US indicates it could intervene
in Sudan, imposes sanctions
June 1st, 4:40pm
(PressTV)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated
that the US could intervene in Sudan, where
rival factions are fighting for control of
the capital Khartoum.
Blinken said on Thursday that both sides in the conflict in
Sudan had violated their commitments to a US-brokered,
Saudi-backed ceasefire.
"We're also looking at steps that we can take to make clear
our views on any leaders who are moving Sudan in the
wrong direction, including by perpetuating the
violence and by violating ceasefires that
they've actually committed to," Blinken
said in a news conference in Oslo,
on Thursday.
The top US diplomat described the situation
in Sudan as "incredibly fragile."
Last month... Sudan's army and the paramilitary
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) agreed to the truce.
The two sides had agreed to the ceasefire through the
mediation of Saudi Arabia and the US on May 20th.
But since then they have violated it on
numerous occasions.
On Wednesday, the Sudanese army suspended its
participation in the Saudi-backed talks with the
RSF to end months of fighting.
Despite peace efforts, fighting continued unabated
in the African country, with the army and the RSF
trading blame over truce violations.
US imposes more sanctions on Sudan
Following Blinken’s statement, the White House
announced new economic and visa sanctions
against Sudanese leaders responsible for
breaking the ceasefire... and provoking
what it called "appalling" bloodshed.
"We are following through by levying economic
sanctions, imposing visa restrictions against
actors who are perpetuating the violence,"
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
said in a statement.
The US Treasury Department said it targeted two
companies linked to Sudan's army and two
companies tied to the RSF.
"We will not hesitate to take additional steps if the
parties continue to destroy their country," said a
senior US administration official, who briefed
reporters on condition of anonymity.
"The targeting of the companies is far from symbolic,"
the official said, adding that the measures are
intended to choke off the access of the
fighting groups to weapons and
resources that allow them to
perpetuate the conflict.
The ruling military council and the paramilitary Rapid
Support Forces have been engaged in clashes since
April 15.
The war in Sudan has forced nearly 1.4 million people
to flee their homes, including more than 350,000
who have crossed into neighboring countries.
More than six weeks into the conflict, the United
Nations estimated that more than half the
population requires aid and protection.
Leaders of the army and the RSF had held the top
positions on Sudan’s ruling council since former
leader Omar al-Bashir was toppled... during an
uprising in 2019.
_____________________________________
Senegal: Opposition Leader Sonko
Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison
June 1st (teleSUR)
Once convicted of "corruption of minors," Ousmane
Sonko will not be able to participate in the 2024
presidential elections.
On Thursday, Ousmane Sonko, the leader of the Senegalese
opposition, was convicted of corruption of minors after
being tried on May 23, for allegedly raping a young
masseuse. This verdict would disqualify him as
a candidate in the upcoming elections.
The Prosecutor's Office had requested a ten-year prison
sentence for rape against Sonko, or five years for
corruption of minors, and an additional year
for acts of threats and death.
The court's verdict also sentenced the owner of the beauty
salon where the alleged rape occurred, Ndèye Khady
Ndiaye, to two years in prison. She was charged
with incitement to debauchery, dissemination
of immoral images, and complicity in rape.
Sonko was acquitted of the charges of rape and death
threats that he had been accused of, and Ndiaye
was acquitted of complicity in rape.
This trial against the opposition leader took place
after a young masseuse named Adji Sarr
accused him, in early 2021,
of "repeated rape" and
"death threats."
Since then, the case has been generating controversy and
tensions in the country, with Sonko's supporters believing
that the judicial process aims to disqualify him as a
candidate for the presidential elections in
February 2024.
The verdict was announced amidst protests by his
supporters, while Sonko has been under house
arrest since Sunday, surrounded by law
enforcement forces.
This prosecution came after the opposition leader was
sentenced on May 8 to a six-month suspended prison
term for defamation and public insults... against a
Senegalese minister, accusing him of corruption.
Sonko's arrest in March 2021, when he was on his way to
appear in court for the masseuse case, surrounded by a
crowd of supporters, led to violent protests that
resulted in at least fourteen deaths, twelve of
them from gunfire.
Known for his anti-system rhetoric, the opposition leader
criticizes misgovernance, corruption, and French
neocolonialism, and he has many followers
among the Senegalese youth.
_________________________________________
Ghana Committed to Boost
Sustainable Ocean Economy
June 1st (teleSUR)
On Wednesday, during a two-day National Blue Economy
Summit, the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa
Akufo-Addo, expressed his country’s commitment
to fostering a sustainable blue economy that
would advance the wellbeing of all
Ghanaian citizens.
Akufo-Addo emphasized the significance of the ocean as a
potential catalyst for facilitating the development of West
African countries and enhancing the well-being of
its people.
According to Akufo-Addo, in order to ensure the
sustainability of the ocean economy, the
government has instituted measures
such as policy formulation and
program development.
"As part of the process.... we have initiated the national
integrated maritime strategy to allow us to chart viable
courses to address maritime threats, conservation and
the management of marine resources, to generate
a substantial national income and ultimately
improve the living standards of our
people," Akufo-Addo said.
The president also highlighted that despite a surge in private
investment during the previous decade, too little capital is
destined towards the blue economy; and emphasized the
imperative need of ensuring a higher influx of
investments into this emerging sector.
Akufo-Addo referred that the maritime industry and projects
with marine-based projects can strongly benefit from the
implementation of public-private partnerships,
which can attract significant amounts of
private investment.
The summit, which focused on the theme of "our ocean's
health, our prosperity, our planet's security", was
organized through a joint collaboration between
the Ghanaian government's sustainable
development goals advisory unit and
the United Nations Development
Program; and both local and
international stakeholders
participated in the event.
_________________________
BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting
...kicks off in South Africa
June 1st, 3:47pm (TASS)
The meeting of the top diplomats of BRICS (Brazil, Russia,
Indian, China and South Africa) kicked off in western
Cape Town, on Thursday.
"The current meeting aims to lay the basis for the new phase
of BRICS’ development, to strengthen the alliance’s position
as one of the most powerful forces in the system of
international relations," a South African diplomat
told TASS.
"The sides are expected to make a number of important
decisions... concerning the further development
of BRICS."
The diplomat also did not rule out that the sides will
consider the concept of BRICS expansion and the
criteria for the admission of new members.
The BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting is chaired by South
African Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor. Top Russian
diplomat Sergey Lavrov, arrived in South Africa
to take part in the meeting.
The ‘Friends of BRICS’ or ‘BRICS Plus’ meeting will take place
on June 2nd. Top diplomats of BRICS countries and another
15 countries of the Global South, including those countries
seeking to join the organization, will take part in it.
Brazil, Russia, India and China founded BRICS in 2006.
South Africa joined the organization in 2011, thus
turning it into BRICS.
_____________________________________
Sudanese Army Suspends
Ceasefire Talks With
Rebel Forces
May 31st (teleSUR)
On Wednesday, the Sudanese army delegation
suspended its participation in ongoing
negotiations with the paramilitary
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in
the port city of Jeddah.
The suspension was not a withdrawal from the
negotiations, but an expression of the army's
rejection of the continued violations by the
RSF of a short-term ceasefire agreement.
According to the Sudanese authorities ----- the RSF
has not fulfilled its commitments to withdrawing
from civilian areas, including hospitals
and neighbourhoods.
The Sudanese army and the RSF agreed to extend
a week-long ceasefire agreement by five days
before it was due to expire on Monday.
Nevertheless, eyewitnesses reported clashes on
Wednesday morning in Al-Mohandiseen district
in Omdurman, west of the capital, Khartoum.
The army closed the Al-Fatihab bridge
linking Khartoum and Omdurman,
while warplanes were flying
over the area.
The RSF accused the Sudanese army of violating
the truce, saying that "the army bombarded our
positions in Khartoum."
Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes
between the army and the RSF in the capital
Khartoum and other areas since April 15.
Over 800 people have been killed, and
nearly 1.4 million people have been
forced to leave their homes since
the conflict began.
______________________________________
Russia, Eritrea plan to sign
cooperation agreements
— Putin
May 31st, 1:46pm (TASS)
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the
governments of Russia and Eritrea plan to sign a
number of cooperation agreements.
The head of the Russian state sees an opportunity
to develop trade and economic ties between the
two countries.
"Of course, we must first of all pay attention to the
development of trade and economic ties, here we
have good prospects in many areas," Putin said
at a meeting with Eritrean President Isaias
Afwerki, at the Kremlin, on Wednesday.
"We have a number of intergovernmental agreements to sign
on the agenda. I hope that our colleagues have made all the
preparations and we will be able to do it," the Russian
leader said.
"I am sure that our talks today will be successful and
will benefit the development of relations between
the Russian Federation and Eritrea,"
Putin stressed.
The Russian President said he was glad to see the head
of Eritrea in Moscow.. this being his first official visit to
Russia. Putin drew attention to the fact that the recent
30th anniversary of Eritrea's independence coincides
with the date of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the two countries.
Putin thanked Afwerki for the fact that under his
leadership, "relations between the countries
are developing and strengthening."
Afwerki is the first and so far only president of Eritrea.
According to Putin, the two countries are
developing ties in the political sphere.
"We are cooperating.. at the United Nations site. Our
relations in the humanitarian sphere are developing
quite well, dozens of students from Eritrea have
already received education... in the Russian
Federation, and this process continues,"
the Russian leader noted.
He also recalled that this summer Russia will hold
the second Russia-Africa summit, to which the
President of Eritrea has also been invited.
The trade turnover between Russia and Eritrea in 2022
amounted to $13.5 mln, including $11.5 mln from
wheat exports, according to materials for the
talks between Russian President Vladimir
Putin and Eritrean President Isaias
Afwerki, in the Kremlin,
on Wednesday.
"The trade turnover between Russia and Eritrea in 2022
amounted to $13.521 mln (exports: $12.745 mln,
including $11.5 mln - wheat (27,500 tons);
imports: $776,000)," the statement said.
In 2021, the trade turnover between the two countries
amounted to $9.314 mln. Exports of wheat amounted
to $8.125 mln, oil products - $175,000, sulfates -
$888,000. At the same time, imports of ready-
made clothes reached $126,000.
According to the statement, Eritrea is also interested
in strengthening ties with Ural Automobile Plant and
Kamaz. In 2018, Kamaz delivered 56 cars and
5 buses valued around $5 mln to Eritrea.
