A ''rousing'' dance song for everyone who loves
Mother Africa
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Kenyan president convenes
cabinet meeting in light
of disaster
April 30th, 9:05am (Prensa Latina)
President William Ruto convened a special cabinet
meeting on Tuesday to tackle the tragic situation
caused by the heavy rains that hit the country.
The president, criticized by local officials in the affected
regions, defended his Government’s actions in front of
reporters and said that this meeting would look for
new ways to help those affected by the floods.
Ruto has not declared the floods a national disaster but
added that his first task is to confirm that the
damaged areas will have what they need.
The Government stated that floods have killed 169 people
in the country this month, which could rise significantly
with Monday’s tragedy when a river burst its banks
and swept away hundreds of homes.
The El Niño meteorological phenomenon has already
hit other East African countries, including Tanzania,
Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo,
with torrential rains.
__________________________________________
Kenya: Flood Death Toll - Rises to
169, More Heavy Rains Expected
April 30th, 2024 (teleSUR)
On Tuesday, a government official said that heavy rains
pounding several parts of Kenya and devastating
flash floods have left 169 people dead.
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura confirmed the
death toll on Monday evening, saying a dam which
burst on Monday morning in the western Kenyan
town of Mai Mahiu has killed 48 people and
affected scores of others.
"We have lost 169 people since the onset of the rains.
The government has also intensified search and
rescue operations to find persons who have
been reported missing," Mwaura said on
national television.
The East African nation is currently experiencing El
Niño induced above-average rainfall. The Kenya
Meteorological Department... has said that
heavy rainfall will continue this week,
with potential for flooding and
landslides in some areas.
The recent heavy rainfall has resulted in major flash floods
in Nairobi, Makueni, West Pokot, and Machakos counties,
with the loss of life and property. The heavy rains have
also cut off main roads, disrupted business across
the country, and forced the postponement of the
reopening of schools - by a week from Monday.
The newly set up national multi-agency flood emergency
team is implementing a series of measures to assist
Kenyans in coping with the effects of the floods,
including the provision of food, safe drinking
water, health supplies, and rescue efforts,
said Mwaura.
"We always have rains between March, April and May, but
now they are above normal because of climate change,"
he said, adding that all five dams comprising the Seven
Forks hydropower project along the Tana river,
Kenya's longest, were at total capacity.
The devastating floods are exacerbating the country's
humanitarian crisis in the wake of El Niño floods in
late 2023 that killed at least 178 people, injured
242, and displaced thousands.
Kithure Kindiki, cabinet secretary of the interior and
administration of Kenya's national government, on
Monday ordered the inspection of all public and
private dams and water reservoirs within
24 hours.
As Kenya continues to grapple with heavy rains, UN
Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday
reiterated the United Nation's continued
commitment to Kenya in the wake of
deadly floods caused by weeks of
heavy rains that continue to
affect the region.
In a statement, Guterres said he was saddened by the loss
of life and damage caused by flash floods in the capital,
Nairobi, and other parts of the country. He extended
condolences and solidarity to the families of the
victims and to the people and government
of Kenya.
The UN team on the ground has been working closely
with the Kenyan government and its partners since
the onset of the heavy rains earlier this year to
respond to humanitarian needs, said
his spokesperson.
______________________________________
Israeli delegation invited to
talks in Cairo - news outlet
April 29th, 3:13am (TASS)
A delegation from Israel has received an invitation to visit
Cairo on April 29, where negotiations on the ceasefire in
Gaza and the release of hostages continue, the
Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper reports,
citing its sources.
"It is planned that the invited Israeli delegation will be
empowered to give responses to inquiries from
Hamas but will not have a mandate to make
decisions, or state the official position,"
the news outlet said, citing a source.
The invitation to the delegation from Israel... is
aimed at expediting the process of reaching
an agreement between the parties, the
source added.
_________________________________
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister
Bogdanov will pay a visit to
Sudan on April 28
April 27th, 5:32pm
(RT.ru)
Russian Presidential Special Representative for the Middle
East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov
will pay a two-day official visit to Sudan on April 28.
This was reported in the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Sudan.
"He will meet with the head of the Sovereign Council and
his deputy, as well as hold meetings with the Minister of
Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Mineral Resources,
as well as other officials," RIA Novosti reports.
Earlier, Niger's Interior Minister Mohamed Tumba
said that Niger is interested in Russia helping
to train the republic's troops.
____________________________________
Cuban Parliament is willing to ---
reinforce ties with South Africa
April 27th, 12:58pm
(Prensa Latina)
The president of the National Assembly of People's Power
(parliament) of Cuba, Esteban Lazo, reiterated today the
willingness to strengthen inter-parliamentary relations
with South Africa ------ on the occasion of the
commemoration of Independence Day
of the African country.
On the social network X, Lazo, also president of the
Council of State, sent congratulations to the South
African people, Government, and Parliament on
behalf of the island’s deputies and himself.
The Cuban Foreign Ministry also sent in X
congratulations to South Africa and
ratified the will ------ to continue
strengthening the relations
of friendship and brother-
hood that unite both
nations.
On April 27, 1994, South Africans voted in the first post-
apartheid multiracial elections that gave victory to the
African National Congress (ANC) --- which brought
Nelson Mandela to power, the country’s first
black president.
___________________________________
Dramatic rise in deaths in Kenya -
due to rains, landslides and floods
April 27th, 12:36pm
(Prensa Latina)
In just 24 hours, between the eve and today, 32 people
died here and in rural localities due to landslides and
floods --- the effects of the massive rains that have
relentlessly hit Kenya since last March.
This Friday, an official report recognized 76 deaths. This
Friday the number of deaths reached to 44, due to the
heavy rains that are also affecting other East African
states: Burundi, where the government asked for
international aid to avoid famine, and Tanzania.
In addition, the Kenyan authorities, with the support of the
International Red Cross, are trying to organize temporary
shelters for some 131,000 people who abandoned their
homes and belongings in search of higher ground, to
protect themselves from the deluge flooding
their country.
Most recent deaths and thousands of displacements
have occurred in the capital, particularly in outlying
districts inhabited by impoverished families
whose houses are made of scrap metal,
cardboard and adobe.
In contrast, in Zimbabwe, in the south of the continent,
a drought unprecedented for decades --- forced the
government to declare a national emergency,
while the effects of the scarcity of rainfall
are also having an impact on the other
side of the Atlantic Ocean, in
Colombia and Uruguay,
where restrictions on
the use of drinking
water are in force.
According to specialized agencies, both crises,
are the result --- of the El Niño-Southern
Oscillation phenomenon, in addition
to climate change caused by
human activity.
_______________________________
Kenyan Government confirms
willingness to send troops
to Haiti
April 26th, 2:30pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Kenyan Government has reportedly confirmed
its willingness to send troops to Haiti following the
inauguration of the Transitional Presidential
Council in the Caribbean nation.
President William Ruto said his country, in coordination
with other African and Caribbean countries, is ready
and committed to implementing the security
support infrastructure as the United
Nations Security Council
resolution stipulates.
Ruto also noted that establishing the Presidential
Council is a critical step in Haiti’s political
transition and pledged his support.
The Kenyan Government recently suspended
sending military forces until transitional
authorities are established.
“Police cannot be deployed in the Port-au-Prince
streets without an administration,” Foreign
Ministry Spokesman Salim Swaleh said at
the time, quoted by Le Nouvelliste.
There have also been concerns about the financing
of the mission and the 300 million dollars pledged
by the United States to the trust fund set up by
the United Nations.
____________________________________
Cuba - greets Tanzania on 60 years
united with Zanzibar & Tanganyika
April 26th, 2:20pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX)
congratulated on Friday the people and
Government of Tanzania on the 60th
anniversary --- of the union of
Zanzibar and Tanganyika.
In its X profile, MINREX recognized the role
played by Dodoma in fighting colonialism
in Africa.
Cuba and Tanzania have an historic relationship,
cemented by the friendship that united the
leaders Fidel Castro and Julius Nyerere,
founder and first president of the
current United Republic
of Tanzania.
Such ties have shown results
in healthcare, education,
and agriculture.
Tanzania supports Cuba’s struggle against the
economic, commercial and financial blockade
imposed by the United States Government &
demands -- its removal from Washington’s
State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) list.
____________________________________
Tehran economic conference:
President Raeisi --- hails
Iran-Africa expansion
of ties
April 26th, 12:18pm
(PressTV)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says the Islamic
Republic and the African nations are keen to
strengthen ties between the two sides,
noting that enhanced ties can form
a complementary economy.
Raeisi made the remarks during the 2nd Iran & Africa
International Economic Conference on Friday at
Tehran's International Conference CentRE.
“This meeting is a symbol of the will of African nations
and Iran to expand economic ties,” he told the
gathering that hosted representatives
from 30 African countries.
