Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.
The DefExpo 2022 took place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, between 18 and 22 October 2022. Initially scheduled to take place in March 2022, it was postponed due to logistic challenges. Click here to read... [2]
In Zambia’s August 2021 elections, Hakainde Hichilema defeated then-incumbent President Edgar Lungu by a margin of over twenty percent. Lungu’s defeat and timely commitment to ensuring an orderly transition of power. Click here to read... [3]
Burkina Faso, like the rest of West African countries lately, is becoming a geopolitical dilemma for Paris. As ex-President Thomas Sankara put it, 'We must choose either champagne for a few or safe drinking water for all'Click here to read... [4]
World leaders are reacting with cautious optimism after the announcement of a peace deal and a cease-fire between warring parties in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Click here to read... [5]
A peace deal between the Ethiopian Government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) signed on Wednesday in South Africa, represents “a critical first step” towards ending the brutal two year war, said the UN chief. Click here to read... [6]
Guinea's ruling junta on Thursday ordered prosecutors to take legal action against former president Alpha Conde (who was overthrown in a 2021 coup) and over 180 other officials and ex-ministers, notably for alleged corruption. Click here to read... [7]
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has outmanoeuvred his deputy Constantino Chiwenga in the fierce battle to be the 2023 presidential candidate for the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu–PF). Click here to read... [8]
The West’s attempt to hurt the economy of an African country just got unmasked with its sinister motives coming out in the open. The west is so blind in it obsessive fear of losing Africa to its nemesis, that it is willing to cause destruction. Click here to read... [9]
The US said it will end Burkina Faso’s access to a preferential trade program for African countries, citing concern about unconstitutional changes in the nation’s government. Click here to read... [10]
In Sudan, armed groups and supporters of the military's coup last year have formed a new political coalition to appeal to marginalized groups. Calling itself the "Forces for Freedom and Change – Democratic Bloc (FFC-DB)," the pro-coup group wants to replace the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) group, which has opposed military rule. Click here to read... [11]
Sudan's military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan confirmed on Sunday that talks on a new political framework for the country were being held, but he warned the former ruling party in harsh words not to interfere with the military or in politics. Click here to read... [12]
Equatorial Guinea on Sunday accused Spain, France and the United States of “interference” in its presidential and legislative elections scheduled for November 20. Click here to read... [13]
Mali expects Russia to send shipments of fuel, fertiliser and food worth around $100 million to Mali in the coming weeks, the West African country’s economy minister, Alousseini Sanou, says. Click here to read... [14]
Burkina Faso's new military leader on Wednesday visited Mali for his first foreign trip since taking power, holding what his Malian counterpart hailed as "fruitful" exchanges on peace and security. Click here to read... [15]
The economy is shrinking, power cuts are at a record, unemployment is close to an all-time high, living costs have surged, towns are falling apart and there are sporadic outbreaks of xenophobic violence. Click here to read... [16]
Hundreds of children, with their blue Unicef-stamped school bags on their backs, walk down small sand dunes to study on the outskirts of Ouallam, a town in southwestern Niger that has been plagued by jihadist violence for five years. Click here to read... [17]
South Africa has for decades been supporting the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in Western Sahara, a move that continues to anger Morocco which views this region as part of its territory. Click here to read... [18]
Officials from Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda held talks on Saturday aimed at ending a political stand-off between the two countries caused by widespread conflict near their shared border. Click here to read... [19]
The Congolese community living in Rwanda say they support peaceful means to the end of the conflict between the M23 rebels group and the Kinshasa government. Click here to read... [20]
When Paul Biya first took the helm of Cameroon, Ronald Reagan was in his second year of presidency, Madonna had not yet made the charts and the Soviet Union was still nearly a decade away from break-up. Click here to read... [21]
Sam Matekane has taken many chances in his life - it is how he has been able to build a multimillion-dollar mining empire and become one of Lesotho's most formidable businessmen. But those close to him say entering politics is by far his biggest gamble. Click here to read... [22]
The first Arab League summit since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is set to begin in Algeria, but political divisions continue to rankle among the regional organisation’s members. Click here to read... [23]
The Arab Tourism Organization has honored Algeria’s president for his country’s role in supporting the tourism industry in the Arab world. Click here to read... [24]
