Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.
President Joe Biden is set to play host to dozens of African leaders in Washington this week as the White House looks to narrow a gaping trust gap with Africa.Click here to read... [2]
When Barack Obama welcomed African leaders to Washington in 2014, many viewed the summit as historic. Click here to read... [3]
Morocco's success at the World Cup in Qatar is bringing the Arab people together in a significant way. Click here to read... [4]
The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific group of states, which represents 79 countries, held its penultimate meeting in Angola's capital Luanda on Friday. Click here to read... [5]
Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) Dr. Mohammed al-Issa kicked off on Saturday the inaugural conference of African Ulemas in the Gambian capital Banjul. Click here to read... [6]
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia on Tuesday, 6th December 2022 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Muslim World League (MWL) a ceremony held at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Banjul. Click here to read... [7]
Hundreds of Tunisians have taken to the streets to protest against President Kais Saied a week before parliamentary elections are set to take place under a new constitution. Click here to read... [8]
The head of Burkina Faso's military junta, Ibrahim Traoré, has assured that "the fight for total independence began a few weeks ago", after denouncing that part of the country "is occupied" due to the deterioration of security due to the operations of jihadist groups. Click here to read... [9]
A court in Chad has handed out jail terms of between two and three years to more than 260 people arrested after anti-government protests in October, while defence lawyers have argued that the trial was “illegal”. Click here to read... [10]
The M23 rebel group says it is ready to withdraw from occupied territory in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and will support regional peace-making efforts despite not being represented in talks. Click here to read... [11]
A UN investigation has found that at least 131 civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo died in a November attack by the M23 rebel group. Click here to read... [12]
Sudanese political parties and the military signed a framework deal on Monday that they said would pave the way for two-year civilian-led transition towards elections and end a sometimes violent standoff triggered by a coup in October 2021. Click here to read... [13]
Leaders of West Africa, concerned by recent military coups in the region, have reportedly decided to set up a regional peacekeeping force. Click here to read... [14]
Despite receiving official invitations in advance, Ugandan representatives—including two ministers—did not attend a significant African Union (AU) meeting. Click here to read... [15]
Power services have been restored in Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, for the first time in over a year, state-affiliated Fana Broadcast said on Tuesday. Click here to read... [16]
The U.S. military is scrambling to make up for lost time in Somalia after President Biden this spring reversed his predecessor’s order to pull American soldiers out of the country and returned hundreds of them to the fight against one of al-Qaeda’s most powerful global affiliates. Click here to read... [17]
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was on Monday given a lifeline by his African National Congress' (ANC) top executives, who decided to reject a report which found that Ramaphosa had flouted his constitutional obligations. Click here to read... [18]
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Nigerian authorities to investigate allegations of systemic and coerced abortions reportedly perpetrated by its army, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has said. Click here to read... [19]
A Mauritanian national suspected of planning and coordinating three lethal attacks in 2015 on Westerners in Mali was arraigned in a New York federal court on Saturday, a day after being transferred to U.S. custody in Mali. Click here to read... [20]
A record 1,200 new mosques opened across Egypt this year, according to the Ministry of Awqaf. Click here to read... [21]
The Burkina Faso government has announced plans to raise 152 million euros for a "fund to support the war" against a bloody jihadist insurgency. Click here to read... [22]
Tanzania’s president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has canceled Independence Day celebrations scheduled for Friday and directed that the budget instead be used to build dormitories for children with special needs. Click here to read... [23]
A major shakeup in the Tanzanian government looks imminent as President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is also the national chairperson of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), seeks to get rid of “detractors” and “languid” individuals ahead of the 2025 elections. Click here to read... [24]
France is reportedly working to “find appeasement gestures” in an attempt to put an end to the lingering diplomatic crisis with Morocco. Click here to read... [25]
