Tag Archives: Azadi kaa Amrit Mahotsav

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 4, 2023)

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

COMMENTARY

Here’s how President Biden can build on the promise of his Africa summit

After an eight-year hiatus, the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit returned to Washington last month amid heightened global geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty. Click here to read…

The West, Debt and Other Takeaways from Chinese Foreign Minister’s Africa Trip

China’s new Foreign Minister Qin Gang wrapped up his first international tour to Africa this week, during which he visited five diverse countries — Ethiopia, Gabon, Benin, Angola and Egypt. Click here to read…

NEWS

Thousands protest in Tunisia against president’s rule

Thousands of protesters angry at Tunisia’s economic crisis and the president’s increasingly authoritarian drift marched on Saturday through the capital, responding to a call from opposition parties to mark 12 years since Tunisian protesters unleashed Arab Spring uprisings around the region. Click here to read…

Head of Ethiopia’s Supreme Court resigns

A letter to the House of People’s Representatives (HoPR) on Tuesday did not state the reason for their resignation, local media house Addis Standard reported. Click here to read…

Western Sahara: The Polisario movement’s 16th congress set for election

Thousands of soldiers and supporters of The Polisario Front – the Western Sahara’s pro-independence movement, met on Thursday at the Dakhla Refugee Camp in the Tindouf Region of Algeria, to hold the start of a party conference. Click here to read…

Sudan forces crack down on protesters in capital

Sudanese protesters tried to march onto parliament on Thursday but were intercepted by security forces who fired tear gas and water hoses at the crowds. Click here to read…

Treasury Secretary Yellen kickstarts Biden administration visits to Africa

The Biden administration’s big push to engage more with Africa is underway as Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen begins a 10-day visit aimed at promoting all the economic possibilities that lie between the U.S. and the world’s second-largest continent. Click here to read…

In Senegal, Yellen talks about future of US-Africa relations

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen caravanned from a government building to a business incubator in Dakar on Friday and was set to end her day at the president’s residence, spreading a message of mutually beneficial U.S.-Africa relations. Click here to read…

Al Qaeda’s JNIM pushes closer to Malian capital

Over the last few weeks, the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), al Qaeda’s branch for the Sahel and much of West Africa, has perpetrated a series of attacks that have inched closer and closer to the Malian capital of Bamako. Click here to read…

Italian PM Heads to Algeria to Secure Energy Supplies

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to travel to Algeria this weekend in the European country’s latest bid to secure more energy supplies away from Russia. Click here to read…

Ruslan Obiang Nsue: Equatorial Guinea president’s son arrested over plane’s sale

Equatorial Guinea’s vice-president personally ordered the arrest of his half-brother over allegations he sold a plane owned by the state airline, a government statement says. Click here to read…

Probe after comments to ‘free’ W.Sahara at Africa football cup

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said Sunday it will investigate comments made at the African Nations Championship in Algeria to “free” the disputed Western Sahara, that have sparked Moroccan fury. Click here to read…

Ghana to host Africa’s political, business leaders at Africa Prosperity Dialogues

The maiden edition of The Africa Prosperity Dialogue Series will take place from Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 January, 2023 in Ghana, proud host nation of the AfCFTA Secretariat. Click here to read…

Egypt’s soaring prices drive home economic pain

In better times, Om Mohamed’s family used to take holidays at resorts on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. Click here to read…

Are white mercenaries fighting in the DRC conflict?

Western diplomats are deeply worried about the sudden appearance of Eastern European mercenaries in the volatile eastern Congo. Click here to read…

Zambia received ‘debt-for-nature’ proposal from WWF for restructuring

Zambia received a “debt-for-nature swap” proposal as part of its $13 billion restructuring discussions, a move that while complex to secure and not part of current talks, could set an eco-friendly precedent for other debt crises if eventually included. Click here to read…

G20 creditors on board for Ghana debt relief talks: Paris Club

Ghana is in the throes of its worst economic crisis in decades and has requested a restructuring of its debt. Click here to read…

Somalia to Issue First New Banknotes in More Than Three Decades

Somalia’s central bank aims to replace the only high-value currency note still in use by next year to deal with counterfeit bills, excess cash in circulation and inflation. Click here to read…

They are on the run’: Somalia leads fight against al-Shabab

Enough was enough. For 13 years, extremists with al-Qaida’s East Africa affiliate had controlled Mohamud Adow’s village in central Somalia, imposing harsh ideology and arresting local teachers and traditional leaders. Click here to read…

