Ethiopian Orthodox faithful
call for peace during
the Meskel festival
September 27th, 11:36am
(africanews)
Thousands of Orthodox Christians gathered in Addis
Ababa, to celebrate the annual festival of Meskel,
which marks the historic discovery of the cross
on which Jesus was crucified. The final bonfire
recalls the efforts of St Helena, the mother of
Emperor Constantine, to find the cross.
This year, the faithful prayed for peace and
an end to the civil war in the country.
____________________________________
Ebola outbreak in Uganda
invades new territories
by Alina Ramos Martin
September 27th, 10:04am
(Prensa Latina)
A week after its detection, the Ebola outbreak in
Uganda has appeared in new territories, health
authorities reported, according to which,
the deaths due to the disease
totaled 23.
Last Tuesday Ugandan health specialists confirmed
the appearance of the disease in the district of
Mubende (centre)... from a rare strain named
Sudan and hours before they admitted that
the virus appeared in the neighboring
districts of Kyegegwa & Kassanda.
The new infections brought the total number of cases,
including deaths, confirmed and probable, to 36.
The Ebola virus was first identified, in 1976, in the then
Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, but the
impact of the disease was felt in full force during the
pandemic between 2014 and 2016.
During that period, 28,546 infected people were
detected on three continents: Africa, Europe
and the Americas, of which, 11,323 died.
________________________________________
Sao Tome opposition
wins legislative vote
September 27th, 9:50am
(Africanews)
Sao Tome, is considered a model of
parliamentary democracy in Africa.
The Independent Democratic Action (ADI, opposition),
led by former Prime Minister, Patrice Trovoada, won
Sunday's legislative elections in Sao Tome and
Principe, with a total of 36,549 votes,
according to preliminary data
released today by the
National Electoral
Commission (CEN).
The provisional figures for the legislative elections
were presented tonight at the CEN headquarters
in the capital, more than 29 hours after the polls
closed, a delay that prompted protests from
ADI militants, who burned tyres near the
CEN offices, which were surrounded
by the military.
CEN president, Judge José Carlos Barreiros, declined
to present the distribution of seats by party, as usual,
referring to the Constitutional Court for this task,
justifying it as, that the parties have presented
"discrepancies" in their own projections.
"After Sunday's elections, our technical team
proceeded to project the results that were
obtained by the candidates that ran in
these elections," said the
CEN president.
According to CEN data, the Movement for the Liberation
of Sao Tome and Principe/Social Democratic Party
(MLSTP/PSD), of Prime Minister Jorge Bom
Jesus, was the second most voted
party, with 25,531 votes.
The Basta movement, created three months before the
elections, received 6,874 votes, while the Movement
of Independent Citizens/Socialist Party (MCI), which
ran in this election in coalition with the National
Unity Party (PUN) and which had two deputies
in the previous legislature, received
5,120 votes.
Trovoada claims victory
The former Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe
Patrice Trovoada (Independent Democratic Action,
opposition), today claimed victory, with 30 seats
(absolute majority), in the legislative elections
and announced that he will head the next
Government.
"We claim victory in the legislative elections, with an
absolute majority, totaling 30 seats, with 54.55% of
the votes," he said in a statement before a few
dozen supporters at the party's headquarters
in the São Toméan capital.
Patrice Trovoada made the statement at a time when
the National Electoral Commission of Sao Tome has
not yet released any preliminary results of the
legislative, local and regional elections,
this Sunday.
"As promised, with an absolute majority, I will assume
the functions and responsibilities of Prime Minister
and the head of the next Government," he said,
receiving loud applause from the militants.
_______________________________________
Create quality jobs --- and
provide social protection,
urges United Nations
Secretary-General
September 27th, 9:49am
(Pan-African News Wire)
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged
governments across the world to quickly invest
in quality job creation and the provision
of social protection for those
without coverage.
Guterres was speaking at a high-level session to
discuss the Global Accelerator on Jobs and
Social Protection for Just Transitions
(https://bit.ly/3rfWGUk) initiative
in the UN General Assembly
meetings in New York.
He told leaders to focus on concrete solutions to
implement the initiative and warned, “the path of
inaction leads to economic collapse and climate
catastrophe, widening inequalities & escalating
social unrest. This could leave billions trapped
in vicious circles of poverty and destitution.”
The initiative, launched in 2021 by the United Nations
International Labour Organization ----- brings together
governments, international financial institutions,
civil societies, the UN, and the private sector
---- to create 400 million new, decent jobs,
especially in the green, care, & digital
economies, and extend social
protection to the more than
4 billion people worldwide
--- that are currently
without coverage.
The session was also addressed by various leaders
from around the world including the President of
the African Development Bank Dr. Akinwumi
Adesina, Malawi’s President, Lazarus
Chakwera, Uganda’s Vice President
Jessica Alupo, and Egypt’s Minister
for Planning and Economic
Development, Hala El-Said.
The UN chief praised Togo for protecting thousands
of its citizens, during the Covid-19 pandemic after
deploying “innovative digital solutions to expand
social protection to hard-to-reach populations.”
On its part, South Africa was praised for launching
the Just Energy transition partnership, signaling
an important step in the fight against
climate change.
African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi
Adesina highlighted the bank’s rapid response to
the Covid-19 pandemic by launching a $10 billion
facility - which helped provide social protection
for more than 28 million people. The bank also
launched a $3 billion social impact bond on
global capital markets in 2020, which at
the time, was the highest in
world history.
“But that is not enough”, Dr. Adesina added, “We have
to restructure our economies, to be productive with
education, infrastructure, energy and making sure
we have productive sectors that can use people’s
skills and absorb that into the economy.”
“At the African Development Bank, we have taken a
proactive approach job, jobs, jobs approach,” said
Adesina. As an example, he named the bank’s
Jobs for Youth in Africa program to create
25 million jobs by 2025. Nearly half of
those jobs had already been
delivered, he said.
To generate more jobs, Adesina cited sectors such as
agriculture where the bank is investing $25 billion to
transform rural areas... and turn the sector into
a business.
In the energy sector, Adesina gave the example of the
Sahel region. “We are investing $20 billion to build
10000MW of electricity that will provide energy
for productive use and create millions of jobs,”
Adesina said. He added.. that it was time for
Africa - to build a manufacturing capacity
for polysilicon material, that is used for
solar panels - “so that we can create
a lot of green jobs.”
The creative industry especially Nigeria’s film industry,
popularly known as Nollywood, is another area that
requires significant investment given its potential
to generate $20 billion of revenue and create
twenty million jobs, Adesina said.
The UN expects each government to commit to the
Global Accelerator initiative and its objectives by,
among others, developing national policies and
integrated strategies for just transitions.
Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera said given
the financial constraints his country was facing,
implementing the initiative would require the
support of partners, donors, international
financial institutions and policy support
from the UN system.
He said the overlapping crises of the Covid-19
pandemic, climate change... and the war in
eastern Europe, Malawi is left “to grapple
with downgrades of our sovereign credit
ratings, leading to higher borrowing
costs and intensified debt risks.”
President Chakwera said his country was ready
to be part of the fact-finding work of the
Global Accelerator initiative.
Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo said her
government has initiated efforts to increase
jobs for Uganda’s under 30 who make up
75% of the country’s population.
“We are increasing investment in skills development,
supporting informal social enterprises, to transition
into the formal economy and supporting the private
sector to create jobs in key growth areas,
including providing incentives to
investors,” she said.
Egypt’s Minister for Planning and Economic
Development Hala El-Said, outlined various
initiatives undertaken by her government
to mitigate the impact of crises on
people in Egypt.
“These include increasing beneficiaries of the cash
transfer program to reach 5 million families, in
addition to substantially increasing the food
rations that benefit more than 64 million
Egyptians,” she said.
