🇲🇿🇬🇧 Mozambique president Nyusi fights for immunity in London 'tuna bond' case
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi asked a London court to uphold his immunity, while a shipbuilding company at the centre of Mozambique's litigation over the decade-long "tuna bond" scandal tried to drag him into an ongoing high court case.
Emirati-Lebanese shipbuilder Privinvest is embroiled in a $3.1-billion lawsuit from Mozambique, which accuses it of paying bribes to officials and Credit Suisse bankers.
London's High Court has yet to rule on the case following a trial last year. Mozambique settled with Credit Suisse's new owner UBS.
Shortly before last year's trial began, the High Court ruled that Nyusi had not been properly served with Privinvest's lawsuit and that he was entitled to immunity as a head of state.
However, as Nyusi did not claim immunity until 2023, "he was out of time and that is the end of the matter," Privinvest's lawyer said.
#Mozambique #UK
@africaintel
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi asked a London court to uphold his immunity, while a shipbuilding company at the centre of Mozambique's litigation over the decade-long "tuna bond" scandal tried to drag him into an ongoing high court case.
Emirati-Lebanese shipbuilder Privinvest is embroiled in a $3.1-billion lawsuit from Mozambique, which accuses it of paying bribes to officials and Credit Suisse bankers.
London's High Court has yet to rule on the case following a trial last year. Mozambique settled with Credit Suisse's new owner UBS.
Shortly before last year's trial began, the High Court ruled that Nyusi had not been properly served with Privinvest's lawsuit and that he was entitled to immunity as a head of state.
However, as Nyusi did not claim immunity until 2023, "he was out of time and that is the end of the matter," Privinvest's lawyer said.
#Mozambique #UK
@africaintel
🇿🇲🇬🇧 Zambian businessman loses London lawsuit against Bob Diamond's Atlas Mara
A Zambian businessman on Wednesday lost a London lawsuit against Atlas Mara, the African investment vehicle set up by former Barclays boss Bob Diamond, over the acquisition of a Zambian bank.
Rajan Mahtani sued Atlas Mara over the sale of Finance Bank Zambia, alleging he received less than a quarter of the $215 million said to have been offered in 2015.
But Judge Christopher Butcher dismissed Mahtani's case in a written ruling, following a trial at London's High Court last year.
Mahtani, who founded Finance Bank Zambia in 1986, had accused Atlas Mara of breaching the terms of the takeover deal.
Atlas Mara's lawyers, however, argued in court filings that the sums Mahtani was seeking had not been guaranteed to him but were dependent on conditions agreed by the parties.
#Zambia #UK
@africaintel
A Zambian businessman on Wednesday lost a London lawsuit against Atlas Mara, the African investment vehicle set up by former Barclays boss Bob Diamond, over the acquisition of a Zambian bank.
Rajan Mahtani sued Atlas Mara over the sale of Finance Bank Zambia, alleging he received less than a quarter of the $215 million said to have been offered in 2015.
But Judge Christopher Butcher dismissed Mahtani's case in a written ruling, following a trial at London's High Court last year.
Mahtani, who founded Finance Bank Zambia in 1986, had accused Atlas Mara of breaching the terms of the takeover deal.
Atlas Mara's lawyers, however, argued in court filings that the sums Mahtani was seeking had not been guaranteed to him but were dependent on conditions agreed by the parties.
#Zambia #UK
@africaintel
🇪🇹🇬🇧 Almost 10 million Ethiopians face extreme hunger said Oxfam
One in three people in northern Ethiopia are facing extreme hunger, the UK-based charity Oxfam says.
That's a total of almost 10 million people in the regions of Tigray and Amhara.
Conflict and drought have significantly reduced harvest forcing millions to resort to what the charity calls "unimaginable ways" to survive.
A report by a federal government agency said nearly 400 people had already died in the two regions due to starvation.
But this was contradicted by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who said no deaths had occurred in the country solely because of hunger.
