Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 5, 2023)

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.

COMMENTARY

Delhi’s Cairo outreach

The visit of Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to Delhi this week is not just about India rebuilding ties with an old friend that had been on the margins of Delhi’s diplomacy for too long. Click here to read... [2]

Europe’s energy switch may boost African producers

As Europe shuns Russian energy supplies, Africa is poised to increase its oil and natural gas exports to the continent. Click here to read... [3]

How good is Germany's new development strategy for Africa?

Germany's Development Ministry wants to be a more important player in Africa. Development Minister Svenja Schulze has just presented a new concept — but reactions have been mixed. Click here to read... [4]

NEWS

All eyes on turnout as Tunisia votes again after boycott

Tunisians are to vote again on Sunday in elections for a parliament stripped of its powers, the final pillar of President Kais Saied's remake of politics in the birthplace of the Arab Spring. Click here to read... [5]

Sierra Leone will go to the polls in June under proportional representation – Supreme Court rules

Sierra Leone’s Supreme Court has today made a landmark ruling in favour of President Bio’s decision to change the country’s electoral system to proportional representation. Click here to read... [6]

Burkina Faso ends ties with French troops, orders departure

Burkina Faso’s junta government late Saturday ordered hundreds of French troops to depart the West African country within a month, following in the path of neighboring Mali, whose nation is also headed by a coup leader. Click here to read... [7]

Rights group blame Eswatini's king for opposition leader's murder

Human rights lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko was shot dead at home in front of his family on Jan. 21, according to local mediaClick here to read... [8]

Senegal Politics Heat Up as President Sall Stays Mum About Third Term

Senegal’s former prime minister Aminata Toure says she will keep fighting against a possible third term for her former boss, President Macky Sall. Click here to read... [9]

Kenyan opposition leader seeks political turmoil, alleges president

President William Ruto accuses opposition of seeking power-sharing deal, ruling out such prospectsClick here to read... [10]

Tanzania Opposition Holds First Rally Since Ban Lifted

Tanzania's main opposition party held Saturday its first mass rally since the lifting of a ban imposed in 2016. Click here to read... [11]

Tanzania opposition leader Lissu returns from exile

Tanzanian opposition leader and former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu returned home after more than two years in exile in Europe to a cheering crowd on Wednesday, after the government lifted a ban on political rallies. Click here to read... [12]

Zimbabwe court grants bail to 26 opposition party members

A Zimbabwean court granted bail on Friday to 26 opposition party members who were arrested for holding what authorities said was an unlawful gathering. Click here to read... [13]

Rwanda shoots at Congolese military jet over alleged airspace violation

Rwandan forces on Tuesday fired at a fighter jet from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that it said had violated its airspace, prompting the Congolese government to accuse it of an act of war. Click here to read... [14]

Sudan, Ethiopia agree to resolve differences through joint mechanisms, dialogue

Sudan and Ethiopia have agreed to settle their border disputes as well as the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) through joint mechanisms and direct dialogue.

President Joao Lourenço inaugurates Angola's satellite control centre

Angolan President João Lourenço on Friday inaugurated the country’s first satellite control centre. Its main task is to monitor the activity of the satellite "ANGOSAT 2".Click here to read... [15]

Chief diplomats boycott Libya-hosted Arab League meeting

A handful of top Arab diplomats met Sunday in the Libyan capital in a gathering boycotted by powerful foreign ministers who argued that the mandate of the Tripoli-based government has ended. Click here to read... [16]

Amid conflict DR Congo gears up for papal visit

In DR Congo's bustling capital Kinshasa, Christian faithful are flocking to impromptu market stalls in churchyards to buy t-shirts and wax tissues adorned with the image of Pope Francis, ahead of the pontiff's arrival on January, 31. Click here to read... [17]

South Sudan’s displaced hope pope’s visit will bring peace

After spending nearly a decade in a camp for the displaced in South Sudan’s Juba, Mayen Galuak hopes that Pope Francis’s visit to the capital city next week will inspire political leaders to finally restore peace, allowing him to go home. Click here to read... [18]

Tanks to Ukraine mark change in Moroccan foreign policy

Morocco has come in for quite a bit of criticism from the European Parliament recently. Click here to read... [19]

US strike kills approximately 30 al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia

The United States carried out a strike in Somalia that killed approximately 30 al-Shabaab fighters, US Africa Command said in a statement Saturday. Click here to read... [20]

