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
🇨🇩 Dozens dead as two boats collide on the Congo River
Dozens of people are dead and several others are reported missing after two boats collided on the Congo River near Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday.
It was not immediately clear how many were saved or what caused the accident between the two boats which were loaded with people and goods.
Rivers are key to transport in the vast central African country which has a very poor road infrastructure.Deadly boating accidents occur frequently as crews often overload the vessels.
#DRC
@africaintel
Dozens of people are dead and several others are reported missing after two boats collided on the Congo River near Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday.
It was not immediately clear how many were saved or what caused the accident between the two boats which were loaded with people and goods.
Rivers are key to transport in the vast central African country which has a very poor road infrastructure.Deadly boating accidents occur frequently as crews often overload the vessels.
#DRC
@africaintel
🇿🇦🇨🇩 South African troops killed in DR Congo attack
South African troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo have suffered their first fatalities since their recent deployment to quell a M23 and ADF rebellion.
Two soldiers were killed and three were injured after a mortar bomb landed in their base on Wednesday.
The South African army said it was the result of "indirect fire", implying the base was not targeted. The South African army has also not linked the attack to the M23.
"Details of this incident are still sketchy," it said in a statement.
The troops are part of a regional force helping DR Congo's military as it confronts a series of armed groups.
#SouthAfrica #DRC
@africaintel
South African troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo have suffered their first fatalities since their recent deployment to quell a M23 and ADF rebellion.
Two soldiers were killed and three were injured after a mortar bomb landed in their base on Wednesday.
The South African army said it was the result of "indirect fire", implying the base was not targeted. The South African army has also not linked the attack to the M23.
"Details of this incident are still sketchy," it said in a statement.
The troops are part of a regional force helping DR Congo's military as it confronts a series of armed groups.
#SouthAfrica #DRC
@africaintel
🇿🇦🇵🇸🇮🇱 "We are not representing Hamas" said South African foreign minister
South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has blasted Israel's spokesperson for accusing her government of "representing the interests of the Hamas terrorist organisation".
In response Pandor told "insults are the last resort of a scoundrel".
Pandor, who is in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to attend the African Union summit, said the international community had a responsibility to bring the Israel-Gaza conflict to an end.
"It’s unconscionable that the world has allowed this to carry on for so long," she said.
She added that the world needs to prepare for a "two-state solution".
#SouthAfrica #Palestine #Israel
@africaintel
South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has blasted Israel's spokesperson for accusing her government of "representing the interests of the Hamas terrorist organisation".
In response Pandor told "insults are the last resort of a scoundrel".
Pandor, who is in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to attend the African Union summit, said the international community had a responsibility to bring the Israel-Gaza conflict to an end.
"It’s unconscionable that the world has allowed this to carry on for so long," she said.
She added that the world needs to prepare for a "two-state solution".
#SouthAfrica #Palestine #Israel
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇸🇩 France to hold April aid conference for war-torn Sudan
As fighting between military rivals in Sudan rages on, France said on Wednesday that it will host a humanitarian conference in April to provide aid to the country.
French Foreign Minister, Stephane Sejourne, told parliamentarians that the Paris gathering would aim to help resolve the “dramatic humanitarian crisis” impacting both Sudan and neighbouring countries.
He did not provide any more details about the conference.
#France #Sudan
@africaintel
As fighting between military rivals in Sudan rages on, France said on Wednesday that it will host a humanitarian conference in April to provide aid to the country.
French Foreign Minister, Stephane Sejourne, told parliamentarians that the Paris gathering would aim to help resolve the “dramatic humanitarian crisis” impacting both Sudan and neighbouring countries.
He did not provide any more details about the conference.
#France #Sudan
@africaintel
🇬🇭💰 Ghana's new finance minister pledges to keep IMF programme on track
Ghana's new finance minister, Mohammed Amin Adam, pledged on Thursday to keep its $3 billion International Monetary Fund programme on track as it aims to finish restructuring its overseas debt before an election in December.
"There will not be any delays in the ongoing debt negotiations with bondholders because I have been part of the process," Adam, once deputy minister of energy in charge of petroleum, said.
"The advisers remain the same and the targets have not changed," he said, noting that he was involved in talks from the start.
With national elections approaching in December, some analysts fear the new minister could relax fiscal consolidation to bolster the electoral fortunes of the ruling party.
#Ghana #IMF
@africaintel
Ghana's new finance minister, Mohammed Amin Adam, pledged on Thursday to keep its $3 billion International Monetary Fund programme on track as it aims to finish restructuring its overseas debt before an election in December.
