News From Around The Motherland.

Hi there! We're currently in week 44 of the year 2023. Here are the news making headlines from across Africa in the last few days. We start off with the contentious negotiations between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia about The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. While the negotiations broke down, there's renewed hope for a peaceful resolution.

North Africa

• Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt continue negotiations

Ethiopia: Third Round GERD Talks Conclude in Cairo Without Outcome - Addis to Hold Next Round

The third round of talks regarding the rules and guidelines for the initial filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) concluded on 24 October in Cairo, Egypt. The talks lasted for two days and involved intense negotiations, as stated by the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Aff…

allAfrica.com

The 3rd round of negotiations regarding The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) ended in a deadlock and a missed deadline.

Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia are committed to a civil solution—the next round of talks is to be held in Addis in December 2023.

• Aftermath of the Morocco Earthquake disaster

Morocco: Moroccans Demand More Aid Weeks After Earthquake

Weeks after the fatal earthquake devastated their homes, hundreds of people in the Moroccan town of Amizmiz are protesting against the local government, BBC reports.

allAfrica.comJerry Chifamba

Weeks after a devastating earthquake that killed almost 3000, protest rock affected local government accused of delaying lasting aid to displaced people.

• Aftermath of the Libyan Flood disaster.

Libya Floods news: what happened? | British Red Cross

Flooding in the northeast of Libya has left thousands dead and missing. Find out more about the devastating flooding and how we’re helping with vital aid.

British Red Cross

Weeks after the devastating Libyan flood, the Red Crescent is still on-ground, providing much-needed support to those affected.

West Africa

• special agro-industrial processing zones (SAPZ) in Nigeria

Nigeria: AfDB, Partners Inject $1bn to Fund Nigeria’s Sapzs

African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development have voted $1billion to deliver special agro-industrial processing zones in 24 States of Nigeria.

allAfrica.com

AfDB in collaboration with IDB and IFAD to develop special agro-industrial processing zones (SAPZ) in 24 Nigerian states with $1 billion as part of a move by AfDB to develop SAPZs in 13 countries.

• Nigeria wins appeal to overturn a $11 billion damages claim by P&ID

Nigeria Wins U.S.$11 Billion UK Court Appeal In Failed Gas Deal

Nigeria has won its appeal to overturn a U.S.$11 billion damages bill in a controversial gas deal with Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) in London. Nigeria alleged that the collapsed gas processing project was procured through bribery and fraud. The ruling comes after a tribunal in 2017 or…

allAfrica.com

Nigeria wins appeal to overturn a $11 billion damages claim by P&ID, a briefcase company she entered a controversial gas deal with in 2010 in a United Kingdom court. The court asserted that the deal was fraudulently obtained by P&ID. The ruling was hailed by the Nigerian President.

• US Senate refuses withdrawal of troops from Niger

Niger: U.S. Senate Refuses to Withdraw American Troops From Niger

The U.S. Senate decisively rejected a bill on Thursday, October 26, 2023, that would have forced President Joe Biden to withdraw American troops from Niger, a West African country where the military seized power in July.

allAfrica.comJerry Chifamba

The US Senate rejected a bill that would've compelled President Biden to withdraw troops from Niger despite the US formally calling the military intervention a coup.

France on the other hand is on course to pull out its troops from Niger by year end. It is left to be seen how this will play out diplomatically between France and the US.

• Nigeria's Supreme Court dismisses election petition against President Tinubu

Nigeria: Supreme Court - Tinubu’s Election As President Is Hereby Affirmed

Basking in the euphoria of yesterday’s Supreme Court judgement which affirmed his election on February 25, 2023 as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has called on all Nigerians, including members of the opposition political parties to join hands with him in order to…

allAfrica.com

Nigeria's Supreme Court dismisses election petition against President Tinubu, reaffirms his victory. Mixed reactions trail the Supreme Court decision, as former President Goodluck Jonathan pays a congratulatory visit to President Tinubu in Abuja.

• Districts predominantly in Northern Ghana to benefit from $150 million Social Cohesion (SOCO) projects

Ghana: U.S.$150 Million SOCO Projects to Begin in Northern,Oti Regions

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has cut the sod for construction works on all the 582 projects under the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) at a ceremony at the palace of the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya Na Abukari Mahama II.

allAfrica.comRex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD

Districts predominantly in Northern Ghana to benefit from $150 million Social Cohesion (SOCO) projects designed to address recurring challenges faced by benefiting regions.

• Akosombo Dam flood in Ghana

Ghana Navy Rescues Thousands as Dams Overflow

More than 26,000 people have been forced to flee their homes owing to floods caused by the widespread leakage of Ghana’s Akosombo dam on the Volta River. Due to a steady rise in water levels upstream of the dam, mostly brought on by excessive rains, the Volta River Authority, started controlled spil…

allAfrica.com

Floods due to the overflowing Akosombo dam have caused the displacement of more than 26,000 people, causing untold hardship.

