🇬🇭 Ghana to ensure payments of coupons, principals of old bonds resume on March 13
Ghana's finance ministry said on Monday it was taking steps to ensure payments of coupons and principals of old bonds resume on March 13 following the conclusion of a domestic debt exchange programme. It also said in a statement that the newly issued bonds had been settled and listed, and would become the new benchmark bonds for the fixed income market.
Ghana has to restructure its debt to secure a $3 billion International Monetary Fund bailout. It successfully closed a long-delayed domestic debt exchange programme on February 14 with registrations from around 85% of eligible bondholders.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta said two days later that substantive discussions with external bondholders were due to start in the next few weeks.
#Ghana
@africaintel
Ghana's finance ministry said on Monday it was taking steps to ensure payments of coupons and principals of old bonds resume on March 13 following the conclusion of a domestic debt exchange programme. It also said in a statement that the newly issued bonds had been settled and listed, and would become the new benchmark bonds for the fixed income market.
Ghana has to restructure its debt to secure a $3 billion International Monetary Fund bailout. It successfully closed a long-delayed domestic debt exchange programme on February 14 with registrations from around 85% of eligible bondholders.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta said two days later that substantive discussions with external bondholders were due to start in the next few weeks.
#Ghana
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Tinubu ahead in Nigeria election as opposition parties reject vote
Nigeria's ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu was ahead in the vote count after Saturday's presidential poll, a tally of provisional results showed on Monday, but opposition parties walked out of the counting process citing concerns of fraud.
"INEC's lack of efficient planning in critical stages and effective public communication reduced trust in the process," the European Union observer mission said in a statement.
Opposition parties remained unsatisfied.
"The electoral process has been rigged and we are completely disassociating ourselves from it," PDP Atiku's campaign manager said at the INEC results centre.
"We regret to say that we have lost confidence in the results being collated and announced," director of Obi's Labour party campaign told. "We hereby call on the INEC to follow its own guidelines or completely cancel the entire election."
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Nigeria's ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu was ahead in the vote count after Saturday's presidential poll, a tally of provisional results showed on Monday, but opposition parties walked out of the counting process citing concerns of fraud.
"INEC's lack of efficient planning in critical stages and effective public communication reduced trust in the process," the European Union observer mission said in a statement.
Opposition parties remained unsatisfied.
"The electoral process has been rigged and we are completely disassociating ourselves from it," PDP Atiku's campaign manager said at the INEC results centre.
"We regret to say that we have lost confidence in the results being collated and announced," director of Obi's Labour party campaign told. "We hereby call on the INEC to follow its own guidelines or completely cancel the entire election."
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Forwarded from Sahel Intel
🇳🇬 Obasanjo calls for repeat of elections
The former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo has publicly stated that he believes the presidential election of last Saturday has been corrupted, and INEC officials bribed to rig it. He says that the officially announced results do not match with how Nigerians actually voted.
The ex-President has called for all results to be cancelled, and a new election called for this coming Saturday. In this new election, Obasanjo suggests doing away with electronic voting systems altogether, to minimize the risk of rigging.
The former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo has publicly stated that he believes the presidential election of last Saturday has been corrupted, and INEC officials bribed to rig it. He says that the officially announced results do not match with how Nigerians actually voted.
The ex-President has called for all results to be cancelled, and a new election called for this coming Saturday. In this new election, Obasanjo suggests doing away with electronic voting systems altogether, to minimize the risk of rigging.
🇹🇳 Tunisia seeks to reassure migrants after President's remarks
Tunisia's foreign minister sought to "reassure" sub-Saharan African migrants on Monday. "Several days have now passed and now we need to keep a cool head. It's time to reassure Africans. Messages of reassurance have already been transmitted through official channels," Foreign Minister said.
"There's no question of apologising, we didn't attack anyone," he added. "We shouldn't confuse individual acts with the acts of the authorities. The authorities are taking every measure to protect all migrants in Tunisia, whether legal or illegal."
