Earlier this year, three of five countries in North Africa—Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt—applied to join BRICS, the loose affiliation of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which exists to challenge US influence in the global economy. Click here to read... [2]
African countries entered the recent COP28 negotiations on climate change in high spirits. Click here to read... [3]
These days, a question crops up when African officials gather to discuss governance: Which president will be ousted by his military next? Click here to read... [4]
Egyptians cast their ballots on Tuesday on the third and final day of a presidential election expected to give President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi a sweeping victory and a new six-year term in the absence of real competition. Click here to read... [5]
Andry Rajoelina was sworn in for a second term as Madagascar's president on Saturday, amid fears of violence from opposition supporters who contested the results of the Nov. 16 election. Click here to read... [6]
Chadians have started voting on a new constitution as a stepping stone to next year’s election that aims to mend political and community division in the oil-producing, yet impoverished and fragmented country. Click here to read... [7]
Congo’s president says he has confidence an upcoming vote will be rolled out credibly, as tensions mount that a severe lack of electoral preparation could throw the conflict-riddled nation into disarray Click here to read... [8]
Burkina Faso’s military leader Capt. Ibrahim Traore on Sunday fired his foreign minister in a mini-reshuffle, according to a decree read on national television. Click here to read... [9]
With less than a year to go until South Africa’s general elections, things don’t look good for the ruling party; from scathing resignation letters, to the launch of a new party to contest the vote. Click here to read... [10]
Former South African President Jacob Zuma has come out against his African National Congress party, in a sign of growing division ahead of the 2024 general election. Click here to read... [11]
The Dakar High Court ordered opposition leader Ousmane Sonko reinstated to the electoral register Thursday, paving the way for the jailed politician to run in next year’s presidential election. Click here to read... [12]
A prominent Tunisian opposition activist has been handed a one-year suspended prison sentence for insulting the president, her lawyer says. Click here to read... [13]
Ethiopian security forces announced Tuesday that former State Minister for Peace Taye Dendea has been arrested for taking part in terrorist activities during his tenure in the government. Click here to read... [14]
Sierra Leone’s former President Ernest Bai Koroma is among 80 suspects named by police in connection with a failed coup attempt last month in the country, local media reported Wednesday. Click here to read... [15]
Gunfire broke out near Guinea-Bissau’s presidential palace overnight and continued on Friday morning after soldiers freed a minister from the main opposition party detained for suspected misuse of public funds, Reuters reporters and a police source said. Click here to read... [16]
Lawmakers in Somalia face fierce resistance in their push to replace the traditional clan-based electoral system with universal suffrage. Click here to read... [17]
A West African court on Friday ruled that the ousted president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, and his family were arbitrarily detained and called for his reinstatement. Click here to read... [18]
West African leaders on Sunday demanded a "short" period of transition toward civilian rule in coup-hit Niger before they would ease economic sanctions on the country. Click here to read... [19]
Niger's ruling military has agreed to terms and conditions of a transition back to civilian rule, and will present the plan to a regional bloc, the chief diplomat from mediator Togo announced Thursday. Click here to read... [20]
Thousands of displaced people have fled the formerly safe city of Wad Madani in Sudan, as the war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reaches the city. Click here to read... [21]
South Sudan is in no position to hold free, fair, or secure elections slated for December next year, the head of the UN Mission in the country (UNMISS) said on Thursday, stressing that there’s still time to catch up. Click here to read... [22]
The Federal Republic of Somalia inched closer to joining the seven-member East African Community with the Horn of Africa nation signing the Treaty of Accession with the bloc at State House, Entebbe, Uganda on Friday, December 15. Click here to read... [23]
Democratic Republic of Congo recalled its ambassadors from Kenya and Tanzania for consultations on Saturday after a new Congolese military alliance that includes rebels was launched in the Kenyan capital. Click here to read... [24]
Another round of talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam continued on Saturday for three days, with representatives from Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan meeting in Addis Ababa. Click here to read... [25]
Belgium has reiterated its position on the Western Sahara issue, considering Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan as a “serious and credible effort”. Click here to read... [26]
Militants from the separatist Polisario Front reportedly carried out a new attack in the southern regions of Morocco last night. Click here to read... [27]
Egyptian air defence shot down a suspected drone off the Red Sea coast near the resort town of Dahab on Egypt's eastern Sinai coast, two security sources said. Click here to read... [28]
Two cargo ships in the Red Sea have been attacked by missiles fired from territory in Yemen, the US says. Click here to read... [29]
The BRICS economic bloc of countries is aggressively expanding its media presence in Africa through its Moscow-headquartered broadcast network to counter Western narratives in the Global South. Click here to read... [30]
