Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.
The disastrous effects of the Russia-Ukraine war extended well beyond the borders of the European continent. Click here to read... [2]
African countries are becoming the new theatre for the rivalry between China and Russia to play itself out, said a report. Click here to read... [3]
At the conclusion of the Berlin Conference of 1884-85, which notoriously carved up the African continent and apportioned its territories to Europe’s imperial powers of the day. Click here to read... [4]
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urged his ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Tuesday to improve on the poor delivery of basic services that led to its worst election result in living memory, a day after it re-elected him as its leader. Click here to read... [5]
By reelecting Cyril Ramaphosa as party leader, the ANC has shown it trusts him to win the 2024 presidential election. But Ramaphosa faces an uphill struggle to convince voters the ruling party is still their best bet. Click here to read... [6]
Gambia has foiled an attempt to overthrow President Adama Barrow, according to the government. Click here to read... [7]
A navy officer has been named by The Gambia's government as the alleged ringleader of a failed coup plot. Click here to read... [8]
Comoros will assume the chairmanship of the African Union in 2023, the first time the island nation is being entrusted with the assignment. Click here to read... [9]
Sudanese security forces have fired stun grenades and tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters in Khartoum as they mark the fourth anniversary of the uprising that eventually toppled President Omar al-Bashir. Click here to read... [10]
Despite President Kais Saied pursuing an increasingly undemocratic roadmap, the majority of Tunisians continue to be too occupied to protest. That could mean a low turnout for the second round of the election. Click here to read... [11]
The Trilateral Mechanism and the joint delegation of signatories to the Political Framework Agreement held two productive meetings today and yesterday to discuss next steps on the second phase of the political process. Click here to read... [12]
Burkina Faso’s military government in a statement on Friday ordered senior United Nations official Barbara Manzi to leave the country immediately, without giving a reason.
Tunisia’s increasingly authoritarian president appears determined to upend the country’s political system. The strategy is not only threatening a democracy once seen as a model for the Arab world, experts say it is also sending the economy toward a tailspin. Click here to read... [13] Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé will oversee the armed forces as part of a reshuffle amid growing security concerns in the northern regions, according to a decree which has been announced. Click here to read... [14] Somalia's military says it has liberated the last town held by al-Shabab militants in the Middle Shabelle region, killing more than 150 fighters, including five foreigners. Click here to read... [15] Al Shabaab fighters have attacked a police vehicle in eastern Kenya, killing two officers and one civilian, police and the armed group said. Click here to read... [16] Fourteen Iranian fishermen have returned home after years in captivity by al-Shabab militants in Somalia. Click here to read... [17] The Egyptian government will be transferring its headquarters next month to the New Administrative Capital, located 45 kilometres east of the country's current capital Cairo. Click here to read... [18] The Afreximbank and the US EXIM have signed and MoU for $500 million to support trade between Africa and the US. Click here to read... [19] Morocco is hoping its unprecedented World Cup exploits can help it win friends and influence people, especially among an Arab public opposed to its 2020 rapprochement with Israel. Click here to read... [20] Moroccans have staged demonstrations across the North African country to reiterate their unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and voice outrage at the US-sponsored normalization of diplomatic relations with Israel on its second anniversary. Click here to read... [21] Shell has agreed to pay $16m (£13m) to four Nigerian farmers and their communities to compensate for damage allegedly caused by pollution coming from leaks in its oil pipelines. Click here to read... [22] Officials from Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray region are meeting in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, to discuss the next steps for a peace deal to end two years of war. Click here to read... [23] A renewed battle between M23 rebels and members of a community self-defense militia in the troubled Rutshuru region of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has begun, after a few days of calm. Click here to read... [24] A coalition of armed groups in northern Mali has pulled out of long-running peace talks based on a 2015 Algiers accord because of what they call a lack of political will on the part of the country’s military government. Click here to read... [25] Until his arrest in a US sting operation in 2008 in Thailand, Mr Bout was famed for being the McDonald’s of arms trafficking. Click here to read... [26] Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has smoothed over a rift with Burkina Faso after allegations that its northern neighbor is the latest African nation