News From Around The Motherland Week 16 of '24

Hi there! We're currently in week 16 of the year 2024. Here are the top African news making headlines

News From Around The Motherland Week 16 of '24
Nigerian Chess Master Tunde Onakoya Sets New Guinness World Record

Hi there! We're currently in week 16 of the year 2024. Here are the top African news making headlines

  • Egypt Airdropped Aid In Gaza
  • Nigerian Electricity Grid Collapse As Foreign Reserves Falls
  • Ghana Faces Difficulties With Debt Restructuring
  • Southern Africa Hit With Cholera Outbreak
  • Israel Attack Iran On Retaliatory Strikes. Iran Downplays Impact.

NORTH AFRICA.

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฌ Egypt Airdropped Humanitarian Aid In Gaza.

Image generated in Ideogram

The Egyptian Air Force conducted airdrops of relief aid into the Gaza Strip during Eid al-Fitr to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians, following President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's directive and in collaboration with Jordan.

Egypt continues its efforts to broker a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas through negotiations involving all parties.

๐Ÿ’ก
Prominent thoughts: Egypt needs to remain active in finding a lasting solution to all Middle Eastern troubles, particularly the Israel-Hamas conflict due to her proximity to the belligerents. A stable region means thriving trade and economic prosperity for Egypt.

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฟ Algerian Journalist Expelled Without Explanation

An Algerian journalist, Farid Alilat, was deported from the country upon arrival from France, experiencing restrictions at the airport, reflecting ongoing challenges for journalists reporting in Algeria.

Alilat, a writer for Jeune Afrique, shared on Facebook his 11-hour detention at the airport on Saturday before being flown back to France, where he holds a residency permit.

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ณ Tunisiaโ€™s Prisoner Of Conscience.

Rached Ghannouchi. Wikipedia

International support is rallying behind Tunisia's jailed opposition leader, Rached Ghannouchi, as a newly established International Committee for Solidarity with him denounces his imprisonment.

Ghannouchi, the Ennahdha party leader and former parliament speaker, was arrested a year ago and is now deemed the "oldest prisoner of conscience in the Arab world." The committee, comprising global statespeople and intellectuals, aims to advocate for his release, citing his unjust detention following a speech critical of Tunisia's dissolution of the elected parliament and suspension of the constitution, and democratic institutions since 2021


WEST AFRICA.

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria Grapples With Near 30-Year High Inflation Rate.

Nigeria's annual inflation hit a 30-year high at 33.2% in March, driven by soaring food prices and increased energy costs. Despite recent gains in the local currency, the prices of goods and services remain high.

The government's efforts, including raising borrowing rates and hiking electricity tariffs, aim to stabilize the economy, but many Nigerians are facing shrinking purchasing power and eroded savings.

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria's Electricity Grid Fails...Again

Image generated in Ideogram

Once again, Nigeria's electricity grid failed, causing blackouts in numerous cities. The collapse occurred at 2:42 a.m. on Monday, reducing power generation to 64.70 megawatts.

The Jos Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the incident in a statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communications.

๐Ÿ’ก
Prominent thoughts: Nigeria has struggled with providing stable electricity for decades despite being one of Africa's biggest economies. This has continued to hamper her development, and the recent grid collapse underscores the need to revamp that sector. The country needs to ensure Ajaokuta steel rolling mill works to ensure availability of iron and steel as needed.

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ญ Ghana Debt Restructuring Woes

Ghana fails to reach a $13 billion debt restructuring deal with international bondholders, hindering its efforts to recover from default and economic crisis. Talks stalled after the IMF deemed the proposed deal unsustainable.

Ghana had been negotiating with two bondholder groups, including Western asset managers and regional African banks. Despite a 2.9% economic growth in 2023, Ghana's debt costs and inflation surged after defaulting on most of its $30 billion external debt in December 2022.

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Fears Over Nigeria's Declining Foreign Reserves.

Image by Sunday Abegunde. Unsplash

Nigeria's foreign exchange reserves dropped significantly by around $2.16 billion in 29 days, despite the Central Bank of Nigeria's efforts to stabilize the naira. Current data from the CBN as of April 15, 2024, shows reserves at $32.29 billion, down from $34.45 billion on March 18, 2024.

The Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso clarified that the recent decline in reserves was used to repay international debts, not to defend the naira, during a session with the IMF's Abebe Aemro Selassie.