________________________________________
African countries need security
assistance, not sanctions —
Russian envoy to UN
May 31st, 12:46am (TASS)
African countries require assistance in overcoming the
existing security problems, not sanctions that are
directed against them, Russian Permanent
Representative to the United Nations
Vasily Nebenzya said.
During a session of the UN Security Council on Tuesday,
members voted to approve a US-backed resolution to
extend sanctions against South Sudan.
Russia abstained.
"Russia abstained on the draft resolution on renewal of South
Sudan’s sanctions regime that was put forward by the United
States. We believe the document does not provide sufficient
sanctions relief," Nebenzya said.
"We regret that the American sponsors of the resolution
remained so fixated on the sanctions paradigm that
they were not able to accommodate the needs of
this young state ...as far as revisiting the arms
embargo or at least to convene a constructive
discussion of the key provisions of the draft
and concrete proposals for amendment of
those provisions," he continued.
In the Russian envoy’s words, the US-backed draft ignored
the consolidated position of African states, as well as the
approaches of some other Security Council members,
including Russia.
"At this point, South Sudan needs assistance in strengthening
its emerging armed forces that may become an effective
solution to the problem of inter-communal violence and
a guarantor of a successful vote that is planned for
December 2024," he said.
"We believe it would be unfair to cite the alarming situation
in neighboring Sudan as a pretext for the lack of tangible
progress on the South Sudanese sanctions file."
The Russian diplomat went on to say that the system of
sanctions regimes on the African continent has become
outdated in many respects, and therefore needs to be
revisited and reformed.
"What raises particular concern is that in many African
states, South Sudan included, Western states use
sanctions regimes in order to exert pressure or
even interfere in internal affairs," Nebenzya
told the UN Security Council.
"This is supplemented by illegal unilateral restrictive
measures that run counter to the international law -
and exacerbate socio-economic situations in these
countries. They also undermine efforts (i.e. by the
Security Council) -- in the area of peacebuilding."
The Russian delegation proposed to include in the resolution
a paragraph to recognize the detrimental effect of such
measures on post-conflict recovery, and also a call to
keep from using such measures against countries
that are under the UNSC sanctions. However, this
"constructive language" was turned down by
the United States, the Russian envoy said.
________________________________________
Lavrov advised the US Ambassador
to South Africa: to know his place
and stay out of other people's
business
May 31st, 12pm
(Izvestia.ru)
If the US Ambassador to South Africa thought something was
wrong, then he should "know his place" and not meddle in
other people's affairs, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov said, commenting on the words of US
Ambassador Ruben Brigeti, about the
alleged South African arms
supplies to Russia.
The Minister noted that the countries build interstate
relations in full compliance with the norms and
principles of international law.
"If an American or any other overseas or transatlantic
ambassador.. thinks something is wrong, then you
should, in general, know your place and stay out
of other people's business," Lavrov said at a
press conference following a meeting with
the President of Mozambique on May 31.
The Foreign Minister also stressed, that if we talk about the
issue of arms supplies, the Russian side has never violated
international norms, while Western countries do. According
to the minister, declaring neutrality in relation to the events
in Ukraine, the collective West is pumping the country with
a huge amount of modern long-range and unsafe weapons,
including depleted uranium shells.
Lavrov advised American diplomats to take care of
their own image, in the eyes of the foreign public.
The Russian Foreign Minister arrived in Mozambique on May
30. He held talks with Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi
and Deputy Foreign Minister Manuel Jose Goncalves. This
is the third country that Lavrov visited as part of another
tour of the African continent ahead of the Russia – Africa
summit in St. Petersburg. The Minister has previously
visited Burundi and Kenya, where he held meetings
with the leaders of the two countries.
On May 12th, US Ambassador to South Africa Ruben Brigeti
said during a briefing that in December, weapons and
ammunition were loaded on board the Russian ship
Lady R at the South African base in Simonstown.
The South African Presidential Administration pointed out
that such statements undermine the partnership
between the Republic of South Africa and
the United States.
Later, the ambassador was summoned to the country's
Foreign Ministry. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
South Africa expressed dissatisfaction with his
behaviour. Brigeti, in turn, admitted that he
crossed the line, and was forced
to apologize.
In July 2022, Lavrov pointed out that Russia's relations
with African countries are based on time-tested "ties
of friendship and cooperation." He said that the
development of a comprehensive partnership
with African countries --- remains one of
the important priorities of Russia's
foreign policy.
Since February 24, 2022, Russia has been conducting
a special operation to protect the Donbass, whose
residents refused to recognize the results of the
2014 coup d'etat in Ukraine. The decision to
hold it was made.. against the background
..of the aggravation of the situation in
the region, due to shelling by
Ukrainian troops.
_____________________________________
AU Expanded Mechanism on
Sudan meets in Ethiopia
by Luis Linares Petrov
May 31st, 8:47am
(Prensa Latina)
The Third Meeting of the Expanded Mechanism on the
Sudan Crisis was convened by the president of the
African Union Commission, Moussa Faki
Mahamat, on Wednesday.
The event brings together representatives of the Trilateral
Mechanism (AU, Intergovernmental Authority on
Development -IGAD-, the United Nations), the
League of Arab States, the European Union,
and the permanent members of the UN
Security Council ---- including
representatives of Africa,
according to a statement.
Sudan’s neighbouring countries (Central African Republic,
Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya and South Sudan)
are also participating, as well as those designated
by the IGAD to confront the warring parties
(South Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti), and
Comoros, as president of the AU.
The Quad group, made up of the United States, the United
Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,
plus Germany and Qatar, is also attending the
meeting -- which aims to discuss the next
steps regarding the crisis, including the
implementation of the African Union
Roadmap for conflict resolution, in
close collaboration with Sudanese
interested parties.
The organization strongly condemned the ongoing brutal
and unjustified clashes between the Sudanese Armed
Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which have
resulted in the indiscriminate killing of civilians
and rampant destruction of infrastructure,
and have caused an unprecedented
humanitarian crisis and serious
violations of International
Humanitarian Law and
Human Rights.
The AU warned that there can be no military solution to the
conflict, and demanded the resumption of the political
transition process that will end in elections to
establish a democratic government led by
civilians. It strongly rejected all forms
of foreign interference in Sudan.
The statement revealed that the president of the African
Union Commission will send emissaries to Sudan’s
neighboring States as part of his efforts to
strengthen the search for a common
approach to find a sustainable
solution to the multi-layered
crisis in Sudan.
_____________________________
Russia to send fertilizers
to Nigeria for free - Lavrov
May 30th, 5:42pm (TASS)
Moscow.. intends to deliver a shipment of Russian fertilizers
to Nigeria free of charge in the near future, Russian Foreign
Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said on Tuesday at a press
conference, following his visit to Burundi.
"Last September, President Putin announced that we were
ready to deliver 300,000 tons of our fertilizers -- illegally
seized in EU ports, to African countries free of charge.
''Fully in line with colonial practices and habits, the EU
leadership blocked this initiative. It took us 6 months
to get at least the first shipment of 20,000 tons to
Malawi, and just recently another shipment of a
similar amount of fertilizer was delivered to
Kenya. The same shipment is scheduled
to go to Nigeria, soon," he said.
All of this comes at the cost of enormous efforts by the World
Food Program and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, to
"overcome the openly Russophobic position of EU members
who oppose any initiatives that in one way or another will
help developing countries, if such assistance is
provided by the Russian side."
_________________________________
Africa’s ideas on Ukraine to be viewed in
context of West-Russia confrontation
— Lavrov
May 30th, 2:45pm (TASS)
African countries’ proposals on the settlement of the
Ukrainian crisis should be considered in the context
of the confrontation between the West and Russia,
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said,
on Tuesday.
"We understand that in this context the ideas voiced by
countries of the global majority, including by African
countries ------ that they would like to make a
contribution to the efforts toward finding
ways to settle this situation, and they
are sincere in this, wanting to help
in some way," he said after talks
with his counterpart from
Burundi, Albert Shingiro.
"We value such approaches, but these ideas and initiatives
should be considered... in the context of the geopolitical
confrontation the West has ventured against Russia
and China, as was proclaimed in the recent
Group of Seven documents."
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on May 16 that
Russian and Ukrainian authorities had agreed to receive an
African delegation to try to find ways to peacefully settle
the conflict. He spoke on behalf of six African nations,
namely Egypt, Zambia, the Republic of the Congo,
Senegal, Uganda, and South Africa.
Consultations are currently underway to agree on the
schedule of the trip. A peace mission... is expected
to visit Moscow and Kiev... before the Russia-Africa
summit in St. Petersburg in the second half of July.
___________________________________________
South Africa guarantees immunity
for participants in June meeting
and August BRICS summit
May 30th, 9:14am (TASS)
South Africa's Department of International Relations and
Cooperation, has guaranteed diplomatic immunity
to participants in the BRICS Foreign Ministers
meeting, to be held in Cape Town, on June
1st-2nd & the BRICS summit to be held in
Johannesburg... from August 22nd-24th,
according to a document, published on
the South African government website.
"On 29th May 2023, the Department of International Relations
and Cooperation issued a notice in the government gazette
on Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges ..for the upcoming
BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting in Cape Town and BRICS
Summit to be held in Johannesburg in August. This is a
standard conferment of immunities that we do for all
international conferences and summits held in
South Africa, irrespective of the level of
participation. The immunities are for
the conference and not for specific
individuals," the document said.
The South African authorities justified their decision by the
provisions of the 1946 Convention.. on the Privileges and
Immunities of the UN --- and the 1947 Convention on the
Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies,
adopted by a resolution of the UN General Assembly.
On May 26th, a source told TASS that Russia did
not intend to withdraw from the BRICS summit.
______________________________________________
Heavy clashes continue in Sudan
as UN warns of starvation
May 29th, 5:18pm
(PressTV)
Heavy clashes have been reported in Sudan's capital,
Khartoum, hours before a shaky ceasefire between
the warring sides expires as the United Nations
warns of starvation in the crisis-hit country.
On Monday, residents reported they had heard sustained
clashes from Sunday into Monday, in the south and west
of Omdurman, 1 of three adjoining cities that make up
Sudan's greater capital. Moreover... residents across
the River Nile in southern Khartoum, also reported
clashes, late on Sunday.
