🇳🇬🇳🇪 Nigeria lifts sanctions on Niger and reopens borders
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has lifted all economic sanctions imposed on neighbouring Niger, eight months after a military coup there.
He ordered the immediate opening of borders, the resumption of commercial flights and the supply of electricity to Niger.
Exports including livestock and onions from Niger to Nigeria have dwindled significantly.
Last month, the West African regional body, Ecowas, agreed to lift economic sanctions against Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea which have all seen military takeovers in the last two years.
#Nigeria #Niger
@africaintel
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has lifted all economic sanctions imposed on neighbouring Niger, eight months after a military coup there.
He ordered the immediate opening of borders, the resumption of commercial flights and the supply of electricity to Niger.
Exports including livestock and onions from Niger to Nigeria have dwindled significantly.
Last month, the West African regional body, Ecowas, agreed to lift economic sanctions against Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea which have all seen military takeovers in the last two years.
#Nigeria #Niger
@africaintel
🇸🇩 Sudan's army chief vows to push on after advance in embattled capital
The head of Sudan's army has told troops it will press to take more ground after its significant advance in the capital.
Army forces, which witnesses say have been boosted by recent deployment of drones, took control on Tuesday of the radio and TV headquarters in Omdurman, across the River Nile from Khartoum and part of the wider capital.
Though broadcasting from the radio and TV building had stopped, the advance extended the army's reach across the old centre of Omdurman - strategically important because it hosts military bases and has been a transit point for RSF resupplies.
Our message to the Rapid Support rebels is that the armed forces and regular military services will go after you everywhere until victory is achieved," army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan told.
#Sudan
@africaintel
The head of Sudan's army has told troops it will press to take more ground after its significant advance in the capital.
Army forces, which witnesses say have been boosted by recent deployment of drones, took control on Tuesday of the radio and TV headquarters in Omdurman, across the River Nile from Khartoum and part of the wider capital.
Though broadcasting from the radio and TV building had stopped, the advance extended the army's reach across the old centre of Omdurman - strategically important because it hosts military bases and has been a transit point for RSF resupplies.
Our message to the Rapid Support rebels is that the armed forces and regular military services will go after you everywhere until victory is achieved," army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan told.
#Sudan
@africaintel
🇸🇴 Somalia secures 99% debt cancellation from Paris Club creditor nations
Somalia secured the cancellation of 99% of the debt it owed to members of the Paris Club of creditor nations, the Paris Club said.
Countries including the United States, Japan and Russia cancelled more than $2 billion of Somalia's debt, the Paris Club, a French finance ministry body that acts as a secretariat for many creditor countries, said in a statement.
"Paris Club creditors welcomed the Federal Republic of Somalia's determination to continue to implement a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy and an ambitious economic reform program to create the foundations for sustainable, inclusive economic growth," the Paris Club said.
#Somalia
@africaintel
Somalia secured the cancellation of 99% of the debt it owed to members of the Paris Club of creditor nations, the Paris Club said.
Countries including the United States, Japan and Russia cancelled more than $2 billion of Somalia's debt, the Paris Club, a French finance ministry body that acts as a secretariat for many creditor countries, said in a statement.
"Paris Club creditors welcomed the Federal Republic of Somalia's determination to continue to implement a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy and an ambitious economic reform program to create the foundations for sustainable, inclusive economic growth," the Paris Club said.
#Somalia
@africaintel
🇿🇦 South African Airways’ privatisation deal collapses
South Africa has terminated a deal to sell a stake in its national airline after failing to agree on a value and other terms with a consortium of private investors.
The government had since 2021 planned to sell 51% of the loss-making South African Airways (SAA) to the Takatso Consortium, as part of efforts to end recurring bailouts of the flag carrier.
After three years of negotiations, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on Wednesday said the deal had been called off "as there is no clear path forward".
Gordhan cited the impact of the post-Covid-19 market as a significant factor in the decision, leading to a revaluation of SAA’s worth.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
South Africa has terminated a deal to sell a stake in its national airline after failing to agree on a value and other terms with a consortium of private investors.
The government had since 2021 planned to sell 51% of the loss-making South African Airways (SAA) to the Takatso Consortium, as part of efforts to end recurring bailouts of the flag carrier.