The United Nations mission in Mali has officially ended a 10-year deployment in the country, its spokesperson said, in a pullout ordered by Mali’s military government. Click here to read... [31]
The United States has struck hundreds of deals worth $14.2 billion with African nations over the past year as Washington tries to counter growing influence on the continent by China. Click here to read... [32]
In the 2023 report to the US Congress, the US-China Economic and Review Commission claims that the majority of the African countries, including Kenya, fall victim to China's demands owing to the challenges of servicing the debt. Click here to read... [33]
Products from Angola, Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania to enter China tariff-free. Click here to read... [34]
Prices of nuclear commodity at 15-year high as governments scramble to secure sources of fuel for power stations Click here to read... [35]
Kenya and China have committed to continuing cultivating their close ties as the two countries marked 60 years of diplomatic relations. President William Ruto of Kenya and Chinese President Xi Jinping said the six-decade ties have been fruitful for both countries. Click here to read... [36]
China has pledged to support Uganda as the East African country gears up to host the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit and the 3rd South Summit. This was revealed here Thursday by Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong while handing over 70 SUV cars to the Ugandan government. Click here to read... [37]
President Isaias Afwerki met and had discussions with the Special Envoy of the People’s Republic of China to the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Xue Bing, at Denden Guest House today, 15 December. Click here to read... [38]
Mozambique has signed an accord with a consortium led by French power giant EDF to build the new $5 billion Mphanda Nkuwa hydropower project, the government said on Wednesday, as it seeks to harness energy from one of Africa's largest rivers. Click here to read... [39]
The South African government has announced plans to build new nuclear power stations to generate more electricity amid an energy crisis in the continent’s most advanced economy. Click here to read... [40]
The Vice-President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, has been in Moscow since 11 September to strengthen bilateral relations in the fields of defence and security and to open a framework for cooperation in the space sphere. Click here to read... [41]
Official says party favours sending refugees to third countries such as Rwanda for application processing. Click here to read... [42]
Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi has said that Pakistan desires to boost diplomatic, political, parliamentary and trade relations with all African countries including Ethiopia. Click here to read... [43]
Ethiopian Airlines has decided to commence flights between Addis Ababa and Dhaka from 8 March 2024 as Bangladesh and Ethiopia signed an air service agreement (ASA) last week to establish direct air link. Click here to read... [44]
The central bank of southern African country Lesotho is facing severe outages due to a cyberattack that was discovered earlier this week. Click here to read... [45]
As many as 61 migrants, including women and children, drowned following a "tragic" shipwreck off Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya. Click here to read... [46]
Several people are feared killed and injured following a blast at an oil terminal in Guinea's capital Conakry early on Monday, a senior police officer said. Click here to read... [47]
Dammu Ravi, the Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (Economic Relations), interacted with Comoros President and African Union Chairperson Azali Assoumani in Madagascar. Click here to read... [48]
Benin's Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari arrived here on Sunday on an official visit to further strengthen bilateral ties with India. Click here to read... [49]
State-owned RITES Ltd has signed an agreement with CFM Mozambique for the supply of ten diesel locomotives and incidental services, with a total cost of USD 37,680,080 (Rs 314.1 crore). Click here to read... [50]
The identity of the hijackers who have taken the crew hostage is unknown, but they are believed to be Somali pirates, the officials said Click here to read... [51]
In a major boost to Indian passport's strength, the list of visa-free countries for Indian citizens has just extended. This week, both Kenya and Iran abolished visa requirements for Indian passport holders. Click here to read... [52]
These top destinations are a must-add to your Kenya bucket list as the country opens up for visa-free travel from January 2024. Click here to read... [53]
Five discarded Indian and Pakistani cricketers, in a rare instance, joined hands in the far-off Uganda and guided the African country to their historic entry into the T20 World Cup. Click here to read... [54]
[58]
Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/2023/december/22/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-51
[2] https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/china-dedollarization-north-africa/
[3] https://theconversation.com/african-countries-at-cop28-several-big-wins-and-a-united-voice-219833
[4] https://www.foreignaffairs.com/africa/crisis-african-democracy
[5] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/egypts-sisi-cruises-towards-victory-subdued-election-2023-12-12/
[6] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/andry-rajoelina-sworn-in-as-madagascars-president/3084461
[7] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/17/chad-holds-referendum-on-new-constitution-amid-opposition-protests
[8] https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/congos-elections-face-enormous-logistical-problems-sparking-concerns-105733161
[9] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/burkina-faso-s-military-leader-sacks-foreign-minister/3085475