Raeisi hailed the conference as an opportunity for both
Iran and the African nations to get familiar with their
mutual capacities.
“Despite threats and sanctions, the Islamic Republic of
Iran has made good progress. The Islamic Republic
can be called an advanced and technological
country,” he said, stressing that getting
familiar with the achievements of Iran
in the field of emerging technologies
is of “great importance.”
The president said Iran seeks to maintain ties with Africa
based on mutual interest, unlike many Western countries
that have "plundered" Africa’s resources. "Westerners
want Africa for themselves but we want Africa
for Africa."
Tehran believes that Africa has skilled labour
forces -- and can achieve progress in many
fields, including emerging technologies,
he stressed.
President Raeisi says Iran seeks advancement of
relations with African states on the basis of
respect and mutual benefits.
Raeisi stressed the importance of formulating roadmaps
for cooperation between Iran and the African continent
and for cooperation between Iran and each African
nation, with defined timelines.
He also emphasized the necessity of removing obstacles
that hinder the two sides from expanding ties, including
the problem of the transfer of funds.
If Iran’s and Africa’s capacities are combined, “a
complementary economy will be formed,”
he stressed.
Senior officials, including economy ministers, are
taking part in this edition of the conference
that will wrap up its activities on Monday.
_________________________________
Pentagon: The United States will
withdraw part of its military
contingent from Chad
April 25th, 8:01pm
(RT.ru)
The Pentagon confirmed plans to withdraw part
of the US military contingent from Chad.
This was announced by the press secretary of
the US Department of Defense Patrick Ryder.
He clarified that this is a temporary measure.
"As far as I understand, as negotiations continue with
the Chadian authorities, the African Command of the
US Armed Forces... plans to move some US troops
from Chad, the departure of some of which was
already planned," RIA Novosti quoted him
as saying.
Earlier, Niger tore up a military agreement
allowing the presence of the US Armed
Forces in the country.
Later, CNN, citing sources, reported that the authorities of
the Republic of Chad sent a letter to the United States, in
which they threatened to break the security agreement
that defines the rules and conditions for the actions of
US troops in the country.
___________________________________
Niger Begins Official Talks to
Withdraw U.S. Troops From
the Country
April 24th, (teleSUR)
On Wednesday, the governments of Niger and
the US ---- begin final negotiations for an
immediate withdrawal of US troops
in the African country.
Negotiations will take place at the two US bases
in the sub-Saharian nation, between speakers
of the both parties.
Since last month both sides have taken preliminary
decisions, however, negotiations have already
been made official.
US troops were to control the situation of terrorism in
the African nation however, their actions have been
questioned - in the first months of this year, 2024.
In the words of Major General Pat Ryder, Pentagon press
secretary, "We can confirm - that discussions have
begun between the United States and Niger for
the orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces from the
country. In the near future, the Department
of Defense will provide a small delegation
from the Pentagon and U.S. Africa
Command to participate in
those discussions.".
The withdrawal of troops from Washington has been partly
forced by massive protests in the capital of Niger, Niamey,
where large numbers of citizens, asked the African
government to immediately withdraw troops
from the northern country.
_____________________________
Kenya Shows Concern
About Food Waste
April 24th, 5:26pm
(teleSUR)
Kenyan authorities show considerable concern about food
waste in the African country. According to the principal
heads of the goverment, the problem increases the
poverty of the country and increases the hunger
and contamination in the continent.
On this, the director of the Kenya Nutrition Society, Henry
Ng’ethe, says the problem must be addressed from the
grassroots, the farms, to the consumer table.
“Food waste is a critical component that must be
addressed if any nation in the world is to
achieve food and nutrition security,”
says Ng’ethe.
“This is something that farmers must address --- because
statistics have shown that around 811 million people go
hungry due to lack of food. A third of the food produced
worldwide is wasted... due to other losses in the food
system.” Said the Director of the Kenyan Society.
According to a recent United Nations report,
the world wasted about 1.05 billion tons
of the food it produced in 2022.
This numbers represents about 19 per cent of the world’s
food production that year: That 19 per cent could help to
tackle the hunger in warzones across subsaharian
Africa, like Sudan.
__________________________________________
South Africa --- Deputy President
visits the United Arab Emirates
April 23rd, 2024 (teleSUR)
Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile is
undertaking a Working Visit to Dubai and
Abu-Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) from 22 to 25 April 2024.
The Deputy President’s visit to the UAE is aimed at
building and strengthening bilateral relations,
particularly increasing economic and
knowledge exchange between
the two states.
In this context, Mashatile and his delegation will carry out
conversations with experts in telecommunications & the
digital economy.... in line with South Africa's objectives
related to the expansion of technological and digital
infrastructure ----- towards meaningful
universal connectivity.
In particular, they will interact with the Ministry of Artificial
Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Applications,
as well as other relevant national and regional
entities in the UAE.
Both countries are moving towards digital sovereignty and
South Africa, as one of the leading countries in the sector
within the African continent, has the opportunity to
spearhead initiatives to strengthen the delivery
of public services and improve participation
in the digital economy.
_____________________________________________
Sudan: New Attack in
the Northern Region
April 23rd, 7:44pm
(teleSUR)
The Sudanese army’s air defenses in the city of Shendi
shot down today 4 drones targeting the 3rd Army
Division in the city of Shendi.
According to the sources, the first drone targeted the
vicinity of the army airstrip of the 3rd Infantry
Division in the city of Shendi and did not
cause any damage, while ground
anti-aircraft guns also shot
down two missiles.
The drones that were shot down were Chinese-made
and of the same model that targeted the city of
Atbara last Ramadan.
In the city of Shendi a state of great panic prevailed when
the ground defenses of the Third Division responded to
the drones. School students were expelled and shops
in the market were closed. Meanwhile, cautious
calm returned to the city with the widespread
deployment of military vehicles in the
market and central Shendi.
On April 9, a drone bombed the General Intelligence
Service office in Gedaref State, eastern Sudan.
The horrific attack by a drone in a wedding hall in the city
of Atbara in northern Sudan in the first week of April
caused a number of deaths and injuries. The
attack was carried out by a group called
(Al-Baraa bin Malik), extremist Islamists
from the dissolved National Congress
Party. The Islamist group is fighting
together with the Sudanese army
against the Rapid Support
Forces (RSF).
The move of military operations to the cities of Shendi and
Atbara in the Nile River State is a dangerous indicator of
the possibility of the spreading of the fighting to safe
states that hosted the displaced people from areas
witnessing military battles since mid-April
last year.
The Nile River State, along with the Northern State, the
eastern states of Kassala, Gedaref, the Red Sea, and
the Blue Nile State, are among the states that have
not witnessed military operations, despite the
passage of about a year since the outbreak
of war between the Sudanese army and
the Rapid Support Forces.
____________________________
Africa -- in Need of More
Research in Agriculture
April 23rd, 7:05pm
(teleSUR)
The Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural
Development, Mohamed Sadiki, called this Tuesday to
increase the "very modest" investment in research
in Africa, which amounted to less than 1% of the
continent's GDP, to face the challenges of
changes in climate.
His remarks came during his intervention at a conference
on agricultural research held at the Salon International
de l'Agriculture du Maroc (SIAM). This event is the
most important agricultural event in Africa.
It is hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, INRA and the
Office of the National du Conseil Agricole (ONCA),
ICARDA & the World Bank, with the participation
of universities and private partners and NGOs,
farmers, and extension agents.
During the event, a conservation platform will be
presented and a certificate ceremony for ONCA
agents will be organized.
Sadiki highlighted the significant disparity between
developed and developing countries. He said this
refers to infrastructure, scientific capacity,
technology, strategic vision
and governance.
In Africa, there are limits and need for the agricultural
research. In 2016... Africa invested just 0.39 percent
of its agricultural GDP (AgGDP) in agricultural R&D,
down from 0.54 percent in 2000. There's an urgent
need for investing in agricultural research to
confront climate change, especially after
the effects left by the pandemic and
that increasingly threatens
food security.
African Union (AU) Agriculture Commissioner Josefa Sacko
said for her part that "food insecurity persists in Africa
primarily because agricultural productivity has not
kept pace with population growth."
The AU, she added, recognizes the objective that Africa
allocate at least 1% of its GDP to research and to
promote agricultural research as a
fundamental pillar.
______________________________________________
Niger initiates talks on
US troops’ withdrawal
April 23rd, 12:24pm
(Prensa Latina)
The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland
(CNSP) of Niger has begun talks with the United States
for the withdrawal of the latter's troops from this
African country, official sources informed
on Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare received US
Ambassador to Niger Kathleen Fitzgibbon and
Maria Barron, director of the United States
Agency for International Development
(USAID) in Niger, on Monday.
