News From Around The Motherland. Week 18 of '24
News From Around The Motherland. Week 18 of '24
Hi there! Here are the top African news making headlines from week 18 of the year 2024
- 🇧🇫 BBC & VOA Suspended In Burkina Faso.
- 🇬🇲 The Gambia Hosts The 15th IOC Summit.
- 🇰🇪 African Leaders Converge On Nairobi, Kenya, For World Bank Summit.
- 🇨🇩 M23 Rebels Seize of Strategic Coltan Mining Town In D.R. Congo
- 🇷🇼 UK Deportation Deal Faces Opposition In Rwanda.
As always, we start off in...
NORTH AFRICA.
🇪🇬 Egypt And Iran Hold Talks
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held talks with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Saturday during the sidelines of the 15th Islamic Summit Conference in Banjul, Gambia, according to Ahmed Abu Zeid, spokesperson for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
🇩🇿 Qatari Firm To Develop $3.5B Dairy Firm In Algeria.
Qatari food company Baladna has inked a $3.5 billion agreement with the Algerian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to establish the world’s largest integrated dairy farming and production project, per a filing on the Qatar Stock Exchange. The deal, signed in Algiers, outlines plans for a massive cattle-breeding farm for powdered milk and meat in southern Algeria, as disclosed by the Algerian Agriculture Ministry
WEST AFRICA.
🇧🇫 BBC & VOA Suspended In Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso suspended the BBC and Voice of America radio stations for their coverage of a Human Rights Watch report on a mass killing of civilians by the country’s armed forces.
The suspension, announced by Burkina Faso’s communication spokesperson Tonssira Myrian Corine Sanou, will last for two weeks. Sanou also cautioned other media outlets against reporting on the story.
The Human Rights Watch report, published on Thursday, documented the army's killing of 223 civilians, including 56 children, in villages suspected of collaborating with militants.
🇳🇬 Nigeria Increases Minimum Wage Amid Currency Devaluation And Economic Turmoil
Government workers in Nigeria will now earn $324 (£258) minimum wage annually, with raises backdated to January for police, military, and other state employees.
However, with inflation surpassing 30%, and food costs rising by 35%, the real value of these increases remains largely unchanged. Pensions for eligible workers have also seen modest boosts ranging from 20% to 28%, as announced by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
Despite recent raises for academic and healthcare staff, the monthly minimum wage, set by the government in 2019 at 30,000 naira, remains stagnant. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) praised the pay hikes but urged the government to address the challenging economic conditions.
🇬🇲 The Gambia Hosts The 15th OIC Summit.
In 2024, The Gambia will host the 15th Heads of State and Government Summit. To facilitate this monumental event, The Gambian government has established The Gambia OIC Secretariat, tasked with coordinating the country's preparations and logistics for the summit.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), encompassing 57 member states across four continents, hosts its grand Islamic Summit, assembling heads of state and government to deliberate and decide on matters central to its objectives as outlined in the OIC Charter.
Held once every three years, this summit serves as a pivotal platform for policy decisions and guidance, addressing issues relevant to member states and the broader Muslim community.
🇳🇬 New Agency Created To Manage Part Of Nigeria's Ailing Power Sector.
NERC has issued a directive to establish the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) within 30 days, leading to a split of the Transmission Commission of Nigeria (TCN). The move, marked NERC/2024/45, aims to streamline the management of assets and liabilities for system operation.
Consequently, NISO will oversee network operations, including the national grid, and handle related market contracts. The decision underscores efforts to enhance efficiency in Nigeria's power sector amid ongoing reforms.
EAST AFRICA.
🇰🇪 African Leaders Converge On Nairobi, Kenya, For World Bank Summit.
African leaders convened in Nairobi for the IDA summit, focusing on lending terms and strategies for sustainable development.
IDA, part of the World Bank, provides grants and loans to combat poverty and inequality in developing nations. President Ruto praised IDA's rapid response during crises and its tailored development programs.
With $18 billion disbursed to African countries last year, IDA plays a crucial role in driving development. IDA aims for even greater impact in IDA21, recognizing both challenges and opportunities ahead.
🇸🇩 Sudanese War Escalation.
On April 30, 2024, heavy fighting erupted in El Fasher, North Darfur's capital, as Sudanese army warplanes bombed RSF positions. This clash occurred despite international pleas for a ceasefire. El Fasher, a significant city in Darfur, remains under intense scrutiny as the RSF tightens its grip on neighboring regions. The Joint Force in Darfur condemned the RSF for instilling fear among El Fasher's residents, accusing them of hindering humanitarian aid and destroying villages in the western countryside. Ahmed Hussein Mustafa, spokesperson for the Joint Force, highlighted the RSF's obstruction of vital supplies and displacement of ethnic Zaghawa residents.
🇰🇪 Floods Continue To Ravage Kenya
Kenyan authorities issued a warning of increased fatalities and property damage following heavy rains and destructive floods. Police reported over 90 deaths, with concerns that the toll may rise as many bodies remain missing.
On Saturday night, at least 11 new bodies were recovered from various locations amidst ongoing heavy rains. Additionally, nine bodies, including six women and three men, were found after a truck was swept away by floodwaters in Sultan Hamud, Makueni County, on Friday.
CENTRAL AFRICA.