Kenyan security forces kill 10 suspected al-Shabab fighters

Kenyan security forces have killed 10 fighters from the Somalia-based al-Shabab group in eastern Kenya, a government official says. Click here to read…

Abducted Burkina Faso women flee gunmen as attacks spike

Piercing thorns and stones underfoot did not stop the young woman as she charged through thickets, baby strapped to her back, fleeing armed men who kidnapped her with dozens of others in northern Burkina Faso last week. Click here to read…

Tanzania registers record $63 million diamond exports

Tanzania diamond exports increased significantly to $63.1 million (Sh147.46 billion) by November 2022, the Bank of Tanzania has revealed. Click here to read…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Skips Davos Amid Electricity Crisis
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has canceled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos in order to deal with his country’s worsening power blackouts. Click here to read…

Russia delivers more warplanes, helicopters to Mali

Mali’s current Air force Chief hails the latest deliveries as the latest stage in the “unprecedented” modernisation of the country’s forces, which are facing a militant insurgency. Click here to read…

Central African premier holds talks at Russian Defence Ministry

Central African Republic (CAR) Prime Minister Felix Moloua held talks in Moscow on Thursday with the leadership of Russia’s Defence Ministry. Click here to read…

Senegal institute wins $50 mln in boost to Africa’s vaccine capacity

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI) will invest up to $50 million over 10 years to help Senegal’s Institut Pasteur expand Africa’s ability to produce vaccines at scale. Click here to read…

Uganda turns away from belt and road rail deal as China stalls on loans

Kampala cancels US$2.3 billion construction deal over funding delays, looks to Turkish company to take over the projectClick here to read…

Uganda approves construction licence for $3.5 bln crude pipeline

Uganda on Wednesday issued a final tender to company controlled by TotalEnergies to construct a $3.5 billion oil pipeline through to Tanzania. Click here to read…

China, Benin ink deal on partial debt cancellation

China and Benin signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on partial debt cancellation Saturday during the visit of the Chinese top diplomat Qin Gang to the African country. Click here to read…

Congo sees deal on $6 bln China mining contract overhaul this year

Democratic Republic of Congo expects to reach an agreement on overhauling $6 billion of an infrastructure-for-minerals deal with Chinese investors this year. Click here to read…

China-built Namibian railway renovation project completed

The restoration of the railway line between Walvis Bay and Arandis in Namibia, with a total length of nearly 110 kilometers, by a Chinese construction company was completed. Click here to read…

China-Africa traditional friendship shows ‘new characteristic’ as FM Qin concludes 8-day visit

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang concluded his first official overseas trip since his appointment on December 30, 2022, with visits to five African countries and two regional organizations on his busy eight-day schedule. Click here to read…

Russia, China to hold naval drills off South Africa

Russia and China will conduct naval drills in the Indian Ocean off the coast of South Africa next monthClick here to read…

Israel ready to support Nigeria with intelligence in tackling terrorism

Israel says it is ready to support Nigeria in the areas of Intelligence sharing, modern combat equipmentand extraction of relevant information to effectively win the ongoing war against terrorism. Click here to read…

Morocco says it will boost military ties with Israel

Morocco’s army said Tuesday it had agreed with Israel to strengthen military cooperation including in intelligence and cybersecurity, following defense meetings in Rabat. Click here to read…

Zambia, UAE to develop $2 billion solar projects

Zesco, the Zambian state-owned power utility, and Masdar, the United Arab Emirates renewable energy firm has signed an agreement to develop solar projects in the amount of $2 billion.Click here to read…

Gambian vice president dies after ‘short illness’ in India

Joof was the fourth deputy to serve under President Barrow since his historic 2016 win against former strongman Yahya Jammeh. Click here to read…

Gabon’s foreign minister dies after suffering heart attack during cabinet meeting

Gabon’s foreign minister Michael Moussa Adamo died Friday after suffering a heart attack during a cabinet meeting, the government and a presidential source saidClick here to read…

European Parliament condemns Morocco for first time in 25 years, after vote on human rights

European lawmakers voted on Thursday to condemn Morocco for the first time in 25 years, as it called on the country to respect media freedom and to release all political prisoners and jailed journalists. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

India, Egypt to hold dialogue on defence ties during President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s visit

India and Egypt are likely to seal around half a dozen agreements during the visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi who is slated to arrive in New Delhi on January 24 ahead of the Republic Day celebrations. Click here to read…

180-Strong Egypt Contingent To Join Republic Day Parade, President Chief Guest

According to sources, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is set to arrive in New Delhi on January 24th and will be greeted by Minister of State for External Affairs, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh. Click here to read…

