🇪🇺🇺🇸🇲🇬 EU and US concerned about Madagascar protest clashes
The European Union and the United States have voiced concern over the "disproportionate use of force" to disperse opposition protests in Madagascar, amid tensions ahead of presidential elections.
In a joint statement, representatives of the EU, US and seven other countries and international organisations including France, Germany and Japan, said they were "worried" about the "tense political climate" in Madagascar.
The United Nations has also recently expressed concern over the "deteriorating human rights situation" in the country.
Eleven out of 13 opposition candidates have been protesting against what they call an "institutional coup" to keep President Andry Rajoelina in power.
#EU #USA #Madagascar
@africaintel
The European Union and the United States have voiced concern over the "disproportionate use of force" to disperse opposition protests in Madagascar, amid tensions ahead of presidential elections.
In a joint statement, representatives of the EU, US and seven other countries and international organisations including France, Germany and Japan, said they were "worried" about the "tense political climate" in Madagascar.
The United Nations has also recently expressed concern over the "deteriorating human rights situation" in the country.
Eleven out of 13 opposition candidates have been protesting against what they call an "institutional coup" to keep President Andry Rajoelina in power.
#EU #USA #Madagascar
@africaintel
🇪🇺🇳🇪 EU agrees on framework for Niger sanctions
European Union countries on Monday adopted a framework to impose sanctions on members of a junta that seized power in Niger in July.
The new framework will allow the EU to sanction individuals and entities responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Niger, undermine the constitutional order, or constitute serious violations to human rights or international humanitarian law, the EU Council said.
With this, the EU aims to mirror and strengthen any measures taken by the West African regional organisation ECOWAS.
"The EU has from the very beginning condemned the coup d'état in Niger in the strongest terms," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
With the restrictive measures, the EU could freeze assets of targeted entities and individuals and hand them travel bans.
#EU #Niger
@africaintel
European Union countries on Monday adopted a framework to impose sanctions on members of a junta that seized power in Niger in July.
The new framework will allow the EU to sanction individuals and entities responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Niger, undermine the constitutional order, or constitute serious violations to human rights or international humanitarian law, the EU Council said.
With this, the EU aims to mirror and strengthen any measures taken by the West African regional organisation ECOWAS.
"The EU has from the very beginning condemned the coup d'état in Niger in the strongest terms," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
With the restrictive measures, the EU could freeze assets of targeted entities and individuals and hand them travel bans.
#EU #Niger
@africaintel
🇪🇺🇺🇬 EU to invest 60 mln euros in upgrading Uganda power plant
The European Union plans to invest 60 million euros in upgrading one of the Uganda's largest hydropower plants, helping partially plug a financing gap for the country's ageing energy infrastructure, a top diplomat said on Monday.
The Nalubaale and Kiira hydropower plant complex located at the source of River Nile at Jinja in Uganda's east produces about 380 megawatts and is Uganda's oldest power plant, commissioned in 1954.
South African power giant Eskom ran the plant under a 20-year concession that ended early this year, after which the government retook control.
"We'll be investing some 60 million euros in the rehabilitation of Kiira and Nalubaale hydropower plant in order to provide reliable energy for Uganda's industrialisation," Jan Sadek, the EU's ambassador to Uganda, told.
#EU #Uganda
@africaintel
The European Union plans to invest 60 million euros in upgrading one of the Uganda's largest hydropower plants, helping partially plug a financing gap for the country's ageing energy infrastructure, a top diplomat said on Monday.
The Nalubaale and Kiira hydropower plant complex located at the source of River Nile at Jinja in Uganda's east produces about 380 megawatts and is Uganda's oldest power plant, commissioned in 1954.
South African power giant Eskom ran the plant under a 20-year concession that ended early this year, after which the government retook control.
"We'll be investing some 60 million euros in the rehabilitation of Kiira and Nalubaale hydropower plant in order to provide reliable energy for Uganda's industrialisation," Jan Sadek, the EU's ambassador to Uganda, told.