🇨🇩 M23 Rebels Seize of Strategic Coltan Mining Town In D.R. Congo
Rebel forces have seized Rubaya, a town central to coltan mining in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to their spokesperson Willy Ngoma.
The capture followed intense clashes with government troops, although the government has yet to comment. The strategic significance of Rubaya lies in its coltan mines, as DR Congo is a major coltan producer globally.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently urged Rwanda to cease its alleged support for the M23 rebel group, which has gained control over significant territory in the mineral-rich eastern region over the past year and a half.
🇨🇩 Displacement Camp Bombings In Congo Killed 12, Including Children.
According to the UN, bomb attacks on two displaced people's camps in eastern Congo have claimed at least 12 lives, including children.
The camps in Lac Vert and Mugunga, near Goma, were targeted, with the UN condemning the attacks as a potential war crime.
As the rebel group M23 advances toward Goma, thousands have sought refuge in the city, while aid group Save The Children reported numerous injuries, particularly among women and children, with the death toll still uncertain.
🇨🇩 Congolese Soldiers Sentenced To Death For Cowardice.
In eastern Congo, a military court sentenced eight soldiers to death for cowardice and related offenses, amid ongoing struggles to curb violence in the region.
This decision follows Congo's recent lifting of a 20-year moratorium on the death penalty, drawing criticism from human rights groups. One soldier's lawyer, Alexis Olenga, plans to challenge the verdict, stating his client was arrested in his assigned area, not fleeing the battlefield.
Three soldiers were acquitted and released by the court in Goma, North Kivu's provincial capital.
SOUTHERN AFRICA.
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe Looks To Import Food To Ameliorate Crisis.
The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) plans to import 1.4 million metric tonnes of maize from new sources like Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil.
This move comes as Zimbabwe faces food insecurity due to an El Nino-induced drought, leaving over 2.7 million people in need. GMAZ Chairman Tafadzwa Musarara announced the plan, stating that maize imports are expected between May and July 30, 2024, using various entry points into the country.
🇷🇼 UK Deportation Deal Faces Opposition In Rwanda.
The recently passed British law to deport unwanted migrants to Rwanda has sparked strong criticism both domestically and internationally. Opponents in Rwanda argue that the country is ill-suited to accommodate asylum seekers and accuse the UK of shirking its responsibilities.
The law, initially agreed upon two years ago, mandates the deportation of any asylum seeker who enters the UK illegally to Rwanda. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to begin deportations as early as July, while the Rwandan presidency has expressed satisfaction with the plan's progress.
🇿🇦 South Africa Battles Malaria
The Department of Health confirms South Africa's progress towards achieving malaria elimination status by 2028, as outlined in the National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan.
Despite challenges like heightened heatwaves due to climate change, the department remains optimistic. Malaria elimination offers health and economic benefits in line with national and international development goals.
While strides have been made in provinces like Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal, the department emphasizes the need for continued efforts to curb local transmission.
WORLD HEADLINES.
🇨🇳 - 🇬🇦 50 Years Of Diplomatic Ties Between China And Gabon
This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Gabon, with their relations witnessing steady growth since 1974.
China has been Gabon's largest trading partner for 11 years, benefiting from their complementary economies. Bilateral trade reached $3.79 billion in 2023, with China importing crude oil, manganese ore, and sawn wood from Gabon while exporting various products.
Additionally, both countries collaborate closely on humanitarian assistance, with China sending medical teams to Gabon since 1977.
🇨🇳 - 🇹🇿 Another Diplomatic Milestone For China And Tanzania
Friday, 26th marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Tanzania, which have witnessed steady growth. In November 2022, their partnership was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic level.
Trade between the two nations reached $8.78 billion in 2023, representing an 8.9 percent year-on-year increase. China remains Tanzania's largest trading partner, granting zero-tariff treatment to 98 percent of taxable Tanzanian exports.
🇮🇷 Iran Hosted A Second Iran-Africa Trade Summit
Tehran hosted economy ministers from over 40 African nations at the second Iran-Africa International Summit, which took place from April 26-29.
Iranian officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi and Minister of Industry, Mining, and Trade Abbas Aliabadi, attended the opening ceremony.
President Raisi expressed Iran's commitment to strengthening economic ties with African countries during his address at the ceremony.
🇸🇦 Historic US, Saudi Arabia Deal Could Reshape Global Geopolitics.
The United States and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia are on the precipice of a historic agreement that could reshape the Middle East, and World geopolitics.
The pact, which was almost truncated because of HAMAS attack on Israel, is said to contain security guarantees for the Kingdom in exchange for limiting economic engagement with China, and formalization of diplomatic ties with Israel and security guarantees for the Palestinians.
African Personality Of The Week
Yvonne Ndege
Yvonne Ndege is a renowned former international journalist and broadcaster with over 18 years of experience. She has worked at top-tier global news organizations, including Al Jazeera English and the BBC, covering a wide range of topics across Africa and beyond.
Yvonne is known for her expertise in multimedia content production, media visibility strategy, and media training. She has received accolades, including the UN Correspondents Association Journalism Award, for her extensive reporting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Currently, she serves as the Regional Spokesperson for the UN Migration Agency in Kenya.
Yvonne holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the London School of Economics and an undergraduate Degree in Communication from the University of London. She is a British national of Kenyan descent, born and raised in London.
She moderated the 2024 World Bank IDA Summit in Kenya.
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