Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.
From 27-28 July 2023, the second Russia-Africa Summit took place in Russia’s St Petersburg. Initially, the summit was scheduled in Addis Ababa in October 2022. Click here to read... [2]
After reassessing its strategic interests, an internationalist-minded Japan has made African relations a higher priority. Click here to read... [3]
There is a widening disconnect between the political class and the voting public. Click here to read... [4]
Russia will have to defeat the Church of Alexandria if it wants to extend the sphere of influence of Russian Orthodoxy in Africa. Click here to read... [5]
The African Union on Tuesday suspended Niger from all of its institutions and activities “until the effective restoration of constitutional order”. Click here to read... [6]
West Africa's regional bloc, ECOWAS, has set an undisclosed "D-Day" for a potential military intervention to restore democracy in Niger if diplomatic efforts fail, following a coup. Click here to read... [7]
A delegation from West Africa's main regional bloc ECOWAS on Saturday met Niger's ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and held talks with junta leader General Abdourahmane Tiani in the capital Niamey. Click here to read... [8]
The junta that seized power in Niger in a July 26 coup said late on Sunday that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum could be prosecuted for high treason. Click here to read... [9]
Ahead of the August 23 election, multiple issues are at stake including Zimbabwe’s long-running economic woes. Click here to read... [10]
Free fried chicken and an endorsement from an unbeaten former world boxing champion have formed part of the intriguing choreography of election campaigning in Zimbabwe. Click here to read... [11]
Young and ambitious, the son of Comoros President Azali Assoumani has all the trappings of a leader in waiting. Click here to read... [12]
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is concerned about attacks on journalists covering the run-up to the general elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo in December. Click here to read... [13]
Seven opposition parties in South Africa have reached an agreement to form a coalition in a bid to unseat the ruling African National Congress if it fails to win a majority in next year's general election. Click here to read... [14]
Britain’s National Crime Agency arrests Romy Andrianarisoa and associate over alleged approach to Gemfields Click here to read... [15]
Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has suspended all foreign travel by officials, including himself, to reduce public spending, a government spokesman announced Saturday. Click here to read... [16]
Supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party ( SLPP) rejoicing that the change of batons between the boldly speaking Ambassador David Reimer and his successor Bryan D. Hunt will represent a paradigm shift in the United States’ present policies towards Sierra Leone. Click here to read... [17]
More than 20 countries have formally applied to join BRICS, a bloc of emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Click here to read... [18]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Johannesburg to attend a summit of the BRICS group of nations this month, the Indian government said on Thursday. Click here to read... [19]
The Brazilian President was received by International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor. Click here to read... [20]
China’s President Xi Jinping on Monday flew to South Africa to attend the 15th BRICS summit and co-chair the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue, state media reported. Click here to read... [21]
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Rwanda's leader on Tuesday and pressed for a de-escalation after a new flare-up in tensions with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Click here to read... [22]
Authorities in Zambia on Tuesday announced the seizure of a private plane carrying $5.7 million in cash, 602 pieces of suspected gold bars, and five pistols with 126 rounds of ammunition. Click here to read... [23]
Tanzanian police have arrested a lawyer and an opposition politician and accused them of incitement and planning to organise nationwide demonstrations aimed at bringing down the government. Click here to read... [24]
Egyptian activist Ahmed Douma, a leading figure in 2011 uprising, has been granted a presidential pardon, lawyers say. Click here to read... [25]
A suspected air strike in Ethiopia's Amhara region has killed at least 26 people, a hospital official said. Click here to read... [26]
UN’s impending pullout has exacerbated tensions between Mali’s military government and the rebel Coordination of Azawad Movements. Click here to read... [27]
When King Mohammed VI of Morocco returned to a busy schedule of public appearances in the spring, many in the royal court probably breathed a sigh of relief. Click here to read... [28]
The World Bank has announced it will halt new loans to Uganda over the country’s controversial anti-LGBTQ law. Click here to read... [29]
President Ruto removed fuel and maize flour subsidies in September and increased taxes this year. Click here to read... [30]
18 countries converging in Nairobi from 30th Nov – 2nd December 2023 in order to forge new business partnerships, explore opportunities and network with local textile industry to present fresh custom leads. Click here to read... [31]
Namibia’s recent oil discoveries could potentially place the country among the top 15 oil producing nations by 2035, the Prime Minister of Namibia said during the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2023 on Wednesday. Click here to read... [32]
