Tag Archives: COMESA

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 46, 2022)

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

COMMENTARY

India-Africa Defence Dialogue- A positive step towards strengthening the defence diplomacy

The DefExpo 2022 was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from October 18 to 22, 2022. During the meeting, the grandiosity of India’s flagship Land, Naval, and Homeland Security Systems exhibition ensured that DefExpo 2022 remains Asia’s most prominent defence exhibition. Click here to read…

Rishi Sunak’s Tanzanian roots amid post-independence ambitions in EA

The rise of Rishi Sunak as British Prime Minister ends as a beautiful story that started with political rejection in East Africa. Click here to read…

NEWS

New round of peace talks between Ethiopia, Tigray envoys

A new round of talks began Monday between Ethiopia’s government and Tigray regional representatives to work out military and other details of last week’s signing of a “permanent” cessation of hostilities in a two-year conflict thought to have killed hundreds of thousands of people. Click here to read…

Ethiopia and Tigray rebels sign peace deal roadmap

Commanders of both Ethiopian and Tigrayan forces reach agreement on how to implement a peace deal. It will allow for aid deliveries and the disarming of rebels within the coming days. Click here to read…

Niger: Opposition, civil society groups welcome end of French Barkhane operation

In Niamey, the Nigerien capital, reactions are mixed after the official announcement of the end of the operation of the French anti-jihadist Barkhane force, part of which has redeployed to Niger after leaving neighbouring Mali. Click here to read…

Central African Republic: MINUSCA Mandate Renewal

Tomorrow afternoon (14 November), the Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for another year, until 15 November 2023. Click here to read…

Pro-Coup Coalition Forms in Sudan, Hopes to Break Country’s Political Stalemate

In Sudan, armed groups and supporters of the military’s coup last year have formed a new political coalition to appeal to marginalized groups. Calling itself the “Forces for Freedom and Change – Democratic Bloc (FFC-DB),” the pro-coup group wants to replace the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) group, which has opposed military rule. Click here to read…

Fighting picks up between M23 and Congolese army in eastern Congo

Fighting picked up on Friday in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army, a rebel leader, military sources and civilians told Reuters. Click here to read…

Tunisia: Ennahda condemns official ‘courtesy’ towards Israel at COP27

Tunisia’s Ennahda movement has criticised the “courtesy” shown by Tunisian officials towards Israel, with some calling for normalisation of relations, Al-Quds Al-Arabi has reported. This, said Ennahda, confirms the “insincerity” of President Kais Saied’s oft-repeated slogan that “normalisation is high treason”.Click here to read…

Rising tensions between Rwanda and DRC jeopardise prospects for peacebuilding in the Great Lakes region

The province of North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing significant instability due to the resurgent March 23 Movement (M23), which has resumed clashes with the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) in the territories of Rutshuru and Nyiragongo since June 2022. Click here to read…

Burkina Faso’s new transitional legislature takes office

The 71 deputies appointed to Burkina Faso’s new Transitional Legislative Assembly (TLA) took office on Friday, more than a month after the coup d’etat that brought Captain Ibrahim Traore to power. Click here to read…

El Burhan Speech to Sudan Military Dubbed ‘Political Posturing’

Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan Armed Forces and leader of the October 2021 coup d’état, Abdelfattah El Burhan, confirmed that meetings about a new political framework for the country are being held on Sunday, provoking strong reactions. Click here to read…

France calls time on anti-jihadist Operation Barkhane in Sahel

President Emmanuel Macron has formally ended France’s decade-long operation to fight Islamist insurgents in the Sahel. Click here to read…

US offers $10 million reward for leads on Somalia’s Al-Shabaab leaders

The United States said Monday it was increasing its reward for information about key leaders of Somalia’s Al-Shabaab to $10 million apiece, a move that follows a spate of deadly attacks by the jihadist group. Click here to read…

Ghana’s finance minister set to present budget despite calls for dismissal

Ghana’s embattled finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta plans to present his 2023 budget statement this month, a ruling party official said on Friday, despite demands by ruling party and opposition figures that he resign. Click here to read…

World leaders expected in Tunisia for 18th Francophonie Summit

World leaders are expected to start arriving in Tunisia’s southern island of Djerba for the 18th Francophonie Summit, which will be held from November 19-20. Click here to read…

Mozambique Exports First LNG to Help Ease European Crunch

Mozambique flagged off its first shipment of liquefied natural gas, exports that could help ease Europe’s energy crunch as Russia squeezes supplies. Click here to read…

Tanzania to Sign Key $40 Billion LNG-Project Accords Next Month

Tanzania will sign key agreements with oil majors including Equinor ASA and Shell Plc next month to pave the way for a planned $40 billion liquefied natural gas export project Click here to read…

Why Washington Needs A Friendlier Approach To This Major Gas Producer

In September, a bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives called on the U.S. Secretary of State to impose sanctions on the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria (“Algeria”), claiming that a $7 billion arms deal with Russia violated the 2017 Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Click here to read…

Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2022 to Unlock the Potential of Angola’s Deepwater Basins