• Nigerian Airforce strikes terrorists

Nigerian Air Force Airstrikes Eliminate Over 100 Militants in Niger, Zamfara - DHQ

The DHQ also said other operations conducted in the last one week by troops in various theatres, killed 73 terrorists and led to the arrest of 182 others.

allAfrica.com

Nigerian Airforce strikes eliminate more than 100 terrorists between Niger and Zamfara state borders. Foil terrorist and oil thieves activities in other operations.

• President of Sao Tome and Principe visits Uganda

São Tomé and Príncipe: Sao Tome and Principe President in Uganda for Two - Day Visit

The President of Sao Tome and Principe, Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, has arrived in the country on a two-day working visit at the invitation of his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

allAfrica.comKenneth Kazibwe

President of Sao Tome and Principe was on a two-day working visit to Uganda at the behest of President Yoweri Museveni for bilateral talks. The bilateral talks aimed to strengthen economic and geopolitical ties between both countries.

• President George Weah kicks off his campaign

Liberia: Pres. Weah Rallies Supporters for Runoff

- "With our collective supports, we’ll cross the finished- line."

allAfrica.comEmmanuel Wise Jipoh

President George Weah kicks off his campaign ahead of crucial Liberian presidential runoff elections in November. President Weah faces former Vice President Nyumah Boakai in what will likely be a keenly contested election.

• Fire at Liberia's Ministry of Finance's Public Financial Management Unit

Liberia: Not Govt Financial Records Burnt - Finance Ministry Provides Clarity After Fire Incident On Third Floor

The Ministry of Finance Development and Planning (MFDP) has disclosed that all of its documents are intact after a fire gutted the Ministry’s Public Financial Management Unit Department.

allAfrica.comJ.H. Webster Clayeh

No lives were lost, and government financial records were intact despite the fire incident at Liberia's Ministry of Finance's Public Financial Management Unit.

• Senegal's main opposition leader's hunger strike turns dire.

Senegal’s Main Opposition Leader Sonko Slips Into Coma During Hunger Strike

Ousmane Sonko has slipped into a coma, his lawyers said on Tuesday.

allAfrica.comMelissa Chemam With RFI

Imprisoned Ousmane Sonko, Senegal's main opposition leader slips into a coma following a hunger strike to protest President Macky Sall's repression of political opposition.

• German Chancellor held bilateral talks with Nigeria's President

German Chancellor Visits Africa to Strengthen Economic Ties

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made his third visit to sub-Saharan Africa in two years, with a focus on strengthening economic ties and discussing trade and investment opportunities. Scholz’s trip to Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia comes ahead of the November 20, 2023 meeting of African and G…

allAfrica.com

Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor held bilateral talks with President Tinubu of Nigeria, while on a 4-nation tour of Africa, seeking to strengthen economic and security ties.

Central Africa

• Cameroon requests the withdrawal of Chadian troops from part of its territory

Africa: Cameroon Asks Chad to Withdraw Border Troops

Cameroon is asking Chad to withdraw its troops from a fishing and agriculture island in the volatile region of Lake Chad.

allAfrica.comMoki Edwin Kindzeka

Cameroon requests the withdrawal of Chadian troops from part of its territory which had become occupied due to the Boko Haram insurgency since 2014.

• Uganda and Sao Tome held bilateral talks

Uganda, Sao Tome Discuss Fish Trade

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today met and held discussions with the President of São Tomé and Principe, H.E Carlos Manuel Vila Nova.

allAfrica.comCrispus Mugisha

Uganda and Sao Tome held bilateral talks about trade and economic cooperation with a strong focus on fish processing. Both countries seek to deepen economic cooperation.

• Colonial era restitution by Germany

Rwanda: Return of Rwandan Skulls From Germany Will Reach Crucial Stage Early Next Year

Researchers are expected to reach key steps in the process of restitution of human skulls taken from Rwanda to Germany during the colonial era (1898 to 1916).

allAfrica.comHudson Kuteesa

Plans are gearing up for the return of human skulls taken by Colonial Germany from areas constituting present-day Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Kenya among others in part to Rwanda.

• Rwanda signed a $23.58 million with Poland to improve dairy production

Rwanda, Polish Development Bank Sign Rwf29 Billion Deal to Improve Dairy Sector

Rwanda and Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), a Polish development bank, have signed a financing agreement of €23 million (approx. Rwf29.9 billion)

allAfrica.comAlice Kagina

In a move that would improve the dairy sector, Rwanda signed a $23.58 million deal with the Polish Development Bank underscoring a strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries.

• Illegal deforestation by a Chinese company in the DRC

Congo-Kinshasa: Chinese-Owned Timber Giant Exported More Than U.S.$5 Million of Illegal Timber in Just Six Months

Press Release - Wednesday 25th October, London 2023 - Chinese-owned timber company Congo King Baisheng Forestry Development (CKBFD) exported more than $5 million dollars’ worth of illegal timber from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to China between June and December 2022, according to a new i…

allAfrica.comCharlie Hammans and Evie Calder

In a stunning investigation by Global Witness, it is revealed that a Chinese company illegally exported more than $5 Million worth of Timber wood in 6 months. The DRC government and the Chinese authorities did not respond to Global Witness claims and inquiries.