Unless relief efforts are scaled up, Oxfam is warning that northern Ethiopia could see a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.
#Ethiopia #UK
@africaintel
One in three people in northern Ethiopia are facing extreme hunger, the UK-based charity Oxfam says.
That's a total of almost 10 million people in the regions of Tigray and Amhara.
Conflict and drought have significantly reduced harvest forcing millions to resort to what the charity calls "unimaginable ways" to survive.
A report by a federal government agency said nearly 400 people had already died in the two regions due to starvation.
But this was contradicted by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who said no deaths had occurred in the country solely because of hunger.
Unless relief efforts are scaled up, Oxfam is warning that northern Ethiopia could see a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.
#Ethiopia #UK
@africaintel
🇸🇳🇬🇧 Senegalese man convicted over UK migrant deaths
A man who piloted a boat in the English Channel has been found guilty of the manslaughter of four migrants who drowned when it ran into difficulty.
Ibrahima Bah, a Senegalese migrant, had offered to steer the dinghy in December 2022 in exchange for a free crossing.
He had claimed that he was forced by violent smugglers to make the journey with at least 43 other migrants.
A jury at Canterbury Crown Court also found Bah guilty of facilitating a breach of immigration law.
The case is the first time a migrant who navigated an inflatable has been found responsible for harm caused to other occupants.
#Senegal #UK
@africaintel
A man who piloted a boat in the English Channel has been found guilty of the manslaughter of four migrants who drowned when it ran into difficulty.
Ibrahima Bah, a Senegalese migrant, had offered to steer the dinghy in December 2022 in exchange for a free crossing.
He had claimed that he was forced by violent smugglers to make the journey with at least 43 other migrants.
A jury at Canterbury Crown Court also found Bah guilty of facilitating a breach of immigration law.
The case is the first time a migrant who navigated an inflatable has been found responsible for harm caused to other occupants.
#Senegal #UK
@africaintel
🇪🇹🇬🇧🇰🇪🇸🇴 Ethiopia, UK signed an MoU over Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia border security
Ethiopia and the United Kingdom on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) “Enhance Peace and Stability in the Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia Border”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia (MFAE) said it “aims to boost the resilience of communities across the Ethiopia-Kenya-Somali borders to the drivers of violent extremism.”
It seems that the border security agreement was signed within the context of threat from Al-Shabaab. While the agreement is concerning “Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia Border,” Kenya and Somalia were not a party to this MoU agreement. However, Kenya had signed an agreement with Ethiopia this week.
“The two sides [Ethiopia and UK] expressed their commitment to working together to reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab in the region,” said the news update from the MFAE.
#Ethiopia #UK #Kenya #Somalia
@africaintel
Ethiopia and the United Kingdom on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) “Enhance Peace and Stability in the Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia Border”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia (MFAE) said it “aims to boost the resilience of communities across the Ethiopia-Kenya-Somali borders to the drivers of violent extremism.”
It seems that the border security agreement was signed within the context of threat from Al-Shabaab. While the agreement is concerning “Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia Border,” Kenya and Somalia were not a party to this MoU agreement. However, Kenya had signed an agreement with Ethiopia this week.
“The two sides [Ethiopia and UK] expressed their commitment to working together to reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab in the region,” said the news update from the MFAE.
#Ethiopia #UK #Kenya #Somalia
@africaintel
🇬🇧🇷🇼 UK to pay at least £370m to Rwanda for asylum deal
The UK will pay at least £370m to Rwanda as part of its plan to relocate asylum seekers there, the government's spending watchdog has revealed.
Up to £150,000 will also be paid for each person sent to the east African country over a five-year period.
Labour said the new figures in the report by the National Audit Office were a "national scandal".
However, the Home Office said: "Doing nothing is not without significant costs."
A spokesperson said: "Unless we act, the cost of housing asylum seekers is set to reach £11bn per year by 2026.