After three years of negotiations, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on Wednesday said the deal had been called off "as there is no clear path forward".
Gordhan cited the impact of the post-Covid-19 market as a significant factor in the decision, leading to a revaluation of SAA’s worth.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
🇰🇪🇭🇹 Kenya's deployment to Haiti will still happen said Ruto
Kenya's President William Ruto has said that a planned deployment of police officers to Haiti will go ahead as soon as the Caribbean country puts in place a transitional presidential council.
Authorities in Kenya earlier this week said the planned deployment was on hold following the announcement that Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry would be stepping down.
Ruto and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday discussed "the expeditious deployment" of the officers, "including immediate next steps to facilitate deployment", US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
"I assured Blinken that Kenya will take leadership of the UN Security Support Mission in Haiti to restore peace and security in Haiti as soon as the presidential council is in place under an agreed process," Ruto said.
He added that Blinken had informed him that the council "will be formed shortly".
#Kenya #Haiti
@africaintel
Kenya's President William Ruto has said that a planned deployment of police officers to Haiti will go ahead as soon as the Caribbean country puts in place a transitional presidential council.
Authorities in Kenya earlier this week said the planned deployment was on hold following the announcement that Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry would be stepping down.
Ruto and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday discussed "the expeditious deployment" of the officers, "including immediate next steps to facilitate deployment", US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
"I assured Blinken that Kenya will take leadership of the UN Security Support Mission in Haiti to restore peace and security in Haiti as soon as the presidential council is in place under an agreed process," Ruto said.
He added that Blinken had informed him that the council "will be formed shortly".
#Kenya #Haiti
@africaintel
🇿🇦🇮🇱 South African citizens fighting in Israel will be arrested said the foreign minister
South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has said that its citizens who have been fighting in Gaza with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) will be arrested on their return to the country.
“I have already issued a statement alerting those who are South African and are fighting. We are ready. When you come home, we are going to arrest you,” she said.
It is not clear how many people this could affect.
South Africa had already warned last year that its citizens that they may be liable to prosecution if they fought with the IDF.
#SouthAfrica #Israel
@africaintel
South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has said that its citizens who have been fighting in Gaza with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) will be arrested on their return to the country.
“I have already issued a statement alerting those who are South African and are fighting. We are ready. When you come home, we are going to arrest you,” she said.
It is not clear how many people this could affect.
South Africa had already warned last year that its citizens that they may be liable to prosecution if they fought with the IDF.
#SouthAfrica #Israel
@africaintel
🇺🇬 $800m set aside to teach Ugandans Kiswahili
The Ugandan government has allocated $800m (£625m) to promote and teach the Kiswahili language in the country, as part of efforts to foster regional integration.
Civil servants including doctors, nurses and border workers will be given priority in the yet to be unveiled Kiswahili training programme, Uganda's Minister for East African Affairs Rebecca Kadaga said.
The minister did not give further details on when and how the training programme will be unveiled.
As part of the efforts to popularise the language in the country, Kadaga said all senior government officials, including cabinet ministers and judges, were taking compulsory weekly lessons.
#Uganda
@africaintel
The Ugandan government has allocated $800m (£625m) to promote and teach the Kiswahili language in the country, as part of efforts to foster regional integration.
Civil servants including doctors, nurses and border workers will be given priority in the yet to be unveiled Kiswahili training programme, Uganda's Minister for East African Affairs Rebecca Kadaga said.
The minister did not give further details on when and how the training programme will be unveiled.
As part of the efforts to popularise the language in the country, Kadaga said all senior government officials, including cabinet ministers and judges, were taking compulsory weekly lessons.
#Uganda
@africaintel
🇰🇪 Kenyan doctors start seven-day strike
Doctors in Kenya have started a week-long strike over delays by the government to deploy medical interns. They are also complaining about the poor working conditions they say they have to work under.
The Labour Court had earlier issued an order to halt the industrial action to make room for negotiations. The judge asked the labour minister to hold talks with the doctors' union and employers on Thursday to find a solution.
But the union says it did not get the court order.
More than 1,000 interns - doctors who have finished their training and need to work for a year before getting their licences - have not been placed since January.
The health ministry says it does not have enough money to pay them.
