News From Around The Motherland. Week 17 of '24

Hi there! Here are the top African news making headlines from week 17 of the year 2024

• Chinese Investors Mull Development Of Textile City In Egypt.
• Chad Nationalizes Exxon Mobil Assets.
• DRC Accuses Apple of Using Illegal Minerals.
• South Africa's President Approves $95m Military Extension in Mozambique, DR Congo

As always, we start off in North Africa.

NORTH AFRICA.

🇪🇬 Chinese Investors Mull Development Of Textile City In Egypt

During a meeting between Hossam Heiba, CEO of GAFI, and a delegation from the Chinese Council for Textiles and Ready-made Garments, the Chinese expressed interest in establishing an integrated textile city in Egypt.

The proposed city, requiring an estimated investment of $300 million, would encompass all industry stages, leveraging Egypt's capabilities to become a global textile hub.

The Chinese delegation, comprising leaders from 20 prominent textile companies, sees Egypt as a vital market in the Middle East and Africa and is eager to invest in various textile fields such as spinning, dyeing, and printing.

WEST AFRICA.

🇹🇩 Chad Nationalizes Exxon Mobil Assets.

The West African nation's energy and hydrocarbons ministry announced on Thursday that it has taken possession of carbon permits and exploration and production authorizations previously held by a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil.

In December 2022, Exxon Mobil closed the sale of its Chad and Cameroon operations to London-listed Savannah Energy for $407 million. However, the Chadian government contested the deal, claiming the final terms differed from what was presented to them. The government warned of potential legal action to block Savannah's purchase and protect its interests.

Exxon's assets included a 40 percent stake in Chad's Doba oil project, with a combined output of 28,000 barrels per day, as well as an interest in the Chad-Cameroon pipeline spanning over 1,000 kilometers to the Atlantic Gulf of Guinea coast for crude exports.

🇳🇬 AU Members Adopt Abuja Declaration.

African leaders, including Heads of State, Ministers, and representatives of regional organizations, have adopted the Abuja Declaration to combat terrorism in Africa.

Presented by Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, the declaration recognizes the importance of existing African Union instruments and regional frameworks in addressing the threat of terrorism and violent extremism on the continent. It underscores the AU's goal to achieve peace by 2030 and emphasizes the significant threat posed by terrorism to Africa's peace and stability.

🇳🇬 Nigerian Government Mandates Resale Of Power Distribution Companies.

The federal government has mandated the resale of electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) currently managed by banks and the Asset Management Company (AMCON) to reputable power operators within three months, as reported by LeadershipP. Currently, five DisCos are under AMCON and bank lender management.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this during an oversight visit to the ministry in Abuja, emphasizing the need for technical experts to manage energy distribution assets.

Adelabu highlighted that the performance of DisCos is crucial for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and stated plans to revoke underperforming licenses and change management boards if necessary. Additionally, the federal government plans to unbundle DisCos along state lines to enhance efficiency.

🇳🇬 Nigerian President Visits Netherlands

Nigerian President Tinubu paid a working visit to the Netherlands, where he met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. They explored avenues to enhance trade ties, focusing on renewable energy and agriculture.

Rutte praised the migration partnership between the two nations, aimed at combating human trafficking and empowering young Nigerians. They also discussed security in Nigeria and West Africa. Rutte expressed gratitude for Tinubu's visit and anticipated a closer partnership between the two countries.

🇧🇫 Burkina Faso Extra-Judicial Killings.

Human Rights Watch reported that the Burkina Faso military summarily executed at least 223 civilians, including 56 children, in two villages on February 25, 2024.

These mass killings, among the worst army abuses since 2015, are believed to be part of a broader military campaign targeting civilians accused of collaborating with Islamist armed groups and may constitute crimes against humanity.

The soldiers killed 44 people, including 20 children, in Nondin village, and 179 people, including 36 children, in the nearby Soro village, located in the Thiou district of northern Yatenga province.

EAST AFRICA.

Torrential Rains And Flooding.

Torrential rain and flooding in Tanzania have caused 155 deaths, 236 injuries, and affected over 200,000 people, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa informed parliament.

He urged residents in low-lying areas to relocate to higher ground and called on local governments to provide assistance to those who lost their homes.

Environmental degradation, including deforestation and unsustainable farming practices, exacerbated the destruction. The heavy rainfall is attributed to the El Nino climate pattern, which has intensified in the East African region.

