Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 49, 2023)
Samir Bhattacharya

Commentary

Global Insecurity and Evolving India-Africa Defence Cooperation

This institution, over time, educated a generation of Ethiopian military officers from several other independent African nations. Click here to read…

Biden’s unfulfilled vow to visit Africa renews fears of neglect

U.S. President Joe Biden sought to showcase the United States’ commitment to Africa as he hosted his Angolan counterpart, Joao Lourenco, a meeting that highlighted the former's unfulfilled pledge to visit the continent. Click here to read…

Why Africa is the future of mobile and digital banking

Today, 48% of Africa’s population uses banking services, according to the African Digital Banking Transformation Report 2023. Click here to read…

Somalia’s accession to the EAC: has it been too far, too fast?

Somalia was admitted to the East African Community (EAC) on Friday at the 23rd ordinary meeting of the bloc’s heads of state in Arusha, becoming its eighth member state. Click here to read…

Sierra Leone coup attempt: What may have sparked the violence

Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone, was jolted awake by gunshots on Sunday morning. Click here to read…

News

Guinea-Bissau president says this week’s violence was ‘attempted coup’

Gunfire and clashes that erupted in the capital of Guinea-Bissau this week were an “attempted coup”, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo has said. Click here to read…

Senegal Court To Mull If Opposition Leader Can Run for President

A Dakar court will next week consider whether Senegalese opposition figure Ousmane Sonko should be reinstated on the electoral roll, a point on which his candidacy for the 2024 presidential race depends, a judicial source said Tuesday. Click here to read…

DRC's Nobel winner Mukwege stages presidential rally in hometown

Addressing supporters in the eastern city of Bukavu, the renowned doctor said he would use political power to "put an end to war, put an end to famine" and to fight graft. Click here to read…

Côte d’Ivoire: Tidjane Thiam vies for opposition party top spot, eyeing presidency

Franco-Ivorian former banker Tidjane Thiam is vying for the presidency of the Parti Démocratique de Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), with his sights set on the 2025 presidential election. Click here to read…

Ghana: Ruling NPP purges rebels who back wrong presidential candidate

The New Patriotic Party has revoked the membership of four political heavyweights who openly back the breakaway candidature of ex-Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen. Click here to read…

Madagascar leader wins presidential vote, constitutional court says

Madagascar's incumbent resident, Andry Rajoelina, was declared the winner on Friday of the Nov. 16 election by the country's High Constitutional Court. Click here to read…

Ethiopia's Oromiya region accuses Ola rebels of killing 'many people

The government of Ethiopia's largest region, Oromiya, on Saturday accused the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) rebel group of killing "many civilians" in attacks that followed the failure of peace talks in Tanzania. Click here to read…

Somalia minister kicks up a storm after addressing a conference in Swahili

Somalia may have joined the East African Community (EAC) last week, becoming the eighth member of the expanding bloc, but Somalis are wondering whether the move could kill their national language: Somali. Click here to read…

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger look to form a federation

The foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger recommended on Friday (Dec. 01) creating a confederation as part of a long-term goal of uniting the West African neighbours within a federation. Click here to read…

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger alliance face uphill task

Junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have ditched the G5 anti-jihadist force. Experts say their intended new confederation to tackle Islamist insurgents in the Sahel is bound to fail unless they mend ties with ECOWAS. Click here to read…

Mali and Niger revoke tax cooperation treaties with France

Mali and Niger have revoked two treaties with France for cooperation and administrative assistance in tax matters, their governments said in a statement on Tuesday. Click here to read…

G5 Sahel: Niger and Burkina Faso leave anti-Islamist force

Burkina Faso and Niger have followed Mali in announcing they are to withdraw from an international force known as the G5 that was set up to fight Islamists in the Sahel region. Click here to read…

Burkina Faso Suspends 'All Distribution Methods' of French Daily Le Monde

Military-ruled Burkina Faso on Saturday suspended "all distribution methods" of Le Monde daily after an article on a deadly jihadi attack in the north, in the latest measure against a French media organization. Click here to read…

Algeria passes law to protect media freedom. Others used to imprison journalists remain on the books

Algeria’s National Council passed a new media law that officials hailed as a major victory for the country’s journalists as concerns about press freedoms have plagued President Abdelmajid Tebboune’s first term in office. Click here to read…

UN Security Council to vote to end Somalia arms embargo after three decades

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is due to vote on Friday to remove the final restrictions on weapons deliveries to Somalia’s government and its security forces.https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/1/un-security-council-to-vote-to-end-somalia-arms-embargo-after-three-decades "target="_blank"> Click here to read…

UN Security Council due to vote to close Sudan political mission

The United Nations Security Council is due to vote on Friday to end a political mission in war-torn Sudan, diplomats said, after the country's acting foreign minister requested the move earlier this month and described the mission's performance as "disappointing." Click here to read…

