🇳🇪🇨🇳 Niger and China sign crude oil MOU worth $400 mln, says Niger state TV
Niger has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese state-owned oil giant China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) worth $400 million linked to the sale of crude oil from its Agadem oilfield, Niger state television RTN reported late on Friday.
RTN did not provide details on the agreement. Niger's military authorities and CNPC could not be reached for comment.
"China is a great friend to Niger; we can never say it enough," Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine said at the signing ceremony, which was broadcast by RTN.
"This signature demonstrates the friendship ... and fruitful cooperation between the two states," Chinese ambassador Jiang Feng said.
An export pipeline project backed by CNPC subsidiary PetroChina was officially launched last November, linking the Agadem oilfield to the port of Cotonou in neighbouring Benin.
Previously, the West African country had a small oil refinery with capacity of around 20,000 bpd that mostly supplies Niger's domestic fuel market.
#Niger #China
@africaintel
Niger has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese state-owned oil giant China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) worth $400 million linked to the sale of crude oil from its Agadem oilfield, Niger state television RTN reported late on Friday.
RTN did not provide details on the agreement. Niger's military authorities and CNPC could not be reached for comment.
"China is a great friend to Niger; we can never say it enough," Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine said at the signing ceremony, which was broadcast by RTN.
"This signature demonstrates the friendship ... and fruitful cooperation between the two states," Chinese ambassador Jiang Feng said.
An export pipeline project backed by CNPC subsidiary PetroChina was officially launched last November, linking the Agadem oilfield to the port of Cotonou in neighbouring Benin.
Previously, the West African country had a small oil refinery with capacity of around 20,000 bpd that mostly supplies Niger's domestic fuel market.
#Niger #China
@africaintel
🇸🇴🇪🇹 Somalia refuses to accept Ethiopian naval base in breakaway region
Somalia will never accept Ethiopia's plan to build a naval base in its breakaway region of Somaliland, but would consider granting Ethiopia commercial port access if discussed bilaterally, a senior Somali official said.
Landlocked Ethiopia sparked a diplomatic row with Mogadishu in January by signing a deal with Somaliland to lease 20 km (12 miles) of its coastline in return for recognising the region as an independent state.
Somalia called the deal illegal as it considers Somaliland as part of its territory even though it has had effective autonomy since 1991.
To defuse the acrimony, Kenya in consultation with Djibouti and eastern African bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has proposed a maritime treaty to govern how landlocked states in the region can access ports on commercial terms.
Before discussing port access bilaterally, Ethiopia must annul its agreement with Somaliland, Somalia's state minister for foreign affairs Ali Omar said.
#Somalia #Ethiopia
@africaintel
Somalia will never accept Ethiopia's plan to build a naval base in its breakaway region of Somaliland, but would consider granting Ethiopia commercial port access if discussed bilaterally, a senior Somali official said.
Landlocked Ethiopia sparked a diplomatic row with Mogadishu in January by signing a deal with Somaliland to lease 20 km (12 miles) of its coastline in return for recognising the region as an independent state.
Somalia called the deal illegal as it considers Somaliland as part of its territory even though it has had effective autonomy since 1991.
To defuse the acrimony, Kenya in consultation with Djibouti and eastern African bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has proposed a maritime treaty to govern how landlocked states in the region can access ports on commercial terms.
Before discussing port access bilaterally, Ethiopia must annul its agreement with Somaliland, Somalia's state minister for foreign affairs Ali Omar said.
#Somalia #Ethiopia
@africaintel
Forwarded from ENTRE GUERRAS (A)
🇲🇱🇧🇫🇳🇪El ejército maliense anuncia que en los últimos días se han realizado operaciones conjuntas con los ejércitos burkinés y nigerino en las zonas fronterizas contra objetivos de los grupos terroristas.
🇬🇧The Malian army announces that in recent days joint operations have been carried out with the Burkinabe and Nigerien armies in the border areas against targets of terrorist groups.
