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

COMMENTARY

Ukraine crisis signals the rise of African realpolitik

On February 21, 2022, President Vladimir Putin declared Ukraine’s two breakaway regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, independent. Click here to read…

How America plans to break China’s grip on African minerals

Mining indaba, Africa’s largest mining conference, is an anthropologist’s dream. Click here to read…

NEWS

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, elects Bola Tinubu as the new president

Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been declared as the winner of Nigeria’s presidential elections, beating out two other prominent candidates. Click here to read…

Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s political kingmaker, wins a flawed election

After a chaotically organised vote and messy count, Bola Tinubu, the candidate of Nigeria’s incumbent ruling party, has been declared the winner. Click here to read…

Kenyan traders protest against Chinese competitor’s cheap prices

More than a thousand Kenyan traders protested in the capital Nairobi on Tuesday against a new Chinese-owned retail shop they accuse of undercutting them with ultra-low prices. Click here to read…

Libya confirms constitutional fix to hold elections

Libya’s High Council of State approved a constitutional amendment to provide a foundation for elections, but there seems to be little progress on disputes in the way of polls in the country. Click here to read…

Mali: Expert weighs in on draft constitution

Mali’s draft constitution which gives the president sweeping powers has elicited diverse views. Click here to read…

South Sudan president fires defence and interior ministers

South Sudan President Salva Kiir has sacked two top security ministers, violating the terms of a peace agreement with opposition party leader First Vice President Riek Machar. Click here to read…

U.S. and others express concern at conflict in Somalia breakaway region

Representatives from the United States, Britain, Qatar, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey met on Tuesday and expressed concern at the conflict in and around Laascaanood, a disputed town in Somalia’s northern breakaway region of Somaliland. Click here to read…

U.S. offers reward of up to $5 million for Congo’s IS leader

The U.S. Embassy in Congo says the U.S. is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information that could lead to the capture of Congo’s top jihadi, who leads an affiliate of the Islamic State groupClick here to read…

Sudan police kill protester in anti-military demonstrations

Mazjoob is the 125th protester killed in weekly protests launched after the October 2021 coup. Click here to read…

Austria supports Morocco’s initiative for Western Sahara

Chancellor Karl Nehammer pointed out that the Austrian country considers the Moroccan proposal a “serious and credible contribution” to the political process developed by the UN. Click here to read…

Tunisia bans upcoming opposition protest

Tunisian authorities on Thursday banned an upcoming protest by the country’s main opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front (NSF), but the group has vowed to press ahead with its planned demonstration on Sunday. Click here to read…

Burkina scraps 61-year-old military assistance deal with France

Burkina Faso scrapped a 1961 agreement on military assistance with France, a move that comes only weeks after it told the French ambassador and troops supporting its anti-jihadist campaign to exit the country. Click here to read…

Former Ghana Leader Mahama Launches 2024 Campaign

Former Ghanaian president John Mahama launched his campaign Thursday to recapture the post he held from 2012 to 2017. Click here to read…

Ramaphosa ready to announce new minister of electricity – one month later

Despite president Cyril Ramaphosa promising to address South Africa’s power crisis with urgency, he has delayed the announcement of a new minister of electricity and a shake-up of his cabinet by almost an entire month. Click here to read…

African Union says Israel’s observer status suspended

AU Commission chief confirms Israel was not invited to the weekend summit where Israeli ambassador was removed. Click here to read…

Tripartite naval exercises between Russia, China and South Africa ended in Indian Ocean

Trilateral naval exercises involving warships and logistics vessels of the Russian Navy, The People’s Liberation Army and the South African navies concluded today in the Indian Ocean. Click here to read…

US increases military support for Somalia against al-Shabab

The United States is increasing its military assistance to Somalia as the country sees success in battling what the U.S. calls “the largest and most deadly al-Qaida network in the world.” Click here to read…

U.S., Djibouti, Japan Partner in Trilateral Engagement to Combat Illegal Shipping

Members of the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 8, the Djiboutian Navy, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force participated in a trilateral training engagement aboard the Japanese destroyer JS Suzutsuki based in the Port of Djibouti, Feb. 25. Click here to read…

China dominates scramble for Zimbabwe’s lithium

China and other eastern nations that enjoy cordial relations with Zimbabwe are rushing for lithium as the President Emmerson Mnangagwa-led government is hoping to make the most of the rising global demand for the white gold. Click here to read…

Macron: ‘New era’ in economic, military strategy in Africa

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to reduce the number of French troops in Africa under a “new security partnership” with the concerned nations. Click here to read…

Emmanuel Macron to fly to Africa to counter waning French influence

President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to fly to Africa later this week to counter Russian efforts to France from the continent. Click here to read…

Era of French interference in Africa is ‘over,’ Macron says in Gabon

French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated on Thursday that France harboured no desire to return to past policies of interfering in Africa after he began a four-nation tour of the continent. Click here to read…

France’s Macron continues African tour with stop in Brazzavile ahead of DR Congo visit

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday carried his African tour aimed at renewing frayed ties to the Republic of Congo after inking an economic accord with Angola. Click here to read…

French president offers hope to Angola for de-escalation in Congo

Angolan President Joao Lourenco met his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Friday. Click here to read…

Macron warns of sanctions if east Congo peace process is derailed

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged 34 million euros ($36 million) of aid to Congo’s conflict-hit east on Saturday and said any party seeking to derail peace efforts there should face sanctions. Click here to read…

Why Ethiopia is taking its debt relief case directly to China, bypassing the G20

With no sign of progress in a G20-led debt-relief initiative, cash-strapped Ethiopia is turning directly to China for a way out of its loan problems. Click here to read…

China willing to play constructive role in debt talks

China is willing to “constructively” participate in solving the debt problems of relevant countries under a multilateral framework, Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Ghana non-payment triggers CDS, panel says

A panel of investors on Friday determined that a credit event had occurred with respect to Ghana, triggering payments of default insurance known as credit default swaps. Click here to read…

On last day of visit, Jill Biden urges more countries to send aid for East Africa drought

U.S. first lady Jill Biden got an up-close look Sunday at the historic East Africa drought as she walked along arid land. Click here to read…

Algeria and Russia strengtens military ties

The head of Algeria’s army hosted Russia’s top security official on Monday to discuss boosting their military ties, the defense ministry in Algiers said. Click here to read…

South Sudan’s Kiir to attend Russia-Africa summit in July

The Russian’s leader Vladimir Putin has invited his South Sudanese counterpart, Salva Kiir for the Russia-Africa summit. Click here to read…

Biden names nominees for Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Nigeria and Niger ambassadorship

The United States foreign relations committee held confirmation hearings for President Joe Biden’s Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Rwanda and Niger ambassadorship nominees on Wednesday. Click here to read…

Morocco Issues $2.5 Billion Bond on International Financial Market

Morocco has successfully issued a $2.5 billion bond on the international financial market, with two $1.25 billion tranches. Click here to read…

Shell makes ‘big’ oil discovery offshore Namibia — results imminent

Shell has made a significant oil and gas discovery offshore Namibia, one of the expected hotspots for exploration this year. Click here to read…

Nigeria’s Supreme Court rules CBN naira redesign invalid
Nigeria’s Supreme Court has ruled that old banknotes remain legal tender until the end of the year, bringing relief to millions affected by a chaotic redesign of the naira notes. Click here to read…

World Bank President nominee Ajay Banga to visit Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya next week

World Bank President candidate Ajay Banga will travel to Cote D’Ivoire and Kenya from March 6 to March 8 as he begins a global listening tour. Click here to read…

Saudia Plans New China, Nigeria, South Africa And UK Routes

The international network expansion is being supported by a connectivity program that aims to subsidize Saudi airlines when opening new routes. Click here to read…

Israeli Drip Irrigation Manufacturer Inaugurates Factory in Morocco

Israeli drip irrigation manufacturer Netafim officially inaugurated its factory in Morocco’s Kenitra region on Thursday. Click here to read…

Mozambique – Thousands Displaced as Cyclone Freddy Brings Flooding Rain

At least 7 people have died and thousands have been displaced after Tropical Cyclone Freddy made its way across Mozambique. Click here to read…

Death Toll in Equatorial Guinea Marburg Outbreak Rises to 11

Two more people in Equatorial Guinea have died of Marburg hemorrhagic fever, a cousin of the Ebola virus, bringing the toll of fatalities to 11. Click here to read…

Blast at Shell’s Nigeria oil pipeline kills 12 – police

An explosion on a Nigerian oil pipeline owned by Shell (SHEL.L) killed at least 12 people on Friday, authorities at the scene said, while members of the affected community in Emohua said they feared many more had died in the blast. Click here to read…

Uganda lawmakers revive anti-LGBTQ bill, call homosexuality a cancer

MPs in Uganda have introduced a draft legislation that seeks to punish gay sex and the promotion or recognition of such relations. Click here to read…

Egypt unveils newly discovered chamber inside Great Pyramid

Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass and the country’s Minister for Tourism Ahmed Eissa, announced the discovery Thursday at an unveiling ceremony outside the pyramid. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

Egypt’s FM, Indian counterpart discuss bilateral ties, regional and international issues

On the 1st session of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (G20FMM) in New Delhi on Friday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Click here to read…

Seychelles, India join forces for enhanced maritime security in the Indian Ocean

Seychelles and India signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday 28th of February, to improve maritime security in the Indian ocean by sharing information and educating people. Click here to read…

Zimbabwe team in AP looking for solar power

A team from Zimbabwe, located in the southern part of Africa bordering South Africa, which is currently facing a serious energy crisis, is looking for partners to develop green energy projects in the land-locked country, particularly solar power units. Click here to read…

Uncertainty in Nigeria affects Indian auto, pharma, and consumer firms

Nigeria is a major destination for Indian pharmaceutical companies, especially mid-sized onesClick here to read…

Bajaj Auto shares fall over 5% after demonetisation in Nigeria. Here’s why

Shares of Indian two-wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto tanked over 5 per cent on Monday after a note ban came into effect in Nigeria. Click here to read…

Air Mauritius resumes its operations to New Delhi from May 3

Air Mauritius will resume its direct operations to and from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi as from the 03rd of May 2023. Click here to read…

Ugandan biologist detained at Kolkata airport for 30 hours after visa goof-up

Airport officials said the Ugandan national was detained as he did not have valid travel documents. Click here to read…

PODCAST

India Africa collaboration on Renewable energies

In this episode of VIF podcast, Shri Rakshpaul Singh Malhotra, former Indian Ambassador to Niger and Samir Bhattacharya, Senior Research Associate at the Vivekananda International Foundation discusses the current contours of India’s collaboration with Africa on renewable energies, what are the challenges and opportunities. Click here to read…

India-China Relations

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s reality check on China : The India China Newsletter, March 1, 2023

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s visit to India, and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s recent interview and comments on relations with China, and what they tell us about where things stand between the two countries. Click here to read…

Chinese foreign minister to attend G20 meeting : Business Standard, March 1, 2023 : Business Standard, March 1, 2023

Newly appointed Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang will attend the meeting of G20 foreign ministers in New Delhi on March 2, 2023. Click here to read…
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China’s new Foreign Minister Qin Gang is expected to visit India in March : The Diplomat, Feb 24, 2023

China standing “ready” implies that for the relationship to go back to normal, the ball is in India’s court, as Beijing will not be softening its posture at the border. In this context and at this juncture, it is worth analyzing where former Foreign Minister Wang Yi left off.Click here to read…

India-China Bilateral meeting at physical mode in Beijing : Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India Feb 22, 2023

After 3 years, on 22 Feb 2023, India and Chinese officials had in person talk in Beijing on the standoff along the Line of Actual Control. To achieve this objective in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols, they agreed to hold the next (18th) round of the Senior Commanders meeting at an early date. The two sides agreed to continue discussions through military and diplomatic channels. Click here to read…
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China International Affairs

China appreciates Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s positive comments on China-Russia relations : Xinhua News, Feb 17, 2023

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on the 16th that China appreciates Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s positive comments on China-Russia relations and is willing to work with Russia to promote comprehensive strategic coordination between the two countries in the new era. The partnership continues to move forward. The level of mutual trust between Russia and China is unprecedented, and the two sides are working together to strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries. Russia-China relations have become the cornerstone of a multipolar global order, injecting balance and stability into international affairs. Click here to read…

China releases position paper on Ukraine crisis political settlement : Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People’s Republic of China, Feb 24, 2023

“For a safer world, we must all insist on respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, on the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and consultation, on returning to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter” .Wang Yi
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On the Eve of 1st anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict : Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People’s Republic of China Feb 16, 2023

Over the past year, all participants have done what they could and got what they deserved. Ukraine has suffered heavy casualties — 42,000 of its own troops and 38,700 foreign volunteers — and its population has been sharply reduced as 13.3 million people fled the country and 8.5 million Ukrainians were absorbed by Russia after the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson. In addition, large cities and small towns were bombed and weapons, equipment, bridges and other infrastructure were destroyed. The Ukrainian people have had a hard time. While having suffered immeasurable losses, Ukraine has to carry on the proxy war for the U.S. and the EU and thus has become the biggest loser in the conflict.Click here to read…
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Zelensky wants Xi Jinping meeting following China’s peace points : BBC Nes, Feb 28, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he plans to meet China’s leader Xi Jinping to discuss Beijing’s proposals on ending the war in Ukraine. The 12-point document does not specifically say that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukraine and the Chinese authorities have so far not publicly responded to Zelensky’s call for a summit with Xi. Click here to read…