“The government has embarked on an ambitious
program, the Decent Life Initiative --- to revamp
the rural communities, and transform the lives
of the more than 50 million Egyptians across
4,500 villages, constituting more than half
of the total population,” she added.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the
African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Contact:
Emeka Anuforo
Communication and External
Relations Department
media@afdb.org
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s
premier development finance institution. It
comprises 3 distinct entities: the African
Development Bank (AfDB), the African
Development Fund (ADF) and the
Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF).
On the ground in 41 African countries, with an external
office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic
development and social progress of its 54 regional
member states. For more information:
www.AfDB.org
________________________________
Army worms devastate maize
fields in DR Congo's east
(by Africanews with Gael Mpoyo)
September 26th, 10:32am
In the territory of Nyiragongo, in the east of
the Democratic Republic of Congo, maize
farmers are crying foul.
This field belonging to the Munguiko community
has been ravaged by the armyworm - and the
damage is enormous. The pests, attack the
leaves and stems of maize plants, leaving
them unable to grow, or reach the
flowering stage.
"It is army worms that attack our fields. They appear
any time; in the dry season, or the rainy season,"
said a farmer whose field has been devastated.
The pest is of interest to agronomist Jadot Mateso,
who has set up a small nursery, where maize
seedlings are well preserved.. and then
taken to the fields.
Madot has urged farmers to plant varieties resistant to
armyworm. In recent years, the pest has devastated
maize fields in Uganda, Zambia, and Kenya, among
other countries.
"The caterpillar is called spodoptera frugiperda. It is
native to North America. It causes a lot of damage
in the fields. Production can reduce, by upwards
of 60%," said Madot.
The consequences are visible in the markets of Goma.
The price of maize has risen significantly since
production has been down following the
appearance of this armyworm.
Georgette Nyabadé, a trader, says that a bag of maize
that used to cost 30 or 35 US dollars, is now being
sold for 75 or 80 US dollars.
Armyworms are a serious crop pest in tropical and
subtropical regions. These hungry caterpillars
can defoliate entire fields of crops - before
moving on, in their search for more food
- with devastating economic
consequences.
Maize is a major staple in the east of
the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The armyworm invasion, has caused fears of a
food crisis -- in a region already hit by conflict.
_________________________________________________
Top 5 Reasons to Attend
Angola Oil & Gas 2022
September 26th, 9:47am
(Pan-African News Wire)
Under the theme, Promoting an Inclusive, Attractive
and Innovative Oil and Gas Industry in Angola,
Angola Oil & Gas 2022 will take place on
November the 29th to the 30th, and
December the 1st, in Luanda.
Returning to Luanda, for its third edition, under the
auspices of the the Minister of Mineral Resources,
Oil and Gas, H.E. Diamanto Pedro Azevedo, and in
partnership with the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels
Agency (ANPG) --- (https://bit.ly/3SvnWKn),
AIDAC and the African Energy Chamber
(https://bit.ly/3Q34QcU), the Angola Oil
& Gas (AOG) -- 2022 Conference and
Exhibition (https://bit.ly/3UyBCpP)
will provide: an exciting lineup
..of industry-advancing panel
discussions, presentations,
investor forums and
exhibitions.
Here are five reasons to attend
this year’s edition in Luanda.
Networking Opportunities
Serving as an enabling environment for businesses by
bringing together the region’s top government leaders
& business executives, for three days of deal-making
& networking, AOG 2022 not only promotes a wide
range of opportunities present in the southern
African country, but represents the official
engagement and networking platform
whereby investors and players can
be directly introduced to such
opportunities.
As such, AOG 2022 enables stakeholders from every
part of the energy value chain to interact, network
and encourage business development, with this
year’s conference... allowing participants to
capitalize on new trade and investment
opportunities across the Angolan and
regional energy value chain.
Driving Investment
With a focus on driving investment in Angola, AOG 2022
represents the premier venue for getting deals signed
in Angola and the southern-African region, thus
expanding commercial opportunities for
the country’s energy future.
As the country strives.. to capitalize on its immense
natural resources -- and achieve fuel-independency
through large-scale investments within the entire
energy value chain, attendees will have the
opportunity to participate in projects that
drive an effective and equitable
business environment.
Angola’s energy landscape, will represent the
ideal place for investment and partnerships
in sustainable energy expansion and
industry innovation.
Establish Partnerships
Being held in partnership with Angola’s Ministry of
Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, AOG 2022
will facilitate cooperation & collaboration among
various sectors within Angola’s energy industry
including within the oil and gas, renewables,
mining, trade, industry and construction
sectors, thus ensuring that delegates
receive access to key opportunities
and potential partnerships.
The attendance of government officials and
representatives from the public sector.. will
provide an unmatched platform for investors
to participate in Angola’s burgeoning energy
industry while driving the energy transition
in the region.
Participate in Industry Innovation
In line with the conference’s theme, Promoting an
Inclusive, Attractive and Innovative Oil and Gas
Industry in Angola, Angola’s energy landscape
will represent the ideal place for investment
and partnerships in sustainable energy
expansion and industry innovation. As
the country undergoes its transition
towards... cleaner energy sources,
opportunities have arisen - within
applications of new technologies,
with a young and capable work-
force --- and new trade and
investment opportunities
in the renewable
energy space.
Additionally, plans by Angola’s Ministry of Mineral
Resources, Oil & Gas to strengthen the country’s
oil and gas refining capacity - to meet domestic
energy demand while reducing energy imports
and maximizing the monetization of energy
resources for regional and global markets,
new projects are on the horizon as the
country seeks to capitalize on its
newfound position as Africa’s
largest oil producer.
Showcasing Success
The AOG 2022 exhibition platform... will provide an
opportunity for industry players to showcase their
successes both in Angola and across the regional
energy space. Along with..... panels, keynote
presentations and networking workshops,
AOG 2022 will encourage attendees to
take part in examining the latest
products, services, activities,
trends... and opportunities
present, within Angola’s
oil and gas industry.
For more information about AOG 2022,
visit https://bit.ly/3UyBCpP
(Source: Energy Capital & Power)
________________________________
Mali reports progress in
political transition
process, fighting
terrorism
September 25th, 10:50am
(Pan-African News Wire)
The Government has stepped up efforts
to recruit, train, equip and bolster, the
national security forces
The authorities in Mali are moving along the path to
political transition and institutional reform... while
combating terrorism and other insecurity, Acting
Prime Minister, Abdoulaye Maïga said, in his
speech to the UN General Assembly
on Saturday.
The process to restore civilian rule, in the wake of
the August 2020 military coup in the West African
country will conclude in March 2024, when
power will be transferred to
elected authorities.
“I'm pleased to underline that some significant
progress has already been made,” he said,
referring to the passing of the electoral
law, the establishment of an election
management authority and the
creation of a commission, to
draw up a new Constitution.
Fight against terrorism
Turning to insecurity, Mr. Maïga said Mali is the only
country in the world that is simultaneously
confronting terrorism, intercommunal
conflicts, cross-border organized
crime, and violent acts by
isolated individuals.
“Alongside our return to constitutional order, Mali is
continuing to fight tirelessly against this insecurity
and particularly against extremist groups who are
responsible for all kinds of abuse against our
peaceful people,” he reported.
Mr. Maïga said terrorist groups “have been seriously
weakened”, though added “these criminal groups
can still cause harm to a certain extent in their
desperate attempts to deal a blow to our
territorial integrity and to terrorize
our people.”
Military action, stabilization strategy
The Government has stepped up its efforts to recruit,
train, equip and bolster the national security forces.
A “global integrated strategy” that includes provision
of social services has been devised, while another
stabilization strategy for the volatile central
region was also recently approved.
He also provided an update on the peace deal to end
unrest that had erupted in the north a decade ago,
signed by the Government and two coalitions
of armed groups, in 2015.
Following recent meetings, there was a “strong signal”
that the parties want to commit to a dynamic new
process to achieve its implementation,
he reported.