Angola’s deepwater market success continues to shine a spotlight on the country’s untapped oil and gas potential. Click here to read…

Nigeria: 26 sailors charged for attempting to steal crude oil, vessel seized by Navy

26 crew members including 16 Indian and eight Sri Lankan sailors of an oil vessel have been detained and handed over to the Nigerian Navy for alleged oil theft. Click here to read…

Uganda Says Airforce Destroyed Islamic State-Linked Rebel Camp

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said his nation’s airforce had attacked and destroyed a camp in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo that was housing Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces. Click here to read…

ACP-EU Partnership: EU and Togo talk economic governance and security, among others

On Monday, November 7, 2022, Lomé hosted the first session of the partnership dialogue between Togo and the European Union (EU) within the framework of the new Partnership Agreement between the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) and the European Union (OACPS-EU). Click here to read…

Togo: In 2023, the government will pay special attention to inflation

The government of Togo will keep paying special attention to inflation in the coming months. The authorities said this last Friday, November 11, after the council of ministers held that day. Click here to read…

Italy: Refugee camps can be set up in Libya similar to ones in Turkey

Refugee camps, similar to the ones in Turkey, could also be in Libya and other countries where migrants leave for European shores, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the press on Sunday. Click here to read…

Commonwealth Secretariat mission to visit Zimbabwe

The delegation’s visit is a part of the informal process of assessment regarding Zimbabwe’s request for re-admission into the Commonwealth. Click here to read…

Kenyans to enter South Africa visa-free from January

The presidents of South Africa and Kenya said Wednesday they have resolved a long-standing visa dispute and Kenyans will be able to visit South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days in a calendar year. Click here to read…

Lesotho Names First Female Central Bank Head as Finance Minister

Lesotho’s former central bank governor, Retselisitsoe Matlanyane, was appointed finance minister in the southern African nation’s new government. Click here to read…

Amnesty: Egypt has days to save jailed activist’s life

Amnesty International’s head on Sunday warned that the proceedings of COP27 in Egypt could be stained by the death of one of the country’s leading rights activists from a hunger and water strike in prison if Egyptian authorities do not release him within days. Click here to read…

Zambia plans to establish climate financing vehicle

Zambia plans to establish a robust national climate financing vehicle aimed at supporting the process of institutionalizing a climate resilient economy, a government official said on Saturday. Click here to read…

Africa launches new framework to support growth of carbon credits production, create jobs, protect biodiversity

Africa launched a new framework to support growth of carbon credits production, create jobs and protect biodiversity in the continent – the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI). Click here to read…

Uganda confirms Ebola case in country’s east as outbreak expands

An Ebola case has been confirmed in Jinja in eastern Uganda, the country’s health minister said on Sunday, the first time the outbreak has spread to a new region of the country from central Uganda where cases have been confined so far. Click here to read…

Last apartheid leader De Klerk’s Nobel Prize stolen in South Africa

The Nobel Peace Prize medal awarded to South Africa’s last apartheid president, FW de Klerk, was stolen from his Cape Town home six months ago. Click here to read…

Digital Benin project reunites bronzes looted by British soldiers

Cheerfully gnashing their magnificent fangs as they stand side by side, the two bronze leopards look back on a journey that was as adventurous as it was cruelly absurd. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

Balasubramanian accredited as India’s permanent representative to economic community of West African states

G. Balasubramanian has been concurrently accredited as the next Permanent Representative of India to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Click here to read…

South African Customs Union emerges as key trade partner for India: Report

A Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and the South African Customs Union countries will enhance future partnerships as the region has emerged as an important partner for India, both as an export destination and an import source, according to a report from the India Exim Bank. Click here to read…

India Deploys P-8I Aircraft At France’s Reunion Island For Third Time In Three Years As China Increases Presence In Western Indian Ocean

An Indian P-8I aircraft has been deployed to the island for the third time ifour years. A P-8I aircraft of the Indian Navy participated in a joint patrol with France from Réunion Island in 2020. Click here to read…

India has an invite to mine natural resources from oil-to-gold in Central African Republic

Landlocked in the heart of Africa, Central African Republic that is comparable to the size of Ukraine has the largest reserve of iron ore in the world and the best quality of rare wood and timber across the globe. Click here to read…

Wipro appoints Warren Zambelli as MD for Africa, Simmi Dhamija as COO for APMEA

Wipro, on Wednesday, announced the appointment of Warren Zambelli as Managing Director for Africa, and Simmi Dhamija as the Chief Operating Officer for APMEA (Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa). Click here to read…

A New Era of India-Africa Defense Cooperation

As India moves towards becoming a major exporter of defense products, achieving the target of exporting $5 billion by 2025, Africa will play a crucial role in realizing this goal. Click here to read…

India calls for early resolution as detained ship with 16 Indian sailors onboard reaches Nigeria

Days after 16 Indian sailors in the custody of Equatorial Guinea’s navy appealed to the Indian government to help them return home, Equatorial Guinea’s neighbour Nigeria released a detailed statement with fresh allegations and counter-clarifications. Click here to read…

