Africa Page

Russian senior diplomat
discusses settlement of
crises in Africa --- with
Benin’s ambassador

March 30th, 2:48pm (TASS)

Russian Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and

Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, and

Benin’s Ambassador to Moscow, Akambi Andre

Okunlola-Biau, discussed issues related to

the settlement of... crisis situations in
Africa, at a meeting on Thursday.

During the conversation the parties shared views on relevant

international and regional issues --- with the focus on the

settlement of crisis situations on the African continent.

Meanwhile, the intention of Moscow and Cotonou to deepen the

political dialogue and coordination of positions in the UN and

other multisided entities, was confirmed, according to a

statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The sides discussed: some issues of further development of

mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Benin

in trade, economic, humanitarian and other areas, as well

as preparations to holding the second Russia-Africa

summit in St. Petersburg this year, the

ministry added.

_______________________________________

Reactor at Egyptian nuclear power

plant authorized for construction

by Javier Arana Villasusa

March 30th, 11:58am

(Prensa Latina)

The Egyptian Nuclear & Radiological Regulatory Authority

announced today ---- that it has given the green light to

the construction of the third reactor of the Dabaa

power plant, which is being built on the

Mediterranean coast of this North

African country.

A statement from the entity reported on joint meetings with
representatives of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority to
evaluate the first two units and plan the establishment
of the third.

It assured that the latter will pose no

threat to humans or the environment.

The Dabaa plant is Egypt’s first nuclear power plant,

located some 320 kilometres northwest of Cairo.

Designed with Russian technology, the facility will have

four VVER-1200 pressurized water nuclear reactors,

each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts.

Construction of its first reactor began in July

last year and its second, in November.

In December 2017, the presidents of Egypt and Russia,

Abdel Fattah El Sisi, and Vladimir Putin, respectively,

signed an agreement in this capital to start works

on the plant at a cost of 28.75 billion dollars.

Russia will finance 85% of that total, with a loan

of 25 billion dollars to be paid over two decades.

____________________________________________

Namibia Suspends Poultry Imports

From Argentina and Chile

March 29th, (teleSUR)

Since October 2021, an increasing number of H5N1

avian influenza cases have raised concerns about

the potential for the virus to spread from

domestic animals to humans.

On Wednesday, Namibia announced the suspension of

the import and in-transit movement of live/raw poultry,

birds, and live/raw ostrich products from Argentina

and Chile --- after outbreaks of highly pathogenic

avian influenza in the Latin American countries.

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH),

the incubation period of the disease is 14 days. Therefore, the

suspension of imports enters into force 14 days before the

date on which a case of avian flu was confirmed.

This means that the suspension of imports enters into force

two weeks before February 24th in the case of Argentine

products and March the 10th in the case of Chilean

products, as explained by Albertina Shilongo,

chief veterinary officer at the Namibian

Agriculture Ministry.

"Consignments containing poultry products packed in their final

packaging on or after the date of start of suspension will be

rejected and sent back to the country of origin or

destroyed at the importer's cost," Shilongo

stressed, adding that refrigerated

trucking containers ---- will be

regarded as a consignment,

and will be handled as

an entity.

"We will not allow cartons (e.g. in the case of chicken meat) to

be sorted according to the date of production. All previously

issued import and in-transit permits are hereby canceled

and recalled with immediate effect," she noted.

Shilongo, however, said that cooked poultry meat products for

commercial purposes may still be imported into Namibia

under the veterinary import permit.

"The current avian influenza situation has been raising

concerns within the international community. Since

October 2021, an unprecedented number of out

breaks has been reported in several regions of

the world... reaching new geographical areas

and causing devastating impacts on animal

health and welfare," the WOAH said on

February the 13th.

"The disease puts at risk global food security and the

livelihoods of those who depend on poultry farming.

It has also led to an alarming rate of wild bird die-

offs and has affected other wildlife including

sea and land mammals," it added.

__________________________________________

Zimbabwe's senate speaker invites

Russian business to partake in

the republic’s development

March 29th, 2:15pm (TASS)

President of the Senate of the Zimbabwean Parliament Mabel

Chinomona has invited Russian businessmen to participate

in the development of the republic’s economy.

"Considering the close ties between our countries, we

invite Russian businessmen... to participate in this

active transformation of our country," she said,

at a plenary meeting of the Federation

Council on Wednesday.

"In order to keep strengthening our economic ties, we

sincerely expect more Russian business delegations

to arrive in Zimbabwe, with the support of the

Russian-Zimbabwean business forum and

to partake in various areas of work,

particularly on the production of

fertilizers, pharmaceuticals,

and equipment for heavy

engineering," the

speaker said.

''The fourth meeting of the Russian-Zimbabwean

intergovernmental commission on economic,

trade and science-technical cooperation
clearly demonstrates a very close inter

-action between the two countries,"

she noted.

"In this respect I hope very much that the Russian-

Zimbabwean business council --- which is being

created now --- will go to considerable lengths

in terms of improving economic cooperation

between our countries. It is necessary to

keep strengthening economic ties

for the benefit of our people,"

Chinomona concluded.

______________________________

“To spite Russia and China”:

experts explained the

African tour of Harris

March 29th, 9:37am

https://en.news-front.info/

The sudden trip to Africa by US Vice President Kamala Harris,

as well as the general noticeable activation of the US

agenda on the Black Continent, is the head of the

White House scenario to reduce the level of

influence of the Russian Federation and

China... according to a number of

observers of the Kenyan Nation.

According to experts, Harris intends to turn the continent

against Moscow and Beijing. Africa has been caught in

the middle of a diplomatic whirlwind, as the Western

bloc tries to step up its efforts to fight the growing

weight of the Russian-Chinese tandem.

Ali-Khan Satchu, a Kenyan economics expert and CEO of the

consulting firm Rich Management, notes that the collective

West has long neglected Africa, concentrating its own

efforts only in the areas of security, countering

terrorism and migration.

The Ukrainian crisis, and Moscow’s friendly attitude

towards Africa are increasingly unnerving the West.

“The trips to Africa by American and European politicians

speak of the growing geostrategic importance of the

continent - as world powers recognize the need to

preserve their alliances in the region. US leader

Joe Biden attended the 27th Conference of the

Parties to the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change (COP-27)

in Egypt in 2022, and US Secretary of

State Anthony Blinken visited South

Africa, Congo and Rwanda in 2022

just days after the African tour of

the Minister of Foreign Affairs of

Russia, Sergey Lavrov”, the

publication recalls.

According to Reuters, in recent decades, Beijing has been

marked by significant investment in Africa – in particular,

this concerns the development of infrastructure and the

development of resources. Moscow’s influence... has

also clearly increased on the continent.. including

through the presence of the Wagner PMC, writes

the British news agency.

________________________________________

Russian Ambassador to Algeria

talks about problems with

the grain deal

March 28th, 10:55pm

(Izvestia.ru)

Almost all statements of the West regarding the "grain deal"

remain only words --- because only 2.5% of grain was sent

from the territory of Ukraine to African countries in need,
Russian Ambassador to Algeria, Valerian Shuvaev, said

in an interview with Izvestia.

"Unfortunately, almost all statements of the West regarding the

so-called grain deal remain just words, while Russia regularly

fulfills all its obligations under this humanitarian initiative.

Only 2.5% of the grain exported from the territory of

Ukraine was sent to the needy countries of Africa,

while the lion's share went, contrary to the

assurances of the West, to quite

prosperous states," said

Valery Shuvaev.

In addition, the actions of the West actually block the export of

Russian agricultural products, including fertilizers, the Russian

Ambassador to Algeria explained, which leads to a worsening

of the already existing food crisis not only for Africa, but for

the whole world. However, the republic is independently

increasing the purchase of Russian grain, Valerian

Shuvaev summed up.

The so-called Black Sea Initiative was concluded in Istanbul on

July 22nd, 2022. The first document of this package deal is an

agreement between the Russian Federation, Turkey, the UN

and Ukraine. It provides for the creation of safe sea

corridors for the export of Ukrainian grain from

three ports - Odessa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny.

This document was supposed to end in November, but the

agreement was extended for another 120 days, and then

for another 60 days.

The second part of the package is the "Memorandum on

assistance in promoting Russian agricultural products

and fertilizers to world markets" between the Russian

Federation and the UN. According to the document,

the world organization should join the work on

lifting restrictions that prevent the Russian

Federation from exporting its products

and fertilizers. This agreement is

valid for three years.

____________________________________

Zimbabwe Appeals for More

Donations for Cyclone-Hit

Malawi

March 28th,

(teleSUR)

On Monday, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa

called for more donations to the people of Malawi, after the

devastating Tropical Cyclone Freddy hit the African country.

Mnangagwa.. chairing a resource mobilization meeting, said

that Zimbabwe stood with the people of Malawi, expressing

his deepest sympathy to Malawian President Lazarus

Chakwera, and the bereaved families and the

country at large.

Mnangagwa commended the coordinated responses being

undertaken by countries in the Southern African

Development Community (SADC) towards

assisting the people of Malawi.

He appealed for more support from Zimbabweans to assist the

people of Malawi to recover from the effects of the cyclone.

On Saturday, the Zimbabwean government handed over

300 tons of maize meal to Malawi to assist the victims.

Business organizations at the resource mobilization meeting

responded swiftly to the appeal by Mnangagwa and pledged

various goods ranging from food hampers, fuel, blankets,

medical supplies and transport.

Two local cement-producing companies also donated

120 tons of cement. The cyclone left more than 500

people dead and displaced about 35,000 others

in Malawi.

_____________________________________

High-profile US official touring Africa

to counterbalance Russia, China’s

role — daily

March 28th, 9:42am (TASS)

The United States has been ramping up its campaign in Africa,

and US Vice President Kamala Harris’s tour of the
continent ------ is part of Washington’s policy of
countering the growing influence of Moscow
and Beijing, Kenia’s Nation newspaper
reported on Tuesday, citing a

number of African experts.

According to the daily, "Africa finds itself in the middle of a

growing diplomatic vortex as the US and its Western allies

ramp up efforts to counterbalance the expanding clout of"

Russia and China in the continent. Turkey, India and the

Middle East, are also involved.

Aly-Khan Satchu, CEO of the investment consultant Rich

Management, believes that the West and US, especially

under President Donald Trump, "had neglected Africa

outside of the security, counter-terrorism and

immigration lens."

According to the Kenyan economist, the conflict in Ukraine

and "Africa’s evident sympathy for Russia was a wake-up

call and the West is trying to push back."

Trips to Africa by US and European officials show the

continent’s rising geostrategic profile as world

powers acknowledge the need to rekindle

alliances in the region.

In 2022, US President Joe Biden attended COP27 in Egypt,

while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited South

Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo & Rwanda.

The former’s trip came just days after Russian Foreign

Minister Sergey Lavrov’s African tour, the

newspaper writes.

_____________________________________________

EU supported rights abuse

against migrants in Libya

--- UN

March 27th, 6:55pm
(PressTV)

The United Nations has warned that the European Union is

providing support to organizations perpetrating rights

abuse, including systematic torture and sexual

slavery, against refugees and migrants

in Libya.

The United Nations raised the alarm on Monday in an

investigation on the deteriorating human rights

situation in Libya, saying the 27-member bloc

is facilitating the commission of abuses

against migrants in the conflict-torn

North African country.

In its final report, the UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission

on Libya concluded that there were "grounds to believe a

wide array of war crimes and crimes against humanity

have been committed by state security forces and

armed militia groups."

"Migrants, in particular, have been targeted and there

is overwhelming evidence --- that they have been

systematically tortured" in detention centres,

it said.

The mission's chairman Mohamed Auajjar said investigators

found crimes against humanity had been committed against

migrants in detention centres under the control of Libya's

Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration (DCMI) and

the country's coast guard.

“These entities receive technical, logistic and monetary

support from the European Union and its member states"

for the interception and return of migrants, Auajjar said.

"We are not saying that the EU and its member states

have committed these crimes," investigator Chaloka

Beyani told reporters, adding though, that "the

support given --- has aided and abetted the

commission of the crimes."

Beyani added it was "clear that the DCIM has responsibility

for multitudes of crimes against humanity in the detention

centres that they run. The support given to them by the

EU has facilitated this."

The UN report also stressed that there were reasonable

grounds to believe that sexual slavery and crimes

against humanity are being committed

against migrants.

Mission member Tracy Robinson said they

also uncovered slavery... in general.

"We have found instances of enslavement of persons who

have been traded to outside entities to perform various

services, but also sexual slavery of women in and

around detention centres," she said.