‘Paradigm shift’ for UN Mission
Mr. Maïga addressed the UN Mission in Mali, known
by the French acronym MINUSMA, whose mandate
includes ensuring security, protecting civilians,
supporting political dialogue and reconciliation
and assisting in the re-establishment of
State authority.
He said the Mission’s objectives have not been
achieved after nearly 10 years in the country,
and despite numerous Security Council
resolutions.
“This is why the Government of Mali reiterates its
demand - expressed on numerous occasions - for
a paradigm shift and an adaptation of MINUSMA
to the environment in which it is deployed, and
a better interlinking between this mission
and the Malian authorities,” he said.
Mali is continuing to fight tirelessly against this
insecurity, and particularly against extremist
groups who are responsible for all kinds of
abuse against our peaceful people.
The interim Prime Minister also criticized France
for withdrawing its anti-terrorism force
Barkhane from Mali last year, stating
“my country was stabbed in
the back”.
He also accused the “French junta” -- of violating Malian
airspace -- “by sending aircraft such as drones, military
helicopters and fighter planes over 50 times, bringing
information, weapons and ammunition to
terrorist groups.”
Detention of Ivoirian soldiers
At the outset of his speech, Mr. Maïga blasted
the international response to the arrest of 49
soldiers from neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire,
who entered Mali in July.
The troops were part of logistical support
operations at MINUSMA, according to
the Ivoirian authorities.
(SOURCE: https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/08/1124692)
Mali said the soldiers had arrived there without
permission and are considered mercenaries.
Three have since been released.
Mr. Maiga expressed deep disagreement over
statements by UN Secretary-General,
Antônio Guterres, reported in
the media.
“Clearly the judicial nature of the infringements around
this affair, do not fall under the competences of the
Secretary-General of the United Nations,” he said.
He also spoke out against statements made by the
head of the West African bloc ECOWAS, President
Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, and the
President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum.
“We ask those who are refuting our version, to ask if
they would accept the military troops having hidden
their identities, by saying on their passports, that
they were painters or builders, would arrive with
weapons in their airport without the country of
destination having been informed in advance,
with the idea of destabilizing the country,”
he said.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf
of United Nations Office at
Geneva (UNOG).
_________________________________
Russia: Press release on
Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov’s meeting with
the Minister of Foreign
Affairs & International
Cooperation of the
Republic of Mali
by Abdoulaye Diop
September 25th, 10:37am
(Pan-African News Wire)
On September the 23rd, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali,
Abdoulaye Diop, on the sidelines of the 77th
Session of the UN General Assembly.
The ministers... discussed current issues of Russia-
Mali cooperation, as well as countering the threat
of terrorism in the Sahara-Sahel region. The
Russian side reaffirmed its commitment
on their continued participation in the
collective efforts on an intra-Mali
settlement, including at the UN
and its Security Council.
Distributed by APO Group, on behalf of
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Russian Federation.
______________________________
Impossible to resolve UN
SC expansion without
regard for Africa’s
interests — Lavrov
September 24th, 10:49pm (TASS)
The solution to the expansion of the United Nations
Security Council cannot be found without taking
Africa’s interests into consideration, Russian
Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said on
Saturday at a news conference after
participating in the 77th session of
the UN General Assembly.
"I have said, that we believe India and Brazil are strong
candidates for permanent membership at the Security
Council as international players, provided that the
profile of Africa, is simultaneously raised
accordingly," the minister said.
"It is impossible to find the solution to the Security
Council’s enlargement without meeting African
interests," Lavrov added, stressing that in
general, the Security Council should be
only expanded with representatives
of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Lavrov explained that he mentioned India and Brazil
as they had long ago submitted official bids. He
added that South Africa, in particular, had not
yet taken such a step.
"African countries - the African Union members - are
committed to the Ezulwini Consensus, which was
achieved many years ago and which is their
collective position," the minister stressed.
Russia does not think that the United Nations Security
Council should be enlarged with Western countries,
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "We
imply that the Council should be only expanded
with representatives of Asia, Africa and Latin
America. Talking about adding Western
countries to the Council would be
simply ridiculous - for some
reasons," he said.
The minister pointed out that he would leave out
the fact that all those countries, are hostile
towards Russia and China.
_________________________________
Mali’s prime minister hits out
at 'neocolonialist' France
in UN speech
September 24th, 7:02pm
(PressTV)
Mali has censured France over its deteriorating
security situation, accusing Paris of having
stabbed the impoverished, though
minerals-rich, Sahel country, in
the back, with the withdrawal
of French troops.
Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, the new acting P.M.
of Mali, made the remarks in a speech at
the 77th session of the United nations
General Assembly in New York
on Saturday.
French leaders "have disowned universal moral
values and betrayed the rich history of the
Lumieres philosophers and turned
themselves into a junta in the
service of obscurantism,"
Maiga said.
He also denounced the former colonial power for
"neocolonialist, condescending, paternalist and
vengeful policies" - such as sanctions on the
junta in Mali - which has seen 2 military
coups since 2020.
“Move on from the colonial past - and hear the anger,
the frustration, the rejection that is coming up from
the African cities and countryside, and understand
that this movement, is inexorable,” Maiga said.
“Your intimidations and subversive actions have
only swelled the ranks of Africans concerned
with preserving their dignity.”
He also slammed what he called France’s “unilateral
decision” to relocate its remaining troops to
neighbouring Niger, amid deteriorating
relations with Mali’s two-time coup
leader, Colonel Assimi Goita.
In February, France announced that it will withdraw
thousands of troops from Mali due to a breakdown
in relations with the country.
According to Western press reports, the arrival of
Russian paramilitary forces in Mali at the
invitation of the provisional military
government in Bamako was a key
factor in France's decision to
withdraw its occupation
forces.
France's military occupation of Mali began in 2013 to
allegedly counter militants that Paris claimed were
linked to the al-Qaeda and Daesh terrorist groups.
Accordingly, the French government deployed
thousands of soldiers to purportedly prevent
separatist forces from reaching Bamako.
The war caused several thousand deaths and more
than a million people to flee their homes. There
have been two military coups in roughly a year
...amid growing demonstrations against
France’s military presence.
France has been a former colonizer in Africa, and, after
years of outright colonization, still seeks control over
countries... spread over more than 12 territories and
treats their people as second-class citizens. It has
had more than 50 military interventions in Africa
since 1960, when many of its former colonies
gained nominal independence.
Although France remains the only Western country
with a significant military presence in the Sahel,
its relationship with its former African colonies
has grown increasingly tense in recent months
...and has led to an evident increase in
anti-French sentiment.
_________________________
Nigeria: Unga77 -
The African Union
Demands a Seat in
UN Security Council
by Chiamaka Okafor
Premium Times (Abuja)
(Pan-African News Wire)
The African Union (AU) has reiterated its demand
for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
"It is time to overcome the reluctance and deconstruct
the narratives that persist in confining Africa to the
margins of decision-making circles," the AU
chairman, Macky Sall, said on Wednesday,
at the United Nations General Assembly.
He said it is time to do justice to Africa's just and
legitimate demand for Security Council reform,
as reflected in the Ezulwini Consensus.
The Ezulwini Consensus is a position on international
relations and reform of the United Nations, agreed by
the African Union. It calls for a more representative
and democratic Security Council, in which Africa,
like all other world regions, is represented.
The UN Security Council has only five permanent
members: China, Russia, UK, US, and France.
According to the AU chairman, "it is time for a fairer,
more inclusive global governance, that is more
adapted to the realities of our time."
He also said Africa should be granted a seat in the G20,
so that it can finally be represented where decisions
that affect 1.4 billion Africans, are being taken.
Mr Sall, the President of Senegal, also called for
the lifting of foreign sanctions on Zimbabwe.
