🇨🇫 Central African Republic says 10,000 children are still fighting alongside armed groups
About 10,000 children are still fighting alongside armed groups in Central African Republic more than a decade after civil war broke out, the government said.
Marthe Kirima, the minister for family and gender, said in a statement that children are still being recruited as fighters, spies, messengers, cooks and even used as sex slaves.
While 15,000 children have escaped from rebel forces, she said, many are traumatized and find it difficult to return to normal life.
Some former child soldiers told The Associated Press that their harrowing experiences had pushed them to become peace ambassadors.
#CAR
@africaintel
About 10,000 children are still fighting alongside armed groups in Central African Republic more than a decade after civil war broke out, the government said.
Marthe Kirima, the minister for family and gender, said in a statement that children are still being recruited as fighters, spies, messengers, cooks and even used as sex slaves.
While 15,000 children have escaped from rebel forces, she said, many are traumatized and find it difficult to return to normal life.
Some former child soldiers told The Associated Press that their harrowing experiences had pushed them to become peace ambassadors.
#CAR
@africaintel
🇺🇸🇸🇳 US urges Senegalese President Sall to restore Senegal's electoral calendar
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday urged Senegalese President Macky Sall to restore Senegal's electoral calendar and timeline for presidential transition, the U.S. State Department said after a call between the two leaders.
In the call, Blinken raised "serious concerns" about Senegal's current political situation following actions to postpone the presidential election.
#US #Senegal
@africaintel
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday urged Senegalese President Macky Sall to restore Senegal's electoral calendar and timeline for presidential transition, the U.S. State Department said after a call between the two leaders.
In the call, Blinken raised "serious concerns" about Senegal's current political situation following actions to postpone the presidential election.
#US #Senegal
@africaintel
Forwarded from South Africa Reports
🇲🇦🇿🇦Raja Football Fans Respond to Mandela’s Grandson’s Anti-Morocco Remarks — Jan 2023
Rabat - Raja Casablanca (RCA) football fans have responded to anti-Morocco remarks made by Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Zwelivelile Mandela during the opening ceremony of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Algeria.
On Tuesday, Raja Casablanca football fans used a giant banner during a match against MC Oujda to respond to Mandela’s grandson’s remarks, which caused a political row in the African football world.
The banner reads: “Little Mandela, the only colony left in Africa is Orania.”
Raja Casablanca’s football fans' response came following anti-Moroccan remarks made by Zwelivelile Mandela and Algerian football fans during the CHAN opening ceremony.
Addressing the public in a televised speech, Mandela’s grandson challenged Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara.
"The last colony of Africa, Western Sahara. Let us fight to free Western Sahara from oppression,” Zwelivelile stated.
Rabat - Raja Casablanca (RCA) football fans have responded to anti-Morocco remarks made by Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Zwelivelile Mandela during the opening ceremony of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Algeria.
On Tuesday, Raja Casablanca football fans used a giant banner during a match against MC Oujda to respond to Mandela’s grandson’s remarks, which caused a political row in the African football world.
The banner reads: “Little Mandela, the only colony left in Africa is Orania.”
Raja Casablanca’s football fans' response came following anti-Moroccan remarks made by Zwelivelile Mandela and Algerian football fans during the CHAN opening ceremony.
Addressing the public in a televised speech, Mandela’s grandson challenged Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara.
"The last colony of Africa, Western Sahara. Let us fight to free Western Sahara from oppression,” Zwelivelile stated.
💰🇿🇼 IMF says Zimbabwe should speed up currency reforms
The International Monetary Fund encouraged Zimbabwe to speed up currency reforms at the end of a staff visit, saying authorities should move towards a market-driven exchange rate and remove distortions currently in place.
The visit discussed Zimbabwe's request for an IMF staff-monitored programme, part of Zimbabwe's efforts to re-engage with the international financial community by demonstrating a track record of sound economic policies.
Zimbabwe has not been able to secure financing from the likes of the IMF for more than two decades due to arrears in servicing its debt to lenders including the World Bank, the African Development Bank and European Investment Bank.
"The IMF is currently precluded from providing financial support to Zimbabwe due to its unsustainable debt situation and official external arrears," the IMF said.
#IMF #Zimbabwe
@africaintel
The International Monetary Fund encouraged Zimbabwe to speed up currency reforms at the end of a staff visit, saying authorities should move towards a market-driven exchange rate and remove distortions currently in place.