Sudan's ruling military council, which has the full support of
the army, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF),
a rebellious group, have been locked in a power struggle
that erupted into conflict on April 15, claiming the lives
of hundreds and driving nearly 1.4 million people from
their homes.
Both sides have announced they are considering extending
the week-long ceasefire brokered by Saudi Arabia and the
US that had brought some respite from the conflict.
The truce, which was designed in an attempt to allow the
distribution of aid, is due to expire at 9.45 p.m. (19:45
GMT) local time on Monday.
"Since yesterday evening there has been bombardment with
all types of weapons between the army and the Rapid
Support. We're in a state of great fear. Where's the
truce?" said Hassan Othman, a 55-year-old
resident of Omdurman.
The ceasefire, however, was repeatedly violated by both
sides, impeding the delivery of humanitarian access
and the restoration of essential services.
According to figures of the ministry of health, more than 700
people have lost their lives across the country so far. The
real death toll, however, is likely much higher.
Shortly after the outbreak of clashes in mid-April, the military
council, headed by Army chief General Abdel Fattah al-
Burhan, declared dissolution of the RSF, which is led
by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known
as Hemedti.
The RSF is a former militia, that was due to merge with the
army and whose leaders shared power in a ruling military
council. Its current leader, Hemedti, has played a
prominent role in the turbulent politics for 10
years, helping topple then President Omar
al-Bashir in 2019, and later, quashing
protests by those Sudanese,
seeking democracy.
The RSF was created in 2013 and its planned integration into
the regular army was a key element of talks to finalize a deal
that was hoped to restore Sudan's civilian transition and end
the politico-economic crisis sparked by the military's 2021
coup by Burhan and Daglo in the post-Bashir era.
During the past weeks, factories, offices, homes and banks
have been looted or destroyed in Khartoum. Power, water
and telecommunications are often cut, and there are
acute shortages of medicines & medical equipment.
Food supplies have also been running low in the capital.
Meanwhile, two UN agencies, namely the World Food Program
and the Food and Agriculture Organization, warned of rising
food emergencies, including starvation, in Sudan, due to
the civil war.
They called for urgent attention to save both lives and jobs in
Sudan, as there are communities already facing or projected
to face starvation or otherwise ----- risk a slide “toward
catastrophic conditions.”
The UN agencies in their report also warned of a possible
spillover of the conflict. They warned one million people
are expected to flee the country. They also said an
additional 2.5 million inside Sudan will face acute
hunger in the coming months as supply routes
through Port Sudan are disrupted by
safety issues.
The fighting has stoked fears of a prolonged conflict that
could plunge the country into deeper chaos, dashing
long-held hopes for a transition to a civilian-
led democracy.
The UN, the Arab League and many countries in the world
have already urged the opposing sides to show restraint
and engage in dialogue - to end the hostilities.
______________________________________________
US revoked visa of the Speaker
of Uganda's Parliament, after
adoption of the law against
LGBT people
May 29th, 3:56pm
The US canceled the US visa of Ugandan Parliament
Speaker Anita Annette Among after the country
passed a law on combating homosexuality,
the Daily Monitor newspaper reports,
citing MP and initiator of the law,
Asuman Basalirwa.
He noted that " the current visa of the speaker has been
canceled, which was confirmed by a corresponding
letter sent by e-mail."
Basalirwa called among the "first victim"
of Washington's sanctions.
Earlier, the world Court in Moscow fined the US corporation
Google --- 3 million rubles for not removing fakes... about a
special operation and content with LGBT propaganda.
_______________________________________________________
Uralchem-Uralkali’s humanitarian
shipment ---- reaches Kenya
May 29th, 4:04pm (TASS)
Uralchem-Uralkali’s consignment of 34,000 tons of
fertilizers has reached Kenya, Uralchem said in a
statement on Monday.
"Uralchem-Uralkali Group announces that its consignment
of 34,000 tons of fertilizers for Kenya, has reached the
country’s port of Mombasa. The shipment, comprising
potash, urea & NPKS, is currently being unloaded,"
the statement reads.
This is the group’s second donation in a series of shipments
of its fertilizers from the ports and warehouses in the EU to
developing countries that face food insecurity. The
previous humanitarian delivery leaving from an
EU port, comprised 20,000 tons of complex
fertilizers and was officially handed over
to Malawi, in early March.
Both shipments were facilitated by the United Nations’ World
Food Program (WFP) that chartered vessels to transport the
fertilizers. In turn, the group covered the sea freight and
other delivery costs.
Uralchem-Uralkali is committed to donating a total of
approximately 300,000 tons of mineral fertilizers
to developing nations.
Earlier, Uralchem said that another batch was planned to be
delivered to Nigeria. Moreover, the company may supply the
humanitarian batch of 55,000 tons of fertilizers to Sri Lanka.
_____________________________________
Russia Sends 30,000 Tons
of Free Fertilizer to Kenya
May 29th, 1:07pm
(teleSUR)
On Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov announced
that Russia has shipped 30,000 tons of grain to Kenya as the
recently extended Black Sea grain deal "doesn't work."
"In a matter of days, a cargo of 30,000 tons of fertilizers wil
l arrive at the port of Mombasa," he said, adding that
this cargo will have "great importance" for
Kenyan agriculture.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised free grain
and fertilizer to African countries if the agreement brokered
by Turkey and the United Nations is not extended.
Regarding the Black Sea grain agreement, Lavrov stressed
that everything currently seems to indicate that the deal
does not and will not work.
"The Russia-UN memorandum is not fulfilled. The process is
progressing very slowly. We cannot but assess the actions
of the European Union and its members as open sabotage
of the goals set in the field of food security," Lavrov said.
Although Moscow has possibilities to supply its production
outside the memorandum, Lavrov insisted that, if the UN
were to comply with the stipulations of the agreement,
"its impact on the food and fertilizer market would be
much more positive."
To date, 30 million tons of agricultural products such as corn
and wheat have been exported under the agreement, with
China and Spain, as the main recipients.
___________________________________
Kenyan president briefed on details of
Russia’s approach to Ukrainian crisis
— Lavrov
May 29th, 12:40pm (TASS)
The Russian side briefed Kenyan President William Ruto
on what exactly it is doing with regard to the situation
in Ukraine, and Nairobi was receptive to this
information, Russian Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
"We exchanged views.. on the situation on the European
continent. In this context, President Ruto considered
what is happening around Ukraine, as well. We
informed him about what we think about the
situation, something that developed as a
result of the West’s policy of creating
direct threats to Russia’s security
- pandering to the Kiev regime
- destroying everything
Russian ---- our entire
common history ----
and discriminating..
against the Russian
-speaking Ukrainian
nationals," he said.
"I think that our partners understand, at least,
they showed gratitude... for a thorough
conversation on this topic."
Lavrov arrived in the Kenyan capital city Nairobi
on Monday. The program of his visit, includes
talks with the country’s political leadership.
Lavrov’s previous visit to Kenya, took
place in 2010.
Earlier this year, the top Russian diplomat carried out
two African tours. In January, he visited South Africa,
Eswatini, Angola, and Eritrea. In February, he visited
Mali, Mauritania, and Sudan. According to Russian
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova,
Lavrov is scheduled... to take part in a BRICS
(Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa)
ministerial meeting in Cape Town from
June the 1st, to the 2nd.
____________________________
CAR interested in placing Russian
military base on its territory,
says envoy to Moscow
May 29th, 6:26am (TASS)
The Central African Republic (CAR) would like to place a
Russian military base on its territory, CAR Ambassador
to Russia, Leon Dodonou-Pounagaza, said.
"Now, we need a Russian military base with 5,000 to 10,000
soldiers. At the same time they could be deployed to other
countries... if necessary. We have asked for this. When
[President of the National Assembly of the Central
African Republic Simplis] Sarangi came to the
Russian Federation, he reiterated, that we
need it," the ambassador told Izvestiya
on Monday.
According to him, there are still threats to security in the
Central African Republic. The envoy pointed out that
there are people with weapons, among the
refugees from Sudan.
He added that, in his opinion, military cooperation
with Moscow should continue, even though it
displeases some countries.
___________________________________________
Over 100 killed as attacks on
Nigerian villages continue
May 28th, 6pm
(RT.com)
Locals are demanding action from the government,
insisting that a show of force will stop the violence.
Over 100 people have been killed in central Nigeria
in recent weeks as militants terrorize farmers and
victims despair... of help from the government.
On Thursday, 250 villagers led by Christian church
leaders... marched through the city of Jos,
demanding action from the authorities.
“It is disheartening to see innocent citizens being killed
and their properties destroyed in such a gruesome
manner,” Daniel Okoh, president of the Christian
Association of Nigeria, said in a statement.
Several residents told RT that the government’s failure to
publicly hold the militants accountable for their crimes
was emboldening the attackers, explaining that it was
important to send the message that no one is above
the law. “Once justice is dispensed, these attacks
will stop,” a resident of Jos predicted.
_______________________________________
Nigerian president celebrates
"peaceful transition of power"
May 28th, 3:50pm
(africanews)
Nigeria's outgoing president, Muhammadu Buhari, celebrated
a "peaceful transition of power" to the new administration
of president-elect Bola Tinubu.
In his last address to the nation on Sunday, Buhari
defended his record in office after two mandates.
"I feel fulfilled that we have started the Nigeria rebirth by
taking the initial critical steps and I am convinced the
incoming administration will quicken the pace of this
work to see a Nigeria that fulfils its destiny to be a
great nation".
"I am confident that I am leaving office with Nigeria better
in 2023 than in 2015", concluded Muhammadu Buhari,
outgoing president of Nigeria.
The new president, Bola Tinubu, is set to be sworn in on
Monday, as the country faces economic troubles and a
worsening security situation.
___________________________________________
Permaculture opens
new opportunities
for Tunisian farmers
May 28th, 11:51am
(africanews)
Tunisian farmer Saber Zouani is proud of what he
has achieved. After losing his job in the tourism
sector during the pandemic - he decided to try
something new & began a permaculture farm.
Since then he has become self-sufficient and is now
even making an income for his family, selling the
excess produce.
Permaculture is an alternative to industrial farming
that uses less water and avoids chemicals
and pesticides.