Last week, President Saied called for "urgent measures" against "hordes" of sub-Saharan migrants, whom he accused of causing a wave of crime and representing a plot to change the country's demographic make-up.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
Tunisia's foreign minister sought to "reassure" sub-Saharan African migrants on Monday. "Several days have now passed and now we need to keep a cool head. It's time to reassure Africans. Messages of reassurance have already been transmitted through official channels," Foreign Minister said.
"There's no question of apologising, we didn't attack anyone," he added. "We shouldn't confuse individual acts with the acts of the authorities. The authorities are taking every measure to protect all migrants in Tunisia, whether legal or illegal."
Last week, President Saied called for "urgent measures" against "hordes" of sub-Saharan migrants, whom he accused of causing a wave of crime and representing a plot to change the country's demographic make-up.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇫🇷🌍 Macron calls Wagner Group "life insurance of failing regimes" in Africa French President Emmanuel Macron described the Russian mercenary Wagner Group as the "life insurance of failing regimes in Africa", in comments made before he visits the continent.…
🇫🇷🌍 France to reduce troops in Africa in new strategy
French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled France’s new Africa strategy which will see a reduction in its troops on the continent as more local forces co-run its bases.
Macron announced the new strategy ahead of a four-nation Africa visit as more global powers vie for influence on the continent. President described French military bases in Africa as a heritage from the past. But he said his country should not be a scapegoat for failures in the fight against extremist groups in the Sahel.
Macron’s newly unveiled strategy is meant to redefine France’s relationship with Africa as competition from Russia and China grows.
#France #Africa
@africaintel
French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled France’s new Africa strategy which will see a reduction in its troops on the continent as more local forces co-run its bases.
Macron announced the new strategy ahead of a four-nation Africa visit as more global powers vie for influence on the continent. President described French military bases in Africa as a heritage from the past. But he said his country should not be a scapegoat for failures in the fight against extremist groups in the Sahel.
Macron’s newly unveiled strategy is meant to redefine France’s relationship with Africa as competition from Russia and China grows.
#France #Africa
@africaintel
🇿🇦 South Africa's unemployment drops again after year of job gains
South Africa's official unemployment rate declined for the fourth consecutive quarter in October-to-December last year, falling further from a record high hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, data showed on Tuesday.
Unemployment fell to 32.7% in the final three months of 2022 from 32.9% in the preceding quarter, Statistics South Africa said. "Even before COVID, it was not common that we saw four quarters in a row of gaining jobs."
A major concern is the level of youth unemployment at 43.4%, as those in the 15-34 age range account for over half the country's employable population of 40.46 million aged between 15 and 64.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
South Africa's official unemployment rate declined for the fourth consecutive quarter in October-to-December last year, falling further from a record high hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, data showed on Tuesday.
Unemployment fell to 32.7% in the final three months of 2022 from 32.9% in the preceding quarter, Statistics South Africa said. "Even before COVID, it was not common that we saw four quarters in a row of gaining jobs."
A major concern is the level of youth unemployment at 43.4%, as those in the 15-34 age range account for over half the country's employable population of 40.46 million aged between 15 and 64.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇫🇷🇺🇬 French court to rule on TotalEnergies Uganda case A French court on Tuesday could order oil major TotalEnergies to halt the development of an east Africa pipeline in a case based on legislation that makes big companies liable for risks to the environment…
🇫🇷🇺🇬 French court rejects lawsuit brought against TotalEnergies on Uganda pipeline project
A French court ruled on Tuesday that a lawsuit against oil major TotalEnergies over its oil projects in Uganda and Tanzania was inadmissible.
The campaigners had asked the court to order TotalEnergies to halt the east African projects in a case based on a 2017 French law that makes big companies liable for risks to the environment and human rights.
But the court dismissed the request, saying that only a judge examining the case more in depth could assess whether the accusations against TotalEnergies were founded and to then proceed to an audit of operations on the ground.