▫️@ENTRE_GUERRAS▫️
🇬🇧The Malian army announces that in recent days joint operations have been carried out with the Burkinabe and Nigerien armies in the border areas against targets of terrorist groups.
▫️@ENTRE_GUERRAS▫️
🇹🇿 Floods kill 58 in Tanzania with heavy rains persisting
More than 100,000 people have been affected by the flooding, which has hit Tanzania’s coastal areas especially hard.
Floods have killed 58 people in Tanzania over the last two weeks, spurring the East African country to seek an answer in major infrastructure projects.
The government announced the death toll late on Sunday as heavy rains continued to lash the country. April marks the peak of Tanzania’s rainy season, and it has been exacerbated this year by the El Nino phenomenon, which has caused droughts and floods across the globe.
“From April 1 to April 14, 2024, there were 58 deaths caused by the heavy rains, which led to flooding,” government spokesman Mobhare Matinyi told a press briefing, stressing that the country’s coastal region was one of the worst affected.
“Serious flood effects are experienced in the coast region where 11 people have so far died,” he added.
Tanzania has plans to construct 14 dams to prevent flooding in future, the spokesman said.
Just four months ago, at least 63 people were killed during floods in northern Tanzania that also triggered devastating landslides.
Overall, at least 126,831 people were affected by the flooding, Matinyi reported.
More than 75,000 farms have been damaged in the coastal and Morogoro areas – about 200km (124 miles) west of the economic capital, Dar-es-Salaam.
#Tanzania
@africaintel
More than 100,000 people have been affected by the flooding, which has hit Tanzania’s coastal areas especially hard.
Floods have killed 58 people in Tanzania over the last two weeks, spurring the East African country to seek an answer in major infrastructure projects.
The government announced the death toll late on Sunday as heavy rains continued to lash the country. April marks the peak of Tanzania’s rainy season, and it has been exacerbated this year by the El Nino phenomenon, which has caused droughts and floods across the globe.
“From April 1 to April 14, 2024, there were 58 deaths caused by the heavy rains, which led to flooding,” government spokesman Mobhare Matinyi told a press briefing, stressing that the country’s coastal region was one of the worst affected.
“Serious flood effects are experienced in the coast region where 11 people have so far died,” he added.
Tanzania has plans to construct 14 dams to prevent flooding in future, the spokesman said.
Just four months ago, at least 63 people were killed during floods in northern Tanzania that also triggered devastating landslides.
Overall, at least 126,831 people were affected by the flooding, Matinyi reported.
More than 75,000 farms have been damaged in the coastal and Morogoro areas – about 200km (124 miles) west of the economic capital, Dar-es-Salaam.
#Tanzania
@africaintel
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At least 58 killed by 2 weeks of floods in Tanzania
The coastal region was hit hardest, with 126,831 people affected, according to the government
READ MORE : https://www.africanews.com/2024/04/15/at-least-58-killed-by-2-weeks-of-floods-in-tanzania
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READ MORE : https://www.africanews.com/2024/04/15/at-least-58-killed-by-2-weeks-of-floods-in-tanzania
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🇸🇳 Senegal's customs authorities have intercepted a record-breaking haul of cocaine, weighing 1,140kgs
The drug, concealed in packets and stashed in bags, was found in a lorry in the town of Kidira, near Mali's border.
Valued at $146 million, this haul marks the largest inland seizure of cocaine in Senegal. Such drug interceptions are becoming more frequent in the country, with a recent incident last November where the navy seized three tonnes of cocaine from a ship off the coast.
Senegal's strategic location makes it a key transit point for Latin American cartels trafficking drugs to Europe and beyond.
#Senegal
@africaintel
The drug, concealed in packets and stashed in bags, was found in a lorry in the town of Kidira, near Mali's border.
Valued at $146 million, this haul marks the largest inland seizure of cocaine in Senegal. Such drug interceptions are becoming more frequent in the country, with a recent incident last November where the navy seized three tonnes of cocaine from a ship off the coast.