"I use 30,000 litres (of water) a day for my needs. I found
a solution with the permaculture technique to use
15,000 litres per day for one hectare --- for my
vegetable garden, my crops... and even for
my trees", said permaculture farmer
Saber Zouani.
Zouani started off more than two years ago with the help of
the Tunisian Association of Permaculture, which gave him
initial training, as well as financial support for the
basic equipment.
"Whether it's water stress, or the war in Ukraine and
elsewhere. For us, all this, is an opportunity to high
light the solutions offered by different agricultural
systems, agro-ecology & permaculture. Because,
with these techniques, the first thing to do
before planting a tree is to plant water.
And how do you plant water? It's the
drop that falls in the form of rain,
and which.. certainly shouldn't
be left in nature unmanaged",
said Rim Mathlouthi, the
President of Tunisia's
Perma-culture
Association.
Many hope permaculture, will help Tunisia weather the
impacts of climate change and wean it off its reliance
on global supply chains, including grain and fertiliser
imports from Ukraine and Russia.
For local customers, the advantage is that
they know the origin of the products.
"I'm there and I see the products. The privilege is that he
(the permaculture farmer) explains to me what I'm going
to put on my plate, and I think that's great", said Salem
Laghouati, a consumer of permaculture products.
An unprecedented drought has left the Tunisian countryside
parched and water reservoirs are at dangerously low levels
this spring.
______________________________
Egypt announces ------ new
archaeological discoveries
May 28th, 11:50am
(africanews)
Archaeologists in Egypt have announced new
discoveries at the Saqqara necropolis,
south of Cairo.
The new discoveries include two human and animal
embalming workshops as well as the tombs of
two priests.
"We found two big workshops, one for humans and then
one used in mummifying animals, while the second
workshop is for humans only, we found also, beds,
mummification tools, and materials".
"During the excavation we also found a tomb that belonged
to Ne Hesut Ba, a priest who served in the fifth dynasty of
the old kingdom --- 4,500 years ago", announced Mostafa
Waziri, head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.
Recently, Egypt has unveiled a string
of major archaeological discoveries.
The discoveries have been a key component of Egypt's
attempts to revive its vital tourism industry.
"This is the first time we discovered embalming workshops
associated with the temples, all the previous embalming
workshops... were related to Apis in Memphis (part of
Giza governorate now, Ed.), that means... it is an
important discovery, to have found embalming
workshops here in Saqqara", said Mohamed
Youssef, director of the Saqqara
archaeological site.
The site director added:
"We also found many statues representing the masterpieces
of the art in the old kingdom which date back 4,500 years,
and we also discovered antiquities, and pieces dating
back 3,300 years, that represent the new kingdom,
plus some jewellery and accessories. Also we
found cheese made by te ancient Egyptians
--- who used to store it in pottery jars and
put it behind the dead".
Egypt aims to draw in 30 million tourists a year by 2028,
up from 13 million, before the Covid pandemic.
The crowning jewel of the government's strategy is the
long-delayed inauguration of the Grand Egyptian
Museum, at the foot of the pyramids in Giza.
_________________________________
Fighting in Sudan leaves
banking sector in limbo
May 28th, 8:55am
(africanews)
The conflict in Sudan has thrown
the banking sector into chaos.
Many Sudanese have been locked out of their savings
as the seven day ceasefire agreed last week....
approaches the end.
"Previously, it was very difficult to transfer money, and
it has become worse --- after the fighting broke out",
complained a resident in Madani, who opted to
remain anonymous.
Fighting between Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-
Burhan and former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo,
who commands the powerful paramilitary Rapid
Support Forces, has brought the country's
financial system to a standstill.
"Regarding the events in the past period, a large number of
people have fled Khartoum to Madani, due to the war, and
all Western Union services were suspended for 21 days",
said Abu Dharr Hasan, an employee at a money
transfer office.
"We would show people that Western Union services are
suspended during the early days [of the battles, Ed.].
Afterwards, they adopted the policy of safe zones,
that is, cities in which no problems [battles, Ed.]
occurred. So, they started pumping money and
people began to get out, & people understood
as everybody is aware of the situation in the
country", concluded the office employee.
Elsewhere, United Nations Secretary-General António
Guterres has re-affirmed his full confidence in UN
special envoy Volker Perthes after a request
from General al-Burhan ----- for him to be
removed from the post.
________________________________________
Russia ready to launch Togliatti-
Odessa ammonia pipeline
amid Kiev’s reluctance
— diplomat
May 27th, 2:19am (TASS)
Moscow is ready to relaunch the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia
pipeline in mere days, but Kiev has been resisting this for
almost a year under contrived pretexts, Russian Foreign
Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, in a
commentary published on Friday.
"Russia is ready to launch the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia
pipeline without delay, in mere days, while Kiev has
been blocking this for almost a year, setting forth
more conditions," she said, stressing that the
Ukrainian side, is not interested in ammonia
supplies to Africa, which it urgently needs.
According to the diplomat, the Black Sea grain initiative
---- is "being implemented with serious imbalances."
"Most of Ukrainian grain exported since last August,
over 30 mln tons, was directed to prosperous
developed countries ---- above all, to EU
countries. And only 2.5% went to the
neediest African countries with the
assistance of the UN World Food
Program," she pointed out.
That said, Zakharova noted that Russia "is ready for an open
and honest conversation with everyone, above all, with our
African friends --- about the true causes and culprits that
created the situation fraught with a threat of famine
to Africa.".
_________________________________________
AU Peace and Security Council
assesses de-escalation
in Sudan
by Ana Luisa Brown
May 27th, 12:42pm
(Prensa Latina)
Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU)
Peace and Security Council gathered to consider an
organization's call for a de-escalation plan to put
an end to the bloody conflict in Sudan.
AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security,
Bankole Adeoye, told the Ethiopia News Agency that
they are committed --- to continue working in
coordination with partners in an expanded
mechanism and to promote the factors
that silence arms in Khartoum.
A council session held Saturday led by Ugandan President
Yoweri Musevini and Adeoye, which was attended by AU
Commission Chairperson Faki Moussa Mahamat and
Intergovernmental Authority on Development
(IGAD) Executive Secretary Workneh
Gebeyehu, focused on the issue.
Musevini wrote on his Twitter account that Sudan does
not belong to the army, but to the people, therefore,
the unconditional and immediate cessation of
hostilities to stop the tragedy in Africa, is
of great importance.
Gebeyehu revealed on the same social network that
‘I briefed on the IGAD Assembly’s commitment
towards a peaceful resolution of the Sudan
crisis, and our collaboration with the AU,
UN and other partners to support the
Sudanese people’s aspirations for
peace and stability’.
Mahamat, in turn, said the warring parties in Sudan must
immediately cease fire, allow humanitarian action, an
inclusive political transition and civilian-led
democratic governance, while speaking
online at the session.
__________________________________
Pan-African union of ex-USSR
college alumni associations
to expand - chair
May 27th, 12:22am (TASS)
The Pan-African union of associations of graduates from the
universities of the former Soviet Union founded in 2017 will
expand, its chair, Mohamed Faqiri, told TASS.
Faqiri... who also chairs the Moroccan association of the
alumni of the former Soviet universities, is participating
in the first forum of such associations, held in Rabat.
He said that since the Pan-African union of associations
was founded, "many things happened - the coronavirus
pandemic, geopolitical changes. During this time, we
managed to complete legal procedures and register
our Pan-African union. It is recognized by the
Moroccan authorities, and this helps us
to proceed," Faqiri noted.
"We maintain ties with 40 alumni associations of Soviet and
Russian universities in African countries that are not in our
Pan-African union. And we plan to expand our ranks. In
order to do so, we need to work hard and, of course,
we need the support of African governments and
Russia," he stressed.
Faqiri emphasized that the Moroccan association brings
together the older generation as well as young people
who had just recently graduated from Russian,
Ukrainian and Belarusian universities.
"The goal of this forum is to shape proposals and
recommendations for the African governments
and Russian authorities," he concluded.
______________________________________
Russia willing to support Somali
effort against Islamists
by Ana Luisa Brown
May 27th, 11:33am
(Prensa Latina)
Russia reportedly expressed its willingness to support
Somalia fight Islamist groups that control vast areas
of this country of the Horn of Africa.
The proposal was conveyed by Russian Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov to his Somali counterpart Abshir Omar
Jama during their meeting in the Russian capital
yesterday, according to press reports.
Lavrov reaffirmed the readiness to meet the material needs
of the Somali Army in its fight against extremists including
Al Shabaab and its parent entity, Al Qaeda, says the
report, which refrains from identifying the source
of its information.
The offer coincides with what official media here describe as
the biggest offensive by the armed forces against Al Shabab
strongholds, whose actions cover the whole country and
include attacks on military bases and the bombing of
civilian facilities.
The relations between Somalia and Russia declined to
a minimum in 1978 when the Soviet Union supported
neighboring Ethiopia, against the invasion of the
Ogaden desert by the Somali Army --- governed
at that time by General Mohamed Siad Barre,
who was overthrown years later.
At that time there were no Islamist groups, which originated
years later, in Iraq, in the wake of the U.S. military
aggression against the government of
President Saddam Hussein.
Al Qaeda (The Base, in Arabic), headed by the Saudi
millionaire, of Yemeni origin, Osama Bin Laden, one
of whose commandos carried out the devastating
attack on the World Trade Centre in New York at
the start of this century, was in Afghanistan at
that time.
_________________________________
The Sudanese army confiscated
shipment of weapons intended
for special forces
May 26th, 10:10pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Units of the Sudanese Armed Forces detained a shipment
of weapons, which, in their opinion, was sent from
abroad to the rapid reaction Forces (RDF). This
was reported on Friday, May 26, by Asharq
TV channel.
Representatives of the Sudanese army reported that
a shipment of weapons and ammunition was
confiscated in the Red Sea province.
According to them, the contraband was brought to the
territory of Sudan from another country by sea and the
weapons were intended for the SBR detachments.
As the Armed Forces assured, the detained group
of smugglers allegedly cooperated with the
special forces.
The Rapid Reaction Forces have not
yet commented on the situation.
Thousands of citizens are trying to
leave the country through the only
sea gate, Port Sudan.
_______________________________________
Ethiopia and China... willing to
expand bilateral cooperation
by Ileana Ferrer Fonte
May 26th, 9:30am
(Prensa Latina)
Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Demeke Mekonnen, analyzed with China's Vice
President Han Zheng on Friday, the current
cooperation between the two countries
and the interest in expanding the
trade sector.