#France #Uganda
@africaintel
A French court ruled on Tuesday that a lawsuit against oil major TotalEnergies over its oil projects in Uganda and Tanzania was inadmissible.
The campaigners had asked the court to order TotalEnergies to halt the east African projects in a case based on a 2017 French law that makes big companies liable for risks to the environment and human rights.
But the court dismissed the request, saying that only a judge examining the case more in depth could assess whether the accusations against TotalEnergies were founded and to then proceed to an audit of operations on the ground.
#France #Uganda
@africaintel
🇩🇿🇷🇺 Algeria and Russia to strengthen their military cooperation
Algeria and Russia discussed on Monday a strengthening of their military cooperation, during a visit to Algiers of the secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, said the Algerian Defense Ministry.
The Russian official, accompanied by a large delegation, discussed with the Chief of Staff of the Algerian army Said Chanegriha of "the state of military cooperation between the armies of the two countries and ways to strengthen it," according to a statement from the ministry.
This visit "represents, for us, the expression of the firm and frank willingness that animates the two countries to further strengthen the strategic and historic partnership that characterizes their bilateral relations, particularly in the field of military cooperation," said Chanegriha.
#Algeria #Russia
@africaintel
Algeria and Russia discussed on Monday a strengthening of their military cooperation, during a visit to Algiers of the secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, said the Algerian Defense Ministry.
The Russian official, accompanied by a large delegation, discussed with the Chief of Staff of the Algerian army Said Chanegriha of "the state of military cooperation between the armies of the two countries and ways to strengthen it," according to a statement from the ministry.
This visit "represents, for us, the expression of the firm and frank willingness that animates the two countries to further strengthen the strategic and historic partnership that characterizes their bilateral relations, particularly in the field of military cooperation," said Chanegriha.
#Algeria #Russia
@africaintel
🇲🇱 Mali president receives "final" draft of constitution
The head of Mali, Colonel Assimi Goita, received a draft of a new constitution on Monday, amending a draft that was contested last fall, his office said, without saying when it would be put to a referendum.
This Constitution is a key element of the vast reform project invoked by the military to justify its continued rule. Its adoption would be an important step in the timetable leading to elections in February 2024 and a return to civilian rule.
"The final document, which I have just received today, will undoubtedly crystallize the hopes of the entire nation for the establishment of a true democracy," said Colonel Goïta.
The content of this new draft presented as "final" by the Malian presidency had not been made public.
#Mali
@africaintel
The head of Mali, Colonel Assimi Goita, received a draft of a new constitution on Monday, amending a draft that was contested last fall, his office said, without saying when it would be put to a referendum.
This Constitution is a key element of the vast reform project invoked by the military to justify its continued rule. Its adoption would be an important step in the timetable leading to elections in February 2024 and a return to civilian rule.
"The final document, which I have just received today, will undoubtedly crystallize the hopes of the entire nation for the establishment of a true democracy," said Colonel Goïta.
The content of this new draft presented as "final" by the Malian presidency had not been made public.
#Mali
@africaintel
🇸🇩 Sudanese killed during protest against military rule
A Sudanese protester was killed after being shot in the chest during a demonstration against military rule, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors said in a statement. Khartoum State police said in a statement they were investigating the death, and said that protesters had been "aggressive" towards police, using tear gas, rocks, and molotov cocktails, and injured several policemen.
The protester, who was killed in the Sharg al-Nil area near Sudan's capital, became the 125th protesters killed in weekly protests set off by a coup in October 2021.
Protesters seen marching towards the presidential palace in Khartoum and neighboring Omdurman were met with tear gas from police.
#Sudan
@africaintel
A Sudanese protester was killed after being shot in the chest during a demonstration against military rule, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors said in a statement. Khartoum State police said in a statement they were investigating the death, and said that protesters had been "aggressive" towards police, using tear gas, rocks, and molotov cocktails, and injured several policemen.
The protester, who was killed in the Sharg al-Nil area near Sudan's capital, became the 125th protesters killed in weekly protests set off by a coup in October 2021.