Bilal al-Sudani: US forces kill Islamic State Somalia leader in cave complex

US forces have killed an Islamic State leader, Bilal al-Sudani, and 10 of his operatives in northern Somalia, American officials say. Click here to read... [21]

US Calls for Redoubled Efforts to Fight Insurgents in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Greenfield says greater efforts are needed in Mozambique to push back insurgents who are spreading south from the northern province of Cabo Delgado. Click here to read... [22]

Fresh Clashes as M23 Rebels Make Gains in East DR Congo

M23 rebels in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo clashed with soldiers and rival militias on Thursday. Click here to read... [23]

50 killed as explosion rocks central Nigeria

Dozens of cattle herders and bystanders were killed and several injured by a suspected bomb blast in Nigeria's north-central region.
Click here to read... [24]

Uganda to ask Turkish firm to secure rail deal financing

Uganda will ask Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi to secure financing for a $2.2 billion rail link to the Kenyan port of Mombasa and is eyeing export credit agencies as potential sources. Click here to read... [25]

Italian PM Meloni travels to Algeria to sign landmark gas deal

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni completed a two-day visit to Algeria on January 24. This is her first official trip to the North African country, albeit her predecessor, Mario Draghi, visited Algiers twice last year. Click here to read... [26]

Italy's Meloni in Libya to conclude $8 billion gas deal

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Tripoli on Saturday to conclude an $8 billion gas deal aimed at boosting energy supplies to Europe despite the insecurity and political chaos in the North African country. Click here to read... [27]

G77+ China Under Morocco's Presidency - Coordinated Action to Safeguard Interests and Promote Aspirations

The G77+China, which Morocco has assumed the presidency in 2022, has taken consensual action to safeguard its interests and promote the shared aspirations of its members. Click here to read... [28]

Mali defends Russian ties and opposes options for UN force

Mali’s foreign minister defended the military government’s cooperation with Russia on Friday and rejected three options proposed by the U.N. chief to reconfigure the U.N. peacekeeping force. Click here to read... [29]

South Africa Hails Friendship with Russia Amid Ukraine War

South Africa said on Monday it was “friends" with Russia, as it hosted Russia’s top diplomat for a visit that has sparked criticism against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. Click here to read... [30]

South Africa, Russia deepens military ties

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was in Pretoria on Monday for talks with one of Moscow's most important allies in Africa. The visit comes as South Africa prepares for joint naval drills with Russia and China next month. Click here to read... [31]

Russian warship armed with hypersonic missiles to join drills with China, S. Africa

A Russian warship armed with new-generation hypersonic cruise weapons will participate in joint exercises with the navies of China and South Africa in February. Click here to read... [32]

Russia's Lavrov Pledges Security Training to Eswatini

Russia's top diplomat on Tuesday pledged security training to Eswatini, just days after the brutal murder of a leading human rights lawyer and opposition politician. Click here to read... [33]

US checkmates China in Africa by bolstering trade ties

In order to counter China in Africa, which has made inroads with investments and trade, the US sought to expand its influence by bolstering trade ties in the continent. Click here to read... [34]

US Ambassador Heading to Africa as Part of Biden's Big Push

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, is the second Cabinet member heading to Africa as part of President Joe Biden’s big push to engage with the world’s second-largest continent. Click here to read... [35]

Yellen pushes for China to address Zambia’s big debt burden

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, on the second leg of an African tour aimed at promoting American investment and ties, said on Monday it’s crucial to immediately address Zambia’s heavy debt burden with China. Click here to read... [36]

China cites US debt issue to deflect pressure on Africa debt

The Chinese government says the U.S. should stop pressuring it on debt relief for Zambia and focus on averting a government default at home with possible repercussions for the global economy Click here to read... [37]

US, Chinese, Russian Officials Scramble to Visit Africa

Top Chinese, Russian and American officials are scrambling this month to visit African nations and pledge their commitment to the world's fastest-growing continent. Click here to read... [38]

Sierra Leone passes landmark law on women's rights

Sierra Leone has passed what has been described as a "ground-breaking" law to improve women's rights. Click here to read... [39]

Report: Much of Africa less safe, democratic than in 2012

A new report on African governance released Wednesday finds much of the continent is “less safe, secure and democratic” than it was 10 years ago, citing a surge in military coups and armed conflicts. Click here to read... [40]

Death toll from Madagascar storm rises to 22

The death toll from a tropical storm that lashed parts of northeastern Madagascar last week has climbed to 22. Click here to read... [41]