Senegal's strategic location makes it a key transit point for Latin American cartels trafficking drugs to Europe and beyond.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇿🇦 South Africa's health regulator said it is recalling batches of Johnson & Johnson's children's cough syrup after detection of high levels of diethylene glycol. The affected batches were sold in South Africa, Eswatini, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria…
🌍 Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe join African recall of J&J cough syrup
Drug regulators in Tanzania, Rwanda and Zimbabwe have recalled a batch of Johnson & Johnson children's cough syrup as a precautionary measure after their Nigerian counterpart said laboratory tests found high levels of toxicity.
The countries join Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa in recalling the same batch of the syrup, which is used to treat coughs, hay fever and other allergic reactions in children. South Africa has also recalled an additional batch.
Laboratory tests on the syrup by Nigeria's health regulator showed a high level of diethylene glycol, which has been linked to the deaths of dozens of children in Gambia, Uzbekistan and Cameroon since 2022 in one of the world's worst waves of poisoning from oral medication.
Diethylene glycol is toxic to humans when consumed and can result in acute kidney failure.
#Africa
@africaintel
Drug regulators in Tanzania, Rwanda and Zimbabwe have recalled a batch of Johnson & Johnson children's cough syrup as a precautionary measure after their Nigerian counterpart said laboratory tests found high levels of toxicity.
The countries join Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa in recalling the same batch of the syrup, which is used to treat coughs, hay fever and other allergic reactions in children. South Africa has also recalled an additional batch.
Laboratory tests on the syrup by Nigeria's health regulator showed a high level of diethylene glycol, which has been linked to the deaths of dozens of children in Gambia, Uzbekistan and Cameroon since 2022 in one of the world's worst waves of poisoning from oral medication.
Diethylene glycol is toxic to humans when consumed and can result in acute kidney failure.
#Africa
@africaintel
🇳🇦 Namibian police are on a hunt for 11 prisoners who broke out of a police cell in the northeastern Zambezi region
The escapees, awaiting trial for serious offenses, managed to cut through the roof of the Katima Mulilo police station and flee.
Items believed to have aided the escape, such as blades and makeshift ropes, were found in the cell. Locals are cautioned as some of the escapees are considered dangerous, including one with a history of murder.
Three escapees have been recaptured, but the search continues. The overcrowded cell, meant for 16 people, housed over 100 prisoners awaiting trial, and it's currently under renovation. Residents are urged to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
#Namibia
@africaintel
The escapees, awaiting trial for serious offenses, managed to cut through the roof of the Katima Mulilo police station and flee.
Items believed to have aided the escape, such as blades and makeshift ropes, were found in the cell. Locals are cautioned as some of the escapees are considered dangerous, including one with a history of murder.
Three escapees have been recaptured, but the search continues. The overcrowded cell, meant for 16 people, housed over 100 prisoners awaiting trial, and it's currently under renovation. Residents are urged to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
#Namibia
@africaintel
🇧🇯 Gunmen kill three in Benin border attack
Unidentified gunmen attacked a border crossing in northern Benin and killed three people and wounded one late on Tuesday, Malanville Mayor Gado Guidami said on Wednesday.
The attack took place at a customs post near the Niger border around midnight, he said without giving any details on the motive of the attack.
Benin's northern neighbours are insurgency-plagued Burkina Faso and Niger, making it vulnerable to cross-border attacks by groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.
#Benin
@africaintel
Unidentified gunmen attacked a border crossing in northern Benin and killed three people and wounded one late on Tuesday, Malanville Mayor Gado Guidami said on Wednesday.
The attack took place at a customs post near the Niger border around midnight, he said without giving any details on the motive of the attack.
Benin's northern neighbours are insurgency-plagued Burkina Faso and Niger, making it vulnerable to cross-border attacks by groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.