He described them as harsh measures that continue to
fuel a sense of injustice against an entire people, and
to aggravate their suffering in these times of
deep crisis.
According to the US, the sanctions are targeted at
Zimbabwean individuals and entities responsible
for committing human rights abuses, under-
mining democratic processes, or
facilitating corruption.
On climate change, Mr Sall said, "it is legitimate, fair
and equitable, that Africa, the continent that
pollutes the least and lags furthest behind
in the industrialisation process, should
exploit its available resources, to
provide basic energy, improve
the competitiveness of its
economy and achieve
universal access
to electricity."
He encouraged countries to work towards mobilising
the $100 billion per year to support developing
countries' adaptation efforts and to finance
the African Adaptation Acceleration
Program under the auspices of the
AfDB and the Global Centre
for Adaptation.
He said Africa does not see adaptation funding as aid,
but as a contribution by industrialised countries to a
global partnership of solidarity, in return for efforts
by developing countries to avoid the polluting
patterns that have plunged the planet into
the current climate emergency.
Chiamaka Okafor is a reporter at Premium Times
in partnership with Report for the World, which
matches local newsrooms with talented
emerging journalists to report
on under-covered issues
around the globe.
Read the original article in Premium Times.
____________________________________________
CAR top court blocks Touadera's
plans for constitutional change
(africanews)
September 24th, 11:26am
The Central African Republic's top court has
cancelled plans for a committee to rewrite
the constitution.
It marks a setback for President Faustin-Archange
Touadera, who was thought to be seeking a third
term in office.
Lawyers made the announcement ..on Friday. President
of the Central African Bar Association, Me Emile Bizon,
said: ”The Bar's fight is to guarantee the
independence of justice.”
“That the judges can make their decisions.. with regard
only to the law, without any pressure from either side.”
The court insisted, a referendum on changing the
constitution could be triggered by the president,
but he could not act against the oath he had
taken, when elected in 2020, pledging he
would not attempt to change the
number and length of
his mandates.
Mr Bizon added: “I do not believe for a moment, that the
public authorities, can take the risk of going against a
court decision, that would be confirming what we are
saying here ----- that is to say, the annihilation of
judiciary power.”
The 65 year-old president was first elected in 2016,
then re-elected in a controversial poll in 2020 but
on August 27th, demonstrators took the streets
of the capital, Bangui, against changing
the constitution.
Touadera won his second term with a 53.16 percent
vote share amid widespread insecurity in the CAR,
which has been battling a decade-long civil war.
Fewer than one in three voters were able to cast
a ballot in the country which the UN says is the
world's second least developed nation.
______________________________________
Equatorial Guinea's President
Obiang confirms he'll stand
in election
by Philip Andrew Churm with AFP
(africanews)
September 24th, 9:13am
Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema
Mbasogo, who has ruled the country for 43 years.. has
confirmed he will stand again in November’s elections.
His son and Vice President, Teodoro Nguema Obiang
Mangue, made the announcement via Twitter on
Friday saying it was "Because of his charisma,
his leadership and his political experience.”
Obiang’s Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea holds
99 of the 100 seats in the outgoing lower house of
parliament and all 70 of the senate seats.
Over the years the country has become increasingly
dependent on oil and gas, which makes up around
75 percent of revenue, which is mostly in the
hands of a small number of people.
There had been speculation that Obiang’s son may
be selected as the party’s candidate but Friday’s
announcement confirmed the president would
be seeking to extend his unrivalled rule.
____________________________________________
Nigeria: AfDB, Islamic Bank,
Others Invest U.S.$618m
in Digital Programmes
in Nigeria
September 23rd
(Pan-African News Wire)
The President of the AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina, said
this at the Nigeria International Economic
Partnership Forum on the sidelines of
the 77th United Nations General
Assembly, in New York.
Mr Adesina said the programme would support the
creation of 225 creative start-ups and 451 digital
technologies in small and medium-sized
enterprises (digital SMEs).
The AfDB president added that the enterprises
would create 6.1 million jobs and add
$6.4 billion to the economy.
"That is the power of international partnerships
working for Nigeria. Investors must recognise
this and invest.
"The future is not just digital, the future
will be driven by the digital revolution.
"Today, Nigeria has five of the seven unicorns in Africa...
and raised almost $1.4 billion of the total of four billion
dollars raised by Fintech companies across Africa
in 2021.
"When you think of financial services digital
innovations, think Nigeria, with Flutterwave,
OPay, Andela and Interswitch holding the
status of unicorn companies, worth at
least one billion dollars each."
Mr Adesina also said the bank had invested
$4.5 billion in Nigeria, adding that the
country remained an attractive
investment destination.
He further said the bank, the International Fund for
Agricultural Development, and IsDB had provided
$540 million to develop Special Agro-industrial
processing zones to help unlock the
agricultural potential in Nigeria.,
"This financing will boost food and agribusiness
value chains across Nigeria and make Nigeria
more competitive," he said.
He also called for increased international partnerships
in Nigeria, adding that the bank had invested
$44 billion in infrastructure in Africa, over
the past six years.
Furthermore, Mr Adesina said, the growth in Nigeria
would depend on its ability to fix its
infrastructure deficits.
"The National Integrated Infrastructure Masterplan
shows that Nigeria will need total financing of
$759 billion to support infrastructure over a
23-year horizon (2020-2043).
"These covers tackling the crippling lack of energy to
power the economy, including power generation,
transmission and distribution infrastructure,
water and sanitation, and transport
infrastructure."
Moreover, he said, Nigeria had a debt level of N42.84
trillion or $103 billion with an external debt level
of N16.61 trillion or about $40 billion.
He said the country needed help
to tackle its debt burden.
"International partnerships on debt
are helping Africa and Nigeria.
"The issuance of special drawing rights (SDRs) by the
International Monetary Fund of $650 billion helped
to provide liquidity support to countries, with
Africa receiving only $33 billion.
African countries need more."
He recalled that the African Heads of State and
Government made a call for developed
countries to re-channel an additional
100 billion SDRs to Africa.
He said it would go a long way... in
helping to reduce the debt burden.
"Allocated SDRs through the bank, as called for
by the Heads of State and Government, will be
leveraged by four times, by the bank.
"This will deliver more financial resources
for Nigeria and other African countries.
"Nigeria and other African countries need debt relief.
They cannot run up the hill carrying a backpack
full of sand," he said.
The AfDB president also stressed the need
for international partnerships to tackle
climate change.
He said Africa, which only accounted for 3% of total
carbon emissions, suffered more from the
negative effects of climate change.
Mr Adesina also reiterated that the bank and the
Global Centre on Adaptation had launched the
African Adaptation Acceleration Programme,
to mobilise $25 billion for climate
adaptation for Africa.
He further urged the Nigerian government to fix
the security situation in the country to attract
foreign direct investment.
"Capital does not like to be troubled. Ultimately,
investment capital must be made comfortable.
Only then can it be attracted.
"Investment capital in the quantum required
can only be attracted in the presence of
secure environments.
"Essentially, investors vote with their money
about where to have it positioned.
"With the right conditions in place, we
can confidently say Nigeria is a great
investment destination," he said.
(NAN)
Read the original article on Premium Times.
_____________________________________
UN General Assembly: Sahel
security situation in
the spotlight
September 23rd, 11am
(africanews)
During the UN General Assembly... Umaro Sissoco
Embalo, president of Guinea-Bissau and ECOWAS
acting chair, seized the opportunity to draw the
attention of world leaders to the evolution of
"terrorism, violent extremism and
transnational crime" in the
Sahel regions.
"The stability of a large part of our continent in general,
and of West Africa in particular, is threatened by
insecurity caused by terrorism, violent
extremism, and transnational crime.
We must necessarily involve the
entire international community
and the UN, in particular."
The President of Niger, who is chairing the High-Level
Panel on Security and Development in the Sahel,
beckoned the international community to
invest in education to fight against
violence, and hence ----
prevent terrorism.