"Illegal migration costs lives and perpetuates human trafficking, and it is therefore right that we fund solutions to break this unsustainable cycle."
#UK #Rwanda
@africaintel
The UK will pay at least £370m to Rwanda as part of its plan to relocate asylum seekers there, the government's spending watchdog has revealed.
Up to £150,000 will also be paid for each person sent to the east African country over a five-year period.
Labour said the new figures in the report by the National Audit Office were a "national scandal".
However, the Home Office said: "Doing nothing is not without significant costs."
A spokesperson said: "Unless we act, the cost of housing asylum seekers is set to reach £11bn per year by 2026.
"Illegal migration costs lives and perpetuates human trafficking, and it is therefore right that we fund solutions to break this unsustainable cycle."
#UK #Rwanda
@africaintel
🇬🇧🇷🇼 UK plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda suffers first parliamentary defeats
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suffered his first defeats over his legislation to send asylum seekers to Rwanda after the upper house of parliament demanded greater protections to be introduced before deportation flights can take off.
Under the Rwanda plan, which has yet to be carried out, asylum seekers who arrive on England's southern coast in small, inflatable boats would be sent to live in Rwanda, but so far no one has been deported because of ongoing legal challenges.
Sunak's government is passing legislation through parliament that would block further legal challenges by declaring Rwanda a so-called safe country for asylum seekers.
Sunak has said he wants the first deportation flights to leave in the next few months - ahead of a general election expected in the second half of this year - so he can meet a pledge to "stop the boats".
#UK #Rwanda
@africaintel
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suffered his first defeats over his legislation to send asylum seekers to Rwanda after the upper house of parliament demanded greater protections to be introduced before deportation flights can take off.
Under the Rwanda plan, which has yet to be carried out, asylum seekers who arrive on England's southern coast in small, inflatable boats would be sent to live in Rwanda, but so far no one has been deported because of ongoing legal challenges.
Sunak's government is passing legislation through parliament that would block further legal challenges by declaring Rwanda a so-called safe country for asylum seekers.
Sunak has said he wants the first deportation flights to leave in the next few months - ahead of a general election expected in the second half of this year - so he can meet a pledge to "stop the boats".
#UK #Rwanda
@africaintel
🇬🇧🇷🇼 UK to pay asylum seekers £3,000 to move to Rwanda
Migrants whose asylum claims are rejected by the United Kingdom will be given £3,000 ($3,800) to move to Rwanda.
The UK has already has a plan in place which pays failed asylum seekers to return to their home countries.
But the new measure targets those who cannot return to their countries of origin, local press reported Tuesday.
The cash in exchange for moving to Rwanda is just another scheme in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plan to stop irregular migration.
It does not replace the plan to deport illegal arrivals to Rwanda, which has been blocked by courts over concerns about the east African country's safety.
To side step the court's concerns, the government introduced a bill which seeks to label Rwanda a safe country.
#UK #Rwanda
@africaintel
Migrants whose asylum claims are rejected by the United Kingdom will be given £3,000 ($3,800) to move to Rwanda.
The UK has already has a plan in place which pays failed asylum seekers to return to their home countries.
But the new measure targets those who cannot return to their countries of origin, local press reported Tuesday.
The cash in exchange for moving to Rwanda is just another scheme in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plan to stop irregular migration.
It does not replace the plan to deport illegal arrivals to Rwanda, which has been blocked by courts over concerns about the east African country's safety.
To side step the court's concerns, the government introduced a bill which seeks to label Rwanda a safe country.
#UK #Rwanda
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇸🇴 Twenty armed people board cargo ship off Somalia, security firm says Twenty armed people have boarded a cargo ship off the coast of Somalia and have taken control of it, a maritime security firm said on Tuesday. The vessel is the latest to be targeted…
🇬🇧🇸🇴 British military reports pirate attack off Somalia
Several people boarded and took control of a ship during a suspected pirate attack in the Indian Ocean, nearly 1,100 km east of Somalia's coastal capital, Mogadishu, the British army reported on Tuesday.