#EU #Uganda
@africaintel
🇪🇺🇬🇭 EU delivers 105 military vehicles to Ghana in face of jihadist threat from Sahel
Ghana's president Nana Akuffo Adodo discussed regional and international issues with the EU's top diplomat.
On the occasion, Ghana received a fleet of some 100 armoured vehicles from the EU
Ghana, along with Gulf of Guinea neighbours Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast, are increasingly at risk from jihadi violence wreaking havok in the Sahel.
"It is imperative to understand that no single country can confront the terrorist threat on its own," Ghana's president said.
"Collaborative efforts among nations facing this challenge and a critical support from partners such as the European Union who share our security concerns, remain crucial in mitigating the terrorist threat in the West African region."
The EU said the Ghana aid was part of a broader 616 million euros package to strengthen defence and security of the four coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea.
#EU #Ghana
@africaintel
Ghana's president Nana Akuffo Adodo discussed regional and international issues with the EU's top diplomat.
On the occasion, Ghana received a fleet of some 100 armoured vehicles from the EU
Ghana, along with Gulf of Guinea neighbours Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast, are increasingly at risk from jihadi violence wreaking havok in the Sahel.
"It is imperative to understand that no single country can confront the terrorist threat on its own," Ghana's president said.
"Collaborative efforts among nations facing this challenge and a critical support from partners such as the European Union who share our security concerns, remain crucial in mitigating the terrorist threat in the West African region."
The EU said the Ghana aid was part of a broader 616 million euros package to strengthen defence and security of the four coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea.
#EU #Ghana
@africaintel
🇪🇺🇪🇬🇯🇴 EU's von Der Leyen to travel to Egypt, Jordan on November 18
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen will travel to Egypt and Jordan on Nov. 18, an EU Commission spokesperson said.
She will meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo and travel to the Sinai to welcome the arrival of EU humanitarian aid before meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah in Amman.
During her visit she plans to discuss the Israel-Hamas war and the EU humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
#EU #Egypt #Jordan
@africaintel
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen will travel to Egypt and Jordan on Nov. 18, an EU Commission spokesperson said.
She will meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo and travel to the Sinai to welcome the arrival of EU humanitarian aid before meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah in Amman.
During her visit she plans to discuss the Israel-Hamas war and the EU humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
#EU #Egypt #Jordan
@africaintel
🇪🇺🇵🇸🇪🇬 EU commission president discusses Gaza humanitarian crisis with Egypt
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that she opposed the "forced displacement of Palestinians" during a meeting in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Von der Leyen expressed gratitude to Egypt for its crucial role in providing and facilitating humanitarian aid to vulnerable Palestinians.
The two leaders discussed "the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza" and explored a "political horizon based on a two-state solution."
Von der Leyen later arrived in North Sinai for the arrival of a European Union humanitarian convoy, according to a statement from the governor of the Egyptian border region. The statement mentioned that she is expected to inspect the Rafah border crossing, assess the aid situation, and visit wounded Palestinians in North Sinai.
#EU #Palestine #Egypt
@africaintel
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that she opposed the "forced displacement of Palestinians" during a meeting in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Von der Leyen expressed gratitude to Egypt for its crucial role in providing and facilitating humanitarian aid to vulnerable Palestinians.
The two leaders discussed "the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza" and explored a "political horizon based on a two-state solution."
Von der Leyen later arrived in North Sinai for the arrival of a European Union humanitarian convoy, according to a statement from the governor of the Egyptian border region. The statement mentioned that she is expected to inspect the Rafah border crossing, assess the aid situation, and visit wounded Palestinians in North Sinai.
#EU #Palestine #Egypt
@africaintel
🇪🇺🇨🇩 42 EU observers deployed to DR Congo ahead of elections
The head of a European Union electoral mission to DR Congo announced the deployment of 42 initial observers to the country, ahead of a poll next month.
Malin Bjork, a Swedish MEP heading the mission, told that 42 observers had arrived and will soon be deployed in 17 out of 26 provinces in the vast central African nation.