"The population and the degradation of the climate, in
combination, have created --- thanks to the regional
disorder following the fall of the regime of colonel
Ghaddafi in 2011, the situation of chaos that the
countries of the Sahel are experiencing today."
We must act by investing the necessary resources in
education to fight against today's violence and
prevent tomorrow's violence."
In December last year, the African Union and the United
Nations pledged to work together, in tandem with the
Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) and the G5 Sahel, which brings
together five Sahelian countries, to
improve the overall response to
security, governance and
development.. across
the Sahel.
______________________________________
West African leaders impose
sanctions on Guinea junta
September 23rd, 10:55am
(africanews)
As Malian authorities held a traditional military parade
on Thursday to mark the country's independence day
in the presence of the head of Guinea´s military junta,
Col Mamady Doumbouya, West African leaders were
in a meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN
General Assembly.
They agreed at the emergency summit to impose
gradual sanctions on Guinea's junta over its
inflexibility in setting a date to return to
civilian rule.
A meeting summary said that the leaders agreed on
"gradual sanctions" on a list of people linked to the
Guinean junta who will be identified "very soon"
by the bloc's leadership.
The West Africa bloc has been struggling with a string
of military coups in the region, in the past two years.
Mali underwent coups in August 2020 and May 2021,
followed by Guinea in September 2021 and Burkina
Faso in January.
ECOWAS has lifted tough sanctions imposed on Mali's
military regime, accepting a March 2024 return to
civilian rule.
But Mali and Guinea remain suspended
from ECOWAS bodies.
Ecowas had condemned the arrest of the Ivorian
soldiers and had decided to send the presidents
of Ghana, Togo and Senegal to Mali to obtain
their release on Tuesday, September 27th.
___________________________________________
Nigeria: Lawyer Says ASUU's
Failure to Resume Despite
Court Order "Legal"
by Qosim Suleiman
September 23rd,
(Pan-African News Wire)
Also speaking on the Twitter Space, a former Welfare
Officer of ASUU OAU, Chijioke Uwasomba, confirmed
that the union has filed an appeal at the
appellate court.
A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has said the
failure of the striking Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU) to resume as ordered by
a court on Wednesday could be legal as long
as a stay of execution application has been
filed "together with the appeal application."
A judge, Polycarp Hamman, of the National Industrial
Court of Nigeria (NICN) sitting in Abuja had granted
an interlocutory injunction application by the
Nigerian government to restrain ASUU from
continuing with the strike... pending its
determination of the substantive suit.
While ASUU said it is appealing the court order, many
Nigerian students have asked if it would not amount
to contempt of court if the union fails to suspend
the strike before the appeal is heard.
But speaking on PREMIUM TIMES' Twitter Space on
Thursday, Mr Effiong said it would be legal to
continue with the strike if the union already
filed a motion for stay of execution
alongside the application for
an appeal.
He said: "A stay of execution may be granted on terms
where an appeal has been filed or when an application
is made to the court. I am aware that a decision was
taken to appeal and I am also aware that that
appeal is to go with a motion for a stay."
Also speaking on the Twitter Space, a former Welfare
Officer of ASUU at the Obafemi Awolowo University
(OAU), Ile-Ife, Chijioke Uwasomba, confirmed that
the union has filed an appeal at the
appellate court.
"First thing this morning, our lawyers have appealed
and they have also asked for a stay of execution,"
he said on Thursday.
He noted that the disputes that resulted in the strike
could have been easily resolved if the government
was committed to funding public education.
Mr Uwasomba also condemned the government's
stance on 'No Work, No pay,' insisting that
teaching was the only aspect of the
lecturers' work affected by
the strike.
He noted that research and community service
being engaged in by the lecturers have
continued unhindered for the past
seven months.
'Court won't resolve dispute'
Both Messr Effiong and Uwasomba stated that
the legal option would not bring an end to the
dispute between the Nigerian government
and the aggrieved lecturers.
Mr Uwasomba said the option would,
rather, complicate the conflict.
He accused the government of being
irresponsible and having no regard
for the Nigerian people.
On his part, Mr Effiong suggested that both
parties return to the negotiation table,
noting that "litigation is not the best
way to resolve the issue."
While he called on both parties to find a middle
ground, he noted that returning to class
without any significant achievement,
will be counterproductive.
He said: "If you tell students to go back to classes and
then they do not get any difference - nothing is felt in
terms of impact, nothing is seen in terms of positive
outlook from this strike - what would have been the
essence of staying at home for seven months."
He called on the federal government to implement the
agreements reached with ASUU "but I'm also saying
that ASUU must also be mindful and amenable to
areas where some form of compromise can be
reached because ultimately, there has to be
a compromise."
'ASUU should uphold students' right'
Meanwhile, Mr Effiong charged ASUU to also stand up
for the rights of students being trampled upon in
some public universities.
The human rights lawyer condemned cases where
some university management proscribed the
student union and its activities.
"When it comes to the issues affecting the students in
this country ASUU does not seem to exude the level
of passion that we all see when they have matters
relating to the agreement with the federal
government," he said.
"So after the strike, I hope that ASUU will go back to
their various branches and begin to interrogate how
they can be more effective... in responding to
concerns by students, both against lecturers
who are victimising students and against
university managements that are also
clamping down on the rights of
students to organise and also
to speak for themselves."
Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in
partnership with Report for the World, which
matches local newsrooms with talented
emerging journalists to report on
under-covered issues around
the globe
Read the original article on Premium Times.
______________________________________________
Mozambique, Tanzania
reach deal ------- to
fight terrorism
September 22nd, 11:30am
(africanews)
The leaders of Mozambique and Tanzania have signed
defense and security agreements aimed at fighting
terrorism and crime.. along their shared border.
No details were released, on the content of the
agreements signed during a visit to Maputo by
Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan,
on Wednesday (September 21st).
A deadly insurgency broke out in northern Mozambique
near the Tanzanian border five years ago, killing
thousands and displacing hundreds
of thousands.
However, life is "gradually returning to normal" after
thousands of foreign troops from several African
countries were deployed more than a year ago
to quell the unrest, Mozambican President,
Filipe Nyusi, said.
"The enemy is now operating in small groups trying to
come down to the southern districts," Nyusi said,
in their talks.
President Hassan said because the two neighbours
share a "very long" border... "we need a good
security system, that allows us to protect
our border."
"We have seen ... cross-border
crimes (and) terrorism," he said.
Nyusi visited the recovered port of Mocimboa
da Praia, a former de facto jihadist
headquarters, on Tuesday.
In October 2017, about 30 gunmen launched a dawn
raid on three police stations in Mocimboa da Praia,
marking the beginning of the insurgency.
Since then, more than 4,258 people have been
killed, according to ACLED, and 820,000
have fled their homes.
Mozambican forces, backed by Rwandan troops,
claimed in August 2021 to have driven out the
militants occupying the port.
_______________________________________
Nigerian lecturers to challenge
back-to-class order by court
Sepember 22nd, 11:24am
(africanews)
A Nigerian court on Wednesday ordered lecturers at
public universities to call off a strike over salary
issues that have dragged on for seven months
and disrupted classes during the process.
The lecturers are demanding higher pay and several
negotiations with the government have not yielded
any positive results, which forced President
Buhari's administration to approach the
National Industrial Court.
Strikes over working conditions by public university
lecturers are common in Nigeria and often go on
for months.
In an interim ruling, judge Polycarp Hamman said
the lecturers should go back to work until the
case brought by the government, is finalized.
-Students protest-
Following this strike, Nigerian students on Monday
(September 19th) protested the strike deadlock
that has shut the country's public universities
causing frustration for an estimated
2.5 million students.
Defying armed security personnel in the commercial
hub of Lagos, hundreds of students blocked a major
road.. leading to Murtala Muhammed International
Airport, Nigeria's busiest airport. Some flights
were disrupted.