New electoral changes, including ending public financing of campaigns, will make it difficult for women to run for office, critics say. Click here to read... [25]
Ankara’s new deals with one of Libya’s rival premiers have inflamed the country’s internal rows, bringing the north African nation closer to acquiring armed drones. Click here to read... [26]
The nationalisation of Unitel, the country's main telephone operator, as decided by president João Lourenço, signals the exit of Isabel dos Santos and the general 'Dino' from a pillar of the Angolan economy. Click here to read... [27]
About 60km (37 miles) east of Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, China Harbour Engineering has finished building the US$1.5 billion Lekki Deep Sea Port. Click here to read... [28]
The UK has agreed to open negotiations with Mauritius over the future handover of the Chagos Islands, in a major reversal of policy following years of resistance and legal defeats in international courts. Click here to read... [29]
TEACHERS unions have hit back at the ruling Zanu-PF's accusations that they were being funded by "hostile" embassies to destabilise the country's education system. Click here to read... [30]
The Nigerian Navy says it is conducting an investigation into the activities of MV HEROIC IDUN, a supertanker, arrested by Equatorial Guinea forces over alleged crude oil theft in Nigeria. Click here to read... [31]
Mozambique’s petroleum regulator, the National Petroleum Institute (INP), says the country is set to ship its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to the European market from the Coral Sul floating LNG facility by the end of October or early November this year. Click here to read... [32]
The 27th annual Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - better known as COP27 - will be held in the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt and begins next week. Click here to read... [33]
From a small blue tent pitched outside the UK’s Foreign Office, Sanaa al-Seif has been leading a one-woman protest in a bid to secure her brother’s release from an Egyptian jail as the Arab state prepares to host global leaders at the COP27 summit. Click here to read... [34]
Authorities want to show "that Egypt is not an irrelevant country, that Egypt has the prowess, the diplomatic clout and the power, the security presence to be a pivotal figure", a scholar said. Click here to read... [35]
Right now, countries and companies can get paid for all kinds of pollution-reducing initiatives, including lowering historic rates of deforestation or planting new trees. Click here to read... [36]
The African Import and Export Bank (Afreximbank) plans a $1.5 billion economic package for Botswana to support key economic sectors such as mining, manufacturing, transport and agricultureClick here to read... [37]
South Africa needs about 1.5 trillion rand ($84 billion) over the next five years for its plans to cut carbon emissions, harness economic opportunities from the energy transition and support affected communities. Click here to read... [38]
The European Union has signed six financing agreements with Mozambique. They are worth more than 148 million euros for development programs in the country. Click here to read... [39]
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday exchanged congratulatory messages with President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Click here to read... [40]
AFRICA spreads over 30 million km2 which makes it the second largest continent of the planet earth. Africa is also the second most populous continent. The continent sits at the intersection of international commerce and is adjacent to critical sea lanes of communication. Click here to read... [41]
Kenya Airways (KQNA.NR) on Saturday warned its striking pilots they could be dismissed if they do not return to work immediately as industrial action led to the cancellation of dozens of flights and left thousands of passengers stranded. Click here to read... [42]
A sucide bomb killed over a dozen on 5 november at Somalia Military Base named General Dhagabadan militarya training facility. 15 people dead. Click here to read... [43]
The Somali government Sunday said its elite soldiers have killed 21 al-Shabab militants and wounding 10 others in an operation in the country’s lower Shabelle region. Click here to read... [44]
South African police are investigating the discovery of at least 21 bodies suspected of being illegal miners that were found near an active mine in the town of Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg. Click here to read... [45]
Hundreds of elephants, wildebeests, and zebras have died across Kenya amid the nation’s longest drought in decades. Click here to read... [46]
A Precision Air flight, carrying 43 persons, made a crash-landing into Lake Victoria on Sunday while attempting to reach a nearby airport in Bukoba, Tanzania. Click here to read... [47]
Guinness World Records (GWR) regularly keeps people updated about different amazing and extraordinary things. The latest inclusion in their list of things that may make your jaw drop in wonder is a piece of uncut emerald. Click here to read... [48]
Uganda on Saturday extended a three-week lockdown on two districts at the center of an Ebola outbreak which has claimed over 50 lives, curbing travel and closing public places. Click here to read... [49]
