Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 12, 2022)

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

COMMENTARY

Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Where do African Countries Stand?

On 21st February 2022, President Vladimir Putin recognised the independence of Ukraine’s breakaway regions, Donetsk and Luhansk and decided to support Moscow-backed separatists with a military operation. Three days later, when Russia started its air and missile strikes in Ukraine’s Donbas region, it transformed into a full-blown war. Click here to read... [2]

NEWS

Tensions rise in Libya as risk of ‘parallel governments’ grows, Security Council hears

Amid a political impasse that threatens to see Libya fractured again by two parallel governments, the priority must be maintaining hard-won gains and fulfilling the electoral aspirations of nearly three million registered voters. Click here to read... [3]

Tanzania is getting a political remake as President Hassan eyes the 2025 polls

The sudden death of Tanzania’s populist president John Pombe Magufuli on 17 March 2021 catapulted his then little-known vice-president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, to the helm of political leadership. Click here to read... [4]

Somalia delays election process again as deadline lapses

Somalia has again pushed back the deadline for completing lower house elections, delaying until March 31 a process that is already more than a year overdue and has resulted in political sanctions. Click here to read... [5]

West African bloc says it won’t abandon Burkina Faso after coup

A representative of West Africa’s regional bloc said it would keep working with Burkina Faso despite concerns about the military’s plan to hold power for three years after a January coup. Click here to read... [6]

Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan hold secret talks on GERD dispute in UAE

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan are holding secret talks mediated by the United Arab Emirates on the filing and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Click here to read... [7]

Niger pushes for peace with jihadist talks

Niger is pressing ahead with an initiative to talk to jihadists whose attacks have shaken the country's southwest, amid fears that a new wave of bloodshed lies ahead. Click here to read... [8]

Sudan: Russian influence and Ukraine war stir domestic tensions

Officials courted Russian influence but the interference and the war in Ukraine are driving a wedge between its two most powerful men and stirring up domestic tensions. Click here to read... [9]

Mali to suspend France 24 TV station and RFI radio

The Malian military government is moving to suspend broadcasts by French state-funded international RFI radio and France 24 television channel, accusing the news outlets of reporting “false allegations” that the army killed dozens of civilians. Click here to read... [10]

‘Union will not remain silent’: Tunisia’s UGTT demands dialogue

Tunisia’s powerful UGTT labour union says it will not remain silent if authorities do not include it in negotiations over the country’s political and economic future, rejecting proposed reforms. Click here to read... [11]

UK approves Rwandan envoy ahead of Commonwealth meet

The United Kingdom has approved Rwanda’s new envoy to the country, Johnston Busingye, despite calls from critics to London to reject the nomination. The approval comes three months before Kigali hosts the Commonwealth Head of Governments meeting slated on June 20. Click here to read... [12]

Ambush and reprisals in western Ethiopia kill 64 – rights body

At least 53 people have died in western Ethiopia after an unidentified armed group attacked a civilian convoy and its military escort in a region plagued by ethnic violence. Click here to read... [13]

South Africa’s Ramaphosa blames NATO for Russia's war in Ukraine

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa blamed NATO for the war in Ukraine and said he would resist calls to condemn Russia, in comments that cast doubt over whether he would be accepted by Ukraine or the West as a mediator. Click here to read... [14]

Russia, China Build Ties in Africa as U.S. Falls Behind

In a new “scramble for Africa”, Russia and China are cutting deals, extending loans, making friends and allies across the continent at a time when jihadists in many countries have posed a growing threat to citizens and national security forces. Click here to read... [15]

US’s Blinken meets Ivory Coast PM to discuss trade, security

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has welcomed Patrick Achi, prime minister of Ivory Coast, for bilateral talks on a number of trade and security issues at the US Department of State. Click here to read... [16]

Complementing Rafales, US Could Sell Its ‘Top Dogfighters’ to Egypt as Cairo Moves Away from Russian SU-35 Jets

The Biden administration is planning to approve the sale of F-15 Eagles to Egypt, a top US military official said. This comes despite speculation that Washington might cut military aid to Cairo due to concerns about Egypt’s human rights record. Click here to read... [17]

Chad military gov’t, armed groups peace talks in Doha on hold

A first round of negotiations between Chad’s ruling transitional military council (TMC) and representatives of armed groups set to kick off in Doha, the Qatari capital, has been delayed by 48 hours. Click here to read... [18]

Nigeria moving ahead on nuclear power plant plan

Speaking at the Nigerian International Energy Summit in Abuja earlier this month, Idris said that Nigeria had had a small nuclear research reactor in operation for 18 years "so if anyone tells you Nigeria can’t manage a nuclear power plant - they are just telling you a story".Click here to read... [19]

Italy Negotiates with Libya, Algeria for Renewable Energy Deal

Italy is currently holding negotiations with Libya and Algeria for the mobilization and development of renewable energy resources. The European country is looking to diversify its energy mix, adopting clean energy sources from renewable-rich countries in northern Africa. Click here to read... [20]

Rebel attacks in eastern Congo kill more than 60

Suspected Islamist militants have killed more than 60 people over five days of attacks on villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local residents said on Tuesday. Click here to read... [21]

Western Sahara: Spain and Morocco near end to diplomatic row over disputed territory

Morocco and Spain have moved closer to resolving a decades-long dispute over Western Sahara. Spain's Prime Minister stated that a proposed autonomous region under Rabat control is the "most serious, realistic and credible” solution, according to Morocco’s royal palace. Click here to read... [22]

Cameroon's separatist conflict spills into Nigeria

The peaceful Nigerian fishing village of Manga sits not far from Cameroon's border, but its residents know all about the separatist war raging inside their West African neighbour. Click here to read... [23]

What drives South Africa’s political violence?