CYCLONE – I: India, Egypt special forces hold joint exercise in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer

The 14 days long exercise will focus on sharing professional skills and interoperability of special forces in desert terrain while undertaking counter terrorism, reconnaissance, raids and other special operations. Click here to read…

Togo-India Partnership: President Gnassigbe recently met India’s ambassador

The Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbé, met India’s Ambassador to Togo, Ram Saajiv Tandon last Tuesday. Click here to read…

Lok Sabha Speaker calls on Tanzanian PM, says solutions to global issues require joint action

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who is leading an Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD) to Tanzania, called on Prime Minister of Tanzania Kassim Majaliwa and said that solutions to global issues require joint action. Click here to read…

Seychelles receives new Ashok Leyland buses made for island use

The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) has received the first batch of new Ashok Leyland buses to upgrade its transport system. Click here to read…

HDFC Bank-HDFC merger: Mauritius FSC okays Griha share transfer from HDFC Holdings

The country’s largest housing finance company HDFC Ltd on Monday, January 16, said it got approval from the Financial Services Commission, Mauritius for the transfer of shares of Griha Investments from HDFC Holdings Ltd to HDFC Bank for the merger. Click here to read…

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 3, 2023)

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

COMMENTARY

US and Russia clash over violent extremism in Africa

The United States accused Russian military contractors backed by the Kremlin on Tuesday of interfering in the internal affairs of African countries and “increasing the likelihood that violent extremism will grow” in the Sahel region which is facing increasing attacks and deteriorating security — an allegation Russia denied. Click here to read…

How Ruto can transform Kenya’s economy

Despite William Ruto’s narrow win to become Kenya’s president in August last year, the transition occurred peacefully. Now his challenge is to transform the economy in a country with numerous developmental challenges. Click here to read…

NEWS

Benin pro-government parties win parliamentary majority

Benin’s pro-government parties have won a majority of seats in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, the country’s constitutional court announced Thursday. Click here to read…

Benin constitutional court affirms election win for ruling coalition

Benin’s constitutional court on Friday affirmed the ruling coalition’s win in last weekend’s legislative election and the return to parliament of an opposition after boycotts and exclusions in previous elections. Click here to read…

Gabon names first female vice president and new prime minister

The new vice president, the first woman to hold the position in Gabon, was previously prime minister and defence minister. Click here to read…

Polisario holds leadership poll under shadow of Morocco-Algeria tensions

The Polisario movement, which seeks independence in disputed Western Sahara, started meeting Friday for leadership elections in the shadow of mounting tensions between host Algeria and Morocco, which controls most of the territory. Click here to read…

Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict: TPLF forces hand over weapons in peace move

Tigrayan forces in northern Ethiopia have started handing over heavy weapons in line with a peace deal to end a brutal civil war. Click here to read…

Amhara forces withdraw from northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region

Forces from Ethiopia’s Amhara region who fought in support of federal troops during the two-year civil war in neighbouring Tigray have withdrawn in line with an African Union-backed ceasefire, the army says. Click here to read…

Insecurity could derail Nigeria polls, election commission warns

There have been 50 recorded attacks on offices of the electoral commission nationwide between 2019 and 2022. Click here to read…

Chad says it foiled ‘destabilisation’ attempt by officers

A group of 11 officers, led by a human rights activist, was behind the attempt, according to a government statement. Click here to read…

Violence soars in Mali in the year after Russians arrive

Western officials say violence against civilians in Mali has risen in the year since hundreds of Russian mercenaries have started working alongside the West African country’s armed forces. Click here to read…

Amnesty condemns Mozambique’s ‘forgotten war’ after viral video

A video showing soldiers hurling a corpse onto a pile of burning rubble in Mozambique’s north “gives a glimpse” of what is happening in a “forgotten war,” Amnesty International said. Click here to read…

South Africa wants probe into ‘disturbing’ Mozambique clip

South Africa wants an investigation into a “disturbing” video allegedly showing one of its soldiers present while bodies were being burned on a pile of rubble in Mozambique. Click here to read…

DR Congo accuses Rwanda of ‘political’ blackmail over refugees

Kinshasa accused Rwanda of using refugees for political purposes on Wednesday, after its neighbour said it would no longer take in people fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Click here to read…

South Africa to Use BRICS Chair Role to Advance Africa Interests

South Africa will use its role as the 2023 chair of the BRICS grouping of nations to advance the interest of Africa as a whole, President Cyril Ramaphosa saidClick here to read…

