Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 19, 2023)

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

Commentary

Deconstructing the Sudan conflict

Sudan is bleeding. Hundreds of people have been killed, according to the United Nations' World Health Organization (WHO). Click here to read... [2]

Maritime, defence ties, ‘building on vaccine goodwill’: Decoding Jaishankar’s tours to Uganda & Mozambique

EAM Jaishankar visited both African countries earlier this month. Analysts say it'll likely set stage for next India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) and may bode well for India at UN. Click here to read... [3]

News

Loud explosions rock Sudan's capital Khartoum, says residents

Loud explosions rock Sudan's capital Khartoum, says residents Loud explosions again rocked greater Khartoum on Wednesday, as fighting between Sudan's warring generals showed no let-up despite talks in Saudi Arabia. Click here to read... [4]

Rival Sudan factions meet in Saudi Arabia as pressure mounts

US-Saudi-led initiative in Jeddah is the first serious attempt to end fighting that has endangered Sudan’s fragile transition to democracy. Click here to read... [5]

Ugandan Minister Charles Engola Shot and Killed By Bodyguard

A bodyguard shot and killed a government minister in Uganda early Tuesday in an apparent private dispute, according to local media. Click here to read... [6]

Uganda minister's killing sparks talk on security agents’ welfare

Ugandans were this week in a debate of the welfare of VIP bodyguards in the wake of the shooting of a minister by a frustrated aide. Click here to read... [7]

Four people shot dead in Tunisia synagogue attack

A police officer shot dead two people participating in an annual pilgrimage to a renowned Tunisian synagogue as well as two members of the security services before he was killed on Tuesday, the interior ministry said. https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/four-people-shot-dead-in-tunisia-synagogue-attack-1217361.html [8] " target="_blank">Click here to read...

Malian political coalition opposes constitutional referendum

A number of political associations in Mali have joined forces to oppose the military government’s decision to hold a referendum on a new constitution on June 18. Click here to read... [9]

Zambian Police Surround Former President Lungu's House

Police in Zambia have surrounded the home of former President Edgar Lungu and are demanding they search it as part of a corruption probe. Click here to read... [10]

One dead, 30 injured in new wave of unrest in Senegal

Violence during protests in the Ngor neighbourhood of the Senegalese capital, Dakar, has killed one teenager and wounded 30 people as young protesters took to the streets against an increasingly “repressive state”. Click here to read... [11]

Burkina Faso: demonstration of support for Captain Traoré

In Burkina Faso, thousands of demonstrators gathered on Saturday in several large cities, to support Captain Ibrahim Traoré and denounce the "destabilization desires" of the country. Click here to read... [12]

Morocco recognises Berber New Year as official holiday

The Amazigh – or Berber – New Year has become an official holiday in Morocco, the country’s king has said, in the latest acknowledgement of the Indigenous group that has campaigned for years to have their calendar recognised. Click here to read... [13]

Lesotho MP demands huge parts of South Africa

Lesotho's parliament has debated a motion to claim huge swathes of territory from its much larger neighbour, South Africa. Click here to read... [14]

Algeria seeks support in the Middle East with more proactive diplomatic approach

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has received an invitation to visit the United Arab Emirates as part of his strategy to move his diplomacy towards the Middle East Click here to read... [15]

The $2 billion Rwandan airport that could help African aviation take off

Some 40 kilometers south of the Rwandan capital of Kigali in the Bugesera District, construction vehicles and high-visibility vests swarm across an arid expanse of land. Click here to read... [16]

De Beers, Botswana Curbing Comments on Contract

Following an unusual amount of media speculation, De Beers and Botswana are trying to avoid discussing their ongoing contract negotiations in public. Click here to read... [17]

Sintana Energy progresses exploration drilling campaign offshore Namibia

Sintana Energy Inc. confirmed that a subsidiary of Galp Energia, the operator of Petroleum Exploration License 83 (“PEL 83) in the heart of Namibia’s Orange basin, has signed a contract with SFL Corporation (“SFL) for the semi-submersible rig Hercules. Click here to read... [18]

President Ramaphosa to participate in Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit in Namibia