South Africa has a history of political violence, including a culture of violent protests and political killings. Historically, the violence is rooted in diverse drivers such as ethnic and tribal differences, and political intolerance. Click here to read... [24]

The Chagos archipelago: Between British colonial past, American interests and Mauritian sovereignty

Last month, while global attention was fixated on the Ukraine crisis, Mauritius sent an expedition, a first of its kind, to the Chagos archipelago, also known as the Chagos Islands. Click here to read... [25]

OIC Africa Group in Solid Support of Gambia Hosting Summit

In response to false and misleading rumours emerging largely on social media, The Gambia OIC Secretariat wishes to inform the public that The Gambia maintains its role as the rightful host of the next OIC Heads of State and Governments Summit. Click here to read... [26]

African Countries Build Capacity on Cyber security

Sixty-five participants from 32 countries are attending a forum in Accra to promote cybersecurity capacity building in Africa. Dubbed Africa Cyber Experts (ACE) Community Kick-Off Meeting, it is on the theme "Setting the Scene for Cybersecurity Status in Africa." Click here to read... [27]

President of Guinea-Bissau says he stands firm in his post

The President of Guinea-Bissau said on Thursday that the Guinean State is still standing and that he remains firm in his post. The president's speech, delivered on Thursday, takes place after the attempted coup on the 1st of February. Click here to read... [28]

Eswatini Air adds first aircraft, an E145

Eswatini Air - the new regional airline brand of state-owned Royal Eswatini National Airways (RENAC) – plans to debut by the end of 2Q22 on Southern African regional routes using two EMB-145EPs. Click here to read... [29]

How China-African trade may evolve

China is taking a more cautious approach to trade and investment in Africa and shifting its focus from governments to multilateral institutions. Click here to read... [30]

Uganda bids to host Africa drugs agency

Uganda has the required capacity to host the African Medicine Agency (AMA) following its investments in developing and manufacturing drugs over the years. Click here to read... [31]

Kenya Receives A $750 Million Boost to Support Economic Transformation Post-Pandemic

In an effort to help accelerate Kenya’s ongoing inclusive and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, the World Bank has approved a $750 million Development Policy Operation (DPO) that will help strengthen fiscal sustainability through reforms that contribute to greater transparency and the fight against corruption. Click here to read... [32]

Mauritania says fight against slavery an 'irreversible priority'

Fighting slavery in Mauritania is "a constant and irreversible" priority for the authorities, one of the country's top rights officials said Wednesday, in a rare public comment on the issue there. Click here to read... [33]

Talks underway to resume iron ore project in Guinea

Company representatives and officials are actively seeking a joint solution to a quick resumption of work at the Simandou project in Guinea, which has the world's largest untapped iron ore reserves, the Global Times has learned. Click here to read... [34]

Zambia's late former President Rupiah Banda buried

Zambian late former President Rupiah Banda, who ruled from 2008 to 2011 and died at 85 last week after a battle with cancer, was buried at Embassy Park in Lusaka, the capital. Click here to read... [35]

Mozambique: Cyclone Gombe death toll rises to 53

Tropical Cyclone Gombe has killed at least 53 people since it hit Mozambique a week ago, a sharp rise from earlier estimates. Click here to read... [36]

INDIA IN AFRICA

‘Green Triangle’ named after Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated in Madagascar’s capital as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav

As part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate India’s 75th year of independence, a “Green Triangle” named after Mahatma Gandhi was jointly inaugurated in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo. Click here to read... [37]

Delegation from Telangana announced for Namibia for diamonds and pharma sectors

The India Africa Trade Council organized the India Namibia Summit which was attended by the Business community in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Click here to read... [38]

Indian-American Puneet Talwar Appointed New US Ambassador to Morocco

US President Joe Biden on Friday announced Indian American Puneet Talwar for Ambassador of Morocco as part of some key nominations for his administration, a White House press release said. Click here to read... [39]

India, Namibia committed to partnership in pharma sector

Trade between India and Namibia stood at approximately $80 million in the last few years. Namibia imports drugs and pharmaceuticals, chemicals and agricultural machinery from India. Click here to read... [40]

South Africa Tourism aims at 64% rise in arrivals from India

With 48 per cent of the total Indian visitors to South Africa travelling from Mumbai, the city is the leading source market for South African Tourism in India. Click here to read... [41]

South Africa to soon start e-visa facility for Indian travellers

The South African Tourism Board has recently expressed that it’s eyeing 64% year-on-year growth in arrivals from India this year. Click here to read... [42]

2022 Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports launched in India at Rs 16.01 lakh, bookings open

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India announced today that bookings for the new 2022 Africa Twin Adventure Sports are now open in India at Honda's exclusive Big Wing Topline dealerships. Click here to read... [43]

South Africa, India, EU, US reach compromise on Covid-19 vaccine patent

Any agreement must be accepted by the WTO’s 164 member countries in order to be adopted. If one country rejects the proposal, it could mean the end of the waiver. Click here to read... [44]

India at UNSC calls for elections in Libya, hopes issues resolve peacefully

At the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing on the situation in Libya, R. Madhu Sudan, Counsellor at Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations reiterated the imperative for holding the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in the North African country at the earliest. Click here to read... [45]

34 countries, including India, confirm presence at Commonwealth Summit in Rwanda

The CHOGM or Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting has been scheduled to start in the third week of June with President of Rwanda Paul Kagame being the host of the summit. Click here to read... [46]

South Africa to issue e-visas for Indian travellers soon

As part of post-pandemic revival plans, South Africa will introduce e-visas for Indians to attract more tourists, business travellers and movie-makers, mainly from the south. Click here to read... [47]
Click here to read... [48]