Lei Feng Spirit – Li Xi’s CCDI Work Report – Military Financial Work Guideline : People’s Daily, Feb 24, 2023

The paper is basically a compilation of 12 points, which have been part of Beijing’s public positions on the war. No one who reads this can come away with the idea that China is in any way a neutral mediator. It clearly views the conflict in Ukraine as a product of what it says is Cold War mentality and an outdated European security architecture. Click here to read…

Chinese envoy urges NATO to contribute positively to world peace, Stability : China Military Voice. Feb 19 ,2023

China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun said, “We urge NATO to draw lessons from history, abandon the obsolete Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, and stop dangerous acts of creating imaginary enemies, destabilizing Europe, and messing up Asia Pacific. It should contribute positively to world peace and stability, instead of merely being a troublemaker,” Click here to read…

China- Domestic Affairs

2nd Plenary session of 20th party Committee held in Beijing : Xinhua News, Feb 26, 2023

The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) started its second plenary session in Beijing on Sunday afternoon. The plenum will review a draft plan on reform of Party and state institutions, and the proposed name lists of candidates for the leading positions of state institutions to be recommended by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress and candidates for the leading positions of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to be recommended to the first session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC. Click here to read…
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Xi Jinping’s speech on ‘Party and State Institutional Reform’: People’s Daily, March 1, 2023

General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping delivered an important speech in the Political Bureau Central Committee Meeting on Party and State Institutional Reform and carry forward the great spirit of party building, keep in mind the “three musts”, be self-confident, self-improving, upright and innovative, Forge ahead, work tenaciously, firmly promote Chinese-style modernization, and work together to achieve the goals and tasks set by the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Click here to read…

The next chief of staff draws speculation before leadership shuffle : Nikkei Asia, Fen 27, 2023

The successor to Chinese president Xi Jinping’s Chief of the staff has yet to be names as a new Vice Premier. Click here to read…

Pensioners protest as China’s healthcare system struggles to recover from COVID spending : China Project. Feb 15, 2023

Crowds of elderly Chinese people took to the streets in Wuhan and Dalian to protest local healthcare reforms. While protests aren’t that rare in China, such public anger at its cash-strapped healthcare system may signal waning trust in the government. Click here to read…

Labour on China, Solar panelling and Xinjiang, Truss in Japan, Xinjiang visit : Substack. Feb 19, 2023

Although Parliament was on recess this week, three stories floating around Westminster are worth unpacking. The first involves the so-called Chinese “spy balloons”, the second a visit to London by Erkin Tuniyaz, the governor of Xinjiang, and the third a planned intervention from the Foreign Secretary dubbed “the great clarification”. Click here to read…

Chinese modernization is a new model for human advancement : China Daily. Feb 27, 2023

This new era presents to the world a country willing to work with the other countries to uphold the common values of humankind, and pursue peace and development while helping build a community with a shared future for all. The pragmatic approach on cooperation with other countries, China being a largest trading partner with more than 140 countries and regions and leads the world in total merchandise trade. Click here to read…

2nd Plenary session of 20th party Committee held in Beijing : Xinhua News, Feb 26, 2023

The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) started its second plenary session in Beijing on Sunday afternoon. The plenum will review a draft plan on reform of Party and state institutions, and the proposed name lists of candidates for the leading positions of state institutions to be recommended by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress and candidates for the leading positions of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) to be recommended to the first session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC. Click here to read…

China-Economy-Technology and Development

U.S. Assaults Multilateral Trading System : China-US Focus, Feb 21, 2023

China and the United States were recently reported to have clashed again on the shore of the usually placid Lake Geneva in late January. However, the haggling at the World Trade Organization is not so much a contest between the world’s two largest economies as it is a battle between the U.S. and all other WTO members. At stake is the integrity, or even survival, of the world trade body. Chinese Ambassador to the WTO Li Chenggang characterized the U.S. as a “unilateral bully” and “rule breaker.” Click here to read…

China has reiterated its call for multilateral development banks (MDBs) :The Diplomat, Feb 22, 2023

The first session was held virtually last Friday, and the second session will be held in person on the margins of the G-20 meeting in India. The topic is fraught. Some coverage has implied China is using this position as a deliberate excuse to itself avoid a push from the United States and IMF to provide debt relief. Click here to read…

The changing economic security policies vis-à-vis China : Merics Report, Feb 22, 2023

Countries are adopting ever larger and more complex sets of policies to protect their security and strategic assets, and to diversify their supply chains– all to make sure they are not exposed to security risks and that their economies are resistant to shocks and weaponization by third countries. Click here to read…

Renewed China energy demand threatens to fuel global inflation : NikkeiAsia, feb 25, 2023

China’s appetite for energy is roaring back as its economy recovers from a downturn caused by its draconian Zero-Covid policy. Many pundits are worried about that a surge in China’s imports on crude oil and other energy resources could push those price higher, fuelling inflation higher. Click here to read…

Intellectual Debate on Global South: Building a new International System : Sinification. Feb 18 , 2023

How to respond to the growing political divide between China and the West marked by partial decoupling, security alliances, and the risk of sanctions, amongst other things, continues to be a major topic of discussion among China’s intellectual elite. As already evidenced in previous editions of this newsletter, opinions vary considerably. Those presented here so far have ranged from Da Wei (达巍) stressing the importance of preserving if not strengthening ties with the West and Shen Wei (沈伟) arguing in favour of reforming the WTO and building up a network of free trade agreements to Ye Hailin (叶海林) emphasising the need for China to demonstrate its military might to demobilise US allies and Lu Feng (路风) calling for self-reliance and greater assertiveness in the field of tech. A certain amount of overlap certainly exists among these perspectives but the differences are nonetheless striking. Click here to read…
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China-Military Affairs

China, Russia, South Africa to hold joint maritime exercise : China Military Online, Feb 19,2023

China, Russia and South Africa, from February 20 to 27, the navies of the three countries will hold the second joint maritime exercise in the eastern waters and airspace from Durban to Richards Bay of South Africa, said the Chinese defense ministry in a written statement on Sunday. And the focus of this exercise is “the joint operation to safeguard the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities”.Click here to read…

Intellectual Debate on Global South: Building a new International System : Sinification. Feb 18 , 2023

How to respond to the growing political divide between China and the West marked by partial decoupling, security alliances, and the risk of sanctions, amongst other things, continues to be a major topic of discussion among China’s intellectual elite. As already evidenced in previous editions of this newsletter, opinions vary considerably. Those presented here so far have ranged from Da Wei (达巍) stressing the importance of preserving if not strengthening ties with the West and Shen Wei (沈伟) arguing in favour of reforming the WTO and building up a network of free trade agreements to Ye Hailin (叶海林) emphasising the need for China to demonstrate its military might to demobilise US allies and Lu Feng (路风) calling for self-reliance and greater assertiveness in the field of tech. A certain amount of overlap certainly exists among these perspectives but the differences are nonetheless striking. Click here to read…
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Xi & the Party School – How Xi’s Two Sessions Engagements Shape Policy – 2522 Framework : People’s Daily, Feb 28, 2023
The first part of the article basically tells us that on December 11, 2015, the first national party schools work conference in the new era was held. Xi had then talked about the role of these institutions as the “main channels for the Party to educate and train party members and leading cadres.” Click here to read…

Xi and Putin have declared a new Cold War : Telegraph.UK, Feb 27, 2023

Our global order is in deep trouble. It is now more protectionist and more divided than at any time since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Our post-Cold War complacency has seen autocratic states multiply in recent years. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Taliban kill top Islamic State commander in Afghanistan – The Hindu

Taliban forces killed a top Islamic State commander who allegedly planned attacks against diplomatic missions in Afghanistan’s capital, a government official said. Violence in Afghanistan dramatically dipped after the Taliban seized power in August 2021. But in the past year, security has worsened, with a spate of mass casualty attacks claimed by Islamic State’s regional chapter. Click here to read…

Taliban releases Iran border guard, moves into Afghanistan’s Embassy in Tehran – Al-Monitor

An Iranian border guard was released by the Taliban on Monday after being detained on the Afghanistan-Iran border. The guard was searching a vehicle for contraband on the Iran-Afghanistan border when the driver fled and drove the vehicle into Afghan territory while the guard was still inside. Afghan border forces detained the guard along with the other vehicle occupants but then released the guard, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Bangladesh Holds Major Place in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy – Business World

India’s choice of Bangladesh as the only South Asian invitee demonstrates the esteem with which it approaches its immediate eastern neighbour and presumably the best friend in the neighbourhood, while, other countries that have been invited to the G20 meeting are Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, Oman and the UAEClick here to read…

Capacity building programme for 40 civil servants from Bangladesh begins – The Print

A capacity-building programme for 40 civil servants from Bangladesh commenced at the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) in Mussoorie on Tuesday, according to an official statement. The NCGG is dedicated to promoting collaboration and learning among civil servants in India and neighbouring countries, in line with the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) philosophy espoused by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it said. Click here to read…

Hasan: China does not interfere in Bangladesh politics – Dhaka Tribune

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said China is a development partner of Bangladesh and it wants to be a partner in future too for materializing the dream of a developed nation by 2041 under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “China is a development partner of Bangladesh. And they want to be a development partner in future also to materialize the dream of a developed nation by 2041 under the dynamic leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They didn’t poke nose in the politics of Bangladesh and don’t want to do it in future too,” he said. Click here to read…

Bangladesh: Infinite possibilities, limited utilization – TBS

By ensuring expatriate investment in Bangladesh, it is possible to change the economy of the country. That is because their investments, unlike foreign investments, will always remain in the country. Be it a profit or a loss, it will stay in BangladeshClick here to read…

Bhutan

India’s aim to open doors to foreign universities to benefit Bhutanese students – India Blooms

India is going to open its doors to foreign universities and this is likely to help Bhutanese students who aim to study abroad without bearing the huge cost of going away to far-off nations. These institutes will conduct undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, post-doctoral and other programmes and award degrees, diplomas and certificates in all disciplines, on a standalone basis, with the prior approval of the UGC, reports The Bhutan Live. Click here to read…

Maldives

Ambassador of Sweden to Maldives calls on State Minister Khaleel – Raajje

The newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden Jan Thesleff has paid a courtesy call on the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Khaleel. The meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Monday. At the meeting, State Minister Khaleel welcomed Ambassador Thesleff and congratulated him on presenting credentials as the Non-Resident Ambassador from Sweden to Maldives. Click here to read…

Discussions held to further increase collaboration between Maldives and Seychelles – Raajje

The High Commissioner of Seychelles met with the Maldivian State Minister on Monday. During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Minister congratulated the High Commissioner on his appointment as the non-resident High Commissioner of Seychelles to the Maldives and reflected on the close and friendly relations between the Maldives and Seychelles that has existed for several decades. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Drugged, abducted: Myanmar woman gang-raped in Delhi – New Indian Express

A refugee woman, who is a native of Myanmar, was allegedly gang-raped by four people in the national capital, official sources said on Tuesday. According to sources, the heinous crime was reported from the Kalindi Kunj area of southeast Delhi. The victim woman, in her complaint to the police, alleged that she had come to visit someone in south-east Delhi area and that an unidentified auto driver allegedly drugged and abducted her and then took her to some secluded place. Click here to read…

Myanmar military gets new aviation fuel supplies despite abuses – Aljazeera

Amnesty International, Global Witness and advocacy group Burma Campaign UK said on Wednesday they had identified more companies involved in aviation fuel transactions, following up on an investigation into the aviation fuel supply chain last year that found supplies for civilian aviation were being diverted to the military. Click here to read…

Will Myanmar Follow Through This Time On Its ‘Rohingya Repatriation Promise’? – Eurasia Review

Local media reported that on February 9, Junta leaders, including International Cooperation Minister U Ko Ko Hlaing, Border Affairs Minister Lieutenant General Tun Tun Naung, Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Minister Dr Thet Thet Khaing and Immigration and Population Minister U Myint Kyaing, visited Maungdaw on the Bangladesh border and instructed the authorities to prepare transit camps for repatriation. Since the military’s taking over power in 2020, this is the biggest step forward for Rohingya repatriation. Click here to read…

Japan to provide additional $60M in humanitarian aid to Myanmar – AA

Japan on Tuesday announced that it will provide additional $60.3 million in humanitarian assistance to Myanmar. In response to the rapid increase in the need for humanitarian assistance due to the deteriorating situation since last year, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, Tokyo will provide additional humanitarian assistance totaling $60.3 million to the Southeast Asian nation. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal PM to reshuffle Cabinet after three allies pull out: Top developments so far – Indian Express

Nepal Parliament’s second largest party CPN-UML on Monday withdrew its support to PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” government, resulting in a political imbroglio ahead of the presidential polls. “A high-level meeting of the party held under the leadership of party chief K P Sharma Oli on Monday decided to quit the government and withdraw the party’s support to the Prachanda-led government,” Bishnu Rijal, deputy chief of the party’s central publicity committee, told PTI. Click here to read…