They marched with placards and chanted songs urging
the Nigerian government to carry out the demands of
public university lecturers who have been on strike
since February.
-Lectures appeal-
According to local media reports, Nigeria's striking
university teachers say they will appeal to the
National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which
ordered the union to call off its ongoing
nationwide strike and resume work.
the Academic Staff Union of Universities said its
lawyers were already filing an appeal, and
urged its members to “remain calm”.
The government approached the court to stop the
lecturers from continuing their strike after both
parties failed to resolve their differences.
It said the strike would result in irreparable damage to
Nigerian students and to the country if not suspended.
Additional sources • AP
_______________________________________
UN assembly: African leaders
raise Global South's issues,
call for reforms
September 22nd, 11:15am
(africanews)
The UN's General Assembly convened on Wednesday
(September 21st), under the theme: "A watershed
moment: transformative solutions to interlocking
challenges". African leaders adressed
diffent issues.
Kenya's president, William Samoei Ruto and Nigeria's
Buhari, were concerned with the climate crisis.
When Buhari highlighted the fact that the largest
polluters suffer the least from climate change,
Ruto presented the situation his country is
faced with.
"The northern arid and semi-arid rangelands of our
country have been gravely impacted by drought,
whose severity ------ has not been seen or
experienced in 40 years, he said.
"Three point one million residents of these ASALS (Arid
and Semi-Arid Lands) are now severely food insecure
on account of scarce rainfall over three consecutive
seasons, leading to poor crops and pasture."
It was the first time that Ruto also explored solutions to
financially support nations faced with a conjunction of
crises: "I join other leaders in calling upon the World
Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other
multilateral lenders to extend pandemic related
debt relief to the worst hit countries", he said.
Mentionning particularly countries "affected by the
devastating combination of conflict, climate
change and COVID-19."
On the second day of the General Debate in New York,
President Hichilema, focused on those bearing the
brunt of the impact of the war in Ukraine.
"Zambia joins other governments in expressing
particular concern about the ongoing war in
Ukraine", the 60-year-old insisted.
"As we stand with all those affected, we
also take this opportunity to stress the
far-reaching negative consequences,
particularly.. on the prices of food
across the world, fuel, fertilizer
and other key commodities",
Hichilema concluded.
Growing call for reform of international agencies
Delivering his final speech as head of state ahead
of stepping down, Nigerian leader, Buhari, said
challenges raised by the war in Ukraine and
other recent crises --- justify calls for the
reform of the United Nations system --
to make the Security Council and UN
agencies more representative
and capable of meeting
current demands.
Kenya's president doubled down on that: "It is time
for multilateralism --- to reflect the voice of the
farmers, to represent the hopes of villagers,
champion the aspirations of pastoralists,
defend the rights of fisherfolk, express
the dreams of traders, respect the
wishes of workers and indeed,
protect the welfare, of all the
peoples of the Global South."
The 77th UN general assembly will
end... on the 26th of September.
___________________________________
Nigerian president calls on
UN --- to solve conflicts
by Ileana Ferrer Fonte
September 21st, 2:13pm
(Prensa Latina)
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday
called to peacefully resolve conflicts worldwide,
reform the United Nations and reduce the
effects of climate change.
Addressing the high-level session of the United
Nations General Assembly, Buhari said that
the global challenges include problems
- increasingly driven by non-state
actors, the proliferation of small
and light weapons - and several
forms of terrorism and violent
extremism.
Referring to other obstacles to development, such as
the misuse of technology, irregular migration, and
unequal opportunities, the Nigerian head of
State pointed out that the United Nations
demonstrates, in its actions, that it can
be strong, when the will of its member
countries is mobilized.
He insisted that, nevertheless, events such as the
military conflict in Ukraine, which, in his opinion,
created tensions that may be unprecedented in
a generation, are weighing down the leading
principles of this institution which are to
promote peace and security.
That situation will have adverse consequences, after
hindering our capability of working together to
resolve conflicts elsewhere, especially in
Africa, the Middle East, and Asia,
he noted.
In another part of his speech, the president called to
reform the Security Council... and other UN bodies
that need to transform their structures to meet
the current demands... and become
more representative.
____________________________________
South Sudan on High Alert
After Ebola Outbreak
in Uganda
September 21st, 12:22pm
(teleSUR)
Authorities advised communities living along the border
with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
to report any suspicious case of Ebola.
On Thursday, the South Sudanese government said it
is stepping up vigilance along its borders following
an outbreak of the Ebola-Sudan strain in
neighboring Uganda.
Victoria Anib Majur, the undersecretary in the Ministry
of Health, advised communities living along the
border with Uganda and the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC) to report
any suspicious case of Ebola to
the health authorities.
"We are very concerned about the Ebola outbreak in
Uganda, because we share the border. We have a
lot of movement across the border, our families
are in Uganda and Ugandans are on this side,"
Majur told journalists in Juba, the capital of
South Sudan.
She also urged the public to refrain from eating
bushmeat since Ebola spreads to humans
through animals. Majur disclosed that
national assessment teams will be
deployed in the border areas of
Yambio and Nimule bordering
both DRC and Uganda,
respectively.
On August 21st, the DRC government announced an
Ebola outbreak after detecting a 46-year-old woman
living in the city of Beni... in the province of North
Kivu. Majur added that they would be partnering
with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF)
to promote public awareness of the Ebola
virus disease.
Fabian Ndenzako, the acting WHO Representative
for South Sudan, said that the ministry of health
has already activated the incident management
system for Ebola virus disease.
"There is a lot of movement across the border, so it's
really important that this incident management
system is really activated. We don't have a
case in South Sudan but given the
proximity and closeness,
we have to prepare,"
Ndenzako said.
_______________________________
South Africa: candidates obliged
to declare campaign donations
September 21st, 11:07am
(africanews)
South Africa's Constitutional Court on Tuesday ruled
that campaign donations must be declared.
This decision is aimed at fighting alleged corruption
cases that come ahead of an internal vote by the
ruling ANC party ---- to name its president and
candidate for the next presidential election.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's campaign financing for
the party leadership sparked controversy in 2017.
He was accused of hiding a donation of 500,000 rands
($35,000 at the time) from Parliament. Under the
current rule, the declaration of donations in
campaigns "for positions in political
parties" is not mandatory.
This measure "undermines the Ethics Act and the
conflict of interest regime", whose provisions are
"essential for transparency and the fight against
rampant corruption", the Supreme Court ruled
in a decision copied to AFP.
Mr. Ramaphosa, 69, had been finally cleared by the
Constitutional Court and had taken over the reins
of the country in February 2018 after the
resignation of Jacob Zuma, implicated
in scandals. He has made the fight
against corruption his main focus.
However, the head of state is in turmoil around a murky
burglary case, months before the ANC decides
whether to present him as a candidate
for a second term in 2024.
He is accused of concealing from the police and tax
authorities a burglary in 2020 at one of his
properties, during which large sums of
cash were found hidden in furniture.
An investigation is underway and Parliament has
appointed an independent commission... whose
findings could lead to a vote in Parliament to
remove Ramaphosa from office.
In South Africa, the impeachment of the head of
state is subject to a two-thirds majority vote in
the Assembly. The ANC holds more than
two-thirds of the seats.
_______________________________________
South Africa to host 2027
Women's World Cup?
September 21st, 11:04am
(africanews)
South Africa, which hosted the men's World Cup
in 2010, intends to bid to host the 2027
women's edition, the South African
Football Association (SAFA)
announced on Tuesday.
"We would love to have the opportunity to roll out
the red carpet again in 2027 for the women's
tournament," SAFA chief executive
Tebogo Motlanthe told AFP.
The decision was made last weekend at the
federation's executive council meeting.
The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany have
already made a joint bid. South Africa was
in the running to host the women's
competition in 2023,
but withdrew.