Protesters seen marching towards the presidential palace in Khartoum and neighboring Omdurman were met with tear gas from police.
#Sudan
@africaintel
🇲🇿 Saipem to restart Mozambique LNG project for Total in July
Saipem has agreed to restart a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique for TotalEnergies in July, the chief executive of the Italian energy services group said on Tuesday.
The project, which would be the first onshore development of a LNG plant in the African country, was frozen in 2021 due to security issues. The contract has a value of $3.72 billion for the Italian group.
"We expect to gradually restart the Mozambique project, according to the information received by our clients, starting from July this year," Saipem CEO Alessandro Puliti said during a call on the group's results for 2022.
#Mozambique
@africaintel
Saipem has agreed to restart a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique for TotalEnergies in July, the chief executive of the Italian energy services group said on Tuesday.
The project, which would be the first onshore development of a LNG plant in the African country, was frozen in 2021 due to security issues. The contract has a value of $3.72 billion for the Italian group.
"We expect to gradually restart the Mozambique project, according to the information received by our clients, starting from July this year," Saipem CEO Alessandro Puliti said during a call on the group's results for 2022.
#Mozambique
@africaintel
🇦🇴 Baker Hughes signs supply contract with Angola's Azule Energy
Oilfield firm Baker Hughes Co (BKR.O) said on Tuesday it has been awarded a contract to supply subsea equipment and services to Angola-based firm Azule Energy for work in the Agogo oilfield.
The Agogo field, offshore Angola, was the country's largest offshore discovery in years and could help slow years of production declines in Angola.
The order includes 23 standard subsea trees, 11 Aptara manifolds, SemStar5 fiber optic controls and related system scope of supply, Baker Hughes said, adding that significant portion of the equipment will be manufactured, assembled and tested in Angola.
#Angola
@africaintel
Oilfield firm Baker Hughes Co (BKR.O) said on Tuesday it has been awarded a contract to supply subsea equipment and services to Angola-based firm Azule Energy for work in the Agogo oilfield.
The Agogo field, offshore Angola, was the country's largest offshore discovery in years and could help slow years of production declines in Angola.
The order includes 23 standard subsea trees, 11 Aptara manifolds, SemStar5 fiber optic controls and related system scope of supply, Baker Hughes said, adding that significant portion of the equipment will be manufactured, assembled and tested in Angola.
#Angola
@africaintel
Forwarded from ASIANOMICS
🇨🇳🇰🇪 Kenyan traders protest against Chinese competitor's cheap prices
More than a thousand Kenyan traders protested in Nairobi against a new Chinese-owned retail shop they accuse of undercutting them with ultra-low prices.
The Kenyan traders have been angered by a newly opened China Square retail shop, whose prices for everyday goods are on average 50% cheaper than those brought in by local traders.
Trade Minister Moses Kuria has offered to take over China Square's lease from its Chinese owner and hand it to local traders. However, Korir Sing'oei, the principal secretary at Kenya's ministry of foreign affairs, stressed on Twitter that all investors are welcome, irrespective of their nationality.
#China #Kenya
@asianomics
More than a thousand Kenyan traders protested in Nairobi against a new Chinese-owned retail shop they accuse of undercutting them with ultra-low prices.
The Kenyan traders have been angered by a newly opened China Square retail shop, whose prices for everyday goods are on average 50% cheaper than those brought in by local traders.
Trade Minister Moses Kuria has offered to take over China Square's lease from its Chinese owner and hand it to local traders. However, Korir Sing'oei, the principal secretary at Kenya's ministry of foreign affairs, stressed on Twitter that all investors are welcome, irrespective of their nationality.
#China #Kenya
@asianomics
🇲🇱 Mali forecasts 3.5% decline in industrial gold output in 2023
Mali expects industrial gold output to fall by about 3.5% to 63.9 tonnes in 2023 from 66.2 tonnes the previous year, the mines ministry said on Tuesday.