Nepal’s political turmoil puts Indian Neighborhood at risk – Asiana Times

Apart from Bhutan, a hermit kingdom, and Sheikh Hasina’s Bangladesh, the region around India is engulfed in political and economic unrest, with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal facing a difficult path to recovery while Burma and Afghanistan are essentially failed nations. Click here to read…

IMF reaches staff-level agreement with Nepal for $52 million financing – Devi Discourse

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level agreement with Nepal to release $52 million out of a $375.8 million bailout package, the global lender said in a statement on Tuesday. The funds to be released under the first and second reviews of an extended credit facility, subject to an approval from the IMF executive board, will take the total support to the Himalayan nation to $156.6 million, the IMF said. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan court orders non-bailable arrest of Imran Khan in Toshakhana case – Hindustan Times

A Pakistani court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Imran Khan, as the cricket star-turned-politician called on his supporters to keep up protests amid a roiling political crisis. The court in the capital Islamabad that ordered the former premier’s arrest said Khan had skipped a hearing on charges of selling state gifts and concealing his assets. Judge Zafar Iqbal’s order came on a day of political drama in Pakistan, as three other courts on Tuesday ruled Khan was immune from arrest on separate charges relating to allegations of terrorism, attempted murder against a rival politician, and graft. Click here to read…

Pakistan has no food for its poor but purchases weapons, shows report –Business Standard

While Pakistan’s citizens are queuing up for wheat flour, pulses and medicines, the Generals have usurped a major part of the Budget for new weapons, reported Afghan Diaspora Network (ADN). The army, responsible for much of what is horribly wrong in Pakistan, cannot deny that it has fattened up on what has been snatched from the people. Click here to read…

South Korean investments in Pakistan suffer losses due to eco crisis – The Economic Times

Senior officials from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (Kotra) and the local chamber of Korean investors have alleged that the failure to open letters of credit for raw material imports in Pakistan was causing Korean firms to lose millions of dollars in sales, according to experts who track Korean business interests in Pakistan. Click here to read…

Moody’s slashes Pakistan’s rating to Caa3 – The Economic Times
Global ratings agency Moody’s cut Pakistan’s sovereign credit rating to ‘Caa3’ from ‘Caa1’ on Tuesday, over the country’s increasingly fragile liquidity and external position. Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves are far less than necessary to cover its imports and external debt obligations over the immediate and medium term, Moody’s noted. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry to visit India – Daily News

Foreign Affairs Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry, PC will make an official visit to India from March 2 to 4, 2023 to attend the eighth edition of the Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics which will be held in New Delhi. The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Indian External Affairs Ministry. The Minister is scheduled to participate in two special panel discussions on the topics “Healing a Divided World” and “Bytes of Promise: How can Technology Lift Communities” which will be held on March 3, 2023 during the above conference. Click here to read…

Indian High Commission calls on Sri Lankan government to investigate recent attacks on Indian fishermen – The Print

Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has strongly raised the issue of recent attacks on Indian fishermen with Sri Lankan authorities. Indian High Commission has called on the Sri Lankan government to investigate the matter and ensure that use of force and violence in any form is not used against the fishermen. Click here to read…

Sri Lankan govt. bans strikes ahead of mass protest announced by unions – The Hindu

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared public transport services “essential”, in a move that outlaws strike action by those working in the sector. The announcement came days ahead of a mass protest announced by worker unions against the steep rise in taxes and living costs. Click here to read…

New UNP led alliance to be formed with breakaway SJB group – Daily News

A new alliance led by the United National Party (UNP) will be formed in a couple of weeks with a breakaway group of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Lands and Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said. He was speaking at a meeting with the Badulla District candidates, who are contesting the Local Government Elections from the UNP ticket, at Riverside Hotel in Badulla. The event was presided over by UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Why India is cautiously engaging with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan -Scroll

In February, the Indian budget for 2023 allocated Rs 200 crore in aid to Afghanistan. It was an indication of how far India’s engagement with the Taliban has progressed, even as New Delhi has yet to officially recognise the regime in Kabul. This is in stark contrast to the position India took during the Taliban’s previous stint in power from 1996 to 2001, when the regime was overthrown by an American-led military coalition. Click here to read…

Will China’s latest investment in Afghanistan actually work? – Aljazeera

The Taliban-run Afghanistan saw its first significant foreign investment last month when a Chinese firm signed a 25-year-long, multimillion-dollar contract to extract oil. Experts are cautiously optimistic the project may bring jobs and income despite China’s sketchy record on executing deals. Click here to read…

Pakistan threatens Afghanistan with war even as Taliban refuses to act against TTP bases – First Post

Pakistan has warned of military action inside Afghanistan if the Afghan Taliban continues to provide support to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). However, the Afghan Taliban has denied the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bases inside Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban told the Pakistani delegation that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – also known as the Pakistani Taliban – has no presence in Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban also claimed that all members of the TTP leadership had relocated to Pakistan after the Taliban captured Kabul. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Argentina reopens embassy after 45yrs – Daily Star

Overwhelmed by Bangladesh’s support for the Argentine football team that went on to win the FIFA World Cup 2022, Argentina reopened its embassy in Dhaka yesterday, 45 years after it had closed it. “The people of Bangladesh never forgot to show love for Argentina. So, we today humbly came here and reopened the embassy in Bangladesh as a new channel to cement our relations,” Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero said, inaugurating the embassy in the city’s Banani in the afternoon. Click here to read…

Bangladesh adds 44 countries in the list of dual citizenship, total rises to 101 – NewsOnAir

Bangladeshi citizens can now avail citizenship of 44 more new countries while keeping their Bangladeshi citizenship.The decision to expand the existing list of 57 countries to 101 countries for which the Bangladeshi people can keep dual citizenship was cleared by the cabinet on Monday. Out of these 44 countries 19 countries are in Africa, 12 countries are in South America, 12 countries are in the Caribbean region and one in Oceania. The new list includes Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, Sudan, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Fiji among others. Click here to read…

Khaleda Zia is disqualified from participating in any election, says Bangladesh Law Minister – First Post

Bangladesh Law Minister Anisul Huq has clarified the confusion over Khaleda Zia’s involvement in the upcoming polls. “Khaleda has been released from jail temporarily for medical treatment. Apart from that, her current physical condition is not suitable for politics,” the law minister said while speaking at an event in Brahmanbaria on Saturday. Khaleda Zia is named in two corruption cases, the law minister added. “While one case has already been tried, the other one is still under trial. As per Article 66 of the constitution, she is disqualified from participating in any election due to being sentenced,” said Huq. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Bhutan aims to eliminate malaria by 2025 – The Print

Bhutan, which had earlier failed to meet targets for the elimination of malaria in 2018 and 2020, now aims to eliminate the disease by 2025, The Bhutan Live reported. Bhutan’s Health Minister said that cross-border issues in the south especially during the COVID-19 pandemic have hampered the country’s progress to eliminate malaria. Click here to read…

Maldives

President concludes unofficial visit to Singapore – Raajje

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has concluded his unofficial visit to Singapore. The President departed on the unofficial visit to Singapore on 20 February. He returned to Malé on 26 February. His last unofficial trip to Singapore was in October 2022. The president had made four previous trips to Singapore in 2022, the first being from February 10 – 15 and the second being from February 23 – March 6. Click here to read…

Maldives: Persistent Threat – Eurasia Review

Maldives recorded no terrorism-linked fatality in 2022, as in 2021. The abduction and killing of blogger Yameen Rasheed by a local affiliate of Al-Qaeda on April 23, 2017, was the last fatal incident of terrorism recorded in the country. There have, however, been at least nine terrorist attacks in the country since the Rasheed killing, including three in 2019, four in 2020 and one each in 2021 and 2022. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Beyond the Headlines: China’s special envoy meets ethnic armed organisation representatives on Myanmar visit – Myanmar Now

Members of the anti-regime People’s Defence Force (PDF) in the junta capital of Naypyitaw launched two handmade rockets into a compound where the 2031st Air Defence Battalion is based at 9:30am on February 22. The explosives struck a building in the site, which is some 23 miles southeast of Naypyitaw’s centre, according to a spokesperson of the resistance group. He added that they could not confirm the extent of the damage caused by the attack, but described it as a “test hit.” Click here to read…

Nestle to close factory, head office in Myanmar – Vietnam Plus

Swiss food giant Nestle is set to halt all production in Myanmar, but it has yet to give a time frame, according to international media. This is the latest foreign company planning to draw back from the country. A spokesperson of Nestle said on February 27 that due to the “current economic situation”, Nestle’s factory in Yangon, as well as its head office, will “cease operations”. Click here to read…

Chairman of Myanmar’s USDP meets youths in Yangon – The Star

Khin Yi, chairman of Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) met with youths at Myanmar Convention Center(MCC) in Yangon Region, on Saturday (Feb 25). In attendance was USDP’s vice-chairman Myo Zaw Thein, Yangon Region USDP’s chairman Khin Maung Soe who is also USDP’s CEC, the CEC members from USDP’s headquarter and 3,226 youths in the Yangon region. Click here to read…

Nepal

Nepal heads towards fresh instability as Oli ditches Prachanda – Economic Times

India’s key northern neighbour Nepal may again be heading towards political instability with KP Oli led – CPN-UML – on Monday withdrawing its support to Prachanda-led government following a rift over backing the main opposition party’s candidate for the presidential polls. However, the exit of CPN-UML may not immediately affect the Prachanda-led government, which is supported by the Nepali Congress (NC) which has 89 MPs in the House. Click here to read…

Community cooperation across Nepal-India border saves lives during floods – the Third Pole

Nagdev Yadav is president of the Community Development and Advocacy Forum Nepal (CDAFN), an NGO involved in coordinating local stakeholders to ensure the functioning of the early warning system. He tells The Third Pole that the system helps around 64,000 people every year in Nepal and India. CDAFN’s counterpart in India is an NGO called Yuganter. Its executive director Sanjay Pandey says around 10,000 families in India benefit from the system. Government agencies in both countries, including Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, provide support to the system from time to time. Click here to read…

India hands over Madan Bhandari Memorial College built with Indian assistance to Nepal – ANI News

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava handed over the college building of Madan Bhandari Memorial College, Kathamndu, built with Indian assistance to Nepal. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan economic crisis results in big layoffs; 1 million textile workers to be hit – Business Today

The industrial sector in Pakistan is preparing for more job cuts and a sharp decline in production. As a result of the economic uncertainty that has gripped Pakistan, more than 1 million informal workers in the textile sector are likely to be impacted, National Trade Union Federation Pakistan (NTUF) Secretary General Nasir Mansoor said. Click here to read…

Forces ready to take ‘fight back to the enemy’ if war imposed on Pakistan: Army – The Hindu

Pakistan’s civil and military leadership said on Monday that the armed forces were ready to take the “fight back to the enemy” if a war was imposed on the “peace-loving nation”. In a statement on the anniversary of an aerial skirmish between the air forces of India and Pakistan, the army said that Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, three services chiefs and the armed forces “pay tribute to the resilience of the nation and resolve of armed forces displayed during Operation Swift Retort”. Click here to read…

Defaulting Pakistan takes the steam out of CPEC – The Print

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project that was commenced a decade ago was held as a harbinger of prosperity for Pakistan. However, seven years later, many projects under the CPEC still remain non-starters while some of those being operational have become liabilities and are incurring losses. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Pakistan Navy Chief calls on President – Daily News

Chief of the Pakistan Navy Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s Office yesterday (27). During the discussion, the emphasis was placed on enhancing maritime regional cooperation between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, alongside exploring opportunities for the further expansion of maritime activities between the two nations. Symbolizing this meeting, the Pakistan Navy Chief presented a commemorative gift to President Wickremesinghe. A group of senior naval officials from both countries attended the event. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka: Authorities must exercise restraint in use of force and facilitate the right to peaceful assembly – Amnesty

Responding to the news that one protestor had been killed and dozens injured as a result of the unlawful use of water cannons and tear gas by the police in Colombo in Sri Lanka on Sunday, Harindrini Corea, Regional Researcher for the Right to Protest at Amnesty International said, “It is worrying that even after months of widespread protests in the country, the Sri Lankan police needs to be constantly reminded of their duty to facilitate the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and exercise restraint in the use of force while policing assemblies. Their actions over the last several months have cost the lives of many peaceful protestors including another death today. Click here to read…

Ranil proposed winding up UNP – Daily Mirror

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had proposed to wind up the party following its humiliating loss at the last elections, former Minister Navin Dissanayake revealed. Dissanayake said that Wickremesinghe had several discussions with party seniors and questioned the relevance of the UNP after it lost the elections. However, some UNP members wanted the party to continue, especially since some UNP supporters did not vote
at the last General Election. “I was firmly of the view that we can get those UNPers back,” he said. Click here to read…

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

COMMENTARY

The Future of Ethiopia’s Peace Deal

There are nations with states and nations without a state. And in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a third category: states without nations. Click here to read…

Why South Africa is drifting into the Sino-Russian orbit

South Africa’s navy, like much of the country, is dilapidated. Its fleet spends less than half the time on the seas than it did a decade ago. Click here to read…

