VIF News Digest: International Developments (Africa), 21-27 Jan 2019

Cameroon, China Look to Improve Ties Amid Miners' Tensions
21 January 2019

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special representative was in Cameroon this weekend to improve relations between the two countries. Trade and security ties have steadily grown between Beijing and Yaounde. But tensions between Cameroonian and Chinese miners has given China a bad name.

When Cameroonian President Paul Biya hosted China’s special representative Yang Jiechi on Friday, both men had nothing but good things to say. Biya welcomed China’s Belt and Road Initiative – Beijing’s multi-billion-dollar plan to connect Asia, Europe and Africa. Click here to read.... [2]

Thousands of Nigerian Refugees Seek Safety in Chad: UNHCR
22 January 2019

A new upsurge of violence in northeastern Nigeria has forced thousands of people – most of them women and children - to seek safety in Chad’s Lake Chad region. An estimated 6,000 refugees have fled Nigeria’s restive Borno State since 26 December, when clashes erupted between Nigerian government forces and non-state armed groups in Baga town, near the Chadian border.

Many of the refugees paddled across the lake to arrive in the Chadian village of Ngouboua, located on the shores of Lake Chad, 20 kilometres from the Nigerian border. It takes three hours for the crossing. According to testimonies gathered by our teams, refugees are fleeing in fear of their lives after threats of retaliation and intimidation following militant attacks. Click here to read.... [3]

Abiy's Ethiopia Pardons 13,000 Accused of Treason or Terrorism: VOA
22 January 2019

Ethiopia has pardoned more than 13,000 people in the past six months who had been charged with or convicted of treason or terrorism, state-affiliated media said on Tuesday. The previous government had said around 30,000 people including students, opposition leaders, journalists and bloggers were in detention following widespread protests that broke out in 2015.

After the reformist Abiy Ahmed became prime minister in April and began defusing long-standing tension with neighboring Eritrea, a six-month amnesty was introduced for those held under provisions of an anti-terrorism law that critics say has criminalized dissent. Click here to read.... [4]

SA Prez Arrives on State Visit: Tribune
25 January 2019

This year’s Republic Day chief guest, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa along with First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe, reached Delhi on his first state visit on Friday. He was accompanied by nine senior cabinet members and a 50-member business delegation.

After Nelson Mandela in 1995, Ramaphosa is the second chief guest from South Africa as India celebrates its 70th Republic Day. His visit, which was finalised after US President Donald Trump declined India’s invitation, coincides with the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi globally with special resonance in South Africa. Click here to read.... [5]

70th Republic Day: 24 years after Mandela, Ramaphosa Graces Fete – The Hindu
26 January 2019

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Saturday joined a select group of world leaders, including Nelson Mandela, to have graced India’s Republic Day celebrations. Mr. Ramaphosa, as the chief guest at the 70th Republic Day celebrations, watched the colourful parade at the majestic Rajpath along with President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of other leaders. He became the second president from South Africa to grace the Republic Day celebrations as chief guest after Nelson Mandela attended the event 24 years ago. " target="_blank">Click here to read.... [6]

Sudan's Bashir Travels to Cairo to Seek Egypt's Backing as Protests Rage: africanews
27 January 2019

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir will travel to Cairo on Sunday to meet his Egyptian counterpart, his second trip abroad since anti-government demonstrations began in his country, the official Sudanese news agency, SUNA reported. “President Omar al-Bashir will discuss regional issues of interest to both countries with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi,” the agency said. Bashir’s visit to Cairo was confirmed to AFP by Sudanese Ambassador to Egypt Abdel Mahmoud Abdel Halim. Click here to read.... [7]

DRC: UN Finds 50 Mass Graves in Area Hit by Ethnic Fighting – africanews
27 January 2019

More than 50 mass graves were discovered by a joint UN and government fact-finding mission after ethnic violence in mid-December in a region of western Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN announced.

“There are more than 50 mass graves or mass graves and individual graves that we have identified” in Yumbi in the western province of Mai-Ndombe, Abdoul Aziz Thioye, director of the Joint UN Office for Human Rights in the DRC (UNJHRO), said on Friday. “This suggests that the number (of deaths) is quite high because a common grave (depending on) size can contain five, ten bodies” or even “one hundred bodies or four times more,” explained Thioye. Click here to read.... [8]

Macron Kicks Off Three-Day Visit to Egypt: Reuters
27 January 2019

French president Emmanuel Macron has begun a three-day official visit to Egypt, bringing with him four ministers, with security cooperation and the fight against terrorism expected to be high on the agenda.
A number of multi-million-euro deals are expected to be signed during Macron’s visit, including renewable energy deals, agri-food, health, and transport. Click here to read.... [9]