African Union Commission urged to swiftly implement Sudan’s peace plan

In a call to action, the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) has urged the immediate implementation of a plan to end the ongoing conflict in Sudan and pave the way for a civilian-led transitional government. Click here to read…

Security Council agrees to terminate UN mission in Sudan

A United Nations political mission in war-racked Sudan will end on Sunday after the UN Security Council voted to shut it down following a request from Sudanese authorities last month. Click here to read…

West Africa regional bloc condemns barracks attack in Sierra Leone

West Africa's regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States, on Sunday condemned the attempt by certain individuals to "acquire arms and disturb constitutional order" in Sierra Leone. Click here to read…

East Africa force starts withdrawal from Congo

Scores of Kenyan troops flew out of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, marking the start of the withdrawal of a regional force after Kinshasa did not renew its mandate to help fight M23 rebels. Click here to read…

Chad’s Opposition, Civil Society Ask French Troops to Leave

Chad's opposition and civil society groups are asking France to immediately withdraw troops who arrived in Chad after being ordered to depart neighboring Niger by that country’s military junta. Click here to read…

Biden Hosts Angola’s President, Seeking to Strengthen Africa Ties

President Biden hosted President João Lourenço of Angola at the White House on Thursday, promoting a major U.S. investment in the country. Click here to read…

US stresses bid to counter China in Africa

President Joe Biden and his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenco met at the White House on Thursday to discuss infrastructure and regional security, as the United States seeks to counter China’s growing influence in Africa. Click here to read…

President Lourenço Praises Biden's Africa Strategy and Pursues Closer U.S. Relation

President Joe Biden welcomed Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to the Oval Office on Thursday, aiming to reaffirm his dedication to Africa despite the two ongoing wars dominating his administration's foreign policy focus. Click here to read…

US restricts visas for Uganda, Zimbabwe officials, citing repression

The United States on Monday expanded a visa restriction policy on Ugandan officials to include those it believes are responsible for undermining democracy and repressing marginalized groups in Uganda, while also announcing a new visa restriction policy for officials in Zimbabwe. Click here to read…

Resource-hungry China invests in Africa

Nigeria is talking with China about selling large stakes in some of its biggest oil blocks, according to a leaked document, in what executives say may be a bid to strengthen its hand with existing Western oil partners. Click here to read…

China helps Egypt send new satellite into orbit

China helped Egypt send a remote-sensing satellite into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Monday. Click here to read…

Chinese Firm to Help Build $1.5 Billion Bridge in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has signed an agreement with the China Road and Bridge Corporation and Senegal’s Atepa Group for the construction of an 8 kilometer (4.97 miles) bridge linking its capital and main airport. Click here to read…

Ghana Court Jails Chinese National Over Illegal Gold Mining

A Ghanaian court has sentenced a Chinese national to prison for illegal gold mining in the West African nation, her attorney said Monday, ending a case that started in 2017 and shed light on Chinese involvement in the activity. Click here to read…

Russia Woos Africa with Free Grain, Fertilizer Research Funding

Russian shipments of donated grain are due to begin landing in Africa within days, giving fresh impetus to its bid to bolster its influence in the continent. Click here to read…

Selling weapons and sealing deals: Is Russia a reliable defence partner for Africa?

Early in November, while a large-scale massacre of civilians was taking place in a village in the north-central region of Burkina Faso, Defense Minister Kassoum Coulibaly was in Moscow to strengthen defence cooperation with Russia. Click here to read…

Putin’s Daughter Pursues Digital Plan in Push to Embrace Africa

Russia is stepping up its pursuit of closer ties with Africa by offering digital expertise in a strategy backed by President Vladimir Putin’s younger daughter. Click here to read…

France Loans $218 Million to Mauritius for Water-Sector Projects

France’s Development Agency will provide a 200 million euro ($217.7 million) budgetary loan to Mauritius to finance an overhaul of the country’s water sector. Click here to read…

UAE Pledges $4.5 Billion to Finance Africa Climate Projects

The United Arab Emirates, the host of this year’s United Nations climate summit, pledged $4.5 billion to help African nations accelerate clean-energy projects. Click here to read…

Zambia selects UAE's IHC unit as new partner in Mopani Copper Mines

Zambia has selected United Arab Emirates' International Resources Holdings (IRH) as the new strategic equity partner in Mopani Copper Mines, the miner's owner ZCCM-IH (ZCCM.LZ) said late on Thursday. Click here to read…

King Mohammed VI to Visit UAE on Monday

King Mohammed VI is set to go on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates on Monday following an invitation from President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, according to a statement from the Royal Cabinet. Click here to read…

Korea Touts Rice Prowess to Africa amid Market Squeeze

South Korea could be viewed as a favourable ally in Africa as the nation touts its rice growing expertise across a continent dominated by China’s influence. Click here to read…

Kazakh president says cooperation with Africa among priorities of country's foreign policy

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Tuesday that strengthening cooperation with African countries is one of the main directions of his country's foreign policy. Click here to read…