The ship was boarded by several people on board two boats, "one large and the other small" , said a statement from the British army's maritime trade operation. “Unauthorized persons now have control of the vessel ,” the statement said.
British maritime security company Ambrey said 20 armed attackers took control of the ship as it traveled from Mozambique 's capital Maputo to Hamriya in the United Arab Emirates.
#UK #Somalia
@africaintel
Several people boarded and took control of a ship during a suspected pirate attack in the Indian Ocean, nearly 1,100 km east of Somalia's coastal capital, Mogadishu, the British army reported on Tuesday.
The ship was boarded by several people on board two boats, "one large and the other small" , said a statement from the British army's maritime trade operation. “Unauthorized persons now have control of the vessel ,” the statement said.
British maritime security company Ambrey said 20 armed attackers took control of the ship as it traveled from Mozambique 's capital Maputo to Hamriya in the United Arab Emirates.
#UK #Somalia
@africaintel
🇪🇬🇬🇧🇮🇹 Egyptians thought Regeni was British spy, Italian court told
Egyptian police detained an Italian student in Cairo because they thought he was a British spy, taking him to a security facility where he was tortured and murdered, an Italian prosecutor told a Rome court on Monday.
Italy has charged four Egyptian security agents with kidnapping and killing Giulio Regeni, a postgraduate student at Britain's Cambridge University, in Cairo in 2016.
The four men are being tried in absentia and have never responded publicly to the accusations. The Egyptian authorities have repeatedly denied any state involvement in Regeni's disappearance and death.
"Defendants were erroneously convinced that Regeni was an English spy, sent to give financing to unions close to the Muslim Brotherhood," the prosecutor said.
#Egypt #UK #Italy
@africaintel
Egyptian police detained an Italian student in Cairo because they thought he was a British spy, taking him to a security facility where he was tortured and murdered, an Italian prosecutor told a Rome court on Monday.
Italy has charged four Egyptian security agents with kidnapping and killing Giulio Regeni, a postgraduate student at Britain's Cambridge University, in Cairo in 2016.
The four men are being tried in absentia and have never responded publicly to the accusations. The Egyptian authorities have repeatedly denied any state involvement in Regeni's disappearance and death.
"Defendants were erroneously convinced that Regeni was an English spy, sent to give financing to unions close to the Muslim Brotherhood," the prosecutor said.
#Egypt #UK #Italy
@africaintel
🇬🇧🇷🇼 UK's Rwanda asylum legislation to return to parliament after Easter
Legislation that seeks to block further court challenges to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda will next be debated in parliament on April 15.
The government wants to relocate thousands of asylum seekers who arrive in Britain on small, inflatable boats each year to live in Rwanda, but legal challenges have so far prevented anyone being sent to the East African country yet.
To overcome objections by the court, Sunak's government is passing the bill that declares Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers and disapplies parts of human rights law in an attempt to block further legal challenges.
The legislation will now be debated after the House of Commons' Easter break according to an announcement of upcoming parliamentary business by leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt.
#UK #Rwanda
@africaintel
Legislation that seeks to block further court challenges to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda will next be debated in parliament on April 15.
The government wants to relocate thousands of asylum seekers who arrive in Britain on small, inflatable boats each year to live in Rwanda, but legal challenges have so far prevented anyone being sent to the East African country yet.
To overcome objections by the court, Sunak's government is passing the bill that declares Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers and disapplies parts of human rights law in an attempt to block further legal challenges.
The legislation will now be debated after the House of Commons' Easter break according to an announcement of upcoming parliamentary business by leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt.
#UK #Rwanda
@africaintel
🇸🇩🇬🇧 Food aid used as weapon of war in Sudan said UK MPs
British MPs have warned that food aid is being used as a weapon of war in Sudan’s bitter civil conflict.