Pentagon Spokesperson Patrick Ryder confirmed the
beginning of the talks between the two countries
regarding the withdrawal of US forces, which
consist of about 1,100 soldiers.
Ryder added that a delegation of senior officers from the
United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) would be
sent to Niamey.
Niger’s ruling military junta’s Spokesman Amadou
Abdramane --- recently announced the expiration
of the military cooperation agreement with the
United States, taking into account the people’s
aspirations and interests, and described the
US military presence as illegal, claiming...
it violates all constitutional regulations.
____________________________________________
UK's Sunak vows to start migrant
flights to Rwanda in 10-12 weeks
April 22nd, 5:29pm
(PressTV)
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised to start
a controversial plan to fly deported asylum seekers
arriving in Britain to Rwanda.
"No ifs, no buts. These flights are going to
Rwanda," Sunak told reporters on Monday.
Speaking at the British Parliament earlier, the PM promised
to start his plan to send asylum seekers landing in the UK
to Rwanda within 10 to 12 weeks.
He told members of the Upper House of Parliament
he would push through the new legislation despite
widespread efforts to cancel the controversial
move on humanitarian grounds.
He insisted that the government would force
Parliamentarians to sit late into the night if
necessary to get the controversial
legislation through.
Sunak said No. 10 had already reserved charter planes
and trained staff to take the asylum seekers to
Rwanda and force them to stay in the
African country.
The UK Government’s controversial plan to deport its first
group of asylum seekers to Rwanda initially failed in 2022.
The European human rights court issued a last-
minute injunction against the illegal move.
Political analysts say the Conservative PM reckons his
plan to deport the asylum seekers.. might boost his
party's flagging popularity before the upcoming
elections scheduled later this year.
UK Conservatives, who have been in power for over a
decade, have been losing seats in elections since
Sunak gained power in 2022.
Tens of thousands of asylum seekers have reached Britain
in recent years by crossing the English Channel in small
boats in hope of stating a better life.
The Sunak Government aims to shift the burden of
taking in these newcomers to Rwanda's officials.
To allow them to stay in the African country, Rwanda's
officials.... have received an initial payment of 140
million pounds ($180 million) with promises of
more money in the future.
Critics of the controversial plan say to force a hapless
refugee to move from Britain to Rwanda is inhumane,
noting that the East African country is not a
safe destination.
Sunak's plan to deport the asylum seekers to Rwanda, has
been held up repeatedly by the unelected House of Lords.
The legislation is due to return on Monday to the House
of Commons - the elected lower house - where law-
makers are expected to remove changes proposed
by the Lords - and then it will return to the
upper chamber.
The right-winger Sunak, who is of Indian origin himself and
whose parents immigrated to Britain from East Africa in
the 1960s ---- said No.10 was waiting to deport the
refugees as soon as the controversial plan
passes Parliament.
Sunak told reporters flight seats had been reserved, a
runway was on standby and a 500-member crew was
ready to take the asylum seekers "all the way
to Rwanda."
"Plans are in place. And these flights
will go, come what may!"
Meanwhile, human rights groups, both inside the
country and abroad, say they would try to stop
the deportations.
"We urgently need the UK Government to start treating
refugees with decency and stop trying to send them
away to an unsafe future in Rwanda," Lucy Gregg,
acting head of Advocacy at Freedom from
Torture, said in a statement.
"Along with survivors of torture and the support of
thousands of caring people up and down the
country, we will unite to show airlines that
we won't tolerate them flying in the face
of human decency."
_______________________________________
World ‘very happy’ with Iran’s
Operation True Promise:
Kenyan lawmaker
April 22nd, 4:52pm
(PressTV)
A member of the Kenyan parliament says the whole world
is “very happy” ...with Iran's retaliatory strikes on the
Israeli-occupied territories as the Islamic Republic
confronted the Zionist-Western hegemony.
Farah Maalim Mohamed, a member of the National
Assembly of the Republic of Kenya, said in an
interview with Press TV on Monday, that
Tehran proved to the world --- that the
“American-Zionist-Western colonial
hegemony" can't simply do what
it wants ------- with impunity.
Maalim Mohamed said Iran is able to defend itself and its
allies and stand up to the Zionist enemy and the West -
which have got used to bullying the rest of the world.
“They think that they can kill anybody that they want to
kill, and bomb anybody that they want to bomb and we
have no right to protest,” the Kenyan lawmaker said.
“I’m happy, I’m very happy and I think that the whole world
is happy except the Western crazy hegemony… They for
the first time, see that a section of the world with a
civilization much older than them, is standing up
to them.”
Maalim Mohamed stressed, “If you think you can get away
with it, you cannot get away with it, and the world is not
going to watch you bully or punish the world, the way
you did before --- and you will see a consequence.”
Maalim Mohamed said the world is in a position to react
and countries like Iran, Russia and China are going to
tell them that “they cannot cross the line.”
The parliamentarian said, “I think more than eight billion
people in the world are very happy with what Iran did,
and I hope more countries will join the rank of Iran.
Everybody --- is very happy.”
In a multi-pronged attack, dubbed Operation True Promise,
Iran launched late on April 13 hundreds of drones and
missiles at the occupied territories - in response to
the regime's aggression on the Iranian diplomatic
facilities in the Syrian capital of Damascus on
April 1.
The Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s embassy compound in
Damascus had killed two generals of the Quds
Force of IRGC, Brigadier General Mohammad
Reza Zahedi and General Mohammad Hadi
Haji Rahimi, as well as five of their
accompanying officers.
The Israeli regime's aggression on the Iranian diplomatic
facilities in Syria drew widespread condemnation from
the international community.
______________________________________
South African President reaffirms
support to South Sudan
April 22nd, 2:04pm
(Prensa Latina)
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, today
reiterated the country's support to South Sudan,
and called for greater support from the
international community.
In his weekly letter, the South African president, who has
just returned from a visit to South Sudan.... revealed that
during his stay in Juba he met with President Salva Kiir
Mayardit, First Deputy President Riek Machar and other
political leaders, as well as with representatives of the
African Union.
As South Africa, he wrote, we understand well the
challenges of national reconstruction and the
difficulties of forging national unity in a
multi-ethnic society.
In his missive, Ramaphosa recalled how South Africa has
provided development, mediation and other forms of
assistance to South Sudan since 2005.
South Africans, he added, ‘have been consistent in our
support for the current Revitalized Transitional
Government of National Unity and the people
of South Sudan as they go through the
transition period’.
Currently, the President said, South Africa continues to
support them bilaterally and as Chair of the African
Union’s Ad Hoc High-Level Committee on South
Sudan, also known as the C5, which also
comprises Algeria, Chad, Nigeria
and Rwanda.
He also wrote, South Africa assists South Sudan
with capacity building for state institutions and
programs for post-conflict reconstruction.
In that regard, he added, Pretoria has used the
International Cooperation and African
Renaissance Fund --- to provide
humanitarian assistance to
people in South Sudan
negatively affected
by the conflict.
_________________________________
Rwanda -------- Urges More Global
Collaboration As Eight Countries
Prosecute Genocide Suspects
by Aurore Teta Ufitiwabo
April, 2024
(Pan-African News Wire
The New Times (Kigali)
John Bosco Siboyintore, Head of Rwanda's Genocide
Fugitives Tracking Unit --- at the National Public
Prosecution Authority (GFTU), has revealed
the hurdles encountered in prosecuting
genocide suspects scattered across
the globe and called for enhanced
international cooperation to
bring them to justice.
Out of 33 countries where approximately 1146 indictments
were sent, only eight genocide suspects have faced
prosecution, with 11 nations opting to return
them to Rwanda for trial.
Siboyintore highlighted that 30 individuals have already
returned to Rwanda to stand trial, facilitated through
extradition, deportations, or transfers from the ICTR.
Notable contributors to this effort include Canada,
Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the
Netherlands, the USA, DRC, Uganda,
the Congo Republic, and Malawi.
Additionally, Siboyintore stressed that 29 individuals were
tried in countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, the
Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Switzerland.
However, significant challenges persist, including a lack
of political will in some countries, particularly in Africa,
where over 900 fugitives remain at large. Some
fugitives exploit refugee status and acquire
new nationalities, complicating
extradition efforts.
Frequently changing identities and countries of origin
further impede tracking efforts, while the absence
of bilateral treaties and legal frameworks adds
to extradition complexities.
Looking ahead, Siboyintore stressed the imperative of
bolstered international cooperation in prosecuting
genocide suspects. Rwanda is actively pursuing
bilateral treaties and legal frameworks with
host countries, urging them to fulfill their
international obligations by either
extraditing or prosecuting these
fugitives via international law.
Furthermore, ongoing discussions and cooperation
engagements with host nations are crucial in
raising awareness about the presence of
fugitives and the imperative to
combat impunity.