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, in his capacity as outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, attend the SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit Plus and Force Intervention Brigade Troop Contributing Countries taking place in Windhoek, Namibia, on Monday, 08 May 2023. Click here to read... [19]

Egypt on the way to BRICS membership

The issue of Egypt’s membership in the BRICS is an important and urgent matter, writes Cairo newspaper “Al-Masry Al-Youm”. Click here to read... [20]

USAID pauses food assistance to Tigray region of Ethiopia

USAID Administrator Samantha Power said that the agency recently discovered that food aid intended for the people of the region, who are suffering under famine-like condition, was being diverted and sold on the local market. She described the suspension by the agency as a 'difficult decision'Click here to read... [21]

Is Mozambique ready to restart its LNG projects?

Mozambique's president says the security situation in jihadist-plagued Cabo Delgado has returned to normal and that energy giant Total Energies can restart its lucrative gas projects. But many locals are sceptical. Click here to read... [22]

Nearly 10,000 flee from Sudan to neighbouring Central African Republic

UN officials returning from a border town in Central African Republic say around 9,700 people have crossed over from Sudan so far and that they expect more to come. Click here to read... [23]

DR Congo floods death toll surpasses 400

Authorities say 287 killed and 167 others missing after heavy rains caused rivers to burst their banks in South Kivu province. Click here to read... [24]

UN Secretary General in Burundi for talks on conflict in DR Congo

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has flown to Burundi for talks with its President about the conflict in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. Click here to read... [25]

Terror attacks in Somalia decline by 70%

Somali authorities said that sustained military operations by government forces against the al-Shabab terror group have succeeded in reducing militant attacks across the country by 70 per cent. Click here to read... [26]

Tour of Africa: Japan Prime Minister Seeks to Boost Cooperation

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Egypt on Sunday Japan time for a summit with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, as part of a tour of four African nations. Click here to read... [27]

Japan's Kishida vows $500m in financial support to Africa

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Monday during a meeting with Ghana's leader to provide around $500 million in financial support to Africa over the next three years to promote peace and stability on the continent. Click here to read... [28]

Japan PM Fumio Kishida Wraps Up Visit to Africa

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wrapped up his tour of four African nations Thursday. The trip was largely deemed a success but differences on several key international issues also came to light. Click here to read... [29]

Japan pledges to help Mozambique fight "terrorism"

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Thursday to help Mozambique counter a jihadist insurgency in the north of the country. Click here to read... [30]

Germany's Scholz urges more cooperation during Africa trip

Wrapping up his trip to Kenya and Ethiopia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed the need for more cooperation, ranging from climate and energy policies to migration of skilled labor to Europe. Click here to read... [31]

Germany flexes its soft-power muscle in Africa's Sahel

The end of Germany's military mission in Mali is the beginning of a broader development strategy across the Sahel. Improved prospects for people there mean more security for Europe, officials say. Click here to read... [32]

Germany backs Africa's bid for permanent UNSC seat

Germany's leader expressed backing for Africa's bid for a permanent U.N. Security Council (UNSC) seat. Click here to read... [33]

Interim Burkina Faso president hails Russia as ‘strategic ally

Burkina Faso’s interim president, Ibrahim Traore, on Thursday said Russia has become a key strategic ally but denied that Russian mercenaries are supporting Burkinabe forces in their fight against armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS). Click here to read... [34]

Western countries pile pressure on Mali over Wagner presence

Western countries have raised concerns at a United Nations human rights meeting over the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group’s activities in Mali, including an alleged role in the killings of civilians. Click here to read... [35]

IMF Chief Advocates Africa Continental Free Trade Area

The head of the International Monetary Fund is urging African countries to implement the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. Click here to read... [36]

Zimbabwe is launching a local digital currency alternative to the US dollar

Zimbabwe is introducing local digital tokens in the hope of reducing reliance on the US dollar. Click here to read... [37]

Kenyan president sets up inquiry into cult deaths

Kenyan President William Ruto has appointed a commission of inquiry into the deaths of more than 100 people believed to have been members of a cult whose leader ordered them to starve themselves to death, Mr. Ruto's spokesman said. Click here to read... [38]