The visit discussed Zimbabwe's request for an IMF staff-monitored programme, part of Zimbabwe's efforts to re-engage with the international financial community by demonstrating a track record of sound economic policies.
Zimbabwe has not been able to secure financing from the likes of the IMF for more than two decades due to arrears in servicing its debt to lenders including the World Bank, the African Development Bank and European Investment Bank.
"The IMF is currently precluded from providing financial support to Zimbabwe due to its unsustainable debt situation and official external arrears," the IMF said.
#IMF #Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇮🇹🇺🇳🇨🇩 Italian judge rules U.N. staffers cannot be tried over DR Congo deaths
An Italian judge has ruled that two employees of a U.N. agency cannot be tried over the deaths of the Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, his bodyguard and a driver in 2021 because they have diplomatic immunity.
Luca Attanasio, bodyguard Vittorio Iacovacci and their driver Mustapha Milambo were killed during a botched kidnapping on a road in eastern Congo as they were heading toward a World Food Programme (WFP) project.
Rome prosecutors had requested a trial for Rocco Leone and Mansour Luguru Rwagaza, who at the time of the attack were respectively the deputy chief of the WFP in Congo and a security officer, accusing the pair of negligence in organising the trip.
However, Judge Marisa Mosetti ruled that as employees of the United Nations, the two men enjoyed diplomatic immunity and cannot therefore be tried.
#Italy #UN #DRC
@africaintel
An Italian judge has ruled that two employees of a U.N. agency cannot be tried over the deaths of the Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, his bodyguard and a driver in 2021 because they have diplomatic immunity.
Luca Attanasio, bodyguard Vittorio Iacovacci and their driver Mustapha Milambo were killed during a botched kidnapping on a road in eastern Congo as they were heading toward a World Food Programme (WFP) project.
Rome prosecutors had requested a trial for Rocco Leone and Mansour Luguru Rwagaza, who at the time of the attack were respectively the deputy chief of the WFP in Congo and a security officer, accusing the pair of negligence in organising the trip.
However, Judge Marisa Mosetti ruled that as employees of the United Nations, the two men enjoyed diplomatic immunity and cannot therefore be tried.
#Italy #UN #DRC
@africaintel
🇹🇷🇪🇬🇵🇸 Turkey's Erdogan on first Egypt visit in decade with Gaza in focus
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan made his first visit to Egypt since 2012 on Wednesday to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, taking a big step toward rebuilding relations between the regional powers.
Erdogan has said discussions would focus on Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip. The leaders, whose relations frayed over Egypt's 2013 military coup and its fallout for the Muslim Brotherhood, planned to hold a joint press conference later.
The visit caps diplomatic efforts in recent years to thaw the nations' frosty relations. They mutually appointed ambassadors last year, and this month Turkey said it would provide Egypt with armed drones.
According to a draft programme, Sisi and Erdogan were to hold bilateral talks before a meeting between the two delegations, with a formal dinner planned.
#Turkey #Egypt #Palestine
@africaintel
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan made his first visit to Egypt since 2012 on Wednesday to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, taking a big step toward rebuilding relations between the regional powers.
Erdogan has said discussions would focus on Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip. The leaders, whose relations frayed over Egypt's 2013 military coup and its fallout for the Muslim Brotherhood, planned to hold a joint press conference later.
The visit caps diplomatic efforts in recent years to thaw the nations' frosty relations. They mutually appointed ambassadors last year, and this month Turkey said it would provide Egypt with armed drones.
According to a draft programme, Sisi and Erdogan were to hold bilateral talks before a meeting between the two delegations, with a formal dinner planned.
#Turkey #Egypt #Palestine
@africaintel
🇳🇬🛢 Nigeria's new Dangote refinery to export first fuel cargoes
Nigeria's Dangote oil refinery has issued tenders to sell two fuel cargoes for export, the first from the newly commissioned refinery, sources told Reuters.
The refinery was built on a peninsula on the outskirts of the commercial capital Lagos by the continent's richest man Aliko Dangote.
Nigeria has for years relied on expensive imports for nearly all the fuel it consumes but the $20 billion refinery is set to turn it into a net exporter of fuel to other West African countries.