Mekonnen, who is visiting Beijing, from May 25 to 28, at
the invitation of his counterpart Qin Gang, thanked
this country for its strong support to restore
peace in Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopian deputy prime minister also expressed
his Government’s willingness to participate in
implementing Chinese initiatives, the local
Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
“Ethiopia considers China a leading partner to achieve its
independent development goals and hopes to continue
receiving China’s support in areas such as post-war
reconstruction and economic development, and
welcomes Chinese companies to invest in
Ethiopia,” Mekonnen stressed.
Zheng.. welcomed the African nation’s support for
Beijing in safeguarding its fundamental interests.
The Chinese vice president recalled that his country
firmly supports Ethiopia in consolidating unity,
peace, and economic recovery.
He assured that China is willing to work together
to build a high-quality Belt and Road, expand
practical cooperation, and promote
people-to-people exchanges.
_________________________________
Russia's UN envoy criticizes situation
when African peace depends on
irregular foreign aid
May 26th, 3:17am (TASS)
Russia believes that a situation when peace and security in
Africa depends on irregular assistance from a number of
countries and organizations --- is abnormal, Russian
Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Vasily Nebenzya said.
"Russia supports the position of African countries
that effective measures are required to improve
predictability, reliability and flexibility in this
matter. We think it is not normal that peace
and security in Africa depend on irregular
assistance from individual states, and
associations" -- the Russian diplomat
told UN Security Council’s Thursday
meeting, on issues related to the
financing... of African Union
peace support operations.
"Africans know better than anyone, the true nature and the
root causes of instability in their region. They have come
a long way in building regional peace and security
architecture. By now... they have developed
mechanisms - that take into account local
specificities & harmoniously complement
the efforts of the United Nations, within
their respective areas of responsibility
and mandates," Nebenzya continued.
In his words, the Peace and Security Council, which
is underpinned by the support of the African Union
Commission, the Panel of the Wise, the
Continental Early Warning System
and the African Standby Force,
functions effectively.
"The Peace Fund is being replenished. The African Union's
flagship initiative on silencing the guns, which has been
extended until 2030, is being implemented," the
Russian envoy added.
"Significant progress has been made, on human
rights and transparency and accountability, in
the military contingents of African states".
___________________________________________
Zimbabwe Sees Russia
as a Crucial Partner:
Barbara Rwodzi
May 25th (teleSUR)
In an exclusive interview with TV BRICS, Barbara Rwodzi,
Zimbabwe's Deputy Environment and Tourism Minister,
spoke about the important initiatives of the First Lady
of Zimbabwe, Auxillia Mnangagwa, to combat the
effects of climate change, in education and
social assistance, as well as about
promising areas for cooperation
between Russia and Africa.
You attended the 24th International Scientific Conference
on Economic and Social Development. Tell us about
your experiences.
I was most interested in the sessions on women
entrepreneurs. I have the impression that world
leaders --- have finally realised that women
contribute enormously to the economic
and social development of countries
around the world.
Russia has taken a step forward in this direction by bringing
together women from different countries, from different
continents ---- to talk about how best to improve the
efficiency of the economy and social development
around the world. And I am happy that Mrs
Mnangagwa... First Lady of Zimbabwe,
was invited to attend the conference
and represent our country.
During the First Lady's visit to Moscow last December, a
memorandum of assistance was signed between the
Angel of Hope Foundation --- and TV BRICS. What
programs of the foundation can be developed
together with TV BRICS?
We are very grateful for the work that our First Lady is doing
across the country. Auxillia Mnangagwa - is visibly changing
our society for the better, especially the younger generation.
The First Lady's Foundation is giving back to the people
their legacy.
Auxillia Mnangagwa reminds the Zimbabwean community of
its roots and invites them to revisit their rich original culture.
For instance, the first lady promotes gastronomic tourism.
There is a cooking competition that has been held all
over the country for the last two years.
It allows you to go back to the folk roots and remember
our grandmothers' dishes, while offering a taste of a
new format of familiar food. The competition has
taken on a new dimension, becoming so
grandiose that other countries in the
region genuinely admire it.
Incidentally, this initiative goes a long way towards promoting
tourism in our country. The next project, also proposed by
the First Lady, aims to raise interest in education. After
all, children need help, to guide them, to point the
right way, to catch their attention. Our First Lady
also has medical programmes.
They help families with the elderly. We invite everyone
to workshops on how to improve physical and mental
health. All the initiatives I have outlined can be
carried out in cooperation with TV BRICS, so
that more people not only in Russia but also
in other BRICS countries --- will become
aware of them.
At first glance, Russia and Zimbabwe are very different
countries. But at the same time we have a long history
of friendship. In what ways are we similar and what
creates such a strong bond between us?
Russia and Zimbabwe have always had very good relations.
After the liberation struggle in 1980, when we gained our
independence, the Russian Federation was involved in
the reconstruction of our country. You trained our
citizens. Russians came to Zimbabwe to share
knowledge in construction, medicine
and agriculture.
You helped rebuild our capital and in one way or another
helped rebuild our country. Our task today is to develop
and strengthen... cooperation with the Russian
Federation, now in the fields of the economy
and culture.
Zimbabwe sees Russia as a crucial partner on the African
continent and continues to make efforts both to improve
the business climate between the countries and to help
address socio-economic challenges.
In 2019, your President Vladimir Putin said that Africa
and Russia can work together and be part of a global
community. We fully agree with this. The people of
Zimbabwe fully support this idea. We have many
options for cooperation. We look forward to
developing the relationship further.
The topic of climate change has become a global debate.
After all, the First Lady is paying a lot of attention to the
environment and the tourism industry, which is, in fact,
the remit of your ministry. What strategies are being
implemented in Zimbabwe to offset the effects of
climate change on ordinary citizens.
Our First Lady speaks out for the environment and wildlife in
Zimbabwe. This issue is in the department of our ministry.
Over the past five years, Auxillia Mnangagwa has done
considerable work in this regard. By her personal
example --- she is promoting a tree-planting
culture among the country's residents to
avoid deforestation of the area and
preserve the local ecosystem.
In some parts of Zimbabwe, for example, tree planting has
become an integral part of people's daily lives. In just one
year, between 2022 and 2023, between 17 and 18 million
trees were planted. Compared to the previous three
years, the number of new trees has increased by
48 percent, and this is a direct credit to our
First Lady.
It was she who taught people to take care of their
environment. This is our way of trying to do our
part in the fight against climate change. Mrs
Mnangagwa also has other initiatives in
which... she educates the younger
generation. She gathers young
children - from 2 years of age
and above and tells them of
the importance of water -
and how to conserve it.
That our rivers must remain clean. It is about
teaching the young children to cherish and
appreciate nature, from an early age.
There are other programmes.. for older people,
but it is clear that we should start with young
people and teach them how to preserve the
environment right now. And these are just
some of the initiatives we have taken
from Russia.
The First Lady also led the agricultural programme that
our President Dr Emerson Mnangagwa is implementing
in the country from 2019. It is an agricultural initiative
focused on sustainable harvests in the face of
climate change.
Our first lady has decided to expand it. It has attracted
women entrepreneurs, and now more than half of its
participants are women farmers who devote their
free time to developing new programmes to
improve crop yields.
Mrs Mnangagwa is organising for them to receive joint
training in wise farming. These are all initiatives that
we are implementing together with our First Lady at
the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism
and Hospitality.
The First Lady received an honorary award from the Russian
State University for the Humanities. About 500 students
from Zimbabwe are currently studying in Russia, taking
their cue from the nation's mother. What advice do
you have for these students?
First of all, I will say that these guys are very lucky, they were
chosen by our first lady. They were chosen by our president.
And yet we have thousands of students who also want to
come to Russia. What I want to say to them is to cherish
this chance that the Russian government is giving them,
that the Zimbabwean government is giving them.
They should also appreciate the opportunity presented by our
First Lady. All that Auxillia Mnangagwa wants is for them to
know and remember where they come from, to remember
their culture, to pay special attention to their education,
because without education, you cannot be a person.
And here is an opportunity to leave home for a distant
country to get a free education. This is an
opportunity to be cherished.
_____________________________________
South Africa to Host BRICS Foreign
Ministers Meeting in June
May 25th (teleSUR)
South Africa's International Relations Minister, Naledi
Pandor will host the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting
on June the 1st, 2023, in Cape Town.
Sergei Lavrov, foreign minister of the Russian Federation,
has already confirmed his participation. This will be
his second trip to South Africa, this year.
The interim event is an opportunity for the foreign
ministers of the association to reflect on
regional and global developments.
Pandor, as chairman of the BRICS Ministerial Meeting, will
continue his policy of inclusive engagement by inviting
15 foreign ministers from Africa and the global south
to the Friends of BRICS meeting to be held on
the 2nd of June, 2023.
The ministerial meetings will be preceded by the Sherpas
and Sous-Sherpas meeting on 29-30 May 2023, as
reported by South Africa's official website.
According to Anil Sooklal, South Africa's sherpa to BRICS,
the sherpa's task is to create all conditions for the
success of the upcoming summit of the
association's leaders, which is due
to take place in August.
This year the BRICS is led by South Africa. The country
has planned some 200 events as part of its presidency
of the alliance.
______________________________
A Fugitive Wanted for Rwandan
Genocide --- is Arrested
May 25th (teleSUR)
On Wednesday, former police inspector Fulgence
Kayishema, one of the most wanted fugitives
from the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, was
arrested in Paarl, in South Africa.
He planned and carried out the murder of some 2,000 people
at the Nyange Catholic Church during the genocide against
Tutsis ---- said the Office of the Prosecutor of the Inter-
national Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
(ICTR) --- the institution that succeeded the
International Criminal Tribunal for
Rwanda (ICTR).
"Kayishema has been a fugitive for over 20 years.
He will finally face justice for his crimes.
Genocide is the gravest crime known
to humankind," ICTR Prosecutor
Serge Brammertz said.
"The international community has pledged to ensure that
genocide perpetrators are prosecuted and punished.
This arrest is a tangible demonstration that this
commitment does not fade and that justice
will be served, no matter how long
it takes," he added.