Egypt vows to cut military’s outsized role in economy under IMF bailout

Egypt has committed to reducing the military’s role in the economy as part of its $3bn IMF bailout package, as the Arab state grapples with a foreign currency crisis, a weakening pound and rising inflation. Click here to read…

New Zimbabwe law threatens health workers with jail over strikes

Zimbabwe has brought in a law banning health workers such as nurses and doctors from prolonged strikes, imposing punishments of up to six months in jail for defiant workers or union leaders, state-run media and a government spokesman said. Click here to read…

Nigeria: Don’t interfere with our elections, Buhari warns foreign governments

With just few weeks to the commencement of the general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday reiterated his warning to foreign governments’ representatives not to meddle in the exercise. Click here to read…

Hundreds rally against al-Shabab in Somali capital Mogadishu

Somalia President Mohamud urges citizens to help flush out members of the group he describes as ‘bedbugs’. Click here to read…

Chinese national nabbed in Tanzania for cyber fraud

A Chinese national has been nabbed in Tanzania for cyber fraud, raising concern about the global threat posed by Chinese cyber criminals, The HK Post reported. Click here to read…

Botswana court upholds ex-president Khama’s arrest warrant

A Botswana court on Friday dismissed an application by former President Ian Khama to have an arrest warrant against him struck down. Click here to read…

Why the military promised to withdraw from power in Sudan

Little more than a year ago, the military side of the coalition charged with helping Sudan transition to democracy staged a coup, ousting the civilian elements of the coalition and seizing control of the country. Click here to read…

Fourteen Malian soldiers killed in two armed group attacks: Army

Fourteen Malian soldiers were killed and 11 wounded in two separate attacks in central Mali after their vehicles struck explosive devices. Click here to read…

Nine Killed in Mosque Attack in Burkina Faso

Nine people were killed when suspected jihadists attacked a mosque in northeastern Burkina Faso, local sources said Thursday. Click here to read…

Libyan politicians’ pay goes up 40% as election impasse continues

Western leaders are losing patience with an entrenched Libyan political elite that has collectively failed to agree on the basis of elections for more than a year but has boosted politicians’ salaries by more than 40%.Click here to read…

Zambia’s Former Ruling Party Rejects IMF Allegation of Corruption Under Lungu

Zambia’s former ruling Patriotic Front party has rejected a report by the International Monetary Fund saying corruption flourished under its government. Click here to read…

Ghana increases salaries by 30 percent amid economic woes

Ghana’s government and trade unions have agreed to increase all public servants’ salaries by 30 percent for 2023, they said in a joint statement, as the country struggles to reduce debt and tackle rampant inflation. Click here to read…

US, Russia clash at UN meeting over ‘violent extremism’ in Africa

The United States has accused Kremlin-backed Russian military contractors of interfering in the internal affairs of African countries and “increasing the likelihood that violent extremism will grow” in the Sahel region. Click here to read…

Yellen leads new U.S.-Africa policy with trip to Senegal, Zambia, South Africa

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will travel to Senegal, Zambia and South Africa during the next two weeks, as the United States aims to strengthen ties with a continent that has been the focus of Chinese trade and investment for years. Click here to read…

China’s new Foreign Minister Qin Gang heads to Africa for first trip

“Qin Gang will visit Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin and Egypt from January 9-16,” spokesperson Wang Wenbin said. Click here to read…

China FM on Africa visit sidesteps call for UN council seat

China’s new foreign minister, Qin Gang, has sidestepped a new call by the African Union for permanent representation on the U.N. Security Council during his visit to Ethiopia. Click here to read…

China ‘Gobbles’ Russia’s Market Share in Africa; Increases Defense Cooperation as Ukraine War Keeps Moscow Busy

Recent statistics have indicated that Beijing’s expanding influence may threaten the Russian market share. Click here to read…

Angolan President meets Chinese FM on bilateral ties

Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Luanda. Click here to read…

Uganda drops Chinese firm from railway deal, eyes Turkish rival

Uganda has terminated its contract with a Chinese firm China Harbour and Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) to build a railway to the Kenyan border and is now considering a deal with a Turkish company. Click here to read…

Türkiye says 5 million tons of grain shipped to sub-Sahara Africa

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu was in Rwanda’s Kigali on Thursday, as part of his five-nation Africa tour. Click here to read…

Why new Rwanda, Turkey deals matter

Cooperation agreements between Rwanda and Turkey lay ground for a promising trajectory towards needed development across various sectors, according to diplomacy experts. Click here to read…

South Sudan’s Kiir invited for conference in Turkey

Turkey has invited South Sudan President Salva Kiir to attend a diplomatic conference scheduled to take place in March 2023. Click here to read…

