Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 13, 2023)

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

COMMENTARY

Spinning-Game in action: Geo-politics turning around in African countries

China‘s substantial commercial and investment presence in Nigeria—particularly the flourishing bilateral business relationship—lays the groundwork for this country’s strategic interest. Click here to read... [2]

‘Most are unaware’: film highlights Germany’s genocidal past in Namibia

It was one of the darkest eras in German history, and the first genocide of the 20th century: the mass killing of tens of thousands of people in German South West Africa after a rebellion against colonial rule by the Herero and Nama tribes. Click here to read... [3]

NEWS

Nigeria’s president-elect denies being unwell, says resting after campaign

Nigeria’s president-elect Bola Tinubu on Wednesday dismissed Nigerian media reports of ill health, his campaign saying he had travelled abroad to rest and plan his transition programme after a “very exhaustive” presidential election campaign. Click here to read... [4]

Reports of violence in Nigeria election for new governors

Millions of Nigerians voted Saturday to elect state governors but faced intimidation and violence in some cities amid heightened tensions following a disputed presidential election in Africa’s most populous nation last month. Click here to read... [5]

Mali's junta leader presents new constitution project

In order to promote Mali's new draft constitution, Colonel Assimi Goita, head of the country's junta, meets with religious leaders, politicians and civil society. Click here to read... [6]

Cameroon: Biya's party wins all Senate seats

The party of President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for more than 40 years, unsurprisingly won all 70 seats in the indirectly elected Senate on March 12, the Constitutional Council announced Thursday. Click here to read... [7]

Ethiopia sets up Tigray interim gov’t as part of peace plan

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has established an interim administration for the Horn of Africa country’s northern region of Tigray, a key step in the implementation of a peace plan to end the war there. Click here to read... [8]

Senegal president talks about controversial third term

Senegal's president has rejected claims that it would be unconstitutional for him to seek a controversial third mandate, again refusing to confirm whether he plans to do so in an interview published Monday. Click here to read... [9]

New Sudanese government to be formed in April

The new Sudanese government will be formed in April said the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) Click here to read... [10]

U.N. Libya envoy points to ‘alternatives’ if political bodies duck electoral pact

If Libya’s legislative bodies are unable to agree on electoral laws in a timely manner “we will look at what alternative we will find”, the U.N. Libya envoy said on Friday, indicating he would not accept moves to derail a march to elections. Click here to read... [11]

Somalia to hold elections by universal suffrage, president says

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the country will organise the next national elections by universal suffrage, a departure from an indirect voting system that has often triggered crises. Click here to read... [12]

Algerian president says Morocco ties reach ‘point of no return’

The North African neighbours have been locked in a bitter rivalry for decades over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Click here to read... [13]

Activists do Bamako-Ouagadougou walk to urge Mali-Burkina union

The prime ministers of Mali and Burkina Faso say they will examine the idea of creating a federation. Click here to read... [14]

DRC’s President Tshisekedi reshuffles cabinet ahead of election

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi has appointed the country’s former vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba, who was imprisoned for more than 10 years for war crimes, as defence minister in a sweeping government reshuffle. Click here to read... [15]

President Guelleh’s Iron Grip on Djibouti Erodes

Djibouti is a tiny country of one million people, formerly French Somaliland, sitting on the mouth of the Red Sea, at the intersection of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Its lifeblood is its highly geostrategic port. Click here to read... [16]

Kenya says 238 arrested in day of violent protests

It was the worst violence in the East African nation since Mr. Ruto took office six months ago after narrowly beating Mr. Odinga in an election his rival claims was “stolen” Click here to read... [17]

Algeria risks falling behind in its arms race with Morocco

The Algerian Government tries to maintain a robust defence expenditure while wrestling with stagnant growth; this may lead the country to fall behind in its arms race with Morocco. Click here to read... [18]

One-day CEMAC summit ends in Cameroon

Heads of state from the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) met on Friday in Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé, for a one-day summit to discuss the region's economy and impact of the war in Ukraine. Click here to read... [19]

African Union urges nearly $90 million for its Somali force

The African Union appealed for nearly $90 million Wednesday for its peacekeeping force in Somalia, which is providing support to its military forces battling al-Shabab extremists. Click here to read... [20]

As Ramadan arrives, inflation chokes Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia

With Ramadan starting, households in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia will be struggling to supply their pantries. Click here to read... [21]

Ghana's inflation soars as IMF deal drags on

The West African nation is facing one of its worst economic crises in decades. Soaring inflation is compounding the sufferings of many Ghanaians who now have to dig deeper into their pockets to afford essential goods. Click here to read... [22]

