Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 15, 2023)

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.

COMMENTARY

President Akufo-Addo can still turn around the economy by drawing some lessons from India

In October 2022, Ghana sought the IMF (International Monetary Fund) bailout for the record 17th time. Click here to read... [2]

A new cold war in Africa

The U.S. recognizes Africa’s strategic significance but its influence on the continent may be compromised by political polarization. Click here to read... [3]

NEWS

Kenya Calm After Two Weeks of Anti-Government Protests; Opposition Demands ‘Meaningful Engagement’

The situation in Kenya is calm after two weeks of anti-government protests called by the opposition. Click here to read... [4]

Rwanda marks 29th anniversary of Tutsi genocide with call for unity

Rwanda has started a commemoration week to mark the 29th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi ethnic group that left over one million people dead, with President Paul Kagame calling for self-determination to build a better and more prosperous country through unity, hard work, and perseverance. Click here to read... [5]

Dispute Between Sudan's Army, Paramilitary Group Leads To Delay In Democratic Transition Deal

A dispute between Sudan’s military and a paramilitary group again forced the delay of signing a deal with politicians to restore the country’s democratic transition. Click here to read... [6]

Hundreds protest in Khartoum, Sudan as government delayed deal again, unrest in Sudan

Hundreds of protesters in Khartoum have rejected any settlement with Sudan’s military leaders after the 2021 coup led by Abdel Fattah Burhan. Click here to read... [7]

Madagascar bans public protests ahead of presidential election

Madagascar’s government has banned public protests as concerns about the stifling of dissent grow seven months before the presidential election, Radio France International (RFI) reports. Click here to read... [8]

Calls for president Sall to forgo third term as Senegal celebrates 63 years of independence

Senegalese President Macky Sall has been advised not to seek a third term and to continue setting an example of a working democracy for the rest of Africa. Click here to read... [9]

Tweets by Uganda president’s son spark ‘concern’ over succession question

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has attracted international attention with a range of striking tweets in recent months. Click here to read... [10]

Sierra Leone bans political street rallies ahead of elections

Sierra Leone has banned political street rallies, a tradition that has for decades characterised electoral campaigns, less than three months before the presidential election, the government said Monday. Click here to read... [11]

Algerian president says Morocco ties reach ‘point of no return’

The North African neighbours have been locked in a bitter rivalry for decades over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Click here to read... [12]

eSwatini: Mystery of Taiwan ‘loan’ deepens fear over kingdom’s finances

eSwatini has denied that it pledged its public assets as collateral for a loan from Taiwan, but that has only deepened fears about the kingdom’s finances.

Tunisia Plans to Join BRICS Nations

Tunisia said on Saturday that it intends to join the BRICS countries bloc of emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Click here to read... [13]

Zimbabwe to investigate gold smuggling after Al Jazeera expose

The government of Zimbabwe says it will launch investigations into several people involved in gold smuggling and money laundering following the release of an undercover Al Jazeera investigation showing high-ranking officials involved in the illicit gold trade. Click here to read... [14]

Togo extends state of security emergency in north

Togo's parliament voted Thursday (Apr. 06) to extend for 12 months the state of security emergency in the Savanes region. Click here to read... [15]

Ugandan forces take over east Congo town as M23 rebels leave

East African regional forces have regained control of Bunagana, a strategic town in eastern Congo that had been held by M23 rebels for more than nine months, a spokesman for the regional force said Monday. Click here to read... [16]

Attack kills around 20 in eastern Congo; Islamic State claims responsibility

Islamic State on Saturday claimed responsibility for an attack on a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that authorities said killed around 20 people. Click here to read... [17]

In Somalia’s War With Al-Shabab, Media Access an Issue

As Somalia gears up for the second phase of its war with al-Shabab militants, there is a tussle between the independent media and the government over how much access journalists should have to the front lines, liberated areas and combat operations. Click here to read... [18]

Central African Republic release 19 soldiers kidnapped in February

A total of 19 Central African soldiers, taken hostage on February 14 by an alliance of rebel groups in the north of the Central African Republic, were released on Tuesday, announced the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Click here to read... [19]

At least 30 people killed by gunmen in Nigeria attacks

At least 30 people were killed in an attack on an internally displaced person’s camp in north-central Nigeria, the second major attack in the area this week, authorities said Saturday. Click here to read... [20]