Mali is one of Africa's top gold producers and home to industrial mines operated by companies including Barrick Gold, B2Gold Corp, Resolute Mining, AngloGold Ashanti and Hummingbird Resources.
The decline is mainly due to a drop in production expected at Barrick Gold's Somilo/Gounkoto mine and B2Gold's Fekola mine, said Mamadou Sidibe, head of the statistics department at the mines ministry. With an estimated 6 tonnes produced in artisanal mines, Mali's total gold production this year is expected to reach 69.9 tonnes, Sidibe said.
#Mali
@africaintel
Mali expects industrial gold output to fall by about 3.5% to 63.9 tonnes in 2023 from 66.2 tonnes the previous year, the mines ministry said on Tuesday.
Mali is one of Africa's top gold producers and home to industrial mines operated by companies including Barrick Gold, B2Gold Corp, Resolute Mining, AngloGold Ashanti and Hummingbird Resources.
The decline is mainly due to a drop in production expected at Barrick Gold's Somilo/Gounkoto mine and B2Gold's Fekola mine, said Mamadou Sidibe, head of the statistics department at the mines ministry. With an estimated 6 tonnes produced in artisanal mines, Mali's total gold production this year is expected to reach 69.9 tonnes, Sidibe said.
#Mali
@africaintel
🇰🇪 Kenya's inflation rises to 9.2% YoY in February as food prices rise
Kenya's inflation rose to 9.2% year-on-year in February from 9.0% a month earlier, the statistics office said on Tuesday, largely driven by food and transport prices.
February's inflation rate has broken three consecutive months when the rate fell. It rose to 9.6% in October, its highest level since May 2017. February's rate is still above the government's preferred range of 2.5% to 7.5%.
On a monthly basis, inflation was 0.6% compared with 0.2% in January, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.
#Kenya
@africaintel
Kenya's inflation rose to 9.2% year-on-year in February from 9.0% a month earlier, the statistics office said on Tuesday, largely driven by food and transport prices.
February's inflation rate has broken three consecutive months when the rate fell. It rose to 9.6% in October, its highest level since May 2017. February's rate is still above the government's preferred range of 2.5% to 7.5%.
On a monthly basis, inflation was 0.6% compared with 0.2% in January, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.
#Kenya
@africaintel
🇪🇬🇺🇸🇸🇾 Egypt tries to persuade the U.S. to ease sanctions against Syria
Egypt is trying to convince the U.S. to ease sanctions on Syria. Previously, Egypt Foreign Minister visited Syria and met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
According to the sources, Egypt decided to gradually expand relations with Syria and will send delegations to Damascus in the near future.
Egypt Foreign Minister's visit to Damascus was aimed at coordinating cooperation between Egypt and Syria on a number of issues, the main one being security.
#Egypt #USA #Syria
@africaintel
Egypt is trying to convince the U.S. to ease sanctions on Syria. Previously, Egypt Foreign Minister visited Syria and met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
According to the sources, Egypt decided to gradually expand relations with Syria and will send delegations to Damascus in the near future.
Egypt Foreign Minister's visit to Damascus was aimed at coordinating cooperation between Egypt and Syria on a number of issues, the main one being security.
#Egypt #USA #Syria
@africaintel
⚡️🇳🇬 Bola Tinubu wins Nigeria's presidential election
Ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu has been declared the winner of Nigeria's disputed presidential election.
The 70-year-old veteran politician got 36% of the vote, official results show. Tinubu won most states in his home region of the south-west, where he is known as a "political godfather". He campaigned for the presidency under the slogan: "It's my turn".
His main rival Atiku Abubakar polled 29%, and Labour's Peter Obi 25%. Their parties had earlier dismissed the poll as a sham, and demanded a rerun.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu has been declared the winner of Nigeria's disputed presidential election.
The 70-year-old veteran politician got 36% of the vote, official results show. Tinubu won most states in his home region of the south-west, where he is known as a "political godfather". He campaigned for the presidency under the slogan: "It's my turn".