Rwanda scheme can save billions of pounds, claims Rishi Sunak

Getting the government's Rwanda plan right will "literally save us billions in the long run", Rishi Sunak has said. Click here to read…

African Leaders Rally for Representation on UN Security Council

Since 2005, African nations have been unified in their demand for equitable representation, calling for two permanent seats with veto power and two additional non-permanent seats. Click here to read…

No decision on South Africa severing ties with Israel

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said there was no decision to cut all ties with Tel Aviv. Click here to read…

Angola Rejects OPEC Quota and Vows to Break It

Angola rejected a new output quota handed to it by OPEC and said it planned to breach it, a rare challenge to the cartel that heralds more infighting ahead. Click here to read…

African Development Bank’s Strategic Moves at COP28 to Address Climate Challenges

Throughout the two-week conference, the Bank will actively engage in partnerships and resource mobilization, emphasizing initiatives such as the Africa Climate Risk Insurance Facility for Adaptation (ACRIFA). Click here to read…

Angola signs Artemis Accords

Angola signed the U.S.-led Artemis Accords outlining best practices for space exploration Nov. 30, becoming the third African nation to do so. Click here to read…

Equinor Exits Nigeria

Equinor ASA is exiting Nigeria after over three decades, selling assets that include its stake in the Agbami oil field to Chappal Energies Mauritius Ltd. Click here to read…

Kenya inks more than $4 billion in deals to advance geothermal sector

Presided by Kenyan President William Ruto in collaboration with the COP28 Presidency and several other African nations, the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative (AGII) was launched along the sidelines of the COP28 along with more than $4 billion in deals of new geothermal development or utilizing geothermal resources in Kenya. Click here to read…

Gabon seeks to preempt $1.3 bln sale of Carlyle's oil business -sources

Gabon's national oil firm is seeking to use its right of first refusal to acquire Carlyle's (CG.O) Assala Energy after the private equity giant agreed to sell the business for $1.3 billion to France's Maurel & Prom, three sources told Reuters. Click here to read…

Three years of planning paved Uganda’s road to World Cup

An “emotional rollercoaster” is how Brian Masaba describes the past fortnight for Uganda’s cricketers. Click here to read…

143 Bangladeshi irregular migrants detained in Libya reach home

About 143 Bangladeshi irregular migrants, who were kept in detention centers in Libya's capital Tripoli, returned home with the help of UN refugee agency. Click here to read…

Nearly 100 killed as worst flooding in decades devastates Somalia

The number of people killed by floods from heavy rains in Somalia has climbed to 96, state news agency SONNA said on Saturday. Click here to read…

India in Africa

Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto to pay State visit to India from December 4-6

Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto will pay a State visit to India from December 4-6 on the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu. He will be accompanied by a high-level official delegation. Click here to read…

African Union joining G20 can change larger international architecture for Global South: T20 India

Chaturvedi said that roughly two-thirds of the world's population and 75 per cent of global trade were covered by the G20. Click here to read…

South Africa’s BRICS chairship, India’s G20 presidency brought Global South into centre stage: BRICS Sherpa

BRICS Sherpa and Ambassador at Large for Asia and BRICS Anil Sooklal said that South Africa’s BRICS chairship and India’s G20 presidency have brought the Global South into centre stage in terms of determining new international architecture. Click here to read…

India played leading role in working with Africa on development issues: Former Liberian Prime Minister

Former Liberian Prime Minister Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said India has played a leading role in working with Africa on development issues through bilateral arrangements. Click here to read…

'Work in progress to remove trade barriers in sub-Saharan African nations'

The major trading partners of India in sub-Saharan African countries in 2022-23 were South Africa, Nigeria, Togo and Tanzania. Click here to read…

Opaque WTO dispute talks a concern for India, South Africa, and Egypt

India, South Africa, and Egypt have expressed concern about the nature of discussions regarding reforms in the dispute settlement system at the World Trade Organization (WTO) ahead of the 13th ministerial conference (MC13) scheduled for February next year. Click here to read…

India, S Africa, Egypt introduces paper on WTO dispute settlement reform

India, South Africa and Egypt have introduced a paper regarding ongoing discussions on the reforms of the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) dispute settlement body, an official said. Click here to read…

India, Africa to be major contributors to 112 million barrel/day of peak global crude oil demand in 2030: S&P

The global demand for crude oil is expected to see its peak in 2030 at 112 million barrels a day mark with India and Africa to be major contributors. Click here to read…

ArcelorMittal South Africa to sack 3,500 workers and close long steel unit; shares plunge 17%

ArcelorMittal South Africa says steel consumption in Africa's most advanced economy has fallen 20% over the past 7 years, due to limited infrastructure spend and project delays. Click here to read…

India finds quality issues with cough syrup linked to Cameroon deaths – sources

Indian tests of a cough syrup linked to the deaths of at least six children in Cameroon have found unidentified quality issues in at least one of the five samples picked up by authorities, two people familiar with the investigation told Reuters. Click here to read…

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