Siboyintore emphasised the necessity of revoking
refugee status for fugitives, ensuring they face
prosecution instead of benefiting from
UNHCR protection.
____________________________________
Nigeria: Prices of Garri, Akpu, Others
Push Food Inflation to 40 Percent
by Faruk Shuaibu
April 15th, 2024
(Pan-African News Wire
Daily Trust (Abuja)
Nigeria's headline inflation rose to 33.20 percent, data
from the National Bureau of Statistics has shown.
In a report on Monday, the NBS said the headline inflation
rate, which was 31.70 percent in February, showed an
increase of 1.50 percent points.
Also, food inflation increased to 40 percent with the
pricesof garri, akpu, water melon, among others,
cited as the reason for the increase.
It stated that on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation
rate was 11.16 percent points higher compared to the rate
recorded in March 2023, which was 22.04 percent.
"This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year
basis) increased in the month of March 2024 when
compared to the same month in the preceding
year (i.e. March 2023)."
It added that on a month-on-month basis, the headline
inflation rate in March 2024 was 3.02 percent, which
was 0.10 percent lower than the rate recorded in
February 2024 (3.12 percent).
"This means.. that in the month of March 2024, the rate of
increase in the average price level. is less than the rate
of increase in the average price level in February
2024," it said.
The NBS noted that the Food inflation rate in March 2024
was 40.01 percent on a year-on-year basis, which was
15.56 percent points higher compared to the rate
recorded in March 2023 (24.45 percent).
"The rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis was
caused by increases in prices of the following items
garri, millet, akpu uncooked fermented (which are
under the bread and cereals class), yam tuber,
water yam (under potatoes, yam, and other
tubers class), dried fish sadine, mudfish
dried (under fish class)..... palm oil,
vegetable oil (under oil and fat),
beef feet, beef head, liver (in
meat class), coconut, water
melon (under fruit class),
lipton tea, Bournvita,
Milo (under coffee,
tea and cocoa
class).''
"On a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate
in March 2024 was 3.62 percent which shows a
0.17 percent decrease compared to the rate
recorded in February 2024 (3.79 percent).''
"The fall in Food inflation on a month-on-month basis was
caused by a fall in the rate of increase in the average
prices of guinea corn flour, plantain flour etc (under
bread and cereals class), yam, Irish Potatoe, Coco
Yam (under potatoes, yam & other tubers class),
titus fish, mudfish dried (under fish class),
Lipton, Bournvita, Ovaltine (under coffee,
tea and cocoa class).''
"The average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve
months ending March 2024 over the previous twelve-
month average was 31.40 percent, which was 8.69
percent points increase from the average annual
rate of change recorded in March 2023
(22.72 percent)," it added.
_______________________________________
Algeria signs Hosting Agreement
for Intra-African Trade Fair 2025
April 15th, 6:39pm
(Pan-African News Wire
Source: Afreximbank)
The IATF is now a foremost event in the African calendar
of economic, social, trade and even policy events.
The Host Agreement Signing Ceremony for the Intra-
African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) took place in
Algiers on 15 April 2024. The Ceremony, which
was hosted by the African Export-Import
Bank, (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank
.com) in collaboration with the African
Union, and the AfCFTA Secretariat,
& the Government of the People’s
Democratic Republic of Algeria,
paves the way for the fourth
edition of the Intra-African
Trade Fair - to take place
from 4 to 10 September
2025 in Algiers, Algeria.
H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairperson of the
IATF2025 Advisory Council and Former President
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, extolled the
Intra-African Trade Fair as the go-to trade and
investment event on the African continent.
He added: “the IATF2025 Hosting Agreement represents
more than just a contractual agreement; rather....
it symbolises a collective responsibility of the
partners ---- for excellence and innovation in
continuing the tradition of the Intra-African
Trade Fair, which has become established
as the AfCFTA Marketplace and the go-
to trade and investment event on
the African continent.''
''The IATF --- is now a foremost event in the African calendar
of economic, social, trade, and even policy events. It is in
the passionate pursuit of these goals -- that Afreximbank
in collaboration with the African Union Commission and
AfCFTA Secretariat, are championing the noble cause
of changing the socioeconomic landscape of Africa
---- by devising progressive initiatives aimed at
promoting intra-African trade and
continental integration.”
Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African
Trade Bank, Afreximbank ----- said: “The Intra-African
Trade Fair opens alternate routes for African trade.
It has become the platform for actualising the
AfCFTA vision. It expands and deepens
knowledge of the continent's trading
environment and enhances the
industrial capacity of African
economies.''
''Ultimately, IATF has become the engine ---- accelerating
trade and business flows within the continent. The last
3 fairs have generated combined trade and investment
deals... of no less than US$120 billion. To anyone who
wonders what the US$120 billion represents - African
businesses have found buyers in new markets across
Africa, industries have found new sources of raw
materials, investment and capital goods,
government-to-government deals -- in
critical sectors such as agriculture
and agro-processing - have been
forged and African contractors
have won major government
projects.”
She also expressed her gratitude to the Government of
the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria for their
unwavering commitment and support for the
Intra-African Trade Fair.
A statement delivered on behalf of H.E. Wamkele Mene,
Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat described the
importance of the Intra-African Trade Fair as “our
strategic response to the challenge of trade
information scarcity --- aiming to enhance
intra-African trade and investments -- all
without the need for outside help. And
it serves as a symbol of hope and
opportunity, breaking down
conventional trade and
investment barriers to
unite the diverse yet
cohesive African
identity.“
A statement delivered on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Albert
Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Economic
Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals,
highlighted that other regions of the world have
proved - that “trade can be a powerful tool for
economic growth. Whilst trade.. was able to
lift millions out of poverty in those regions
--- the same has not been reflected in
Africa’s experience.''
''Trade amongst African countries -- is low. The AfCFTA was
designed - to change this story. Not only was it meant to
boost Intra African trade, but it was meant to deal with
Africa’s perennial challenges of job creation, too high
levels of poverty & very low levels of manufacturing
and industrial base. It was designed to create a
predictable legal framework for trade and
investment ---- hence offering more
guarantees to investors thereby
bringing --- certainty and
predictability - to the
African trading
environment.”
''It is through our combined efforts ------ that we can drive
positive change, foster innovation, and create a better
future for all the inhabitants of the African continent.''
In his Closing Remarks, Jean-Louis Ekra, Former President
of Afreximbank and Deputy Chairperson of the IATF2025
Advisory Council, praised... “the power of African unity,
shared purpose, and collective action towards a path
taken to promote intra-African trade and investment.
It is through our combined efforts that we can drive
positive change, foster innovation, and create a
better future for all the inhabitants of the
African continent.”
The Ceremony was also attended by public and private
sector institutions, African diplomatic corps, financial
institutions, and trade and industry associations, and
is intended to maximise awareness surrounding the
upcoming IATF2025.
Attendees at the Signing Ceremony also had the
opportunity to visit the Algerian Company of
Fairs and Exports (SAFEX), which will be
the venue for IATF2025.
The Intra-African Trade Fair -------- is the African continent’s
premier trade and investment event and provides a unique
opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their goods and
services... engage in Business to Business (B2B) and
Business to Government (B2G) exchanges, network,
establish new business contacts and conclude
business deals.
The event also gives delegates the opportunity to hear
actionable insights from an array of experts on a wide
range of trade and investment topics & opportunities
at the IATF Trade and Investment Forum.
The event also offers opportunities for participants from
the Diaspora, creative industries including gastronomy
and the culinary arts, to attend and showcase their
goods, services and expertise. In addition, there
will be training workshops covering exporting,
standards, and marketing.
Attendees at the IATF include businesses, buyers, sellers,
traders and investors, plus captains of industry, senior
government ministers, trade finance and advisory
specialists, trade and economic organisations,
senior executives ---- from corporates and
multinationals, innovative entrepreneurs
and the media --- all in one venue.
The highly successful third edition of the Intra-African
Trade Fair (IATF2023) took place in Cairo, Egypt, from
9 – 15 November 2023, and attracted over 28,000
conference delegates, trade visitors and media,
had 1,939 exhibitors from 130 countries, and
witnessed US$43.8 billion of trade and
investment deals being concluded.
For more information about IATF2025 please
visit www.IntrAfricanTradeFair.com
______________________________________________
Uganda engages communities in physical
and mental health activities as part of the
World Health Day Commemoration
April 15th, 5:52pm
(Pan-African News Wire)
The event was organized at the WHO
Country Office in Kololo, Uganda.
The Ugandan Ministry of Health, the World Health
Organization (WHO), and its partners carried out
awareness-raising and community engagement
activities to commemorate World Health Day
in Uganda. In line with the theme "My health,
my right," these activities ----- included a
public sports walk, mass screening
for both communicable and non-
communicable diseases
(NCDs), and a blood
donation drive.