๐Ÿ’ก
Prominent thoughts: Nigeria and Ghana needs to get their acts together to ensure prosperity and stability for West Africa. Ghana's debt profile and Nigeria's faltering economy are exacerbating West Africa's economic decline. Both countries should serve as counterweight to the Sahel Countries who've pulled out of ECOWAS (West African Regional Body)


EAST AFRICA.

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช Kenya Perennial Floods

The last week of March marked the onset of the long rains season (March to May), bringing heavy storms, rainfall, and flash floods across the country. Initial reports indicate 13 fatalities, nearly 3,000 households displaced, over 339 livestock lost, and extensive crop damage.

Particularly affected areas include Marsabit, Turkana, Tana River, Garissa, Kirinyaga, Muranga, Kiambu, Meru, Kisumu, Nairobi, and Kitui counties. Humanitarian partners are providing emergency shelter and aid to at-risk regions, collaborating with authorities to assess needs and ramp up assistance to affected communities.

Authorities have issued advisories warning of continued heavy rainfall across most parts of the country from April 9 to 15.

Image generated in Ideogram

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฉ US Judge Rules BNP Paribas Must Face Lawsuit For Its Complicity In The Darfur Genocide.

A US judge ruled that BNP Paribas must face a lawsuit accusing the bank of aiding Sudan's government in committing genocide between 1997 and 2011. The lawsuit alleges the bank violated American sanctions by providing banking services linked to human rights abuses.

US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein found evidence connecting the bank's financing to government-perpetrated atrocities, including murder and mass rape. The lawsuit, brought by US residents from affected Sudanese communities, seeks unspecified damages in a proposed class action.

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช - ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Kenya-Uganda Trade Tensions.

Tensions rise as Kampala increases taxes on Kenyan produce by Ksh3 per kilogram. Kenyan exporters of Irish Potatoes to Uganda face unexpected hurdles at the border due to the newly imposed levies. Uganda's revenue authority, as reported by the Daily Monitor, cited inadequate previous valuation of the product as the reason for the tax revision. This move is likely to worsen existing trade tensions, including Kenya's past restrictions on certain Ugandan goods, especially dairy products. These actions contradict the principles of the East African Community Customs Union, which promotes free trade among member states. Additionally, last year Uganda took legal action against Kenya at the East African Court of Justice after Nairobi denied a license for the Uganda National Oil Corporation (UNOC) to operate and manage fuel imports for Kampala.

๐Ÿ’ก
Prominent thoughts: Eastern and Southern Africa are suffering from the adverse effects of climate change. Perennial rains will exacerbate economic and diplomatic tensions in those regions. Each country need to have a mindset of resolution instead of confrontation.


CENTRAL AFRICA.

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ฟ Malawi And Tanzania On A Diplomatic Collision Course

Tanzania's move to upgrade Mbamba Bay Port on Lake Malawi has sparked a diplomatic dispute with Malawi, which accuses Tanzania of acting unilaterally without consultation. Malawi has demanded Tanzania suspend the project until proper consultations and consent are obtained.

The port upgrade, contracted to China's Xiamen Ongoing Construction Group for $31.8 million, adds strain to unresolved boundary issues between the two nations, ongoing for over a decade.


SOUTHERN AFRICA.

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Nama People Of Namibia Reject Port Development

Namport, Namibia's port authority, has proposed expanding Shark Island, a sacred heritage site for the indigenous Nama ethnic group in southern Namibia. The expansion aims to support green hydrogen production and export to Europe by the German energy company, Hyphen.

However, some locals see this expansion as a modern form of colonization, where African resources are exploited for European markets. Historically, Germany ruled Namibia, then called German South West Africa, and in the early 1900s, a concentration camp operated on Shark Island where approximately 3,000 locals were killed.

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ด Angola To Develop Transportation As Economic Driver.

Angola's UN Representative, Francisco Josรฉ da Cruz, highlighted last Thursday that modernizing the transport network is a top priority for the government.

He emphasized the importance of the New Luanda International Airport and the Lobito Corridor railway project, aiming to connect Angola with neighboring countries like Zambia and the DRC. These efforts are seen as key for economic growth and attracting foreign investment to the region.

๐ŸŒ Southern Africa Hit Hard By Cholera Outbreak.

