Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 43, 2021)

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

COMMENTARY

Insurgency in Mozambique far from over

30th September 2021 marked a new day for Mozambique as US government, recognising the importance of Mozambique’s success for the region, inaugurated the new United States Embassy in Maputo, Mozambique [2]. This raises hope in a country which is tormented byJihadist terrorism [3] since 2017. In August 2021, Rwandan Military along with Mozambican troops retook the last stronghold of Islamists, Mocímboa da Praia [4], a key port city from Islamist militants in northern Mozambique. Further, the government of Rwanda announced that their military will remain in Mozambique [5] as long as Mozambique wants. Earlier this month, South Africa also sent nearly 1,500 troops to Mozambique [6] to help the country battle jihadist militants. However, despite these significant military victories, insurgency in Mozambique is far from over as the war against hunger is yet to be won.

NEWS

Cape Verde Chooses the Opposition as New Leader

Opposition candidate and former Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves won Cape Verde’s presidential election on Sunday, as his main rival, the ruling party’s flagbearer Carlos Veiga, conceded defeat. Click here to read... [7]

Libyan PM, foreign powers back landmark election in December

Libya’s prime minister and several foreign powers have endorsed the holding of a national election on December 24, as envisaged in a United Nations-backed peace plan aimed at resolving years of turmoil and division. Click here to read... [8]

Ethiopia preps for third filling as Nile dam diplomacy stalls

Hope for negotiations on the crisis with Egypt and Sudan is fading as Ethiopia works toward the third-stage filling of its mega dam on the Blue Nile. Click here to read... [9]

Somalia leaders strike deal on long-delayed election process

Somalia’s president and prime minister say they have struck a deal to speed up the process for long-delayed elections, ending their simmering feud which threatened to plunge the country into a fresh crisis. Click here to read... [10]

Erdogan pledges to double bilateral trade at Turkey-Africa summit

The Turkey-Africa Economic and Business Forum held in Istanbul from 21-22 October, aims to provide a platform for Turkish businesses to gain a foothold on the continent. Click here to read... [11]

Huge crowds march in Sudan in support of civilian rule

Throngs of Sudanese protesters took to the streets on Thursday to voice their support for civilian rule within the country's power-sharing government. >Click here to read... [12]

Nigeria to Launch Digital Currency on October 25

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will launch a digital currency on Monday aimed at improving the payments system in the West African nation, according to the central bank. Click here to read... [13]

575 Prisoners Escape After Gunmen Attack Prison

In another blow to the Nigerian authority, gunmen have attacked a prison and freed around 575 prisoners on Friday. This was the third such incident in 2021https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/africa/nigeria-575-prisoners-escape-after-gunmen-attack-prison-no-arrests-till-now.html [14] " target="_blank">Click here to read...

Is Algeria Weaponizing Airspace and Natural Gas?

In a series of shocking and unintelligible decisions, the Algerian Government closed its airspace to Moroccan military and civilian aircraft. Click here to read... [15]

Drone sale to Ethiopia could jeopardize Turkey-Egypt dialogue

Turkey risks derailing normalization talks with Egypt by selling armed drones to Ethiopia, in addition to coming under international fire should Ethiopia use the drones in the conflict in Tigray. Click here to read... [16]

Namibia to suspend use of Russian COVID-19 vaccine

Namibia will suspend its rollout of Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, its health ministry said on Saturday, days after the drugs regulator in neighbouring South Africa flagged concerns about its safety for people at risk of HIV. Click here to read... [17]

INDIA IN AFRICA

India, Africa Can Empower Youth Through Quality Edu & Skill Development

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan said India has developed a program called "Study in India" to increase the number of foreign students coming to the country. Click here to read... [18]

Indian Minister of State V Muraleedharan to complete Sudan and South Sudan trip

India’s Minister of State V Muraleedharan concludes his visit to Sudan and South Sudan today, his first visit to both countries. Click here to read... [19]

Mauritius’ exit from FATF grey list may boost India’s FDI inflow

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, has removed Mauritius from its ‘grey list’ of countries which may indirectly lead to higher investment to India from the Island nation.’ Click here to read... [20]

Over 800 Indian Army troops in Sudan get United Nations medal

A total of 836 troops from the Indian Army serving with the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan have been awarded the United Nations medal. India is the second largest troop contributor to the 18,300-strong peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, having provided nearly 2,400 soldiers. Click here to read... [21]