Vicky Ford, the chair of parliament's all-party group on Sudan, said there was evidence both warring sides - the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces - were restricting humanitarian aid.
She was speaking after new research suggested more than 100 villages in western Sudan had been burned.
The Centre for Information Resilience – a government-funded research group – says that 108 villages and settlements in western Sudan have been fully or partially destroyed by fire since last April.
The UK Foreign Office says what’s happening bears all the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing as black Africans are targeted by Arab militias.
Ford also said sexual violence against women was widespread, with evidence that some girls were deliberately disfiguring themselves to avoid rape.
#Sudan #UK
@africaintel
British MPs have warned that food aid is being used as a weapon of war in Sudan’s bitter civil conflict.
Vicky Ford, the chair of parliament's all-party group on Sudan, said there was evidence both warring sides - the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces - were restricting humanitarian aid.
She was speaking after new research suggested more than 100 villages in western Sudan had been burned.
The Centre for Information Resilience – a government-funded research group – says that 108 villages and settlements in western Sudan have been fully or partially destroyed by fire since last April.
The UK Foreign Office says what’s happening bears all the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing as black Africans are targeted by Arab militias.
Ford also said sexual violence against women was widespread, with evidence that some girls were deliberately disfiguring themselves to avoid rape.
#Sudan #UK
@africaintel
🇷🇼🇬🇧 UK and Rwanda look forward to first migrant deportation flights in spring
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Rwandan President Paul Kagame are looking forward to the first flights under Britain's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda departing in the spring, a readout of their meeting said on Tuesday.
Sunak wants to relocate thousands of asylum seekers who arrive in Britain on small boats each year to Rwanda, but legal challenges have so far prevented anyone being sent there.
Following a meeting between Sunak and Kagame in London, Sunak's office said: "Both leaders looked forward to flights departing to Rwanda in the spring."
Before any flight can depart, Britain's government needs to pass new legislation which Sunak hopes will pave the way for the government to send asylum seekers who arrive in Britain without permission to the east African country.
Legislation that seeks to block further court challenges to the plan will next be debated in parliament on April 15.
Sunak has previously said he expects the first flights to leave in the spring - ahead of a national election expected in the second half of this year.
#Rwanda #UK
@africaintel
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Rwandan President Paul Kagame are looking forward to the first flights under Britain's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda departing in the spring, a readout of their meeting said on Tuesday.
Sunak wants to relocate thousands of asylum seekers who arrive in Britain on small boats each year to Rwanda, but legal challenges have so far prevented anyone being sent there.
Following a meeting between Sunak and Kagame in London, Sunak's office said: "Both leaders looked forward to flights departing to Rwanda in the spring."
Before any flight can depart, Britain's government needs to pass new legislation which Sunak hopes will pave the way for the government to send asylum seekers who arrive in Britain without permission to the east African country.
Legislation that seeks to block further court challenges to the plan will next be debated in parliament on April 15.
Sunak has previously said he expects the first flights to leave in the spring - ahead of a national election expected in the second half of this year.
#Rwanda #UK
@africaintel
🇷🇼🇬🇧 UK's Rwanda asylum plan to be debated on April 22
Britain's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda will be debated on April 22 in the House of Commons, the government said on Thursday, setting the date for the latest stage in a protracted battle over the scheme.
On Wednesday, Britain's House of Lords rejected for a fourth time the piece of legislation needed for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to push through one of his flagship policies.
Under the scheme, the government wants to start sending asylum seekers arriving illegally in Britain to Rwanda to have their claims processed.
The bill will continue to be passed between both houses of parliament until the final wording is agreed. Parliamentary time was also set aside, if needed, for further debate on April 23.
#Rwanda #UK
@africaintel
Britain's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda will be debated on April 22 in the House of Commons, the government said on Thursday, setting the date for the latest stage in a protracted battle over the scheme.
On Wednesday, Britain's House of Lords rejected for a fourth time the piece of legislation needed for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to push through one of his flagship policies.
