Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 28, 2023)

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

Commentary

A new chapter in India-Africa ties can be written

There is a slow realisation that Africa, a continent, accounting for nearly 17% of the world’s population today and reaching 25% in 2050, needs to be studied closely. Click here to read... [2]

Wagner Group in Africa: What's its future after the mutiny?

Russia's presence in Africa heavily depends on the Wagner Group, headed by Yevgeny Prighozin. But now there is uncertainty about the private military company's role after its short-lived mutiny in Russia. Click here to read... [3]

Wagner’s real money never came from diamonds and gold

Wagner’s businesses in Africa isolate and create dependent economies, not funding for private armies. Click here to read... [4]

News

Senegal's Macky Sall defuses a political timebomb by not seeking a third term

Senegal's President Macky Sall appears to have saved his country from plunging into a deeper crisis by declaring that he will step down at the end of his two terms. Click here to read... [5]

Senegal opposition leader hints at election disruption if he can't run

Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has no plans to make peace with President Macky Sall and suggested he may try to disrupt next year's elections if he is not allowed to run. Click here to read... [6]

Zimbabwe police block opposition campaign launch

Nelson Chamisa, leader of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change, has faced several hurdles on the campaign trail, with police banning a number of meetings in Zimbabwean cities and towns this week. Click here to read... [7]

Kenyan police clash with opposition protesters over tax hikes

Kenyan police fired dozens of teargas canisters into a crowd of opposition supporters on Friday as they marched into the main business district of the capital to protest over tax hikes. Click here to read... [8]

Sudan conflict: Air strike kills at least 22 in Khartoum

A Sudanese army air strike on the capital has killed at least 22 people and injured many others, eyewitnesses and an official have said. Click here to read... [9]

Kenyan, Zambian currencies expected to weaken

Kenya's shilling and Zambia's kwacha are forecast to weaken against the dollar in the week to next Thursday, Uganda's currency will strengthen, while those of Ghana and Nigeria will remain stable, traders said. Click here to read... [10]

Burundi: New currency notes attract backlash amid shortage

In Bujumbura, Burundians are reacting to the new 5,000 and 10,000 Burundian franc banknotes recently put into circulation. Click here to read... [11]

Africans attacked, flee Sfax, as Tunisia racial tensions explode

Racial tensions in the Tunisian coastal city of Sfax flared into violence targeting migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. Click here to read... [12]

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa cleared of wrongdoing in 'Farmegate' scandal

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been cleared of wrongdoing in a scandal involving the theft of cash from a sofa at his game farm. Click here to read... [13]

As Peacekeeping Exits Mali, the Transition Is a New Opportunity for the UN

One week ago, the United Nations Security Council decided to terminate the mandate of the UN peace operation in Mali (MINUSMA), immediately ending the bulk of the mission’s core mandated tasks and putting in place an accelerated timeline for full departure by the end of 2023. Click here to read... [14]

Suspected extremists kill 22 in Burkina Faso: Source

Suspected extremists killed 22 civilians in two attacks in the north and west of Burkina Faso, security and local sources said Saturday. Click here to read... [15]

Ghana Parliament unanimously passes extreme anti-gay bill

The Parliament of Ghana passed an extreme anti-gay bill on Wednesday, which is set to tighten laws against members of the LGBTQ+ community. Ghana’s 275 members of Parliament unanimously passed the bill, known as the 2021 Promotion of Appropriate Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. Click here to read... [16]

Iranian President to Visit Africa Next Week
Heading a delegation, the Iranian president will embark on a tour of Kenya, Zimbabwe and Uganda on Tuesday. Click here to read... [17]

Ethiopia Applies to Join BRICS

Ethiopia has made an official application to join the BRICS grouping and hopes for a positive decision on its application to join the BRICS member states. Click here to read... [18]

BRICS nations put Algeria in its place

The Algerian regime, thirsty for whatsoever international gains, was deflated by BRICS nations which did not even include the country among the five new potential candidates to join the grouping in South Africa. Click here to read... [19]

