiers who were defending their country against terrorists," he added. Another parliamentarian reported 27 dead and around 60 injured.
#Somalia
@africaintel