Under the scheme, the government wants to start sending asylum seekers arriving illegally in Britain to Rwanda to have their claims processed.
The bill will continue to be passed between both houses of parliament until the final wording is agreed. Parliamentary time was also set aside, if needed, for further debate on April 23.
#Rwanda #UK
@africaintel
🇬🇧🇷🇼 First deportation flights will leave UK for Rwanda in 10-12 weeks, Prime Minister Sunak pledges
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged Monday that the country's first deportation flights to Rwanda could leave in 10-12 weeks as he promised to end the Parliamentary deadlock over a key policy promise before an election expected later this year.
Sunak made the comments at a news conference, making his case directly to the public after vowing last week that Parliament would remain in session until the legislation is passed. The House of Commons will take up the bill later in the day, followed by consideration in the House of Lords.
Sunak demanded that the unelected House of Lords to stop blocking legislation allowing authorities to deport some asylum-seekers to Rwanda, as he seeks to make good on a campaign promise to "stop the boats" that bring migrants to U.K. illegally.
"Enough is enough," Sunak said, as he told reporters that commercial charter planes are booked to carry the asylum seekers.
He declined to provide details when asked how many people were expected to be on the flights in coming months.
"We are ready. Plans are in place, and these flights will go come what may. No foreign court will stop us from getting flights off," he said.
#UK #Rwanda
@africaintel
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged Monday that the country's first deportation flights to Rwanda could leave in 10-12 weeks as he promised to end the Parliamentary deadlock over a key policy promise before an election expected later this year.
Sunak made the comments at a news conference, making his case directly to the public after vowing last week that Parliament would remain in session until the legislation is passed. The House of Commons will take up the bill later in the day, followed by consideration in the House of Lords.
Sunak demanded that the unelected House of Lords to stop blocking legislation allowing authorities to deport some asylum-seekers to Rwanda, as he seeks to make good on a campaign promise to "stop the boats" that bring migrants to U.K. illegally.
"Enough is enough," Sunak said, as he told reporters that commercial charter planes are booked to carry the asylum seekers.
He declined to provide details when asked how many people were expected to be on the flights in coming months.
"We are ready. Plans are in place, and these flights will go come what may. No foreign court will stop us from getting flights off," he said.
#UK #Rwanda
@africaintel
🇸🇩🇬🇧 UK police arrest three of migrants' deaths in Channel
British police have arrested three individuals in connection with the deaths of five migrants, including a child, who perished while attempting to cross the treacherous Channel from France.
The incident happened when a small, overcrowded vessel carrying 112 individuals embarked on a dangerous journey across one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Panic gripped the passengers as their vessel encountered distress not far from the safety of the shore.
According to reports, Rescuers managed to retrieve approximately 50 individuals from the water, with four requiring urgent medical attention. Despite the efforts of authorities, some migrants chose to remain aboard the vessel, resolute in their determination to reach British soil.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that three men, identified as two Sudanese nationals aged 22 and 19, and a South Sudan national aged 22, were apprehended on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and unlawfully entering the UK.
#UK #Sudan
@africaintel
British police have arrested three individuals in connection with the deaths of five migrants, including a child, who perished while attempting to cross the treacherous Channel from France.
The incident happened when a small, overcrowded vessel carrying 112 individuals embarked on a dangerous journey across one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Panic gripped the passengers as their vessel encountered distress not far from the safety of the shore.
According to reports, Rescuers managed to retrieve approximately 50 individuals from the water, with four requiring urgent medical attention. Despite the efforts of authorities, some migrants chose to remain aboard the vessel, resolute in their determination to reach British soil.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that three men, identified as two Sudanese nationals aged 22 and 19, and a South Sudan national aged 22, were apprehended on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and unlawfully entering the UK.
#UK #Sudan
@africaintel
🇧🇼🇬🇧 Botswana rejects controversial UK proposal on asylum-seekers
Botswana's foreign minister, Lemogang Kwape, has disclosed in an interview with a South African TV channel that the British government approached Botswana to receive migrants deported from the UK.