CENTRAL AFRICA.

🇨🇩 DRC Accuses Tech Giant Of Using Illegal Minerals.

The Democratic Republic of Congo accuses Apple of using illegally exported minerals from its war-torn eastern region, challenging Apple's claims of verifying raw material origins in its devices.

Lawyers representing the DRC government have written to Apple CEO Tim Cook with questions, alleging that Apple's products are "tainted by the blood of the Congolese people." Apple declined to comment on the letter.

While Apple's disclosures state no direct financing of armed groups, lawyers retained by the DRC government claim to have met President Félix Tshisekedi and are investigating illegal exportation of "3T" materials from Congolese territory.

🇨🇬 Mpox Epidemic In Republic Of Congo

The Republic of the Congo has declared an epidemic of mpox (monkeypox) after confirming 19 cases across five regions, including the capital Brazzaville. Health Minister Gilbert Mokoki stated no deaths had occurred, urging the public to take precautions such as avoiding close contact with suspected cases, animals, and handling game meat with bare hands.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has renamed the virus mpox to replace the term monkeypox, citing concerns over stigma and racism. Mpox, first detected in humans in neighboring DR Congo in 1970, continues to pose a health threat.

🇷🇼 - 🇬🇦 Rwanda, Gabon Deepen Economic Ties.

A delegation of Gabonese business leaders wrapped up a two-day visit to Rwanda on Wednesday, April 24, aiming to enhance economic and bilateral ties.

Led by Ghislain Moandza Mboma, Director General of Gabon's investment promotion agency, the delegation explored trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. Mboma encouraged Gabonese investors to capitalize on Rwanda's existing trade and investment prospects, underscoring the positive bilateral relations between the nations.

🇲🇼 Malawi Strengthens Diplomatic Ties with Israel, To Send Workers.

Government officials announced that Israel requires 80,000 workers for its construction industry, with an additional 3,000 needed in agriculture, particularly on farms.

Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu shared this during a press conference in Lilongwe, updating on recent cabinet ministers' trip to Israel.

Kunkuyu highlighted the significance of opening the Malawi Embassy in Tel Aviv and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Temporary Employment Workers in Agriculture, showcasing the government's dedication to enhancing relations with Israel.

SOUTHERN AFRICA.

🇿🇦 South Africa's President Approves $95m Military Extension in Mozambique, DR Congo

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved the extension of military deployment in DR Congo and Mozambique, his office announced on Wednesday, April 25. Earlier, on April 7, during a visit to Kigali, he emphasized the need for a political solution to the crisis in eastern DR Congo.

The Presidency's statement on April 24 informed the National Assembly and the acting Speaker about the extension of the South African National Defense Force's (SANDF) deployment for various international obligations.

This extension includes fulfilling significant duties in Mozambique, DR Congo, and the South African Development Community (SADC) Maritime security strategy.

WORLD HEADLINES

🇬🇧 UK Parliament Approves Illegal Asylum Seekers Deportation Bill

The British government's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda has been approved by parliament after months of debate.

Under the new law, asylum seekers, mostly fleeing wars and economic precarity, arriving illegally will be sent to Rwanda, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promising deportations starting as early as July.

The move aims to deter dangerous boat crossings across the English Channel and dismantle human trafficking networks.

🇺🇸 The US To Begin Niger Exit With Dialogue

A US delegation will meet with officials in Niger's capital, Niamey, on Thursday to discuss withdrawing over 1,000 American personnel from the country, which has been a strategic hub for regional counter-terrorism operations.

Last year, a military junta ousted Niger's democratic president in a popular coup, followed by the government's decision in March to end a military cooperation agreement with the US. Last week, the US agreed to withdraw its troops and will initiate talks in Niamey on April 25.

US Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon and Major General Ken Ekman from US Africa Command will lead discussions aimed at ensuring an orderly and responsible withdrawal process.

African Personality Of The Week

Akinwumi "Akin" Adesina C.O.N.

Akinwumi "Akin" Adesina CON, a Nigerian economist, currently serves as the President of the African Development Bank. Prior to this role, he served as Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Before becoming a Minister in 2010, he was Vice President of Policy and Partnerships for the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Adesina was elected as the President of the African Development Bank in 2015 and re-elected for a second term in 2020, making him the first Nigerian to hold the position.

He's our personality of the week because of his leadership of the Africa Development Bank, and his drive in fostering economic collaboration among African countries and beyond.

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