Turkish FM opens consulate in Cape Town, hails South Africa ties

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu inaugurated the new building of the Turkish Consulate in South Africa’s Cape Town on Monday and heaped praise on ties with the African country. Click here to read…

Macron will not seek Algeria’s ‘forgiveness’ for colonialism

President Emmanuel Macron says he will not “ask forgiveness” from Algeria for French colonisation, but hopes to continue working towards reconciliation with his counterpart, Abdelmajid Tebboune. Click here to read…

Djibouti inks $1bn deal with Hong Kong company to build rocket launch site

Djibouti has inked a preliminary technological cooperation agreement with Chinese multinational Hong Kong Aerospace Technology to build a $1bn satellite and rocket launch site which could see the launch of the first Africa-made satellite from the African continent. Click here to read…

Uganda declares itself Ebola-free after swiftly turning tide on outbreak

Uganda on Wednesday declared the end of a nearly four-month Ebola outbreak that it briefly struggled to contain but was then able to swiftly bring under control despite the absence of a proven vaccine against the viral strain in question. Click here to read…

Autonomous Africa CDC a game-changer on disease outbreak response: Experts

Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention will now be in a position to assess disease outbreaks on the continent and declare it an emergency if it’s beyond one country. Click here to read…

Rain still in short supply as another failed wet season kills thousands of wild animals in Kenya

Rain has returned to the Amboseli ecosystem, but it is too little, too late for thousands of wildlife that have already perished in Kenya’s worst drought in 40-years. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

First ever India-Africa military exercise in March. Will be at platoon level: Army Chief

In March this year the first ever India-Africa Military exercise will take place and on the sidelines there will be Army Chiefs conclave. Click here to read…

30 years of India-South Africa relations: Connected with Cricket, Culture, Cuisine

As we enter the new year, South Africa marks the completion of 30 momentous years of the bilateral relationship with India. Click here to read…

Time to rebuild relations with Egypt

For India, a deeper economic engagement with Egypt acquires an additional strategic imperativeClick here to read…

Sisi’s R-Day Visit: Ties with Egypt Key to India’s Ambitions in North Africa

Egypt Prez Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit on Republic Day comes as India aims to expand its presence in WANA region. Click here to read…

Egypt mulls cooperation with India’s TEJAS in communication sector

Egypt is considering cooperation in the field of wired and wireless communication with India’s TEJAS, according to a statement by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on January 11th. Click here to read…

Over 1,000 Indian peacekeepers awarded UN medals for their exceptional service in South Sudan

Over one thousand Indian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) were awarded United Nations medals for their exceptional service. Click here to read…

All-woman team from India to keep peace at Abyei on Sudan-South Sudan border

This will be India’s largest single unit of women peacekeepers in a U.N. mission since the deployment of the first-ever all women’s contingent in Liberia in 2007Click here to read…

Om Birla to lead Indian parliamentary delegation to Kenya, Tanzania

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla will be leading a delegation to Kenya and Tanzania from 16th to 21st of this month. Click here to read…

Indian companies invest $19bn in Nigeria

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Balasubramanian, has disclosed that over 135 Indian companies have so far invested $19bn in Nigeria in the last four decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Click here to read…

India’s Mahindra named fastest-growing brand in South Africa for 2022

The report said that ‘Mahindra SA’ increased its sales volume by a massive 78 per cent compared to 2021, the highest of all the vehicle brands that report their sales to NAAMSAClick here to read…

Mauritius top court bars Devas shareholders from pursuing arbitration against India

According to Devas Mauritius shareholders’ contention, the Indian government had failed to protect their investment in Devas by allegedly wrongfully liquidating the companyClick here to read…

IMF chief heading to Zambia, says new debt ’roundtable’ will meet next month in India

A new global sovereign debt “roundtable” that will include China, other creditors and some borrowing countries will meet for the first-time next month on the sidelines of a Group of 20 finance officials meeting in India. Click here to read…

Azadi kaa Amrit Mahotsav’: Remembering forgotten hero of Bhojpur in South Africa

Recounting Budree Ahir’s journey, his great grandson says, “During acute financial crisis, Dadaji had helped him (Mahatma Gandhi) by giving £1000 to him in those days.” Click here to read…

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman: Mohanlal Hira is keeping Gandhi alive in South Africa

Mohanlal Heera receives Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. He receives award for community welfare in South Africa. Click here to read…

Top West African countries supplying imports to India

Nigeria emerged as the leading supplier of imports to India among West African countries in FY 2022, with a value of $10 million. Click here to read…

India condemns ‘mindless act of vandalism’ on Mahatma Gandhi statue in Seychelles

The high commission of India has thanked the Seychelles authorities for their action in the matter and hopes that the perpetrators will be apprehended expeditiously. Click here to read…

India is adapting to new peacekeeping priorities

Peacekeeping operations have undergone a shift in the last two decades. They have become more violent and risky. Click here to read…

Airtel Africa acquires 4G, 5G spectrum for $316.7 million

Airtel Africa is a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel. The payment for the purchased spectrum will be done in local currency. Click here to read…

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 3, 2023)

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.