Vijayan writes to Modi for help in releasing Indians held hostage in Africa

Some of the hostages have sent desperate videos home saying they were herded into a small room and regular food and water have become a luxury for them. Click here to read…

16 Indian sailors detained in Equatorial Guinea cry for help, send out SOS

A crew of 16 Indian sailors, who are stuck in Equatorial Guinea, have flagged an SOS for help. The crew have been detained in the region for over 80 days and they fear arrest by the Nigerian Navy. Click here to read…

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 45, 2022)

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

COMMENTARY

DefExpo 2022 paves the way for a new golden era of India-Africa defence cooperation

The DefExpo 2022 took place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, between 18 and 22 October 2022. Initially scheduled to take place in March 2022, it was postponed due to logistic challenges. Click here to read…

In Zambia’s Reform Process, Political Parties Remain a Weak Link

In Zambia’s August 2021 elections, Hakainde Hichilema defeated then-incumbent President Edgar Lungu by a margin of over twenty percent. Lungu’s defeat and timely commitment to ensuring an orderly transition of power. Click here to read…

Thomas Sankara’s ghost haunts Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso, like the rest of West African countries lately, is becoming a geopolitical dilemma for Paris. As ex-President Thomas Sankara put it, ‘We must choose either champagne for a few or safe drinking water for all’Click here to read…

NEWS

Ethiopia Peace Deal Hailed as First Step to End Africa’s Deadliest Conflict

World leaders are reacting with cautious optimism after the announcement of a peace deal and a cease-fire between warring parties in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Click here to read…

Ethiopia: Peace agreement between Government and Tigray ‘a critical first step’: Guterres

A peace deal between the Ethiopian Government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) signed on Wednesday in South Africa, represents “a critical first step” towards ending the brutal two year war, said the UN chief. Click here to read…

Guinea: Junta gives order to prosecute ex-president Alpha Condé

Guinea’s ruling junta on Thursday ordered prosecutors to take legal action against former president Alpha Conde (who was overthrown in a 2021 coup) and over 180 other officials and ex-ministers, notably for alleged corruption. Click here to read…

Zimbabwe: How Mnangagwa ‘crushed’ Chiwenga’s dream of becoming president

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has outmanoeuvred his deputy Constantino Chiwenga in the fierce battle to be the 2023 presidential candidate for the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu–PF). Click here to read…

Biden confirms that Burkina Faso is now on Russia’s side

The West’s attempt to hurt the economy of an African country just got unmasked with its sinister motives coming out in the open. The west is so blind in it obsessive fear of losing Africa to its nemesis, that it is willing to cause destruction. Click here to read…

US to Cut Burkina Faso from Africa Trade Program After Counter-Coup

The US said it will end Burkina Faso’s access to a preferential trade program for African countries, citing concern about unconstitutional changes in the nation’s government. Click here to read…

Pro-Coup Coalition Forms in Sudan, Hopes to Break Country’s Political Stalemate

In Sudan, armed groups and supporters of the military’s coup last year have formed a new political coalition to appeal to marginalized groups. Calling itself the “Forces for Freedom and Change – Democratic Bloc (FFC-DB),” the pro-coup group wants to replace the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) group, which has opposed military rule. Click here to read…

Sudan’s Burhan says political talks ongoing but Bashir loyalists not welcome

Sudan’s military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan confirmed on Sunday that talks on a new political framework for the country were being held, but he warned the former ruling party in harsh words not to interfere with the military or in politics. Click here to read…

E.Guinea accuses France, Spain, US of election ‘interference’

Equatorial Guinea on Sunday accused Spain, France and the United States of “interference” in its presidential and legislative elections scheduled for November 20. Click here to read…

Russia to send $100m in food and fuel to Mali, minister says

Mali expects Russia to send shipments of fuel, fertiliser and food worth around $100 million to Mali in the coming weeks, the West African country’s economy minister, Alousseini Sanou, says. Click here to read…

Burkina junta chief holds talks in Mali on first foreign trip

Burkina Faso’s new military leader on Wednesday visited Mali for his first foreign trip since taking power, holding what his Malian counterpart hailed as “fruitful” exchanges on peace and security. Click here to read…

Crisis in South Africa Shakes Up Politics Before Party Election

The economy is shrinking, power cuts are at a record, unemployment is close to an all-time high, living costs have surged, towns are falling apart and there are sporadic outbreaks of xenophobic violence. Click here to read…

800 schools forced to close in Niger

Hundreds of children, with their blue Unicef-stamped school bags on their backs, walk down small sand dunes to study on the outskirts of Ouallam, a town in southwestern Niger that has been plagued by jihadist violence for five years. Click here to read…

South Africa vows to support Western Sahara

South Africa has for decades been supporting the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in Western Sahara, a move that continues to anger Morocco which views this region as part of its territory. Click here to read…

Congo and Rwanda hold talks to resolve conflict in eastern Congo

Officials from Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda held talks on Saturday aimed at ending a political stand-off between the two countries caused by widespread conflict near their shared border. Click here to read…

Congolese diaspora in Rwanda backs ‘sincere dialogue’ to end tensions

The Congolese community living in Rwanda say they support peaceful means to the end of the conflict between the M23 rebels group and the Kinshasa government. Click here to read…

Cameroon’s Paul Biya marks 40 years as president

When Paul Biya first took the helm of Cameroon, Ronald Reagan was in his second year of presidency, Madonna had not yet made the charts and the Soviet Union was still nearly a decade away from break-up. Click here to read…

Sam Matekane – can a diamond magnate help Lesotho to sparkle?