"On April 15th, 1994, Kayishema, together with other co-
perpetrators, murdered more than 2,000 men, women,
elderly and children refugees.. at the Nyange Church
in Kivumu commune. He directly participated in the
planning and execution of this massacre, including
by procuring and distributing petrol to burn down
the church with the refugees inside,"
ICTR recalled.
"When this failed, Kayishema and others used a bulldozer to
collapse the church, burying and killing the refugees inside.
Kayishema and others then supervised the transfer of
corpses from the church grounds into mass graves
over the next approximately two days."
Between April and July, 1994, members of the Tutsi minority
ethnic group, as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa,
were killed by armed Hutu militias. The most widely
accepted scholarly estimates, are around
500,000 to 662,000 Tutsi deaths.
_________________________________________
Patrushev spoke about the West's
attempts --- to dissuade African
countries from going to Russia
May 25th, 3:27pm
(RT.ru)
Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev
said that the West is trying to dissuade African countries
from going to Russia for an international security
meeting and a Russia-Africa summit.
According to him, the African countries themselves
told the Russian side about such attempts.
"Who we talked to, they said: "But when we were going to
visit you, we were told by representatives of the United
States and some other Western countries:' You don't
need to do this, you don't need to go, not only to
this meeting, but you don't need to go to the
Russia — Africa summit," Patrushev said.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed
with the Chairman of the African Union, President of the
Comoros Azali Assoumani, the issues of holding the
second Russia-Africa summit.
_______________________________________
African literary tradition
present in Cuba
by Ileana Ferrer Fonte
May 25th, 10:42am
(Prensa Latina)
Under the title "Dynamics of the African literary tradition,"
a panel dedicated to Yoruba poet and Cuban ethnologist,
Rogelio Martínez Furé takes place at the Havana-based
Casa de las Americas, on Thursday.
According to the program, at the event, the Manuel Galich
Hall of that cultural institution ---- presents the Digital
Library of African and African Diaspora Literature.
After the ceremony, several panelists will speak about the
tradition coming from the great continent and all that
this culture represents for Cuba.
The gathering, a tribute to Martínez Furé and the African
peoples’ customs, will also include a lecture entitled
“Afro-futurism and African futurism: an alternative
to cultural colonialism,” with a bold vision of the
religiosity, traditions, idiosyncrasy, and values
of Africa´s ethnic groups.
The reading of “Cimarrón de Palabras” will take place in the
afternoon as part of the International Festival of this
artistic expression, and also a reminder of the
60th anniversary of Yoruba poetry.
The outstanding Cuban intellectual, who died in 2022,
was praised for his work as an Africanist, oral
narrator, writer, and poet, but also as a
dancer and singer.
________________________________________
Over 1 Mln Are Internally
displaced in Somalia
in 130 days
May 24th, 5pm
(teleSUR))
Currently, 3.8 million people are now displaced in Somalia,
exacerbating a dire humanitarian situation where some
6.7 million people are struggling to meet their
food needs.
On Wednesday, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said that severe
drought, recurrent conflict and devastating floods have
forced more than 1 million people in Somalia to flee
their homes, in just 130 days.
Conflict -- was among the main causes of displacement
between Jan. 1 and May 10, while over 408,000 people
were displaced by floods sweeping across their
villages and another 312,000 people were
displaced by ravaging drought.
"We are working together with humanitarian agencies to
respond as best we can, but with new displacement
climbing by the day, the needs are overwhelming,"
UNHCR Representative in Somalia Magatte
Guisse said.
"It's a great tragedy to witness the impact on Somalia's
most vulnerable. They are the least responsible for
the conflict and the climate crisis but are the
hardest hit."
According to the two agencies, most of the displaced
fled to the regions of Hiran in central Somalia and
Gedo, in southern Somalia.
NRC Somalia Country Director Mohamed Abdi said these
are alarming figures of some of the most vulnerable
people forced to abandon the little that they had
to head for the unknown.
"With 1 million people displaced already in less than five
months ---- we can only fear the worst in the coming
months as all the ingredients of this catastrophe
are boiling in Somalia," Abdi said.
Those forced to flee are arriving in overcrowded urban
areas and sites already hosting internally displaced
people --- placing immense strain on already over-
stretched resources and exposing vulnerable
people to increasing protection risks,
such as evictions.
Over 3.8 million people are now displaced in Somalia,
exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation
where some 6.7 million people are struggling to
meet their food needs.
Over half a million Somali children are severely malnourished,
but aid agencies have so far received only 22 percent of
the resources required to deliver assistance this year.
___________________________________________________
Horn of Africa to Experience
Dry June-September Weather
May 24th, 4:19pm
(teleSUR))
In the coming months, the frequency and intensity of
the rains will decrease significantly --- in Eritrea,
Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan.
On Wednesday, the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, said
that dry weather will be experienced in the
Horn of Africa region, from June
to September, amid the risk
of worsening an already
precarious..... food
security situation.
The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre
(ICPAC), based in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, said
Djibouti, Eritrea, central and northern Ethiopia,
northern Uganda, much of South Sudan and
Sudan will receive depressed rains from
June to September.
ICPAC Director Guleid Artan noted that June to September
rainfall season --- contributes more than 50 percent of
annual total rainfall in the greater Horn of Africa
region, adding that, if suppressed, they could
escalate the food crisis.
"The conditions we forecast could very well
increase food insecurity in the region,"
Artan said.
Depressed rainfall, coupled with warmer than usual
temperatures, are likely to affect crop productivity,
with the risk of crop wilting and a hastened
decline in pasture and water availability.
Noting that 49 million people in the IGAD region were
still food insecure, Artan urged governments and
relief agencies to mobilize resources in a bid
to avert a humanitarian crisis.
Most parts of the Horn of Africa region recorded above-
average March to May rainfall, bringing some respite
to communities reeling from five consecutive failed
rainfall seasons in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia,
according to Hussen Seid Endris, an ICPAC
modeling expert.
Seid warned of a likelihood of El Nino weather phenomenon
between July and September in the Horn of Africa region,
characterized by warm temperatures and
depressed rains.
He clarified that the severity of the El Nino season in the
region, associated with record high temperatures,
is yet to be ascertained, adding that adequate
preparations --- to minimize its negative
impact on livelihoods, are critical.
____________________________________
UN: DR Congo Heavy Rain
Death Toll Rises to 443
May 24th (teleSUR)
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA) has said that the official death toll
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
has reached 443... following sustained
emergency response efforts... to
address ongoing heavy rainfall.
According to the OCHA, numerous individuals are wounded,
while several others remain unaccounted for due to the
floods and landslides caused by heavy rains in early
May. Rescue and response personnel are urgently
requesting heavy equipment to excavate and to
bury the deceased individuals.... particularly
in the Kalehe region within the eastern
territory of South Kivu province.
"Other top priorities are shelter and relocation of survivors,
food assistance and fixing roads and bridges, so we can
reach people affected," OCHA said.
According to OCHA, more than 3,000 houses and schools
serving more than 9,000 children ---- are damaged.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the territory of
Kalehe, in Bushushu, Red Cross agents search for
bodies under the rubble.
Furthermore, according to OCHA, a minimum of 17,000
individuals have been provided with aid services such
as food, medical treatment, shelter, and emotional
support since May 10.
Humanitarians supplied a daily quantity of over
50,000 litres of potable water --- to the
affected communities.
Bruno Lemarquis, UN humanitarian coordinator in
the DRC, directed 3 million U.S. dollars from the
Humanitarian Fund towards reinforcing the
ongoing operations.
____________________________________
West deliberately provokes conflicts
in Africa and Latin America
says Lavrov
May 24th, 2:06pm (TASS)
Western countries intentionally provoke interstate and
interethnic conflicts in Africa, Latin America, and the
Caribbean, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov said.
"In line with colonial practices, [the West] seeks to further
exploit the rich resources of the African continent. The
US continues to view Latin America & the Caribbean
as its backyard and reacts nervously when these
countries pursue independent, autonomous
policies," he said at the XI International
Meeting of High Representatives for
Security Issues.
"In all of the abovementioned regions, the Westerners are
deliberately provoking interethnic, interconfessional and
interstate conflicts."
According to Lavrov, the most recent example of
such Western policies, is the situation in Sudan.
"The roots of the problems the country is facing today, lie
in the long-standing US policy, which has been aimed at
dismembering the single country - into Sudan & South
Sudan. However, as a result, there is no peace and
prosperity in either of these countries," the top
Russian diplomat pointed out.
___________________________________
Russia determined.... to enhance
strategic partnership with Africa
— ambassador to US
May 24th, 6:02am (TASS)
Africa has the potential to be one of the leaders of the
multipolar world --- which is currently being formed,
and Russia is determined to enhance its strategic
partnership with the countries of the continent,
Russian Ambassador to the United States,
Anatoly Antonov, said on Tuesday.
"We view today’s event as an important contribution to the
preparations for the second Russia-Africa Summit which
will take place in St. Petersburg in July ----- and will
determine the development of relations between
our nations for the years to come," Antonov
told the Russia-Africa gala evening at the
Russian embassy in Washington.
He assured that "the ties between Russia and African states
have an intrinsic value and are not aimed against anyone."
"We are firmly committed to developing a strategic partnership
with our African friends, to work together to promote fair and
equal relations, and improve the mechanisms of mutually
beneficial economic ties," Antonov went on.
"Through our joint efforts.. the continent will become one of
the leaders of the emerging multipolar world order. We will
counter the neocolonialist ideology that is being imposed
by the others."
Geopolitical challenges
According to the Russian diplomat, the summit in St.
Petersburg is being organized "in a complicated
geopolitical environment --- during the drastic
changes in global politics & the economy."
"Some western states would prefer to prevent the formation
of a more just world order. They desperately defend the
flawed concept of a world based on their rules, exert
off-hand political and diplomatic pressure on others,
including the Africans," the ambassador continued.
"Russia is preparing for the summit in the most serious way.
We will be glad to welcome leaders of all the African states
and heads of regional organizations. We do not make
any exceptions."
In his words, the key idea of the event, is enhancing the
sovereignty of the African countries and consolidating
their role in global affairs.
"President Vladimir Putin is open to bilateral contacts and
talks with all the partners on the sidelines of the
upcoming high-level forum," Antonov said.
Support for Africa
"We believe that African states must be treated decently
and equally," the Russian ambassador continued. "Back
in its time, the Soviet Union contributed significantly to
the struggle against colonialism, racism & apartheid.