Gunmen kidnap 80, mostly women, children in Nigeria

Gunmen abducted at least 80 people, mostly women and children, in Nigeria's Zamfara state, a hotspot for kidnappings for ransom by armed gangs targeting remote villages, residents said on Saturday. Click here to read... [21]

Burkina Faso: At Least 44 People Killed By Jihadis In West African Nation's North

At least 44 people were killed by Islamic extremists in multiple attacks in northern Burkina Faso, the government said Saturday. Click here to read... [22]

At least 20 migrants missing after a boat sinks off Tunisia- judicial official

At least 20 African migrants were missing on Saturday after their boat sank off Tunisia as they tried to cross the Mediterranean to Italy, a judicial official told Reuters. Click here to read... [23]

Guinea-Bissau Flagged Cargo Ship Sinks Off The Turkish Coast, Nine Crew Members Missing

A Guinea-Bissau flagged cargo ship with 14 crew members on board sank off Turkey’s Mediterranean coast on Wednesday, Turkish officials said. Click here to read... [24]

4,500 illegal migrants stranded in northern Niger's desert town

A long line of people appears in silhouette, walking along the flat desert in northern Niger. Click here to read... [25]

Eritrea’s government should not be allowed to harm peace in Ethiopia

President Isaias Afwerki’s determination to continue his feud with the TPLF is jeopardising stability in Ethiopia and the wider region. Click here to read... [26]

Ethiopia's GERD: A potential boon for all, experts say

With 90% of the Grand Ethiopian Reservoir Dam completed, Sudan has now turned into a supporter. Though Egypt remains critical of the project, researchers rule out war and point to potential benefits for the whole region. Click here to read... [27]

Zambia: Leasing land to Kenya for maize as opposition fears mistreatment

Kenya's Agriculture Minister Mithika Linturi and his Zambian counterpart Mtolo Phiri signed an MoU in March to herald a new era of large-scale farming of maize in Zambia for export to Nairobi. Click here to read... [28]

Nigerian Petroleum Company to Invest $12.5 Billion in Nigeria-Morocco Pipeline

Nigeria’s National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will reportedly invest $12.5 billion to secure a 50% equity stake in the $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project, reported Nigerian news outlet The Nation. Click here to read... [29]

Tunisia president rejects IMF ‘diktats’, casting doubt on bailout

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied gave his clearest rejection yet of the terms of a stalled $1.9 billion IMF bailout package when he said on Thursday he would not accept “diktats” and suggested that subsidy cuts could lead to unrest. Click here to read... [30]

South Africa ends national state of disaster on electricity

The situation worsened in January this year when Eskom said it would implement more cuts because of breakdowns at 11 coal-fired generating units. Click here to read... [31]

Vice President Harris Visits Ghana

The U.S. Embassy in Ghana welcomed Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff to Ghana March 26-29, 2023. Click here to read... [32]

Chad to expel German ambassador over 'impolite' attitude

The ambassador, Jan Christian Gordon Kricke, has been in the role since July 2021, and the government gave no official explanation for his expulsion. Click here to read... [33]

US eyes aid to curb rampant violence in coastal West Africa

In a new global strategy to prevent conflict and promote stability, President Joe Biden's administration identified coastal West Africa as a priority for the coming decade. Click here to read... [34]

Lavrov Accuses US of Sabotaging Russia-Africa Summit

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has slammed Washington for its attempts to derail Russia's engagement with African countries. Click here to read... [35]

China's loans to Africa worry World Bank President David Malpass

The president of the World Bank has told the BBC that he is concerned about some of the loans China has been making to developing economies in Africa. Click here to read... [36]

Confucius Institutes increase as another opens in Djibouti

China is rapidly expanding its language and cultural centres – known as Confucius Institutes – in both number and capacity in Africa. Click here to read... [37]

Ural Federal University Builds Up Relations With Africa

The Second International Parliamentary Conference “Russia – Africa” is being held in Moscow at the State Duma on 19-20 March. More than 40 official parliamentary delegations from the majority of African countries are taking part in the event. Click here to read... [38]

Tanzania forces the Maasai from their land to make way for trophy hunters and tourists

The Maasai have suffered over a century of forced evictions from their ancestral lands in Tanzania in the name of both game hunting and conservation. Click here to read... [39]

Uganda’s president calls on Africa to ‘save the world’ from ‘dangerous’ homosexuality

The comments made by president Yoweri Museveni followed the two-day inter-parliamentary conference focussing on “sovereignty, culture and family values”, which took place in Entebbe, Uganda, between 31 March and 1 April. Click here to read... [40]