It said the Ghana cedi took the title of the world’s best performer against the dollar last week amid optimism the country was moving closer to unlocking an International Monetary Fund bailout. Click here to read... [26]
. Tanzania has been ranked one of the best investment destinations in Africa, thanks to its strong regulatory framework, sound macroeconomic fundamentals and a vibrant financial market. Click here to read... [27]
A new 10 MW photovoltaic plant has started production in Tunisia. The plant, installed by the Italian energy company Eni in the city of Tataouine, will contribute to the country’s decarbonisation process. Click here to read... [28]
Rwanda and Nepal are expected to sign an air service agreement to operate flights connecting both countries, according to media reports.Click here to read... [29]
The gap between the official rate of the Egyptian pound against the dollar and the price on the black market has widened further, putting pressure on Egypt ahead of a crucial International Monetary Fund board meeting next week. Click here to read... [30]
The world’s poorest countries continued to borrow in 2021 due to the pandemic-induced disruptions to economic activity and supply chains, according to a new World Bank report. Click here to read... [31]
Zimbabweans are being subjected to 19 hours of power cuts a day, because there is insufficient water in the Kariba dam to drive the nation’s main hydropower plant. Click here to read... [32]
The US sanctions freeze assests including those of Guinea’s former President Conde and Mali’s former President Keita’s son. Click here to read... [33]
A court in Mozambique has sentenced the son of a former president, two ex-spy bosses, and eight others to years in prison for their part in a corruption scandal in which the government sought to conceal huge debts, triggering financial havoc. Click here to read... [34]
A man accused of making the bomb that killed 270 people after it blew up Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie in Scotland in 1988 is in custody in the United States, Scottish and U.S. law enforcement officials said on Sunday. Click here to read... [35]
A 63-year-old German aid worker, Joerg Lange, has been freed more than four years after he was kidnapped in western Niger near the Malian border, his employer, humanitarian organisation Help. Click here to read... [36]
A group of lawmakers in Niger has backed a motion seeking to criminalise same-sex relationships in the country. The vast majority of Niger’s population is Muslim, but it has a secular government and there is currently no specific law on same-sex relationships. Click here to read... [37]
Africa’s biggest health insurer said the number of heart-related deaths rose more than sixfold during the Covid-19 pandemic among the clients of one of its units. Click here to read... [38]
President Xi Jinping pointed out that as the regional and international environments are undergoing profound and complex changes, the strategic and overarching importance of China-Egypt relations has become all the more evident. Click here to read... [39]
Xi Jinping noted that strategic mutual trust between China and Djibouti has been deepened in recent years, cooperation in various fields has made fruitful achievements, and bilateral friendship has been deeply rooted in people’s hearts.Click here to read... [40]
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane here on Friday. Xi Jinping stressed that China and Algeria enjoy traditional friendship and the practical cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results. Click here to read... [41]
China firmly supports Tunisia in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, and opposes external interference in Tunisia's internal affairs, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday. Click here to read... [42]
China is willing to work with Mauritania to promote bilateral friendly cooperation to higher levels, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Friday when meeting with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. Click here to read... [43]
China supports all parties in Sudan in continuing to push for steady political transition through dialogue and consultation, opposes interference by external forces in Sudan's internal affairs, and will continue to speak up for Sudanese friends on the international stage. Click here to read... [44]
On the morning of December 9, 2022 local time, President Xi Jinping met with Comorian President Azali Assoumani in Riyadh. Click here to read... [45]
China supports the Comoros in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and stands ready to work closely with the Comoros to firmly support each other, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice. Click here to read... [46]
China has constructed numerous ports, bridges and other coastal projects throughout the developing world in recent years in what's been dubbed by Beijing the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" – part of President Xi Jinping's greater Belt and Road Initiative to build infrastructure. Click here to read... [47]
Chinese boats are decimating West Africa's fish stocks and fishing communities in the Gulf of Guinea, say environmental groups. Click here to read... [48]