The investigators voiced concern about the deprivation

of liberty of Libyans and migrants throughout the

country, in what they said could also amount to

crimes against humanity.

They found numerous cases of "arbitrary detention, murder,

torture, rape, enslavement, sexual slavery, extrajudicial

killing and enforced disappearance, confirming their

widespread practice in Libya.”

Libya has been beset by violence and chaos since the overthrow

and killing of its long-serving ruler Muammar Gaddafi following a

bombing campaign by the US-led NATO military alliance in 2011.

The resulting chaos and factional divisions then escalated into

a regional proxy war fueled by foreign powers, who poured

weapons and mercenaries into the country.

Since 2015, Libya has been divided between the internationally

recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli

and lawmakers in Tobruk, allied to renegade military

commander Khalifa Haftar.

The Government of National Unity of Libya was supported by

countries such as Qatar, Turkey, some European countries

and the United Nations, and countries such as Egypt,

Russia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE also supported

the army of Khalifa Haftar, a retired general

based in Benghazi and Tobruk.

The two rivals fought for power in the country for several years,

and after a year of intense conflict that led to the advances

of the government of unity to the capital city of Tripoli,

they announced a ceasefire in August 2021.

__________________________________________

Norilsk Nickel redirects copper to

Tangier — department director

March 27th, 5:21pm (TASS)

Norilsk Nickel has implemented the idea of a new hub and

directed a significant portion of products to Morocco’s

Tangier, department director Ravil Nasybullov told
reporters.

"The idea of a new transport hub - yes, it has been implemented.

A significant portion of our products goes to the port of tangier.

Our export deliveries are about 350,000 - 370,000 metric tons.

Nickel is largely going through the port of Rotterdam.

A material portion of copper, goes to Tangier,"

he said.

It was reported earlier that the company views the port

of Tangier in Morocco, as a new hub for distribution of

its products.

________________________________________

Russia aware of danger from terrorist,

extremist presence in Africa, senior

diplomat says

March 27th, 1:30pm (TASS)

Russia is fully aware of the danger emanating from the presence

of terrorists and extremists in African countries and is in touch

with African officials in this regard, Russian Special

Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and Africa

and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov

told journalists on Monday.

Earlier, speaking at the second Russia-Africa Inter-Parliamentary

Conference, Jean-Pierre Kanefu, deputy quaestor of the National

Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), urged

that Russia provide assistance to combat the terrorist threat in

the east of the country so as to restore peace and stability.

"Of course, our diplomatic and other agencies are in contact,

since we realize the danger from the presence of terrorists

and extremists in African countries," Bogdanov said,

responding to a TASS request to comment on the

Congolese politician’s remark.

Rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23) began an offensive

in the eastern DRC in January 2021. Later, they managed to

capture two cities in the province of North Kivu. Kinshasa

accuses neighboring Rwanda of supporting the militants.

In June 2022, the leaders of the East African Community (EAC)

decided to dispatch a peacekeeping contingent to the eastern

DRC in a bid to stabilize the situation and shut down the M23

rebel’s combat operations. The DRC's leadership agreed to

host the contingent provided that the peacekeepers did

not include any Rwandan soldiers.

Founded in 2000, the EAC brings together Burundi, the DRC,

Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan.

_______________________________________

TASS, Namibia Press Agency to

sign cooperation agreement

March 27th, 11:59am (TASS)

TASS and the Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA)

are planning to sign a cooperation agreement.

Director General of TASS Russian News Agency Sergey

Mikhailov discussed cooperation issues with his

NAMPA counterpart, Linus Chata, in the

Namibian capital on Monday.

"We will work on the agreement being truly unique

and reflecting our specific needs in exchanging

information," Mikhailov said.

He pointed out that TASS is successfully interacting with

many African news agencies, reiterating that, in 2019,

TASS put together the first Russia-Africa media forum

of news agencies and intends to hold it again this

year in St. Petersburg.

Chata noted that Russian-Namibian cooperation in

the sphere of media outlets has a promising future.

_____________________________________

Senior diplomat doubts West can

disrupt arrangements for Russia-

Africa summit

March 27th, 9:29am (TASS/)

Western countries are trying to hamper the work Moscow has

been conducting toward holding the 2nd Russia-Africa

summit, but they are unlikely to succeed, Russian

Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, told

TASS on Monday.

"The plans have not changed, they (the West - TASS) have been

trying to disrupt our work and dissuade [African nations from

taking part], but I think they will hardly succeed in doing so,"

said Bogdanov, who is also the Special Presidential

Representative for the Middle East and Africa.

The 2nd Russia-Africa summit and economic forum is scheduled

to take place in St. Petersburg on July 26-29. The debut summit

was held in Sochi in October 22-24, 2019. The event’s motto

was "For Peace, Security and Development."

___________________________________

Russian envoy on his way to Libya

where mission will reopen —

senior diplomat

March 27th, 8:56am (TASS)

Russian Ambassador to Libya, Aydar Aganin, is heading off for

Tripoli where the Russian diplomatic mission will be restored

to full capacity, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail

Bogdanov told TASS on Monday.

"The [Russian] ambassador is heading off [for Libya],"

said Bogdanov, who is also the Special Presidential

Representative for the Middle East and Africa.

Security guarantees for its diplomatic mission in Libya remain

a priority for Russia, the senior diplomat emphasized.

Earlier, Bogdanov said that Moscow was planning to reopen the

embassy in Tripoli and restore the operations of its consulate

general in Benghazi, Libya’s second largest city, soon.

Russia expects that the restoration of its diplomatic missions

in Libya will help promote its economic interests in the

North African country.

___________________________________________________________

Survivors of Cyclone Freddy in

Malawi - Yearn for Fresh Start

March 26th, (teleSUR)

As the search efforts continue in the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy,

which ravaged through southern Malawi, hundreds of survivors in

evacuation camps are yearning for a fresh start.

The devastating cyclone has left a trail of destruction in its wake,

with many houses submerged in water and debris, leading to

the death of over 500 people, and the displacement of over

500,000 people. Despite the tireless efforts of rescue

teams, many victims are still missing, and the death

toll is still on the rise, leaving some survivors

hopeless.

"I'm uncertain about what my future holds, but I feel compelled to

begin afresh. The disaster took away all of my immediate family,

and while starting over may seem straightforward, the thought

of living without them, is unimaginable," said Samuel

Simwaka, a 25-year-old man, at a camp in

Blantyre City.

"My family was my pride and joy, but now that it's gone, I have

nothing left to remind me of my previous life, no property or

belongings. I'm completely on my own," he added, tears

filling his eyes.

Simwaka, who has tragically lost both of his parents and a

brother, was working on setting up a sleeping tent with his

new friends. The two have all faced similar situations and

they are currently residing at an evacuation camp in the

commercial city. The camp, a primary school, is

providing temporary shelter to over

1,500 survivors.

On the other side of the city, 16-year-old girl, Esime Kavaro, from

a location called Naotcha recalls what happened on the night

of the catastrophe of March 12th. Although her home stood

the intense weather, her neighbourhood was completely

destroyed.

"We had to leave our home because of what happened. It was

something we had never experienced before. Although our

home survived, I cannot shake off the thought of what I

witnessed. The incident caused a lot of damage to

both lives and property, and I am struggling to

come to terms with it," explained the

teenager, who was staying with

a brother.

Despite the challenge, Esime hopes to move on with her life once

all is resolved. Inspired by what she has experienced; Esime is

considering enrolling in the military in the future to assist

others who may face similar challenges.

According to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs

(DoDMA), Cyclone Freddy has killed 511 people, with 1,724

people injured, and 564,239 people displaced as of March

25th, 2023. There are also concerns that the death toll

from the disaster in southern Malawi could rise to

1,000 due to the widespread impact of the

destruction in many parts of the region.

A tweet reads, "Malawi's president pleaded for international

help to deal with Ciclone Freddy's devastation, calling it a

'national tragedy' as the death toll rises to 225."

During his first visit to the victims of the cyclone Freddy,

Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera appealed to the

international community to provide aid to the country.

He described the disaster as the worst in Malawi's

history and expressed deep concern for

those affected.

"We require urgent assistance. We urgently need helicopters to

airlift food supplies and other equipment now that the situation

has slightly improved," Chakwera said.

More humanitarian aid and support continue to pour in from

international organisations and individuals, including the

Red Cross Society of China and the Chinese community

in Malawi.

Although many people are still receiving assistance from the

government and other well-wishers in camps, some victims

have expressed their desire to leave the camps soon and

begin rebuilding their lives.

Meanwhile, Malawians are showing solidarity by providing

assistance to those who have been severely affected by

the disaster. Currently, there are 577 evacuation camps

spread across the country, providing shelter for the

displaced population.

___________________________________

Memorial to Russian WWI

soldiers opened in Tunisia

March 26th, 8:13am (TASS)

A memorial to the Russian soldiers who fought in World War I

was unveiled on Saturday at the Christian cemetery of the

Tunisian city of Menzel Mourguiba, the head of Russian

House in Tunisia, Yury Zaitsev, told TASS by 'phone.

"On the initiative of the Embassy of the Russian Federation to

Tunisia and Russian Ambassador Alexander Zolotov, who

personally supervised the work, today we held the

ceremony to unveil a memorial to the Russian

World War I soldiers - the only one in North

Africa at the moment," Zaitsev stressed.

"The ceremony was attended by officials from the Russian

Embassy, the Defense Attache Office, the Russian House

in Tunisia, & fellow countrymen living in Tunisia, as well
as Tunisians interested in the rich history of relations

between our countries," he went on to say.

"Work to commemorate our compatriots in Tunisia will continue,"

the head of the Russian House pledged, pointing to great

assistance on that track received from the Russian

Heritage association of Tunisia, the Alexander

Solzhenitsyn Center of Russians living

abroad, historians, archivists, as

well as compatriots

and Tunisians.

___________________________________

Uganda satisfied with defense

cooperation with Russia,

says president

March 25th, 1:42pm (TASS)

Uganda highly appreciates its cooperation with Russia in

defense, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said in an

exclusive interview with TASS First Deputy Director-

General Mikhail Gusman.

"Today, we are very satisfied with our cooperation with

the Russian Federation. We cooperate in the sphere

of defense, and we buy high-quality weapons and

technologies from Russia," the Ugandan

leader said.

Museveni also emphasized that he was grateful

for the Soviet Union’s assistance in Africa’s

fight against colonialism.

_____________________________________

DR Congo: Skilling up

the slums in Kinshasa

March 24th, 7:33pm

(africanews)

Marie-Josee Loando lives in Pakadjuma, one of Kinshasa's

many slums, where she sells bread to the residents of

this sprawling settlement.

It has an unfortunate reputation for both crime and sex

work, but Marie-Josee's lucky --- as she's manage to

get some free business training from a local NGO.

"I've seen a change in my business, because

of the training we got," she told Africanews.

"I used to spend most of my income on buying cosmetics

and clothes to enhance my beauty. But that training

has opened my mind to sound business practices."

In 2021 a young lawyer called Eliane Kibubi decided to

start the NGO Pakadjuma Resilience Foundation to

support women like Marie-Josee... as well as

their children.

"Both my parents are teachers. For me, education is the

foundation of every society and in this area, most

children have not had the chance to go to s

chool," she told Africanews.

"Many girls have not been taught certain values.

This is a place where rape, robbery and

prostitution are part of everyday life

and it reflects the reality of our

Congo as a whole."

Unemployment is high in Kinshasa, but despite that

it attracts a lot of migrants from other parts of the

giant country.

Eliane supports people who've settled in Pakadjuma

after fleeing the fighting in the mineral-rich east of

the country.

Her NGO helps around 500 people by giving them

enough education to successfully apply for

private schools which it also pays for.

Some of them, such as one unnamed young woman, are

widows of soldiers who've been killed in the fighting.

"Many of us can't afford to pay for studies and we feel

ashamed to start studying at a late stage in life. But

Mama Eliane, our sister, was compassionate

towards us and started educating us for

free," she told Africanews.

____________________________________________

Rwanda Heightens Surveillance

After Marburg Virus Outbreak

March 24th, 5:24pm

(teleSUR)

Public health workers and local leaders in eastern

Rwanda's Kirehe District are working together to

heighten surveillance measures at the Rusumo

border, following an outbreak of Marburg virus

disease in Tanzania's Kagera region.

Bruno Rangira, the Kirehe District mayor, said they have

ramped up preparedness involving public awareness

campaigns on Marburg signs and symptoms,

prevention measures as well as plans

for managing suspected cases.