[10] https://www.theafricareport.com/330171/south-africa-anc-on-verge-of-losing-power-as-new-party-is-launched/
[11] https://www.dw.com/en/south-africa-zuma-denounces-anc-ahead-of-election/a-67746184
[12] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/senegal-court-orders-reinstatement-of-jailed-opposition-leader-to-electoral-register/3082988
[13] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/13/tunisian-opposition-leader-chaima-issa-gets-suspended-jail-term
[14] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/ethiopian-security-forces-arrest-former-peace-minister-over-participation-in-terrorist-activities/3080945
[15] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/sierra-leone-s-ex-president-named-as-suspect-in-foiled-coup-attempt-reports/3081870
[16] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/1/heavy-gunfire-heard-overnight-in-guinea-bissau-capital
[17] https://www.theafricareport.com/330212/somalia-rising-tension-due-to-proposed-constitutional-changes/
[18] https://theprint.in/world/west-africa-court-orders-reinstatement-of-ousted-niger-leader-bazoum/1887598/
[19] https://www.dw.com/en/west-africa-leaders-set-terms-for-lifting-niger-sanctions/a-67684663
[20] https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/niger-coup-leaders-agree-to-transition-terms-togo-mediator/article67640819.ece
[21] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/17/thousands-flee-as-war-reaches-sudans-second-largest-city
[22] https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1144822
[23] https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/13129/news/africa/somalia-signs-treaty-of-accession-with-eac
[24] https://theprint.in/world/congo-recalls-envoys-to-kenya-and-tanzania-over-alliance-launch-in-nairobi/1889217/
[25] https://www.madamasr.com/en/2023/12/17/news/u/egypt-sudan-and-ethiopia-resume-negotiations-over-ethiopias-mega-dam-in-addis-ababa/
[26] https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/12/359514/western-sahara-belgium-reiterates-support-for-moroccos-autonomy-plan
[27] https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/12/359581/polisario-launches-new-attack-on-moroccos-southern-region-of-aousserd
[28] https://www.arabnews.com/node/2426786/middle-east
[29] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67727601
[30] https://www.semafor.com/article/12/14/2023/brics-tv-takes-on-bbc-voa-france-24-in-africa
[31] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/11/un-peacekeeping-mission-in-mali-officially-ends-after-10-years
[32] https://www.voanews.com/a/us-invests-in-africa-in-effort-to-counter-chinese-influence-/7399128.html
[33] https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/95743-how-kenya-deported-foreigners-access-chinese-loans-us-report
[34] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/china-to-lift-tariffs-on-imports-from-6-african-nations/3076261#:~:text=China's%20State%20Council%20said%20on,Commission%20of%20the%20State%20Council.
[35] https://www.ft.com/content/e2380ad4-4381-4d2f-b698-1652dabe0c4c
[36] https://nation.africa/kenya/news/kenya-china-pledge-to-strengthen-diplomatic-ties-4465302
[37] https://english.news.cn/africa/20231215/72cd09ea67824bc9b2afcfd3fc9e4e93/c.html
[38] https://www.africa.com/eritrea-president-isaias-holds-talks-with-special-envoy-of-china/
[39] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mozambique-signs-5-bln-hydro-project-accord-with-edf-led-consortium-2023-12-13/
[40] https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2023-12-12/south-africa-to-build-new-nuclear-plants-the-opposition-attacked-the-plan-over-alleged-russia-links
[41] https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/new-technologies-innovation/teodoro-obiangs-equatorial-guinea-wants-to-send-an-astronaut-into-space-with-russias-backing/20231215144228194812.html
[42] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/17/cdu-german-voters-rwanda-asylum-plan-refugees-immigration
[43] https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2023/12/16/pakistan-desirous-to-boost-diplomatic-political-trade-ties-with-african-countries-solangi/
[44] https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/aviation/ethiopian-airlines-launch-dhaka-addis-ababa-flight-8-march-756290
[45] https://therecord.media/central-bank-lesotho-cyberattack-causes-outages
[46] https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/women-children-61-drowned-due-shipwreck-off-libyan-coast-2476898-2023-12-17
[47] https://www.deccanherald.com/world/several-feared-dead-in-guinea-oil-terminal-blast-2815391
[48] https://www.aninews.in/news/world/others/strengthen-india-africa-partnership-mea-conveys-pm-modis-message-to-comoros-madagascar-presidents20231218040956/
[49] https://ddnews.gov.in/international/benins-foreign-minister-arrives-official-visit-india-strengthen-bilateral-ties
[50] https://www.constructionworld.in/policy-updates-and-economic-news/rites-inks-deal-for-10-diesel-locomotives-with-cfm-mozambique/48102
[51] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-navy-tails-hijacked-vessel-headed-for-somalia-101702749604293.html
[52] https://www.wionews.com/india-news/with-visa-free-travel-indians-can-now-tick-kenyas-maasai-mara-off-their-travel-list-670149
[53] https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/lifestyle/kenya-joins-countries-for-visa-free-travel-for-indians-top-places-to-explore-101702725361891-1.html
[54] https://theprint.in/sport/how-5-rejected-indian-pakistani-cricketers-helped-uganda-get-entry-in-t20-world-cup/1889800/
[55] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 51, 2023)&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/2023/december/22/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-51
[56] http://twitter.com/share?text=Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 51, 2023)&url=https://www.vifindia.org/2023/december/22/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-51&via=Azure Power
[57] whatsapp://send?text=https://www.vifindia.org/2023/december/22/africa-now-weekly-newsletter-week-51
[58] https://www.vifindia.org/author/Samir-Bhattacharya