#Kenya
@africaintel
Doctors in Kenya have started a week-long strike over delays by the government to deploy medical interns. They are also complaining about the poor working conditions they say they have to work under.
The Labour Court had earlier issued an order to halt the industrial action to make room for negotiations. The judge asked the labour minister to hold talks with the doctors' union and employers on Thursday to find a solution.
But the union says it did not get the court order.
More than 1,000 interns - doctors who have finished their training and need to work for a year before getting their licences - have not been placed since January.
The health ministry says it does not have enough money to pay them.
#Kenya
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe sect leader held after 251 children rescued from farm labour
A Zimbabwean sect leader and "self-styled prophet" appeared in court on Thursday charged with child abuse after police raided his farm and rescued more than 200 children doing physical labour, police said.
The children "were subjected to abuse as cheap labour, doing manual work in the name of being taught life skills", a police statement said.
Police found 251 children on the farm who were not attending school, most of whom did not have birth certificates. They also found 16 graves, including seven for infants, all which were unregistered, the statement said.
Ishmael Chokurongerwa, 56, described by police as a self-styled prophet, was arrested this week along with seven of his church members following a raid on their farm in Nyabira, about 30 km west of the capital, Harare.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
A Zimbabwean sect leader and "self-styled prophet" appeared in court on Thursday charged with child abuse after police raided his farm and rescued more than 200 children doing physical labour, police said.
The children "were subjected to abuse as cheap labour, doing manual work in the name of being taught life skills", a police statement said.
Police found 251 children on the farm who were not attending school, most of whom did not have birth certificates. They also found 16 graves, including seven for infants, all which were unregistered, the statement said.
Ishmael Chokurongerwa, 56, described by police as a self-styled prophet, was arrested this week along with seven of his church members following a raid on their farm in Nyabira, about 30 km west of the capital, Harare.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Forwarded from /CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global (ȚepeȘ)
Africa’s inefficient and aging ports are hampering the continent’s chances of capitalizing on a surge in ship traffic that’s avoiding attacks by Houthi rebels through the Red Sea, logistics experts said.
The number of vessels sailing around the southern tip of Africa is up 85% from the first half of December, when the Iran-backed, Yemen-based terrorists intensified their attacks on ships, according to Clarksons Research. Some of the biggest beneficiaries are ports in South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Namibia, all of which have seen volumes rise, manufacturing and logistics company Fictiv Inc. said.
“However, most ports in Africa are inefficient and not in the best condition to be able to fully realize all the benefits,” said Vinny Licata, Fictiv’s head of logistics. “This is could be a real opportunity for Africa, but several ports were already congested due to inefficiencies. Investments are needed to enable them to compete.”
Merchant ships have largely avoided the route that would ultimately take them through the Suez Canal since the attacks started. Last week, a missile strike killed three crew members, the first confirmed deaths since the attacks began.
Currently, Africa accounts for about 6% of global maritime trade, despite approximately 90% of its imports and exports being transported by sea, according to Freight Right Global Logistics Chief Executive Officer and Founder Robert Khachatryan.
Freight costs from Asia to the US East Coast are projected to increase by 20% to 30%, with delivery times extended by two weeks due to the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, said Khachatryan.
It’s here that South Africa’s port-infrastructure problems — ranging from equipment breakdowns to staff shortages — hurt its competitive advantage. Shipping companies using the Cape route for east-west trade have largely avoided having to restock and refuel at South Africa’s maritime hubs due to their inability to provide services.
“This shift has directly benefited strategically located ports like Toamasina in Madagascar, Port Louis in Mauritius, and Walvis Bay in Namibia, which lie along the east-west route connecting Asia with Europe” as ships avoid South Africa, Khachatryan said.
Countries with the capability to quickly scale up port and logistical operations — such as Morocco and Ghana — could accommodate the increased demand for maritime services.
🔗 https://gcaptain.com/inefficient-african-ports-see-diverted-red-sea-traffic-slipping-away/
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Inefficient African Ports See Diverted Red Sea Traffic Slipping Away
Africa’s inefficient and aging ports are hampering the continent’s chances of capitalizing on a surge in ship traffic that’s avoiding attacks by Houthi rebels through the Red Sea, logistics experts said.