The first cargo is 65,000 metric tons of low-sulphur straight run fuel oil, which Dangote has awarded to Trafigura and is due to load at the end of February, Reuter's sources said.
The second tender is for about 60,000 tons of naphtha, other Reuter's sources said. They added that the tender closes on February 15.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Nigeria's Dangote oil refinery has issued tenders to sell two fuel cargoes for export, the first from the newly commissioned refinery, sources told Reuters.
The refinery was built on a peninsula on the outskirts of the commercial capital Lagos by the continent's richest man Aliko Dangote.
Nigeria has for years relied on expensive imports for nearly all the fuel it consumes but the $20 billion refinery is set to turn it into a net exporter of fuel to other West African countries.
The first cargo is 65,000 metric tons of low-sulphur straight run fuel oil, which Dangote has awarded to Trafigura and is due to load at the end of February, Reuter's sources said.
The second tender is for about 60,000 tons of naphtha, other Reuter's sources said. They added that the tender closes on February 15.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇨🇩 3 dead in bombing attack on DR Congo displacement camp as violence in the east escalates
A group of rebels bombed a displacement camp in eastern Congo's North Kivu province killing three civilians and injuring eight others, a local civil society group said Tuesday, as violence in the conflict-hit region sparked protests and a humanitarian group warned that thousands are facing limited access to aid.
M23 bombed the Zaina camp on Monday, which is 16 miles from the city of Goma, civil society leader Wete Mwami Yenga, said. The bombing followed days of attacks not far away from the city.
The M23 rebels did not claim responsibility for the attack but appeared to confirm Tuesday that they were heading to the town of Sake which is near Goma.
#DRC
@africaintel
A group of rebels bombed a displacement camp in eastern Congo's North Kivu province killing three civilians and injuring eight others, a local civil society group said Tuesday, as violence in the conflict-hit region sparked protests and a humanitarian group warned that thousands are facing limited access to aid.
M23 bombed the Zaina camp on Monday, which is 16 miles from the city of Goma, civil society leader Wete Mwami Yenga, said. The bombing followed days of attacks not far away from the city.
The M23 rebels did not claim responsibility for the attack but appeared to confirm Tuesday that they were heading to the town of Sake which is near Goma.
#DRC
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇹🇷🇪🇬🇵🇸 Turkey's Erdogan on first Egypt visit in decade with Gaza in focus Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan made his first visit to Egypt since 2012 on Wednesday to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, taking a big step toward rebuilding relations between…
🇹🇷🇪🇬🇵🇸 Erdogan says Turkey ready to cooperate with Egypt on Gaza
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey was ready for cooperation with Egypt to rebuild Gaza as he made his first visit to the country since 2012.
Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held a joint news conference on Wednesday in Cairo after bilateral talks.
Erdogan said the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza topped the agenda of their talks. "We will continue to cooperate and stand in solidarity with our Egyptian brothers to put an end to the bloodshed in Gaza," he said, adding Turkey was determined to step up talks with Egypt at all levels in order to establish peace and stability in the region.
Erdogan also vowed to boost trade with Egypt to $15 billion in the short term, adding that the two countries were evaluating energy and defence cooperation.
#Turkey #Egypt #Palestine
@africaintel
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey was ready for cooperation with Egypt to rebuild Gaza as he made his first visit to the country since 2012.
Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held a joint news conference on Wednesday in Cairo after bilateral talks.
Erdogan said the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza topped the agenda of their talks. "We will continue to cooperate and stand in solidarity with our Egyptian brothers to put an end to the bloodshed in Gaza," he said, adding Turkey was determined to step up talks with Egypt at all levels in order to establish peace and stability in the region.
Erdogan also vowed to boost trade with Egypt to $15 billion in the short term, adding that the two countries were evaluating energy and defence cooperation.
#Turkey #Egypt #Palestine
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Nigeria to clear debt, fix gas shortages in plan to end power woes
Nigeria plans to fix its chronic power woes by settling outstanding debts of about $2.16 billion to energy producers and tackling gas supply shortages to generating firms, the power minister said.
Nigeria has 12,500 megawatts of installed capacity but only produces about a quarter of that, forcing households and businesses, including manufacturers to resort to diesel and petrol generators.
Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu told on Wednesday that outstanding debts, inadequate gas supplies and ageing equipment were the key barriers hampering optimal power output.