In 2010, the southern African country became
the only African country to host a World Cup.
The 64 matches held in one month took place in
ten stadiums, five of which were purpose-built.
These facilities are now used by soccer and
rugby teams.
South Africa, Morocco, Zambia, and Nigeria are
the African countries that have qualified for the
Women's World Cup in 2023, which will be
hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Cameroon and Senegal are among the ten teams
that have qualified for the playoffs (February
2023), with three places up for grabs.
___________________________________
Equatorial Guinea moves up
presidential election
by five months
September 21st, 10:33am
(africanews)
Equatorial Guinea, on Tuesday, brought forward its
presidential election by five months to November
20th, the same time as the legislative elections.
"The presidential, Chamber of Deputies, Senate, and
municipal elections are called for November 20th,
2022," according to a decree issued by the head
of state, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo,
broadcast on state television.
Mr. Obiang holds the world record for longevity
in power among living heads of state,
excluding monarchies.
The only issue at stake will be the designation of the
candidate of the Democratic Party of Equatorial
Guinea (PDGE), which holds 99 of the 100 seats
in the outgoing lower house and all 70 seats
in the Senate.
Will Mr. Obiang, 80, run for another term or will he
let his son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue,
nicknamed Teodorin, succeed him?
The latter, all-powerful and feared vice-president in
charge of defense --- a publicly assumed jet-setter
has long been considered his father's successor
and has been omnipresent on the political
scene for the past two years.
However, the congress of the PDGE, which was to
enthrone him as a candidate in November 2021,
did not do so in the end, to the surprise
of everyone.
With two months to go before the election.. Equato-
Guineans -- but also observers and diplomats -- are
wondering who will win, Teodorin or the caciques
of the regime - who see the son as the head of
this small country... rich in hydrocarbons -
and are pushing the father to run again.
The outcome of the legislative elections... is hardly in
doubt, as in every election: the PDGE -a single party
until 1991- should leave only a few crumbs to
"tolerated" opposition movements among
the few... that are not the target of
relentless repression.... regularly
slated by international NGOs.
Ten months ago, the party congress gave rise to
unprecedented quarrels between supporters of
Teodorin and Teodoro, who has been president
since 1979 when he overthrew his uncle
Francisco Macías Nguema, in a coup.
The anticipation of the presidential elections, was
justified in Tuesday's decree by the need to group
together costly polls in the midst of an economic
crisis due to "the war in Ukraine" and the "covid
pandemic", but observers see it more as the
desire of one of the two camps, to push
what it believes to be its advantage.
___________________________________
UN assembly: Sall advocates
more seats for African Union
at the G20
September 21st, 10:30am
(africanews)
From rising prices to a warming planet and deadly
conflicts... the global state of affairs is dire.
Speaking Tuesday on the 77th session of the UN's
General Assembly, Macky Sall, the Senegalese
president, and the chairperson of the African
Union, insisted on the threat of terrorism.
"Terrorism gaining ground on the continent.. is not just
an African matter. It is a global threat that falls under
the primary purview of the (UN) Security Council, the
guarantor of the collective security mechanism,
under the UN Charter", he said.
During this first in-person general assembly since 2020,
Sall also reiterated his call for a better representation
of the continent on the world stage: "I would like to
remind you of our request for the African Union to
be granted a seat within the G20, so that Africa
can, at last, be represented... where decisions
are taken that affect 1,400,000,000 Africans."
Lift sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, was
another plea of the Senegalese president.
New Cold war
The AU chairperson said that Africa "does not want to
be the breeding ground, of a new Cold War," alluding
to the pressure mounting on the continent's leaders
to choose sides over the war in Ukraine.
Many African countries depend heavily on grain imports
from Russia and Ukraine. Amid market shortages,
Russia’s foreign minister, has blamed the West
for rising food prices. Western leaders, mean-
while, have accused the Kremlin of using
food as a weapon and waging an
imperial-style war of conquest.
Some observers have called the efforts by Russia and
the United States the strongest lobbying campaigns
since the Cold War, when the continent was
wracked by proxy wars as the U.S. and
Soviet Union vied for influence.
Among those staying neutral..... is the continental
heavyweight South Africa. International Relations
minister, Naledi Pandor, said that finding an end
game to the Ukraine war will be South Africa’s
focus... when it participates in the annual
meeting of the U.N. General Assembly
next week.
____________________________________
Tunisia: Opposition party denounce
ill-treatment of chief during
interrogation process
September 21st, 10am
(africanews)
Tunisia’s 81-year-old opposition leader Rached
Ghannouchi, appeared before an anti-terror
unit, on Tuesday.
After hours waiting on Monday and a postponement of
his questioning, he was eventually questioned over
alleged involvement in sending jihadist militants
to Syria and Iraq.
The supporters of the Ennahdha chief chanted
"freedom" and slogans, as they gathered in a
show of solidarity. The party spokesperson
denounced "a willingness to ill-treat"
Ghannouchi, throughout the
interrogation process:
"He is a citizen [Rached Ghannouchi] ...who came
willingly. He came freely, not under arrest. They
[his lawyers] asked.. that the interrogation be
postponed to today because the conditions
for the interrogation hadn't been fulfilled
yesterday. What surprised us was that
there was a willingness to ill-treat
Rached Ghannouchi, and subject
him to these conditions - despite
his age,'' Imed Khemiri lamented.
''We think this is a form of torture,
and it undermines the
transparency of the
questioning."
"Without evidence"
One of the deputies of the party, Ali, was also
questioned and held at the headquarters of
the anti-terror unit, until late Monday.
In a statement released overnight, Ennahdha
denounced the interrogation as "a flagrant
violation of human rights".
Citing one of his lawyers, the Reuters agency
reported.. that Laarayedh will appear before
a judge on Wednesday. "We are shocked..
the file is completely empty and
without any evidence", Samir
Dilou, another lawyer,
told Reuters.
After the 2011 overthrow of long-time president Zine
El Abidine Ben Ali... thousands of Tunisians joined
the ranks of jihadist organizations - most notably
the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq, but
also in neighboring Libya.
Ennahdha played a central role in Tunisia's post-Ben
Ali politics until president Kais Saied began his
power grab in July last year, followed by a
controversial referendum that granted
unchecked powers to his office.
Ennahdha had on Sunday decried attempts "to use
the judiciary... to tarnish the opposition's image"
and implicate its leaders in "fabricated affairs".
________________________________________________
Education transformation
needed for --- ‘inclusive,
just, peaceful world’
– United Nations chief
Egypt, September 20th,
10:51am (APO Group)
Pan-African News Wire
The UN chief pointed out that education is fast
becoming “a great divider” - noting that some
70 per cent of 10-year-olds in poor countries
are unable to read and are “barely learning”
Education has been Secretary-General António
Guterres’ “guide and touchstone,” he said on
Monday, the final day of the Transforming
Education Summit, warning that it is
in “a deep crisis”.
“I regard myself as a lifelong student… Without
education, where would I be? Where would
any of us be?”, he asked those gathered
in the iconic General Assembly Hall.
Because education transforms lives, economies
and societies, “we must transform education”.
Downward spiral
Instead of being the great enabler, the UN chief pointed
out that education is fast becoming “a great divider”,
noting that some 70% of 10-year-olds in poor
countries are unable to read and are
“barely learning”.
With access to the best resources, schools and
universities ---- the rich get the best jobs, while
the poor – especially girls – displaced people,
and students with disabilities, face huge
obstacles to getting the qualifications
that could change their lives,
he continued.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 has “dealt a hammer blow to
progress on SDG4”, the Sustainable Development
Goal targeting equitable quality education.
“But the education crisis began long before – and
runs much deeper”, Mr Guterres added, citing the
International Commission on the Future of
Education report card, which clearly
stated: “Education systems don’t
make the grade”.