🇩🇿 Algeria to boost energy production with new solar plants
Algeria, a major oil and gas exporter, has awarded contracts to local and international companies to develop two solar energy projects with a combined capacity of 3,000 MW.
In an effort to reduce its reliance on oil and gas, the North African country aims to reach a renewable capacity of 15,000 MW and produce 27% of its electricity from wind, solar and hydro by 2035.
Currently only 3% of its energy comes from these sources.
The companies developing the new power plants are required by the contracts to source at least 35% of their construction components in Algeria in order to promote local development.
#Algeria
@africaintel
Algeria, a major oil and gas exporter, has awarded contracts to local and international companies to develop two solar energy projects with a combined capacity of 3,000 MW.
In an effort to reduce its reliance on oil and gas, the North African country aims to reach a renewable capacity of 15,000 MW and produce 27% of its electricity from wind, solar and hydro by 2035.
Currently only 3% of its energy comes from these sources.
The companies developing the new power plants are required by the contracts to source at least 35% of their construction components in Algeria in order to promote local development.
#Algeria
@africaintel
🇿🇦 South Africa's ANC wary of post-election coalition, says it 'won't work'
South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party is betting on retaining its parliamentary majority in a May election and is not in talks with other parties on a possible coalition government, the party's deputy secretary general said.
South Africans will go to polls on May 29 to elect a new National Assembly, which will then choose the next president.
"We will not go to war having accepted defeat. We are going to war to win," ANC veteran Nomvula Mokonyane told Reuters in an interview, adding that the party was aware that "stakes are high because not everybody is comfortable with us in power."
"A coalition government won't work for now," said Mokonyane, pointing to failed power-sharing attempts at the local government level, where coalitions have largely proved unstable due to a lack of legislation to regulate the partnerships.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party is betting on retaining its parliamentary majority in a May election and is not in talks with other parties on a possible coalition government, the party's deputy secretary general said.
South Africans will go to polls on May 29 to elect a new National Assembly, which will then choose the next president.
"We will not go to war having accepted defeat. We are going to war to win," ANC veteran Nomvula Mokonyane told Reuters in an interview, adding that the party was aware that "stakes are high because not everybody is comfortable with us in power."
"A coalition government won't work for now," said Mokonyane, pointing to failed power-sharing attempts at the local government level, where coalitions have largely proved unstable due to a lack of legislation to regulate the partnerships.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
🇸🇴 Attackers raided hotel in Somalia's capital after blasts, residents say
Attackers in Somalia's capital stormed a hotel near the president's office on Thursday after a pair of explosions, residents and Reuters witnesses said, with al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab claiming responsibility for the raid.
Gunfire followed the Thursday evening blasts, the residents said, with unidentified attackers storming the Syl Hotel, which is a popular gathering place for government officials and lawmakers.
"We first heard a huge blast, and then gunfire followed. We understand the fighters are inside (the hotel) for we hear exchange of gunfire," resident Farah Ali, who lives near the president's office, told Reuters.
A Reuters witness also said he heard a second explosion several minutes after the first one.
Hussein Abdullahi, another resident, said soldiers fired shots before the first blast and he heard the sound of a speeding car.
#Somalia
@africaintel
Attackers in Somalia's capital stormed a hotel near the president's office on Thursday after a pair of explosions, residents and Reuters witnesses said, with al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab claiming responsibility for the raid.
Gunfire followed the Thursday evening blasts, the residents said, with unidentified attackers storming the Syl Hotel, which is a popular gathering place for government officials and lawmakers.
"We first heard a huge blast, and then gunfire followed. We understand the fighters are inside (the hotel) for we hear exchange of gunfire," resident Farah Ali, who lives near the president's office, told Reuters.
A Reuters witness also said he heard a second explosion several minutes after the first one.
Hussein Abdullahi, another resident, said soldiers fired shots before the first blast and he heard the sound of a speeding car.
#Somalia
@africaintel
🇪🇬🇮🇱🇵🇸 Sissi warns Israel against ground attack on Gaza's Rafah
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi hosted Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Cairo on Wednesday.
The two leaders discussed the Israel-Gaza war.
At a joint news conference, el-Sissi warned Israel against launching a ground military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
"Egypt also warns against the Israeli plan to launch a ground military operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah which threatens the lives of more than a million and a half-displaced people," he said.