Ghana has introduced a new measure that will see a 10% tax applied to betting and lottery winnings, effective as of Tuesday. Click here to read... [33]
Google Africa executives said a grant from its philanthropic arm in partnership with Data Science Nigeria and the Creative Industry Initiative for Africa will facilitate the programme. Click here to read... [34]
Companies from South Africa and China concluded trade deals worth $2.2 billion during a visit to the country last week by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Bloomberg reported. Click here to read... [35]
A China-built 1,216-kilometre highway has opened in Algeria, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. Click here to read... [36]
China and Russia are showing growing interest in Eritrea, a small African country in a strategic location but whose president is being shunned in the West for his autocratic governance. Click here to read... [37]
A top Sudanese official has said that a plan should be put in place to end the conflict between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amid the continuing violence in the country. Click here to read... [38]
Tripoli’s worst armed clashes in a year have killed 55 people--------------------- and wounded 146, Libyan media reported Wednesday, after a truce took hold in the capital and air traffic was restored. Click here to read... [39]
Two powerful militias that back Libya's UN-supported government have clashed in the capital, Tripoli, killing 55 people and injuring 146 others, medics say. Click here to read... [40]
At least, 40 of the Islamist fighters who ambushed a police reconnaissance mission in Koulpelogo province in the north-east of Burkina Faso on Saturday were killed, the military said on Sunday. Click here to read... [41]
Aissata Sall was scrolling through WhatsApp in May when she first learned about the new route from Mauritania to the United States. Click here to read... [42]
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, is investigating accusations of inappropriate conduct by the president of the Cameroon football federation, Samuel Eto’o Fils. Click here to read... [43]
Somalia's government announced a ban on TikTok and Telegram and an online betting app, saying they were being used by "terrorists" to spread propaganda. Click here to read... [44]
Somaliland, once hailed as a beacon of democracy in Somalia, finds itself at a critical juncture today. Click here to read... [45]
A famous Somali poet was killed in an unprovoked bombardment by Somaliland forces in the Sool region on Wednesday, relatives and witnesses said. Click here to read... [46]
Turkey’s efforts to expand its influence in Africa often align with those of Russia, with both Ankara and Moscow holding back from condemning military coups and seeking to capitalize on post-colonial resentments. Click here to read... [47]
The head of Algeria’s National Construction Movement, Abdelkader Bengrina, has warned that the UAE is dragging Tunisia to normalise ties with Israel. Click here to read... [48]
Angola's President has called on the member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to speed up the ratification of the operationalisation of the Development Fund, a "key tool" for raising finance for the regional industrialisation programme. Click here to read... [49]
The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) leaders have agreed to deploy troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and extended the bloc’s military mission in Mozambique, in a move they said is meant to bring peace to the region. Click here to read... [50]
The boat left Senegal on July 10 with 101 passengers on board, and 38 people were rescued on Tuesday, Senegal's foreign ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday. Click here to read... [51]
Deal worth $500mn funnels cash to conservation in return for lower interest rate on African nation’s debt and longer repayments period. Click here to read... [52]
Now, as far as the BRICS agenda is concerned, there are many issues that are being discussed and most importantly the BRICS expansion item on the agenda and second is the use of national currency for trading and economic activity amongst the BRICS countries," Dammu told ANI. Click here to read... [53]
Dammu Ravi, the secretary, Economic Relations in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Sherpa for the 15th BRICS Summit, on Tuesday said India will soon be the third largest economy, adding that Africa was an important partner in the country’s emergence as an economic power. Click here to read... [54]
Africa is an important partner in India’s rise as it has many complementaries to the Indian economy, said India's BRICS Sherpa Dammu Ravi. Click here to read... [55]
In the run-up to the 15th BRICS summit hosted by South Africa from August 22nd to 24th, Professor Anil Sooklal, the country's BRICS Sherpa, has highlighted India's "critical role". Click here to read... [56]
Ahead of the BRICS Summit, South African cricket legends Jonty Rhodes and Gary Kirsten released video messages welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country. Click here to read... [57]
The collective clout of the BRICS nations can amplify the development initiatives undertaken by India and Africa, ensuring a broader and more inclusive transformation. Click here to read... [58]
Will India and China have the opportunity to have bilateral talks on the Line of Actual Control dispute? How will fruitful discussions have a bearing on the G20 summit in Delhi next month? Will Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the meeting? Click here to read... [59]