Wildlife authorities have confirmed Dida, Africa’s giant female elephant, died between 60 and 65 years old on Tuesday at a national park southeast of the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Click here to read... [50]
South Africa's new Zulu King was formally declared the head of the country's most influential traditional monarchy at a colorful ceremony presided over by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday. Click here to read... [51]
Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) has concluded a Master Risk Participation Agreement for supporting trade transactions with FirstRand Bank (FRB) Limited. The agreement was signed in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the India – Southern Africa Regional Conclave. Click here to read... [52]
The report by India Exim Bank released on Tuesday talks about various major areas of defence like aerospace, defence, maritime equipment and boats which can safeguard the security and boost Africa's technological capability while accelerating India's defence export target of USD 5 billion by 2025. Click here to read... [53]
The report by India Exim Bank, titled 'Reinvigorating India's Economic Engagements with Southern Africa', was released at the inauguration of the CII-Exim Bank Regional Conclave on India-Southern Africa Growth Partnership, where government officials and captains of business and industry are meeting on Tuesday to discuss a wide range of areas of potential cooperation. Click here to read... [54]
India has emerged as a leading defence exporter in recent years and could fulfil Africa’s maritime, aerospace and defence requirements, with Mauritius, Mozambique and Seychelles becoming the major buyers of Indian arms during 2017-2021, according to a research report released here. Click here to read... [55]
As it ended Saturday, the first-ever India-Mozambique-Tanzania Trilateral (IMT TRILAT) maritime exercise began a new chapter in the Indian Navy’s growing efforts to enhance the security of the east coast of southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Region as a whole. Click here to read... [56]
India has held its first-ever trilateral Navy exercise with Africa as part of initiatives to expand defence partnership with the continent. The Trilateral exercise comprising the Navies of India, Tanzania and Mozambique was held late last month. Click here to read... [57]
India and Namibia held the 4th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) on 3rd November 2022 in Windhoek, Namibia. Click here to read... [58]
Indian Foreign Service officer, Dr Rajesh Ranjan has been appointed as the next Indian Ambassador to the West African nation of Cote d’Ivoire or Ivory Coast. Click here to read... [59]
Mint reported earlier that India is in talks with Angola and Algeria to procure liquefied natural gas on long-term contracts and that it has also reached out to the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iraq at a government-to-government level to secure additional spot LNG cargoes at affordable prices. Click here to read... [60]
Concerted efforts for the release of the 16 Indian crew of a ship detained by the Navy of Guinea, a West African nation, are on. Click here to read... [61]
[65]
Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/november/07/2022/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-45
[2] https://www.firstpost.com/opinion-news-expert-views-news-analysis-firstpost-viewpoint/defexpo-2022-paves-the-way-for-a-new-golden-era-of-india-africa-defence-cooperation-11418211.html
[3] https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2022/11/05/in-zambias-reform-process-political-parties-remain-a-weak-link/
[4] https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/west-africa-thomas-sankaras-ghost-haunts-burkina-faso
[5] https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopia-peace-deal-hailed-as-first-step-to-end-africa-s-deadliest-conflict-/6818054.html
[6] https://news.un.org/story/2022/11/1130137
[7] https://www.theafricareport.com/256267/guinea-junta-gives-order-to-prosecute-ex-president-alpha-conde/?utm_source=newsletter_tar_daily&utm_campaign=newsletter_tar_daily_04_11_2022&utm_medium=email&utm_content=top_stories_article_2
[8] https://www.theafricareport.com/255110/zimbabwe-how-mnangagwa-crushed-chiwengas-dream-of-becoming-president/?utm_source=newsletter_tar_daily&utm_campaign=newsletter_tar_daily_04_11_2022&utm_medium=email&utm_content=edito_full_story
[9] https://tfiglobalnews.com/2022/11/05/biden-confirms-that-burkina-faso-is-now-on-russias-side/
[10] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-02/us-to-cut-burkina-faso-from-africa-trade-plan-after-counter-coup?srnd=politics-vp&leadSource=uverify%20wall
[11] https://www.voanews.com/a/pro-coup-coalition-forms-in-sudan-hopes-to-break-country-s-political-stalemate-/6822669.html
[12] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudans-burhan-says-political-talks-ongoing-bashir-loyalists-not-welcome-2022-11-06/
[13] https://www.digitaljournal.com/world/e-guinea-accuses-france-spain-us-of-election-interference/article
[14] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/3/malian-minister-says-russia-will-ship-food-and-fuel-to-mali-in-coming-weeks
[15] https://www.africanews.com/2022/11/03/burkina-junta-chief-holds-talks-in-mali-on-first-foreign-trip/
[16] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-26/crisis-in-south-africa-shakes-up-politics-before-party-election
[17] https://www.africanews.com/2022/11/01/800-schools-forced-to-close-in-niger/
[18] https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/11/07/692286/South-Africa