Image generated in Ideogram

Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi are grappling with the deadliest cholera outbreak in over a decade, with more than 1,000 deaths reported. This outbreak is part of a larger series of deadly cholera outbreaks across Africa in 2024, affecting tens of thousands. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Ethiopia are among the hardest-hit countries in the region. Zambia is particularly hard-hit, facing its worst cholera outbreak yet, with over 740 deaths since the onset of seasonal rains in October 2023. To exacerbate the situation, the global stockpile of the only available cholera vaccine is depleted, leaving demand far outstripping supply. The vaccine, produced by a manufacturer in South Korea, can only produce 700,000 doses weekly, whereas demand is four times higher, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Despite efforts to conserve stocks, including a recommendation by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision to switch to a single-dose regimen in October 2022, the shortage persists. Cholera vaccines are not produced on a routine basis like childhood vaccines but instead based on immediate needs.

๐Ÿ’ก
Prominent thoughts: The cholera outbreak affecting Southern Africa is coming amid a drought spell which will affect food security in the region. The region needs to create a unified strategy to deal with these clear and present dangers!

WORLD HEADLINES.

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ France, Germany, And The EU Raise โ‚ฌ2bn For Sudan.

France, Germany, and the EU co-hosted a summit to raise humanitarian funds for victims of Sudan's civil war. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that donors pledged over โ‚ฌ2bn ($2.1bn; ยฃ1.7bn) in aid for the nation.

The conflict between Sudan's military and the RSF paramilitary group has caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced 8.5 million people in the past year.

๐Ÿ’ก
Prominent thoughts: Described as The Forgotten War, The Sudan conflict has witnessed untold carnage and destruction. Several attempts at mediation has failed and there's a fear that a genocide of the non Arab people of Darfur is underway. Prominent African personalities, The Africa Union and the international community needs to do much more to stop the carnage.

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Trump's Criminal Case Begins.

Frm. President Donald J Trump

Former President Donald Trump's unprecedented criminal trial began in a Manhattan court on Monday, marking the first time a former U.S. president has faced such charges.

Despite Trump's numerous attempts to delay the proceedings, Judge Juan Merchan proceeded, following a series of unsuccessful legal challenges. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is prosecuting Trump over allegations of a "hush money" payment to an adult film star during the 2016 election to conceal damaging information.

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช Dubai Flash Floods

In just 12 hours on Tuesday, Dubai received nearly 4 inches (100 mm) of rain, equivalent to its average yearly rainfall, as per United Nations data.

The downpour was so intense that some drivers had to desert their vehicles due to rising floodwater, transforming roads into torrents. Social media videos depicted water coursing through a prominent shopping mall and flooding the ground floors of residences.

Speculations are rife that the abnormal weather was caused by cloud seeding; an experimental way to generate rain. The Dubai Airport, ranked the world's second busiest, experienced service disruption due to unprecedented flooding.

๐ŸŒ Several countries recall cough syrup

Several African nations, including Tanzania, eSwatini, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, are recalling a batch of Benylin Paediatric children's cough syrup made by Johnson & Johnson due to elevated levels of a toxic substance found in tests conducted in Nigeria.

This action follows incidents in other countries where contaminated cough syrup led to the deaths of numerous children. The toxin, diethylene glycol, can cause rapid kidney failure if ingested. The affected batch, produced in South Africa in 2021, is being recalled as a precautionary measure, although no adverse effects have been reported in the recalling countries thus far.

Tragically, over 70 children under the age of five in The Gambia lost their lives in 2022 after consuming cough syrups from Maiden Pharmaceuticals (India), which were later discovered to be contaminated.

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฑ Israel Attack Iran In Retaliatory Strikes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Wikipedia

In the early hours of Friday, US officials reported that Israel launched a missile at Iran, likely in retaliation after weeks of rising tensions. There are conflicting reports about the attack's scale on the Isfahan region and the damage caused, with Iranian state media minimizing its impact.

This incident follows heightened tensions, including an Israeli strike on an Iranian compound in Syria and an unprecedented Iranian assault on Israel.


African Personality Of The Week

Tunde Onakoya.

Tunde Onakoya

The Nigerian chess master has achieved a remarkable feat by breaking the Guinness world record for the longest chess marathon in New York Times Square. Alongside this achievement, he founded Chess In Slums, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting underprivileged African children through chess. Currently, he is raising funds for his nonprofit through the chess marathon


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