His main rival Atiku Abubakar polled 29%, and Labour's Peter Obi 25%. Their parties had earlier dismissed the poll as a sham, and demanded a rerun.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Forwarded from Sahel Intel
🇳🇬 PDP and Labour Party call for cancellation of results
While the APC celebrates its victory, its two rivals call for the cancellation of election results which they claim were rigged.
“The election was a sham, and never free and fair,” said Mr Okowa of the PDP, a position corroborated by the LP’s vice-presidential candidate at a joint press conference yesterday.
The two parties have demanded that INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu step down, which INEC has refused.
While the APC celebrates its victory, its two rivals call for the cancellation of election results which they claim were rigged.
“The election was a sham, and never free and fair,” said Mr Okowa of the PDP, a position corroborated by the LP’s vice-presidential candidate at a joint press conference yesterday.
The two parties have demanded that INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu step down, which INEC has refused.
🇷🇺🇺🇳🇱🇾 Representative of Russia to the UN Security Council warned against rushing to organize the Libyan elections
Russia's representative in the Security Council warned against any rush to organize elections, as it will not solve Libya's problems, considering that establishing new mechanisms to settle the Libyan problem without involving Libya itself will not be fruitful, pointing out that "the new formulas may not be successful because of Failure to address previous mistakes.”
"We will not turn a blind eye to the progress made between the House of Representatives and the state, and we salute Egypt's efforts to ensure the success of the elections, which is the involvement of all the major political forces in Libya, and this includes representatives of the major authorities," he added.
#Russia #UN #Libya
@africaintel
Russia's representative in the Security Council warned against any rush to organize elections, as it will not solve Libya's problems, considering that establishing new mechanisms to settle the Libyan problem without involving Libya itself will not be fruitful, pointing out that "the new formulas may not be successful because of Failure to address previous mistakes.”
"We will not turn a blind eye to the progress made between the House of Representatives and the state, and we salute Egypt's efforts to ensure the success of the elections, which is the involvement of all the major political forces in Libya, and this includes representatives of the major authorities," he added.
#Russia #UN #Libya
@africaintel
🇲🇦 Morocco denies giving tanks to Ukraine and reveals the reason for voting against Russia in the United Nation
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita denied that the Kingdom of Morocco had donated tanks to Ukraine, stressing at the same time that “Morocco is not a party to this armed conflict and has not and will not participate in it in any way.”
He added that Morocco has not and will not contribute in any way to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Minister pointed out that the decision to vote against Russia was “linked to preserving the territorial integrity of countries and the rejection of aggression and the use of force to resolve differences between countries,” stressing that Morocco’s vote conforms to international legitimacy and United Nations resolutions.
#Morocco
@africaintel
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita denied that the Kingdom of Morocco had donated tanks to Ukraine, stressing at the same time that “Morocco is not a party to this armed conflict and has not and will not participate in it in any way.”
He added that Morocco has not and will not contribute in any way to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Minister pointed out that the decision to vote against Russia was “linked to preserving the territorial integrity of countries and the rejection of aggression and the use of force to resolve differences between countries,” stressing that Morocco’s vote conforms to international legitimacy and United Nations resolutions.
#Morocco
@africaintel
🇸🇴 Countries express concern at conflict in Somaliland
Representatives from the United States, Britain, Qatar, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey met on Tuesday and expressed concern at the conflict in and around Laascaanood, a disputed town in Somalia's northern breakaway region of Somaliland.
"The partners expressed concern about the ongoing conflict and called on all parties to adhere to the ceasefire, de-escalate, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and engage in constructive and peaceful dialogue," said in a statement.
#Somalia
@africaintel
Representatives from the United States, Britain, Qatar, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey met on Tuesday and expressed concern at the conflict in and around Laascaanood, a disputed town in Somalia's northern breakaway region of Somaliland.
"The partners expressed concern about the ongoing conflict and called on all parties to adhere to the ceasefire, de-escalate, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and engage in constructive and peaceful dialogue," said in a statement.
#Somalia
@africaintel