🇪🇬 At least 4 dead, 20 injured in train accident in Egypt
A passenger train derailed north of Cairo, killing at least 24 people and injuring 20, Egyptian authorities said.
At least 20 ambulances were dispatched to the scene and the injured transferred to nearby hospitals. A ministry statement said "the injured were in a stable condition."
The derailing happened as the train was traveling through the city of Qalyub on its way to the city of Menouf in the Nile Delta, state prosecutors said.
Egypt's national rail authority specified that the accident occurred when a passenger train entering Qalyub station went through a stop signal, leading to the derailment of the locomotive and the first carriage.
#Egypt
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A passenger train derailed north of Cairo, killing at least 24 people and injuring 20, Egyptian authorities said.
At least 20 ambulances were dispatched to the scene and the injured transferred to nearby hospitals. A ministry statement said "the injured were in a stable condition."
The derailing happened as the train was traveling through the city of Qalyub on its way to the city of Menouf in the Nile Delta, state prosecutors said.
Egypt's national rail authority specified that the accident occurred when a passenger train entering Qalyub station went through a stop signal, leading to the derailment of the locomotive and the first carriage.
#Egypt
@africaintel
🇱🇾 International organisation for Migration said around 5,000 migrants in Libyan detention centres
Around 5,000 migrants are being held in official detention centres in Libya but they could represent just the tip of the iceberg, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) chief said.
Speaking in Geneva on Wednesday Antonio Vitorino denounced "the violation of the rights of migrants" in Libya and called for alternatives to the detention of people on their road to exile.
In Libya, the UN agency IOM collaborates with the refugee agency UNHCR to provide assistance to migrants in official detention centres.
#Libya
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Around 5,000 migrants are being held in official detention centres in Libya but they could represent just the tip of the iceberg, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) chief said.
Speaking in Geneva on Wednesday Antonio Vitorino denounced "the violation of the rights of migrants" in Libya and called for alternatives to the detention of people on their road to exile.
In Libya, the UN agency IOM collaborates with the refugee agency UNHCR to provide assistance to migrants in official detention centres.
#Libya
@africaintel
🇧🇼 Botswana's Minergy seeks government bailout after halting coal mining operations
Minergy has approached Botswana's government for a financial bailout to settle debts owed to a mining contractor, which has brought mining operations at its Masama coal mine to a halt, the company's chief executive officer said.
On Tuesday, Minergy announced production had ceased at Masama after the mining contractor downed tools due to overdue payments.
Minergy has blamed weakening coal prices for its operational problems, saying it has seen a 33% drop in coal prices since mid-December.
The miner is now in talks with the state-owned Mineral Development Company of Botswana and Botswana Development Corporation for funding to pay the contractor, Minergy CEO told. He did not disclose how much cash Minergy is requesting, or how much it owes the contractor, as the company is currently in a closed period.
#Botswana
@africaintel
Minergy has approached Botswana's government for a financial bailout to settle debts owed to a mining contractor, which has brought mining operations at its Masama coal mine to a halt, the company's chief executive officer said.
On Tuesday, Minergy announced production had ceased at Masama after the mining contractor downed tools due to overdue payments.
Minergy has blamed weakening coal prices for its operational problems, saying it has seen a 33% drop in coal prices since mid-December.
The miner is now in talks with the state-owned Mineral Development Company of Botswana and Botswana Development Corporation for funding to pay the contractor, Minergy CEO told. He did not disclose how much cash Minergy is requesting, or how much it owes the contractor, as the company is currently in a closed period.
#Botswana
@africaintel
🇲🇷 Consortium signs $34 billion memorandum of understanding for hydrogen project in Mauritania
German project developer Conjuncta on Wednesday said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Mauritania, Egypt's energy provider Infinity and the United Arab Emirates' Masdar for a $34 billion green hydrogen project.
The project will have a production capacity of up to 8 million tonnes of green hydrogen or other hydrogen-based end products annually, with an electrolyser capacity of up to 10 gigawatts, the company said in a joint statement.
Germany has been scrambling to ramp up its renewables capacity to compensate for Russian fuel imports and meet climate targets.