"Public awareness is being carried out by health officials

and local leaders targeting residents, including the

border community and travelers traveling to

Tanzania," Rangira said, calling on

residents to play their role in

---- preventing the disease

outbreak in the country.

"We have enhanced readiness for the possibility of a virus

outbreak, including setting aside isolation rooms at the

district hospital and at the border," said Jean Claude

Munyemana, the head of Kirehe Hospital. Health

personnel who used to screen for COVID-19

have been empowered to screen travelers

for Marburg virus signs.

On Thursday, Tanzania's Health Ministry declared the first

outbreak of the deadly disease in the country, which has

killed five people, with 3 others admitted to hospitals.

Edson Rwagasore, the division manager of public health

surveillance and emergency at Rwanda Biomedical

Centre, confirmed that though there is no probable

or confirmed case of Marburg virus disease in the

country, the Health Ministry saw it important to

enhance surveillance at points of entry.

Marburg virus is in the same family as the virus that causes

Ebola and is a highly virulent disease that causes

hemorrhagic fever, with a fatality ratio of up to

88 percent. Illness caused by the Marburg

virus presents abruptly, with high fever,

severe headache and severe malaise.

Many patients develop severe hemorrhagic symptoms

within seven days, and vaccines or antiviral

treatments to treat the virus are yet to

be approved.

The virus is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and

spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids

of infected people, surfaces and materials.

______________________________________

Uganda: US couple accused of

child torture released on bail

March 24th, 3:18pm

(africanews)

A Ugandan court has granted bail to a US couple

arrested in December for torturing the 10-year-

old child in their care, their lawyer told AFP

on Thursday.

According to court documents seen by AFP, Nicholas
and Mackenzie Spencer, both 32, must answer
for "aggravated child trafficking" and

"aggravated torture" -- against the

young boy, between December

2020 and December 2022.

The couple had been arrested in December following a

report from the nanny of the child, who was educated

in an institution for disabled children. The nurse.. had

reported "repeated inhuman inappropriate treatment".

Apart from prosecution for "torture" and "trafficking" of

children, punishable by life imprisonment, they are also

accused of having stayed in Uganda with an

expired visa.

The couple, who deny all charges, was being held in

a high-security prison outside the capital Kampala.

At a bail hearing on Wednesday, Judge Isaac Muwata

released the couple temporarily on the condition that

they pay a bond of 50 million Ugandan shillings

(12,000 euros) and on the condition that they

hand over their passports to the Ugandan

authorities, their lawyer David Mpanga

told AFP.

The couple told the judge that they both suffered from a

rare condition that could not be adequately treated in

Uganda's prison system. The magistrate agreed: that

the couple could be released from gaol for treatment.

During their arrest in December, the investigators found

evidence showing in particular that the child slept on

a "wooden platform, without a mattress".

The boy was one of three children the couple were in

charge of. International adoptions of children have

created controversy in Uganda.

In 2020, U.S. authorities filed lawsuits and imposed

economic sanctions against a U.S.- based adoption

organization that placed non-orphan children with

U.S. families.

_________________________________________________

Ministerial reshuffle in the DRC:

Bemba in Defense, Kamerhe

in the Economy

March 24th, 3:21pm

(africanews)

A reshuffle of the government was announced overnight from

Thursday to Friday in the Democratic Republic of Congo

(DRC), now in office Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama

Lukonde but redesigning the ministerial team nine

months before the next presidential election.

Among the new heavyweights of the government is, at

Defense, the former vice-president (2003-2006) Jean-

Pierre Bemba. Former warlord, Mr Bemba.. had been

sentenced to 18 years in prison by the International

Criminal Court (ICC,) for crimes committed in the

Central African Republic before being acquitted

on appeal in 2018, after 10 years imprisonment.

He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Defense

Minister, as the DRC, which has been struggling with

armed violence for nearly 30 years in its eastern

part, experiences a spike in tension, with its

neighbour Rwanda -- accused of supporting

the rebellion. of "M23" which has occupied

large parts of the province of North Kivu

since last year.

Another comeback, Vital Kamerhe, former chief of staff of

President Félix Tshisekedi, sentenced in 2020 to 20 years

in prison for embezzlement before being acquitted on

appeal in 2022, is appointed to the Economy, also in

the rank of Deputy Prime Minister.

A reshuffle had been presented as imminent for three months,

after the resignation at the end of December of three

ministers who were members of the party of

businessman Moïse Katumbi, candidate for

the next presidential election, who had

left the government.. in solidarity with

their political movement in a rupture

with the ruling coalition.

The presidency warned early Thursday evening of an

"important communication" to come --- before a

spokesperson for Felix Tshisekedi appeared

on national television after midnight to

read the composition of the

new government.

The next presidential election is scheduled for December

20th. Félix Tshisekedi, in power since January 2019, has

announced for months that he would be a candidate for

re-election.

Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde has been Prime Minister since

February 2021. President Tshisekedi had appointed him

to consolidate his majority after ending the coalition

he formed at the top of the state, with his

predecessor, Joseph Kabila.

____________________________________

RUDN University to regain name

of Patrice Lumumba, says PM

March 23rd, 5:26pm (TASS)

The Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) has once

again been bestowed with the name of Patrice Lumumba, the

first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

who became a symbol of the struggle of African peoples for

independence, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin

announced on Thursday, responding to a proposal by

Leonid Slutsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic

Party in the State Duma.

"I want to give you some good news, Leonid Eduardovich;

I know that, literally a few hours ago, an order by the

Minister of Education and Science was signed to

return the name of Patrice Lumumba to the

university," the prime minister said. In his

opinion, the decision was a just one.

"It has been done," he stated.

The Peoples' Friendship University of Russia was founded in

1960. It bore the name of Patrice Lumumba from 1961 to

1992. In 1992 it was renamed the Peoples' Friendship

University of Russia by a decision of the Russian

government. The university’s primary mission

was to train highly qualified national

specialists for Asian, African and

Latin American countries - but

Soviet students also attended

the university.

According to the university’s website, it now tops the list of

Russian universities in terms of the percentage of foreign

students in the overall student body. The university

awards degrees in several dozen

academic disciplines.

______________________________________________________

Lavrov points to positive dynamics --- in

military and technical ties with Burundi

March 23rd, 11:42am (TASS)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted positive dynamics

in the sphere of military and military-technical cooperation

with Burundi.

"We have good contacts in the line of law enforcement agencies.

Burundian representatives, traditionally, take part in the annual

special meetings of high representatives in charge of security

issues. There is a positive dynamic in the sphere of military

and military-technical ties," the Russian top diplomat

pointed out on Thursday... at a press conference

following talks with his Burundian counterpart,

Albert Shingiro.

"We will continue to improve, as I have already said, the legal

framework of our relations, including in the field of peaceful

nuclear development, healthcare, cooperation between

the agencies dealing with justice, & labour activities,"

Lavrov added.

In his turn, Burundi Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro pointed out

that "both sides are ready to further strengthen interaction in

these areas."

"Burundi has always had good relations with Russia in
the field of military equipment, military hardware,

and we are ready to continue close cooperation
in this area," he said.

_______________________________

Burundi’s president confirms

participation in second

Russia-Africa Summit,

Lavrov says

March 23rd, 11:27am (TASS)

Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye has officially

confirmed his participation in the second Russia-Africa

Summit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said

at a meeting with the African nation’s top diplomat

Albert Shingiro on Thursday.

"We are grateful to Burundi’s president who in a special message

confirmed his participation in the second Russia-Africa Summit

set to take place in St. Petersburg in late July," Lavrov noted.

"We will definitely prepare a productive program for his

visit," he added.

Russia’s top diplomat also praised close cooperation between the

two countries on the global agenda within the United Nations.

"It is in our interest to increase the level and scope of trade,

economic and investment cooperation," he pointed out.

Burundi’s foreign minister, in turn, conveyed President Evariste

Ndayishimiye’s friendly greetings to Russian leader Vladimir

Putin and the country's people.

____________________________________

Russia, Burundi working on agreement

on peaceful use of nuclear energy,

Lavrov says

March 23rd, 11:16am (TASS)

Russia and Burundi are working on an intergovernmental

agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy,

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at

a press conference following talks with the

African nation’s top diplomat, Albert

Shingiro, on Thursday.

"We had a specific discussion of promising areas such as

the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Our countries have

joint roadmaps in this area and work is underway on

an intergovernmental agreement, as well as on a

memorandum on the training of personnel in the

field of nuclear energy," Lavrov pointed out.

"We also discussed our bilateral relations. We share a common

belief that they need to be consistently strengthened in all

areas. In addition, we agreed on the necessary political

steps to boost trade and economic cooperation and

humanitarian ties," Russia’s top diplomat added.

_______________________________________

Erdogan seeks talks with Putin

on supplying Africa with flour

milled from Russian grain

March 23rd, 1:51am (TASS)

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said he wanted

to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the next

few days about supplying African countries with flour that

would be milled in Türkiye using Russian grain, he said

in an interview with Turkish news media.

"Mr. Putin has already pointed out -- that grain is sent not to

African countries, but to Europe. He said: ‘Let’s send grain

to underdeveloped African countries.’ I replied to him:

‘You send grain and we will mill it into flour and send

it on to underdeveloped countries.’ We have this

agreement. We will hold talks in 2-3 days, and

we will discuss it," he said in the interview

that was webcast on his Twitter page.

The previous time that Erdogan talked about Ankara’s

readiness to process Russian grain at its mills, and

send it to Africa’s poor countries, was on January

the 5th.

Last Saturday, amid reports from the parties to the grain deal

that it was allegedly extended for yet another 120 days,

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman... Maria

Zakharova, told TASS that Russia had agreed

to extend the grain deal only for 60 days.

Earlier, following the talks in Geneva, Russian Deputy Foreign

Minister Sergey Vershinin noted that time will be sufficient

for an objective assessment of how the UN implements
its assurances to ensure the unblocking of exports
of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers
to the world market.

Agreements to export food from Ukraine were signed on July

the 22nd, 2022, in Istanbul to last 120 days and were

extended for another 120 days in November.

One of the agreements sets forth a procedure for the export of

grain from Kiev-controlled ports of Odessa, Chernomorsk and

Yuzhny. Russia and the UN also concluded a memorandum

for the UN to work toward lifting the restrictions on the

export of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers

to world markets. Russia says the memorandum

hasn’t been fulfilled.

______________________________________________________

Ugandan Parliament Passes Bill

to Criminalize Homosexuality

March 22nd (teleSUR)

On Tuesday, Ugandan legislators passed the Anti-Homosexuality

Bill, 2023 which criminalizes the act. This was confirmed by

Parliament Communications Director, Chris Obore.

"Yes, it was passed overwhelmingly. The vote represents

the national mood against homosexuality, especially its

deliberate and provocative promotion," he pointed out,

explaining that the mover of the bill framed it well,

focusing on the protection of family and children.

"It persuaded many legislators who believed that there

will be no human rights to talk about when family is

distorted," Obore said.

Once signed by the Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni into

law, the bill will prohibit same-sex sexual relationships and

the promotion of homosexuality, penalize homosexual

practices, and provide compensation to the victims

of homosexuality.

The bill introduced by an opposition lawmaker and passed at

its third reading aims to protect the traditional family values,

cherished culture, children and youth who are vulnerable to

sexual abuse.

On Wednesday, the UNs' High Commissioner for

Human Rights, Volker Turk, called on President

Musevenisaid, not to promulgate the bill

targeting LGTB people into law.

“The passing of this discriminatory bill – probably
among the worst of its kind in the world – is
a deeply troubling development,”
he lisped.

“If signed into law by the President, it will render lesbian,

gay and bisexual people in Uganda criminals simply for

existing, for being who they are. It could provide carte

blanche for the systematic violation of nearly all of

their human rights and serve to incite people

against each other,” Turk warned.

___________________________________

Wagner PMC founder urges US

to drop attempts to influence

Africa in letter to top diplomat

March 22nd, 5:01pm (TASS)

Founder of the Wagner private military company, Yevgeny

Prigozhin ---- has suggested that Washington abandon

attempts to "exert political influence in Africa" in

a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

posted in Russian and English on Telegram.

"Since most African countries, do not trust the policies of

France and the United States, and their trust ratings are

very low, I suggest that you abandon the attempt to

exert political influence in Africa and focus solely

on the security that the Wagner PMC can

provide," the letter reads.

According to Prigozhin, "today, taking advantage of the

preoccupation of the Wagner PMC with the Ukrainian

matters, the administrations of the United States

and other countries are actively trying to

reshape the ‘African pie’ and impose

sanctions on anyone who

opposes" it.

