Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent – news that matters.
COMMENTARY
Future of Post-Islamist India-Morocco Relations
In the parliamentary electionsof 8th September, Morocco’s long-ruling Islamists suffered a crushing defeat by the liberal parties. With just 12 seats, Islamist Justice and Development (PJD)Party finished much behind its main rivals, the National Rally of Independents (RNI) and the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), with 102 and 82 seats respectivelyin the 395-seat assembly. Morocco’s oldest party, The Istiqlal (Independence) also made a surprisingly remarkable comeback and added 32 more to its previous tally to reach 78 seats. Click here to read
NEWS
Mali marks 61st Independence Day celebration with military parade
Mali has marked its 61st anniversary of the country’s independence from France. The celebration however comes at a time of political uncertainty for the sahelian nation. Click here to read
Morocco’s PM-designate Akhannouch announces coalition government
Morocco’s designated Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch said on Wednesday that the three biggest winners of this month’s parliamentary had agreed to form a new cabinet. Click here to read
Egypt uses ‘radio diplomacy’ in Africa to influence Nile dam dispute
Amid the ongoing dispute over the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD), Egypt is working to expand its broadcasting system targeting Nile Basin countries to promote Egypt’s positions Click here to read
Tunisia’s Saied strengthens presidential powers in decrees
Tunisian President Kaïs Saied issued presidential decrees bolstering the already near-total power he granted himself two months ago. Click here to read
Sudan coup attempt has failed, government says
Sudan’s fragile political transition has been plunged into uncertainty after a reported coup attempt by soldiers loyal to the former autocrat Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019.Bashir himself came to power after a military coup in 1989. Click here to read
Beijing finds itself cornered by Africa as they cancel China-led projects
China is increasingly finding itself being cornered by African countries on investment-related matters with several of them cancelling their contracts with Chinese companies, according to a media report. Click here to read
Why Africa is sending more satellites into space
Africa’s space industry has been slow to take off, but it’s predicted to skyrocket in the next few years. Since the continent’s first satellite launched more than 20 years ago, 44 have been sent into orbit by 13 African countries, further 125 are being developed by 23 countries, all expected to launch before 2025. Click here to read
“Hotel Rwanda” Hero Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison On Terror Charges
Paul Rusesabagina, the “Hotel Rwanda” hero who became a fiercely outspoken government critic, was sentenced on Monday to 25 years in prison on terrorism charges after what his supporters labelled a politically motivated show trial. Click here to read
Somalis enjoy first public film screening in 30 years
Somalia has hosted its first public film-screening in 30 years – raising hopes of a cultural revival in the war-ravaged country.The theatre has been a suicide bomb target and a base for warlords. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58661531″ target=”_blank”>Click here to read
INDIA IN AFRICA
India upgrades its relationship with Algeria
India had a close relationship with Algeria way before its independence in 1962 when the diplomatic relationship was established. New Delhi supported and even hosted the Algerian Independence Movement represented by National Liberation Front (NLF). Click here to read
Coaches from Rae Bareli factory set to roll into Mozambique
Nearly eight years after its commissioning, the modern coach factory (MCF), Rae Bareli, will dispatch its first export quality train set to Mozambique by next month. Click here to read
Ghana President Akufo-Addo slams European nations for not recognizing India-made India-Africa
Ghana has termed as unfortunate the development in some countries in Europe of not recognising the Covishield vaccine manufactured in India for travellers, saying the use of vaccines as a tool for immigration control will be a truly retrogressive step. Click here to read
Ambassador Abhay Kumar meets young Malagasy diplomats who will get training in Delhi
India’s Ambassador to Madagascar Abhay Kumar met young diplomats from Madagascar who are joining the first special course for diplomats in the Indian Ocean Region at the Sushma Swaraj Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi starting September 20. Click here to read
India to train African students for UNESCO India-Africa science hackathon with AICTE
India in partnership with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) will train students from over 30 African countries for UNESCO India-Africa science hackathon, representative of India to UNESCO, Vishal V Sharma said on social media. Click here to read