The inaugural Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Angola which was held on 11 August 2023 marked a significant step towards enhancing their diplomatic relationship. Click here to read... [60]
With Mauritius' Minister for Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation (MITCI), Darsanand Balgobin, the ISRO team discussed the possibilities of an India-Mauritius joint satellite, a microsatellite designed for remote sensing from low earth orbit. Click here to read... [61]
Deepak Balgobin, Minister of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation, visited the G20-DIA summit in Bengaluru, Karnataka, today. Click here to read... [62]
The Delhi bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has allowed the capital gains exemption to NSE investors under the India-Mauritius tax treaty. Click here to read... [63]
Indian eye hospital chain Dr. Agarwal's Health Care has raised $80 million from existing investors Singapore's Temasek and U.S.-based TPG. Click here to read... [64]
His Majesty King Mohammed VI sent a congratulatory message to the President of the Republic of India, Droupadi Murmu, on the occasion of her country’s national day. Click here to read... [65]
Even as tomato prices have started cooling, daal mein kuch kala hai (as the Hindi phrase goes) as tur prices may well shoot up further. Click here to read... [66]
Airtel Africa is based in the United Kingdom and operates in around a dozen countries in Africa. The company did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Click here to read... [67]
Mahindra is all set to unveil multiple products on 15th August or Indian Independence Day at a global event in Cape Town, South Africa. Click here to read... [68]
In September last year, Ebrima Sajnia watched helplessly as his young son slowly died in front of his eyes. Click here to read... [69]
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Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/2023/august/28/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-34
[2] https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/The-second-Russia-Africa-Summit-Decoding-the-summit-s-achievement-1827602
[3] https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/japan-africa-footprint/
[4] https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2023-08-15-scramble-for-political-power-reveals-how-sa-has-lost-the-art-of-governance/
[5] https://politicstoday.org/russia-orthodox-church-africa/
[6] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/the-african-union-suspends-niger-until-the-effective-restoration-of-constitutional-order
[7] https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/west-african-bloc-says-d-day-set-for-possible-niger-intervention-2423409-2023-08-19
[8] https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/2564023-west-african-bloc-meets-nigers-ousted-president-junta-leader-in-niamey
[9] https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/2557447-niger-junta-ousted-president-could-be-prosecuted-for-high-treason
[10] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/20/five-key-issues-at-stake-in-the-zimbabwe-elections
[11] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66542696
[12] https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/14/presidents-son-seen-as-comoros-leader-in-waiting/
[13] https://rsf.org/en/pre-election-tension-drc-fuels-attacks-reporters-covering-politics
[14] https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/bid-unseat-long-ruling-anc-7-south-african-102351557
[15] https://www.ft.com/content/8320df85-e851-4791-b059-24933f533704
[16] https://www.channelstv.com/2023/08/19/gambian-president-bans-govt-officials-including-himself-from-foreign-trips/
[17] https://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/slpp-must-understand-international-diplomacy-and-geopolitical-realities-op-ed/
[18] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/more-than-20-countries-have-applied-to-join-brics-south-african-president/2972344
[19] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/pm-modi-to-travel-to-south-africa-for-brics-summit-2423434-2023-08-19
[20] https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/president-of-brazil-has-touched-down-in-south-africa-for-15th-brics-summit-jinping-and-modi-still-expected-e7fd1629-a985-4ba0-8f49-bb4117f99057
[21] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/china-s-xi-flies-to-south-africa-for-brics-summit/2972584
[22] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102775402.cms?from=mdr&utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
[23] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/zambia-seizes-plane-with-57m-cash-weapons/2968160
[24] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/tanzania-police-arrest-two-accuse-them-organising-protests-2023-08-13/
[25] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/19/egypts-president-al-sisi-pardons-activist-douma-other-prisoners
[26] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66502937
[27] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/13/un-forces-in-mali-speed-up-withdrawal-as-security-deteriorates
[28] https://www.ft.com/content/7a42b66d-d762-4efe-9881-b987477b6883
[29] https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/8/9/world-bank-halts-new-loans-to-uganda-over-anti-lgbtq-law
[30] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/15/kenya-reinstates-fuel-subsidy-after-months-of-violent-protests
[31] https://www.indiantextilemagazine.in/kenya-to-lead-modernization-of-african-textile-industry-through-itme-africa-middle-east-2023/
