Africa Now (01-15 December, 2024)

OVERVIEW

The African Continent witnessed significant developments over the past two weeks. The continent continued to experience democratic upheavals with Ghana electing John Dramani Mahama as its new President. The continent championed the cause of women empowerment with Namibia electing Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the first female President while Ghana electing Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the country’s first female Vice President. The region was not free from violence. Clashes occurred between Somalia's Jubbaland region and the federal government, leaving ten people dead.

The US President, Joe Biden visited Angola on 2 December 2024, to boost the Lobito Corridor Project. Meanwhile, Turkey hosted the third round of talks to ease tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over a port deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland. Japan in a bid to curb the spread of the Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has decided to send three million doses of mpox vaccine, particularly for children.

Indian ties with Africa continued to strengthen. The 2nd India-Rwanda and 13th India-Egypt Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) were held in New Delhi. Both the FOCs highlighted the importance of addressing regional and global challenges while reiterating the need for a strong strategic partnership. India-Morocco Defence Industry Seminar was held in Rabat on December 9-10th to foster strong bilateral relations and investment opportunities in the defence sector.

AFRICA

Namibia elects its first female President

On December 3, 2024, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of SWAPO party became the President, the first female to become the country’s leader. Her victory marks the extension of the 34-year rule of SWAPO party, which had been in power since Namibia got independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. She received 57 per cent of votes while her opponent, Panduleni Itula from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party secured only 26 per cent of votes. After coming to power, she has a mammoth task of addressing the challenges of high levels of poverty and unemployment that the country and its people have been grappling with. Click here to read… [2]

John D. Mahama wins Presidential elections in Ghana

Former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama won the country’s presidential elections by defeating the Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia on December 8, 2024. The country suffers the worst economic crisis leading to defaulting on most of its international debt. Last year, it had to strike a deal with the International Monetary Fund for a $3 billion bailout. The ousting of the ruling party is indicative of people’s frustration and demand for change in leadership to combat the ongoing inflation, currency depreciation and overall economic hardships. Click here to read… [3]

Junta appoints new Prime Minister in Burkina Faso

On December 7, 2024, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, previous governments’ communication minister and spokesman, was appointed as the prime minister by the military government of Burkina Faso. Due to the increasing threats from extremists linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups, the military had taken over. But like the previous democratically elected governments, the military leaders have also struggled to end the country’s security challenges. The new prime minister now has the daunting task of overcoming these issues. Click here to read… [4]

AfDB pledges $1 billion to Morocco

On December 6, the African Development Bank (AfDB) signed a loan agreement during the AfDB's Africa Investment Forum in Rabat to lend 350 million euros ($370 mln) to Morocco to strengthen economic governance and water supplies in the region and set up an industrial zone in the Nador West Med port. It is also considering loaning the country another 650 million euros to finance the infrastructure for the 2030 World Cup. AfDB's total financing to Morocco covers 37 projects worth $3.6 billion and this loan would further contribute to Morocco’s development. Click here to read… [5]

Ghana elects First Female Vice-President

Ghana creates history by electing Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the country’s first female vice president. Given her expertise in gender equality, youth empowerment, education and public service positions, a change in perspective on national policies would soon be underway. Her election symbolises a more inclusive political landscape with female representation in key leadership positions. This development would inspire women beyond Ghana, to come out and play an important role in different areas of political and economic influence. Click here to read… [6]

Nigeria’s refinery makes first Petrol Export to Cameroon

Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery, a 650,000-barrel refinery, made its first export of petrol to Cameroon. The refinery with Cameroon’s energy firm, Neptune Oil is set to explore new ways to ensure a consistent supply chain in the region. This would enhance regional energy integration and stabilise fuel prices across the region. This partnership with Dangote refinery is not just a turning point for Cameroon but for the whole African continent as this would lay the foundation of an energy-independent Africa that would benefit the local population. Click here to read… [7]

Clashes between Somalia's Jubbaland region and federal government

On December 11, fighting erupted between forces from Somalia's federal government and the semi-autonomous Jubbaland region after the latter held its elections. Jubbaland is one Somalia’s semi-autonomous states and shares its borders with Kenya and Ethiopia. In November, it re-elected its regional president but the national government in Mogadishu opposed the election. Given Jubbaland’s strategic location and security threats from groups like al-Shabaab, it is important to keep the internal rivalries in check. Click here to read… [8]