NEWS

President of Comoros has assumed AU chairmanship

President Azali Assoumani of the Union of Comoros takes over as the New Chairperson of the African Union (AU) for 2023. The Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) have elected H.E Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros, as the new Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2023. Click here to read…

Nigerian voters cast ballots to choose President amid bank note shortage

Voters in Nigeria cast ballots Saturday to choose a new president as Africa’s most populous nation struggles with a bank note shortage that some observers fear will result in a lower than expected turnout. Click here to read…

African Union leaders gather in Addis Ababa for 36th summit

Dozens of African heads of state and government on Saturday participated in the official opening of the African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Click here to read…

Israel spat erupts at African Union summit

Israel accused arch-foe Iran of orchestrating the expulsion of a top diplomat from the African Union summit on Saturday, with the help of Algeria and South Africa. Click here to read…

Kazakhstan Takes Part in African Union Summit in Ethiopia as Observer State

Kazakh Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU) Barlybai Sadykov participated in the annual 36th African Union summit in Addis Ababa. Click here to read…

African Union reaffirms neutrality on Sahara issue despite Algerian gas money

The standing decision-making organ of the African Union, the Peace and Security Council, issued its annual report without mentioning the Algeria-fueled conflict over southern Morocco, the Sahara. Click here to read…

Italy supports Sahrawi refugee mothers and children in Algeria through WFP’s school feeding and nutrition programmes

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed a €1 million contribution from the Government of Italy that will help provide daily school meals for children attending schools and nurseries in Tindouf refugee camps. Click here to read…

Nigeria’s presidential frontrunners in final push for votes

The leading contenders in Nigeria’s presidential election have made their last push for support, a week before the West African nation’s key election. Click here to read…

Djibouti holds parliamentary vote branded as sham by opposition

Only two parties are contesting seats in the 65-member National Assembly in Friday’s election. Click here to read…

Sudan’s military does not have political ambitions: General

Sudan’s army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said the military does not have political ambitions. Click here to read…

Sierra Leone opposition party names runner-up for 2023 presidential vote

Sierra Leone’s main opposition party has named Samura Kamara, the runner-up in the last presidential election, as its candidate for the next vote in June 2023. Click here to read…

Gabon president proposes cutting presidential mandate to five years

Gabon President Ali Bongo on Monday proposed shortening the presidential mandate from seven to five years as he began consultations to prepare for elections this year and measures to prevent violence. Click here to read…

Gambia appoints former civil service head as new vice president

Gambia’s President Adama Barrow on Friday appointed a former head of civil service, Muhammad B. S. Jallow, to replace the West African country’s late Vice President Badara Alieu Joof, the presidency said in a statement. Click here to read…

Tunisia judge imprisons politicians, businessman amid crackdown

A Tunisian “anti-terrorism” investigative judge has imprisoned two prominent politicians and a high-profile businessman, their defence team has said. Click here to read…

Mass trial starts in Chad over former ruler Deby’s death

Authorities in Chad on Tuesday started the mass trial of hundreds of alleged rebels accused of killing longtime President Idriss Deby Itno, who died under murky circumstances in 2021 two days after winning a sixth term in office. Click here to read…

Shadow games on the Red Sea as scramble for Sudan’s ports intensifies

Fishermen tell MEE they were attacked by Russian fighters off Sudan’s coast, as Moscow, Washington and others vie for power and profit. Click here to read…

Local elections chance to advance peace in Central African Republic

Special Representative Valentine Rugwabiza reported on recent progress by the Government, including in election preparations and security sector reform. Click here to read…

Eskom chief ousted after TV broadside against South Africa politics

South Africa’s struggling Eskom power monopoly has removed its outgoing chief executive with immediate effect after he implicated senior politicians of the ruling African National Congress in corruption. Click here to read…

Morocco not commenting on crisis with France

The Moroccan Foreign Ministry as well as officials have not officially commented on the nearly two-year-old crisis with France. Click here to read…

Somaliland clashes between government and militias kill nearly 100 in two weeks

At least 96 people have been killed in more than two weeks of clashes between security forces and clan members in the breakaway Somali region of Somaliland. Click here to read…

Angola draws inspiration from Israel as it diversifies its economy

Emerging from a 27-year civil war in 2002, Angola has spent the past two decades rebuilding the country, for a time becoming the continent’s fastest-growing economy. Click here to read…

South Sudan’s Kiir Calls for 2.3 Million Refugees to Return Home

South Sudan’s president is appealing to the more than 2 million South Sudanese refugees living in neighboring countries to start returning home. Click here to read…

Cyclone Freddy slams Mozambique with ‘dangerous’ rainfall

Tropical Cyclone Freddy dumped “dangerous and exceptional rainfall levels” over Mozambique Friday as the long-lasting weather system continued to wreak havoc across southern Africa. Click here to read…

Cyclone Freddy death toll rises to 7 in Madagascar

A total of 78,078 people in Madagascar have been affected by the flooding caused by the torrential rain and strong winds. Click here to read…

Niger: EU launches its military partnership mission

The Council is launching today a Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) military partnership mission in Niger (EUMPM Niger) to support the country in its fight against terrorist armed groups. Click here to read…

US strike kills 7 al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia, Pentagon says

A US strike in Somalia killed seven al-Shabaab fighters on Tuesday, US Africa Command said in a statement. Click here to read…

Rebels Capture More Ground In Congo As Fighting Intensifies | Congo Rebel Advances

Rebel group linked with neighboring Rwanda seized more territory Friday, threatening supply routes to the regional capital, as fighting intensified in conflict-ridden east Congo. Click here to read…

Scores Killed in Cameroon’s Battles with Separatists Ahead of Senate Elections

Cameroon’s military says it has killed scores of armed separatists in clashes this month and at least 15 have surrendered. Click here to read…

More than 70 soldiers killed in Burkina Faso, claims IS

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for killing more than 70 soldiers, wounding dozens and taking five hostage, in an ambush on a military convoy in northern Burkina Faso. Click here to read…

13 civilians killed in Mali attack

At least 13 civilians were killed and three others wounded during a raid on a village in central Mali by armed men, local media reported, citing witnesses. Click here to read…

Burkina Faso gunmen kill 15 Nigerian pilgrims bound for Senegal

The Muslim pilgrims were travelling to a religious ceremony in Senegal through conflict hotspots in northern Burkina Faso and central Mali. Click here to read…

Namibian dancers, president welcome Jill Biden to Africa

The first lady’s trip is part of a commitment by President Joe Biden to deepen U.S. engagement with the fast-growing region. Click here to read…

Botswana, Namibia Agree to Abolish Passports for Citizens Crossing Border

The leaders of Botswana and Namibia have signed an agreement that will allow their citizens to cross the two countries’ border without passports. Click here to read…

FATF puts South Africa, Nigeria on ‘grey list’

This was despite desperate attempts by South Africa to pass several relevant laws late last year, as well as a high-level delegation sent to the FATF recently to make representations. Click here to read…

Tanzania Approves $3.5 Billion Pipeline Project

The 1,443-kilometre (900-mile) pipeline will transport crude from vast oilfields being developed in Lake Albert in north-western Uganda to a Tanzanian port on the Indian Ocean. Click here to read…

Six deals signed at UAE-Rwanda Business Forum

Six trade and investment agreements have been signed at the ongoing business forum attended by more than 200 senior executives from Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Click here to read…

Benin entrepreneur transforms plant waste into charcoal

Maize husks, cassava peelings, coconut shells and other organic waste are the untraditional raw materials of Roland Adjovi’s charcoal business that he hopes will help slow the destruction of Benin’s trees for cooking fuel. Click here to read…

Egypt Likely to Devalue Currency Again, Societe Generale Says

Egypt is likely to devalue its currency again in the “not-too-distant future,” and the pound may end the quarter 10% below current levels. Click here to read…

China plans naval exercises with Russia, South Africa

The drills come as the US has recently begun seeing “disturbing” trendlines in China’s support for Russia’s military and there are signs that Beijing wants to “creep up to the line” of providing lethal military aid to Russia without getting caught. Click here to read…

China, Ethiopia strengthen apparel sector ties with new MOU

China and Ethiopia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish an investment and economic cooperation working group. Click here to read…

Zelensky seeks India, Africa’s participation in peace formula on war anniversary

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday vowed to do everything to defeat Russia this year. Click here to read…

China beating Tesla, US in African lithium rush

China has beat out Tesla in a bid to mine for lithium in Nigeria as top nations like the U.S. and leaders across Europe race to go electric amid growing climate change concerns. Click here to read…

China is Ravaging Africa’s Donkey Population

China is shipping in large numbers of donkey skins from Africa in order to tap into a mysterious ingredient with rumored miraculous health benefits. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

Second edition of India-Africa joint military exercise to be held in March

THE FOREIGN Training Node (FTN) of the Indian Army located at Aundh Military Station in Pune will host a multinational military exercise involving the Indian Army and armies of several African countries in March. Click here to read…

India and African Nations to Strengthen Military Ties at AFINDEX Exercise in Pune

The Indian Army is all set to host the second edition of the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX) at the Aundh military station in Pune from 21 March to 30 March. Click here to read…

India to soon trade in rupee with UAE, Malaysia and Nigeria

Officials from Reserve Bank of India are in discussion with their counterparts in UAE, Nigeria and Russia over the last few months to work out on rupee trade mechanism with the local currencies of the countriesClick here to read…

India – Egypt hold 3rd ‘Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism’ meeting in New Delhi

India has been collaborating with numerous countries and organizations to counter global terrorism at various levels. Click here to read…

India, Seychelles sign pact on information sharing in maritime security

The Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region of India and the RCOC (Regional Coordination Operations Centre) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on maritime cooperation. Click here to read…

UPI may extend to UAE, Mauritius & Indonesia

After Singapore, the RBI is in talks with several countries, including Indonesia, UAE and Mauritiusfor establishing a direct payment link of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with networks in these countries to enable quicker andcheaper fund transfers using mobile phones. Click here to read…

Access to these pharmaceuticals is important: Gambia High Commissioner Mustapha Jawara on Jan Aushadhi

Highlighting the lack of proper testing of quality medicines in Gambia, the country’s High Commissioner to India Mustapha Jawara on Friday laid thrust on the importance of quality and reasonably priced medicines in the Western African country. Click here to read…

India’s opportunity to unlock the clean energy potential of North Africa

As India strives to achieve its own energy independence by 2047 through ambitious clean energy initiatives, it can forge strategic partnerships withNorth African nations to help them unshackle the chains of fossil fuels. Click here to read…

European nations, Egypt eye buying Indian rice as prices stabilise

Indian rice continues to get good enquiries from the global market with European nations and Egypt joining the list of nations looking for the cereal from the sub-continent, traders say. Click here to read…

12 more cheetahs brought to India from South Africa, released in Kuno

The cheetahs, seven males and five females from South Africa, were released into quarantine enclosures at the Park, five months after the first batch of eight cheetahs arrived here from Namibia under the same project. Click here to read…

Customs seize over Rs 7-crore worth gold from 23 Sudan women at Hyderabad airport

The foreigners were found carrying gold concealed in different cavities in their shoes and also in the hidden folds of their clothes. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Afghan Assets Made $70 Million in Interest: Mehrabi – Tolo News

Shah Mohammad Mehrabi, Central Bank supreme council member and board member of the Afghan Trust Fund in Switzerland, said that the $3.5 billion fund–including $36 million and $34 million in interest–should be used for achieving monetary stability and reducing volatility in the Afghan currency exchange. Click here to read…

Taliban Seeks Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Approval after Appointing Envoy to Tehran – News18

The Iranian foreign ministry could hand over the administration of the Afghan embassy in Tehran to the Taliban, news agency Khaama Press reported citing an Afghan diplomat. The Khaama Press also said that the handover process will be completed in the next few days. The development comes shortly after the Taliban-run foreign ministry stated in a letter that Mohammad Afzal Haqqani has been appointed as a designated ambassador to Tehran. The letter said that Haqqani will be in charge of the diplomatic mission in Iran as the first secretary of the embassy. Click here to read…

Pakistan Reopens Border Crossing With Afghanistan That It Shut Over Shelter To Terrorists – Outlook

Pakistan on Saturday reopened a border crossing with Afghanistan that it closed earlier over a tussle with the Afghan Taliban over terrorism. Earlier, Pakistan closed the Torkham border for vehicular traffic for the last six days amidst bilateral tensions. It was opened on Saturday, allowing the movement of over 7,000 trucks stranded. Click here to read…

Afghan women launch Women’s Revolution in Kabul to fight for fundamental human rights – Devdiscourse

According to one of the organizers, Donya Safi, the movement aimed to “protect the basic rights of citizens, particularly women, as access to basic rights is a serious requirement for the citizens.” We started this campaign to fight the injustice and inequity against women, reported Amu TV, according to Khaama Press. Click here to read…

Enrollment Drops By 70% in Universities, Educational Centers – Tolo News

The union of universities and educational centers said that the recent restrictions on female education has severely affected the universities. The media director of the union, Mohammad Karim Nasiri, said that the number of participants has dropped by 70 percent. “If we speak generally, enrollment has dropped from 60 to 70 percent in the universities. Prior to this many people were registering,” he said. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Severe dollar crisis hobbles Bangladesh businesses – Aljazeera