COMMENTARY

US and Russia clash over violent extremism in Africa

The United States accused Russian military contractors backed by the Kremlin on Tuesday of interfering in the internal affairs of African countries and “increasing the likelihood that violent extremism will grow” in the Sahel region which is facing increasing attacks and deteriorating security — an allegation Russia denied. Click here to read…

How Ruto can transform Kenya’s economy

Despite William Ruto’s narrow win to become Kenya’s president in August last year, the transition occurred peacefully. Now his challenge is to transform the economy in a country with numerous developmental challenges. Click here to read…

NEWS

Benin pro-government parties win parliamentary majority

Benin’s pro-government parties have won a majority of seats in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, the country’s constitutional court announced Thursday. Click here to read…

Benin constitutional court affirms election win for ruling coalition

Benin’s constitutional court on Friday affirmed the ruling coalition’s win in last weekend’s legislative election and the return to parliament of an opposition after boycotts and exclusions in previous elections. Click here to read…

Gabon names first female vice president and new prime minister

The new vice president, the first woman to hold the position in Gabon, was previously prime minister and defence minister. Click here to read…

Polisario holds leadership poll under shadow of Morocco-Algeria tensions

The Polisario movement, which seeks independence in disputed Western Sahara, started meeting Friday for leadership elections in the shadow of mounting tensions between host Algeria and Morocco, which controls most of the territory. Click here to read…

Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict: TPLF forces hand over weapons in peace move

Tigrayan forces in northern Ethiopia have started handing over heavy weapons in line with a peace deal to end a brutal civil war. Click here to read…

Amhara forces withdraw from northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region

Forces from Ethiopia’s Amhara region who fought in support of federal troops during the two-year civil war in neighbouring Tigray have withdrawn in line with an African Union-backed ceasefire, the army says. Click here to read…

Insecurity could derail Nigeria polls, election commission warns

There have been 50 recorded attacks on offices of the electoral commission nationwide between 2019 and 2022. Click here to read…

Chad says it foiled ‘destabilisation’ attempt by officers

A group of 11 officers, led by a human rights activist, was behind the attempt, according to a government statement. Click here to read…

Violence soars in Mali in the year after Russians arrive

Western officials say violence against civilians in Mali has risen in the year since hundreds of Russian mercenaries have started working alongside the West African country’s armed forces. Click here to read…

Amnesty condemns Mozambique’s ‘forgotten war’ after viral video

A video showing soldiers hurling a corpse onto a pile of burning rubble in Mozambique’s north “gives a glimpse” of what is happening in a “forgotten war,” Amnesty International said. Click here to read…

South Africa wants probe into ‘disturbing’ Mozambique clip

South Africa wants an investigation into a “disturbing” video allegedly showing one of its soldiers present while bodies were being burned on a pile of rubble in Mozambique. Click here to read…

DR Congo accuses Rwanda of ‘political’ blackmail over refugees

Kinshasa accused Rwanda of using refugees for political purposes on Wednesday, after its neighbour said it would no longer take in people fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Click here to read…

South Africa to Use BRICS Chair Role to Advance Africa Interests

South Africa will use its role as the 2023 chair of the BRICS grouping of nations to advance the interest of Africa as a whole, President Cyril Ramaphosa saidClick here to read…

Egypt vows to cut military’s outsized role in economy under IMF bailout

Egypt has committed to reducing the military’s role in the economy as part of its $3bn IMF bailout package, as the Arab state grapples with a foreign currency crisis, a weakening pound and rising inflation. Click here to read…

New Zimbabwe law threatens health workers with jail over strikes

Zimbabwe has brought in a law banning health workers such as nurses and doctors from prolonged strikes, imposing punishments of up to six months in jail for defiant workers or union leaders, state-run media and a government spokesman said. Click here to read…

Nigeria: Don’t interfere with our elections, Buhari warns foreign governments

With just few weeks to the commencement of the general elections, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday reiterated his warning to foreign governments’ representatives not to meddle in the exercise. Click here to read…

