VIF News Digest; International Developments (Africa), 1 – 7 April, 2019

US addressing 'immediate' humanitarian needs of Cyclone Idai victims: VOA, 1 April 2019

The U.S. Department of Defense has authorized up to $15 million in aid to areas of Mozambique devastated by Cyclone Idai, the U.S. Africa Command said Monday. USAID, the lead agency in charge of American aid to the crisis, had spent $6.2 million in relief as of March 31, officials told reporters Monday, adding that the current goal was to address the "immediate needs" of thousands of victims. Brig. Gen. Robert Huston, U.S. Africa Command deputy director of operations, emphasized that combined U.S. dollar amount is a small portion of aid coming to Mozambique from international agencies, non-profits, and governments of other countries. Click here to read.... [2]

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika says he will resign by April 28: NPR News, 1 April 2019

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the target of intense and prolonged protests, will step down before April 28, state media report, citing a message sent from the president's office.

The 82-year-old leader had said he planned to run for a fifth term — angering thousands of people who churned in Algeria's streets — before reversing that decision. But when he announced he had changed his mind, Bouteflika also delayed an election that had been set for this month, stoking fears that he indeed would cling to power. Click here to read.... [3]

EU denies claim of funding Eritrea 'forced labour' project: BBC, 2 April 2019

Eritrean human rights activists have accused the EU of funding a scheme in Eritrea that uses "forced labour". The EU is backing a road-building project as part of its programme to stem migration from Africa into Europe.

But it says it will carefully monitor the work to make sure that people are "adequately" paid and treated well. National service recruits will be used and the Foundation Human Rights for Eritreans (FHRE) says conscripts are "trapped for an indefinite period". Click here to read.... [4]

Ivanka Trump plans Africa trip to promote women's initiative: VOA, 3 April 2019

White House adviser Ivanka Trump is planning a trip to Africa to promote a global women's initiative she's leading. President Donald Trump's daughter will visit Ethiopia and Ivory Coast over four days this month.

The White House said Wednesday that her schedule includes a women's economic empowerment summit in Ivory Coast as well as site visits and meetings with political leaders, executives and female entrepreneurs in both countries. Accompanying her will be Mark Green, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. On parts of the trip, they will be joined David Bohigian, acting president of the Overseas Private Investment Corp., and Kristalina Georgieva, interim president of the World Bank Group. Click here to read.... [5]

Africa’s historic free trade deal now has enough countries signed up to go into force: Quartz Africa, 3 April 2019

It is now official: Africa’s free trade agreement has drawn enough signatures to go into operation. On 2 Apr, The Gambia’s parliament was the 22nd nation to ratify the agreement, the minimum threshold expected to approve the deal among the 55 member states of the African Union. The move posits a major step forward for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which was created last March in Rwanda. The trade agreement is set to become operational within a month after the required number of endorsements are deposited with the AU chairperson’s office. Click here to read.... [6]

Ethiopia to investigate crashed plane problems for up to a year: Reuters, 4 April 2019

Ethiopian investigators cannot yet say whether there is a structural problem with the Boeing 737 MAX, based on flight and cockpit voice data from the plane that crashed on March 10 killing 157 people, the head of the investigation said.

“We will analyse whether other problems were existing on this aircraft,” Amdye Ayalew Fanta told a news conference in Addis Ababa on Thursday, adding this would take between six months and a year. Click here to read.... [7]

Russia, Angola sign cooperation deals in Moscow: africanews, 6 April 2019

The leaders of Russia, Angola agreed to deepen relations and coordinate efforts on international platforms. Vladimir Putin and Joao Lourenco signed six documents regarding the cooperation in diamond mining, gas and oil production, space and agriculture after a three-day visit by the Angolan president.

Prior to the meeting, Lourenco said Angola is one of the principal buyers of Russian arms and his country wants to “not only buy but also produce them.” Click here to read.... [8]