There is worry that Mauritius may give China a part of the Chagos islands to get its debt to that country written off. This poses a threat to both India and the US. The island of Diego Garcia in the region is a US military facility. Click here to read... [49]
A total of 12 undergraduates from Mozambique's University Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), were awarded Friday in Maputo this year's Chinese Ambassador Scholarship. Click here to read... [50]
India extended ‘soft loans’ worth USD 2 billion for projects in Central Africa, India’s Permanent Representative to UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj on Thursday, as she underscored the cordial and friendly bilateral relations of New Delhi with the region. Click here to read... [51]
President Joe Biden next week will announce U.S. support for the African Union's admission to the G20 group of the world's largest economies as a permanent member, a White House official said on Friday. Click here to read... [52]
The Indian government has been engaged with relevant authorities through the missions in Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria since August for the release of the detained crew membersClick here to read... [53]
The company has been sourcing scrap from Togo for the last three years and has set up a strong scrap collection network before establishing the plant. Click here to read... [54]
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku Mantey has underscored the need for Ghana to leverage the bilateral relationship it has with India to transform the Tourism, Arts and Culture sector. Click here to read... [55]
A Parliamentary Delegation from Zimbabwe led by Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, called on President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (07 December 2022). Click here to read... [56]
Trade between Nigeria and India has strengthened over the years, resulting in a good number of Indian companies establishing their presence in Nigeria. Click here to read... [57]
India's first Ebola vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute has been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for export to Uganda, official sources said Thursday. Click here to read... [58]
Uganda's health ministry today announced that the country has received 1,200 doses of a candidate Sudan Ebola vaccine from the World Health Organization (WHO) Uganda office, which is slated for use in a clinical trialClick here to read... [59]
Airtel Africa and the International Finance Corporation ('IFC') have signed a new $194 million facility with a sister organisation of the World Bank and a member of the World Bank Group. Click here to read... [60]
One of Adedeji Olowe’s financial predictions for 2022 was the possible introduction of an incentive — free transfers — for more Nigerians to adopt electronic banking, thus, promoting financial inclusion. However, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recent directives on cash withdrawal limits approached the cashless economy conversation in a different and largely unexpected way. Click here to read... [61]
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Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/december/13/2022/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-50
[2] https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-china-africa-covid-d91f14e95e592802dc056bef6ac72024
[3] https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/biden-tries-to-reboot-us-brand-in-africa-amid-china-russia-inroads-1170607.html
[4] https://atalayar.com/en/content/moroccos-world-cup-victories-overshadow-arab-political-rivalries
[5] https://www.africanews.com/2022/12/10/angola-hosts-10th-summit-of-the-oacps-which-represents-79-states/
[6] https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4037266/mwl-conference-african-ulemas-kicks-gambia-promote-moderation
[7] https://allafrica.com/stories/202212080451.html
[8] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/10/tunisians-protest-against-saied-ahead-of-parliamentary-elections
[9] https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/junta-chief-says-%C2%ABfight-for-total-independence%C2%BB-in-burkina-faso-has-begun/ar-AA159vQU
[10] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/6/chad-jails-more-than-260-after-mass-trial-over-protests
[11] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/7/m23-says-ready-to-withdraw-in-eastern-drc-yet-clashes-reported
[12] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-63899461
[13] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudanese-civilian-parties-sign-framework-deal-new-political-transition-2022-12-05/
[14] https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/africa/west-africa-contemplate-setting-up-a-regional-peacekeeping-force-after-coups-in-the-region-articleshow.html
[15] https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/ugandan-officials-snub-au-summit-4050844
[16] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/power-back-capital-ethiopias-tigray-region-state-affiliated-media-2022-12-06/
[17] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/10/somalia-war-shabab-danab-military/
[18] https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/committee-rejects-report-against-south-african-president-cyril-ramaphosa-farmgate-scandle-2305791-2022-12-06
