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News From Around The Motherland. Week 19 of '24

Hi there! Here are the top news from Africa that made headlines in week 19 of the year 2024

Babajide Babalola

11 May 2024 — 8 min read

Generated in Ideogram

Nigeria and India Reach Bilateral Agreement to settle trade in local currencies.
Chad Military Ruler Wins elections in country's return to democracy.
Kenyan Doctors to end strike in deal with government.
Benin Republic blocks Niger oil export
Building Collapse in South Africa.

North Africa

🇪🇬 Egypt Joins South Africa In ICJ Case Against Israel.

The IDF's intensified ground operations in Rafah prompted Egypt to issue protests to Israel, the US, and European governments, expressing concern over the jeopardizing of their peace treaty, a key element of regional stability.

While an anonymous Egyptian official conveyed this message to The Associated Press, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry emphasized Egypt's longstanding commitment to the peace agreement at a press conference in Cairo.

Despite reassurances, Egypt announced support for South Africa's lawsuit against Israel in the International Court of Justice, citing Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians in Gaza as justification.

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Egypt joining South Africa's Case against Israel highlights the hypocritical levity with which Africa's most important economies are either silent about, or out of tune with, matters of the continent. Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, and the Sahel states are some of the troubled areas in Africa, yet Egypt, nor South Africa has made a case for our against these domestic issues. Our is understandable for Egypt to be more invested in the Israel Hamas conflict given its proximity to the conflict but it is equally important to pay attention to issues in the continent as well.

WEST AFRICA.

🇳🇬 Nigeria And India Reach Bilateral Agreement, To Settle Trade In Local Currency

India and Nigeria have expanded their trade agreement to encompass energy, pharmaceuticals, and transport sectors.

The Indian delegation, comprising officials from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), EXIM Bank of India, and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), visited Nigeria for discussions. Both countries aim to conclude the Local Currency Settlement System Agreement soon, aiming to strengthen bilateral economic ties and reduce reliance on the US dollar.

Nigeria, India's second-largest trading partner in Africa, is interested in joining BRICS. Bilateral trade between India and Nigeria reached $11.8 billion in FY 2022-23, with a slight decrease to $7.89 billion in 2023-24. BRICS nations are increasingly prioritizing local currencies over the US dollar in their trade and transactions.

🇳🇬 Nigeria Introduces New Levy Amidst Economic Hardship.

The introduction of a new levy on electronic banking transactions in Nigeria has sparked widespread condemnation, with concerns raised about its potential to push people back to cash transactions.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has informed financial institutions that the 0.5% levy, aimed at bolstering cybersecurity, will be implemented in two weeks. Given Nigeria's severe economic crisis, many fear that the levy will exacerbate financial hardships, making it difficult to afford basic necessities.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have both voiced opposition to the levy, with SERAP threatening legal action against the government. Despite the outcry, the government has yet to respond.

Previous currency reforms by the CBN in 2023 led to cash shortages, prompting a shift towards mobile money usage. However, only about eight percent of the population aged 16 to 64 utilized mobile payment services in 2024, marking a decrease from the previous year.

🇹🇩 A Return To Democracy. Chad Military Ruler Wins Election.

Chad's military ruler, Mahamat Déby, has been declared the winner of the presidential election, solidifying his hold on power. He secured 61.3% of the vote, while his closest rival, Prime Minister Succes Masra, received 18.53%.

Déby's victory extends his family's 34-year rule, continuing the legacy of his late father, Idriss Déby Itno. Despite Masra's claim of a "resounding victory" prior to the official announcement, Déby's win has sparked opposition allegations of electoral irregularities.

The election marks Chad's transition from military to civilian rule, yet critics argue that little has changed under Déby's leadership.

🇧🇯 - 🇳🇪 Benin Republic Blocks Niger's Oil Export.

Benin has blocked Niger from using its port to export crude oil amid a border dispute. President Patrice Talon's government insists Niger must reopen its border to use Benin's ports.

Talon accuses Niger of treating Benin like an "enemy" and demands formal cooperation. The dispute jeopardizes Niger's plan to export oil, produced at 20,000 barrels per day. A Chinese-built pipeline through Benin was set to increase production to 110,000 barrels, but the border issue hampers progress and strains former trade relations.

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The Sahel states cannot stay out of diplomatic corporation with their neighbors indefinitely. While it may seem politically correct to be reclusive at the moment. Their geographical reality and proximity to Northern nd Western Africa make it virtually impossible to 'go at it' alone. ECOWAS' initial threats against Niger, due to the coup and ousting of French Forces, didn't help. But the threat wasn't followed through and sanctions have been lifted. It's time for the Sahel states to reintegrate.

🇳🇬 New Lithium Processing Plants in Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu praised the opening of Nigeria's largest lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State, emphasizing its significance for attracting foreign investment.

He commended Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited for their role in building the plant, which produces 4,000 metric tonnes daily. Additionally, Canmax Technologies announced a $200 million investment for another lithium processing plant in the state.