Adelabu said power generators are currently owed 1.3 trillion naira ($858.65 million), in addition to a $1.3 billion legacy debt from a decade ago.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Nigeria plans to fix its chronic power woes by settling outstanding debts of about $2.16 billion to energy producers and tackling gas supply shortages to generating firms, the power minister said.
Nigeria has 12,500 megawatts of installed capacity but only produces about a quarter of that, forcing households and businesses, including manufacturers to resort to diesel and petrol generators.
Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu told on Wednesday that outstanding debts, inadequate gas supplies and ageing equipment were the key barriers hampering optimal power output.
Adelabu said power generators are currently owed 1.3 trillion naira ($858.65 million), in addition to a $1.3 billion legacy debt from a decade ago.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇮🇱🇿🇦🇵🇸🇺🇳 Israel says South Africa serving Hamas in latest bid to World Court
South Africa's latest request to the World Court against a possible offensive by Israel in southern Gaza serves Hamas and is an attempt to stop Israel from defending itself, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
South Africa on Tuesday asked The ICJ to consider whether Israel's plan to extend its offensive in Gaza into the city of Rafah requires additional emergency measures to protect Palestinians.
"South Africa continues to represent the interests of the Hamas terrorist organization and is trying to deny Israel the fundamental right to defend itself and its citizens," said Israel Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
"Israel is committed to upholding international law, including facilitating the transfer of humanitarian aid and preventing harm to innocents, while the Hamas terrorists are hiding behind the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and are holding 134 people hostage," he added.
#Israel #SouthAfrica #Palestine #UN
@africaintel
South Africa's latest request to the World Court against a possible offensive by Israel in southern Gaza serves Hamas and is an attempt to stop Israel from defending itself, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
South Africa on Tuesday asked The ICJ to consider whether Israel's plan to extend its offensive in Gaza into the city of Rafah requires additional emergency measures to protect Palestinians.
"South Africa continues to represent the interests of the Hamas terrorist organization and is trying to deny Israel the fundamental right to defend itself and its citizens," said Israel Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
"Israel is committed to upholding international law, including facilitating the transfer of humanitarian aid and preventing harm to innocents, while the Hamas terrorists are hiding behind the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and are holding 134 people hostage," he added.
#Israel #SouthAfrica #Palestine #UN
@africaintel
🇬🇭 Ghana fans demand reform after Cup of Nations flop
Hundreds of football fans took to the streets of Ghana's capital Accra, demanding better governance for football after their team failed to get out of the group stage at this year's Africa Cup of Nations.
Clad in black and red T-shirts saying "Save Ghana football" and holding placards, the protesters marched through the main streets to show their frustration over the Black Stars' poor performances at recent major tournaments.
Ghana, four-times Nations Cup champions but not since 1982, have qualified for four World Cups and reached the quarter-finals in 2010.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) sacked coach Chris Hughton last month after the team finished third in Group B at the Nations Cup with two points in three matches.
The GFA, led by Kurt Okraku, is now recruiting its fifth Blacks Stars coach in five years.
#Ghana
@africaintel
Hundreds of football fans took to the streets of Ghana's capital Accra, demanding better governance for football after their team failed to get out of the group stage at this year's Africa Cup of Nations.
Clad in black and red T-shirts saying "Save Ghana football" and holding placards, the protesters marched through the main streets to show their frustration over the Black Stars' poor performances at recent major tournaments.
Ghana, four-times Nations Cup champions but not since 1982, have qualified for four World Cups and reached the quarter-finals in 2010.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) sacked coach Chris Hughton last month after the team finished third in Group B at the Nations Cup with two points in three matches.
The GFA, led by Kurt Okraku, is now recruiting its fifth Blacks Stars coach in five years.
#Ghana
@africaintel
🇸🇴🇪🇹 Somaliland lawmakers shoot down Red Sea access deal with Ethiopia
Lawmakers in Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland have rejected a maritime access deal with Ethiopia.
In a joint statement late on Tuesday, members of both houses of Somaliland's parliament, mainly from the coastal Awdal and Salal provinces, said the Red Sea access deal was "illegal" and aims to "harm the unity of the people of Somaliland."
"We have rejected the deal and its implementation and we are calling the government to stop and retract the memorandum of understanding," said the statement.