The event was organized at the WHO Country Office
in Kololo, Uganda. It brought together the country's
stakeholders, government representatives, the
UN family, development and implementation
partners, and the media.
World Health Day is commemorated every 7th of April, this
edition takes place just six years before the evaluation of
a countries' progress toward achieving universal health
coverage, the Ministry of Health and WHO emphasized
the need to strengthen collaborative efforts to support
Uganda in ensuring equitable access to
comprehensive health services.
“Ensuring that all Ugandans fully enjoy their right to health
requires collaborative efforts from all sectors, partners,
and communities --- under the one health approach,”
said Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, Uganda’s Minister
of Health. “It is my appeal that we all channel our
energies towards achieving universal health
coverage in Uganda,” she added.
During the "Walk the Talk" public sports walk, participants
were encouraged to engage in activities ---- that promote
physical and mental health. With support from the STOP
TB Partnership, Victoria University Medical Centre, and
Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, participants were
screened for non-communicable diseases... including
diabetes, high blood pressure, &obesity, as well as
communicable diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B,
and tuberculosis.
Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, WHO Representative
to Uganda, welcomed the country's progress in key
healthcare areas.
"Uganda has made significant progress in reducing
maternal and child mortality, as well as new HIV
infections by 40% between 2010 and 2022.
These results are commendable ----- but
further efforts are needed to ensure
that all people in Uganda... have
access to integrated, person-
centred health services,"
he said.
Doctor Yonas added that implementing the existing public
health policies, strategies, and guidelines, improving
efficiency in the use of resources, and promoting
community empowerment and participation will
accelerate Uganda’s progress ----- towards
achieving universal health coverage.
Like many other countries, Uganda is constantly affected
by public health emergencies, including the recent Ebola
outbreak, COVID-19, and the current food insecurity in
the Karamoja region. The country... also faces socio-
economic challenges that result in unequal access
to comprehensive health services, with over
half of its population - not fully covered.
WHO continues to work with its partners, mobilizing
financial and technical resources to support the
country in improving its health system to
achieve Universal Health Coverage.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of
the World Health Organization (WHO).
________________________________________
El-Fasher -- clashes raise concerns of
expanding conflict in Sudan’s Darfur
April 15th, 10:21am
(PressTV)
Fierce clashes have erupted in and around Darfur’s
El-Fashe,r which had been relatively calm since
the war erupted in Sudan last year between
the army and a rival paramilitary force,
raising fears of a further expansion
of the conflict.
“Clashes have taken hold of the countryside west
of the city,” AFP quoted a local human rights
defender as saying on Sunday.
“Airstrikes have pounded (the area) and everyone
is terrified,” she told the agency by phone, on
condition of anonymity.
The local resistance committee, one of many pro-
democracy groups organizing aid across the
country, said on Saturday a militia allied
with the paramilitary Rapid Support
Forces (RSF), had set ablaze six
villages west of El-Fasher.
According to another activist committee, at least
10 civilians were killed in the attacks.
The RSF --- has been fighting the army, led by Gen. Abdel
Fattah Burhan, for control of the North African country
since April 15 last year --- in a war that has killed
thousands of people --- and displaced eight
million ---- amid warnings of famine.
Amid the violence in the countryside, residents in North
Darfur... have reported an influx of displaced people
moving towards the city. But local activist, Adam,
who asked to be identified only by his first name,
told AFP “we could hear the sound of clashes”
in the city itself, on Saturday.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was “deeply
concerned” by reports indicating “an attack
on El-Fasher... may be imminent”, his
spokesperson said on Saturday.
In a statement, he said “such an attack would be
devastating for civilians in the city” ..which has
functioned as “a humanitarian hub for the UN
that ensures lifesaving assistance”
across Darfur.
North Darfur’s El-Fasher is the last state capital
not under RSF control in the vast Darfur region.
The recent clashes shattered a fragile truce deal
that was brokered by local armed groups in
El-Fasher last year.
Unrest has soared there..... since the two most powerful
armed groups, led by Darfur governor Mini Minawi and
Sudan’s finance minister Gibril Ibrahim, vowed to
fight alongside the army.
In a statement on Thursday, they said the RSF, led by
Burhan’s former deputy Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo,
had “taken advantage of the forces’ position of
neutrality and defense”.
“There can no longer be neutrality,” they declared, vowing
to “fight along with our allies, the patriots and the armed
forces against the RSF militias and their hired helpers.”
Both warring sides in Sudan have been accused of war
crimes, including targeting civilians, indiscriminate
shelling of residential areas and torture.
________________________________________
Southern Africa: Extreme Drought
in Southern Africa --- Triggers
Hunger Crisis for Millions
by Amanda Morrow With Rfi
April 13th, 2024
Radio France Internationale
Southern Africa is on the brink of a hunger crisis after
an historic drought decimated crops during the
peak October to March farming season - one
year after the region was pummelled by
tropical storms.
Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe declared national disasters
within weeks of each other after insufficient rains wiped
out crops including the staple maize harvest.
The severe dry spell - exacerbated by the El Nino weather
pattern that triggers higher global temperatures - has
reached Botswana and Angola to the west, and
Mozambique and Madagascar to the east.
The World Food Programme (WFP) said that some areas
had suffered their driest February in 40 years.
As many as 50 million people are facing food insecurity.
The authorities in Zambia have ordered the army to
support food production, with 84 of the country's
116 districts stricken by a drought that has also
wrought havoc on electricity supplies.
Zambia is highly reliant on hydroelectric power.
Harvest write-off
Almost three-quarters of Zambia has gone without any rain
since January, said Chris Mzembé of the Lusaka branch of
the NGO... Care International.
In places where it has rained, the water came in violent
storms that destroyed crops, Mzembé told RFI - adding
that many maize farmers, especially the smallest,
lost everything.
"They spent all their money on buying seeds and fertilisers
and paying for labour and then their crops died," he said.
"Their entire investment is, therefore, gone."
Like in Zimbabwe, maize production drives the country's
agricultural sector and is at the heart of the local diet.
It's also used as livestock feed and in various industrial
processes including the production of maize flour,
maize starch, corn oil and ethanol.
Coupled with rising food prices and an unstable local
currency, the plummeting maize yields have caused
widespread panic.
"Both individuals and companies have started holding
back (maize-based) goods because they anticipate
they'll be able to sell for more tomorrow,"
Mzembé said.
"This could aggravate the crisis
and further increase prices."
This year's harvest write-off means that millions of
people in southern Africa won't be able to feed
themselves until well into 2025.
USAid's Famine Early Warning System estimated that
some 20 million people would require food relief
in the first few months of this year.
While these are normally "lean months" as families
wait for the new harvest, this year there will be
little hope for replenishment.
Aid appeals
Malawi says it needs more than €200 million in
immediate humanitarian assistance, having
declared a state of emergency in 23 of its
28 districts.
Zimbabwean leader Emmerson Mnangagwa says the
country needs €2 billion in aid. Families have been
urged to conserve food as the authorities work
with charities and UN agencies to bring
in supplies.
Nearly 20 percent of Zimbabwe's population - 2.7 million
people in rural areas - benefits from food aid already.
Meanwhile Zambia has also appealed
for international help.
With the next crop growing season a year away, the British
charity Oxfam has warned of acute food shortages and
malnutrition for more than six million Zambians -
or 30 percent of that country's population.
But humanitarian agencies including WFP say resources
are stretched as it is, because of funding cuts by
governments, despite growing demand for
food aid in many parts of the world
badly affected by climate shocks.
Scientists have warned that extreme weather will
continue to become --- more frequent and more
damaging, and that vulnerable communities
will be worst hit.
______________________________________
Togo: Campaigns begin for
upcoming legislative and
regional elections
April 13th, 4:39pm
(africanews)
Electoral campaigns for the legislative and regional polls
have begun in Togo. Originally scheduled to take place
on April 20, campaigning started on Saturday April 13
and will last for 2 weeks before the vote on April 29.
Although the upcoming polls will be the first regional
elections in the country's history, it is the legislative
elections that is attracting the most attention since
it will be key to who becomes the country's
next leader.
This comes especially since the surprise adoption of a
new constitution by the country's MPs on March 25.
Following the vote by MPs on the new fundamental law,
which shifts the country ------ from a presidential to a
parliamentary system, Togo's Head of State, Faure
Gnassingbé, attempted to appease the population
by delaying the promulgation of the text and
requesting a second reading in the
National Assembly.
He called for MPs to hold broad consultations -- with
traditional and regional leaders across the country.
Those consultations started last Monday April 15.
Opposition parties have vowed protests and resistance to
the planned change of the constitution, but their initial
three-day planned protests did not hold.... after they
were banned by the government.
The interior and security ministries said the protests
planned for Thursday (Apr. 11) would seriously
disturb public order.