"However, I want to draw your attention to the fact that the long-

term attempts of the United States and its satellites to ‘restore

order’ and ensure security in Africa have not bore any fruit,"

the Wagner PMC founder pointed out. "Therefore, I invite

you to support the Wagner PMC’s efforts in ensuring

safety and security in Africa by sponsoring a new

project named ‘Wagner. Safe Africa’ (WSA), in

which you can invest, thereby saving

American taxpayer money,"

Prigozhin added.

_______________________________

First load of equipment for El Dabaa

NPP arrives in Egypt — Rosatom

March 22nd, 4:22pm (TASS)

A cargo vessel carrying the first load of oversized equipment

for construction of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant (NPP)

has arrived in Egypt, Russian state nuclear corporation

Rosatom told TASS.

The official ceremony for acceptance of the plant’s melt trap

took place on Tuesday at the power plant construction site.

"Two years ago, we were at the plant in Syzran ----- where

the fabrication of this technologically complex piece of

equipment started. The trap has now finally arrived

at the site. This --- is one of the most important

elements of the plant in terms of the safety

of an NPP... with a Generation 3+ PWR

reactor, and this confirms --- that we

are building the safest NPP in the

world," Atomstroiexport Vice

President, Grigory

Sosnin, said.

Melt traps are component parts of all modern nuclear power

generating units with Generation 3+ PWR-1200 reactors.

The vessel, with the 3 main melt trap components on board,

departed St. Petersburg in early March --- bound for the

construction site of the first power generation unit.

The El Dabaa NPP is the first nuclear power plant in Egypt

to be built by Rosatom; it is located about 300 km

northwest of Cairo on the Mediterranean coast.

____________________________________________

Egypt officially becomes a member

of BRICS New Development Bank

March 22nd, 3:12pm (TASS)

Egypt has officially become a new member of the New

Development Bank (NDB) created by BRICS member

states (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa)

after completing the necessary procedures,

according to an update on the composition

of the bank posted on the website of the

financial institution on Wednesday.

Egypt was officially given status as a member on February

20th, 2023, though a respective notification only appeared

on March 22nd, according to the update.

The NDB board of governors authorized the bank to hold

official talks with new potential member states... in late

2020. After successful talks, the NBD approved Egypt’s

accession in December 2021, while in September 2021

a similar decision was made regarding the United Arab

Emirates (UAE), Uruguay.. and Bangladesh. With the

exception of Uruguay, they all became members of

the bank after jumping through... necessary hoops.

The New Development bank was set up by BRICS nations on

the basis of the intergovernmental agreement signed at the

sixth BRICS summit in Fortaleza in July 2014. The bank’s

goal is to finance infrastructure projects and sustainable

development projects ---- in BRICS member states and

developing countries. The bank previously received

an ''AAA+" international credit rating from Fitch

Ratings and S&P Global Ratings --- allowing it

to effectively attract long-term funding on

international and local capital markets.

Since its founding, the bank has approved more than 90

projects totaling $32 bln in support of such areas as

transportation, water, clean energy, digital and

social infrastructure, as well as

urban construction.

_____________________________________

Cuba: 45th anniversary

of Karramara battle

is commemorated

by Alina Ramos Martin

March 22nd, 2:24pm

(Prensa Latina)

Representatives of the Cuba-Ethiopia People's Friendship

Association, convened by the Cuban Institute of

Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP),

commemorated the 45th

anniversary .... of the

Battle of Karramara.

The ceremony highlighted the brotherly relationship

between the two nations -- sealed by the victory in

that heroic deed, on March 5th, 1978, when Cuban

and Ethiopian troops preserved the independence

and territorial integrity of the African country

from the expansionist efforts by

neighbouring Somalia.

A wreath was laid at the Colon Cemetery, at the pantheon

of those who fell in that battle, by a group of Ethiopian

graduates from various specialties in Cuba, and

Cubans who, in the last 48 years, fulfilled the

internationalist mission in Ethiopia.

The leader of the so-called movement of Ethiopian-Cubans,

Anteneh Berhanu.... read a letter from the Ethiopian

concurrent ambassador to Cuba, Genet Teshome

Jirru, who reaffirmed Ethiopia's Government’s

willingness to strengthen bilateral relations
in health care, education, agricultural

technology and multilateral

cooperation, among

other areas.

Cuba’s solidarity beyond the Karramara epic, its role in the

international sphere and in Africa, especially cooperation

with medical brigades and professionals from other

disciplines in that continent, were acknowledged

by the speakers at the commemoration.

_____________________________________

Russia concerned about situation

with murder of Chinese citizens

in CAR, says top diplomat

March 22nd, 1:22pm (TASS)

Moscow is concerned about the situation with the murder

of Chinese citizens - by extremists in the Central African

Republic (CAR), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

said at the press conference following talks with his

Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh Mohammed.

"We are concerned about the situation unfolding in the Central

African Republic as a result of the extremist attack on Chinese

workers and the murder of nine of these workers," the Russian

top diplomat pointed out.

At the same time, Lavrov pointed out that riots in Kenya, were

taking place simultaneously, which was - "not very surprising"

for the Russian side either. "Because our Western colleagues

always demand that African leaders, as well as the leaders

of other countries, always follow their advice. And those

who show a minimum of independence --- receive

provocations from the West," he added, "I’m

not saying anything, but I’m not excluding

anything either."

The minister pointed out that there were indeed situations in

the economic and social spheres that provoked protests and

discontent among the population. "But in most cases, the

West intends to either create situations or use them in

its own interests," he concluded.

On March 19th, unidentified assailants.. killed nine Chinese

nationals working in a gold mine near the town of Bambari.

Two others were wounded. Chinese President Xi Jinping

on Monday called for the perpetrators of the attack on

Chinese citizens in CAR, to be severely punished in

accordance with the law.

__________________________________________

Russia interested in projects with

Eritrea in mineral production

sector — Lavrov

March 22nd, 12:41pm (TASS)

Russia is interested in developing joint projects with Eritrea

in the areas of transport infrastructure and mineral

production, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey

Lavrov told a press conference following

the talks with his Eritrean counterpart

Osman Saleh Mohammed,

on Wednesday.

Special attention was given to efforts to fully unlock the existing

cooperation potential in the economic field, Lavrov said. "We are

interested in developing joint promising projects in transport

infrastructure, agriculture production, exploration and

extraction of mineral resources. We outlined Russian

companies’ particular interest in entering the

Eritrean market," he said.

"Our Eritrean friends vowed to come up with suggestions on the

areas of efforts’ application with potential mutual interests

from the viewpoint of attracting Russian business,"

Russia’s top diplomat noted.

Moreover, the sides agreed to provide direct assistance to

representatives of the two countries’ business circles in

establishing direct contacts, he added.

________________________________________

Lavrov says he discussed military

cooperation with his Eritrean

counterpart

March 22nd, 12:05pm (TASS)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday

he had discussed military cooperation with his Eritrean

counterpart, Osman Saleh Mohammed, on Wednesday.

"We discussed military cooperation and interaction in the field

of security," Russia’s top diplomat said at a news conference

following talks with the Eritrean foreign minister "This is an

important aspect of our cooperation, particularly taking

into account the situation near the Horn of Africa and

ongoing tensions between the regional players

there," Lavrov added.

________________________________________

Over 550 Arrested During

National Protest in

South Africa

(March 21st, 5pm

(teleSUR)

Besides being overwhelmed by endless blackouts,

citizens protest against the high unemployment

rate, which remained at 32.7 percent for the

fourth consecutive quarter.

As of Monday night, South African's National Joint Operational

and Intelligence Structure arrested over 550 protesters, who

are accused of public violence, intimidation, damage to

infrastructure, robbery and attempted looting during

a national shutdown protest.

"Gauteng recorded the highest number of arrests with 149, the

Northern Cape recorded the second-highest number with 95

arrests, the Eastern Cape also saw 80 protestors arrested,

followed by Free State with 64 arrests," the South

African Police Service (SAPS) said.

Opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) organized a

shutdown, with thousands of protestors taking to the streets

in major cities to force President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) also

supported the national strike to protest against the high

unemployment rate, which remained at 32.7 percent

for the fourth consecutive quarter.

Citizens also reject the constant power blackouts caused by

the poor state of the electrical network, which depends

almost entirely on the indebted state

company Eskom.

Corruption, insufficient energy supply, breakdowns, and the theft

of equipment and cables are other factors that explain the South

African energy situation, which forced President Ramaphosa to

"State of National Disaster" and to create a new Ministry

of Electricity.

Law enforcement officers have also confiscated 24,300 tyres

throughout the country, since protestors usually use

burning tyres to blockade roads.

SAPS Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the protests,

especially in Pretoria, were peaceful. Law enforcement

deployments will continue to monitor the situation

closely to ensure the safety and security of

everyone in the country, Mathe said.

South Africans demand that France exit the African

continent #SouthAfrica #France #Colonialism #Video

__________________________________

Cuba congratulates Namibia on

33rd independence anniversary

by Ana Luisa Brown

March 21st, 2:48pm

(Prensa Latina)

The Cuban Foreign Ministry (MINREX) on Tuesday

congratulated the brotherly people and

government of Namibia - on its 33rd

independence anniversary.

On Twitter, MINREX reaffirmed Cuba’s interest in

continuing strengthening cooperation and

solidarity relations with Namibia.

Namibia achieved independence from South Africa on

March 21st, 1990, following a successful conclusion

of elections, supervized and controlled by the

United Nations.

For this purpose, Cuban internationalist forces was essential,

which contributed to defeating the apartheid troops and its

international sponsors.

Hundreds of Cuban collaborators in health, education, sports,

construction and other areas --- have served in Namibia.

_____________________________________

Russia-Africa conference shows

shaped multipolar world

— official

March 21st, 11:41am (TASS)

The Russia-Africa International Parliamentary Conference,

which was held in Moscow on March 19-20, has shown

that a multipolar world has already been shaped,

Alexander Babakov, Russian State Duma

Deputy Speaker.. and chairman of the

conference’s organizing committee,

told reporters.

"The result of the conference is that the multipolar world has

already shaped. A number of those African countries that

have come, demonstrated these states’ readiness to

recognize --- what was unfolding, and to treat it

positively --- as well as not to regard Russia

as an isolated country --- but as a reliable

partner. There is no isolation of Russia

either," the lawmaker stressed.

The second Russia-Africa International Parliamentary

Conference.. was held on the platform of the State

Duma. Over 40 official parliamentary delegations

from African countries took part in the event.

The conference was aimed at strengthening parliamentarian

cooperation with African countries in the context of a multi

polar world, developing relations and elaborating common

approaches to legal regulation in the field of economy,

science and education and security.

The conference was a preparatory event for the second

Russia-Africa summit to be held on July the 27th to the

28th, in St. Petersburg. The first international

conference took place in Moscow in 2019.

____________________________________________

Russia to help Africa become strong

pole of power in global arena

— diplomat

March 19th, 6:20pm (TASS)

Russia is ready to help Africa become a strong pole of power

in the international arena, Oleg Ozerov, Russian Foreign

Ministry’s Ambassador at Large, said on Sunday.

According to the diplomat, the African continent is a rising

power, which "will gain more and more significance in this

new world."

"Africa.... is getting prepared for a new stage of its
development, which will see two main processes.
This is the process of strengthening national
sovereignty - and Russia fully supports our
African friends on this because we want
each country to have an independent
voice, to determine its policy in the
international arena ----- by itself,

without any foreign coercion.''

We are convinced that we have much in common.
We have common interests, first of all -- in what
concerns security," Ozerov... who is the head of
the secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership
Forum, told a roundtable meeting on security
within the framework of the second Russia-

Africa international parliamentary
conference.

Another security dimension, in his words, is strengthening

integration processes on the African continent. He drew

attention to the fact that an African continental free

trade zone was launched in 2022. He also noted

that the role of sub-regional integration

associations is increasing.

"We are convinced that these two mutually supplementing

processes will help Africa develop as a strong pole of

power in the global arena in the foreseeable view.
And, naturally, we are interested in, first,
promoting the development of this pole
of power and.... second, in having
a reliable friend, embodied by
African states," he added.

__________________________

US biolabs in Africa pose threats

to continent – Russian diplomat

March 19th, 5:26pm (TASS)

The United States and its partners are establishing biological

laboratories in Africa, which pose threats to the countries of

the continent, Oleg Ozerov, Russian Foreign Ministry’s

Ambassador at Large, said on Sunday.

"Finally, Africa is facing the issue of biological threats.

You know --- that the United States and its partners
are establishing laboratories across the globe,

- including on the African continent - and

the governments of these countries ---

are not let into these laboratories,"

he told a roundtable meeting.. on

security within the framework of

the second Russia-Africa inter-

national parliamentary

conference.

_________________________________

Russia to set up its leasing company

in Africa — Industry & Trade Ministry

March 19th, 12:32pm (TASS)

Russia’s efforts underway to set up a
trade mission in Nigeria, says
the ministry.

Moscow intends to set up its own leasing company

on Africa’s territory, Russia’s First Deputy Minister

of Industry and Trade, Vasily Osmakov, said

on Sunday.

"A specialized Russian leasing company will most

probably be created in Africa. We are currently

choosing the location for this leasing

company, as the African market

has its specifics," he said.

"Gazprombank Leasing will most probably be
the backbone company," Osmakov added.

Trade mission in Nigeria

Russia’s efforts are also underway to set up a

trade mission in Nigeria, the First Deputy

Minister says.

"Last year a maneuver was launched to distribute trade

missions. It is planned to open a trade mission in

Ethiopia in the second quarter of this year, with

the government’s decision made. Efforts

are underway to set up a trade mission

in Nigeria ----- and other countries are

being explored," Osmakov specifies.

_______________________________________

UK Home Secretary visits Rwanda

as asylum deal remains mired

in legal challenges

March 18th, 4:12pm
(PressTV)

British Home Secretary Suella Braverman has travelled to

Rwanda to discuss a controversial agreement which

would allow the UK to detain and deport asylum

seekers to the African nation, an arrangement

decried by the UN refugee agency, as an

“asylum ban” and a "clear breach" of

international law.

Braverman accompanied by journalists with right-wing titles

arrived in Kigali on Saturday where she was greeted by the

permanent secretary to Rwanda’s foreign ministry

Clementine Mukeka, and the British high

commissioner to Rwanda Omar Daair.

Before departing, Braverman reaffirmed her commitment to

the scheme, saying it would “act as a powerful deterrent

against dangerous and illegal journeys.”

The visit comes 11 months after the British government

outlined its plan to send thousands of asylum-seekers

who had entered the country illegally ---- to Rwanda
to have their asylum claims processed in the

African country.

The plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda, the British

government claims, aims to disrupt illegal human

trafficking gangs and reduce the number of

refugees seeking a safe haven in the West

and forced to make the sometimes

dangerous 30km distance sea

journey across the Channel

to England from France.

The scheme, which would see the UK pay Rwanda $145

million over the next five years... has faced a backlash

from NGOs, asylum seekers, and a civil service trade

union, that questioned its legality, leading the

government to delay its execution.

So far, no flights have taken place after the first scheduled

flight to the African nation was stopped at the eleventh

hour back in June, due to an intervention by the

European Court of Human Rights (ECHR),

followed by months of legal challenges

which have since stalled the program.

Presently, the 'Illegal Migration Bill', which gives the

government the go-ahead to deport anyone

arriving illegally in the UK, is being

debated in the British parliament

Most often, there are no safe and legal routes into

the UK, forcing asylum seekers to take many risks.

Under the new bill, the ones who do make it to the UK “won’t

be admissible to have their asylum claim assessed even if

they are refugees coming from war-torn societies,” said

Alexander Betts, Director of the University of Oxford

Refugee Studies Centre. Instead, they will face

immediate removal either to their country of

origin, or a third country, like Rwanda.

The government’s new plan comes as most of these asylum

seekers qualify to have their claims considered in the UK

under international law and the government cannot

declare them inadmissible forcefully.

“When you open up the bill, on the first page there’s a big red

flag which says: This might be in violation of the European

Convention on Human Rights,” Betts told CNN.

Betts added that the proposed bill is of “historical

significance,” since it amounts to “a liberal,

democratic state --- abandoning the

principle of the right to asylum.”

The United Nations Court of Human Rights has warned

that the bill, if enacted, would be a “clear breach” of

the Refugee Convention.

There are also concerns that the bill is impractical. The

Rwandan government has indicated that Kigali can

only process 1,000 asylum seekers over the
initial five-year period.

Home Office figures show that more than 3,000 migrants

have crossed the Channel already this year, compared

with a record of 45,755 channel crossings during the

whole period of 2022, surpassing the previous
year's record ....by more than 60 percent.

Aside from its casualties... the flow of illegal migrants

has also soured Britain's relations with neighbouring

France, prompting a blame game between the two.

___________________________________________________

Tanzania to Investigate Rare

Disease Outbreak in Kagera

March 17th (teleSUR)

On Thursday, Tanzanian health authorities launched

investigations after a strange disease killed five

people and two others were admitted to a

health centre in the region of Kagera.

Tumaini Nagu, chief medical officer in the Health Ministry,

said that the investigations followed reports that five

people have died in two villages in the Bukoba

rural district, after they suffered fever,

vomiting, hemorrhage, and

kidney failure.

"Symptoms of the illness point to an infectious disease,"

she said, adding that samples of the victims have
been collected for laboratory tests.

Rapid response medical teams have been dispatched

to affected villages --- for further investigations.

People who experience fever, vomiting, bleeding in various

parts of their bodies, and feeling fatigued should report
to health centres for treatment, said Nagu, who also

cautioned people against touching patients'

sweat, blood, urine, and tears, to

avoid infection.

Health authorities reminded people to regularly wash

their hands using soap, running water, and sanitizers,

adding that people should also avoid shaking hands.

They urged people to remain calm as the Tanzanian

government is working hard ---- to establish the

causes of the strange disease in the region.

___________________________________________

Putin to address Russia-Africa

parliamentary conference

Monday — Kremlin aide

March 17th, 4:20pm (TASS)

Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak at the Russia-

Africa parliamentary conference on Monday, Kremlin

aide Yury Ushakov, told reporters on Friday.

"On March the 20th, when the president receives the Chinese

leader, he will address the 2nd parliamentary conference

’Russia-Africa’," Ushakov said, adding that the event will

pave the way for the 2nd Russia-Africa summit,

scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg

from July the 27th to the 28th.

This conference "is like a preparatory event for the second

Russia-Africa summit, which will be held July 27-28 in St.

Petersburg," Ushakov, who heads the organizing

committee of the summit, said. According to

him, the summit forum will be preceded

by more than a 100 different events.

Ushakov noted that delegations from about 40 countries of

the African continent, including 14 heads of legislative

bodies, have confirmed their participation in the

conference. A total of more than 200 African

parliamentarians are expected.

Speaking about the preparations for the July summit,

the Kremlin aide assured that Moscow was "actively

working, meetings are being held on a regular

basis within the framework of 17 specialized

working groups, that focus on various areas

of cooperation between Russia and Africa."

"We believe that this summit is important for the further

development of the entire complex of relations -

political, economic, and military-technical -

between Russia & the African countries,"

Ushakov said.

He drew attention to the fact that many heads of states

& heads of regional African organizations had already

confirmed their participation... in the summit in St.

Petersburg. "We are already working on the final

declaration of the summit, on the action plan of

the Russia-Africa partnership for 2023-2026.''

''We believe that the second summit will give a new

impetus to the development of comprehensive

Russian-African relations," Ushakov said.

___________________________________________

Over 40 African delegations

to take part in Russia-Africa

parliamentary conference

March 17th, 1:58pm (TASS)

More than 40 delegations from African countries will take

part in the parliamentary conference "Russia-Africa in

the Multipolar World," the Kremlin's press service

said on Friday.

"More than 40 delegations from the countries of the African

continent will take part in the conference, a major run-up

event to the second Russia-Africa summit," it said.

Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said earlier that

President Vladimir Putin.. will speak at the conference,

which will be a precursor to the second Russia-Africa

summit to be held in St. Petersburg on July 27-28.

____________________________________________

Rosatom subsidiary to construct

small HPPs with total capacity

of 500 MW --- in Congo

March 17th, 9:52am (TASS)

RASU JSC (Rusatom Automated Control Systems), a

subsidiary of the Rosatom State Corporation, is

working on a project to build small hydropower

plants (HPP) in the Republic of the Congo,

with a total capacity of 500 MW at the

initial stage, Russian Ambassador

to the republic, Georgy Chepik,

told reporters.

"I really like the project already being concretely

developed by Rosatom’s subsidiary RASU JSC,

which deals with hydropower. We are talking

about container-type micro and small HPPs

produced by Russia," he said.

The Republic of the Congo has defined 37 locations

where the construction of HPPs with a capacity

between 1 and 10 MW is possible, the diplomat

said. "Total generation will be 500 MW at the

first stage. This is roughly in line with the

current total generation of the country

from heat, gas and existing hydro-

power plants," he noted.

Should the project be successful, the capacity may

be tripled, Chepik said. "This alone, will produce

huge results. The Congo will export electricity,

with remote areas being provided with

electricity," he pointed out.

__________________________________________

Russia may provide mobile

lab to Congo to study

tropical diseases

March 17th, 9:05am (TASS)

Moscow is working on providing a mobile laboratory to study

tropical diseases... to the Republic of the Congo, Russian

Ambassador to the African country, Georgy Chepik,

told reporters.

"For us and the Congolese side, this is a very important

project in the field of research and study of tropical

infections and diseases. The idea was put forward

by the Congolese side --- and Rospotrebnadzor

(Russia’s sanitary watchdog) reacted very

positively to it," he noted. "Currently, it is

about working on providing the Congo

with a mobile lab based on the

Kamaz platform,"

Chepik added.

The envoy also said that Russia and the Congo would sign

a memorandum on the project at a later date. "Russian

and Congolese specialists will jointly use the

laboratory," Chepik said.

__________________________________________

Russia looking for ways to bring

grain exporters, Congolese

buyers together — envoy

March 17th, 8:51am (TASS)

Russia’s embassy in the Republic of the Congo is

actively searching for possibilities to connect

Russian grain suppliers to local purchasers,

Russian Ambassador to the Congo,
Georgy Chepik, told reporters.

On the republic’s side there is demand for Russian grain,

he said. "However, it is necessary to understand that

the Congo is not structured the same way as Egypt,

for example. There is no centralized state entity for

grain purchases here," the diplomat explained,

adding that the embassy is forced to search

for opportunities, which it is actively

involved in, "to connect [Russian

exporters] to local purchasers."

Meanwhile, Russian companies that are accustomed to

working with international traders have so far failed to

agree with the Congo on new supply terms, Chepik

noted. "As a rule, we deliver products to the

loading port in Russia, whereas the

Congolese... would like to get the

products in the unloading port,

of course, which is the main

problem now," he said.

Russian firms interested in exporting their products, mainly

grain and fertilizers, to the Congo, should take the initiative

to make these deliveries, the envoy said. "Once grain has

gone to smash it has straightforwardly affected the local

consumer market. The same concerns fertilizers as well.

Grain was one of our main exports to the Republic of the

Congo... before the sanctions period," he pointed out.

Commenting on the grain deal, which would ensure access

of Russian grain to the global market, Chepik said that the

agreement only works partially and not efficiently

regarding Russian supplies.

"The only proper solution for us is to build our own logistics,

financial and insurance chains, that will enable us to really

see who the unfriendly countries are," he concluded.

________________________________________

Russia, Congo to ink deal for

construction of oil product

pipeline

March 17th, 8:20am (TASS)

Russia and the Republic of the Congo plan to sign an

intergovernmental agreement on the construction

of a pipeline --- that will transport petroleum

products in the African country, with the

participation of a Russian company...

ahead of the Russia-Africa summit,

that will be held in St. Petersburg

in July, Russian Ambassador to

Congo, Georgy Chepik,

told reporters.

The project on the creation of an oil product pipeline

between Congo’s largest cities of Pointe-Noire and

the capital of Brazzaville is part of immediate

plans to develop relations between Russia

and the Republic of the Congo, he noted.

"It is named after the points that it

crosses - Pointe-Noire, Lutete
and Maloukou Trechot,"
the diplomat added.

It was decided at the meeting of the sixth intergovernmental

trade-economic commission -- in September 2022 -- that an

intergovernmental agreement... should be sealed between

the governments of Russia and the Republic of the Congo

on the project to build a pipeline to supply oil products,

Chepik said. "The plan is, to have this agreement

signed before the Russia-Africa summit, and a

joint venture is likely to be set up, to deal

with practical issues, and a concession

agreement will be inked," he explained.

On the Russian side, the ZNGS Prometey company has

shown interest in the project, the ambassador noted.

"It will most likely be involved in the intergovern-

mental agreement," he said.

The diplomat also noted that Russia’s oil major Lukoil, which

has been working in the African country since 2019, is the

flagship, in the development of the relationship between

the two countries. "This is a very important, significant

presence for us. It can only be compared with Rusal

in Guinea and Alrosa in Angola. Lukoil is our most

important economic presence here now,"

he stressed.

________________________________________

Russia, Democratic Republic of Congo,

work on agreements ahead of Russia

-Africa summit

March 17th, 8:02am (TASS)

Russia and the Democratic Republic of Congo are

working on several agreements between the two

countries --- ahead of the second Russia-Africa

summit, Russian Ambassador to the republic

Georgy Chepik told reporters.

"We are working ahead of the second Russia-Africa summit on

several documents, including trade agreements, agreements

on the use of funds received as repayment of the debt of the

Republic of Congo, an agreement on maritime transport, an

agreement on mutual recognition of education and

qualifications," he said.

According to the Russian diplomat, the sides are also working

on a memorandum of cooperation in the construction area.

"We hope to finally sign a memorandum of understanding

between the Russian State Duma --- and the National

Assembly of the Republic of Congo, which, by the

way, is headed by our graduate, Isidore Mvouba,

who speaks excellent Russian and has a

Russian wife," Chepik added.

The Russian ambassador revealed that the delegation of the

Democratic Republic of Congo at the Russia-Africa summit

would most likely be headed by the country’s president

Denis Sassou Nguesso. "We assume... that Denis

Sassou Nguesso will come to St. Petersburg.

In any case, he has already voiced such

intentions", he said.

____________________________________________

Africa's Economy Projected to

Grow 3.9 Pct in 2023: UNECA

March 16th (teleSUR)

Fiscal deficits and debt levels are projected to improve in

2023, but they remain relatively higher or at par with
pre-pandemic levels in most countries.

On Wednesday, the United Nations Economic Commission

for Africa (UNECA) -- announced that Africa's economy is

projected to grow 3.9 percent in 2023 from 3.6 percent

in 2022.

Presenting a report on recent economic and social

developments in Africa Wednesday at the 55th

session of the Commission, UNECA's Macro-

economics and Governance Divisional

Director Adam Elhiraika, said Africa's

GDP growth declined from 4.6%

in 2021.. to 3.6% in 2022, but

is expected to rebound to

3.9% in 2023.

"The slowdown in the global economy, high prices fuelled

by the Ukrainian conflict, climate change & worsening

international economic and financial conditions...

significantly impacted Africa's growth in 2022,"

said Elhiraika, adding that the 3.9% growth

forecast for 2023, is mainly driven by

growth in the continent's east,

north and west Africa

sub-regions.

In the developing world, Africa was the fastest growing

region after East & South Asia (4.5 percent), followed

by South-Eastern Europe (3.2 percent), and Latin

America (2.1 percent).

"Unfortunately, Africa continues to grow at a low and

unsteady rate of GDP," the director said, noting that

the anticipated 3.9 percent growth rate this year

remains low... compared to the pre-COVID-19

periods -- and Africa needs to create jobs

and reduce poverty.

Fiscal deficits and debt levels are projected to improve in

2023, but they remain relatively higher or at par, with pre-

pandemic levels in most countries except in Central and

Southern Africa which has had significant improvements.

Elhiraika said inflation across the continent is estimated to

decline to 12 percent in 2023 from 12.8 percent in 2022 as

countries of the continent are expected to tighten their

monetary policies to withstand inflationary pressures.

Fiscal space remains constrained despite narrowing

economic deficits, making it harder for most

countries to invest in major sectors to

ensure resilience from shocks, said

the director, adding that rising

borrowing costs and debt

service burdens pose a

significant challenge --

going forward & that

Africa's debt-to-GDP

ratio, is estimated to

reach 61.9% in 2023.

Elhiraika added that currency depreciation has

been more pronounced in countries with

flexible exchange rate regimes and in

commodity-exporting countries.

Countries with fixed exchange rates, especially those

within the Economic and Monetary Community of

Central Africa and West African Economic and

Monetary Union experienced an average

depreciation of 10 percent against the

U.S. dollar in 2022.

____________________________________

Disorder, anarchy we wont allow,

says President Ramaphosa

by Pavel López Lazo

March 16th, 3:53pm

(Prensa Latina)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Thursday,

claimed ahead of a planned national strike for Monday

20th, his country will not allow anarchy and disorder.

Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters

(EFF), said this week his party will hold the protest to

mainly call for Ramaphosa´s resignation - as well as

for the end to blackouts.

In relation to EFF’s demands, Ramaphosa assured that South

Africa is governed by the rule of law. We are a constitutional

democracy. Regime change can only come about through

the vote. It cannot come about through anarchy,

unleashing disorder in the country.

“I want to say very clearly: disorder and anarchy will not be

allowed in South Africa. We will not allow those who want

to spread anarchy to do what they like here in South

Africa,” he said.

‘If you do not do what we like, we are going to take action

against you’. That completely goes against the ethos

of our Constitution,” he stressed.

_____________________________________

Angolan cultural institution

signs agreement with Cuba

by Juan M. Garcia

March 16th, 2:07pm

(Prensa Latina)

The Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto Memorial (MAAN) signed
a collaboration agreement on Thursday with the Fidel

Castro Ruz Centre, to unite Angola and Cuba in the

promotion of historical research and scientific-

cultural exchanges.

According to MAAN Director General Antonio Fonseca, the

signing of the document in Luanda was “a great joy,”

which will come to fruition in the coming days,

when the document will be penned in

Havana by the Cuban counterpart.

“Our joy is justified because the signing of this agreement

can enhance research and the dissemination of the life

and work of the leaders of the Angolan Revolution and

the Cuban Revolution, Antonio Agostinho Neto and

Fidel Castro Ruz, respectively,” he stated.

It means another open door, to transmit to the new

generations the values cultivated by both patriots,

as well as a way to promote the study, rescue and

dissemination of the historical memory and the

socialization of national culture, “which does

justice to our historic ties”, he added.

Under the leadership of Fidel Castro, Cuba was always on

Angola’s side, from the liberation struggle, the fight

against foreign invaders and the maintenance of

territorial integrity, to the beginning of the

construction of the independent State

and the subsequent tasks in favour

of education and culture,

Fonseca explained.

Such relationships of brotherhood, he noted, should be

known to the present and future generations because

“memory is a social and cultural right, a source of

training that places man in the best conditions
to project the future.”

The trajectory of bilateral ties generated information that is

still scattered and deserves the attention of both parties

for its compilation and analysis, which can contribute to

the historiography of the national liberation struggle in

Angola, the intellectual pointed out.

In Fonseca’s opinion, the institutionalization of relations

between the MAAN and the Fidel Castro Ruz Centre

means establishing ties between two institutions

with programs aimed at recovering & preserving

the memory of the struggles, carried out for the

good of their respective peoples and humanity.

______________________________________________

Russia to back Algeria's intention

to join BRICS, says speaker

March 16th, 1:37pm (TASS)

Russia will support Algeria's intention to join BRICS (Brazil,

Russia, India, China and South Africa), Federation Council

Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, who is leading the

council delegation on an official visit to the

country, said on Thursday.

"As you know --- Algeria has expressed a desire to join the

BRICS format. Russia will certainly support this intention

and will do its best to facilitate this," Matviyenko said

after meeting with Algerian President Abdelmadjid

Tebboune. According to her, Tebboune pointed

out during the meeting that Russia was and

remained "a great friend of Algeria."

__________________________________

Russian Federation Council

delegation headed by

Matviyenko arrives

in Algeria

March 15th, 7:14pm

A Federation Council delegation... led by the speaker of

the upper house of the Russian parliament, Valentina

Matviyenko, has arrived in Algeria, where Russian

senators will stay until March 17th.

During the trip, Matvienko will meet with the leadership

of the African country, including the heads of the upper

and lower chambers of the Algerian parliament: Chair

-man of the Council of the Nation, Salah Gujil and

Chairman of the National People's Assembly,

Brahim Bugali.

In addition, the senators will lay a wreath at the Monument

to the Heroes of the War of Independence of Algeria, visit

a photo exhibition dedicated to the 25th anniversary of

the Council of Nations of the People's Democratic

Republic of Algeria, the press service of the

Federation Council of Russia, reported.

In late February, Russian Security Council Secretary,

Nikolai Patrushev, met with Algerian President,

Abdelmajid Tebboun.

Russian Ambassador to Algeria, Valerian Shuvaev,

earlier told RT ---- about promising areas of

cooperation between the two countries.

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, in an interview

with RT Arabic, said that Algeria is among the leaders

of the candidates ----- for joining BRICS.

_________________________________________

Mozambican president plans to

attend Russia-Africa summit,

says envoy

March 15th, 12:01pm (TASS)

The President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, plans to
attend the Russia-Africa summit to be held in July
in St. Petersburg, the country’s envoy to Moscow

Jose Mateus Muaria Katupha, told TASS

on Wednesday.

"I hope that the president of my country will participate

in the summit, just as he did in 2019. So far everything

indicates that he will come," he said.

The diplomat pointed out that Mozambique planned to take

part in the summit at the governmental level as well.

"I hope that [Mozambique's participation in the summit] will

also take place on a cultural and scientific level. Perhaps,

directors of various universities in Mozambique will

attend, as well as businessmen," he added.

____________________________________________

Mourning and uncertainty

in Malawi due to Cyclone

by Javier Arana Villasusa

March 15th 10:59am

(Prensa Latina)

Days after the most recent cyclone´s overwhelming passage

through Malawi, the count of the human damage continues,

with a provisional death toll of 200 people and material

damage the extent of which... remains unknown.

Meanwhile, the human damage count continues, hundreds of

internally displaced persons found refuge in Blantire (south),

the main commercial city of the country, where they live in

precarious conditions waiting for official and international

aid that barely arrives ---- according to statements of

the victims.

The events indicate that the second lashing of the

enimagmatic cyclone was even more destructive

than the first one because the accompanying

heavy rains caused floods and mudslides

that swept away dozens of people,

while the winds destroyed

houses and crops.

So far... the number of victims is more than 19 thousand,

according to the most updated report of the authorities.

The weather phenomenon, unofficially holder of the record

for the longest in duration, was born near the coasts of

Australia at the end of February and in its transit

through the Indian Ocean increased to a force

yet to be calculated and with which it had

hit the islands of Reunion, Madagascar,

Mozambique, as well as areas

of Zimbabwe.

However, that was not the end of its story, as it

strengthened on its exit to the Indian Ocean,

and, once again, turned its fury on

Mozambique and Malawi.

_________________________________________

Russia-Africa summit plans to adopt

declaration, and joint action plan

— envoy

March 14th, 3:23pm (TASS)

The participants of the second Russia-Africa summit, to be

held in St. Petersburg, plan to adopt a political declaration

and a joint action plan, Oleg Ozerov, the Russian

Ambassador-at-Large, and Head of the

Russia-Africa Partnership Forum

Secretariat, said.

"We’ve already discussed a political declaration, we also

intend to discuss its content with all African countries.

This will be our joint document --- that reflects our

common interests. And we're sure, that we will

be able to agree on it. The second document

will be our joint action plan. We’ve.. already

prepared and coordinated with the African

Union, a joint action plan, it is ready for

signing," he said at the Russian Union

of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs’

international forum ‘Russia-Africa:

Cooperation ------ as a path to

sustainable development’.

Ozerov also expressed hope, that the summit would

address the issue of the development of relations

between the Eurasian Economic Union and

regional African organizations.

The diplomat pointed out that the key task for Moscow

is to strengthen the sovereignty of African states.

According to him, Moscow is "the beacon of sovereignty".

"We’ve ensured our sovereignty - and we are ready to help

others precisely to move to a new model of international

relations, to equal cooperation in a multipolar world.

I think our interests coincide with those of the

African states, and we will continue to work

together to achieve concrete results,"

he concluded.

_____________________________________

Namibian president to attend

Russia-Africa summit,

ambassador to

Russia says

March 14th, 1:10pm (TASS)

Namibian President Hage Geingob, ministers and business

people, are set to attend the second Russia-Africa summit

in St. Petersburg, the African country’s Ambassador to

Russia, Clemens Handuukeme Kashuupulwa, said at

a conference on Tuesday.

"We expect that the president of the Republic of Namibia

will visit this very important summit with a delegation of

ministers and members of the business community,"

he said at the conference entitled "Russia -

Africa: cooperation as a Way Toward

Sustainable Development."

The second Russia-Africa summit and economic forum is

scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg from July the

26th to the 29th. The first summit was held in Sochi,

from October the 22nd to the 24th, in 2019.

__________________________________________

Ethiopia reaffirms commitment

to non-proliferation of

nuclear weapons

by Pavel López Lazo

March 13th, 2:50pm

(Prensa Latina)

“As an IAEA founding member since 1957, Ethiopia has

over the years enhanced its collaboration with the

agency and is also committed to, and strongly

supportive of, the agency’s mandates,”

Molla stated --- while reaffirming his

country´s readiness to collaborate

& promote technical cooperation

with the IAEA ---- in key socio-

economic sectors including

agriculture, food security,

health, water resources

management, and the

environment, as well

as manufacturing &

power generation,

among others.

In this regard, Molla announced a group of steps for setting

up the Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST)

to sustainably manage this sector.

“We´re outlaying on research and development, building

necessary infrastructure and developing policies and

programs to support innovative companies and

entrepreneurs in all sectors,” Molla added.

IAEA´s Deputy Director-General and Head of Technical

Cooperation Department Hua Liu, on the other hand,

stressed the meeting is aimed at --- boosting the

efficiency and effectiveness of the technical

cooperation program in Africa.

___________________________________

Association of National Olympic

Committees of Africa --- green-

lights Russia for 2024 Games

March 13th, 2:41pm (TASS)

Members of the Association of National Olympic

Committees of Africa (ANOCA) have voted

unanimously in favour of admitting

Russian and Belarusian athletes

to compete in the 2024 Summer

Games in Paris, ANOCA’s press

office said in a statement

on Monday.

"Over 100 African athletes representatives... taking part

in the Continental Athletes’ Forum held in Algiers this

weekend have unanimously expressed their full

support --- of the resolution adopted by the

ANOCA executive board -- on March 3rd --

2023 welcoming the return of Russian

& Belarusian athletes competing as

neutral athletes in international

competitions" ---- the

statement reads.

"The participants from 50 National Olympic Commission

(NOC) Athletes’ Commissions (ACs) across Africa

gathered in Algiers, Algeria, for the Association

of National Olympic Committees of Africa

(ANOCA) Athletes’ Forum," according to

ANOCA’s statement.

"In their discussions they reiterated that athletes should

never pay the price of a conflict whatever it is and

wherever it is."

"Politics should not put pressure on Sport to withdraw

from its fundamental values of solidarity and unity,"

the statement emphasized.

On February 28th, 2022, the International Olympic

Committee (IOC) issued recommendations to

international sports federations to bar

athletes from Russia and Belarus

from taking part in international

tournaments, citing Moscow’s

special military operation in

Ukraine as the reason.

Following the IOC’s recommendations in late February

2022, the majority of global sports federations

decided to bar athletes from Russia and

Belarus from all international

sports tournaments.

At its session on January 25, 2023, the IOC Executive

Board put forward a proposal to permit individual

athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in

international sports tournaments, but only

under certain conditions.

Specifically, eligible athletes from the two countries

should not be "active supporters" of Russia’s

special military operation in Ukraine and

must compete under neutral status.

On February 9th, Reuters news agency quoted IOC

President Thomas Bach as saying in a statement

that any potential boycott of the 2024 Summer

Olympic Games in Paris by the Ukrainian

National Olympic Committee (NOC)

would be in violation of the

Olympic Charter.

______________________________

Diaspora Kitchen Festival

highlights traditional

Cameroonian cuisine

March 12th, 5:40pm

(africanews)

For several years in Cameroon, the trend among chefs has

been the progressive ditching of local cuisine in favour

of Western gastronomy.

Cameroonian chefs, supported by Afro-American colleagues,

are working to reverse this trend through the first Diaspora

Kitchen festival, which aims to promote traditional
Cameroonian cuisine.

"We are the ambassadors of this cuisine, of certain dishes

that tend to disappear. For example, the leaves of foléré

are unfamiliar to many except in the northern regions,

many do not know -- that we can highlight this. So,

that's the goal, this why we are invited today, to

showcase these dishes that tend to disappear"

explained chef Armand Ewodo.

Another chef, Eloge Fankam, showcased

the advantages of pre-prepared koki.

"Well, this is flour based koki, I make traditional koki with

red oil as we do conventionally. But the advantage with

this product is that it is already prepared. We don't

have the time... to wash the seeds and work on

them, to remove all the skins and impurities,

it's already clean, we just add water, we

add the elements, salt, chilli and then

red oil", he said.

Cameroonian cuisine is rich and diverse. The Diaspora

Kitchen festival is the first of its kind. According to

the organizers, the festival aims to standardize and

codify Cameroonian gastronomy and train local

professionals... who work in hotels and

restaurants, teaching them traditional

dishes to introduce to the public.

"Using stock cubes is not good for your health, using too

much salt is also not good and the same applies to oil.

We have to go back to the source... of what we did

before. Because a grilled fish with a maillonaise

which is only a substitute product, it has no

flavour and it's a chemical product.''

''It is necessary --- that we Africans, Cameroonians,
realize that ...we are turning towards something
which can destabilize our culinary education,
even for our children & future generations"
affirmed Christian Abegan, an expert in
gastronomic strategy.

The transmission of this culinary heritage was

done through tasting sessions focused on

traditional dishes.

A festival dedicated exclusively to the culinary art

that came to celebrate the Cameroonian cuisine.

Africanews correspondent in Cameroon,

Lambert Ngouanfo, added:

"At the end of the exchanges between Cameroonian

and Afro-American chefs, culinary standards were

defined to allow traditional Cameroonian dishes

and meals to be more attractive in restaurants

both in Cameroon and abroad.''

''The objective of the organizers is to make Cameroonians

stop rejecting their own culinary heritage, in favour of

meats, poultry and other dishes --- imported from

Europe or Latin America".

______________________________

Nairobi's Pallet Café offers

opportunities to the

hearing impaired

Pallet Café -- in

Nairobi, Kenya

March 12th, 12:47pm

(africanews)

Nairobi's Pallet Café, as it is known, has a unique

business model with a majority of its staff

having a hearing impairment.

"The story and inspiration behind opening Pallet Café... and

establishing it the way it is, is empowerment. We need to

empower people who are differently abled. Not help

them, empower them. Give them a life. And that -
is what is behind Pallet Café", explains Susan

Watkins, General Manager at Pallet Café

in Lavington, Nairobi.

Employment opportunities in Kenya for people with hearing

impairment are not easy to come by and the move by Pallet

Café... has provided a lifeline for those working here.

The recruitment process varies from walk-in job seekers

to referrals by different people or institutions for the

differently abled.

The new staff undergo a two-week training course

before being allowed to handle patrons.

Kabiru Mwenja is a regular here and

shares his experience.

"The service here is amazing, I think I come here may be

too often than I should but I am a big fan of the people

as well. I think I have got to know the people working

here and it is an added benefit to learn some sign

language.So far I have learnt the sign for thank

you, I am still working on other alphabets"

said regular patron, Kabiru Mwenja.

Thanks to the positive reception, Pallet Café has opened

two more branches, one in Gigiri in Nairobi and the

other in Diani on the Kenyan Coast.

Africanews correspondent in Kenya,

Ronald Agak, added:

"Other than offering a unique experience and amazing

food, Pallet Café also offers a serene environment

for clients who would want to work away from

their offices".

___________________________________

South Africa's university students

denounce increasing cost

of education

March 12th, 11:49am

(africanews)

Every year, the cost of studying at a South African

university --- is becoming unbearable for students.

According to data from financial services group, Old

Mutual, university students in South Africa will fork

out an average of 3000 US dollars in 2023.

In the past week, students from the University of

Witwatersrand shut down the campus in protest

over the exclusion of students who cannot

afford to register for the new academic

year and payoff debt.

One of the student leaders says they're demanding

that the university does not leave academically

deserving students stranded.

Lungile Magagula, Wits University Student Forum Interim

Chairperson said financial exclusion is not a valid

reason to bar students from starting the new

academic year.

“The problem here is that students are not able to register

due to financial reasons. Most students who are unable

to register are academically deserving to register but

they are unable to because of financial reasons. And

that is one of our major demands,” said Magagula.

Last week, students at Wits University were seen sleeping

in public places due to delays in securing financial aid

for accommodation.

Onkokame Seepamore, a final year BA Law student

expresses concern that financial aid for

accommodation continues to be a

struggle every year.

“At the current moment, I don’t have funding and I am

appealing for financial aid. For the past years, it was

okay, but this year it became a struggle, because I

didn’t have funding at all. I had problems getting

accommodation and registering.”

said Seepamore.

Jabulile Mbanjwa, Bachelor of Laws (LLB) student recalls

repeatedly applying for bursaries but with no luck.

“I studied a BA Law and I am doing the two postgraduate

LLB and because financial aid has defunded the two

year and three year stream of LLB --- I am stuck

without funding. I was fortunate to register

but I don’t know how I am going to cover

my fees --- and I was not able to get

accommodation because I don’t

have financial aid.“

recalls Mbanjwa.

Seven years ago, Fees Must Fall protests erupted on

campuses throughout South Africa. Students were

calling for free and quality tertiary education.

Lungile says this is the perfect time to put

pressure on the government to provide

free education.

“It is time for us to consider free education. These are issues

that emanate from us not having free education. It is time for

the government and universities to work together in order

to consider free education“, demands Magagula.

At this point, students and management of Wits

University are still locked in negotiations.

On the ground, students are hoping that a mutual

solution will come sooner rather than later.

____________________________________________

Survivors of hacking attack:

recount ordeal at the hands

of ADF militia

March 11th, 4:55pm

(africanews)

Survivors of an attack occurred this week in

eastern DRC, have recounted their ordeal

at the hands of the ADF militia.

On Wednesday, ADF militants killed at least

forty people in two villages in North

Kivu province.

Some villagers described how they had

welcomed the fighters before the

killing started.

"They came in a group, like visitors, we thought they were

coming to greet us. They ordered us to leave the house.

We wondered what the problem was, thinking that they

were ordinary peasants. Then I was dragged, pushed

brutally out, hit and cut in the face by a machete",

said Kabuo Tsongo, a female survivor of

the attack, hospitalized in Kalunguta.

The ADF militia is aligned to the Islamic State group, and

ranks among the deadliest armed groups in eastern DRC.

According to the village chief there was no shooting

during the attack, instead the attackers used

bladed weapons.

"Houses were burned, people were killed with machetes,

set on fire, but there was no crackling of bullets", said

Deogratias Kasereka, chief of Mukondi village

Last week, the United States offered a reward of up to

$5 million... for information concerning ADF leader

Seka Musa Baluku.

Since 2021, North Kivu and neighbouring Ituri
province have been under a so-called
"state of siege".

____________________________________

UN delegation in the DRC
to assess situation in
North Kivu province

March 11th, 3pm

(africanews)

United Nations officials arrived in the Democratic

Republic of Congo, on Friday, to assess the

security and humanitarian situation in

the east of the country.

Fighting in the North Kivu province has intensified

recently, with the M23 rebels threatening to cut

off all road links to Goma, a city of more than

one million inhabitants situated on the

border with Rwanda.

Speaking on arrival, the French ambassador to the

UN, reaffirmed the support of the international

community with the DRC.

"The main message we have come to convey is that

the United Nations, the international community,

stands by the Democratic Republic of Congo in

its ordeal --- because what is happening in the

east of the country is not acceptable --- the

action of the groups, is very reprehensible,

it must be fought", said Nicolas de Rivière.

Several regional initiatives intended to defuse

the conflict, have, so far, failed to stop

the fighting.

An Angola-mediated ceasefire... that had been due

to take effect on Tuesday, collapsed the same day.

"We have been saying.... since the beginning of this

interview that the Security Council has many levels

in its action for peace & security. One of the main

tools for peace and security --- is dialogue. It's

difficult to make it --- without dialogue and

negotiations. Indeed, we don't have only

dialogue; and we are here to envisage

all the possibilities of the objective -

to bring peace & security", added

Gabon's ambassador to the UN,

Michel Xavier Biang.

The Congolese government accuses

Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels.

UN experts, the US and several other

western states, have also concluded

that Rwanda supports the group,

although Kigali has so far

denied that.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC,

known as MONUSCO is one of the largest

and most expensive UN missions in the

world, with more than 16 000

uniformed personnel.

Residents accuse it -- of failing to deal with the

dozens of armed groups operating in eastern

DRC, including the M23 rebels.

__________________________________

South Africa to Host BRICS

Summit in Late August

March 10th, 2023

http://infobrics.org/

South Africa will host the BRICS Summit in Gauteng

province, on August 22nd-24th, said Minister in the

Presidency, Mondli Gungubele.

Gungubele made the remarks while briefing

the media about the cabinet meeting,

Xinhua news agency reported.

This year's summit will be held under the theme:

"BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually

Accelerated Growth, Sustainable

Development, and Inclusive

Multilateralism," stated

the Minister.

The BRICS consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China

and South Africa. South Africa assumed the

BRICS chairship, on January the 1st,

2023, taking over from China.

Source: in.investing.com

____________________________________

Burkina Faso: eleven soldiers and

One Hundred & Twelve terrorists
killed in fighting

March 10th, 3:22pm

(africanews)

Eleven soldiers -- and 112 terrorists -- have been killed

in recent days during several anti-jihadist operations

in Burkina Faso, the target of deadly attacks in

recent weeks, the army general staff

announced on Thursday.

"Several large-scale operations were launched

simultaneously as part of the reconquest of

the national territory.. wanted by the

President of the Transition", an

army press release states.

"During the progress of our units, 11 of our fighters lost their

lives on the field of honour. Four others, who were injured,

were taken care of by health structures", continues the

staff. which specifies that the ground units were

supported by the air force.

The army also indicates that 112 terrorists were

neutralized and weapons, vehicles & explosive

devices, were destroyed or recovered. The

operations, carried out for several days,

are continuing in the north and east of

the country, particularly affected by

terrorist attacks.

According to the press release, they have made it possible

to regain control of certain areas, and in particular, the

town of Partiaga, in the east of the country, where

several civilians were killed at the end of

February, by armed terrorist groups.

No official report has been communicated, to date, for

this attack. According to the Burkinabè Movement

for Human and People's Rights (MBDHP), around

60 civilians were killed.

"The forces have effectively set foot in Partiaga -- and have

carried out search operations in order to allow a dignified

burial of the civilians who have lost their lives, following

the abuses caused by the terrorists", underlines

the staff.

Through this operation, the army hopes

to "completely restore peace within

the populations".

Captain Ibrahim Traoré, a transitional president who came

to power in a putsch nearly six months ago, expressed in

February, his intact determination to fight the terrorists.

The violence attributed to groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the

Islamic State (IS) organization has since 2015 left more

than 10,000 dead - civilians and soldiers - according to

NGOs... and some two million displaced.

____________________

Mali junta postpones

constitutional

referendum

March 10th, 3:11pm

(africanews)

The ruling junta in Mali announced on Friday that it will

postpone a constitutional referendum scheduled for

March 19th, while assuring that it would respect its

commitments to return civilians to the helm of

the country in 2024.

"The date of the referendum scheduled for March 19th, 2023

will be slightly postponed," government spokesman Colonel

Abdoulaye Maiga said in a statement read to the press.

This referendum is the first step supposed to be

validated by a vote on the way to elections in

February 2024 and a return to civilian rule.

The junta justifies this postponement by the installation of

the representations of the election management body in

all regions of the country and by the desire to

popularize the draft new Constitution.

"The new date for the referendum will be set after

consultations with the independent election

management authority and all the actors

in the electoral process," the

statement added.

This constitution is a key element of the vast reform project

invoked by the military to justify continuing to rule this

country until 2024, which is facing the spread of

terrorism and a deep multi-faceted crisis.

The version of the constitution, presented as final, handed

to the head of the junta Colonel Assimi Goïta, on February

the 27th, affirms the "attachment to the republican form

and secularity of the state.

Mali has been plagued since 2012 by the spread of jihadism

and violence, of all kinds. The junta pushed out French

soldiers in 2022 amid great acrimony and has turned,

militarily and politically, to Russia.

_______________________________________

Least developed states' summit

ends in Doha with no massive

aid pledges - UN

March 10th, 2:17pm

(africanews)

The 5th United Nations Conference of the least

developed countries closed in Doha on

Thursday (March 9th).

It saw nations pledge to donate funds. Among them

Germany, announced $200 million for the least

developed countries, Saudi Arabia, who is

donating $800 million, and Canada

offering UNICEF $34 million.

Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the

UN detailed her country’s contribution.

"At the opening of the finale of the conference, His

Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar and the

President of the conference, underscored the

firm commitment of the state of Qatar, to

supporting the development process of

the Least Developed Countries,"

Sheikha Alia bin ahmed Al

Thani said.

[He] "announc[ed] ...a financial contribution of a total of $60

million, of which $10 million will be allocated for supporting

the implementation of the activities of the Doha Program of

Action of the least developed countries, and $50 million

will be allocated for supporting the deliverables of the

Doha Program of Action and building resilience in
the least developed countries."

Guterres started the summit by saying the 46 poorest

states need a $500 billion a year stimulus to reach

the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs),

a blueprint to end poverty and boost health

and education by 2030. That goal was

not met.

His Deputy chief said least developed economies needed

a new impulse to deliver the Sustainable Development

Goals (SDG) by 2030.

"SDG performance is low, below the global average,

risks are growing ---- rather than diminishing."

"And 11 least developed countries spend over one-fifth of

their revenue servicing debt. We need a new approach,

and the Doha Program of Action responds to these

unprecedented and interlinked challenges with

a blueprint for recovery, for renewal and for

resilience," Amina Mohammed urged.

The theme of this year's 5-day summit

was "From Potential to Prosperity."

Not one leader from the world's biggest

economies, attended the conference.

The conference is usually held every decade.

46 countries - with 33 in Africa - are listed by

the UN among the least developed countries.

Additional sources • UN

__________________________

Kenya launches LGBTQ

crackdown in schools

March 10th, 12:11pm

(africanews)

The Ministry of Education in Kenya has initiated a campaign

to address the perceived infiltration of LGBTQ advocacy

in schools.

The new strategy will see the government establish

chaplaincies in schools, minister Ezekiel Machogu

told senators on Thursday.

There are fears the programme could see misinformation

about LGBTQ people and same-sex relationships

taught in schools.

Gay sex remains illegal but anti-gay attitudes have been

hardening after last month's ruling by the Supreme

Court upholding the gay community's right to

register an association.

A committee has already been formed to deal with LGBTQ

issues in schools, the minister said and suggested its

role could include reviewing school literature.

It will be headed by an archbishop from

the Anglican Church in Kenya.

"These are issues that we cannot be able to allow to

infiltrate into our schools," Mr Machogu said, as

reported by the BBC.

In February this year, the Kenyan government cracked

down on foreign books with gay content that it feels

targets, teenagers.

This was after a public outcry from parents with school-

age children and religious officials who had demanded

the government to do a thorough audit of books in the

market and ban the ones with ''gay'' content.

It appears Kenya is doing its possible best to

get rid of LGBTQ+ practices in the country.

Apart from Kenya cracking down on teen books with

same-sex content, the government last September

revealed it was in talks with Netflix, to ban the

streaming of LGBTQ movies.

_____________________________________________

Putin discusses agricultural

supplies with Egyptian

President

March 9th, 6:26pm

(Izvestia.ru)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Egyptian

counterpart Abdul-Fattah Khalil al-Sisi held

telephone talks on Thursday, March 9th.

This was reported by the Kremlin press service.

It is noted that the conversation took place at the initiative

of the Egyptian side. The leaders discussed, in particular,

supplies of agricultural products and implementation
of projects in the fields of energy and industry.

In addition, the parties agreed to continue coordinating

efforts to resolve crisis situations in the Middle East

and North Africa region.

"All these issues will be discussed in the coming days

during a meeting of the bilateral Intergovernmental

Commission in Cairo," the Kremlin press

service said.

"Our enemies are putting a lot of pressure on Egypt"

Mikhail Orlov, Head of the Russian-Egyptian Business
Council — on wheat supplies to the republic... amid
the crisis: and its dependence on the US and EU.

In December last year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov discussed cooperation in the energy and
agricultural sectors, pluss the implementation
of joint large-scale projects, in a telephone
conversation with his Egyptian counter-
part, Sameh Shoukry.

_____________________________________________

Kenya's Pastoralist Women

Unbowed --- Despite

Climate Crisis

March 9th (teleSUR)

Nuria Gollo, a livestock keeper and gender rights advocate

from the vast northern Kenyan county of Marsabit that

neighbours Ethiopia, said that losing nearly all her

cows and goats to the raging drought in her

backyard has been traumatizing.

The 50-year-old mother of five said that the worst drought to

hit a large swathe of northern Kenya in four decades has

upended the livelihoods of herders and subsistence

farmers, pushing them to the brink of starvation

and financial ruin.

Speaking at an event to mark International Women's Day in

Nairobi, Gollo admitted that an acute dry spell linked to

climate change has taken a heavier toll on the female

pastoralists who have been robbed of their prized

possessions, and reduced to a life of penury.

"The drought is getting worse in northern Kenya. Our cows

and goats are dying. Even camels that are renowned

for their resilience to extreme heat are also

succumbing," Gollo said.

She was among a group of women and girls from Kenya's arid

lands that are currently ravaged by drought who attended an

event to mark International Women's Day convened by Plan

International, a development and humanitarian organization.

Gollo painted a picture of a dire humanitarian crisis that is

unfolding in the drought-affected counties, with women

and girls bearing the brunt of hunger, malnutrition,

water stress, and displacement.

She described the devastation that the climate crisis has

brought to the nomadic communities in Marsabit,

Kenya's largest county, saying that women,

despite being the victims, have also taken

the mantle to confront the phenomenon.

As nomadic women and girls face a bleak future due to

climate change, a good number of them have also

risen to the occasion to offer solutions by

leveraging indigenous knowledge to

help boost the resilience of grass-

roots communities and

their ecosystems.

Gollo said the tenacity and resilience of pastoralist women

in the face of the climate crisis has manifested itself

prominently as they initiate projects like

reforestation, and the conservation of

watersheds, to boost the adaptive

capacity of households.

She added that women and girls in Kenya's northern frontier

districts have been on the frontline of climate response,

motivated by the desire to bequeath a green, hopeful

and prosperous future for their children.

Kenya marked International Women's Day with pomp and

pageantry, as senior officials acknowledged the critical

role of the female gender in the realization of the

sustainability agenda, peace and stability.

President William Ruto reiterated his administration's

commitment to achieving gender parity in all

spheres of public service, to ensure Kenya

becomes a prosperous and

inclusive society.

He noted that women's contribution will be key to helping

the country confront pressing challenges like climate-

induced hunger crisis and economic downturn that

threatens long-term stability.

__________________________________________

Preservation of tropical
forests - at the heart of
Gabon's One Forest
Festival

March 8th, 6:53pm

(africanews)

The African forest, the Congo Basin, is the largest

tropical forest in the world after the Amazon, and

spans six countries, including Gabon.

As well as being a treasure trove for biodiversity, forests like

these act as the planet’s green lung, with the International

Union for Conservation of Nature estimating that they

absorb approximately 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon

dioxide each year.

Preserving tropical forests is central to slowing the effects

of climate change, yet despite this, large swathes of

forest in the Amazon continue to be destroyed to

make way for farm land.

The issue of tropical forest preservation was at the heart

of the One Forest Summit, an international conference in

Gabon’s capital Libreville, organised by the west-central

African nation in collaboration with France.

Euronews correspondent Anne Devineaux

went to Gabon to find out more for Focus.

One Forest Summit

French President Emmanuel Macron, and Gabonese President

Ali Bongo announced this month’s One Forest Festival at

the COP 27 climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh in

November last year.

The festival, which took place on the 1st and 2nd of March,

sought to promote North-South solidarity when it comes to

climate change, given the precarity of the global south

as sea levels rise and extreme weather events
become more frequent.

Building on previous One Planet Summits, politicians,

international companies, scientists and NGOs

gathered in Libreville to discuss the forestry

sector --- focusing on three key areas;

advancing scientific cooperation,

sustainability, and finance.

Gabon’s President, Ali Bongo Ondimba, had a clear message

for those attending the conference: "There are no better

investments today than investing in our forests”.

The second day of the festival honed in on the topic of the

Congo basin --- and the common challenges faced by the

African, Amazonian and Asian tropical forest basins,

as such forests are huge absorbers of carbon

dioxide, but these regions remain on the

frontline of climate change.

Ecologist at CENAREST Gabon, Alfred Ngomanda told

Euronews -- that “The Congo Basin represents 40

billion tons of sequestered CO2… It is 10 years

of global greenhouse gas emissions that are

currently stored in the forests of the Congo

Basin. In Gabon, it is 100 million tons

per year”.

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