Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 30, 2023)

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

Commentary

Strengthening India-Africa Education Cooperation: Paving the way for a better future

India's education cooperation with Africa has a lot of potential. With world-class higher-education institutions and global education brands like IITs and IIMs, India is well-positioned to assist Africa in developing higher education infrastructure and skill development.Click here to read… [2]

Exhibition showcasing historic journey of India-Africa friendship opens in Delhi: Culture Ministry

An exhibition showcasing the historic journey of India-Africa friendship through images was inaugurated at the National Museum here on Tuesday, the Ministry of Culture said.Click here to read… [3]

Wagner’s failed rebellion could hit the Kremlin’s ambitions for a ‘pro-Russian state’ in Africa

Since the Wagner Group’s aborted rebellion against the Russian military late last month, a cloud of uncertainty has hovered over the mercenary force’s operations around the world.Click here to read… [4]

News

Sudanese army strikes RSF troops in Khartoum and North Kordofan

The Sudanese army launched air strikes on Thursday against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum and North Kordofan states as ground troops continue to engage with paramilitary fighters.Click here to read… [5]

Succeeding Sall: Who will be Senegal’s next president in 2024?

Macky Sall’s decision to not run for office in 2024 has calmed Senegal but raised questions about his successor and democratic progression.Click here to read… [6]

Southern Africa awaits three pivotal elections

Upcoming elections in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa will have major implications for political stability, democratic consolidation and regional relations.Click here to read… [7]

Algeria applies to join BRICS, would contribute $1.5 bln to group bank

Algeria has applied to join the BRICS group and submitted a request to become a shareholder member of BRICS Bank with an amount of $1.5 billion, Ennahar TV quoted Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as saying.Click here to read… [8]

Morocco and Western Sahara: A new conflict brewing?

With Israel recognizing Western Sahara as part of the Moroccan kingdom and a contentious fishing agreement between Morocco and the EU expiring, tensions are intensifying between the Polisario Front, Morocco and Algeria.Click here to read… [9]

Mali poll backs plans for new constitution

A month after the provisional results of a referendum on a new draft constitution, Mali's Constitutional Council has confirmed a massive victory for those who voted "yes."Click here to read… [10]

35 civilians shot dead by police in Kenya this month during protests, says police watchdog

Human rights organizations expressed concern over the police killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions reported in the demonstrations this month and urged the policing oversight body to investigate.Click here to read… [11]

Nigerian petrol prices reach record high after subsidy removal

The removal in May has triggered skyrocketing fuel prices in Africa’s largest oil producer.Click here to read… [12]

Russia pushes plan to supply grain to Africa and cut out Ukraine

Russia is pushing a plan to supply grain to Africa and cut Ukraine out of the global market after Moscow’s withdrawal this week from a UN-backed deal, according to three people familiar with the matter.Click here to read… [13]

Egypt Criticizes Russia for Ending Ukraine Grain-Export Deal

“We are not pleased with the Russian withdrawal from the UN grain-export deal,” Egyptian Supply Minister Ali El-Mosilhy told Bloomberg. He urged Moscow to reconsider its position. Egypt's economy has been slammed by an increase in grain prices since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.Click here to read… [14]

All eyes on China after Russia leaves Black Sea grain deal

China has been a top beneficiary of the Black Sea grain deal that Russia publicly blew up Monday, sending shockwaves through the global food system.Click here to read… [15]

Uganda’s dairy sector counting losses as Kenya blocks exports

Kenya is Uganda’s largest market in East Africa and Brookside says Nairobi has declined its 116 export permit applications.Click here to read… [16]

Rwanda, Congo-Brazzaville sign deal to trade under AfCFTA

Rwanda and the Republic of Congo on July 22 signed an agreement to fast-track trade and economic cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).Click here to read… [17]

Tebboune in China to plead Algeria's accession to BRICS

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune began a state visit to China on Monday, with both economic and diplomatic priorities as the North African nation seeks to become less dependent on gas and raise its global profile.Click here to read… [18]

China to invest $36 billion across multiple sectors in Algeria, Ennahar TV reports

China will invest $36 billion in Algeria across sectors including manufacturing, new technology, knowledge economy, transport, and agriculture, Ennahar Online quoted Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as saying on Thursday.Click here to read… [19]

Ethiopia, China Seek to Enhance Bilateral Ties

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says Ethiopia’s interest to increase its strategic cooperation with China after his meeting with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi.Click here to read… [20]

Angolan airport set to become symbol of BRI

Aviation Industry Corp of China, the nation's leading aircraft maker that has sold many jets and helicopters to Africa, is helping an African nation build one of the largest airports on the continent.Click here to read… [21]

Wagner forces return to CAR before divisive referendum

The Central African Republic is confident that its July 30 referendum will go ahead — with the help of Russia's Wagner mercenaries. Analysts consider Wagner's involvement an overt act of political interference.Click here to read… [22]

UK sanctions Wagner-linked officials in Mali, Sudan and CAR

The individuals now face asset freezes and travel bans in the UK for alleged human rights abuses in the three African states.Click here to read… [23]

Vladimir Putin discusses grain deal, BRICS summit with South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in which they discussed the Black Sea grain deal, due to expire on Monday, and a summit in South Africa next month, the Kremlin said on Saturday.Click here to read… [24]

Over 40 nations express interest in joining BRICS

Around twenty countries from around the world have applied to join the BRICS group, which currently consists of five nations, and an equal number of other countries have expressed an interest, South Africa, which is hosting its next summit, said on Thursday.Click here to read… [25]