Sam Matekane has taken many chances in his life – it is how he has been able to build a multimillion-dollar mining empire and become one of Lesotho’s most formidable businessmen. But those close to him say entering politics is by far his biggest gamble. Click here to read…

Leaders head to Algeria for first Arab League summit in two years

The first Arab League summit since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is set to begin in Algeria, but political divisions continue to rankle among the regional organisation’s members. Click here to read…

Arab Tourism Organization honors Algerian leader for supporting industry

The Arab Tourism Organization has honored Algeria’s president for his country’s role in supporting the tourism industry in the Arab world. Click here to read…

New Tunisia electoral law ‘eliminates’ gender parity: HRW

New electoral changes, including ending public financing of campaigns, will make it difficult for women to run for office, critics say. Click here to read…

Turkey looks to sell armed drones to Libya

Ankara’s new deals with one of Libya’s rival premiers have inflamed the country’s internal rows, bringing the north African nation closer to acquiring armed drones. Click here to read…

Angola: The end of Isabel dos Santos at Unitel

The nationalisation of Unitel, the country’s main telephone operator, as decided by president João Lourenço, signals the exit of Isabel dos Santos and the general ‘Dino’ from a pillar of the Angolan economy. Click here to read…

Chinese builder completes US$1.5 billion deep water port in Nigeria

About 60km (37 miles) east of Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, China Harbour Engineering has finished building the US$1.5 billion Lekki Deep Sea Port. Click here to read…

UK agrees to negotiate with Mauritius over handover of Chagos Islands

The UK has agreed to open negotiations with Mauritius over the future handover of the Chagos Islands, in a major reversal of policy following years of resistance and legal defeats in international courts. Click here to read…

Zimbabwe teachers hits back at Zanu-PF

TEACHERS unions have hit back at the ruling Zanu-PF’s accusations that they were being funded by “hostile” embassies to destabilise the country’s education system. Click here to read…

Oil theft: Vessel arrested in Equatorial Guinea is on its way back to Nigeria, says navy

The Nigerian Navy says it is conducting an investigation into the activities of MV HEROIC IDUN, a supertanker, arrested by Equatorial Guinea forces over alleged crude oil theft in Nigeria. Click here to read…

Mozambique to Export First Gas to Europe in November

Mozambique’s petroleum regulator, the National Petroleum Institute (INP), says the country is set to ship its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to the European market from the Coral Sul floating LNG facility by the end of October or early November this year. Click here to read…

After six years, UN climate summit returns to Africa

The 27th annual Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – better known as COP27 – will be held in the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt and begins next week. Click here to read…

COP27 shines spotlight on Egypt’s rights abuses

From a small blue tent pitched outside the UK’s Foreign Office, Sanaa al-Seif has been leading a one-woman protest in a bid to secure her brother’s release from an Egyptian jail as the Arab state prepares to host global leaders at the COP27 summit. Click here to read…

Egypt Eyes Diplomatic Payoff From Hosting COP27 Climate Summit

Authorities want to show “that Egypt is not an irrelevant country, that Egypt has the prowess, the diplomatic clout and the power, the security presence to be a pivotal figure”, a scholar said. Click here to read…

Two Million People Are Demanding Payment for Forest Preservation

Right now, countries and companies can get paid for all kinds of pollution-reducing initiatives, including lowering historic rates of deforestation or planting new trees. Click here to read…

Afreximbank plans $1.5 billion economic package for Botswana

The African Import and Export Bank (Afreximbank) plans a $1.5 billion economic package for Botswana to support key economic sectors such as mining, manufacturing, transport and agricultureClick here to read…

South Africa says it needs $84bln for energy transition in next 5 years

South Africa needs about 1.5 trillion rand ($84 billion) over the next five years for its plans to cut carbon emissions, harness economic opportunities from the energy transition and support affected communities. Click here to read…

EU signs six financing agreements with Mozambique

The European Union has signed six financing agreements with Mozambique. They are worth more than 148 million euros for development programs in the country. Click here to read…

Xi exchanges congratulations with Madagascar’s president over 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday exchanged congratulatory messages with President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Click here to read…

Pakistan’s economic tilt towards Africa

AFRICA spreads over 30 million km2 which makes it the second largest continent of the planet earth. Africa is also the second most populous continent. The continent sits at the intersection of international commerce and is adjacent to critical sea lanes of communication. Click here to read…

Passengers stranded as Kenya Airways’ pilots strike

Kenya Airways (KQNA.NR) on Saturday warned its striking pilots they could be dismissed if they do not return to work immediately as industrial action led to the cancellation of dozens of flights and left thousands of passengers stranded. Click here to read…