Our country rendered assistance to the nations in
gaining and defending their independence. And
now, Russia continues the policy of all-out
support for the African states."
"We advocate --- for a broader representation of the African
states in international fora, first of all in the UN Security
Council and G20," he added. "We continue defense
cooperation, including the supply of Russian
armaments and equipment.. to African
partners and the training of their
military personnel."
The 2nd Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum are
twin events, that are slated to take place in Russia’s
second largest city of St. Petersburg on July 26-29.
The inaugural event was held in Russia’s Black Sea
resort of Sochi, on October the 22nd-24th, in 2019.
______________________________________
East African Countries
Start Training of Rapid
Reaction Forces
May 23rd (teleSUR)
On Monday, troops from 10 East African countries began
a two-week training at the United Nations Regional
Service Centre in Uganda.
Personnel from Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya,
Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda
participated in the training that aims to enhance
the understanding of peace support mission
planning, said the East African Standby
Force (EASF).
"We cannot fulfil our mandate of enhancing peace and
security without an effective planning entity for our
region," said Uganda's Chief of Staff of the Air
Force, Brig. David Gonyi.
He said the training will enable regional countries
to respond to scenarios like terrorism, election
violence and disaster management.
"There is no doubt that the commitment given to this
learning process is a clear testimony that capacity
building and enhancement, have a place they
deserve in Africa and the region,"
Gonyi said.
The EASF, which consists of military, police and civilian
components, was established to provide a capability
for rapid deployment of forces --- to carry out
preventive deployment, rapid intervention,
peace support and stability operations,
and peace enforcement.
"The course is aimed.. at preparing participants to take an
effective role as an integrated joint planning group (JPP)
or Integrated Mission planning team (IMPT). And, also,
take positions in the integrated mission HQ during a
stage for all peace support organizations (PSO),"
local outlet, Nexus Media, explained.
_________________________________
Fighting in Sudan Continues on
the First Day of a New Truce
May 23rd, 3:08pm (teleSUR)
On Tuesday, clashes between the Sudanese Army and the
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries continued in
Khartoum despite the seven-day truce agreed to
develop a humanitarian corridor.
"Despite the ceasefire, the rebel militias took over the Alban
Jadid University Hospital, assaulted the medical personnel,
expelled the patients, and put the hospital out of service,"
the Health Ministry denounced.
"So far, the rebel militia has occupied 28 hospitals and
6 other vital health institutions. It also seized 21
ambulances," the health authorities detailed.
Since the conflict broke out on April 15, the parties have
agreed to at least eight truces, none of which have
been fully implemented as expected.
The Arab News reported that the fighting and airstrikes in
Khartoum began shortly after 9:45 p.m. Monday, when
the truce is supposed to come into force. It also
mentioned that the smell of smoke and
explosions were felt... throughout
the day.
"Beyond official announcements, Sudan is still pounded and
bombarded, with millions of civilian lives at risk," said Karl
Schembri, a journalist of the Norwegian Refugee Council.
"We've had over a month of broken promises and empty words
while humanitarian colleagues were killed- -- together with
children and others, and hospitals, destroyed," he added.
Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to
the United Nations, warned of the need to ensure the
implementation of the "Agreement on a Short-term
Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangement" signed
in Jeddah on Saturday.
"We call on the United Nations and international partners to
support and cooperate with regional organizations, with a
view to providing the necessary time and space for
regional mediation," he said, at a meeting of the
United Nations Security Council on Monday.
____________________________________
Somali Military Officers Train
to Improve Maritime Security
May 23rd, 12:27pm (teleSUR)
Fifteen Somali Navy and Coast Guard officers have
wrapped up a two-week training to help enhance
maritime security along the country's coastline.
The joint initiative, conducted by the African Union Transition
Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the European Union Capacity
Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia) was aimed at
helping Somalia secure the longest coastline in Africa
ahead of the withdrawal of 2,000 ATMIS soldiers by
June 30, the African Union mission said in a
statement issued on Monday.
"This refresher training is in line with the goals espoused
in the Somalia Transition Plan and ATMIS mandate,
specifically with regard to mentorship and
capacity building of Somali government
institutions across all domains," said
Peter Muteti, the ATMIS deputy
force commander in charge
of support and logistics.
Somalia boasts the longest coastline in Africa, measuring
about 3,300 km, rich in sea-based resources. The
coastline has often been exploited by illegal
fishing and smugglers, and a well-trained
and equipped navy is needed to ensure
that the country can fully benefit
from the blue economy.
Muteti said it has been a significant milestone in ongoing
efforts to build robust Somali institutions in preparation
for the gradual handover of security responsibilities to
Somali Security Forces in line with the UN Security
Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670.
The capacity building of the Somali Navy and Coast Guard is
therefore critical to enable them to conduct maritime law
enforcement, search and rescue, and coastal defense of
Somalia, while securing sea lanes of communication
and protecting against illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing, dumping of hazardous
waste, and other crimes.
Over the years, ATMIS, EUCAP Somalia and the United
Nations have aided the country's maritime security
sector through mentoring, capacity development,
training, logistics and strategic level advice,
based on coast guard functions,
among others.
The trainees took a wide range of courses, including
maritime safety, marine mechanics, coast guard
duties, maritime law, first aid, and
communication procedures.
______________________________________
UNICEF: 7 Million plus
Malnourished Children
in Horn of Africa
May 23rd (teleSUR)
On Monday, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
issued a statement pertaining to the children residing
in the Horn of Africa --- highlighting that they are
currently confronting an unparalleled crisis ---
that encompasses widespread malnutrition,
displacement, water scarcity, as well as a
highly unstable and insecure environment.
According to UNICEF, over 7 million children under five
continue to suffer from malnutrition... necessitating
urgent nutrition aid, and 1.9 million boys and girls
are at risk of dying from severe malnutrition.
The region is gradually recovering from a severe drought
that inflicted substantial damage. Due to insufficient
precipitation experienced over the last three years,
communities susceptible to environmental factors
have encountered severe losses in their livestock,
harvest, and overall means of subsistence.
"The crisis in the Horn, has been devastating for
children," said Mohamed Fall, UNICEF regional
director for Eastern and Southern Africa.
"Over the past three years, communities have been forced to
take extreme measures to survive, with millions of children
and families leaving their homes out of pure desperation in
search of food and water. This crisis has deprived children
of the essentials of childhood ---- having enough to eat, a
home, safe water, and going to school," said Mohamed.
According to reports, 23 million people are encountering
severe levels of acute food insecurity in Ethiopia,
Kenya, and Somalia. The number of severely
malnourished children seeking treatment in
the first quarter of this year remains much
higher than last year --- and will likely
remain high for quite a while.
As per statements of various reports, the contiguous region
is currently experiencing persistent outbreaks of major
outbreaks such as cholera, measles, and malaria,
among others.
UNICEF has also said that the elevated costs of food
persist within domestic marketplaces, imposing
significant hardships upon both minors
and households.
The escalating climate crisis is exacerbating the gravity
of the current predicament, further intensifying the
prevalence of mass migration, malnourishment,
and illness.
According to Mohamed, donations made to UNICEF
facilitated the provision of preventative measures
and interventions for malnutrition to a staggering
30 million children and mothers, in 2022.
"This year, further flexible funding will not just help children
recover from a crisis of this magnitude, but also go towards
developing more resilient sustainable systems for children
in the region, that can withstand future climate impacts
and other shocks," Mohamed said.
____________________________________
Russia ready - to help
settle crisis in Sudan
- UN mission
May 22nd, 9:14pm (TASS)
Russia is ready to help settle the crisis in Sudan without
interfering into that country’s domestic affairs, Russian
Deputy Permanent Representative to the United
Nations, Anna Yevstigneyeva, said
on Monday.
"Sudan is a friendly country for Russia and it is maintaining
contacts with the Sudanese sides. If need be and if we
have a corresponding request, we are ready to help
them, but will not interfere in their domestic
affairs," she said, at a meeting of the
United Nations Security Council.
According to the Russian diplomat, Russia’s embassy
in Khartoum continues to work, despite the serious
security threats.
"We call on the Sudanese sides to demonstrate political
will and take urgent steps to put an end to the armed
confrontation. We insist that any differences can be
settled at the negotiating table and the Sudanese
parties have enough wisdom and political
experience for that," she said.
On the evening of May 20, in the Saudi Arabian city of
Jeddah, the delegations of the army and the RSF
reached an agreement.. on a humanitarian
ceasefire, which is to take effect late on
Monday. This.. is the second long-term
agreement on a humanitarian cease
fire between the army and the RSF
since the clashes broke out. The
first one, which was supposed
to be observed by both sides
for 10 days -- in actuality...
lasted only a few hours.
____________________________
Kiev ready to discuss Africa’s peace
initiative under two conditions
— top diplomat
May 22nd, 7:37pm (TASS)
Kiev is open to dialogue with the African countries offering
assistance in ending hostilities in Ukraine, but no peace
initiative should involve freezing the conflict, Ukrainian
Foreign Minister, Dmitry Kuleba, said on Monday.
"We do have a group of African leaders coming here. We are
open to dialogue with anyone who wants to talk and search
for a solution," Kuleba said commenting on the peace
initiative of several African countries in a news
marathon broadcast... by leading Ukrainian
TV channels. He stressed, however, that
the aforementioned African leaders
don’t have a mandate from the
African Union, so they will be
speaking on behalf of their
group only and not of the
entire continent.
The top diplomat said that Ukrainian authorities are ready to
discuss peace proposals on the condition that they take
into account two principles. "The first principle is that
no plan can be based on the idea of a legal or de
facto transition of Ukrainian territories to
Russian control. And the second is that
freezing the conflict is out of the
question," Kuleba said.
He reiterated Kiev’s stance that the settlement of the conflict
must be on its terms. "We need to avoid putting forward an
endless number of peace plans," Kuleba said confidently.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on May 16 that
Russian and Ukrainian authorities had agreed to receive an
African delegation, to seek a peaceful resolution to the
conflict. Ramaphosa spoke... on behalf of six African
nations: Egypt, Zambia, the Republic of the Congo,
Senegal, Uganda and South Africa.
Consultations are currently underway to work out the
schedule of the trip. It is expected, that a peace
mission will visit Moscow and Kiev before the
Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg,
in the second half of July.