to enlist Wagner Group mercenaries to maintain security and counter its terrorism threats. Click here to read... [27] Zimbabwe earlier this week stopped the export of raw lithium from its mines and said that it wants cash in on the value addition and also stop losing billions to foreign companies via mineral proceeds, news agencies reported. Click here to read... [28] A Russian businessman believed to be a close ally of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group founder, has been taken to hospital in Central African Republic (CAR) after an “assassination attempt”. Click here to read... [29] Russia’s foreign ministry in a statement on Wednesday said it had summoned the French ambassador and lodged “a strong protest” over comments about an assassination attempt on a Russian official in the Central African Republic. Click here to read... [30] Several banks said they had resumed services in government-controlled areas of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region for the first time in over a year, following a November truce in a bloody two-year conflict. Click here to read... [31] Rwanda is the most innovative economy among low income countries. According to the latest Global innovation index, the eastern African nation ranks first of its income group before Madagascar and Ethiopia and sits on 9th spot of the sub-Saharan African group. Click here to read... [32] Libya aborted a plan to hand over Muammar Gaddafi's spy chief to the US at the last minute, a report said. The extradition plan was reportedly halted abruptly this week amid fear of public anger.https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/libya-aborted-plan-to-hand-over-gaddafi-spy-chief-us-last-minute-2312648-2022-12-23" target="_blank">Click here to read...Tunisia’s political experiment threatens economic collapse
Togo presidency to oversee armed forces amid security woes
Somali Military Takes Al-Shabab's Last Stronghold in Middle Shabelle
Al Shabaab militants kill two policemen, one civilian in eastern Kenya
Al-Shabab: 14 Iranian fishermen freed years after abduction
Egypt gov't HQ to relocate to new capital in January
Afreximbank and US EXIM sign $500m MoU
After World Cup run, Morocco shoots at diplomatic gains
Anti-Israel protests held across Morocco against normalization with Tel Aviv regime
Shell to pay $16m to Nigerian farmers over oil damage
Ethiopia, Tigray Rebel Officials Meet to Review Implementation of Peace Deal
DRC: fighting between the M23 and a Congolese self-defense militia renewed
Armed groups in northern Mali pull out of Algiers peace talks
How Uganda got tangled with Russian arms dealer
Ghana mends fences with Burkina Faso over Wagner claims
‘Develop Batteries for Electric Vehicles Here’: Zimbabwe Bans Export of Raw Lithium
Ally of Wagner Group boss hurt in ‘assassination attempt’ in central Africa
Moscow protests to France over comments about attack on Russian official in Africa
Some banks re-open in parts of Ethiopia’s war-torn Tigray
Rwanda,the world’s most innovative low-income economy
Libya aborted plan to hand over Gaddafi's spy chief to US at last minute: Report
Tanzania on Tuesday signed a $2.2-billion contract with a Chinese company to build the final section of a railway line aimed at linking the country's main port with its neighbours. Click here to read... [33]
Ivory Coast on Monday commissioned the construction of two major infrastructure projects in the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan- that of a metro and the extension of the international airport. Click here to read... [34]
Egypt's Suez Canal registered a record-breaking revenue of $7.9 billion in 2022, authorities said. "The revenues of 2022 are the highest in the SCA's history," Osama Rabie, chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), told parliament. The revenue for 2021 was $6.333 billion. Click here to read... [35]
President Hakainde Hichilema, whose party was in opposition for over two decades, had promised that he would scrap the laws if elected to the top job. Click here to read... [36]
Algerian Sports Minister Abdel Razzak Sabkak announced on Tuesday that the new football stadium currently under construction near Algiers will be named after the late South African leader Nelson Mandela. Click here to read... [37]
This month, President Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to the project in a meeting with Egypt's president on the sidelines of a Saudi summit. But that commitment may be tested in the coming months as Egypt’s loans come due. Click here to read... [38]
Proposals to restructure Zambia's debts are yet to be discussed with bilateral creditors under the multilateral Common Framework process, Zambia's finance ministry said on ThursdayClick here to read... [39]
China-Africa Development Fund, an equity investment fund managed by China Development Bank, has invested more than 5 billion U.S. dollars in African countries, the fund said. Click here to read... [40]
With a new strategy for the African continent, Germany is preparing to compete against China in search of energy, raw materials, and new markets. Click here to read... [41]
Türkiye and Senegal will continue to enhance bilateral cooperation in several areas based on a win-win basis, said President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday, underlining the close ties between the two countries. Click here to read... [42]