15 People Killed In Alleged Suicide Bombing At Military Base In Somalia’s Capital

A sucide bomb killed over a dozen on 5 november at Somalia Military Base named General Dhagabadan militarya training facility. 15 people dead. Click here to read…

Somali Government Says 21 Al-Shabab Militants Killed

The Somali government Sunday said its elite soldiers have killed 21 al-Shabab militants and wounding 10 others in an operation in the country’s lower Shabelle region. Click here to read…

Police: 21 bodies found at mine in South Africa

South African police are investigating the discovery of at least 21 bodies suspected of being illegal miners that were found near an active mine in the town of Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg. Click here to read…

Hundreds of elephants, wildebeests and zebras dead in Kenya amid prolonged drought

Hundreds of elephants, wildebeests, and zebras have died across Kenya amid the nation’s longest drought in decades. Click here to read…

Tanzanian plane crash-lands into Lake Victoria, 19 passengers dead

A Precision Air flight, carrying 43 persons, made a crash-landing into Lake Victoria on Sunday while attempting to reach a nearby airport in Bukoba, Tanzania. Click here to read…

World’s largest uncut emerald unearthed in Zambia, reminds people of kryptonite

Guinness World Records (GWR) regularly keeps people updated about different amazing and extraordinary things. The latest inclusion in their list of things that may make your jaw drop in wonder is a piece of uncut emerald. Click here to read…

Uganda extends lockdowns as Ebola spreads

Uganda on Saturday extended a three-week lockdown on two districts at the center of an Ebola outbreak which has claimed over 50 lives, curbing travel and closing public places. Click here to read…

Africa lost its largest female Elephant

Wildlife authorities have confirmed Dida, Africa’s giant female elephant, died between 60 and 65 years old on Tuesday at a national park southeast of the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Click here to read…

South Africa throws mega party as new Zulu king crowned

South Africa’s new Zulu King was formally declared the head of the country’s most influential traditional monarchy at a colorful ceremony presided over by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday. Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

Indian Exim Bank Inks Pact With Southern Africa’s Leading Bank to Boost India-Africa Trade

Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) has concluded a Master Risk Participation Agreement for supporting trade transactions with FirstRand Bank (FRB) Limited. The agreement was signed in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the India – Southern Africa Regional Conclave. Click here to read…

India Could Emerge As Major Supplier Of Africa’s Defence Requirements: Report

The report by India Exim Bank released on Tuesday talks about various major areas of defence like aerospace, defence, maritime equipment and boats which can safeguard the security and boost Africa’s technological capability while accelerating India’s defence export target of USD 5 billion by 2025. Click here to read…

India could fulfill Africa’s maritime, aerospace and defence requirements: Exim Bank report

The report by India Exim Bank, titled ‘Reinvigorating India’s Economic Engagements with Southern Africa’, was released at the inauguration of the CII-Exim Bank Regional Conclave on India-Southern Africa Growth Partnership, where government officials and captains of business and industry are meeting on Tuesday to discuss a wide range of areas of potential cooperation. Click here to read…

Africa ‘major buyer’ of Indian arms

India has emerged as a leading defence exporter in recent years and could fulfil Africa’s maritime, aerospace and defence requirements, with Mauritius, Mozambique and Seychelles becoming the major buyers of Indian arms during 2017-2021, according to a research report released here. Click here to read…

Bharat sharpens focus on East Africa with new round of naval exercises

As it ended Saturday, the first-ever India-Mozambique-Tanzania Trilateral (IMT TRILAT) maritime exercise began a new chapter in the Indian Navy’s growing efforts to enhance the security of the east coast of southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Region as a whole. Click here to read…

First India-Africa trilateral naval exercise ends

India has held its first-ever trilateral Navy exercise with Africa as part of initiatives to expand defence partnership with the continent. The Trilateral exercise comprising the Navies of India, Tanzania and Mozambique was held late last month. Click here to read…

4th India-Namibia Foreign Office Consultations

India and Namibia held the 4th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) on 3rd November 2022 in Windhoek, Namibia. Click here to read…

IFS Rajesh Ranjan named as next Indian envoy to Ivory Coast

Indian Foreign Service officer, Dr Rajesh Ranjan has been appointed as the next Indian Ambassador to the West African nation of Cote d’Ivoire or Ivory Coast. Click here to read…

Stalled gas supplies may be part of EAM’s Russia agenda

Mint reported earlier that India is in talks with Angola and Algeria to procure liquefied natural gas on long-term contracts and that it has also reached out to the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iraq at a government-to-government level to secure additional spot LNG cargoes at affordable prices. Click here to read…

Two Kochi natives and Vismaya’s brother among 16 ship crew detained by Guinea

Concerted efforts for the release of the 16 Indian crew of a ship detained by the Navy of Guinea, a West African nation, are on. Click here to read…

Africa Now – Weekly Newsletter (Week 44, 2022)

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

COMMENTARY

A new chapter in India-Africa relations?