Boko Haram establishes recruitment centre in Niger

The Boko Haram sect has established a recruitment centre at Dinallahi village in Niger Republic. Click here to read... [23]

Nine Chinese nationals killed in Central African Republic

Nine Chinese mine workers were killed in an attack in the Central African Republic, sparking a rare call on Monday from China's President Xi Jinping for the perpetrators to be "severely" punished. Click here to read... [24]

Zimbabwe turns to coal from China to boost its power supply

Zimbabwe is turning to coal from China to boost its power supply. The country is struggling to meet its needs as power cuts can last up to 19 hours a day. Click here to read... [25]

Government workers get 100% pay raise in Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwean government has given massive salary increases to its employees over the last few weeks, but workers say it is still not enough to meet their needs in the wake of hyperinflation. Click here to read... [26]

US Vice President to Tour Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia

Vice President Kamala Harris will become the highest-ranking Biden administration official to visit the African continent when she begins a tour of Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia next week. Click here to read... [27]

Pentagon expresses ‘concern’ about China’s influence over Mauritius amid Diego Garcia base threat

The Pentagon has admitted it is concerned about growing Chinese influence in Mauritius amid warnings that plans by the UK to return a chain of islands to the Indian Ocean nation could undermine the security of the key military base in Diego Garcia. Click here to read... [28]

Ethiopia and Eritrea deny US accusations of war crimes

Ethiopia and Eritrea on Tuesday rejected a determination by the U.S. State Department that their armies, along with all sides in the recently concluded conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, had committed war crimes. Click here to read... [29]

Confucius Institute inaugurated in Djibouti

The Confucius Institute in Djibouti was inaugurated Thursday, with the stakeholders pledging to make the institute a better platform for China-Djibouti cooperation. Click here to read... [30]

Somaliland sincere about its relations with Taiwan

Somaliland is “very reliable” in its relations with Taiwan, Somaliland Representative Mohamed Hagi said on Thursday. Click here to read... [31]

'Hotel Rwanda' figure Rusesabagina to be released from prison -government source

Paul Rusesabagina, who was portrayed as a hero in the Hollywood film "Hotel Rwanda" and is serving a 25-year sentence in Rwanda on terrorism charges, will be released on Saturday. Click here to read... [32]

At least 34 migrants missing after fifth boat sinks off Tunisia in two days

At least 34 African migrants were missing on Friday after their boat sank off Tunisia, the fifth shipwreck in two days, raising the total number of missing to 67 amid a sharp increase in boats heading towards Italy, Tunisian officials said. Click here to read... [33]

Burundi troops take over areas vacated by DRC’s M23 rebels

The Burundi National Defence Forces troops under the East African Community Regional Force took over Karuba, Mushaki and Kirolirwe and earmarks to deploy to Kitchanga upon completion of ongoing reconnaissance following the withdrawal of M23 from occupied areas of Eastern DRC. Click here to read... [34]

Tanzania on edge over deadly Marburg virus, declares it epidemic

Five fatalities and three additional cases of the deadly Marburg viral disease (MVD) were recorded at a hospital in Tanzania’s northwestern Kagera region, prompting the country leaders to announce the epidemic in the region. Click here to read... [35]

INDIA IN AFRICA

RBI allows India and Tanzania to use national currencies for trading

India and Tanzania have received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to utilize their respective national currencies in bilateral trade settlements. Click here to read... [36]

22 Army Chiefs, representatives to participate in first-ever India-Africa Chiefs Conclave

Army chiefs of Congo, Niger, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Uganda, Seychelles, Gambia, Tanzania and Kenya have confirmed their participation in the event. Representatives of military heads of 12 nations will also participate in the conclave. Click here to read... [37]

Navies of India, Mozambique conduct joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zone

The navies of India and Mozambique conducted joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance off the Mozambique coast. Click here to read... [38]

Landmark MOU signed between Africa India Economic Foundation and the African Union

In a path-breaking development, Africa India Economic Foundation (AIEF) and African Union (AU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 17th March, 2023 to collaborate on promoting business and trade relations between the MSMEs, private and public sectors of African countries and IndiaClick here to read... [39]

India and Ghana celebrate seven decades of partnership

India and Ghana have reiterated their resolve to work together to scale-up bilateral relations between the two countries for mutual benefit. Click here to read... [40]

Morocco sees India as a potential investment partner

The Moroccan delegation that travelled to India a few days ago carried out an analysis of potential investors landing in the KingdomClick here to read... [41]

Philippines, Morocco implemented Aadhaar-like system; more countries could follow suit, says official

The countries that have shown interest include Kenya, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore and Egypt, the official said. Click here to read... [42]