[32] https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/oil-and-gas/namibia-could-potentially-be-among-the-top-15-oil-producers-by-2035-prime-minister-d46cmutv
[33] https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/17/ghana-implements-10-tax-on-betting-and-lottery-winnings/
[34] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/google-to-train-20000-nigerians-in-digital-skills-provide-grants/articleshow/102758214.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
[35] https://www.zawya.com/en/economy/africa/south-africa-china-strike-trade-agreements-worth-22bln-uyzpyqie
[36] https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/bri/china-builds-east-west-highway-in-algeria-report-qqhi4izg
[37] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3231129/china-and-russia-pursue-eritrea-its-strategic-location-africa-resources-and-transport-potential
[38] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/15/sudan-war-will-end-with-negotiations-says-armys-second-in-command
[39] https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/truce-holds-in-libya-after-clashes-kill-many/article67201912.ece
[40] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66520895
[41] https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2023/08/21/burkina-faso-police-kill-40-islamic-fighters-after-ambush/
[42] https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/21/mauritanian-migrants-explore-new-routes-to-the-united-states/
[43] https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20230813-caf-probes-cameroon-fa-boss-samuel-eto-o-improper-conduct
[44] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/somalia-orders-ban-tiktok-telegram/article67218530.ece
[45] https://www.modernghana.com/news/1251524/somaliland-at-crossroads-confronting-the-autocra.html
[46] https://horseedmedia.net/somaliland-forces-kill-famous-poet-jama-kadiye-in-unprovoked-bombardment-381637
[47] https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/08/why-turkeys-erdogan-sings-same-tune-russias-putin-africa
[48] https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230814-uae-pushing-tunisia-to-normalise-with-israel-algeria-official-says/
[49] https://www.africanews.com/2023/08/18/angola-takes-up-one-year-rotating-presidency-of-regional-bloc-sadc/
[50] https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/rest-of-africa/sadc-extends-troop-deployment-to-drc-and-mozambique-4339346
[51] https://www.cnbctv18.com/world/migrant-boat-capsizes-off-cape-verde-over-60-feared-dead-senegal-ministry-17551591.htm
[52] https://www.ft.com/content/23c1c1ce-59ef-4fee-8b86-fed2c3e5f3b1
[53] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/expansion-of-brics-use-of-national-currency-among-key-agendas-of-summit/articleshow/102879056.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
[54] https://www.aninews.in/news/world/others/africa-an-important-partner-in-indias-rise-as-economic-power-sherpa-for-15th-brics-summit20230822103054/
[55] https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/india-aims-to-represent-africa-and-global-south-at-brics-after-g20-articleshow.html
[56] https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-critical-role-stressed-by-south-africas-brics-sherpa-anil-sooklal-ahead-af-the-summit-627360
[57] https://news.abplive.com/news/india/brics-summit-2023-south-africa-south-african-cricket-legends-jonty-rhodes-gary-kirsten-welcome-pm-modi-video-1624370
[58] https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/science-environment/2563976-collective-clout-of-brics-can-amplify-india-and-africas-development-initiatives-cii-ibf-sa-president
[59] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explained-why-is-the-brics-summit-important-for-india/article67214105.ece
[60] https://newsonair.com/2023/08/14/trade-economic-relations-discussed-in-1st-india-angola-foreign-office-consultations/
[61] https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-isro-could-offer-services-to-oman-and-mauritius-help-them-build-and-launch-satellites-627382
[62] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mauritius-is-like-chhota-bharat-we-have-blood-relations-minister-deepak-balgobin-4307400
[63] https://www.livelaw.in/tax-cases/itat-capital-gains-exemption-nse-investor-india-mauritius-tax-treaty-235458
[64] https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/indian-eye-hospital-chain-dr-agarwals-raises-80-million-from-tpg-temasek-shares-rise-as-much-as-10-3-after-news-11692249649017.html
[65] https://african.business/2023/08/apo-newsfeed/morocco-his-majesty-the-king-congratulates-president-of-india-on-national-day
[66] https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/as-tur-dal-scarcity-hits-india-mozambique-turns-opportunistic/article67206420.ece
[67] https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/chad-fines-airtel-subsidiary-8-mln-for-deteriorating-network/102848292
[68] https://kalingatv.com/automobile/mahindra-to-unveil-9-new-products-at-global-event-in-cape-town-south-africa/
[69] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66533424
[70] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 34, 2023)&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/2023/august/28/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-34
[71] http://twitter.com/share?text=Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 34, 2023)&url=https://www.vifindia.org/2023/august/28/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-34&via=Azure Power
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[73] https://www.vifindia.org/author/Samir-Bhattacharya