The size and health of India’s US$3.5 trillion economy have made the country a force to be reckoned with in global affairs. It has surpassed the United Kingdom in size and looks set to outstrip Germany by 2028, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Click here to read…

Kenyan politics, hit squads and Indians gone missing: The story so far

After having a blast of a lifetime at a popular club in a posh residential neighbourhood of Nairobi, the duo came out and got into a cab. Minutes later, a vehicle, the ones used by the now disbanded Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ (DCI) Special Service Unit (SSU), blocked the cab.
Click here to read…

Turkey deepens its defence diplomacy in Africa

Sales of drones and other arms to African nations are booming after Turkey signed military cooperation deals with dozens of governments on the continent. DW examines why so many countries are turning to Turkey for arms.
Click here to read…

NEWS

Diamond magnate Sam Matekane takes over as Lesotho’s prime minister

Sam Matekane officially became Lesotho’s new prime minister on Friday, vowing to make the small southern African state “great again.” 64-year-old businessman formed his political party just 6 months before winning October elections.
Click here to read…

Burkina Faso: Apollinaire Kyélem de Tambèla, Captain Traoré’s surprise prime minister

A popular polemicist and convinced Sankarist without claiming it, Apollinaire Kyélem de Tambèla is known for his outspokenness and iconoclastic positions.
Click here to read…

US is now at Burkina Faso’s mercy in the Sahel region

There have been worries that Burkina Faso could follow the example of its neighbor Mali, which late last year hired mercenary fighters from the Russian Wagner organization to support its army’s efforts to combat Islamist insurgents.
Click here to read…

Burkina Faso not planning to hire Russia’s Wagner mercenaries like Mali

Burkina Faso’s interim President Ibrahim Traore has assured US diplomats that he has no intention of inviting mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group to fight militants in the country.
Click here to read…

US blames Russia’s Wagner Group for worsening security in Mali

Mali’s security situation has become “significantly worse” due to the ruling junta’s choices, including an alleged decision to partner with Wagner, a Russian private security firm, a senior US official said Wednesday.
Click here to read…

Sudan Islamists protest UN post-coup mediation, call for religious rule instead

Some 3,000 protesters in Khartoum on Saturday rejected UN mediation efforts between civilian and military leaders as “foreign interference” and called for religious rule in Sudan.
Click here to read…

US orders families of embassy employees to depart Nigeria due to heightened risk of terrorism

The State Department has ordered non-emergency US embassy employees and their family members in Abuja, Nigeria to leave the country “due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks there.”
Click here to read…

Arab League seeks new start for joint Arab action, says Algerian foreign minister

The Arab League is seeking a new start for joint Arab action and global developments should not affect the pursuit of solving Arab issues
Click here to read…

Senegal: NGOs urge Macky Sall to give up 3rd mandate

Several Senegalese organisations on Thursday urged President Macky Sall to dispel any doubts and openly declare that he would not run for his own succession in 2024, a candidacy they say could spread “chaos”.
Click here to read…

Ethiopia peace talks start in South Africa

The first formal peace talks aimed at ending two years of war between the Ethiopian army and forces from the country’s northern region of Tigray started in South Africa.
Click here to read…

Witnesses allege deadly abuses by Eritrean forces during Ethiopia peace talks

Even as Ethiopia’s warring sides attend their first formal peace talks in a devastating two-year conflict, witnesses in the country’s embattled Tigray region tell The Associated Press that forces from neighboring Eritrea are killing some civilians and looting as they and allied Ethiopian forces head for the regional capital.
Click here to read…

Western Sahara: Morocco Welcomes Adoption of Resolution 2654

Morocco welcomed on Thursday the adoption of Resolution 2654 by the Security Council, which renewed the mandate of peacekeeping operation MINURSO in Western Sahara to one year.
Click here to read…

Madagascar minister fired for voting against Russia’s Ukraine annexation

Madagascar’s president has fired his foreign affairs minister for voting at the United Nations to condemn Russian-organised referendums to annex four partially-occupied regions in Ukraine.
Click here to read…

Zimbabwe President Gets Ruling Party’s Backing for Another Term

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa secured his party’s backing to be its candidate in next year’s elections.
Click here to read…

Seychelles: President Ramkalawan Announced Members of the New Defence Forces Council

President Wavel Ramkalawan today announced and convened the first meeting of the Defence Forces Council, at State House. The new Council has been set up following the promotions and restructuring of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF).
Click here to read…

UN Security Council to receive report on Abyei region

The United Nations Security Council will on Thursday receive a briefing on the Secretary-General’s most recent report on the world body’s peacekeeping force in Abyei (UNISFA), covering the period from 15 April to 3 October.
Click here to read…

US Embassy issues demonstration alert for Port Louis, Mauritius, Oct. 29. Increased security likely.