"There will not be any delays in the ongoing debt negotiations with bondholders because I have been part of the process," Adam, once deputy minister of energy in charge of petroleum, said.
"The advisers remain the same and the targets have not changed," he said, noting that he was involved in talks from the start.
With national elections approaching in December, some analysts fear the new minister could relax fiscal consolidation to bolster the electoral fortunes of the ruling party.
#Ghana #IMF
@africaintel
🇧🇷🇪🇬 Brazil and Egypt pledge to forge closer relations
The leaders of Egypt and Brazil on Thursday pledged to forge closer ties between their countries as they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said after talks with his Egyptian counterpart in Cairo that he wanted relations between the two countries to be elevated to a “strategic partnership”.
He called for an increase in annual trade between the two countries, which he said stood at $2 billion.
“We must bolster bilateral relations in all possible fields like culture, defence, economy, technology and science,” he said.
Leaders also reiterated their support to Palestine, said that the UN have failed to resolve international conflicts and harshly criticized Israeli actions in Gaza.
#Brazil #Egypt
@africaintel
The leaders of Egypt and Brazil on Thursday pledged to forge closer ties between their countries as they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said after talks with his Egyptian counterpart in Cairo that he wanted relations between the two countries to be elevated to a “strategic partnership”.
He called for an increase in annual trade between the two countries, which he said stood at $2 billion.
“We must bolster bilateral relations in all possible fields like culture, defence, economy, technology and science,” he said.
Leaders also reiterated their support to Palestine, said that the UN have failed to resolve international conflicts and harshly criticized Israeli actions in Gaza.
#Brazil #Egypt
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Nigeria mulls state policing to combat growing insecurity
Nigeria is considering the introduction of state police in its 36 states to bolster its national police force as it struggles to contain widespread violence and insecurity, the information minister said.
An Islamist insurgency in the northeast, kidnappings for ransom, deadly farmer-herder clashes in the central belt and separatist and gang violence in the southeast are some of the challenges faced by Nigeria's police force.
President Bola Tinubu met the country's state governors to discuss insecurity, which is hurting farmers and contributing to high food prices and inflation.
The federal government and the state governments agreed that a state police force was necessary, marking "a significant shift" in approach, Information Minister Mohammed Idris told reporters after the meeting.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Nigeria is considering the introduction of state police in its 36 states to bolster its national police force as it struggles to contain widespread violence and insecurity, the information minister said.
An Islamist insurgency in the northeast, kidnappings for ransom, deadly farmer-herder clashes in the central belt and separatist and gang violence in the southeast are some of the challenges faced by Nigeria's police force.
President Bola Tinubu met the country's state governors to discuss insecurity, which is hurting farmers and contributing to high food prices and inflation.
The federal government and the state governments agreed that a state police force was necessary, marking "a significant shift" in approach, Information Minister Mohammed Idris told reporters after the meeting.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇸🇳💰 Senegal 'better positioned than some' to navigate investor concern, says IMF
Senegal's diversified funding sources mean it could be better placed than some countries to navigate investor concerns sparked by political uncertainty, after President Macky Sall delayed a presidential election, the International Monetary Fund said.
A significant portion of Senegal's funding is on concessional terms, and a planned reduction in issuing more expensive syndicated loans will minimise its dependence on volatile private debt, a spokesperson for the fund said.
"Recent political developments in Senegal have created some uncertainty, potentially impacting investor confidence and economic activity," the IMF spokesperson said.
"While potential investor caution could lead to higher interest rates and tighter financial conditions, Senegal may be better positioned than some to navigate potential investor concerns due to its diversified and less volatile funding sources."
#Senegal #IMF
@africaintel
Senegal's diversified funding sources mean it could be better placed than some countries to navigate investor concerns sparked by political uncertainty, after President Macky Sall delayed a presidential election, the International Monetary Fund said.
A significant portion of Senegal's funding is on concessional terms, and a planned reduction in issuing more expensive syndicated loans will minimise its dependence on volatile private debt, a spokesperson for the fund said.
"Recent political developments in Senegal have created some uncertainty, potentially impacting investor confidence and economic activity," the IMF spokesperson said.
"While potential investor caution could lead to higher interest rates and tighter financial conditions, Senegal may be better positioned than some to navigate potential investor concerns due to its diversified and less volatile funding sources."
#Senegal #IMF
@africaintel