[19] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-rwanda-hold-talks-resolve-conflict-eastern-congo-2022-11-06/
[20] https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/2320/news/africa/congolese-diaspora-in-rwanda-backs-sincere-dialogue-to-end-tensions
[21] https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20221106-cameroon-s-paul-biya-marks-40-years-as-president
[22] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-63505343
[23] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/1/arab-leaders-head-to-algeria-for-regional-summit
[24] https://www.arabnews.com/node/2194301/saudi-arabia
[25] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/4/new-tunisia-law-eliminates-gender-parity-hrw
[26] https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/10/turkey-looks-sell-armed-drones-libya#ixzz7jslCl7Wq
[27] https://www.theafricareport.com/256725/angola-the-end-of-isabel-dos-santos-at-unitel/
[28] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3198552/chinese-builder-completes-us15-billion-deep-water-port-nigeria
[29] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/03/uk-agrees-to-negotiate-with-mauritius-over-handover-of-chagos-islands
[30] https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-local-byo-225133.html
[31] https://www.thecable.ng/oil-theft-vessel-arrested-in-equatorial-guinea-is-on-its-way-back-to-nigeria-says-navy
[32] https://energycapitalpower.com/mozambique-to-export-first-gas-to-europe-in-november/
[33] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/after-six-years-un-climate-summit-returns-to-africa/articleshow/95273708.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
[34] https://www.ft.com/content/773679fd-6674-4a3b-9348-771b10919382
[35] https://thewire.in/environment/egypt-diplomatic-payoff-cop27
[36] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-03/cop27-climate-talks-gabon-wants-carbon-credits-for-protecting-trees?leadSource=uverify%20wall
[37] https://www.investing.com/news/economy/afreximbank-plans-15-billion-economic-package-for-botswana-2929665
[38] https://www.zawya.com/en/economy/africa/south-africa-says-it-needs-84bln-for-energy-transition-in-next-5-years-xj2n7n06
[39] https://www.africanews.com/2022/10/31/eu-signs-six-financing-agreements-with-mozambique/
[40] https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202211/1278808.shtml
[41] https://pakobserver.net/pakistans-economic-tilt-towards-africa-by-waheed-ur-rehman/
[42] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/kenya-airways-says-pilot-strike-causing-flight-disruptions-2022-11-05/
[43] https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/africa/15-people-killed-in-alleged-suicide-bombing-at-military-base-in-somalias-capital-articleshow.html
[44] https://www.voanews.com/a/somali-government-says-21-al-shabab-militants-killed-/6822709.html
[45] https://apnews.com/article/africa-business-johannesburg-south-government-and-politics-2ee1a9c2267e7fd827425932e4b12592
[46] https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/05/africa/elephants-dead-kenya-intl/index.html
[47] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/tanzanian-plane-crash-lands-into-lake-victoria-19-passengers-dead-448477
[48] https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/worlds-largest-uncut-emerald-unearthed-in-zambia-reminds-people-of-kryptonite-101667732987157.html
[49] https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-11-uganda-lockdowns-ebola.html
[50] https://www.thestatesman.com/world/africa-lost-its-largest-female-elephant-1503127642.html
[51] https://www.dailysabah.com/world/africa/south-africa-throws-mega-party-as-new-zulu-king-crowned
[52] https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/indian-exim-bank-inks-pact-with-southern-africas-leading-bank-to-boost-india-africa-trade/
[53] https://www.businessworld.in/article/India-Could-Emerge-As-Major-Supplier-Of-Africa-s-Defence-Requirements-Report/02-11-2022-452702/
[54] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-could-fulfill-africas-maritime-aerospace-and-defence-requirements-exim-bank-report/articleshow/95227618.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
[55] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/africa-major-buyer-of-indian-arms-446787
[56] https://hindupost.in/defence/bharat-sharpens-focus-on-east-africa-with-new-round-of-naval-exercises/
[57] https://www.military.africa/2022/11/first-india-africa-trilateral-naval-exercise-ends/
[58] https://african.business/2022/11/apo-newsfeed/4th-india-namibia-foreign-office-consultations/
[59] https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/ifs-rajesh-ranjan-named-as-next-indian-envoy-to-ivory-coast/
[60] https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/stalled-gas-supplies-may-be-part-of-eam-s-russia-agenda-11667756776837.html
[61] https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/11/06/indian-kerala-sailors-guinea-brought-back-india-external-affairs-muraleedharan.html
[62] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 45, 2022)&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/november/07/2022/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-45
[63] http://twitter.com/share?text=Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 45, 2022)&url=https://www.vifindia.org/november/07/2022/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-45&via=Azure Power
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[65] https://www.vifindia.org/author/Samir-Bhattacharya