South Africans call for UK to return diamonds set in crown jewels

Calls are growing in South Africa for Britain's royal family to return the world's largest known clear-cut diamond. This diamond is currently set in the royal sceptre that King Charles III will hold during his coronation on Saturday. Click here to read... [39]

China donates patrol boat to Sierra Leone to tackle illegal fishing and piracy off West Africa

China’s donation of a navy patrol vessel is aimed at helping Sierra Leone and other West African countries in the Atlantic Ocean fight illegal fishing and piracy, says Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio. Click here to read... [40]

Ghana biggest trade partner of Pakistan in West Africa: Farhat

Ambassador of Pakistan to Ghana Farhat Ayesha has said that Ghana is biggest trade partner of Pakistan in West Africa as trade between the two countries is worth 67 million dollars and there is a strong chance of growth. Click here to read... [41]

Putin faces arrest if he visits South Africa

Vladimir Putin has been threatened with arrest in South Africa in the lead-up to
a visit expected later this year. Click here to read... [42]

India in Africa

Two Eminent Indian-Origin Citizens Awarded Highest Honours in South Africa

Two South African Indian-origin citizens, the late struggle icon Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim and scientist Dr Aboubaker Ebrahim Dangor, were among the many recipients of National Orders when President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted the annual event in Pretoria on Friday. Click here to read... [43]

Scholarship For African Students Studying At The Centre For Distance And Online Education

As part of the Government of India’s commitment during the Third India-Africa Summit to provide 15,000 fully funded scholarships to students and professionals in Africa to pursue courses offered by premier Indian institutions, the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), Aligarh Muslim University has facilitated scholarships to 272 students enrolled under different courses at the centre, including BA, B.Com., MA, and M.Com. Click here to read... [44]

South African Tourism to Host Trade Delegation from India at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023

Commemorating the 30-year milestone of bilateral relations between India and South Africa, South African Tourism is set to host a 30-member trade delegation from India at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023. Indaba is set to take place in Durban from 09th May to 11th May. Click here to read... [45]

India thinks big on military exports to Africa, Tejas jets, Akash missiles, combat helicopters on radar

India has introduced a holistic approach to push military exports to Africa, combining pitch for weapon sales with finance, training, infra development and soft-power. Click here to read... [46]

India to complete fourth phase of Mauritius metro project by end 2024

India is on track to complete the $550 million Mauritius Metro Express project by the end of 2024, according to persons aware of the matter. Click here to read... [47]

Trading in Indian rupees will strengthen ties between India and South Africa and promote trade relationships: CII-IBF (SA) President

Praveer Tripathi, the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry-India Business Forum (CII-IBF) in South Africa, made the remarks in his keynote address at the KwaZulu Natal International Business Association (KIBA) Gala Dinner hosted in Durban on Saturday. Click here to read... [48]

India’s Ashok Leyland eyes Egypt’s commercial vehicles market

India-headquartered Ashok Leyland, part of the Hinduja Group and the third largest commercial vehicle manufacturer worldwide, is eyeing the Egyptian automotive market through a joint venture with the state-owned El-Nasr Automotive Manufacturing Company (NASR), a press statement by the Ministry of Public Enterprise Sector said. Click here to read... [49]

Grand Muftis of Egypt and India meet, discuss cooperation

The Grand Mufti of Egypt, H.E. Dr Shawqi Allam, visited his Indian counterpart, Sheikh Abubkar Ahmad, at his office at Karanthur in Kerala’s Kozhikode on Friday and held discussions on various issues. Click here to read... [50]

How Hakki Pikkis Inspired Operation Kaveri

Only rarely do conflicts in faraway countries become issues in elections. But the campaign to the Karnataka assembly election saw a rapid rhetoric escalation culminating in Prime Minister Narendra D Modi personally overseeing the operations to extract Indians from war-hit Sudan. Click here to read... [51]

‘Ineffective’ India-made antivenoms recalled in Kenya, country faces snakebite crisis

Alerts have been sounded in a number of countries since last year against cough syrups manufactured by Indian firms. Now, snake antivenoms made in India are also under scanner in Kenya for poor quality. Click here to read... [52]