AFRICA AND WORLD

Joe Biden visits Angola

On 2nd December 2024, US President, Joe Biden visited Angola to boost the Lobito Corridor Project. This US-backed railway project links the resource-rich African countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia to the Angolan port of Lobito on the Atlantic Ocean. The aim of this ambitious project is not just to ensure a faster route for exports to the West but also to divert the critical minerals away from China, which is increasing its foothold in Africa through trade and investments. Click here to read… [9]

Somalia's president visits Turkey for third round of talks with Ethiopia

On December 10, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the president of Somalia flew to Turkey to attend the third round of talks to ease tensions with Ethiopia. Somalia and Ethiopia have a strained relationship in the wake of a port deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland. Somalia considers the MoU as a breach of its sovereignty and is opposed to Somaliland’s independence. Turkey has close ties with both Ethiopia and Somalia and tried to mediate between the two but the second round of talks proved inconclusive. The countries need to come to a resolution to ensure stability in the region. Click here to read… [10]

Japan to send Mpox Vaccines in Democratic Republic of Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to receive three million doses of mpox vaccine for children according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The vaccine will be given to children aged zero to five and a delegation from Japan will come to train the health workers in DRC. Out of 10,533 confirmed mpox cases in DRC, more than 44 per cent affected by the disease are children under 15 years of age. The arrival of vaccines from Japan will help in curbing the outbreak. Click here to read… [11]

IMF to release $182 million to Rwanda

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has decided to release new funds worth $181.7 million to Rwanda after the completion of its fourth review of Rwanda’s Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) and second review under the Standby Credit Facility (SCF). The funds were released after taking into account Rwanda’s economic resilience despite facing external vulnerabilities including a widening current account deficit and exchange rate pressures. Click here to read… [12]

INDIA and AFRICA

CII holds ‘Business Opportunities in Africa’ event in Madurai

At an event organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Madurai on December 5, 2024, Ajmal Fawad, Country Director – CWEIC (India) & Deputy Director – International (Africa) CII discussed the significance of bilateral trade relations in strengthening ties between the two countries. Emphasizing the rich history of trade and cultural exchange between India and Africa and CII’s Africa-focused initiatives, he talked about how bilateral trade of India and Africa grew by 9.26 per cent in 2022-23 and stood at about $98 billion. The region has become an attractive destination for Indian investments, given the abundance of resources and increasing working population. Click here to read… [13]

2nd India-Rwanda Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in New Delhi

On December 5, 2024, the Second India-Rwanda Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) were held in New Delhi, to explore new areas of collaboration between the two countries. The Indian delegation was led by Mayank Singh, the Joint Secretary (East & Southern Africa) at the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Rwandan side was headed by Virgile Rwanyagatare, Director General (Asia, Pacific, and Middle East Affairs) in Rwanda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Both sides emphasised on the need to cooperate in critical sectors like space, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and mining. The discussions highlighted the importance of addressing regional and global challenges by reiterating their shared commitment for a strong strategic partnership. Click here to read… [14]

13th India-Egypt Foreign Office Consultations held in New Delhi

On December 5, the 13th India-Egypt Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) were held in New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa & Overseas Indian Affairs) from India, and Ambassador Ahmed Shaheen, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs from Egypt. Both sides discussed about enhancing cooperation across various sectors such as political cooperation, economic development, and diplomatic engagement. The delegation also discussed areas for future collaboration in sectors like renewable energy and digital technology, highlighting the immense potential of growth and opportunity between the two countries. Click here to read… [15]

India-Morocco Defence Industry Seminar held

India-Morocco Defence Industry Seminar was held in Rabat on December 9-10th to foster strong bilateral relations and investment opportunities in the defence sector. Abdeltif Loudyi, Morocco’s Minister Delegate to the Head of the Government, and In-Charge of Administration of National Defence said that Morocco is a gateway to Africa and Europe for Indian companies that would offer state-of-the-art environment, zero bureaucracy, and profitability for Indian defence companies. The seminar also focussed on Morocco’s defence requirements that would be catered through Indian manufacturing expertise. Click here to read… [16]