There is a severe shortage of greenbacks in Bangladesh due to its dwindling foreign reserves and a sharp drop in the value of its taka currency against the dollar. In the past six months, Bangladesh’s foreign reserves have dropped below $32bn from $39bn while the value of the taka has fallen by 27 percent from 84 to the dollar to 107. Click here to read…

Russia thanks Bangladesh for abstaining in UNGA on Ukraine resolution – India Today

Russia on Saturday thanked Bangladesh for abstaining from voting in the UN General Assembly on a resolution that underscored the need to reach “comprehensive and lasting peace” in Ukraine, days after Moscow protested Dhaka’s decision not to allow the docking of Russian ships under Western sanctions. Click here to read…

US, India, and the election in Bangladesh – Daily Star

In recent months, there have been quite a few visits from countries that are deemed to have the potential to wield significant influence on Bangladesh politics, especially around elections. A number of top US officials visited Bangladesh for talks with government officials, civil society members and senior journalists over the last few years. The Indian foreign secretary visited on February 15. The Chinese foreign minister, on his way to Africa, stopped by in Dhaka in January for a brief meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart at the airport. Usually, newly appointed Chinese foreign ministers begin their stint with a tour of Africa. This time, however, the minister seemed to consider Bangladesh important enough for a brief stopover on his first trip abroad. Click here to read…

Bhutan

India pledges to invest Rs 2 billion in Bhutan’s Gyalsung Infra Project – Economic Times

On Saturday, the first tranche of the grant that was presented will be used for the DeSuung for Gyalsung (DFG) programme as a special India-Bhutan Friendship Project. The DFG seeks to engage about 11,000 DeSuups in the Gyalsung infrastructure construction project through a hybrid skilling and on-the-job training program over the next two years. Click here to read…

To Woo Indian Tourists, Bhutan to Sell Gold at Duty-Free Rates – the Wire

According to the latest prices, 10 grams of 24-carat gold in India costs Rs 57, 490 while it costs around Rs 40,200 in Bhutan. However, tourists will have to pay the sustainable development fee and stay at least one night at a hotel certified by Bhutan’s department of tourism. Click here to read…

Bhutanese economy, moving forward – Kuensel

The Water Male Tiger Year 2022 was challenging for the Bhutanese economy. As the economy was getting better from the headwinds from two years of the pandemic, the new variant of Omicron threatened the economy once again at the beginning of last year. This was followed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on March 24 last year marking one year as of yesterday. This dimmed the global economy including Bhutan’s forecast, coupled with the persistent inflation, particularly for food and energy. Click here to read…

Bhutan to implement “Health in all policies” strategy to ensure public well-being – ANI

‘policies”>health in all policies’ is an approach where impacts on health are considered in all decision-making and across all sectors and policies, the Bhutan live reported. according to the centres for disease control and prevention of Bhutan, the approach considers potential health outcomes when making policy decisions about transportation, education, housing and other areas that affect communities. Click here to read…

Impact of War in Ukraine: Perspective from Bhutan – Friedrich Naumann Foundation

Its economic lifeline dependent on India, Bhutan is vulnerable to any repercussion the war has on its immediate neighbour. The shortage of fuel was the first of these repercussions, causing long lines of motor vehicles to form at fuel stations even as the government sought to allay public concerns. India’s announcement of halting its wheat exports created fear of a potential shortage of food. At the same time, Bhutan’s close relations with India and the latter’s strategic relations with Russia made for a delicate situation. Eventually, Bhutan learned some invaluable lessons. Click here to read…

Maldives

MATI launches two books to commemorate Golden Jubilee of Maldives tourism – Raajje

The Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) has launched two books to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Maldives Tourism. The books were launched at the 33rd Annual General Meeting of MATI held at Kurumba Maldives on 19th February 2023. Minister of Tourism Abdulla Mausoom, Chairman of MATI, Mohamed Umar Maniku, Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem, Secretary General of MATI, Ahmed Nazeer, CEO and MD of MMPRC, Thoyyib Mohamed took part in the launching ceremony. Click here to read…

Maldives-UAE discuss ways to strengthen defense cooperation – Raajje

Maldives and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have explored expanding defense cooperation. Maldives Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi has met with the UAE’s Chief of Staff of Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Engineer Issa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei. She met with the UAE’s Chief of Staff of Armed Forces, on the margins of the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX 2023) on Friday. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Japan to ‘Appropriately Handle’ Project Benefiting Myanmar’s Military – HRW

During a televised parliamentary budget session on Wednesday, February 22, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said his government will “appropriately handle” a development aid project in Myanmar that is benefiting the country’s abusive military. Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Japanese foreign minister, echoed the prime minister’s public pledge to take appropriate action. Click here to read…

Myanmar continues to be in FATF Black List; UAE, Turkiye in Grey List – India Today

Myanmar along with Iran and North Korea continue to be on the ‘Black List’ of the FATF with the global watchdog on terror financing and money laundering on Friday terming the three countries as “high-risk jurisdictions”. In a statement, issued after the second plenary of the FATF in Paris under the presidency of T Raja Kumar of Singapore, the Financial Action Task Force also said the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkiye, Jordan, South Africa and 20 other nations will be in its ‘Grey List’ and they will be under increased monitoring. Pakistan was removed from the ‘Grey List’ in October last year. Click here to read…

No Myanmar refugees involved in drugs trafficking in Mizoram, says minister Lalchamliana – Times of India

None of the Myanmarese refugees in Mizoram have been found to be involved in drugs and narcotics trafficking to date, home minister Lalchamliana said on Saturday. Lalchamliana said barring 10 or 20 people, 31,050 displaced Myanmar nationals taking refuge in the state have been profiled and temporary identity cards have been issued to them. Click here to read…

Nepal

‘Prachanda’ government in danger in Nepal: 4 ministers including deputy-PM resign – Sangri Today

Four ministers of Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), including Deputy Prime Minister Rajendra Singh Lingden, have resigned from Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s government formed two months ago in Nepal. Actually, Prachanda’s government has announced going out of the coalition and supporting Ramchandra Poudel of the opposition party Nepali Congress for the post of President. Angered by this, the RPP ministers decided to quit the government on Saturday. Click here to read…

Nepal reports lowest growth in 7 years in Q1 – Dajji World

23 fiscal year which began in mid-July 2022, the lowest year-on-year growth in the past seven years, the National Statistics Office (NSO) has reported. The country logged a growth of 3 per cent over the same period of the 2021-22 fiscal year and has targeted an 8-per cent growth for the current fiscal year, Xinhua news agency reported. Click here to read…

China’s ambassador steps up political engagements ahead of crucial presidential elections in Nepal – Dajji World

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, has stepped up his high-level political engagements in Kathmandu as political parties in parliament stepped up their dialogues on who should be elected the next president of the country. Nepal is electing its new president on March 9 and political parties in parliament will have to file their nominations by February 25. Ahead of nominations for the crucial presidential elections, parties have started their internal debates to see potential nominees. Click here to read…

A potential debt trap in Nepal – Devi Discourse

The risk here is that a country’s national debt could become too high when Nepal needs heavy investment in quality infrastructure. When that happens, spending without proper calculation of income or direct contribution to the national output can be disastrous. As a result, increased interest payments can divert funds from other much-needed government projects, or there is a less private investment because of high-interest rates. Budgets are tightened and confidence in the economy weakens. For the fiscal year 2022–2023, Nepal’s government is only permitted to raise a maximum of 256 billion Nepalese Rupees (about USD 2 billion) in internal loans. The decision to limit external borrowing comes at a time when several countries, including Sri Lanka, were facing debt distress. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Pakistan govt halts clearance of bills, salaries amidst economic crisis – Deccan Herald

The cash-strapped Pakistan government has directed the accountant general to cease the clearing of bills, including salaries, owing to the current economic crisis, according to a media report on Saturday. The Ministry of Finance and Revenue also instructed the Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) to halt the clearing of all the bills of the federal ministries/divisions and attached departments until further notice, The News International quoted official sources as saying. Click here to read…

Imran faces 36 cases in ECP, Lahore & Islamabad – The Express Tribune

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan faces a whopping number of 36 cases currently pending against him in various courts of Islamabad, Lahore and in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). These include disqualification, pre-arrest bail, criminal proceedings, protective bail and defamation cases. One case pertains to terrorism as well and the PTI chief is yet to be granted pre-arrest bail in that one. Click here to read…

Pakistan economic crisis: Now country’s healthcare system gets hit, medicines supply deteriorate – Mint

Amid Pakistan’s external debt servicing obligation for the ongoing fiscal year 2022-23 rovers over $23 billion, of which $6 billion has been repaid and $4 billion rolled over, reports are arriving that country’s healthcare system has been badly hit and its struggling for essential medicines. Click here to read…

Pakistan’s Weekly Inflation Crosses 40 Percent For 1st Time In 5 Months – NDTV

Consumer prices rose significantly in the outgoing week on the back of onions, chicken, eggs, rice, cigarettes and fuel, official data showed on Friday, driving the weekly inflation to over 40 per cent for the first time in over five months, the Dawn reported. Though week-on-week inflation eased slightly, it still remained high as bananas, chicken, sugar, cooking oil, gas and cigarettes became costlier, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported. Click here to read…

China, Iran, Uzbekistan come to Pakistan’s rescue from economic crisis – Mint

Amid this unstable economic situation, Iran is promoting trade with Pakistan, while China has granted a new $700 million loan to the country. This week, Pakistan has received a new $700 million loan from China to help shore up its foreign exchange reserves, in another step to help the South Asian nation recover from an economic crisis, according to Reuters. Iran has established six border markets to promote trade with crisis-hit Pakistan, said Iranian Consul General Hasan Noorain as quoted by pkrevenue. Uzbekistan has also inked a $1 billion deal to increase bilateral trade with Pakistan at the 8th meeting of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Inter-governmental Commission on Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation (IGC) held in Tashkent on Friday. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

India & Sri Lanka review defence & security cooperation at annual defence dialogue – Economic Times

Top defence officials of India and Sri Lanka have held the seventh edition of their annual dialogue during which the two sides reviewed the bilateral defence and security cooperation and identified new avenues for engagement. The two-day meeting of the 7th edition of the Annual Defence Dialogue (ADD) between India and Sri Lanka, which began in New Delhi on Thursday was chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Armane and his Sri Lankan counterpart General Kamal Gunaratne. Click here to read…

Sri Lankan opposition-led protest march comes under police tear gas water cannon attack – The Week

Sri Lankan police on Sunday fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse a protest march organised by the country’s main opposition coalition here against the delay in local body polls. The Election Commission on Friday formally announced that the local body elections would not be held on March 9 as planned, and a fresh date will be notified on March 3. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Taliban Demand US Return $3.5 Billion In Afghan Assets After Court Ruling – NDTV

Taliban authorities called on Washington Wednesday to return $3.5 billion belonging to Afghanistan’s central bank after a New York federal judge ruled the families of victims in the 9/11 attacks cannot seize the funds. The United States took control of the assets soon after the Taliban stormed back to power in Afghanistan in 2021, with President Joe Biden saying the money could be made available to the families of 9/11 victims. Click here to read…

Taliban bans, restricts media operations in 2 Afghanistan provinces – Committee to Protect Journalists

On Tuesday, February 21, Taliban officials, in a meeting with journalists in the southern province of Helmand, announced a ban on all media outlets—including Taliban-run Radio Television of Helmand and Bakhtar News Agency —preparing and distributing photos and videos, according to the media watchdog Nai and a journalist inside Afghanistan, who spoke to CPJ by messaging app on the condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal. Click here to read…

Afghanistan: Pakistan, Taliban officials hold talks on ‘terrorism threat’ following deadly attacks – Wion News

Days after Islamabad witnessed some deadly attacks, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asid and intelligence chief Nadeem Anjum held talks with the Taliban government on Wednesday (Feb 22) on ways to counter the “threat of terrorism.” The meet was held in Kabul, led by Afghan’s Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar. Click here to read…

China’s Clouded Future in Afghanistan – The Diplomat

More than a year since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the country is now facing a new terrorist threat that is making it more risky and difficult for China to commit to the region. While the Islamic State (IS) has been weakened globally since its territorial defeat in 2019, it continues to thrive in Afghanistan. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

What Are the Conditionalities of IMF Loans in Bangladesh: Dispelling the Myth – Geopolitics

About the IMF assistance, the term “conditions” does not refer to a deep economic reform or a massive change in the economy; rather, these conditions are basically the future working plan or suggested economic reforms for better economic conditions in a future developed Bangladesh. Besides, PM Sheikh Hasina also highlighted the issue and said, “The IMF provides loans to a country only when it has the capacity to repay the loan…We will not accept an IMF loan with any conditions.” The IMF focuses on some broad areas where Bangladesh has rather shown optimistic marks. Click here to read…

Mulling on National Security Strategy of Bangladesh: Priorities and Posture – Geopolitics