Marburg: A Deadly Virus Reported From Opposites Sides Of Africa Raises Global Alarm; What We Know So Far

Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea have seen a sudden spike in cases of Marburg Virus, a close cousin of Ebola which five people have so far been killed. Equatorial Guinea first reported the virus in February and since then the WHO has recorded eight confirmed cases and 20 additional probable cases, all of which have died, prompting a worldwide healthClick here to read... [41]

Benin Bronzes made of German brass

Many of the famous Benin Bronzes pillaged by British colonial officers in 1897 are made of brass manillas from the German Rhineland, new research shows. Click here to read... [42]

INDIA IN AFRICA

EAM Jaishankar to travel to Uganda, Mozambique next week

Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr Jaishankar will be travelling to Uganda and Mozambique next week in an effort to strengthen India's growing engagement with AfricaClick here to read... [43]

India lays down 6-point plan on 'Silencing the Guns in Africa' at UN Security Council

India's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, laid down a six-point plan at the UN Security Council to support African efforts in Silencing the Guns by the end of this decade. Click here to read... [44]

Arjun battle tank & Pinaka rocket launchers to easy line of credit — how India is wooing Africa

Both groups are moving towards defence cooperation. India has extended $14-bn line of credit to 42 nations in African Union, most of which is focused on railways, ports and roads. Click here to read... [45]

India expands its horizons boosting military exports to Morocco and 30 other African countries

India is committed to providing arms and military equipment to African states in order to enhance national security and regional stability. Click here to read... [46]

India’s defense footprint increasing: Africa wants “Made in India” weapons

India in recent times has emphasised solidifying its ties with Africa. India and the African nations last month also conducted a joint army exercise — the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX 2023). Click here to read... [47]

Lagos Free Zone invites Indian firms to set up shop

Lagos Free Zone, the first private free trade zone (FTZ) in Nigeria promoted by Singapore-based Tolaram Group, is reaching out to Indian corporates to set up base in the FTZ to access the whole of Africa with ‘peace of mind and without any hassles’. Click here to read... [48]

India will provide full support to South Sudan in ongoing political process: President Droupadi Murmu

Welcoming a Parliamentary delegation from South Sudan, led by the Speaker of the Transitional National Assembly Jemma Nunu Kumba, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Droupadi Murmu said India is proud to be a major troop contributor to the UN Peacekeeping Missions in South Sudan. Click here to read... [49]

India gives USD 2 million to African Union Transition Mission in Somalia

India on Friday handed over the contribution of $2 million to the UN Trust Fund in support of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), reiterating New Delhi's commitment to peace and stability in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Click here to read... [50]

ONGC Videsh wins $190 million arbitral awards against Sudan

Following the arbitration awards, OVL has sent demand notices to the Sudanese government seeking payments, the people cited above said, adding that the company hasn't yet gone to a court to enforce the award and is hoping to recover the money using the diplomatic channel. Click here to read... [51]

Indian Ambassador to Cairo stresses keenness to boost Egypt-India trade exchange to $7.5bln

Ajit Guptih, the Ambassador of India in Cairo praised the strong and historical relations between Egypt and India, stressing keenness to increase trade exchange to $7.5bn and encourage Indian investments in Egypt. Click here to read... [52]

ISA and Invest India Workshop Encourages Solar Startups in Mauritius

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Invest India in collaboration with the Economic Development Board (EDB), Mauritius organised a Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing Workshop for startups and small business entrepreneurs at the High Commission of India, Mauritius. Click here to read... [53]

Rwanda Requests Memorial in India to Commemorate Victims of 1994 Genocide

Rwanda's government has reached out to the Indian government to establish a memorial in the country to mark the 1994 genocide. Click here to read... [54]

A lot can be done with Africa in sectors like education, finance: DU VC

Delhi University Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh on Thursday said strong relations with Africa are vital for India’s development and “a lot can be done” with the continent in sectors like education, banking and finance. Click here to read... [55]

A Tamil Nadu engineer restored 142 lakes in India, won’t stop now. Next station is Kenya

The Kenikarai lake in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district has been dry for 15 years. But now, villagers are celebrating. The lake is going to be filled up again. Click here to read... [56]

UAE rejects South Africa’s request to extradite Gupta brothers

The UAE government notified South African authorities on Thursday that the court had ruled in February that the Guptas could not be handed over despite an extradition treaty between the two nations. Click here to read... [57]