Ukraine has been trying to rally African countries to its cause as it fights off Russia's full-scale invasion, in part by promoting a humanitarian grain initiative to help alleviate hunger in highly vulnerable countries. Click here to read... [43]
Algeria is offering to Europe its spare electricity capacity, and it is planning a 270 km undersea pipe towards Italy, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune told reporters in an interview on Thursday. Click here to read... [44]
The study said that one-trillion-euro green hydrogen investment can deliver the equivalent of more than one third of Africa's current energy consumption, boost GDP, improve clean water supply and empower communities. Click here to read... [45]
The death toll from a fuel tanker explosion in a South African city east of Johannesburg has risen to 15, the health minister said Sunday. Click here to read... [46]
Former Indian Diplomat, Ambassador, A. R. Ghanshyam, Thursday said that since independence, India has always played a positive and crucial role in the overall development of the African continent, particularly in the important sectors of education and health. Click here to read... [47]
Indian buyers are increasingly making space for thermal coal sourced from non-traditional destination Mozambique, as prices have been largely competitive compared with South African or Australian coal, market sources told S&P Global Commodity Insights. Click here to read... [48]
The trading and distribution firm's subsidiary Genesis will also provide the test specialist and will also leverage their O&M experience for renewable power projects at Mali, Africa. Genesis develops service models for India’s upcoming power distribution grid applications to support renewable power projects including battery, solar, and wind power for sustainable rural towns in India. Click here to read... [49]
Next year has been declared as Year of Millets by the United Nations (UN) and as part of this Indian Millet Park has been proposed to be set up in Zimbabwe, Africa. Click here to read... [50]
These projects are being implemented based on a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on implementation of triangular development cooperation projects in third countries signed in May by foreign minister S Jaishankar and German minister for economic cooperation and development Svenja Schulze. Click here to read... [51]
The Asian-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI), Foundation, a non-profit organisation, will launch its first global secretariat office in Ahmedabad on Saturday that will guide Indian investors who wish to park investments in African or Asian countries. Click here to read... [52]
India, which has already been in talks with Russia for a rupee-rouble payment system, is now looking at expanding the rupee trade with other nations as well, including several countries in Africa. Click here to read... [53]
The governmental modulation successful Sudan that began 4 years agone continues to look obstacles connected the ground, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj said. Click here to read... [54]
It isn't unusual for seafarers to be away from their families for Christmas and other festivals. Click here to read... [55]
The former executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission on Africa, makes his case as to why Africa should take advice on development politics and knowledge from Asia. Click here to read... [56]
The Biden administration wanted to send a clear message of strong re-engagement in Africa. Click here to read... [57]
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Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/december/26/2022/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-52
[2] https://www.modernghana.com/news/1203057/india-africa-friendship-in-the-emerging-new-world.html
[3] https://theprint.in/world/africa-emerges-as-new-theatre-for-china-russia-rivalry-to-play-out-report/1273916/
[4] https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/12/19/us-africa-leaders-summit-china-russia-competition-scramble/
[5] https://theprint.in/world/south-africas-ramaphosa-eyes-2024-election-with-call-to-revamp-anc/1273733/
[6] https://www.dw.com/en/south-africas-cyril-ramaphosa-clears-way-for-second-term/a-64165564
[7] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-21/gambia-foils-attempt-to-overthrow-president-arrests-soldiers
[8] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64063090
[9] https://www.africanews.com/2022/12/22/comoros-to-chair-african-union-in-2023/
[10] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/19/pro-democracy-protesters-teargassed-by-sudanese-security-forces
[11] https://www.dw.com/en/tunisia-president-intensifies-crackdown-after-low-turnout/a-64195698
[12] https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/africa-press-releases/sudan-the-trilateral-mechanism-meets-the-signatories-to-the-political-framework-agreement-f8xogbfd
[13] https://theprint.in/world/burkina-faso-government-expels-senior-u-n-official/1279367/
[14] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/23/togo-presidency-to-oversee-armed-forces-as-security-worsens
[15] https://www.voanews.com/a/somali-military-takes-al-shabab-s-last-stronghold-in-middle-shabelle-/6887466.html
[16] https://theprint.in/world/al-shabaab-militants-kill-two-policemen-one-civilian-in-eastern-kenya/1276666/
[17] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64090474
[18] https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221221-egypt-govt-hq-to-relocate-to-new-capital-in-january/