The hostile overture of Myanmar didn’t spiral, partly owing to Bangladesh’s restrained posture. Had Bangladesh overtly embroiled itself in escalation dynamics, the situation might spiral out of control, and the aggressor-victim dichotomy would be blurred. Conversely, Myanmar’s hostile actions propelled diplomatic measures by Dhaka, which attest to the conciliatory bent of Bangladesh. The absence of overt retaliatory measures doesn’t indicate the feebleness of Bangladesh, rather the strategic patience of Bangladesh can be interpreted as a commitment to peace, eschewing unwarranted conflicts. Click here to read…

Military support to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar may undermine Bangladesh’s security – Dhaka Tribune

Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain on Wednesday said that using a liberal interpretation of the non-lethal assistance clause may allow the United States to provide military support to the various ethnic armed organizations (EAO) in Myanmar which “may undermine” Bangladesh’s security as these groups have some ties to the same separatist factions operating in the country. Click here to read…

Paradoxes of terrorism in Bangladesh – Daily Star

We have heard the word “paradox” innumerable times in relation to development in Bangladesh. Now, in a new book titled The Politics of Terrorism and Counterterrorism in Bangladesh, published by the British multinational publisher Routledge, its editors say that “the chapters in this volume will illustrate that Bangladesh is an exciting and often paradoxical case for terrorism studies in general.” One of the paradoxical elements pointed out in this book is the fact that “most of the key coordinators or leaders of the new generational groups of terrorists are educated in secular universities, either in Bangladesh or abroad” against a typical perception that religious seminaries, known as madrasas, are the breeding ground of Islamic terrorism. This book is published as a part of the Routledge Studies in South Asian Politics series. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Bhutanese Crown Prince is country’s first citizen with digital identity – Royal Central

Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan undertook his second solo official engagement as he became the first citizen to be inserted in the country’s new digital identity platform. Click here to read…

Maldives

Adhaalath Party agrees to form alliance with MDP for upcoming election – Avas

Adhaalath Party has decided to back President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and form a coalition with the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for the upcoming presidential election. Adhaalath Party is part of the current ruling coalition. The MDP National Assembly passed a resolution on February 15 giving the MDP presidential candidate and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih the power to decide if he wants to form a coalition in the upcoming presidential election. Click here to read…

Two arrested for Bank of Maldives internet banking scam – Edition

According to the Maldives Police Service, two men have been arrested for allegedly stealing information to access Bank of Maldives’ (BML) internet banking and buying goods worth over MVR 200,000 through QR code scanning. The arrests were made on Saturday, and the two men, a 25-year-old and a 27-year-old, have been remanded in custody for 15 days. Click here to read…

Myanmar

Myanmar Junta’s Rakhine Poll Plan Hinges on Arakan Army – Irrawaddy

The military coup in February 2021 triggered an armed uprising across the country, with fighting raging in both towns and villages – but Rakhine State has been relatively stable. This is partly because the ethnic rebel Arakan Army (AA) reached a ceasefire agreement with Myanmar’s military three months before the coup thanks to mediation by Japan’s Sasakawa Foundation. Rakhine State had experienced two years of fierce fighting before the putsch, but during that time Rakhine lawmakers were able to help displaced civilians through Parliament. On the political stage, the Arakan National Party (ANP) won popular support in northern Rakhine while the National League for Democracy (NLD) was strong in southern Rakhine. Click here to read…

India is keeping close ties with Myanmar, even transferring weapons, NGOs say – RFA

India, the world’s largest democracy, has nurtured closer relations with Myanmar’s military junta over the past two years, including providing weapons at least four times since the 2021 coup d’etat, two humanitarian and advocacy organizations in India said. The Indian government and Indian companies sold radar technologies and remote control air defense systems to Myanmar’s military government in 2021, said India for Myanmar, which helps refugees from the war-torn country who have fled to neighboring India. Click here to read…

Can Myanmar-Bangladesh ties promote ASEAN- SAARC regional stability and prosperity? – Nagaland Post

Naf River flows through Bangladesh and Myanmar. The Rohingyas who fled through this river crossing the tortured, oppressed, expelled and fearing for their lives have taken refuge in Bangladesh. However, trade between the two countries can continue on this river route, cargo ships can crowd the river ports of the two countries. Boats full of tourists can be floated on the river where tourists can see the sights of Bangladesh and Myanmar. Although the ongoing Rohingya problem with this neighboring country of Bangladesh is an obstacle, initiatives should be continued to improve the relationship between the two countries. Click here to read…

Nepal

Congress-Maoist alliance back in focus – The Kathmandu Post

Immediately after the Election Commission on Wednesday kicked off the presidential election process by publishing the voter list, a new kind of political understanding seemed to be in offing between the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Centre). A meeting between the two sets of leaders on Wednesday evening agreed to revive the old five-party alliance formed in July 2021 after CPN-UML chief KP Sharma Oli’s ouster from prime minister’s office, the Post has learnt. Click here to read…

Nepal’s stated policy keeps it from joining China’s GSI – The Kathmandu Post

China on Tuesday released a concept paper of its Global Security Initiative (GSI), calling on countries to adapt to the profoundly changing international landscape in a spirit of solidarity, and address the complex and intertwined security challenges with a win-win mindset. The GSI aims to eliminate the root causes of international conflicts, improve global security governance, encourage joint international efforts to bring more stability and certainty to a volatile and changing era, and promote durable peace and development in the world, said the concept paper which was also subsequently distributed to the Nepali media by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Click here to read…

Chinese ambassador to Nepal increases political engagement ahead of Presidential Election – ANI

With just two days left for the nomination filing for the Presidential Election slated next month, the Chinese envoy to Nepal Chen Song has increased his political engagement.
Song’s political engagement increases as the parties remain divided over who should stand as the candidate for the March 9 Presidential election. Click here to read…

Indian Foreign Secretary’s visit to Nepal and its geopolitical connotation – Khabarhub

Indian Foreign Secretary, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, recently concluded a two-day official visit to Nepal on February 13–14 2023, at the invitation of the Nepali Foreign Secretary and his counterpart, Bharat Raj Paudyal. Although this was a meeting at the level of the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries, it was given greater significance due to the close ties between India and Nepal. Click here to read…

Pakistan

China approves $700m loan to Pakistan – The Telegraph Online

Pakistan’s all-weather ally China has approved a loan of $700 million and the funds will be transferred to the central bank this week, finance minister Ishaq Dar announced on Wednesday as the cash-strapped country tried to avert a financial crisis. The announcement by Dar on the loan by the Board of China Development Bank (CDB) came a day after Pakistan’s National Assembly unanimously passed a money bill aimed at raising tax revenues to fulfil the demands set by the IMF for seeking a $1.1 billion loan facility to avoid an economic meltdown. Click here to read…

Imran Khan supporters detained as Pakistan races to secure IMF deal – Financial Times

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s party said on Wednesday night that up to 700 of its activists and leaders had been arrested during protests designed to destabilise the government, which is urgently seeking an IMF bailout to avert a default. Khan and his allies said last week that they wanted their supporters to be detained en masse to force early elections. Click here to read…

‘Not able to feed soldiers’: Now, Pakistan’s economic crisis hits army – Business Today

Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis has hit one of the most important institutions in the country – the army. The Pakistan Army is reportedly facing food shortage in messes due to a cut in supply amid the worst economic crisis in the country. Some field commanders have written letters to the Quarter Master General (QMG) Office in the General Headquarters, pointing to cut in food supply to soldiers in all army messes, News18 reported on Wednesday. Click here to read…

President’s move to set election date draws political ire – Dawn

President Arif Alvi’s move to set a date for Punjab and Khyber Pakht­unkhwa elections has drawn sharp criticism from his political opponents, who have accused him of acting like a PTI worker, though at least one legal expert has suggested that Mr Alvi was “well within his rights” to announce the poll dates. On Monday, hours after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reaffirmed its decision not to consult the president on the matter, Mr Alvi went solo and announced April 9 as the election date for both provincial assemblies. Click here to read…

Pakistan Implements Austerity Measures To Secure IMF Funding – Hindustan Herald

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has announced a new austerity drive that will save the country 200 billion rupees ($766 million) per year. Ministerial allowances and travel expenses will be reduced as part of the measures taken as Islamabad seeks a $1 billion funding agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Furthermore, according to Reuters, all federal ministries and government offices would be required to cut spending by 15%.Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Crisis: Sri Lankan President will come to Bengaluru to meet Chinese Foreign Minister for debt relief – News WALLI

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe will meet the Chinese Foreign Minister in India on Friday. The Chinese Foreign Minister is about to arrive in India to participate in the meeting of foreign ministers of G-20 countries. According to sources in the Sri Lankan government, Wickremesinghe will ask the Chinese foreign minister for debt relief. President Wickremesinghe said in a meeting in the city of Kandy- ‘During the meeting of the G-20 foreign ministers, he is expected to discuss the debt restructuring (resetting their payment schedule) of those countries whose economies have been destroyed. I hope to talk to the Chinese Foreign Minister there on how to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt. Click here to read…

Power price hike pushes Sri Lanka crisis to the brink – The Print

The latest electricity price rise in crisis-hit Sri Lanka has left stall owner Mohammed Lafeel in a quandary: the 66 per cent increase means he can’t afford to pay for electricity but can’t manage without it so goes deeper into debt to keep it on. Over the last month, with inflation hovering at 55 per cent year-on-year, Lafeel says his income has fallen by about a third as fewer customers buy his knick-knacks as more of them struggle under the island’s worst financial crisis in seven decades. Lafeel says he doesn’t know how he can repay the 300,000 rupees ($835) he borrowed for his daughter’s wedding and has had to borrow more to reconnect the power at home after it was cut off because he hadn’t paid the bill. Click here to read…

Forty more buses received under Indian Credit Line – Daily News

Another phase of the distribution of new buses given to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) under the Indian Credit Line took place on Tuesday at the Lanka Ashok Leyland premises in Panagoda, Homagama. These new buses are to be distributed to all depots in the island according to a concept of the Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, to put 500 new buses into operation this year, in order to strengthen public transport in rural areas of the country in conjunction with the 75th Independence Commemoration. Accordingly, as the third phase of the programme, 40 new buses were handed over to the SLTB depot at Lanka Ashok Leyland Institute premises, Athurugiriya, under the patronage of Minister Dr. Gunawardana. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

Main Afghanistan-Pakistan border crossing closed, residents report gunfire – Deccan Herald

Taliban authorities have closed the main border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, an Afghan official said on Monday, and residents in the area reported the sound of gunfire near the normally bustling border transit point. A Taliban provincial information official said the Torkham border crossing, near the Khyber Pass, was closed for all trade and travellers. “The Pakistan side hadn’t committed to their promises, they have promised to create facilities for transit, sick people and passengers,” said Siddiqullah Quraishi, the head of the Afghan province of Nangahar’s information department, as the reason for the closure. Click here to read…

China to become Afghanistan’s second-largest trade partner in 2023 – The Print

China’s trade with Afghanistan has been growing fast and it may become the second-largest trading nation with Afghanistan in 2023 after Pakistan, a situation that bodes well for the continuation of the CPEC part of the Belt & Road Initiative into Afghanistan, as per Silk Road Briefing (SRB). Click here to read…

Donor organisations suspend budget for at least 40 COVID-19 hospitals in Afghanistan, says Health Minister – Firstpost

Donor organisations have suspended the budget for at least 40 COVID-19 hospitals in Afghanistan over the past 18 months after political developments in the country, said Health Minister Qalandar Ebad. According to a report in Tolo News, Ebad added, “The suspension of the budget and restrictions on health projects have affected health services in Afghanistan.” Click here to read…

The Future of the Belt and Road Initiative in Afghanistan: Obstacles, Opportunities, and The Taliban’s Perspective – Silk Road Briefing

China has also considered Afghanistan’s membership and participation in the BRI with a delegation from Afghanistan participating in its forum in 2017. Afghan delegations have also been participating in Russian economic and trade development forums. However, despite some agreements in including Afghanistan as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), no progress has currently been made regarding China’s economic presence through the BRI in the country. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Bangladesh Youth Delegation Corner inaugurated, alumni portal launched in Dhaka – NewsOnAir

Bangladesh Youth Delegation is an International Youth Exchange programme between the governments of India and Bangladesh. It aims to promote cultural exchange, leadership development, and people-to-people contacts between the two countries. Since its inception, nearly 800 Bangladeshi youth selected under the BYD programme, have visited India to participate in various activities that promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two countries. Click here to read…

Japan to provide grant aid for 2 projects in Bangladesh – New Age

Bangladesh and Japan on Monday signed the exchange of notes on the Japanese grant Aad for two projects. One is to provide the grant for the ‘Project for Improvement of Equipment for Technical Education’ – up to JPY 997 million, approximately USD7.7 million. Another is to provide an additional grant for the costs of the development of the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management, the augmented grant of which is up to JPY 2,762 million, about USD 21 million. Click here to read…

Bangladesh shuts down main Opposition newspaper – The Hindu

The only newspaper of Bangladesh’s main Opposition party halted printing on Monday after a government suspension order was upheld, stoking fears about media freedom in the South Asian nation. Campaigners and foreign governments including the U.S. have long expressed worries about efforts by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to silence criticism and what they see as creeping authoritarianism. Click here to read…