Hundreds rally against al-Shabab in Somali capital Mogadishu

Somalia President Mohamud urges citizens to help flush out members of the group he describes as ‘bedbugs’. Click here to read…

Chinese national nabbed in Tanzania for cyber fraud

A Chinese national has been nabbed in Tanzania for cyber fraud, raising concern about the global threat posed by Chinese cyber criminals, The HK Post reported. Click here to read…

Botswana court upholds ex-president Khama’s arrest warrant

A Botswana court on Friday dismissed an application by former President Ian Khama to have an arrest warrant against him struck down. Click here to read…

Why the military promised to withdraw from power in Sudan

Little more than a year ago, the military side of the coalition charged with helping Sudan transition to democracy staged a coup, ousting the civilian elements of the coalition and seizing control of the country. Click here to read…

Fourteen Malian soldiers killed in two armed group attacks: Army

Fourteen Malian soldiers were killed and 11 wounded in two separate attacks in central Mali after their vehicles struck explosive devices. Click here to read…

Nine Killed in Mosque Attack in Burkina Faso

Nine people were killed when suspected jihadists attacked a mosque in northeastern Burkina Faso, local sources said Thursday. Click here to read…

Libyan politicians’ pay goes up 40% as election impasse continues

Western leaders are losing patience with an entrenched Libyan political elite that has collectively failed to agree on the basis of elections for more than a year but has boosted politicians’ salaries by more than 40%.Click here to read…

Zambia’s Former Ruling Party Rejects IMF Allegation of Corruption Under Lungu

Zambia’s former ruling Patriotic Front party has rejected a report by the International Monetary Fund saying corruption flourished under its government. Click here to read…

Ghana increases salaries by 30 percent amid economic woes

Ghana’s government and trade unions have agreed to increase all public servants’ salaries by 30 percent for 2023, they said in a joint statement, as the country struggles to reduce debt and tackle rampant inflation. Click here to read…

US, Russia clash at UN meeting over ‘violent extremism’ in Africa

The United States has accused Kremlin-backed Russian military contractors of interfering in the internal affairs of African countries and “increasing the likelihood that violent extremism will grow” in the Sahel region. Click here to read…

Yellen leads new U.S.-Africa policy with trip to Senegal, Zambia, South Africa

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will travel to Senegal, Zambia and South Africa during the next two weeks, as the United States aims to strengthen ties with a continent that has been the focus of Chinese trade and investment for years. Click here to read…

China’s new Foreign Minister Qin Gang heads to Africa for first trip

“Qin Gang will visit Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin and Egypt from January 9-16,” spokesperson Wang Wenbin said. Click here to read…

China FM on Africa visit sidesteps call for UN council seat

China’s new foreign minister, Qin Gang, has sidestepped a new call by the African Union for permanent representation on the U.N. Security Council during his visit to Ethiopia. Click here to read…

China ‘Gobbles’ Russia’s Market Share in Africa; Increases Defense Cooperation as Ukraine War Keeps Moscow Busy

Recent statistics have indicated that Beijing’s expanding influence may threaten the Russian market share. Click here to read…

Angolan President meets Chinese FM on bilateral ties

Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Luanda. Click here to read…

Uganda drops Chinese firm from railway deal, eyes Turkish rival

Uganda has terminated its contract with a Chinese firm China Harbour and Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) to build a railway to the Kenyan border and is now considering a deal with a Turkish company. Click here to read…

Türkiye says 5 million tons of grain shipped to sub-Sahara Africa

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu was in Rwanda’s Kigali on Thursday, as part of his five-nation Africa tour. Click here to read…

Why new Rwanda, Turkey deals matter

Cooperation agreements between Rwanda and Turkey lay ground for a promising trajectory towards needed development across various sectors, according to diplomacy experts. Click here to read…

South Sudan’s Kiir invited for conference in Turkey

Turkey has invited South Sudan President Salva Kiir to attend a diplomatic conference scheduled to take place in March 2023. Click here to read…

Turkish FM opens consulate in Cape Town, hails South Africa ties

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu inaugurated the new building of the Turkish Consulate in South Africa’s Cape Town on Monday and heaped praise on ties with the African country. Click here to read…

Macron will not seek Algeria’s ‘forgiveness’ for colonialism

President Emmanuel Macron says he will not “ask forgiveness” from Algeria for French colonisation, but hopes to continue working towards reconciliation with his counterpart, Abdelmajid Tebboune. Click here to read…