Failing grade
Dependent upon outdated and narrow curricula, under-
trained and underpaid teachers, and rote learning,
he maintained that “education is failing
students and societies”.
At the same time, the digital divide penalizes poor
students as the education financing gap “yawns
wider than ever”.
“Now is the time to transform education
systems”, underscored the UN chief.
21st century vision
With a new 21st century education vision taking
shape, he flagged that quality learning must
support the development of the individual
learner, throughout their life.
“It must help people learn how to learn, with a focus
on problem-solving and collaboration…provide the
foundations... for learning, from reading, writing
and mathematics to scientific, digital, social
and emotional skills…develop students’
capacity to adapt to the rapidly
changing world of work…[and]
be accessible to all from the
earliest stages & through
-out their lives”.
At a time of rampant misinformation, Mr. Guterres
stressed the need for education systems that
“distinguish fact from conspiracy, instill
respect for science, and celebrate
humanity in all its diversity”.
From vision to reality
To make the vision a reality, he highlighted five
commitment areas, beginning with protecting
the right to quality education for everyone,
everywhere – especially girls and those
in crisis hotspots.
As “the lifeblood of education systems,” Mr. Guterres
next, called for a new focus on the roles & skillsets
of teachers to facilitate and promote learning,
rather than merely transmitting answers.
Third, he advocated for schools to become “safe,
healthy spaces, with no place for violence,
stigma or intimidation”.
Now is the time to transform education systems
To achieve the 4th target, that the digital
revolution benefits all learners... he
encouraged governments to work
with private sector partners (sic)
to boost digital learning content.
Financial solidarity
“None of this will be possible, without a surge in
education financing and global solidarity”, said
the UN chief, introducing his final priority.
He urged countries to protect education budgets
and funnel education spending into
learning resources.
“Education financing must be the number one priority
for Governments. It is the single most important
investment any country can make in its people
and its future,” spelled out the Sec.-General.
“Spending and policy advice should be
aligned with delivering quality
education for all”.
‘Global movement’
In closing, he stated that the Transforming
Education Summit will only achieve its
global goals by mobilizing
“a global movement”.
“Let’s move forward together, so that everyone can
learn, thrive and dream throughout their lives. Let’s
make sure today’s learners and future generations
can access the education they need, to create a
more sustainable, inclusive, just and peaceful
world for all”.
Distributed by APO Group on
behalf of United Nations
In Egypt.
[Redacted by Rhondda Records]
____________________________________
Nigeria: Govt Plans Ban
On 'Ponmo' to Revive
Leather Industry
September 20th,
Vanguard (Lagos)
Pan-African News Wire
The Federal Government has said it was proposing a
legislation to ban the consumption of animal skin,
locally known as ponmo, in the country to
revive tanneries.
Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Leather and
Science Technology, NILEST, Zaria, Muhammad
Yakubu said this in Abuja on Sunday. NILEST
was set up to promote leather production..
as provided in the Agricultural Research
Institute Act of 1975. The institute
researches the production and
products of leather and the
utilisation of local tanning
materials in the country.
Yakubu, who said the litigation was necessary to
revive the comatose leather industry in the
country, said the habit of eating animal
skin, which has no nutritional value,
should be stopped to save the
industry and boost the
nation's economy.
The Director-General added, that the institute, in
collaboration with stakeholders in the industry,
would approach the national assembly.. and
state governments, to bring out legislation
banning "ponmo" consumption.
He said: "To the best of my knowledge, Nigerians
are the only people in the world that overvalue
skin as food, after all, Ponmo has no
nutritional value.
"At one point, there was a motion before the two
chambers of the national assembly... it was
debated but I don't know how the matter
was thrown away."
He also said the current National Leather Policy had
addressed some fundamental problems of the sector.
Yakubu said: "If we get our tanneries, our footwear
and leather production working well in Nigeria,
people will hardly get pomo to buy and eat.
"When implemented fully, it would turn around
most of the comatose tanneries and ginger
greater output in production."
Read the original article on Vanguard.
________________________________________
Kenya: Kakuzi Readies for
Second Avocado Shipment
to China
by Susan Nyawira
September 20th
Capital FM (Nairobi)
(Pan-African News Wire)
Local agribusiness firm Kakuzi Plc has secured pre-
shipment approvals from the Kenya Plant Health
Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) for its second
fresh avocado shipment to China.
The firm is expected to ship several 20-foot container
loads to China by sea before the end of this week as
demand for Kenyan avocados continues to grow.
Kenya is currently enjoying a market advantage as it
is the only approved African source market for fresh
avocado fruits in China.
Speaking when he confirmed the scheduled shipment,
Kakuzi PLC Managing Director Christopher Flowers
said the containers were prepared and transferred
to Mombasa over the weekend.
"We received the pre-shipment clearance by KEPHIS
last week and proceeded to load and dispatch the
container to Mombasa over the weekend. The
container is expected to leave the port of
Mombasa for a 30-day voyage to China,"
Flowers said.
Speaking from China, Kakuzi market agents HALLS
Fresh Produce Representative Lifan Yu said the
firm is sourcing its supplies from approved
countries, including Chile, Peru, New
Zealand and Mexico, using its Halls'
Responsibly Sourced Network' of
global partners, who are
carefully selected.
"This year, we started our supply programme with
Kenya, who have finally received market access
into China. We have planned for sea-freight
shipments for the rest of the year, which
will arrive for October and November
sales, in a period where we feel the
market will have limited Chilean
avocados," Yu said.
The Chinese market, Yu said, clearly needs more
supply of quality fruit and more options to enable
consumers to purchase avocados 365 days a
year at affordable prices.
The export of fresh avocados to China follows the
early January signing of two protocols to facilitate
bilateral trade, mainly the export of avocados and
aquatic products from Kenya to China.
Government data indicates that Kenya exports an
average of 80,000 tonnes of avocados annually,
with main markets over the years being
countries in the European Union as
well as the Middle East.
Read the original article on Capital FM.
__________________________________________
President Ramaphosa Cancels
UNGA Address to Deal With
Blackouts
September 19th, 5:23pm
(teleSUR)
"Load shedding is costing the South African economy
US$41.2 million per stage," the South African
Chamber of Commerce and Industry holds.
On Monday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
canceled his planned address at the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) in New York and will
return home... after attending British Queen
Elizabeth's funeral to deal with nation-
wide blackouts.
South Africa continues to endure long hours without
electricity due to the breakdown of five generating
units, the power utility Electricity Supply
Commission (Eskom) said.
The country is currently at load shedding level six,
meaning that the power utility must remove 6,000
megawatts of power... from the grid. During this
stage, the country can go without electricity
for up to at least six to eight hours per day.
Eskom said the country lost about 7,210
MW due to planned maintenance and
16,597 MW of capacity was lost
to breakdowns.
"The system has been under pressure.. over the past
week. This has caused us to run our reserves -- our
diesel and our dams - very hard and we are now in
a situation - where we urgently need to replenish
these reserves in order to maintain an adequate
safety buffer - as we are required to do by the
grid code," said Eskom Chief Operating
Officer Jan Oberholzer on Sunday.
The country is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic
and the load-shedding would make it difficult to
recover, said Mtho Xulu, the president of the
South African Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (SACCI).
"Our estimate is that load shedding is costing the South
African economy US$41.2 million per stage," he
pointed out, adding that unreliable energy
supply makes it difficult to convince
investors that the country is the
best investment destination.
Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said
the government is eroding the little confidence
citizens have regarding its leadership due to
the current Stage 6 of nationwide rolling
blackouts. The trade union said... the
government has poorly addressed
the issue and called on the
president --- to find a
permanent solution
to the crisis.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has reiterated its call for
President Ramaphosa and the government to account
for the energy response plan, saying Eskom is not
entirely to blame for the country's power crisis.
_____________________________________________
Niger: March in Niamey