The DRC forest is strategically important to the world just like the Amazon rainforest in South America due to its ecological impact.

East Africa

• New mobile phone assembly plant in Kenya

Kenya Sets Up First Smartphone Assembling Plant in East Africa

Kenyans can now access affordable locally assembled smartphones following the launch of the state-of-the-art East Africa Device Assembly Kenya Limited, located in Athi River.

allAfrica.com

Mobile phone and internet penetration has gotten a big boost thanks to the newly built state-of-the-art mobile phone assembly plant in Kenya.

• War rages on in Sudan

Sudan: Khartoum Shelling Continues, Nyala Faces Exodus, Lagawa Attacked By Rebels

The fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and its paramilitary counterpart, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), continued in the Sudanese capital this weekend. The South Darfur capital of Nyala witnessed a cautious calm since Saturday after the RSF took control of the city. In West Kordofan, the…

allAfrica.com

Fighting continues in Sudan between the Sudan Armed Forces and its paramilitary rival: Rapid Support Forces as bombings and all the carnage of war rage on in what is shaping up to be a war of attrition in the East African Country.

• German President visits Tanzania

Tanzania: Dar es Salaam, Berlin to Boost Ties

The future prospects of economic and trade relation between Tanzania and Germany are set to hit new heights, with the visit into the country by the latter’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier starting today.

allAfrica.comSophia Kumkana

Germany is taking a serious geopolitical stand with Africa as President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Tanzania on a three-day working visit for bilateral talks aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

• Kenya lifts visa requirements for all African countries

Africa: Kenya to Lift Visa Requirements for All Africans - President

Kenyan President William Ruto said on Saturday that Kenya will lift visa requirements for all Africans by the end of 2023 with the aim of boosting trade with African countries.

allAfrica.com

In a move worthy of emulation by all African countries, Kenyan President William Ruto announced a lifting of visa requirements for all countries in the motherland. He emphasized this would boost trade and socioeconomic cooperation between Africans.

South Africa

• South Africa's Springboks win the Rugby World Cup

South Africa: Government Congratulates Rugby World Cup Champions

Press Release - Government joins millions of South Africans, Africans and Springbok fans from across the globe in congratulating the World Rugby 2023 champions. In this record breaking victory, the Springboks showed determination, creativity and strength against New Zealand’s All Blacks.

allAfrica.com

South Africa's Springboks win the Rugby World Cup in a stunning match against New Zealand making the Southern African country the first to win the Webb Ellis tournament for a record four times!

• Openharvest app to help Malawian farmers

Malawi: IBM® and Heifer International Empowering Malawian Farmers With Smart Farming Technology Through Openharvest App

OpenHarvest, a digital application that was developed by one of the worlds technology company, IBM® -- in collaboration with global non-profit Heifer International -- has proved successful for over 200 smallholder farmers in Mchinji District to

allAfrica.comDuncan Mlanjira

IBM and Heifer International have developed an app; Openharvest to help Malawian farmers use technology to boost their agricultural output.

• The EU pledged N$20 billion in investment in Namibia

Namibia: EU to Pump N$20b Into Namibia’s Green Hydrogen, Raw Materials Sectors

The European Union (EU) has pledged a significant N$20 billion investment in Namibia’s green hydrogen and raw materials sector.

allAfrica.comDonald Matthys

The European Union pledged N$20 billion in investment in Namibia's green hydrogen and raw materials sector. This commitment was announced by President Ursula von der Leyen during the EU-Namibia business forum in Belgium.

• South Africa and Ethiopia agree to military cooperation

Ethiopia, South Africa Agree to Cooperate in Field of Military

Head of Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) Education and Training Main Department, Lieutenant General Yimer Mekonnen has held discussion with Director of Education and Development at the South African Defense Forces, Brigadier General Zoliswa Dauwa.

allAfrica.com

South Africa and Ethiopia, two of Africa's biggest economies have reached an agreement for military cooperation. Lieutenant General Yimer Mekonene of Ethiopia and Brigadier General Zoliswa Dauwa of South Africa conceded that cooperation in training and military education would strengthen both armies.

World Headlines

• Israel rules out ceasefire with Hamas
• South Africa wins Rugby Worldcup, declares public holiday
• Friends Star; Mathew Perry is dead
• Unstoppable Messi wins Balon D'or for the eighth time

African Personality of the Week.

William Ruto is a Kenyan politician who became the fifth president of Kenya on September 13, 2022. Before his presidency, he was the first elected deputy president of Kenya from 2013 to 2022.

He hails from the Kalenjin community in the Rift Valley Province and was born on December 21, 1966, in Sambut village, Kamagut, Uasin Gishu County, to parents Daniel Cheruiyot and Sarah Cheruiyot.

He is our personality of the week due to his effort to foster African integration by lifting visa requirements to Kenya for Africans.

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