#Mauritania
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German project developer Conjuncta on Wednesday said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Mauritania, Egypt's energy provider Infinity and the United Arab Emirates' Masdar for a $34 billion green hydrogen project.
The project will have a production capacity of up to 8 million tonnes of green hydrogen or other hydrogen-based end products annually, with an electrolyser capacity of up to 10 gigawatts, the company said in a joint statement.
Germany has been scrambling to ramp up its renewables capacity to compensate for Russian fuel imports and meet climate targets.
#Mauritania
@africaintel
🇸🇳🇫🇷 Senegal's alleged funding of Marine Le Pen sparks row
Senegal’s former prime minister, Cheikh Hadjibou Soumare, was taken into police custody on Thursday after questioning President Macky Sall if he had financed a French politician. His lawyer told that Soumare was summoned by police over his letter to the president about the alleged donation.
In the letter, Soumare had asked the president whether he had donated 12m euros to a "French political figure" whose party is distinguished "by hatred and rejection of others".
The Senegalese government on Tuesday denied making any financial donation to the leader of France's National Rally, Marine Le Pen, who visited Sall on 18 January.
#Senegal #France
@africaintel
Senegal’s former prime minister, Cheikh Hadjibou Soumare, was taken into police custody on Thursday after questioning President Macky Sall if he had financed a French politician. His lawyer told that Soumare was summoned by police over his letter to the president about the alleged donation.
In the letter, Soumare had asked the president whether he had donated 12m euros to a "French political figure" whose party is distinguished "by hatred and rejection of others".
The Senegalese government on Tuesday denied making any financial donation to the leader of France's National Rally, Marine Le Pen, who visited Sall on 18 January.
#Senegal #France
@africaintel
🇨🇳🇰🇪 Chinese-run retail business in Nairobi “is a middle-class conspiracy”
Kenya’s Trade Minister Moses Kuria has said that a Chinese-run retail business in the capital, Nairobi, “is a middle-class conspiracy”.
He told a parliamentary committe that the China Square shop does not benefit low income earners who are the majority contributors to the economy.
Kuria said he had no intention to frustrate investors from China, but was preventing “the country from becoming the dumping ground for sub-standard goods”.
China Square resumed operations on 6 March after it closed its doors for two weeks amid inspections by Kenya’s Anti-Counterfeit Authority.
Minister added that plans were under way to establish a “Kenya Square”, which would rival the Chinese business accused of undercutting prices that have affected small traders.
#China #Kenya
@africaintel
Kenya’s Trade Minister Moses Kuria has said that a Chinese-run retail business in the capital, Nairobi, “is a middle-class conspiracy”.
He told a parliamentary committe that the China Square shop does not benefit low income earners who are the majority contributors to the economy.
Kuria said he had no intention to frustrate investors from China, but was preventing “the country from becoming the dumping ground for sub-standard goods”.
China Square resumed operations on 6 March after it closed its doors for two weeks amid inspections by Kenya’s Anti-Counterfeit Authority.
Minister added that plans were under way to establish a “Kenya Square”, which would rival the Chinese business accused of undercutting prices that have affected small traders.
#China #Kenya
@africaintel
🇳🇬 At least 25 killed in Nigeria jihadist attack
Police in Nigeria say at least 25 people have been killed in an attack by Islamist militants in north-eastern Borno state.
The attack took place in the fishing town of Dikwa which is near a stronghold of Boko Haram insurgents.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Police in Nigeria say at least 25 people have been killed in an attack by Islamist militants in north-eastern Borno state.
The attack took place in the fishing town of Dikwa which is near a stronghold of Boko Haram insurgents.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇿🇦 Ramaphosa denies his ministers "live like rock stars"
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed claims that his new cabinet is bloated and says he is committed to restructuring the government.
Opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen asked President Ramaphosa in parliament if it was fair for ministers to be “living like rock stars” while ordinary citizens suffer. “They have 98 mansions worth over a billion rand, free generators, free electricity and high-end luxury vehicles,” Steenhuisen said.
“Well, I don’t know about rock stars,” the president responded. Ramaphosa also denied the opposition leader's claims that South Africa had the largest cabinet across the globe, saying the country was “basically in line with others”.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed claims that his new cabinet is bloated and says he is committed to restructuring the government.
Opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen asked President Ramaphosa in parliament if it was fair for ministers to be “living like rock stars” while ordinary citizens suffer. “They have 98 mansions worth over a billion rand, free generators, free electricity and high-end luxury vehicles,” Steenhuisen said.
“Well, I don’t know about rock stars,” the president responded. Ramaphosa also denied the opposition leader's claims that South Africa had the largest cabinet across the globe, saying the country was “basically in line with others”.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
🇪🇹🇸🇴 Ethiopia region denies supporting Somalia clashes
Ethiopia's Somali regional state has issued a statement denying claims by the self-declared republic of Somaliland that it had sent troops to support clan militias in Las Anod town.
"We are telling the Somaliland administration that there are no Ethiopia's Somali regional state troops who are part of the violence in Las Anod," state-owned Somali Regional TV said.
It denounced the accusations which it termed "reckless", adding that Somaliland was "seeking to reduce political pressure by pointing fingers at non-existing enemies".
#Ethiopia #Somalia
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Ethiopia's Somali regional state has issued a statement denying claims by the self-declared republic of Somaliland that it had sent troops to support clan militias in Las Anod town.
"We are telling the Somaliland administration that there are no Ethiopia's Somali regional state troops who are part of the violence in Las Anod," state-owned Somali Regional TV said.
It denounced the accusations which it termed "reckless", adding that Somaliland was "seeking to reduce political pressure by pointing fingers at non-existing enemies".
#Ethiopia #Somalia
@africaintel
🇧🇼 Botswana intent on selling more diamonds without De Beers
Botswana will not drop its demand to sell a bigger share of the diamonds produced by its joint venture with De Beers, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said on Thursday, raising the stakes in talks to renew a sales deal that expires in June.
Botswana and De Beers mine diamonds under an equally-owned joint venture, Debswana.
Botswana supplies 70% of De Beers' rough diamonds.
Last month, Masisi threatened to walk away from talks to renew the sales deal unless Botswana gets a larger share of output from the joint venture. He did not specify the size of the share it sought.
#Botswana
@africaintel
Botswana will not drop its demand to sell a bigger share of the diamonds produced by its joint venture with De Beers, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said on Thursday, raising the stakes in talks to renew a sales deal that expires in June.
Botswana and De Beers mine diamonds under an equally-owned joint venture, Debswana.
Botswana supplies 70% of De Beers' rough diamonds.
Last month, Masisi threatened to walk away from talks to renew the sales deal unless Botswana gets a larger share of output from the joint venture. He did not specify the size of the share it sought.
#Botswana
@africaintel
🇹🇳 14 dead, 54 rescued off Tunisia's east coast in migrant boat sinking
54 people were rescued on Tuesday and Wednesday off the coast of Tunisia. 14 died, authorities said on Thursday.
The National Guard added that the migrants were from sub-Saharan Africa without disclosing their nationalities.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
54 people were rescued on Tuesday and Wednesday off the coast of Tunisia. 14 died, authorities said on Thursday.
The National Guard added that the migrants were from sub-Saharan Africa without disclosing their nationalities.
#Tunisia
@africaintel
🇸🇸 South Sudan rivals to meet in cabinet reshuffle row
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and his first deputy, Riek Machar, are expected to meet on Friday at the State House in the capital, Juba, to discuss the recent dismissal of Defence Minister Angelina Teny.
Kiir also swapped the ministries of defence and interior, taking defence to his political party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the interior ministry to Mr Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO).
The SPLM-IO termed the presidential decrees “unilateral” and “a violation” of the revitalised peace agreement and demanded that Ms Teny be reinstated to her position.
The peace agreement gives parties the power to remove their representatives in the council of ministers and nominate the replacements by notifying the president.
#SouthSudan
@africaintel
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and his first deputy, Riek Machar, are expected to meet on Friday at the State House in the capital, Juba, to discuss the recent dismissal of Defence Minister Angelina Teny.
Kiir also swapped the ministries of defence and interior, taking defence to his political party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the interior ministry to Mr Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO).