The statement pointed to "conflicting statements" from leaders of Somaliland and Ethiopia on the deal, which allows Ethiopia to obtain a permanent naval base and commercial maritime service in the Gulf of Aden.
Somalia has rejected Ethiopia's Red Sea port deal with Somaliland in January, calling it "illegitimate," a threat to good neighborliness and a violation of its sovereignty.
#Somaliland #Ethiopia
@africaintel
Lawmakers in Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland have rejected a maritime access deal with Ethiopia.
In a joint statement late on Tuesday, members of both houses of Somaliland's parliament, mainly from the coastal Awdal and Salal provinces, said the Red Sea access deal was "illegal" and aims to "harm the unity of the people of Somaliland."
"We have rejected the deal and its implementation and we are calling the government to stop and retract the memorandum of understanding," said the statement.
The statement pointed to "conflicting statements" from leaders of Somaliland and Ethiopia on the deal, which allows Ethiopia to obtain a permanent naval base and commercial maritime service in the Gulf of Aden.
Somalia has rejected Ethiopia's Red Sea port deal with Somaliland in January, calling it "illegitimate," a threat to good neighborliness and a violation of its sovereignty.
#Somaliland #Ethiopia
@africaintel
🇬🇭 Ghana president replaces finance minister in reshuffle
Ghana's president has replaced finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta in a cabinet reshuffle after criticism of the ex-banker's leadership during the Ghana's worst economic crisis in a generation.
The office of President Nana Akufo-Addo said that Ofori-Atta would be replaced by Mohammed Amin Adam, currently the minister of state at the finance ministry and previously deputy energy minister responsible for the petroleum sector.
It did not give a reason for the change.
Ofori-Atta has been overseeing Ghana's debt restructuring efforts after the West African gold, oil and cocoa producer defaulted on most of its external debt in December 2022.
Inflation rose above 50% that year and the local cedi currency plummeted. Ofori-Atta faced calls for his resignation from street protesters and both opposition and ruling party MPs, which he survived.
#Ghana
@africaintel
Ghana's president has replaced finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta in a cabinet reshuffle after criticism of the ex-banker's leadership during the Ghana's worst economic crisis in a generation.
The office of President Nana Akufo-Addo said that Ofori-Atta would be replaced by Mohammed Amin Adam, currently the minister of state at the finance ministry and previously deputy energy minister responsible for the petroleum sector.
It did not give a reason for the change.
Ofori-Atta has been overseeing Ghana's debt restructuring efforts after the West African gold, oil and cocoa producer defaulted on most of its external debt in December 2022.
Inflation rose above 50% that year and the local cedi currency plummeted. Ofori-Atta faced calls for his resignation from street protesters and both opposition and ruling party MPs, which he survived.
#Ghana
@africaintel
🇬🇭 Ghana overseas debt restructuring seen delayed not scuppered by new finance minister
International investors greeted the removal of Ghana's finance minister with caution on Wednesday, as they braced for the prospect of more delays to the restructuring of the country's overseas debt ahead of national elections in December.
The replacement of Ken Ofori-Atta with Mohammed Amin Adam, minister of state in the finance ministry, was not expected to completely scupper negotiations over the debt restructuring.
Ghana is seeking relief on some $13 billion owed to private creditors holding eurobonds. Ofori-Atta had overseen the debt restructuring efforts.
"There could be some risk regarding a delay as the new minister of finance catches up," said Thys Louw, portfolio manager for emerging markets hard currency debt strategy at asset manager Ninety One. "But overall, this is unlikely to derail a deal before the elections," he said.
#Ghana
@africaintel
International investors greeted the removal of Ghana's finance minister with caution on Wednesday, as they braced for the prospect of more delays to the restructuring of the country's overseas debt ahead of national elections in December.
The replacement of Ken Ofori-Atta with Mohammed Amin Adam, minister of state in the finance ministry, was not expected to completely scupper negotiations over the debt restructuring.
Ghana is seeking relief on some $13 billion owed to private creditors holding eurobonds. Ofori-Atta had overseen the debt restructuring efforts.
"There could be some risk regarding a delay as the new minister of finance catches up," said Thys Louw, portfolio manager for emerging markets hard currency debt strategy at asset manager Ninety One. "But overall, this is unlikely to derail a deal before the elections," he said.
#Ghana
@africaintel