It was however not clear the exact timing of this approach.
This development comes in the wake of earlier reports in the British press suggesting that the UK government sought to implement a scheme similar to its controversial Rwanda initiative in Botswana, Armenia, Ivory Coast, and Costa Rica.
In the phone interview with Newzroom Afrika, Kwape stated that Botswana declined the request. He clarified that the contact was made by Britain's foreign secretary and minister for Africa through diplomatic channels.
Kwape emphasized that Botswana's decision was influenced by its own immigration challenges, asserting, "The British government does not want these people in their country so they want to ferry them to a faraway country... To receive unwanted immigrants from another country while we're dealing with our own problems in the region would be unfair to Botswana."
#Botswana #UK
@africaintel
Botswana's foreign minister, Lemogang Kwape, has disclosed in an interview with a South African TV channel that the British government approached Botswana to receive migrants deported from the UK.
It was however not clear the exact timing of this approach.
This development comes in the wake of earlier reports in the British press suggesting that the UK government sought to implement a scheme similar to its controversial Rwanda initiative in Botswana, Armenia, Ivory Coast, and Costa Rica.
In the phone interview with Newzroom Afrika, Kwape stated that Botswana declined the request. He clarified that the contact was made by Britain's foreign secretary and minister for Africa through diplomatic channels.
Kwape emphasized that Botswana's decision was influenced by its own immigration challenges, asserting, "The British government does not want these people in their country so they want to ferry them to a faraway country... To receive unwanted immigrants from another country while we're dealing with our own problems in the region would be unfair to Botswana."
#Botswana #UK
@africaintel
🇷🇼🇬🇧 Sunak says no Rwanda deportation flights before election as campaigns begin
No deportation flights to Rwanda will take place before a July 4 snap election, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said, meaning a Labour Party victory could stop the controversial Conservative Party scheme from ever leaving the tarmac.
Sunak made the announcement on Thursday during the first full day of campaigning. The Labour Party currently maintains a commanding 20-point lead in opinion polls and has promised to scrap the deportation plan if it wins power.
#Rwanda #UK
@africaintel
No deportation flights to Rwanda will take place before a July 4 snap election, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said, meaning a Labour Party victory could stop the controversial Conservative Party scheme from ever leaving the tarmac.
Sunak made the announcement on Thursday during the first full day of campaigning. The Labour Party currently maintains a commanding 20-point lead in opinion polls and has promised to scrap the deportation plan if it wins power.
#Rwanda #UK
@africaintel
🇬🇧🇲🇦 UK's Sound Energy PLC sells Moroccan gas assets to Managem
UK gas company Sound Energy PLC sold its subsidiary, Sound Energy Morocco East Limited, to Morocco's largest mining company, Managem, the two companies said on Friday.
The transaction amounts to $45.2 million in total, Sound Energy said, adding the sale was key to develop production in the eastern Morocco gas field, known as Tendrara.
The field is expected to start production at 100 million cubic meters annually starting next year, Managem said in a statement.
#UK #Morocco
@africaintel
UK gas company Sound Energy PLC sold its subsidiary, Sound Energy Morocco East Limited, to Morocco's largest mining company, Managem, the two companies said on Friday.
The transaction amounts to $45.2 million in total, Sound Energy said, adding the sale was key to develop production in the eastern Morocco gas field, known as Tendrara.
The field is expected to start production at 100 million cubic meters annually starting next year, Managem said in a statement.
#UK #Morocco
@africaintel
🇷🇼 We don't have to repay UK for axed deal - Rwanda
Rwanda has said it is not required to refund the UK after a multi-million pound migrant deal between the two countries was scrapped.
New UK Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer announced at the weekend that the plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda was "dead and buried".
The scheme was forged by the previous Conservative government, which since revealing the plan in 2022 has paid Rwanda £240m ($310m).