Bhutan

Committee yet to review barrage or PI dam option – Kuensel

The committee of experts from Bhutan and India, which was supposed to review and present its recommendations on the proposal to build a barrage at the 1,200MW Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project (PI) by January-end was only formed around that time. Click here to read…

Youth unemployment increases in 2022 – Kuensel

The youth unemployment rate in 2022 is estimated at 28.6 percent which is an increase by 7.7 points compared to 20.9 percent in 2021, according to the Labour Force Survey Report, 2022. Of the 101,170 youth population, 8,496 youth were unemployed and actively seeking work. Click here to read…

President Solih heads to Singapore on unofficial visit – Raajje

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has left to Singapore on an unofficial visit. The Maldivian leader departed on the unofficial visit from Velana International Airport (VIA) on Monday. His last unofficial trip to Singapore was in October 2022. The president had made four previous trips to Singapore in 2022, the first being from February 10 – 15 and the second being from February 23 – March 6. Click here to read…

Myanmar

EU imposes new sanctions on Myanmar’s junta -AA

The European Union adopted its sixth sanctions package Monday against the military junta in Myanmar for human rights violations. EU foreign ministers approved “restrictive measures against nine persons and seven entities in view of the continuing escalation of violence, grave human rights violations and threats to the peace, security and stability in Myanmar,” the Council of the European Union, an EU institution representing member states, said in a statement. Click here to read…

Over 100 Myanmar Junta Forces Killed in Four Days of Resistance Attacks – Irrawaddy

At least 106 Myanmar junta troops were killed in four days of attacks as People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) escalated their attacks on regime targets across the country. In one case, a PDF couple was arrested and killed by junta troops a day before their wedding in Magwe. Incidents were reported in Mandalay, Sagaing, Magwe, Bago and Tanintharyi regions and Kayah and Mon states. The Irrawaddy has rounded up the following reports of significant attacks from PDFs. Some military casualty figures could not be independently verified. Click here to read…

Opium farming has flourished under Myanmar’s junta – UCANews

Everything in Myanmar is in the worst-ever state. The Southeast Asian nation has a broken economy and a broken society. To add salt to the wound, it is home to more than 1.3 million displaced people. But when it comes to narcotics, Myanmar still holds the dubious distinction of being the world’s second-largest producer of opium, a key source of many psycho-tropical substances such as heroin, morphine and codeine. Despite the chaos, social unrest, and civil war, the army-ruled nation managed to increase opium cultivation last year. Click here to read…

Nepal

India donates 20 kidney dialysis machines to Nepal – The Economic Times

India on Monday handed over the first tranche of the 200 kidney dialysis machines to the Government of Nepal as part of its effort to develop the health infrastructure in the Himalayan nation. Click here to read…

Late Gen. Bipin Rawat honoured in Nepal, bell in his name placed inside revered temple – India Narrative

In commemoration of India’s late Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, a bell has been placed at Nepal’s revered Shree Muktinath Temple. The bell named “Bipin Bell,” has been installed at the revered Hindu temple in Mustang district during the visit of four former Indian army chiefs namely Gen VN Sharma, Gen JJ Singh, Gen Deepak Kapoor and Gen Dalbir Suhag. Click here to read…

Assessment of India’s Approach to Nepal – Indian Defence Review

As per International Monetary Fund, India is fastest growing economy in the world. Indian economy is crossing Chinese economy that will grow just by 5.2% in 2023. Economy and security are the two faces of the same coin. In other words, both affect each other, and most importantly both have the potential to transform the regional and international polity and economy. Economic growth and military might both determine any country’s stature in international system of states. Click here to read…

Maoists cotton to Congress, as Dahal, Oli size each other up – The Kathmandu Post

Even with just four days to go for the filing of nominations for the presidential election, the CPN (Maoist Centre) is still keeping its cards close to its chest. There have been no clear indications about whom it will support as the new head of state, even though the party seems to be inching closer to the Nepali Congress on the issue. Click here to read…

Pakistan

Dialogue with India ‘need of Pakistan’: Former Pak Army spokesperson – India Today

Dialogue is a need of Pakistan, the former chief of the country’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Athar Abbas, said. “The way forward is not just the state apparatus, because if you leave it [solely] to the security establishment, there will be no move forward. It will be like taking one step forward and two steps backwards,” he added. Click here to read…

Section 144 imposed in Lahore for 7 days citing terror threats: Mint

The caretaker government of Punjab province in Pakistan imposed Section 144 in Lahore for seven days, citing terror threats amid the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) protest and rallies, ARY News reported. Click here to read…

Pakistan’s elite in trouble amid bankruptcy as IMF tells Shehbaz Sharif govt to tax only the rich – Firstpost

Pakistan last week increased prices of commodities that are now weighing on people of the cash-strapped country. Concerned about poor in the bankrupt South Asian nation, IMF said that the Shehbaz Sharif government to tax its high earners and ensure that only poor get the subsidies. Click here to read…

Imran gets preventive bail from arrest in 1 case, Lahore HC disposes plea in 2nd – Hindustan Times

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has secured preventive bail from arrest by the Lahore high court till March 3 in a case pertaining to protests outside the Election Commission of Pakistan office, Geo TV reported. The second plea was disposed of by the high court after Khan’s counsel withdrew the petition, Dawn reported. Click here to read…

Cash-starved Pakistan’s current account deficit shrinks 90% to $0.24 billion in January – The Economic Times

“Current Account Deficit (CAD) recorded USD 0.2 billion in Jan 2023 against a deficit of USD 2.5 billion in Jan 2022,” the central bank said in a brief statement on Twitter. The decrease in the deficit is also 16.55 per cent lower than December when the SBP announced that the deficit was USD 0.29 billion. Click here to read…

Pakistan Covid Scam: Amid bankruptcy, 2 of 4 billion rupees of corona relief fund vanish without trace – Firstpost

In a major embarrassment for the Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistani government, a recent inquiry has revealed financial discrepancies in the allocation of and expenditure on medical resources in the Corona Relief Fund (CRF). This comes amid looming fears of a default as the country is going through a severe economic crisis. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Ranil govt. faces mounting pressure for ‘attempt to postpone’ polls in Sri Lanka – The Hindu

Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe is facing mounting pressure from the political Opposition and civil society over his government’s apparent attempts to postpone local government polls, scheduled in early March, citing the lack of funds. Click here to read…

Sri Lankans attacked Tamil Nadu fishermen: CM Stalin tells Centre – India Today

Sri Lankans assaulted Indian fishermen, took away their catch and equipment, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin apprised the Centre on Monday and urged that the matter be taken up with Sri Lanka to ensure action against assailants and prevent recurrence of such attacks. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka’s great IMF lie – Himal

Sri Lanka has been subject to a great lie: the IMF solution! For close to a year now, the country has been implementing the International Monetary Fund’s recommendations with complete obedience. The sudden devaluation of the Sri Lankan rupee, a drastic increase in interest rates, the withdrawal of fuel subsidies and severe cuts to state expenditure all amount to harsh austerity measures. The consequence is economic devastation as the country sinks into a depression. Click here to read…

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

COMMENTARY

What India’s “One Earth, One Health” Policy means for Africa

Last year, at the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi put forward the vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’ to the world. Click here to read…

Can a political underdog save Nigeria?

“Obi, obi, obi” chants the bouncing crowd, fists in the air, as Peter Obi strides into a campaign rally after having unexpectedly taken a lead in the race to become the next president of Nigeria. Click here to read…

NEWS

Tunisian Islamist leader arrested in crackdown on opposition

Tunisian authorities arrested the leader of the Ennahda opposition Islamist movement in a crackdown on rival politicians. Click here to read…

Opposition leader detained as Senegal tensions rise

Senegalese opposition politician Ousmane Sonko was forcibly removed from his vehicle by security forces Thursday after his supporters were dispersed by teargas, in a new bout of tension ahead of presidential elections due next year. Click here to read…

Insecurity threatens Nigeria’s democracy as voters elect a new president

Bandits spraying villages with bullets, killing residents and setting buildings ablaze. Rampant cattle rustling and clashes between farmers and herders. Mass kidnappings for ransom. Click here to read…

Nigeria’s naira shortage: Banks attacked in Warri and Benin City

Angry protests have broken out in some Nigerian towns and cities as people struggle to get hold of new banknotes. Click here to read…

The Gambia National Day

On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I extend my congratulations to the people of The Gambia on the 58th anniversary of your independence. Click here to read…

Libya marks twelve years anniversary of the revolution that ousted Moammar Gadhafi

Libyans on Friday marked the 12th anniversary of their 2011 uprising. Many cities witnessed major celebrations and in the capital, Tripoli, residents took to the streets to celebrate, with squares decorated with national flags and lights. Click here to read…

Dollar-strapped Egypt resorts to selling state assets to Gulf nations

Egypt is running out of dollars and is attempting to bolster its finances by selling state assets to rich Gulf countries, showed a media report. Click here to read…

South Africa: Russia-China drills strain ties with West

Pretoria’s Western allies are unhappy about South Africa hosting upcoming joint naval exercises with Russia and China. Historical ties between Moscow and the ruling ANC may explain President Ramaphosa’s stance. Click here to read…

Europe Parliament bans Morocco lawmakers from entering headquarters

European Parliament has voted on a recommendation preventing Moroccan lawmakers from entering its headquarters until investigations into an alleged corruption case are completeClick here to read…

Tunisia expels European Trade Union chief for ‘interference’

Esther Lynch, who is Irish, has been expelled from Tunisia for participating in a protest organized by the country’s trade union. Click here to read…

Israeli observer delegation kicked out of African Union summit in Addis Ababa

Foreign Ministry blames South Africa and Algeria for severe diplomatic breach; Israel gained official observer status in 2021. Click here to read…

Zimbabwe polls predict a Chamisa triumph over Mnangagwa

Results of an independent survey of Zimbabwean voters show that opposition leader Nelson Chamisa could defeat the incumbent president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, in the national elections later this year. Click here to read…

Zimbabwe opposition fears skewed election over crackdown, bias

Fears are growing in Zimbabwe of another disputed poll, considering the ongoing political violence and a clampdown on the opposition. Click here to read…

Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso push for return to AU in spite of coups

Suspended countries Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso are lobbying to be re-admitted to the African Union, more than a year after coups plagued the West African region. Click here to read…

Burkina Faso: 5 people killed in a jihadist attack

Five people, including two soldiers, were killed Thursday in an attack by suspected jihadists in eastern Burkina Faso, Click here to read…

Zambia criticises debt restructuring delays

Zambia’s finance minister criticised the prolonged nature of the country’s debt restructuring negotiations. Click here to read…

US try to control China’s dominance of rare minerals from Africa

Cape Town in South Africa hosted the Indaba Mining Conference from February 6 to 9. Several experts at the event pointed out that the United States and China are in a race to gain more crucial minerals that will dominate the world’s projected transition to clean energy. Click here to read…

Ghana mining fund in talks over Atlantic Lithium investment

The MIIF said it plans to take an equity stake in Atlantic Lithium and that the company had agreed to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange. Click here to read…

Mali PM cuts short visit to north over security fears

Malian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga Saturday cut short his visit to the extremist-hit north due to security threatsClick here to read…

Sudan military finishes review of Russian Red Sea base deal

Sudan’s ruling military concluded a review of an agreement with Russia to build a navy base on the Red Sea in the African country, two Sudanese officials said Saturday. Click here to read…

African nations wary of China’s soft loan trap

Witnessing the living example of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, African countries, which are caught in China’s soft loan trap, are fearing that Beijing won’t bail them out, Pardafas.com reported. Click here to read…

Germany mulls sending refugees to Africa

The German government has installed a special representative to make deals with African countries and other states to help with asylum procedures. But migration experts say they’ve seen these proposals before. Click here to read…

Somalia: 5 shebab killed in an American strike

The US military announced on Thursday that it had killed five Shebab fighters in a strike in a remote region of Somalia. This country is waging a major offensive against this group of radical Islamists affiliated with Al-Qaeda. Click here to read…

Rwanda accuses DR Congo soldiers of attack on army border post

DRC authorities have denied its soldiers entered a neutral zone and opened fire on Rwanda’s troops as tensions rise between the countries. Click here to read…

France says its troops misrepresented in ‘Wakanda Forever’

France’s defense minister has denounced the way he says French soldiers deployed in Africa appear to be depicted in the Marvel Studios superhero film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” as “false and misleading.” Click here to read…

US first lady Jill Biden expected to visit Namibia

UNITED States first lady Jill Biden is expected to visit Namibia next week. Biden’s African trip is expected to include a visit to Kenya. Click here to read…

Uganda loses EU Shs70b railway line repair grant

Uganda has lost funding to a tune of €18m (about Shs70.3b), part of a €21.5m (Shs84b) grant that the European Union (EU) had made available to facilitate rehabilitation of the 375km metre-gauge Tororo– Gulu railway. Click here to read…

Tanzania is ready to welcome Elon Musk’s Starlink into the country

The Tanzanian government has distanced itself from reports that its bureaucracy would continue to refuse Mr. Elon Musk’s Starlink application permission to operate in the nation. Click here to read…