INDIA IN AFRICA

15th BRICS summit to be held in August in South Africa's Durban

The foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, and China met for the first time on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in 2006, kicking off BRIC cooperation. Click here to read... [42]

Republic Day Parade: Egyptian Army Contingent Leads March On Kartavya Path

The Egyptian army contingent participated in India's 74th Republic Day parade in the presence of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Click here to read... [43]

India, Egypt agrees to elevate bilateral relations, boost trade

Indian Premier Modi, visiting Egyptian President El-Sisi meet in New Delhi, agree to take bilateral trade to $12B in next 5 years. Click here to read... [44]

President El-Sisi Meets with India’s Foreign Minister

Today, President El-Sisi met with India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at India’s presidential palace in New Delhi. Click here to read... [45]

India and Egypt reiterate support for Non-Aligned Movement

In a joint statement issued after the end of bilateral engagements for President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade here, both countries expressed desire for exchange of technology between their defence industriesClick here to read... [46]

India Signed MoU Between Prasar Bharati and National Media Authority of Egypt

India and Egypt signed an MOU to facilitate content exchange, capacity building, and Co-Productions between Prasar Bharati and the National Media Authority of Egypt. Click here to read... [47]

Egyptian president's visit expected to strengthen time-tested ties: MEA

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's three-day visit to India next week is expected to deepen the "time-tested" partnership between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on January 21. Click here to read... [48]

Egypt considering allocating land to Indian industries in Suez Canal Economic Zone

The statement said India would encourage its companies, which have potential to establish overseas investments, to make use of the available investment opportunities in Egypt. Click here to read... [49]

First Indo-Egypt joint military exercise culminates in Rajasthan

The first joint exercise between the special forces of the Indian and the Egyptian Army, ‘Exercise Cyclone – I’ started on January 14 at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Click here to read... [50]

Adani Meets Egypt, Azeri Leaders in Global Push as Stocks Crash

Gautam Adani reached out to more countries in the Middle East and Central Asia to expand the boundaries of his mining-to-infrastructure conglomerate. Click here to read... [51]

Indian delegation visits Nigeria for taking collaboration on millets to next stage

With an aim to take collaboration and cooperation on Millets to the next stage, a high-level Indian delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare arrived in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria on Thursday. Click here to read... [52]

India targets $6 billion trade volume with Tanzania

India is targeting to increase the volume of trade with Tanzania to $6 billion this year by scaling up investment and increasing duty-free goods. Click here to read... [53]

Mauritian PM inaugurates Indian govt-sponsored Rose Hill-Reduit metro line

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth inaugurated the Metro Express line from Rose Hill to Reduit. Click here to read... [54]

Morocco comes to India’s rescue in fertilisers as China bans export of key component

India has turned to Morocco to secure fertilizers after China suspended the export of ammonium phosphate, a key component in the manufacturing of fertilizer. Click here to read... [55]

Ghana, Indian Businesses Urged to Partner to Take Advantage of AfCFTA

The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Sugandh Rajaram, has urged Indian businesses to partner Ghanaian businesses to leverage on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in order to grow their business to reach a wider market. Click here to read... [56]

India-Kenya committed to growing trade, investments - envoy

High Commissioner Khampa says they will work with the government of Kenya to realize the full potential of the bilateral partnership, aligned with Kenya’s priorities. Click here to read... [57]

India May Share Tech with African Nations for Digital Pay Systems, Public Health Apps

India is in talks with nine African countries to export its technology, which has helped the South Asian nation to successfully build a biometric identification system and a digital payments network. Click here to read... [58]

India signs MoU with South Africa to bring in dozens of African cheetahs to India over next 10 years

In a new development for Project Cheetah, India and South Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to bring in dozens of African cheetahs to India over the next 10 years. Click here to read... [59]

Russia's Lavrov Hails India's Foreign Policy Stand and Economy During His Africa Visit

Russian minister Lavrov during his ongoing visit to Africa hailed India's Independent foreign policy approach and said that cannot be dictated from abroad. Click here to read... [60]

'No substantial proof to link Gambia deaths with syrup'

A committee set up by India to investigate the "mysterious deaths" of children in Gambia blamed on cough syrups made by an Indian company has not found any "substantial evidence" for establishing causality between the medicine and the deaths. Click here to read... [61]

India meets East Africa in 1-skillet curried salmon filets

Centuries worth of ships brought spices to East Africa during the spice trade, and the results were delicious. Click here to read... [62]