Legal challenges meant the scheme never took off and the UK expressed hope on Monday that some money from the deal could be recouped.
The following day, a spokesperson for Rwanda's government told the country's state television: "Let this be clear, paying back the money was never part of the agreement."
Alain Mukuralinda said the agreement "did not stipulate" money should be refunded and that the UK had approached Rwanda and requested a partnership, which was "discussed extensively".
In January, after 21 months of the scheme being stalled, Rwandan President Paul Kagame suggested some money could be returned if no asylum seekers were sent to the country.
But Rwanda's government later specified there was "no obligation" to refund the UK.
In Rwanda's capital, Kigali, workers hired months ago to build housing for the asylum seekers expressed concern about Mr Starmer's decision.
The scheme’s death could “badly affect our lives”, a worker at the Gahanga site told the local newspaper.
Employees on the site get paid between £1.80 and £6 per day - relatively good wages for construction workers in Rwanda.
Resident Mariya Nyirahabimana said the value of houses in her neighbourhood had increased significantly since construction started, but she feared that “poverty could come back” to Gahanga.
Since his party won last week's election in a landslide, Mr Starmer has labelled the Rwanda scheme an expensive "gimmick" and pledged to instead focus on launching a new Border Security Command to tackle people-smuggling gangs.
Opposition to the bill has also came from other quarters over the past two years - the UK's Supreme Court ruled the plan unlawful, human rights organisations branded it cruel and draconian, while dissenters within the Conservative Party pushed for amendments that would better protect the scheme from legal challenges.
The previous government said the scheme was aimed at deterring people from crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Illegal migration is one of the major challenges facing the UK government.
So far this year, more than 13,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats.
The figure is higher than numbers for the same period last year, although in 2023 as a whole there was a drop compared to 2022.
#Rwanda #UK
@africaintel
Rwanda has said it is not required to refund the UK after a multi-million pound migrant deal between the two countries was scrapped.
New UK Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer announced at the weekend that the plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda was "dead and buried".
The scheme was forged by the previous Conservative government, which since revealing the plan in 2022 has paid Rwanda £240m ($310m).
Legal challenges meant the scheme never took off and the UK expressed hope on Monday that some money from the deal could be recouped.
The following day, a spokesperson for Rwanda's government told the country's state television: "Let this be clear, paying back the money was never part of the agreement."
Alain Mukuralinda said the agreement "did not stipulate" money should be refunded and that the UK had approached Rwanda and requested a partnership, which was "discussed extensively".
In January, after 21 months of the scheme being stalled, Rwandan President Paul Kagame suggested some money could be returned if no asylum seekers were sent to the country.
But Rwanda's government later specified there was "no obligation" to refund the UK.
In Rwanda's capital, Kigali, workers hired months ago to build housing for the asylum seekers expressed concern about Mr Starmer's decision.
The scheme’s death could “badly affect our lives”, a worker at the Gahanga site told the local newspaper.
Employees on the site get paid between £1.80 and £6 per day - relatively good wages for construction workers in Rwanda.
Resident Mariya Nyirahabimana said the value of houses in her neighbourhood had increased significantly since construction started, but she feared that “poverty could come back” to Gahanga.
Since his party won last week's election in a landslide, Mr Starmer has labelled the Rwanda scheme an expensive "gimmick" and pledged to instead focus on launching a new Border Security Command to tackle people-smuggling gangs.
Opposition to the bill has also came from other quarters over the past two years - the UK's Supreme Court ruled the plan unlawful, human rights organisations branded it cruel and draconian, while dissenters within the Conservative Party pushed for amendments that would better protect the scheme from legal challenges.
The previous government said the scheme was aimed at deterring people from crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Illegal migration is one of the major challenges facing the UK government.
So far this year, more than 13,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats.
The figure is higher than numbers for the same period last year, although in 2023 as a whole there was a drop compared to 2022.
#Rwanda #UK
@africaintel