Kenya Says Somalia Border Reopening Delayed After Attacks

Kenya said Wednesday it was delaying the planned reopening of its long-closed border with Somalia after a number of deadly attacks on its soil attributed to the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab. Click here to read... [20]

South Sudan, South Africa forge joint efforts for peace in Sudan

South Sudan and South Africa committed to working together to strengthen relations in various sectors and join forces to garner regional and global support for peace and stability in Sudan. Click here to read... [21]

Ramaphosa visits DRC as Kinshasa seeks support against rebels

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for a two-day official visit where he will hold talks with his host, President Felix Tshisekedi. Click here to read... [22]

Gabon: Report slams record of Ali Bongo's second term

A report titled "105 promises, 13 achievements" takes a closer look at the second 7-year term of Gabonese president Ali Bongo. Click here to read... [23]

President Bio throws insults at Britain, USA, Germany, Ireland and the EU over rigged election results

Since the announcement of the June 24th presidential and general elections results by Sierra Leone’s Electoral Commission (ECSL), the international community and independent election observers in and out of the country have refused to accept the integrity and veracity of the ballot tallying process. Click here to read... [24]

Ethiopia, Nigeria swap $100M

The central banks of Ethiopia and Nigeria have swapped USD 100 million in blocked funds as both countries struggle with severe shortages of hard currency. Click here to read... [25]

De Beers, Botswana sign diamond sales, new lease agreements

Diamond mining giant De Beers has signed a 10-year sales pact and a 25-year new lease agreement with Botswana that will have natural rough supply coming through the pipeline for the next 30 years. https://www.thehindu.com/business/de-beers-botswana-sign-diamond-sales-new-lease-agreements/article67057834.ece [26] " target="_blank">Click here to read...

Nigeria’s petrol use falls after end of subsidy, regulator says

Nigeria’s average daily petrol consumption has fallen by 28 percent since President Bola Tinubu scrapped a popular but costly subsidy on the fuel at the end of May, data from the industry regulator has shown. Click here to read... [27]

Mountain of strategic metals stranded in DR Congo begins to shift

As many as 13,000 tonnes of cobalt powder are thought to be hoarded in the Chinese-owned Tenke Fungurume mine -- equivalent to seven percent of the world's production last year. Click here to read... [28]

Drone strikes target Wagner base In Libya: military source

Drone strikes of unknown origin on Thursday night targeted an air base in eastern Libya where mercenaries from the Russian paramilitary group Wagner are believed to be stationed, without causing any casualties, according to a military source. Click here to read... [29]

Wagner Exits Central African Republic Over Refusal Of 'contracts With Russian MoD'

Only an estimated 1,300 and 1,400 Wagner fighters have chosen to stay back in Central African Republic, while hundreds of others are preparing for departure. Click here to read... [30]

Morocco to Receive Merkava Tanks from Israel

Morocco is set to receive an unspecified number of Merkava tanks from Israel as part of the African nation’s efforts to bolster its military firepower, European news outlets have reported. Click here to read... [31]

The China-Africa Trade Biennale bears fruitful results

The third China-Africa economic and trade expo on the theme of common development for a shared future concluded on Sunday in Changsha city, with 10.3 billion U.S. dollars’ worth of projects signed. Click here to read... [32]

Niger, China Discuss Uranium Mine and Other Deals

The West African nation of Niger and China have been discussing deals that include an industrial park, an oil pipeline and a uranium mine. Click here to read... [33]

Chinese Navy in Nigeria Amid Base Concerns

A rare visit to Nigeria this week by the Chinese navy is once again raising questions about Beijing’s military intentions in the strategically important Gulf of Guinea. Click here to read... [34]

Shared status: Somaliland, Taiwan expands ties despite diplomatic isolation

Two unlikely territories and the world’s most diplomatically elected governments — Taiwan and Somaliland — are deepening economic and political ties, but all too often, Taipei looks the other way as its formal partners commit human rights abuses. Click here to read... [35]

Africa needs to be manufacturers, to rebuild industrial capacity: President Ramaphosa

The President further called on the continent to be manufacturers of their own goods and to rebuild their industrial capacity to serve the growing young population. Click here to read... [36]