"They will be our eyes and ears on the ground," she said.
Bjork also called for freedom of expression and assembly to be respected, and all violence or words of hatred to be rejected.
#EU #DRC
@africaintel
The head of a European Union electoral mission to DR Congo announced the deployment of 42 initial observers to the country, ahead of a poll next month.
Malin Bjork, a Swedish MEP heading the mission, told that 42 observers had arrived and will soon be deployed in 17 out of 26 provinces in the vast central African nation.
"They will be our eyes and ears on the ground," she said.
Bjork also called for freedom of expression and assembly to be respected, and all violence or words of hatred to be rejected.
#EU #DRC
@africaintel
🇪🇺🇨🇩 EU canceled election observation mission in DR Congo due to "Technical Issues"
The European Union announced that it was cancelling its election observation mission in the DR Congo, citing "technical" reasons.
Previously, the EU had stated that its election observers who had arrived in the DRC had been unable to "deploy across the country for security reasons", making their mission "impossible."
"Due to technical constraints beyond the EU's control, we are forced to cancel the election observation mission," said European Union diplomatic service spokeswoman in a statement released on Wednesday.
She added that essential telecommunications equipment had not been made available to the observers deployed in the country ahead of the December 20 polls.
"The EU encourages the DRC authorities and all stakeholders to continue their efforts to ensure that the Congolese people can fully exercise their rights."
#EU #DRC
@africaintel
The European Union announced that it was cancelling its election observation mission in the DR Congo, citing "technical" reasons.
Previously, the EU had stated that its election observers who had arrived in the DRC had been unable to "deploy across the country for security reasons", making their mission "impossible."
"Due to technical constraints beyond the EU's control, we are forced to cancel the election observation mission," said European Union diplomatic service spokeswoman in a statement released on Wednesday.
She added that essential telecommunications equipment had not been made available to the observers deployed in the country ahead of the December 20 polls.
"The EU encourages the DRC authorities and all stakeholders to continue their efforts to ensure that the Congolese people can fully exercise their rights."
#EU #DRC
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇪🇺🇨🇩 EU canceled election observation mission in DR Congo due to "Technical Issues" The European Union announced that it was cancelling its election observation mission in the DR Congo, citing "technical" reasons. Previously, the EU had stated that its election…
🇨🇩🇪🇺 DR Congo regrets EU cancellation of poll observer mission
The government in the DR Congo has expressed regret at the European Union’s decision to withdraw its electoral observation mission from the country.
The government said it was committed to successfully holding the elections with transparency, inclusiveness and freedom, and would welcome all observer missions wishing to work "in accordance with the laws and regulations of DR Congo".
Between 80 to 100 EU observers were due to be deployed to monitor the 20 December general elections.
#DRC #EU
@africaintel
The government in the DR Congo has expressed regret at the European Union’s decision to withdraw its electoral observation mission from the country.
The government said it was committed to successfully holding the elections with transparency, inclusiveness and freedom, and would welcome all observer missions wishing to work "in accordance with the laws and regulations of DR Congo".
Between 80 to 100 EU observers were due to be deployed to monitor the 20 December general elections.
#DRC #EU
@africaintel
🇳🇪🇪🇺 Niger revokes military accord with European Union
Niger's ruling junta has revoked the country's military partnership with the European Union, the foreign ministry said on Monday, withdrawing its permission for an EU programme.
The EUCAP Sahel Niger civilian mission was launched in 2012 to help the security forces fight militants and other threats. Around 120 Europeans are permanently deployed there. They were also assigned to mission to train Nigerien security forces in various areas.
#Niger #EU
@africaintel
Niger's ruling junta has revoked the country's military partnership with the European Union, the foreign ministry said on Monday, withdrawing its permission for an EU programme.
The EUCAP Sahel Niger civilian mission was launched in 2012 to help the security forces fight militants and other threats. Around 120 Europeans are permanently deployed there. They were also assigned to mission to train Nigerien security forces in various areas.
#Niger #EU
@africaintel