President Tinubu urged the Chinese firms to prioritize environmental protection and corporate social responsibility alongside their operations.

EAST AFRICA.

🇰🇪 Kenyan Doctors Reach Agreement To End Strike.

Kenya's government has ended a 56-day strike with medical union members, but salary issues for interns remain unresolved. The strike, which affected 57 public hospitals, was called off after lengthy negotiations led to a return-to-work agreement.

While specific terms were not disclosed, the union trusts the government to address remuneration and working conditions. Disputes over interns' salaries, a significant factor in the strike, have yet to be fully resolved despite ongoing talks.

CENTRAL AFRICA.

🇺🇬 Uganda Restricts Passport Issuance In All Her Embassies

Uganda has banned its embassies worldwide from processing lost passports, requiring citizens to return home for replacements. This decision aims to curb passport fraud and maintain Uganda's international reputation.

Some citizens were selling passports for $5,000, prompting concerns about identity misuse. Processing lost passports in Uganda allows thorough examination of applicants. While this may incur extra costs and travel, Ugandans with expired passports can still renew at embassies. Uganda has special arrangements with foreign countries to facilitate the return of citizens for passport replacement.

SOUTHERN AFRICA.

🇿🇦 South Africa Building Collapse.

Rescuers in South Africa urgently searched for 42 missing individuals following the collapse of a five-storey apartment building in George.

So far, 33 people had been rescued as at press time. However, seven had tragically lost their lives. Eleven survivors had been heard from, including four trapped in the basement, though their status remained uncertain.

The cause of the collapse, which occurred during construction, is under investigation. Emergency workers were painstakingly clearing debris by hand, hoping to find more survivors among the estimated 75 workers still unaccounted for as the time of the report.

🇲🇼 Malawian Workers Deported From Israel.

Twelve Malawians were deported from Israel for leaving farm jobs to seek higher wages. They were among over 40 foreign workers arrested at a Tel Aviv bakery.

Dissatisfied with farm conditions and low wages, they violated visa terms. Israel's ambassador urged adherence to job commitments and emphasized zero tolerance for illegal activities.

The deported workers were part of Israel's effort to address a shortage of agricultural labor following the HAMAS attacks and a stoppage of work permits for Palestinians. A new agreement signed will see 3000 more Malawians go and work in Israel.

WORLD HEADLINES.

🌍 ECOWAS Plans A $2.4 Billion Standby Force.

ECOWAS announced plans to establish a $2.4 billion standby counter-terrorism force, with member states contributing $1 billion to initiate operations.

Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, revealed this during a meeting of commandants from designated ECOWAS Training Centres of Excellence.

The force will act as a rapid reaction unit, comprising a battalion to confront terrorist threats in the region. The three designated training centers are in Nigeria, Ghana, and Mali.

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The fact that the West African bloc is beginning to focus on collaborative effort in tackling insecurity across the region is laudable. However, ECOWAS already has experience with ECOMOG; a West African Peace Keeping Force which was deployed to quell Liberia's civil war (with all its shortcomings). It'll be instructive to build on that knowledge to confront the menace of insecurity across the region. Also it'll be sensible to build out a security architecture to safeguard the region and its resources, and bring back into the fold, the estranged Sahel States.

🇷🇺 Russia Plans Expansion Of Diplomatic Ties In Africa.

Moscow plans to expand its diplomatic presence in Africa by opening missions in more countries, according to Vsevolod Tkachenko, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Africa Department. Recent openings include embassies in Burkina Faso and soon in Equatorial Guinea.

Tkachenko mentioned ongoing talks to launch flights to new African destinations, aligning with decisions from Russia-Africa summits. Russian airlines, notably Aeroflot, have resumed flights to the Seychelles and Mauritius, with discussions for more routes underway.

Oleg Ozerov, head of the Secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, stated that direct flights for Russian tourists to various African countries are expected soon, following directives to bolster Moscow’s diplomatic presence on the continent after the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg.

🇬🇧 - 🇳🇬 British Royals; Duke And Dutchess Of Sussex Visits Nigeria

The British Royals are visiting Nigeria as part of publicity for The Invictus Games. The Royals were invited by Nigeria's Ministry of Defence, and are expected to visit the main cities of Lagos, Abuja, and Kaduna.

The Invictus Games, initiated in 2014, is an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, including both serving and veteran personnel. The term 'Invictus', meaning 'unconquered' in Latin, symbolizes the resilience and achievements of these individuals post-injury.

African Personality Of The Week.

Mandla Walter Dube

Mandla is a multi-talented South African filmmaker, known for his roles as a director, producer, co-screenwriter, writer, and award-winning cinematographer.

His extensive portfolio spans across documentaries, shorts, theatre, and feature films. Notable works include "Tsotsi," "Strike Back," "Angel Heart," and "Umtunzi we Ntaba."

His latest movie; Heart of the Hunter is showing on Netflix. His 2017 feature film, "Kalushi," received critical acclaim, winning Best Film and Best Original Song at the RapidLion Film Festival, as well as the Chairman’s Award at the Zanzibar International Film Festival.

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