India in Africa

"I am here on IT mission, India-Tanzania mission": Jaishankar to Indian community in Dar es Salaam

I am on an IT Mission. All of you, as members of the Indian community living in Tanzania, working in Tanzania, and visiting Tanzania, I think you can hold your head high that our friendship, our relationship, and our partnership today will make a difference to the everyday life of a Tanzanian," Jaishankar said. Click here to read... [37]

India is not 'extractive economy' and is not pursuing 'narrow economic activities' in Africa: Jaishankar

Jaishankar, who arrived here on Thursday after visiting Zanzibar, made these remarks while addressing the Indian community in Dar-es-Salaam city of Tanzania. Click here to read... [38]

Indian Institute of Technology Now in Tanzania, Country's First Foreign Campus

After rounds of discussion and negotiations between India and Africa, this development was confirmed. It is expected to be announced during the visit of External Affairs Minister. Click here to read... [39]

Bridging Continents: India’s first foreign IIT campus in Tanzania to empower education and foster African development

The IIT campus in Tanzania will offer local students enhanced educational opportunities. Click here to read... [40]

India and Tanzania started trade settlements in local currencies: S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that India and Tanzania have started trade settlements in local currencies and this new initiative will help in promoting commerce between the two countries. Click here to read... [41]

EAM Jaishankar inaugurates Swami Vivekananda's bust in Tanzania

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has inaugurated the bust of Swami Vivekananda at India's cultural centre here in Tanzania, saying it stands in testimony to his timeless teachings which have transcended boundaries and underlines his message of his message of faith in humanity. Click here to read... [42]

Weapons to blue economy — India ready to strengthen Tanzania like never before

From leveraging ocean resources to drawing a five-year roadmap for defence cooperation, India this week bolstered its partnership with Tanzania – one of its reliable partners on the east coast of Africa at the western edge of the Indian Ocean. Click here to read... [43]

Tanzania now becomes part of India’s strategic outreach focusing on Africa’s east coast

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Tanzania at a time when Indian Naval Ship Trishul is making a port call at Zanzibar reflects not only India’s cordial ties with its maritime neighbours but also its vision of becoming a voice of the Global South. Click here to read... [44]

Seychelles and India to explore new avenues for cooperation

Training through joint military exercises, sharing of knowledge from military experts deputized at the Seychelles Coastguard, maritime surveillance, assistance on community projects and capacity building in various fields were the main points. Click here to read... [45]

Raj exporters strike pharma, auto deals at Kenya trade expo

Demand for pharma and automobile products have been standout. Exporters from Rajasthan are very excited about new opportunities in the country. Click here to read... [46]

India Increases Africa Lending in the Race to Counter China

Africa has become the second-largest recipient of credit from India as the country tries to catch up with China in expanding its influence in the resource-rich continent.Click here to read... [47]

Curtain Raiser event for India-Africa International Millet Conference held today at Nairobi, Kenya

To celebrate the International Year of Millets, Ministry of Agriculture and Famers Welfare, Government of India and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Government of Kenya will be co-hosting the ‘India-Africa International Millet Conference’ in Kenya with support of International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Click here to read... [48]

India is doing its best in reducing carbon footprint: Lesotho Envoy

India is promoting its own technology and largely contributing to bringing down the carbon footprint, Thabang Linus Kholumo, the High Commission of the Kingdom of Lesotho said here on Thursday (June 29).Click here to read... [49]

How Gujarati merchants helped Zambia attain independence

Apart from financing Zambian freedom fighters, Indian businessmen introduced them to the concept of Gandhian non-violence. Click here to read... [50]

India Counters China's Growing Influence in Africa with $12 Billion In Credit To 42 Countries

In a bid to expand its influence in Africa and counter the Chinese belt-and-road initiative (BRI), India has increased its aid to Africa to $12 billion, making it the second-largest recipient of Indian aid, after Asia. Click here to read... [51]

Bharti Airtel Shares Gain After Nigeria Suspends Telecom Excise

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu suspended taxes that were introduced two months ago on telecommunications services, according to a Bloomberg report. Click here to read... [52]