A spokesman for the opposition behind the planned protest
said the coalition was considering whether to move
forward with the rallies, anyway.
“Whenever they’re in a panic, they’re ready to use any
kind of tricks against the opposition," spokesman
Eric Dupuy told The Associated Press.
“It doesn't move us.”
The government last week arrested nine opposition
activists for engaging in political activities at a
market. All nine were released on Tuesday
(Apr. 9) evening.
Tension is rising in the west African nation of eight million
people over the new constitution that effectively scraps
presidential elections and introduces more changes
that aim to shift the country to a parliamentary
system of government.
Many fear the changes amongst other things may be an
avenue for President Faure Gnassingbé to extend his
grip on power especially after his current mandate
expires in 2025.
The Gnassingbé family has ruled Togo since 1967.
_______________________________________________
Sudan: One year of unrelenting
war --------- with no end in sight
April 13th, 11:42am
(africanews)
The war in Sudan that began a year ago between the
country’s military, chaired by Gen. Abdel-Fattah
Burhan... and the notorious Rapid Support
Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohammed
Hamdan Dagalo will mark one year
on Monday.
The war in the African country has killed thousands and
forced eight million people to flee their homes to safer
areas inside Sudan or to neighbouring countries,
according to United Nations figures.
But the precarious conditions and lack of aid
is pushing Sudan to the edge of famine.
The food security situation has become the "biggest
concern" for humanitarian agencies working in
Sudan, according to Justin Brady, the Head of
the OCHA office in the country.
In an interview, he said this year’s harvest season was
at least 4% less than that of last year, adding that last
month they received two credible warnings of famine
in the country.
“Famine isn't a word that we as humanitarians use loosely.
It's something that is reserved, really, for the direst
situations. And I'm afraid that's where the
Sudanese people find themselves,”
he said.
The international community’s authority on determining
the severity of hunger crises warned last month that an
immediate action is needed to “prevent widespread
death and total collapse of livelihoods and avert a
catastrophic hunger crisis in Sudan.”
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC,
said that security conditions and lack of access meant
the agency was unable to update its assessment from
December, when it found 17.7 million people in Sudan
were facing acute food insecurity; of them.... about
5 million being one step from famine.
Brady said they received reports of people dying of
malnutrition, and others eating leaves of trees, or
only eating once in three days.
He described the humanitarian situation in Sudan as “very
dark,” adding that “this is going to get very ugly very
quickly, we can overcome both the resource
challenges and the access challenges.”
He appealed to the international community to pressure
the warring parties to stop fighting, raise funds for the
U.N. response plan - which is only 5% funded for this
year - and allow access to the worst hit areas in
Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan region to help
reverse the course of the disaster before
it’s too late.
“We’re not just talking about people potentially dying in the
tens and hundreds of thousands in the coming weeks and
months. But it is really delirious, depleting effect on
Sudan for the future,” he said.
Since the war began, food production has crashed, imports
stalled and staple food prices have soared by 45% in less
than a year, according to The United Nations Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA.
Movement of food across the country, particularly to rural
and remote areas where most people live, has also been
severely restricted due to conflict, driving more than
37% of the population into above crisis levels of
hunger, the OCHA said in a recent report.
Eighteen months before the war, both Burhan and Dagalo
led a military coup and plunged the country into chaos.
They toppled an internationally recognised civilian
government that was supposed to steer the
country’s democratic transition after the
2019 military overthrow of longtime
leader Omar al-Bashir amid an
uprising against his three-
decades of Islamist-
backed rule.
The coup and the war were a major blow to Sudanese’
hopes for peaceful rule, after decades of military
and Islamist rule, which the West both caused
and undermined by encouraging a separatist
civil war in the break-away oil-rich south,
thus making Sudan a ''pariah state''.
United Nations experts said in a report to the U.N.
Security Council earlier this year, that Darfur is
experiencing “its worst violence since 2005.”
_____________________________________________
Kenya proposes treaty to ease
Somalia-Ethiopia tensions
April 12th, 4:17pm
(africanews)
Kenya on Thursday announced a proposal for a regional
maritime treaty to defuse tensions between Ethiopia
and Somalia.
Ethiopia in January signed a deal with the breakaway
region of Somaliland to lease a portion of its
coastland in return for possible recognition
of the region, which has claimed
independence from Somalia
since 1991.
The deal angered Somalia.. fueling concerns
of futher destabilisation in the Horn of Africa.
In early April, tensions escalated when Somalia ordered
Ethiopia’s ambassador to leave the country, as well as
the closure of Ethiopia’s consulates in the region of
Somaliland and the semi-autonomous region
of Puntland.
The regional treaty proposed by Kenya in consultation
with Djibouti and the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (Igad) would govern how landlocked
states in the region can access ports on
commercial terms, Kenya's principal
secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir
Sing'oei, said Thursday.
Somalia and Ethiopia are considering the proposal,
according to Sing'oei in an interview with Reuters
news agency.
He said that the treaty would be a way to ensure
regional stability, adding that the two countries'
leaders have been asked to meet to discuss
the proposal.
It came as Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
on Thursday met with his Kenyan counterpart William
Ruto in Nairobi as part of efforts to find a diplomatic
solution to the dispute.
_______________________________
Russian military trainers arrive in Niger
as relations deteriorate with the US
April 12th, 2:20pm
(africanews)
State television in Niger has broadcast footage of Russian
military trainers arriving in the country aboard a plane
equipped with military supplies to boost its air
defenses amid deteriorating relations
between Niger and the U.S.
Two Russian trainers were filmed in front of the plane
wearing military uniforms, caps and face coverings.
The plane arrived Wednesday night, the report
said, and carried military supplies to help
Niger improve its air defenses.
“We are here to train the Nigerian army to use the military
equipment that is here,” one of the Russian trainers said
in French, in Thursday's broadcast. “We are here to
develop military cooperation between Russia
and Niger.”
Until recently, Washington considered Niger a key
partner and ally in a region swept by attempted
coups in recent years.
A U.S. airbase was established as the heart of Niger’s
counter insurgency operations in the sub-Saharan
region known as the Sahel. Since 2012, the
region has been gripped by a worsening
insurgency - fought by groups linked to
Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
The U.S. invested heavily in training Niger’s forces to beat
back the insurgency that has ravaged the country and its
neighbors, But last summer, some of those elite U.S.-
trained forces took part in a coup that ousted the
elected president.
U.S. relations with Niger took a further downturn last
month when the junta announced on state television
the flights from its airbase were illegal and that it no
longer recognized the US military presence in the
country. The junta criticized the U.S. for trying to
force it to choose between partners and
warning them against cooperating
with Russia and Iran.
Niamey has yet to order US troops
out, U.S. officials have said.
The broadcast said the arrival of Russian trainers
followed a call between Russian President
Vladimir Putin and the country’s military
leaders in March.
Niger's military leaders are seeking to diversify their
partnerships and achieve greater sovereignty, the
broadcast said.
________________________________________
Climate-smart seeds cultivate
hope for Kenya's agricultural
future?
April 12th, 1:24pm
(africanews)
These are no ordinary beans -
they're climate-smart beans.
The seeds could be the answer to growing
crops.... as the world's weather shifts.
In a pioneering collaboration between scientists
from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock
Research Organization (KALRO) and the
Alliance of Bioversity International and
CIAT, an initiative is underway to
popularize a new bean variety
tailored for Kenya's diverse
climatic conditions.
Dubbed "Nyota", meaning "star" in Kiswahili, these
climate-smart beans signify more than just
agricultural resilience; they symbolize a
beacon of hope for a sustainable future
amidst the challenges posed by
climate change.
David Karanja, a bean breeder and National Coordinator
for Grains and Legumes at KALRO, sheds light on the
meticulous process behind developing these
resilient varieties.
"When doing climate smart bean varieties - you start with
parents of known characteristics, like drought tolerance,
heat and dry. One of the varieties we have is KAT Bean
1 is parent, then we have varieties like GLP 2 that
grows in a lot of areas. Then we also combine
with varieties that have high levels of iron
and zinc. You do the crosses in the
screen house where you take the
parents and keep on crossing
and backcrossing - until you
get the variety you require
before you take them for
multi-location trials,"
he says.
Kenya's agricultural landscape presents a spectrum of
challenges, from arid lowlands to cold, dry highlands,
each with its unique climatic demands.
One focus with these beans is to make sure
drought doesn't kill them off before they've
had time to flourish.
"We are in the lowlands, there's heat and a lack of
adequate rainfall. So when we are trying to make
the varieties drought tolerant, we work towards
breeding varieties that will escape the terminal
drought. That means the variety has to grow
within a very short period so that it can
escape the drought. So basically most
of them, like the bean varieties that
we work with, they flower within
30 days & mature within 70 days.