The SPLM-IO termed the presidential decrees “unilateral” and “a violation” of the revitalised peace agreement and demanded that Ms Teny be reinstated to her position.
The peace agreement gives parties the power to remove their representatives in the council of ministers and nominate the replacements by notifying the president.
#SouthSudan
@africaintel
🇲🇿 Over 150,000 at risk as cyclone approaches Mozambique
Mozambican authorities say 158,000 people could be affected by Cyclone Freddy in its epicentre in the central province of Zambezia.
The cyclone is expected to make landfall on the coast of central Mozambique early on Saturday.
Cyclone Freddy is headed back to Mozambique after it wreaked havoc in late February. It could end up in the record books for the longest-lasting tropical storm on record.
The national agency for natural disasters says 8,000 of those affected could be in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, according to their projections.
The provincial government has ordered the closure of all schools from this Friday.
#Mozambique
@africaintel
Mozambican authorities say 158,000 people could be affected by Cyclone Freddy in its epicentre in the central province of Zambezia.
The cyclone is expected to make landfall on the coast of central Mozambique early on Saturday.
Cyclone Freddy is headed back to Mozambique after it wreaked havoc in late February. It could end up in the record books for the longest-lasting tropical storm on record.
The national agency for natural disasters says 8,000 of those affected could be in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, according to their projections.
The provincial government has ordered the closure of all schools from this Friday.
#Mozambique
@africaintel
🇺🇳🇳🇬 UN condemns suspected Islamist attack in Nigeria
The UN has condemned the reported ambush and brutal killing of at least 37 civilians in Mukdolo village in Ngala Local Government Area of Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno State.
Aside from the deaths, several others were also injured, with many still missing following the deadly attack.
Security sources say that dozens of the Islamic State West Africa Province fighters riding on motorcycles stormed a field and began shooting sporadically. Nine among the victims managed to flee.
#UN #Nigeria
@africaintel
The UN has condemned the reported ambush and brutal killing of at least 37 civilians in Mukdolo village in Ngala Local Government Area of Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno State.
Aside from the deaths, several others were also injured, with many still missing following the deadly attack.
Security sources say that dozens of the Islamic State West Africa Province fighters riding on motorcycles stormed a field and began shooting sporadically. Nine among the victims managed to flee.
#UN #Nigeria
@africaintel
🇲🇱 Mali's military to postpone constitutional referendum
Mali's military rulers are postponing a constitutional referendum which was due to take place later this month, while assuring that it would respect its commitments to return civilians to the helm of the country in 2024.
"The date of the referendum scheduled for March 19, 2023 will be slightly postponed," government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga said in a statement read to the press. This referendum is the first step supposed to be validated by the vote on the way to elections in February 2024 and a return to civilian rule.
The government justifies this postponement by the installation of the representations of the election management body in all regions of the country and by the desire to popularize the draft new Constitution.
"The new date for the referendum will be set after consultation with the independent election management authority and all the actors in the electoral process," the statement added.
#Mali
@africaintel
Mali's military rulers are postponing a constitutional referendum which was due to take place later this month, while assuring that it would respect its commitments to return civilians to the helm of the country in 2024.
"The date of the referendum scheduled for March 19, 2023 will be slightly postponed," government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga said in a statement read to the press. This referendum is the first step supposed to be validated by the vote on the way to elections in February 2024 and a return to civilian rule.
The government justifies this postponement by the installation of the representations of the election management body in all regions of the country and by the desire to popularize the draft new Constitution.
"The new date for the referendum will be set after consultation with the independent election management authority and all the actors in the electoral process," the statement added.
#Mali
@africaintel
🇺🇸🇪🇹 US Secretary of State set to visit Ethiopia
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is set to visit Ethiopia next week to discuss the implementation of a peace deal which has halted the country's civil war, the State Department said on Friday.
It’s not yet clear if he will travel to the war-torn northern region of Tigray.
The visit could be a positive sign for the country, which was hit by US sanctions as the war weakened ties between countries.
Blinken will also meet African Union head Moussa Faki Mahamat in Addis Ababa to discuss "global and regional priorities," according to his office.
