Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.
COMMENTARY
GERD and Instability in Horn of Africa
The Nile is a well-known and long river, though relatively modest in terms of volume. Over the years, the downstream riparians (Egypt and Sudan) have consolidated their control over water resources. Egypt is the most powerful state in the basin; and it has achieved a substantial degree of hydraulic, legal and political control over the Nile waters. In line with a 1959 settlement, Egypt receives 55.5 billion cubic meters of water from the Nile annually, whereas Sudan can draw 18.5 billion cubic meters. Ethiopia receives no water from the Nile. In 2011, when Egypt was within the throes of the Arab Spring protests, Ethiopia decided to start building Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), previously known as Millennium Dam. Since, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have been involved in a bitter dispute over the GERD. Despite several attempts by African Union, none of the countries are ready to budge and they are prepared to go to war, if needed. As the tensions among the three disputants continue to rise, adding to irritants in relations such as the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute and other sources of regional instability, such as the Tigray civil war, the issue becomes very important for India for many reasons. In Egypt Indian investment surpasses 3 billion USD with more than 450 private companies actively working. Similarly In Ethiopia, Indian investment surpasses 5 billion USD and India is probably 2nd biggest investor for Ethiopia, just after China (don't have the data since covid started). There are lots of LOCs too, particularly for Ethiopia. The highest number of academic recruitments in Africa from India, also takes place in Ethiopia.
NEWS
US condemns Sudan coup, suspends $700 million financial aid
The US is withholding $700 million in emergency financing for Sudan in reaction to the continuing military coup attempt in the nation. Click here to read...
Mali expels ECOWAS envoy from the country
ECOWAS, West Africa’s main political and economic bloc, has been pressing Mali to respect its commitment to hold elections. Click here to read...
Libya’s Chaos Is a Warning to the World
Ten years after Qaddafi’s death, Libya is a harbinger of the enduring global disorder to come. Click here to read...
Egypt says prepared for possible collapse of GERD
Egyptian Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Mohamed Abdel-Aty said Tuesday that Egypt has preventive measures to protect it in the event that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) collapses. Click here to read...
Renewed clashes dim hopes of a credible election in Somalia
Several days of fighting between government troops and militia have heightened political uncertainty over the long-overdue national polls. In addition, there is still no agreement on the electoral procedure. Click here to read...
Algerian gas to Spain will bypass Morocco
Algeria will from now on deliver its natural gas to Spain exclusively through an undersea pipeline, after Algiers abandoned use of a line through Morocco. Click here to read...
Whither political Islam in Tunisia?
The future of Ennahda will depend not on its ideology, but its organisational transformation, political choices, and the political system’s new arrangements. Click here to read...
Nigeria becomes first African nation to roll out digital currency
Nigeria’s central bank earlier in February outlawed banks and financial institutions from transacting or operating in cryptocurrencies, saying they posed a threat to the financial system. Click here to read...
Chinese teaching in Zambia taken to higher level
The making of the Chinese language as one of the examinable subjects in Zambia was a clear indication that the teaching of the language has been taken to another levelClick here to read...
In Israel, Congolese president says seeking ‘closer security, agriculture ties’
During visit at President’s Residence, Herzog promises to ensure that Israel reopens embassy in KinshasaClick here to read...
A Rasta president for The Gambia?
The Gambia is going to the polls in December, to vote their new president. And among those who wants to be president is independent candidate, Rastaman Bankole Yao Jojo Ahadzie, aka Banky. It is the first presidential election since the departure of Yahya Jammeh, who ruled for 22 years. Click here to read...
INDIA IN AFRICA
2-day 'Haryana-Africa Conclave' aims to boost trade
To further strengthen diplomatic connections and bilateral relations, ambassadors, senior embassy officials from 12 African nations, ministers and bureaucrats from Haryana came together for a two-day ‘Haryana-Africa Conclave, Series-1’. Click here to read...
India In UNSC: Will Continue to Support Sudan, South Sudan in Peace and Development
India will continue to support Sudan and South Sudan in countries’ progress towards peace and development, said Counsellor in India's Permanent Mission to UN. Click here to read...
MoS Muraleedharan meets first VP of South Sudan, discusses trade, investment ties
Union Minister of State for External Affairs (MOS) V Muraleedharan has met First Vice President of South Sudan, Dr Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon and discussed trade and investment ties between the two countries. Click here to read...
India's outreach to tiny Togo is part of a bigger plan in Africa
It was only in September last year that India opened its consulate in Lome, the capital city of Togo, one of the smallest countries in Africa that borders Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso. Click here to read...
Indian ambassador hails Egypt’s decision to lift state of emergency
Ambassador of India to Egypt, Ajit Gupte told Daily News Egypt that President’s Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi decision to lift the nationwide state of emergency is a very positive step. Click here to read...
An Indian teacher building bridges in Ethiopia
During the imperial times in Ethiopia under His Majesty Haile Selassie, there were tens of thousands of school teachers from India, mostly from the Indian state of Kerala, who taught in schools all over Ethiopia. Click here to read...