[19] https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2022/12/25/afreximbank-and-us-exim-sign-500m-mou/
[20] https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/after-world-cup-run-morocco-shoots-at-diplomatic-gains-1173794.html
[21] https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/12/25/695094/Moroccans-stage-rallies-to-slam-US-brokered-normalization-with-Israel-on-its-2nd-anniversary
[22] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64075146
[23] https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopia-tigray-rebel-officials-meet-to-review-implementation-of-peace-deal-/6885861.html
[24] https://www.africanews.com/2022/12/22/drc-fighting-between-the-m23-and-a-congolese-self-defense-militia-renewed/
[25] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/22/malis-northern-armed-groups-pull-out-of-algiers-peace-talks
[26] https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/how-uganda-got-tangled-with-russian-arms-dealer-4065428
[27] https://africatimes.com/2022/12/22/ghana-mends-fences-with-burkina-faso-over-wagner-claims/
[28] https://www.news18.com/news/world/develop-batteries-for-electric-vehicles-here-zimbabwe-bans-export-of-raw-lithium-6679645.html
[29] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/16/dmitry-sytii-ally-of-wagner-boss-injured-in-car-after-assassination-attempt
[30] https://theprint.in/world/moscow-protests-to-france-over-comments-about-attack-on-russian-official-in-africa/1275729/
[31] https://theprint.in/world/some-banks-re-open-in-parts-of-ethiopias-war-torn-tigray/1273110/
[32] https://radarr.africa/rwandathe-worlds-most-innovative-low-income-economy/
[33] https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/482950.aspx
[34] https://www.africanews.com/2022/12/20/ivory-coast-launches-construction-of-metro-project/
[35] https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/egypt-s-suez-canal-registers-record-revenue-of-7-9-billion-in-2022-122122000487_1.html
[36] https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/zambia-abolishes-colonial-era-death-penalty-law-huge-milestone-101671881124356.html
[37] https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221221-algeria-names-football-stadium-after-nelson-mandela/
[38] https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/12/china-emerges-lead-funder-egypts-new-administrative-city#ixzz7oC1D4CCO
[39] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zambia-says-debt-restructuring-proposals-yet-be-discussed-with-bilateral-2022-12-22/
[40] http://www.china.org.cn/business/2022-12/20/content_85018925.htm
[41] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/germany-planning-new-strategy-in-africa-to-compete-with-china/2769902
[42] https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkiye-senegal-determined-to-deepen-cooperation-on-win-win-basis
[43] https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/ukraine-eyeing-bigger-diplomatic-footprint-in-africa-president-zelensky-101671810720252.html
[44] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/algeria-suggests-sell-spare-electricity-capacity-europe-president-2022-12-23/
[45] https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/africas-green-hydrogen-potential-stands-at-1-trillion-euros-says-new-study/96449284
[46] https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/south-africa-fuel-tanker-blast-death-toll-rises-to-15-1174986.html
[47] https://www.greaterkashmir.com/todays-paper/kashmir-todays-paper/india-played-crucial-role-in-development-of-african-continent-ex-ambassador
[48] https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/coal/122122-indian-buyers-warm-up-to-mozambique-thermal-coal-on-competitive-pricing
[49] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/vikas-lifecare-rallies-7-after-subsidiary-bags-order-from-africa/articleshow/96364944.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
[50] https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/indian-millet-park-planned-in-zimbabwe-large-market-for-zimbabwean-lithium-ieto/2925633/
[51] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/india-germany-launch-joint-projects-in-africa-to-boost-local-economy/articleshow/96349931.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
[52] https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/asian-african-chamber-of-commerce-and-industry-foundation-to-open-global-secretariat-office-in-ahmedabad-8340923/
[53] https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-looks-at-expanding-rupee-trade-to-africa-w-asia-to-make-it-stronger-122122101110_1.html
[54] https://www.aninews.in/news/world/us/political-transition-process-in-sudan-continues-to-face-obstacles-on-ground-india-at-unsc20221208063251/
[55] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-64061766
[56] https://africasacountry.com/2022/12/why-africa-should-look-east
[57] https://carnegieendowment.org/2022/12/21/major-takeaways-from-u.s.-africa-leaders-summit-pub-88691
[58] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 52, 2022)&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/december/26/2022/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-52
[59] http://twitter.com/share?text=Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 52, 2022)&url=https://www.vifindia.org/december/26/2022/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-52&via=Azure Power
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[61] https://www.vifindia.org/author/Samir-Bhattacharya