_____________________________________
Rwanda Marks Biodiversity Day
With a Call to Protect Nature
May 22nd (teleSUR)
On Monday, Rwanda celebrates the International Day
for Biological Diversity.. with a call on the public to
reconnect with nature and prioritize biodiversity.
The event, organized by the Environment Ministry in Kigali,
featured discussions about the implementation of the
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
adopted last December as part of efforts to halt
and reverse nature loss.
Speaking at the event, Rwandan Environment Minister Jeanne
d'Arc Mujawamariya said the country's development agenda
recognizes the central role that biodiversity plays in terms
of supporting national economic growth.
"We cannot develop our nation unless we put the environment
at the heart of everything we do," Mujawamariya said - and
warned against cutting down trees.
"We need to reverse this trend, and educate future
generations to understand the importance of
biodiversity in everything we do..... for a
brighter future."
The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA)
highlighted that Rwanda's biodiversity plays a critical
role in ecosystem services - such as ensuring water
provision, air for breathing, controlling soil erosion
and flooding, as well as climate change mitigation.
"Biodiversity is part of our lives. Growing up, I was
surrounded by nature and this helped build my
passion... for protecting the environment
and understanding the importance of
biodiversity. I encourage us all...
to reconnect with nature, and
prioritize biodiversity," REMA
Director Juliet Kabera, said.
The International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated
this year under the theme "From agreement to action:
Build Back Biodiversity" to remind nations that
biodiversity is essential to ecosystem
functioning and services delivery.
____________________________________
Canada reaffirms support for AU
to ensure regional development
by Ana Ibis Falcón Lamoth
May 22nd, 1:18pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Vice President of the African Union (AU) Commission,
Monique Nsanzabaganwa, met on Monday... with the
Minister of International Development of Canada,
Harjit Singh Sajjan, to discuss issues of
common commitments.
Nsanzabaganwa revealed on Twitter that Sajjan reaffirmed
Canada’s ongoing support for the AU’s work to ensure food
security, peace and security, trade and development,
while continuing to leverage diaspora ties with the
continent, as the 2063 Agenda moves forward.
Earlier, the Canadian minister received an update from
Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Demeke Mekonnen, on the country’s efforts to
achieve its development and that of the
so-called Horn of Africa, through
the promotion of trade and
investment policies.
The Foreign Ministry revealed that Mekonnen highlighted
that the local Economic Reform Agenda and Digital
Ethiopia 2025, are the pillars of the implemented
transformative policy.. while capitalizing on job
creation for youth and women empowerment.
In this regard, it urged international partners such as
Canada to support the ongoing development and
peace building efforts, “as peace is the back-
bone of any development initiative.”
Sajjan, in turn, highlighted the long-standing development
cooperation between Ethiopia and Canada and pledged
to continue the tradition. He expressed the Canadian
Government’s willingness.. to support initiatives
aimed at increasing agricultural productivity
in addition to improving food security.
In his view, improvements in the Ethiopian agricultural sector
should be seen not only as food security efforts but also as
economic opportunities in which Canadian companies
could participate.
______________________________________________
Russia ready for joint
military-technical
projects --- with
African states
- Rosoboronexport
May 22nd, 12:30pm (TASS)
Rosoboronexport - is ready for full-scale cooperation and
implementation of joint projects in the military-technical
sphere, with African countries, the company’s CEO,
Alexander Mikheyev, said on Monday.
"Russia will continue to help African countries, in their
development, in the enhancement of their economic
potential and the welfare of their citizens -- and in
the protection -- of their national interests. In a
multipolar world, Africa is our reliable partner
and ally. We are ready - for full and equitable
cooperation and the realization of the most
ambitious joint projects in the military-
technical sphere," Mikheyev is
quoted as saying.
The company's press service reports he was speaking
on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Russia’s
system of military-technical cooperation.
Rosoboronexport’s CEO noted, that the Russia-Africa
summit gave a powerful impetus to the development
of military-technical cooperation with
African countries.
Mikheyev stressed the geographical scope of
Rosoboronexport’s cooperation, with more
than 100 countries featuring on the list of
its clients.
"The company's work is focused on cooperation with
countries friendly to Russia --- and these are in the
majority. We cooperate very closely with the Asia
-Pacific and Latin America. The countries of the
Middle East, the CIS, and the members of the
Collective Security Treaty Organization,
display their great interest in Russian
military hardware," Mikheyev said.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of Russia's
system of military-technical cooperation with
other countries.
_________________________________________________
Al Arabiya: the parties to the
conflict in Sudan agreed to
declare a truce for 7 days
May 20th, 9:27pm
(RT.ru)
Sudan's army and rapid response forces have agreed
to declare a humanitarian truce for seven days.
This is reported by Al Arabiya
TV channel, citing sources.
It is noted that the agreement will come
into force ------ 48 hours after its signing.
__________________________________________
Civilian death toll in Sudan
clashes rises to 850,
doctors say
May 20th, 1:46pm (TASS)
The number of civilians killed in clashes between Sudan’s
army and the Rapid Support Forces, has risen to 850,
the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors said
on Saturday.
"A total of 850 civilians have been killed in the country
since the start of the conflict," Al Jazeera reported,
citing the committee’s statement. According to
the committee, 3,394 civilians have
suffered wounds.
The committee also pointed out that the number of
casualties could be much higher, as doctors
did not have access to many hospitals
outside the capital.
________________________________________
Ghana grateful for Cuban doctors´
40-years of professionalism
by Pavel López Lazo
May 20th, 9:35am
(Prensa Latina)
Since the Cuban medical collaboration in Ghana started
back in 1983, we´ve never received an unfavourable
view about any doctor and I am proud of that, said
Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, the director of External
Cooperation at Ghana´s Health Ministry.
Dr. Taher, a doctor trained in Cuba, heaped praise on Cuban
specialists' professionalism levels serving at Ghanaian
hospitals. “This is what makes me keep my head up,
because I really know what you are currently
doing at hospitals.”
Speaking at the commemorative ceremony held at the Cuban
embassy in Accra for the 60th anniversary of Cuban medical
collaboration around the globe, Dr. Taher informed they´re
working on increasing the number of medical
collaborators with the support of other
Ghanaian institutions.
Dr. Taher thanked the Cuban government, embassy and the
medical brigade for doctors´ 40-year work in Ghana, as
well as the opportunity to train professionals in Cuba,
a figure that currently amounts to nearly 300.
The Cuban Ambassador to Ghana, Anette Chao García,
stressed the significance of unity, continuing to serve
despite difficulties, and that the collaboration also
includes health technicians... and the Labiofam
Business Group, with its antimalarial products.
Dr. Idael Cabrera Morales, on behalf of the medical
brigade, reaffirmed the Cuban government and
people's commitment - to fulfill the mission
entrusted to them.
“Today is a day of gratitude for the opportunity we have had
to be part of this great army of white coats that is making
history in the five continents. The whole world knows the
value and commitment of our professionals, and we are
grateful for that,” Morales stated.
_________________________________________
Sudan: RSF Leader is Removed
From Sovereign Council
May 19th, 4:39pm
(teleSUR)
After the 2021 coup against Prime Minister Abdala
Hamdok, Al Burhan and Hemedti established a
military government whose highest body is
the Sovereign Council.
On Friday, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who is the Commander-
in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the
president of the Sovereign Council, fired Mohamed
Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of the Rapid
Support Forces (RSF) ---- from his position
as the Council vice-president.
The position of Vice President was assumed by Malek
Aqar, leader of the rebel group "Northern Sector
Popular Movement" and member of the
Council of Ministers.
Hemedti's removal from office comes just days after Al
Burhan issued an order to freeze RSF bank accounts.
This happened in the midst of negotiations for the
entry of humanitarian aid into the country and
to reach a new truce.
In recent days, Al Burhan has been taking steps to contain
the Rapid Support Forces, which are allegedly receiving
support from Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar.
Since April 15, armed disputes between the SAF and
the RSF have left at least 822 dead, according to
the latest data from the Sudanese
Doctors Union.
Over 936,000 people have been displaced by the conflict,
including about 736,200 internally displaced persons,
and about 200,000 people who took refuge in
neighboring countries.
______________________________________
Angola Needs Infrastructure to
Facilitate Growing Population
May 19th, 1:32pm
(teleSUR)
On Thursday, Manuel Homem, the governor of Angola's
Luanda Province, has said... that his territory needs
more education and healthcare infrastructure to
meet the growing population's needs.... and
ensure that people have the necessary
living conditions.
According to Homem's speech at the Oscar Ribas University,
Angola has a high birth rate, and Luanda is among the
regions where the rate is rapidly increasing.
Luanda Province, home to the national capital city of Luanda,
has the highest population concentration in the country,
with over 9 million people residing in an area of
18,826 square kilometres.
Luanda Province needs over 1,200 schools to accommodate
1.5 million children currently not enrolled in the education
system, Homem said, emphasizing that despite having
over 3,747 schools in Luanda, the number is still
insufficient to meet the demand.
The existing healthcare infrastructure in Luanda is also
inadequate, Homem said, adding that he plans to
expand healthcare facilities to over 200 units
in the next five years.
Regarding access to water and basic sanitation..... he
considered it as the "greatest challenge" as the water
distribution capacity in Luanda.. is currently at 30%,
"far below the requirements," and that -- the basic
sanitation infrastructure only covers 3 percent,
meaning that the drainage ditches built to
address water runoff needs, are
still minimal.
Homem said a budget of US$659 million was allocated for
Luanda this year, but the province requires four times
more funding, to address its numerous needs.
________________________________________________
Democrat Rep. Bush says -
U.S. should pay $14 trillion
in reparations to African
Americans
19.05.2023 11:42
https://en.news-front.info/
Democrat Congresswoman Cory Bush ----- has introduced a
resolution that should set in motion a federal reparations
program for black Americans. She argues that the US
has a moral and legal obligation to pay reparations
for the enslavement of Africans. This, is reported
by the Telegram channel “Sputnik Near Abroad”.
“The United States has a moral and legal obligation - to pay
reparations for the enslavement of Africans. Black people
in our country ---- cannot wait any longer,” the politician
says, at a press conference.
Bush says the document calls for $14 trillion in reparations
for African Americans. She emphasizes that black people
in the country --- can no longer wait.
______________________________________
Senegalese Ambassador comments