Djibouti inks $1bn deal with Hong Kong company to build rocket launch site

Djibouti has inked a preliminary technological cooperation agreement with Chinese multinational Hong Kong Aerospace Technology to build a $1bn satellite and rocket launch site which could see the launch of the first Africa-made satellite from the African continent. Click here to read…

Uganda declares itself Ebola-free after swiftly turning tide on outbreak

Uganda on Wednesday declared the end of a nearly four-month Ebola outbreak that it briefly struggled to contain but was then able to swiftly bring under control despite the absence of a proven vaccine against the viral strain in question. Click here to read…

Autonomous Africa CDC a game-changer on disease outbreak response: Experts

Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention will now be in a position to assess disease outbreaks on the continent and declare it an emergency if it’s beyond one country. Click here to read…

Rain still in short supply as another failed wet season kills thousands of wild animals in Kenya

Rain has returned to the Amboseli ecosystem, but it is too little, too late for thousands of wildlife that have already perished in Kenya’s worst drought in 40-years. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

First ever India-Africa military exercise in March. Will be at platoon level: Army Chief

In March this year the first ever India-Africa Military exercise will take place and on the sidelines there will be Army Chiefs conclave. Click here to read…

30 years of India-South Africa relations: Connected with Cricket, Culture, Cuisine

As we enter the new year, South Africa marks the completion of 30 momentous years of the bilateral relationship with India. Click here to read…

Time to rebuild relations with Egypt

For India, a deeper economic engagement with Egypt acquires an additional strategic imperativeClick here to read…

Sisi’s R-Day Visit: Ties with Egypt Key to India’s Ambitions in North Africa

Egypt Prez Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit on Republic Day comes as India aims to expand its presence in WANA region. Click here to read…

Egypt mulls cooperation with India’s TEJAS in communication sector

Egypt is considering cooperation in the field of wired and wireless communication with India’s TEJAS, according to a statement by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on January 11th. Click here to read…

Over 1,000 Indian peacekeepers awarded UN medals for their exceptional service in South Sudan

Over one thousand Indian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) were awarded United Nations medals for their exceptional service. Click here to read…

All-woman team from India to keep peace at Abyei on Sudan-South Sudan border

This will be India’s largest single unit of women peacekeepers in a U.N. mission since the deployment of the first-ever all women’s contingent in Liberia in 2007Click here to read…

Om Birla to lead Indian parliamentary delegation to Kenya, Tanzania

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla will be leading a delegation to Kenya and Tanzania from 16th to 21st of this month. Click here to read…

Indian companies invest $19bn in Nigeria

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Balasubramanian, has disclosed that over 135 Indian companies have so far invested $19bn in Nigeria in the last four decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Click here to read…

India’s Mahindra named fastest-growing brand in South Africa for 2022

The report said that ‘Mahindra SA’ increased its sales volume by a massive 78 per cent compared to 2021, the highest of all the vehicle brands that report their sales to NAAMSAClick here to read…

Mauritius top court bars Devas shareholders from pursuing arbitration against India

According to Devas Mauritius shareholders’ contention, the Indian government had failed to protect their investment in Devas by allegedly wrongfully liquidating the companyClick here to read…

IMF chief heading to Zambia, says new debt ’roundtable’ will meet next month in India

A new global sovereign debt “roundtable” that will include China, other creditors and some borrowing countries will meet for the first-time next month on the sidelines of a Group of 20 finance officials meeting in India. Click here to read…

Azadi kaa Amrit Mahotsav’: Remembering forgotten hero of Bhojpur in South Africa

Recounting Budree Ahir’s journey, his great grandson says, “During acute financial crisis, Dadaji had helped him (Mahatma Gandhi) by giving £1000 to him in those days.” Click here to read…

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman: Mohanlal Hira is keeping Gandhi alive in South Africa

Mohanlal Heera receives Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. He receives award for community welfare in South Africa. Click here to read…

Top West African countries supplying imports to India

Nigeria emerged as the leading supplier of imports to India among West African countries in FY 2022, with a value of $10 million. Click here to read…

India condemns ‘mindless act of vandalism’ on Mahatma Gandhi statue in Seychelles

The high commission of India has thanked the Seychelles authorities for their action in the matter and hopes that the perpetrators will be apprehended expeditiously. Click here to read…

India is adapting to new peacekeeping priorities

Peacekeeping operations have undergone a shift in the last two decades. They have become more violent and risky. Click here to read…

Airtel Africa acquires 4G, 5G spectrum for $316.7 million

Airtel Africa is a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel. The payment for the purchased spectrum will be done in local currency. Click here to read…