BRICS currency not on August summit agenda, South African official says

A BRICS currency will not be on the agenda of the bloc's summit in South Africa next month, but Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will continue to switch away from the U.S. dollar, South Africa's senior BRICS diplomat said on Thursday.Click here to read… [26]

South Africa: Putin will not attend BRICS summit by 'mutual agreement'

South Africa faced a dilemma in hosting the summit because, as a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), it would theoretically be required to arrest Putin for alleged war crimes if he were to attend.Click here to read… [27]

AU, UN launch initiative to boost peaceful transitions in Africa

An initiative aimed at promoting peaceful transfer of power in Africa, avert coups and turmoil was launched Saturday by the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.Click here to read… [28]

A summit to develop Africa’s value chains and strengthen ties with the US

The 15th US-Africa Business Summit, held in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, brought together more than a thousand participants from across the US and the African continent.Click here to read… [29]

Respect Democracy, Ensure Political Stability in the Continent, Tinubu Tells African Leaders

President Bola Tinubu has called on fellow African leaders to respect democracy, and the rule of law, and also ensure political stability in the continent.Click here to read… [30]

Africa’s Path to Socialism

200 delegates from 40 organisations are gathering in South Africa for the “Dilemmas of Humanity: Pan African Dialogues to Build Socialism” conference.Click here to read… [31]

Equatorial Guinea Launches E-Visa for All Foreign Travellers

The government of Equatorial Guinea has launched a new E-Visa system to facilitate the entry of all foreign nationalities to the country.Click here to read… [32]

Madagascar Invites Bids for Two Solar Parks of 210 MW Capacity

The government of Madagascar invite bids for the installation of two solar parks, totaling 210 MW in capacity.Click here to read… [33]

The Growing Importance of Energy Efficiency in Comoros

The archipelago of Comoros, located off the southeast coast of Africa, is a country grappling with energy challenges.Click here to read… [34]

Tanzania Faces Looming Threats from East African Jihadist Turmoil

On January 25, the US Embassy in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania issued a public warning regarding the possibility of a local terrorist attack.Click here to read… [35]

US airstrike kills 5 al-Shabaab militants in Somalia

The US military killed five al-Shabaab militants in a “collective self-defence airstrike” in Somalia, US Africa Command announced Thursday.Click here to read… [36]

Despite EU-Tunisia deal, Black refugees pushed out ‘at gunpoint’

The EU has promised Tunisia $280m in aid. But on the country’s frontiers, refugees and migrants are still stranded.Click here to read… [37]

At least six migrants dead after boat sinks off Morocco

It added that the boat struck rocks and the six people drowned. Forty-eight others survived.Click here to read… [38]

India in Africa

US will work closely with India to bring African Union into G20: Mike Pyle

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to all G20 heads of state proposing the inclusion of the African Union in the grouping. Officials privy to the deliberations at the meeting said the proposal has received support across all members.Click here to read… [39]

Africa quotient: India’s G20 pitch for the continent is welcome. But China is ahead in this game as of now

India’s G20 proposal of including the African Union (AU) as a full member of the grouping has received widespread support. In fact, the US has said it will work closely with New Delhi on this and push to make the inclusion a reality by the leaders’ summit in September.Click here to read… [28]

African Union’s inclusion in G20 receives broad support at India meeting

There has been no disagreement thus far among various Group of 20 (G20) nations over India’s proposal to include the African Union (AU) into the global group, with the United States saying it will work closely with the Indian presidency on a joint communiqué at the 3rd Sherpa Meeting in Hampi, India.Click here to read… [40]

Namgya Khampa concurrently accredited as India's next Ambassador to Somalia

Ms. Namgya C. Khampa (IFS: 2000), presently High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Kenya, has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Federal Republic of Somalia, with residence in Nairobi.Click here to read… [41]

Manish Gupta appointed as India's next High Commissioner to Ghana

Shri Manish Gupta appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Ghana. Shri Manish Gupta (IFS: 1998), presently Consul General, Consulate General of India, Sydney has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Ghana.Click here to read… [42]

India's rise from colonialism worth in-depth analysis: S Africa minister

The history, investment, and decisive leadership that went into making India a tech giant today is worth an in-depth analysis, the minister said.Click here to read… [43]

Chief Minister conducts a productive meeting with the FM of South Africa, Mr. Enoch Godongwana

Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel conducted a successful discourse with Mr. Enoch Godongwana, Minister of Finance, South Africa, and his delegation.Click here to read… [44]

Indian Navy strengthens maritime cooperation with Africa

In a strategic move to bolster security cooperation and exchanges, the Indian Navy has embarked on a series of high-impact engagements with African countries along the east coast and south-western Indian Ocean region.Click here to read… [45]

Adani Ports Advances Global Expansion Plans with Prospective Deal at Dar Es Salaam Port in Tanzania

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) is reportedly on the verge of securing the rights to develop and operate cargo berths at Tanzania's main port Dar es Salaam.Click here to read… [46]

WHO seeks help from India in latest toxic syrup case

The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked the Indian authorities for help in establishing the origins of a contaminated cough syrup that has been linked to children's deaths in Cameroon.Click here to read… [47]

Gambia 'advanced' in exploring legal action over toxic Indian cough syrup

Gambia's government is "far advanced" in exploring avenues for potential legal action against Indian drugmaker Maiden Pharmaceuticals and a local distributor over toxic cough syrups believed to have killed dozens of children, it said on Friday.Click here to read… [48]

Find a piece of Tanzania in the heart of Gurugram’s adventurous abode

Designed by Sanya Sharma and Astha Gupta of Buildon Studio, this retirement home amalgamates reminders from Tanzania’s tranquil wildlife into this magnificent home.Click here to read… [49]