Within that period, the early
cessation of rainfall, then
that bean will have
matured and be
.....harvested,"
says Karanja.
But there are still challenges, including disease
pressures and soaring demand for seeds
outpacing the current supply.
Josephine Syanda, a research scientist at KALRO,
underscores the market-driven approach to
breeding, emphasizing the importance of
considering consumer preferences and
cooking times.
"When we are breeding, we normally take into account
the aspect of the market. Because the cooking time
will give us varieties that cook faster and when
they cook faster, they reduce the cost of fuel,
like for example gas and firewood, which
probably will reduce the cost of living
for the farmers," Syanda remarks.
The introduction of Nyota beans holds immense
promise for Kenya's agricultural sector.
By enlisting farmers to cultivate these resilient
varieties, the initiative aims to bolster national
bean production, which currently -- falls short
of meeting the annual consumption demand.
Benson Gitonga, a farmer, has adopted Nyota beans
and has witnessed remarkable increases in yields
and profitability.
"I can harvest 9 to 12 bags from an acre of land, unlike
other varieties where I would only get 5 to 7 bags.
The difference upon comparison is substantial.
When I bring beans to the market, they
consistently fetch a good price, selling
for Kenya Shillings 200 per kilogram,
while other varieties often go for
Kenya Shillings 100. Customers
purchasing for home use -----
particularly appreciate its
qualities ----- as it boasts
low flatulence levels ----
making it an appealing
choice for many,"
he says.
According to Karanja, Kenya's annual bean production
is 600,000 metric tonnes, while consumption is at
755,000 metric tonnes, leading to the need
for imports.
To meet the burgeoning demand for Nyota beans,
KALRO has licensed several seed companies to
produce and market the seeds.
Kenya boasts about 26 registered seed companies.
Most aim to produce and distribute superior
seeds for commercial and domestic use.
Approximately two-thirds of seeds planted in Kenyan
farms are sourced from formal channels, with the
government advocating for the use of licensed
seeds to ensure quality and mitigate the
spread of seed-borne pests
and diseases.
However, the government's strict regulations on seed
exchange have drawn criticism from environmental
groups such as Greenpeace Africa.
Elizabeth Atieno Opolo, a food campaigner at Greenpeace
Africa, has concerns about limiting farmers' access to
indigenous seeds.
Critics argue that legislation limiting farmers' access
to indigenous seeds perpetuates dependency on
commercially owned seeds, thereby
exacerbating financial burdens
on small-scale farmers.
"Most of these improved seeds (referring to GMO seeds)
that we see they usually get their primary plantic
genetic resources from these indigenous seeds.
So they go back to our seeds, they take our
seeds and then they go to the lab and do
whatever they do themselves and then
they sell back these seeds to the
farmers and then, you find that
at the end of the day farmers
have to be buying these
seeds every season...
because they can't
replant the seeds.''
''So they have to keep on buying seeds every
new season --- and that is keeping farmers
in a cycle of debt," says Opolo.
_______________________________________________
Cuba and Benin express interest
in boosting bilateral ties
April 12th, 2:47pm
(Prensa Latina)
On Friday, Cuba and Benin.. expressed their common
interest in continuing to boost economic-commercial
and cooperation ties, on a telephone conversation
between Foreign Ministers Bruno Rodriguez and
Oleshegun Abjadi Bakari respectively.
The head of Cuban diplomacy reported on X that during
the dialogue they also agreed on the good state of
bilateral relations.
Cuba and Benin have maintained collaboration in terms
of human resources training through the scholarship
program, since the establishment of diplomatic
relations on February 1, 1974.
Benin, a French-speaking country in West Africa, has a
population of over 11 million inhabitants in an area of
112,600 square kilometres.
________________________________________________
Kenya: African Experts Meet -----
for Global Climate Change Goals
April 10th, 7pm
(teleSUR)
On Tuesday, African experts are meeting in Nairobi, the
Kenyan capital, to align their priorities with the global
climate change objectives ahead of the UN climate
change conference to be held in June in Germany.
The four-day meeting, which bringd together policymakers,
negotiators, practitioners, farmer organizations, and civil
society organizations from 30 African countries, will
develop a common African position ahead of the
60th sessions of the Subsidiary Body for
Scientific and Technological Advice
and the Subsidiary Body for
Implementation (SB 60)...
to be held on June 3-13
in Bonn.
In his remarks, George Wamukoya, team leader of the
African Group of Negotiators Experts Support
(AGNES), said that it is imperative --- that
experts unite under a common African
position to pave the way for
meaningful action, at the
coming climate change
meetings.
"Collective effort, guided by reflection on COP28
outcomes, will shape strategic approaches
across agriculture, adaptation, gender
equality, health, water security,
biodiversity and nature-based
solutions," Wamukoya said
during the meeting.
He added that, through dialogue, collaboration, and
determination, there is an urgent need to chart a
path towards resilience, sustainability, and
equitable development ------- for the
whole continent.
The meeting is expected to provide the African
negotiators with a strategy and an approach
to engage in negotiations on agriculture,
adaptation, loss and damage, and
adaptation finance.
Mithika Mwenda, executive director of the Pan African
Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), promised to
leverage its convening power by facilitating
broad-based consultations on adaptation
issues at the 60th sessions of the
SB 60 in Bonn.
Mwenda said that PACJA is providing a unified platform
for African non-state actors to support and maintain
the campaign for increased adaptation financing.
He said that with the global temperatures already
surpassing pre-industrial levels, the need for
decisive action by African countries and
the global south - is now.
__________________________________________
Malawi: WHO Donates Supply
Kits -------- amid Food Crisis
April 9th, 8:15pm (teleSUR)
On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) donated
pediatric severe acute malnutrition (PEDSAM) kits to the
Malawian government in response to President Lazarus
Chakwera's recent appeal for support amid worsening
food insecurity in the country.
Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, the WHO country
representative to Malawi, said that in line with
the president's request, the WHO has
observed an increase in cases of
severe acute malnutrition in
children since January....
prompting the donation.
"When food security is affected in a country, it will quickly
manifest in children, especially those under five. This is
something we foresaw not only for this year but also
last year with Cyclone Freddy, the floods, and the
cholera outbreak," she said.
“The WHO will continue collaborating with other partners
and the Malawian government to support the training of
health workers in nutrition rehabilitation, particularly in
the country's eight southern districts where the risk is
high,” she added.
The PEDSAM kits are designed to provide essential
supplies necessary for the effective treatment and
care of children suffering from malnutrition, as
well as malaria.
Malawian Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda
described the donation as "timely and very useful for
Malawi," where the infant mortality rate remains
a concern.
The minister said that cases of severe malnutrition and
malaria in children in Malawi contribute to the high
infant mortality rates, with malnutrition alone
accounting for at least 30 percent of deaths. )
____________________________________
Namibia: Critical Food
Shortage, Low Rainfall
April 9th (teleSUR)
On Monday, Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture, Water and
Land Reform announced that the country is facing a
critical food deficit, particularly in staple cereal
crops such as maize and pearl millet.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform
Anna Shiweda said in a statement that this deficit is
expected to require substantial food imports to
meet domestic demand.
"Looking at the Food Balance Sheet, the indications are
that the country will experience a high food deficit,
especially for staple cereal crops (maize, pearl
millet), which will require coverage through
food imports from outside the country,"
she said.
Namibia relies on neighbouring Southern African
Development Community (SADC) countries for
cereal imports. Due to below-normal rainfall
affecting cereal production in countries
such as South Africa, Zimbabwe -- and
Zambia, however, alternative sources
outside the SADC Region may need
to be explored, Shiweda said.
"This means..... that we will have to import cereals from
other sources outside the SADC Region. This, in turn,
implies a high cost of the domestic food basket for
local consumers," she added.
Shiweda emphasized the urgency of addressing this
issue, calling for a reassessment of the nation's
food production systems.
"This situation is yet another wake-up call for us as a
country to relook at our food production systems
and come up with innovative climate-smart
strategies that will make the agriculture
sector more responsive and resilient to
the impact of climate change and
climate variability," she said.
Namibia has experienced below-to-normal rainfall this
year --- coupled with sporadic and erratic rainfall
patterns, significantly impacting the agriculture
sector ---- which serves as the mainstay and
lifeline for the livelihoods of 70 percent
of the population.
________________________________________
Gaza genocide becoming reminiscent
of Rwanda genocide, Algeria warns
April 9th, 4:41pm
(PressTV)
Algeria says the lessons learned from Rwanda’s painful
past must be upheld --- when it comes to confronting
Israel’s genocidal war in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf made the remark during a
ceremony in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, on Sunday.
His presence was intended to renew Algeria’s
permanent solidarity with the Republic
of Rwanda.