[19] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/10/un-secretary-general-calls-on-nigeria-to-investigate-report-of-forced-abortions
[20] https://apnews.com/article/brooklyn-united-nations-indictments-mali-e2d90ad4863b20aa75c43ca2d37f00ed
[21] https://www.arabnews.com/node/2214151/middle-east
[22] https://www.barrons.com/news/burkina-faso-to-raise-150-million-euros-for-war-fund-01670667909
[23] https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/africa/tanzanias-president-cancels-independence-day-celebrations-articleshow.html
[24] https://www.zawya.com/en/world/africa/tanzanias-samia-hints-at-a-government-shakeup-ahead-of-2025-elections-veyywfzk
[25] https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/12/352870/france-seeking-to-end-political-crisis-with-morocco
[26] https://www.graphic.com.gh/business/business-news/bloomberg-report-ghana-cedi-posts-world-s-biggest-gain-against-us-dollar.html
[27] https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/business/tanzania-ranked-among-best-investments-destinations-in-africa-4047876
[28] https://www.arabnews.com/node/2214461/business-economy
[29] https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/3494/news/aviation/rwanda-nepal-to-sign-air-service-agreement
[30] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/egypts-pound-keeps-falling-black-market-ahead-imf-meeting-2022-12-09/
[31] https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/world/sub-saharan-africa-s-debt-burden-increased-to-a-record-789-billion-in-2021-highest-since-2010-86479
[32] https://www.news24.com/fin24/international/zimbabweans-without-power-for-19-hours-a-day-as-kariba-dam-runs-dry-20221206
[33] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/10/us-sanctions-guinea-and-malis-former-leader-over-right-abuses
[34] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/7/mozambique-ex-presidents-son-ten-others-jailed-over-corruption
[35] https://www.news18.com/news/world/libyan-charged-in-1988-lockerbie-plane-bombing-taken-into-us-custody-6594643.html
[36] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/10/german-aid-worker-freed-after-kidnapping-in-niger-four-years-ago
[37] https://www.myjoyonline.com/niger-lawmakers-want-gay-relationships-criminalised/
[38] https://www.livemint.com/science/health/covid-boosts-heart-related-deaths-sixfold-top-africa-health-insurer-says-11670329668044.html
[39] https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202212/t20221209_10987741.html
[40] https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202212/t20221210_10988607.html
[41] https://english.news.cn/20221210/2b565dc4f1b34abaa1d4b53d96578371/c.html
[42] https://english.news.cn/20221209/88587c6bf70843e9843d7dbfbd2f01b1/c.html
[43] https://english.news.cn/20221210/820163a9747d480ebd2e30c50c217b0d/c.html
[44] https://english.news.cn/20221209/5460a401035441f4be0a175e3218125b/c.html
[45] https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202212/t20221210_10988594.html
[46] https://english.news.cn/20221210/c0c9e21b52ff4388bd7e4e6f982dfc45/c.html
[47] https://www.voanews.com/a/chinese-port-projects-along-africa-s-coasts-come-with-environmental-costs-study-finds/6870550.html
[48] https://www.voanews.com/a/gulf-of-guinea-countries-agree-to-stop-illegal-chinese-fishing-/6869807.html
[49] https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/china-looking-naval-bases-near-diego-garcia
[50] https://english.news.cn/20221210/3597ab5c3cb442d9a89fa4fc620e6bc2/c.html
[51] https://theprint.in/world/india-extended-soft-loans-worth-usd-2bn-to-central-africa-ruchira-kamboj/1257140/
[52] https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-back-african-union-membership-g20-washington-post-2022-12-09/
[53] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-working-for-speedy-release-of-cargo-vessel-crew-detained-in-nigeria-eam-101670501106630.html
[54] https://www.cnbctv18.com/market/stocks/gravita-india-recycling-plant-production-begins-togo-west-africa-15339021.htm
[55] https://www.businessghana.com/site/news/general/275968/Ghana-India-urged-to-leverage-bilateral-relations-to-boost-tourism-culture
[56] https://african.business/2022/12/apo-newsfeed/india-parliamentary-delegation-from-zimbabwe-calls-on-president/
[57] https://nairametrics.com/2022/12/11/6-well-known-indian-companies-in-nigeria/
[58] https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/dcgi-gives-nod-to-sii-manufactured-ebola-vaccine-for-export-to-uganda
[59] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/96084653.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
[60] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/airtel-africa-ifc-sign-194million-loan-facility/articleshow/96030109.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
[61] https://techpoint.africa/2022/12/09/lessons-sweden-india-nigeria-cashless
[62] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 50, 2022)&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/december/13/2022/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-50
[63] http://twitter.com/share?text=Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 50, 2022)&url=https://www.vifindia.org/december/13/2022/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-50&via=Azure Power
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[65] https://www.vifindia.org/author/Samir-Bhattacharya