The US Embassy in Port Louis issued a security alert Oct. 28, warning of a demonstration in the city Oct. 29. The purpose of the action is to demand justice for the killing of a local politician. Organizers plan protests at Place d’Armes, near Rogers House, from 14:00.
Click here to read…

Ramaphosa Criticizes US Over South Africa Terror Warning

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized the US for failing to discuss a terror alert issued by the American Embassy with local authorities.
Click here to read…

Uganda: Keep Private Sector Money Out of Politics, Govt Asked

Stakeholders have raised concern over the increased financing of politics by the private sector that they said in turn kills the public interest of service delivery.
Click here to read…

Rice shipment brings relief to shortage-hit Comoros

It’s late in the evening in the Comorian capital of Moroni but the city’s port is filled with eager faces. An 800-tonne rice shipment docked in the Indian Ocean archipelago and was offloaded on October 3.
Click here to read…

President of Guinea-Bissau visits Kyiv after trip to Moscow

President of Guinea-Bissau and Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Umaro Sissoco Embalo arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Click here to read…

French-Australian veterinarian kidnapped in Chad

Jérôme Hugonot, a conservationist with dual French and Australian citizenship, has been kidnapped in north-eastern Chad and a search and rescue mission is under way, the Chad government has said.
Click here to read…

Two car bombs set off outside education ministry in Somalia; 100 dead, says President

Two car bomb explosions outside Somalia’s education ministry in its capital Mogadishu on Saturday left at least 100 people dead and 300 injured
Click here to read…

DR Congo expels Rwandan ambassador as M23 rebels seize towns

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s government has ordered Rwandan Ambassador Vincent Karega to leave the country within 48 hours after accusing Kigali of supporting M23 rebels, who have seized two towns in the DRC’s east, raising tensions between the two countries.
Click here to read…

Burkina Violence Displaces 4,000 in Togo

More than 4,000 people have been displaced this year in northern Togo after the security climate worsened following jihadist attacks in neighboring Burkina Faso, the government said.
Click here to read…

Al-Qaeda Claims Deadly Attack In Burkina Faso

A powerful jihadist group has claimed responsibility for an attack Monday on an army base in northern Burkina Faso, adding it had also freed scores of prisoners in addition to killing 10 soldiers.
Click here to read…

Niger Lists 15 Anti-rebel Operations With French Forces

Nigerien and French forces staged 15 “joint operations” seizing arms and ammunition from jihadist insurgents along the African country’s volatile border with Mali from July to October, Niger’s army said Saturday.
Click here to read…

Saudi Fund for Development helps Comoros with $5m water project

A Saudi Fund for Development delegation laid the foundation stone for a $5 million water project in Moroni, Comoros.
Click here to read…

World Bank approves $275 million in development support for Zambia

The World Bank has approved US$275 million in assistance to help Zambia recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and deal with the fallout from the war in Ukraine.
Click here to read…

Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2022 to Examine Best Approaches for Angola to Achieve Fuel Self Sufficiency

The upcoming Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2022 conference and exhibition (https://bit.ly/3sButIz) which runs from November 29 – December 1, will explore the best approach Angola should implement to ensure fuel self-sufficiency.
Click here to read…

Guinea’s Colonel Doumbouya visits Sierra Leone

The leader of Guinea’s ruling junta, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, was greeted in Freetown during a visit to neighbouring Sierra Leone.
Click here to read…

Tanzanian President to visit China with focus on cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Samia Suluhu Hassan, president of the United Republic of Tanzania, will pay a state visit to China from November 2 to November 4.
Click here to read…

Turkey looks to sell armed drones to Libya

Ankara’s new deals with one of Libya’s rival premiers have inflamed the country’s internal rows, bringing the north African nation closer to acquiring armed drones.
Click here to read…

Burundi declares border with Rwanda open more than 5 years after closure

Burundi’s foreign affairs minister officially declared that the border between the East African country and Rwanda has been reopened.
Click here to read…

Tunisia could lose its World Cup spot weeks ahead of 2022 kick off

FIFA has sent a warning to the Tunisian Football Federation (TFF) stating that its participation at the World Cup could be threatened if government interference is found within the organisation
Click here to read…

Saudi, Algerian ministers discuss bilateral ties

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji met Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra in Algiers, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Click here to read…

Ivory Coast and Ghana join hands to destroy western chocolate industry and reclaim the cocoa throne

There is a famous saying that ‘God helps those who help themselves’. Two African countries have after years of exploitation decided to catch the devil by its horns in order to do something against the injustice being done to their farmers at the hands of the western multinational corporations.
Click here to read…

Gas, the new deal for Mauritania

In just a year, production is due to commence on the $4.8bn Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) liquefied natural gas platform. It will be operated by the British oil giant BP and Kosmos Energy of the US.
Click here to read…

Biden to visit Egypt, Cambodia and Indonesia for COP27, Nov summits

US President Joe Biden, as part of his North Africa and Asia visit, will attend the UN Climate Change Conference COP27 in Egypt and other November summits in Cambodia and Indonesia.
Click here to read…

Greenpeace accused of greenwashing Egypt’s image ahead of Cop27

Greenpeace has been accused by human rights defenders of “greenwashing” the Egyptian government’s image and discouraging other activists from forcefully raising the country’s abysmal human right record ahead of Cop27.
Click here to read…