#USA #Ethiopia
@africaintel
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is set to visit Ethiopia next week to discuss the implementation of a peace deal which has halted the country's civil war, the State Department said on Friday.
It’s not yet clear if he will travel to the war-torn northern region of Tigray.
The visit could be a positive sign for the country, which was hit by US sanctions as the war weakened ties between countries.
Blinken will also meet African Union head Moussa Faki Mahamat in Addis Ababa to discuss "global and regional priorities," according to his office.
#USA #Ethiopia
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇨🇩 Jihadists killed at least 35 in east DR Congo village Islamist militants killed at least 35 people in an overnight attack on a village in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in retaliation for a military crackdown on rebel activity, an army spokesperson…
🇨🇩🏴 Islamic State claims responsibility for east DR Congo village attack
Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack that targeted the village of Mukondi, around 30 km south of the city of Beni in North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the group's Amaq agency reported on Friday.
Islamist militants killed at least 35 people in an overnight attack on the village in retaliation for a military crackdown on rebel activity, an army spokesperson said.
#DRC #IS
@africaintel
Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack that targeted the village of Mukondi, around 30 km south of the city of Beni in North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the group's Amaq agency reported on Friday.
Islamist militants killed at least 35 people in an overnight attack on the village in retaliation for a military crackdown on rebel activity, an army spokesperson said.
#DRC #IS
@africaintel
🇧🇫 11 soldiers and 112 terrorists killed in fighting in Burkina Faso
11 soldiers and 112 terrorists have been killed in recent days during several anti-jihadist operations in Burkina Faso, the target of deadly attacks in recent weeks, the army general staff announced.
"Several large-scale operations were launched simultaneously as part of the reconquest of the national territory wanted by the President of the Transition", indicates an army press release. "During the progress of our units, 11 of our fighters lost their lives on the field of honor. 4 others who were injured were taken care of by health structures", continues the staff.
The army also indicates that 112 "terrorists" were "neutralized" and weapons, vehicles, and explosive devices were "destroyed or recovered". The operations, carried out "for several days" are continuing in the north and east of the country.
#BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
11 soldiers and 112 terrorists have been killed in recent days during several anti-jihadist operations in Burkina Faso, the target of deadly attacks in recent weeks, the army general staff announced.
"Several large-scale operations were launched simultaneously as part of the reconquest of the national territory wanted by the President of the Transition", indicates an army press release. "During the progress of our units, 11 of our fighters lost their lives on the field of honor. 4 others who were injured were taken care of by health structures", continues the staff.
The army also indicates that 112 "terrorists" were "neutralized" and weapons, vehicles, and explosive devices were "destroyed or recovered". The operations, carried out "for several days" are continuing in the north and east of the country.
#BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
🇹🇳🇸🇾 Tunisian president says he wants ambassador in Syria
Tunisian President Kais Saied said on Friday he wants to see Tunisia and Syria appoint ambassadors to their countries. "A decision must be taken on this issue.", Saied told foreign minister Nabil Ammar during a meeting.
Tunisia cut off diplomatic relations with Syria nearly a decade ago to protest Assad's crackdown on demonstrations in 2011 that developed into civil war.
Since Saied took control of almost all powers in July 2021, Tunisia has sent signals it was open to changing its diplomatic stance with Syria.
Tunisia reinforced last month its diplomatic mission in Damascus with a diplomat, but with the president announcing that a decision must be taken, it is widely expected that the foreign ministry will name an ambassador in Damascus soon.
#Tunisia #Syria
@africaintel
Tunisian President Kais Saied said on Friday he wants to see Tunisia and Syria appoint ambassadors to their countries. "A decision must be taken on this issue.", Saied told foreign minister Nabil Ammar during a meeting.
Tunisia cut off diplomatic relations with Syria nearly a decade ago to protest Assad's crackdown on demonstrations in 2011 that developed into civil war.
Since Saied took control of almost all powers in July 2021, Tunisia has sent signals it was open to changing its diplomatic stance with Syria.
Tunisia reinforced last month its diplomatic mission in Damascus with a diplomat, but with the president announcing that a decision must be taken, it is widely expected that the foreign ministry will name an ambassador in Damascus soon.
#Tunisia #Syria
@africaintel