Rutte commended el-Sissi on Egypt's "indispensable logistical, humanitarian and pivotal role in this crisis."
#Egypt #Israel #Palestine
@africaintel
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi hosted Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Cairo on Wednesday.
The two leaders discussed the Israel-Gaza war.
At a joint news conference, el-Sissi warned Israel against launching a ground military offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
"Egypt also warns against the Israeli plan to launch a ground military operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah which threatens the lives of more than a million and a half-displaced people," he said.
Rutte commended el-Sissi on Egypt's "indispensable logistical, humanitarian and pivotal role in this crisis."
#Egypt #Israel #Palestine
@africaintel
🇱🇾 At least 50 migrants dead on a boat coming from Libya
Survivors rescued from a deflating rubber dinghy in the central Mediterranean say about 50 people who left Libya with them a week ago died during the journey, humanitarian relief group SOS said.
The ship Ocean Viking spotted the dinghy with 25 people on board on Wednesday. Two of them were unconscious and were evacuated by the Italian army for treatment. The other 23 people are in serious condition, exhausted, dehydrated and burned by the fuel on board the boat.
Organization spokesperson said that refugees are native to Senegal, Mali and the Gambia.
The United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM) says 227 people have died along the perilous central Mediterranean route this year through March 11, not counting new people reported missing and presumed dead.
#Libya
@africaintel
Survivors rescued from a deflating rubber dinghy in the central Mediterranean say about 50 people who left Libya with them a week ago died during the journey, humanitarian relief group SOS said.
The ship Ocean Viking spotted the dinghy with 25 people on board on Wednesday. Two of them were unconscious and were evacuated by the Italian army for treatment. The other 23 people are in serious condition, exhausted, dehydrated and burned by the fuel on board the boat.
Organization spokesperson said that refugees are native to Senegal, Mali and the Gambia.
The United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM) says 227 people have died along the perilous central Mediterranean route this year through March 11, not counting new people reported missing and presumed dead.
#Libya
@africaintel
🇿🇦 South Africa should get off global regulator's 'grey list' in 2025, says central bank governor
South Africa's central bank governor said that he was confident the country would be removed from an international financial crime watchdog's "grey list" next year, given the work that is under way to fix identified issues.
The International Financial Action Task Force (FATF) last year placed South Africa on a "grey list" of countries under special scrutiny over implementing standards to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing.
South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said being on the watch list had "been a costly episode for us".
"The lesson is that joint efforts are required to look after the integrity of South Africa's financial system. We all suffer when this is compromised," he said.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
South Africa's central bank governor said that he was confident the country would be removed from an international financial crime watchdog's "grey list" next year, given the work that is under way to fix identified issues.
The International Financial Action Task Force (FATF) last year placed South Africa on a "grey list" of countries under special scrutiny over implementing standards to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing.
South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said being on the watch list had "been a costly episode for us".
"The lesson is that joint efforts are required to look after the integrity of South Africa's financial system. We all suffer when this is compromised," he said.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
🇸🇱 Mass burial for unidentified drug victims in Sierra Leone
The bodies of 32 unidentified people who had all died after taking the drug known as Kush were buried in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, on Thursday.
They are just the latest people to die as a result of the narcotic - a synthetic cannabinoid mixed with other dangerous chemicals - that has become popular in the country.
Ministry of health estimates that it picks up two to three corpses a day, but because many do not carry identification they often lay unclaimed in the morgue.
Many young people living in desperate circumstances have become addicted to Kush.
In 2022, medical staff in Freetown told the BBC's Africa Eye programme that 90% of the male admissions to the central psychiatric ward are due to use of the drug.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
The bodies of 32 unidentified people who had all died after taking the drug known as Kush were buried in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, on Thursday.
They are just the latest people to die as a result of the narcotic - a synthetic cannabinoid mixed with other dangerous chemicals - that has become popular in the country.
Ministry of health estimates that it picks up two to three corpses a day, but because many do not carry identification they often lay unclaimed in the morgue.
Many young people living in desperate circumstances have become addicted to Kush.
In 2022, medical staff in Freetown told the BBC's Africa Eye programme that 90% of the male admissions to the central psychiatric ward are due to use of the drug.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel