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