The Rwandan genocide took place between April and July
of 1994. It was triggered by the killing of Rwanda’s Hutu
President Juvenal Habyarimana, a close ally of Paris,
whose plane was shot down over Kigali.
France has long been accused of not doing enough
to prevent the mass slaughter, which has led to
strained ties between the two countries
to date.
The Algerian foreign minister said in earlier comments
that Israel had turned Gaza --- “from a mass prison
into a mass grave.“
Israel launched the brutal campaign in Gaza on October 7,
following Operation Al-Aqsa Storm by the resistance
groups into the occupied territories. The regime
has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians,
mostly women and children.
Algeria has - time and again - said Israel
must be held accountable for its crimes.
Meanwhile --- the Western camp is
under fire for giving arms to Israel.
The Canadian government is sued at a federal court
for “contributing to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza”.
Recently, judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
heard a case filed by Nicaragua accusing Germany of
supporting “genocide” ---- against the people of
Palestine in Gaza, by supporting Israel.
In January, the ICJ imposed provisional measures ordering
Israel to do all it can, to prevent death, destruction and
acts of genocide in Gaza. The orders came in a case
filed by South Africa accusing Israel of breaching
the Genocide Convention.
On Sunday, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency
(UNRWA)’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said
the Israeli savagery had set a new record in terms of
killing minors, paramedics, and journalists.
The Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are facing increasingly
dire conditions. The US-Israeli onslaught has entered
the seventh month now.
___________________________________
Rwandan president denounces
US semantic duplicity
April 9th, 2:32pm
(Prensa Latina)
President Paul Kagame expressed concern in a message
broadcast on Tuesday --- about the US Government's
reluctance to describe the massacres perpetrated
by members of the Hutu ethnic group against
their Tutsi compatriots ----- as genocide.
In a post on X, the president reacted to the ambiguity of a
message from US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, in
which, in his opinion, the official avoided specifying
that the Tutsis were the target of the massacres
that covered this country with blood for
100 days... after April 7, 1994.
Some 800,000 people, mostly Tutsis, were killed by
members of the Hutu ethnic group. The echoes
still resound in Rwanda, three decades later,
despite redemption and healing promoted
by the Government of President Kagame.
The genocidal outburst that horrified humanity included
moderate Hutus and even those with other marital
ties to Tutsis.
''We mourn many thousands of Tutsis, Hutus, and others
who lost their lives during 100 days of unspeakable
violence,'' the US Secretary of State’s message
said ---- sparking President Kagame’s anger.
''There are 365 days in a year. Give us that day, April 7, and
then you can have the remaining 364 days to blame us
every day for everything you do not like about us,''
the Rwandan president’s reply advises.
The official Rwandan position also establishes that “any
ambiguity on who the victims of the genocide were, is
an attempt to distort history - and disrespect for the
memory of the victims.”
__________________________________
International Quds Day
in Africa
April 8th, 10:37am
(PressTV)
People across Africa marked International Quds Day
with massive rallies to demonstrate solidarity with
the oppressed people of Palestine ---- while
condemning the Israeli apartheid regime
over its atrocities and occupation
of Palestine.
Record numbers turned out at this year's rallies because
the world has been awoken by the horrific genocidal
crimes being perpetrated against Palestinians by
the Israeli apartheid regime in Gaza and the
occupied West Bank.
South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice
over the Israeli apartheid regime's genocidal war on
Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip --- has
galvanized African support for Palestine.
The large turnout at this year's Quds Day rallies across
Africa ---- once again ---- reaffirmed the continent's
historical support for the liberation of Palestine.
The recent historical presidential election in Senegal
saw how Senegal's youngest president, Faye....
defeated the ruling coalition's candidate in a
March election by a landslide, reflecting
high hopes for change in the country
of around 18 million people.
______________________________
Egypt and Norway promote
global recognition of
a Palestinian state
April 8th, 6:42am
(Prensa Latina)
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry, and
Norway, Espen Barth Eide, today.... discussed
international efforts aimed at expanding
the base of countries that recognize
the Palestinian State.
During a telephone dialogue, both parties also agreed on
the need to stop Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and
reactivate the peace process, detailed a statement
from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In this regard, they reiterated the urgency of achieving
an immediate and permanent ceasefire, as well as
guaranteeing the delivery of “full, safe and rapid”
humanitarian aid to meet the needs of Gazans.
Although 137 of the 193 UN members recognize
Palestinian statehood, most richer nations
such as the US, Canada, Japan and
Western Europe... did not take
that stance.
The Arab group at the United Nations is currently working
on a resolution to elevate the status of Palestinians
from an observer state --- to a full member
of the international organization.
Shoukry emphasized that Israel must fulfill its
responsibilities as an occupying power and
cease its attacks on civilians and relief
personnel in Gaza.
He warned that these actions violate all provisions
of international law and humanitarian law.
He also urged the neighbouring country to open all land
crossings with the coastal enclave --- and remove
obstacles to efforts to increase the flow of
aid to Gaza.
_______________________________________
Sudan: UNICEF Denounces Dangerous
Situation -------- of Millions of Children
April 2nd (teleSUR)
On Tuesday, UNICEF officials said that the United Nations
(UN) agencies said 14 million Sudanese children are in
need of urgent assistance in nutrition, health, water
and other essential goods.
Mandib O'Brien, UNICEF representative in Sudan, warns
that the suffering of children ------ could result in a
generational catastrophe - because the country
is facing the biggest child displacement crisis
in the world.
For its part, the pan-Arab channel Al Mayadeen, reflected
statements by the official in which she said that over 3.5
million children were forced to flee their homes since the
beginning of the war and there are more than 7.4 million
children who cannot access safe drinking water while
more than three million children under five years of
age ----- suffer from acute malnutrition.
O'Brien also called for a united effort to find aid,
seek funding and find a political solution to
the war in the African country.
Since mid-April, Sudan has been embroiled in an internal
war after power struggles flared up between army chief
Abdel Fatah al-Burhan & the leader of the paramilitary
Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.
In Sudan, where a military coup d'état took place in 2021
and another in 2019, a war raged that killed thousands
of civilians, including some 15,000 in the West Darfur
region alone, and displaced some seven million
people, according to the United Nations.
____________________________________
Nine more kidnapped
by Boko Haram -------
rescued in Nigeria
April 1st, 8:24am
(Prensa Latina)
The Nigerian armed forces rescued nine people
who were kidnapped by the Islamist group
Boko Haram in two different operations,
the newspaper Vanguard reported.
Three members of the terrorist organization were
neutralized during operations carried out in the
town of Bama, state of Borno, in the north-
west of the country.
The army also conducted operations in the towns of
Angwan Wanna, in the centre of the country, and
Bula Marwa, in the northeast, freeing three
adult women and six children.
Recently, the Nigerian armed forces rescued more
than 130 students kidnapped three weeks ago
from a school in Kaduna state, in the north-
west of the country.
Mass abductions, particularly of little girls and
government functionaries, for whose release
they demand cash ransoms, are one of the
main ways of obtaining income for so-
called Islamist groups and criminal
gangs operating in the country.
The attacks against unarmed populations and kidnappings,
constitute the two main headaches of the Nigerian central
authorities, in addition to the frequent conflicts between
herders and farmers over the use of water and areas of
their activities.
__________________________________
Sudanese army represses
civilian volunteers and
aid groups
Khartoum, April 1st, 8:19am
(Prensa Latina)
The Sudanese Army and paramilitaries repress civilian
volunteers and aid groups working in soup kitchens
and other assistance centres, political
observers reported.
Observers highlight that the arrests in the capital are just
one part of a broader strategy of both sides fighting to
gain power in the country, repressing civil society
actors by arresting volunteers, limiting access
to aid, and blocking the arrival of more food.
On the same issue, the Pan Arab Al Jazeera channel
reported that the arrests of activists and volunteers
affect thousands of citizens, who depend on soup
kitchens to survive in the face of the looming
famine throughout the country.
The outlet added that local aid groups have asked donor
countries for protection as both paramilitaries and the
army -- benefit from the control of humanitarian aid.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) ----- noted
recently that there are 14 million Sudanese children in
urgent need of humanitarian aid, while 19 million are
out of school and four million have been displaced
by the war.
UNICEF also reported that two-thirds of the Sudanese
population ---- lacks access to health services since
nearly 80 percent of hospitals ceased operations
due to the serious shortage of medical supplies
and the danger to health personnel.
Since mid-April, Sudan has been mired in an internal war,
after contradictions over power issues flared up
between the head of the Army, Abdel Fatah
al-Burhan, and the leader of the para-
military Rapid Support Forces,
Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.
A war broke out in Sudan ---- where a military coup
occurred in 2019 and another in 2021, killing
thousands of civilians, including about
15,000 in the Western Darfur region
alone, displacing about seven
million people, according to
data provided by the UN.