Botswana’s Longtime Diamond Deal With De Beers Under Threat

Botswana’s president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, is threatening to walk away from a diamond mining deal with industry giant De Beers unless the firm offers better terms. Click here to read…

Cyclone Freddy Could Slam Madagascar Next Week on Rare, Long Voyage From Near Indonesia

Cyclone Freddy is already formidably strong in the southern Indian Ocean and is an increasing danger to Madagascar, then possibly parts of southern Africa, next week. Click here to read…

The Israeli Hackers Who Tried to Steal Kenya’s Election

The campaign by Kenya’s opposition to cast doubt on William Ruto’s 2022 victory was aided by Israeli hackers, who accessed the Telegram accounts of the president’s senior officials. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

International Solar Alliance and West African Power Pool hosts 13 African countries in New Delhi to share best practices in solar deployment

International Solar Alliance (ISA), in collaboration with Grid Controller of India Ltd (Grid-India) and West African Power Pool (WAPP), is hosting delegates from the West African Region in New Delhi, India, from 14th to 18th February. Click here to read…

India, Mauritius discusses cooperation in area of urban development

Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri met his Mauritian counterpart Louis Steven Obeegadoo and vowed to strengthen cooperation between the two countriesClick here to read…

Mauritius minister thanks India on Chagos Islands, confirms US base in Diego Garcia will remain

His visit is part of a series of visits expected from Mauritius to India this year, given that the country has been invited to be a guest country during India’s G20 PresidencyClick here to read…

Vistara to start Mumbai-Mauritius flight service from 26 March. Details here

Vistara has announced the launch of its flight services from Mumbai to Mauritius starting from 26 March. Click here to read…

India – Egypt hold 3rd ‘Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism’ meeting

India has been collaborating with numerous countries and organizations to counter global terrorism at various levels. Click here to read…

India, Egypt call upon countries to root out all forms of terrorism

Just about three weeks after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi completed a successful visit to India, during which both sides had condemned cross-border terrorism and vowed to step up counter-terror cooperation. Click here to read…

India-Egypt counter-terror ties: countering terror finance & use of UAVs

Both sides discussed way forward to address new and emerging challenges posed by virtual currencies, unmanned aerial systems and misuse of cyber space by terrorists for terrorist propaganda. Click here to read…

Indian diaspora in Nigeria celebrates Sankranti

More than 400 people of the Telugu community in Nigeria participated in the Sankranti festivities organised at Darlington hall, Illupeju in Lagos on February 5. Click here to read…

Madurai businessman Arunraja appointed trade commissioner of India Africa trade Council-Ghana

World Pulses Day 2023 was celebrated on the 10th of February in Hotel Alisa by the India Africa Trade Council in Accra with the collaboration and support of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Indian High Commission in Accra to accelerate the trade relationships between both countriesClick here to read…

Union Cabinet gives nod to pact between India, South Africa on cooperation in disability sector

The pact will assist Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and ageing population in both countries who especially require modern, scientific, durable, cost effective aids and assistive devicesClick here to read…

New India-Africa cooperation ushering in an era of sustainable agriculture for the continent

A new era of cooperation between India and African countries is bringing a range of benefits to the agricultural sectors of both regions. Click here to read…

South Africa witnesses 200% surge in Indian travellers amid strong recovery

For the third consecutive year, South African Tourism finished another extremely successful partnership with South Asia’s premier travel exhibition, SATTE 2023Click here to read…

2nd batch of 12 cheetahs expected to arrive at MP’s Kuno on Feb 18, says official

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first batch of eight cheetahs – five females and three males – from Namibia into a quarantine enclosure at KNP on his 72nd birthday on September 17. Click here to read…

Afghanistan

US weapons left in Afghanistan are becoming a new threat to Pakistan and India | OPINION – India Today

Approximately, $7 billion of military equipment the US transferred to Afghan Defense Forces over 16 years was left behind in Afghanistan after the US completed its withdrawal from the country in August 2021. This equipment went into the hands of Afghan Taliban and TTP. Click here to read…

Ruling Taliban display rare division in public over bans in Afghanistan – Economic Times

In recent months, the group’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has appeared to take a stronger hand in directing policy. In particular, it was on his orders that the Taliban government banned women and girls from universities and schools after the sixth grade. Click here to read…

China, Iran call on Afghanistan to end restrictions on women – Indian Express

China and Iran have urged mutual neighbor Afghanistan to end restrictions on women’s work and education. The call came in a joint statement Thursday issued at the close of a visit to Beijing by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during which the two sides affirmed close economic and political ties and their rejection of Western standards of human rights and democracy. Click here to read…

The Taliban are digging an enormous canal – The Economist

Taliban officials have started talking up a new canal under construction in the arid north of Afghanistan. A video recently posted on YouTube shows shiny diggers roaring over sand dunes and workers from different ethnic groups toiling together. The Islamist regime says some 5,500 people are working around the clock on the project, using over 3,300 bits of machinery. Click here to read…

Afghanistan Protected Against Pakistan Economic Crisis: Official – Baaghi TV

The Afghan Ministry of Economics said that the current government is working so that Afghanistan does not suffer more from the economic problems in Pakistan. “Every kind of political, economic, and security crisis in the region can affect Afghanistan’s political and economic situation, but management, planning, and policymaking in Afghanistan has caused it to not be affected much by the economic problems of its neighbors, including Pakistan,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy. Click here to read…

Bangladesh

Bangladesh sanctions to remain until police reform: US – New Age

The United States will not lift sanctions on an elite Bangladesh police unit accused of extrajudicial killings until it is reformed, a top US envoy visiting the country has said. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet visited Bangladesh this week and he discussed security cooperation with government representatives in Dhaka. Click here to read…

We want peace, but ready to repel external attacks: PM – Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the armed forces are being developed appropriately to give a fitting reply if the country comes under attack by external forces. “If external forces attack, we have to face that. For that we have to build up appropriate armed forces and accordingly we have taken various steps,” she said while addressing the 10th Tigers’ Reunion of the East Bengal Regiment at Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA). Click here to read…

AL, BNP take to city streets today – Daily Star

The Awami League and its associate bodies will hold programmes across the capital today, countering the BNP’s pre-scheduled road march.Dhaka’s north and south units of the BNP will bring out processions around 2:30pm to press home its 10 demands that include the next national election under a non-partisan caretaker government.On the other hand, the ruling AL will hold programmes at 3:00pm and 4:00pm protesting “terror and anarchy of the BNP”.Click here to read…

Bhutan

125 aspiring NC candidates register with ECB – Kuensel

There could be fewer candidates vying for a seat at the National Council (NC) in the upcoming elections than 2018 going by the record of registered candidates with the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB). The ECB has registered 125 aspiring National Council (NC) candidates including nine female candidates from all dzongkhags as of yesterday. In 2018, there were 177 aspiring candidates including eight female candidates. Click here to read…

Bhutan Airlines loses Nu 150M in the first quarter – Kuensel

The winter holidays have come to an end and intake in universities in Australia ending in March means bad news and business for the airlines. Passengers travelling out for a vacation to Bangkok and those going to Australia have kept the business alive, but the traffic is expected to decline as schools reopen in the country and admission for the spring semester closes in March. Click here to read…

Capital budget use slows in first half of fiscal year – Kuensel

The country has spent Nu 9.9 billion (B) as capital expenditure in the first half of the fiscal year 2022-23, according to the budget performance report for the second quarter of the fiscal year. This makes up about 24 percent of the total capital budget for the fiscal year, which has been revised to Nu 41.83B. Click here to read…

Maldives

Maldives can adapt to sea-level rise. Here’s how – Down to Earth

Low-lying island countries like the Maldives have been experimenting with raising the height of such islands to cope with sea-level rise and a new study showed that these efforts are efficient. Using simple engineering techniques to elevate islands threatened by submergence and creating new islands entirely where people can be moved to can help small island nations like the Maldives, according to a report by researchers from the University of Southampton, the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and TEDI-London, along with Maldivian scientists. Click here to read…

Two Years Later: The Campaign to Protect Maldives’ Waves – Save the Waves

It has been two years since Save The Waves and local partners launched the “Save Our Waves Maldives” campaign. Our fight to reverse the ongoing damage to the famous wave of Chickens continues while also advocating for the protection for all of Maldives’ treasured surf spots, which are under constant attack from coastal development and infrastructure. Chickens Surf Break in The MaldivesThe campaign has two primary goals: the first is to restore the wave at Chickens and the second is to create legal protection for Maldives surf ecosystems across the island chain. Click here to read…

Myanmar

China, Myanmar to promote economic cooperation in post-pandemic era – The Star

China’s Yunnan provincial department of commerce and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) held a meeting here on Wednesday (Feb 15) to promote economic and trade cooperation. Speaking at the meeting, UMFCCI President U Aye Win (pic) said that it is a timely meeting to promote the economic and trade cooperation between Myanmar and China’s Yunnan province, adding it will assist Myanmar’s economic development and private business sector development. Click here to read…

Civilians Resort to Suicide as Myanmar Junta Steps Up Attacks – The Irrawaddy

At least four people in Sagaing Region’s Kantbalu District have killed themselves over the past year due to mental trauma caused by junta raids, according to local sources. Junta troops and affiliated Pyu Saw Htee militias have subjected locals to frequent raids in the past year, detaining and torturing residents, abducting them for ransom, making death threats, and torching their homes. Click here to read…

Myanmar plans to sell gold to Japan – The Star

Myanmar is planning to sell gold to Japan, said U Myo Myint, chairman of the Yangon Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association. “Now a Japanese company inquired to buy gold from Myanmar. We are also planning to export,” U Myo Myint said. During 2017 and 2018, gold was sold to Japan, but it had to be stopped due to the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic, he said. “It has been exported before. It was stopped because of Covid-19. Now they are asking about price and market situation,” U Myo Myint continued. Click here to read…

Nepal

India, Nepal jointly inaugurate two Dharchula International Suspension bridges – The Print

District Magistrate Pithoragarh Reena Joshi and District Magistrate Darchula, Nepal Dirghraj Upadhyay jointly inaugurated two Dharchula International Suspension bridges in the border area Dharchula of Pithoragarh district. Click here to read…

Nepal plane crash: Investigators suspect human error in preliminary report. Details here – live Mint

A preliminary probe report in the Yeti Airlines crash that killed 71 people, including five Indians suspect human error behind the deadly crash. Yeti Airlines flight 692 lost thrust and fell after the propellers of both engines went into a feathered position. The flight had taken off from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport on 15 January, crashed on the Seti River gorge between the old airport and the new airport in the resort city of Pokhara. As per International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the state investigating an accident or incident must produce a preliminary report within 30 days of the accident. Click here to read…

Pakistan

TTP rejects UNSC report, says it has no presence in Afghanistan, slams Pakistan govt – News Vibes of India

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) tonight rejected a report of the UN Security Council (UNSC) which has suggested that the outfit has presence in Afghanistan and blamed the “duplicitous policy of the government of Pakistan” for such a “biased” view. Click here to read…

Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves rise above $3bn – Dawn

Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank rose by $276 million to $3.2 billion in the week ending on February 10, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Thursday. According to the state bank, net foreign reserves held by commercial banks stood at $5.5bn, bringing the country’s total liquid foreign reserves to $8.7bn. Click here to read…

Pakistan, Polish entities ink MoU for supply of defence equipment to Ukraine – Economic Times

Poland is going beyond just being a transit state for transfer of Pakistani arms to Ukraine, with a Polish entity signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Pakistani company for supply of defence equipment to Kyiv. Some other Pakistani and Polish companies are also involved in transfer of the equipment, while a Canadian firm is acting as an intermediary. Click here to read…

US Concerned About Debt Owed To China By Cash-Strapped Pakistan – NDTV

The United States is concerned about debt owed to China by Pakistan and other countries, US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said on Thursday during a visit to Islamabad as the country dealt with an economic crisis. Pakistan, historically a close ally of Washington, has become increasingly close to China, which has provided billions in loans and is Islamabad’s largest single creditor. Click here to read…

Is China and Pakistan’s ‘iron brotherhood’ crumbling? – Times of India

For years, China and Pakistan have been tom-tomming their ever-tightening geopolitical embrace to the entire world. With Pakistan at the centre of its Belt and Road ambition, China has pumped billions of dollars worth of investment into the country and has extended diplomatic support to Islamabad at every global platform – directly or indirectly. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka economic crisis: Power prices hiked by 66%; aims to gain IMF support – Business Today

Sri Lanka in the midst of an economic crisis, is hiking up prices as it aims to persuade the International Monetary Fund to lend it a helping hand. Sri Lanka hiked up prices of power by 66 per cent, following an increase in electricity prices by 75 per cent last year. The country’s inflation was above 54 per cent on-year in January and income taxes as high as 36 per cent. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka’s Local Elections Are a Major Threat to the Ruling Class – The Wire

Two themes dominate the political debate in Sri Lanka at present: managing the economic crisis through restructuring sovereign debt and the local government elections announced for March 2023. Click here to read…

Constitutional reforms within unitary system – Daily News

The obstinate refusal by the Tamil political parties to give up federal demand, which every sane opinion labelled as a ‘non-starter’ has deadlocked the recent attempts to find a lasting solution to the minority demands for devolution. Click here to read…