Nearly 200 dead as Niger flooding death toll rises

Flooding caused by torrential rain in Niger has left 195 people dead and affected more than 322,000, an official toll showed on Saturday.
Click here to read…

INDIA IN AFRICA

India-COMESA Trade Council office opened

The launch was announced in a release on the first India – COMESA trade conference here on Thursday, an event in which Ambassadors of Ethiopia, Malawi, Djibouti, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Sudan participated.
Click here to read…

Jaishankar meets his UK, Ghana, UAE counterparts, discusses ways to boost bilateral ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday met his UK, Ghana, and UAE counterparts – James Cleverly, Shirley A Botchwey and Reem Al Hashimy respectively.
Click here to read…

MoS Muraleedharan underscores policy to deepen engagement with Africa

Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan underscored India’s policy to intensify and deepen its engagement with Africa at the Dakar Forum held in Senegal.
Click here to read…

India stands ready to support Africa on its developmental priorities: MoS V Muraleedharan

Mr Muraleedharan was on a two-day visit to Senegal from 24th of this month to participate in the 8th edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security. Click here to read…

Indian Navy’s Goa Maritime Symposium to commence from Monday

The fourth edition of the Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS) is being conducted by the Naval War College (NWC) at Goa from 31 October to 1 November 2022.
Click here to read…

India Takes Part in Maiden Trilateral Maritime Exercise With Mozambique And Tanzania

The 1st edition of India-Mozambique-Tanzania Trilateral Exercise between the navies of the respective countries commenced at Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania on Oct 27.
Click here to read…

Navy holds drill with Mozambique,Tanzania

The first edition of the India-Mozambique-Tanzania Trilateral Exercise (IMT TRILAT), a joint maritime exercise, concluded at Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam on Saturday.
Click here to read…

INS Tarangini Departs Djibouti

INS Tarangini visited Port of Djibouti from 23 to 25 October 2022 as part of Lokayan 2022. High level interactions were undertaken with Djibouti Coast Guard during stay. The ship was also open to visitors and a guided tour of ship was organised to help visitors understand the nuances of life onboard a ‘Tall Ship’.
Click here to read…

With India’s generous help, Morocco will be providing “green energy” to Europe

Indian business tycoon Gautam Adani is holding talks with the Moroccan government to develop its renewable energy projects which will be used to supply electricity and hydrogen to Europe.
Click here to read…

Exports to African and Latin American countries on the rise

Exports to African and Latin American countries have jumped in the first five months of the fiscal compensating to an extent diminished opportunities in the US and Europe because of a global slowdown.
Click here to read…

‘Global interest in India-modified M4’ — South African defence firm wants to manufacture in India

South African defence major, Paramount Group — which has a tie-up with India’s Kalyani Group for the joint production of M4 armoured vehicles for the Army here — wants to expand its Indian manufacturing presence to cater to its global clients.
Click here to read…

India’s G20 Presidency and the next phase of industrial growth

India will assume the Presidency of the Group of Twenty (or G20) for one year from 01 December 2022 to 30 November 2023 and this is expected to be a turning point for further deepening India’s global footprints.
Click here to read…

Bug diplomacy: Parasitoid from Africa’s Republic of Benin comes to aid of India’s tapioca

India is the number one producer of tapioca (fresh tubers) in the world with 35.0 tonnes/hectare as against the world average of 10.76 tonnes/hectare.
Click here to read…

EAM @DrSJaishankar Met FM of Ghana, Shirley A. Botchwey; Thanked Her for Participation in … – Latest Tweet by Prasar Bharati News Services

The latest Tweet by Prasar Bharati News Services states, ‘EAM @DrSJaishankar met FM of Ghana, Shirley A. Botchwey; thanked her for participation in UNSC special meeting.
Click here to read…

UNESCO-India-Africa Hackathon 2022 From November 22 For Students, Teachers; 23 Nations To Participate

The UNESCO India – Afrika Hackathon scheduled to be held between November 22 and 25, is an annual event that brings together students, educators, teachers and the research community of India.
Click here to read…

Why two Indians disappeared on a July night in Kenya

Two Indian tourists and their local driver disappeared in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on a July night. More than two months after the incident, nine policemen have been arrested in connection with the case, which India says it is “closely watching”.
Click here to read…

Deaths of Gambian children cast dark shadow over India’s drugs industry

The tragic demise of 66 children in the West African nation of Gambia as a result of the use of suspect cough remedies has brought into focus a dangerous aspect of India’s massive pharmaceutical industry.
Click here to read…

Airtel Africa profit after tax down 17.2% at $180 mn in Sept quarter

Airtel Africa’s revenue grew 12.7 percent on a reported basis and 18.5 percent in constant currency, to $1,308 million in Q2 September 2022.
Click here to read…

Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary Celebrations, Lusaka, Zambia

More than 8,800 visitors, including 1,500 students, from all over Zambia and Malawi, visited the seven-day Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary Celebrations organized by BAPS at the six-acre Pramukh Swami Nagar set up on the CPS Ground in the Kamwala area of Lusaka.
Click here to read…