#Benin
@africaintel
🇲🇼🇺🇸 US bars four former Malawi officials over corruption, State Department says
The United States has barred four former officials of the Malawi government from entry because of their involvement in significant corruption, the State Department said on Wednesday.
The officials designated are former solicitor general and secretary of justice Reyneck Matemba, former director of public procurement and disposal of assets John Suzi-Banda, former Malawi Police Service attorney Mwabi Kaluba, and former Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service George Kainja, the department said.
Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has waged a crackdown on corruption in recent years. In January 2022, he dissolved the country's entire Cabinet on charges of corruption against three serving ministers.
Later that year, Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested and charged the country's vice president, Saulos Klaus Chilima, over graft allegations. The group has been investigating public officers in Malawi over alleged plundering of state resources by influencing awarding of contracts through the country's public procurement system.
#Malawi #USA
@africaintel
The United States has barred four former officials of the Malawi government from entry because of their involvement in significant corruption, the State Department said on Wednesday.
The officials designated are former solicitor general and secretary of justice Reyneck Matemba, former director of public procurement and disposal of assets John Suzi-Banda, former Malawi Police Service attorney Mwabi Kaluba, and former Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service George Kainja, the department said.
Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has waged a crackdown on corruption in recent years. In January 2022, he dissolved the country's entire Cabinet on charges of corruption against three serving ministers.
Later that year, Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested and charged the country's vice president, Saulos Klaus Chilima, over graft allegations. The group has been investigating public officers in Malawi over alleged plundering of state resources by influencing awarding of contracts through the country's public procurement system.
#Malawi #USA
@africaintel
⚡️🇨🇩 Our source in the DRC reports:
"The company COMMUS SAS has officially stopped the production and exploitation of all minerals 04/17/2024 following an operating problem that did not comply with government and international conventions. The factory has been shut down since midnight, the Quarry has been surrounded by the FARDC since yesterday evening.
Here is the main reason for the company's production shutdown:
1. The Chinese company produced products which contained a high level of uranium which was not in the agreement with the government and in the agreement on the international level._*
2. The company produced raw gold in fraud in complicity with the vice-governor...
They stopped and brought back 15 trucks of cobalt and 27 of cathode copper in BOTSWANA which were leaving for South Africa. The trucks returned to COMMUS last night with ores._*
Here are the companies targeted for the production of ores containing a high level of uranium:
1. Commus
2. Sicomine
3. KFM
4. CCR.
So the problem is on the international level. America accuses China and the DRC of being complicit in the exploitation of a main product in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. Interesting that just last month that study was published over Americas need to get more involved in Africa with mineral exporting and that the Chinese were way ahead of them. Coincidence? I think not".
#DRC #source
@africaintel
"The company COMMUS SAS has officially stopped the production and exploitation of all minerals 04/17/2024 following an operating problem that did not comply with government and international conventions. The factory has been shut down since midnight, the Quarry has been surrounded by the FARDC since yesterday evening.
Here is the main reason for the company's production shutdown:
1. The Chinese company produced products which contained a high level of uranium which was not in the agreement with the government and in the agreement on the international level._*
2. The company produced raw gold in fraud in complicity with the vice-governor...
They stopped and brought back 15 trucks of cobalt and 27 of cathode copper in BOTSWANA which were leaving for South Africa. The trucks returned to COMMUS last night with ores._*
Here are the companies targeted for the production of ores containing a high level of uranium:
1. Commus
2. Sicomine
3. KFM
4. CCR.
So the problem is on the international level. America accuses China and the DRC of being complicit in the exploitation of a main product in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. Interesting that just last month that study was published over Americas need to get more involved in Africa with mineral exporting and that the Chinese were way ahead of them. Coincidence? I think not".
#DRC #source
@africaintel
🇹🇳🇮🇹 Italian PM Giorgia Meloni visits Tunisia to discuss migration
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was in Tunisia on Wednesday to reinforce cooperation between the two countries on migration.
Meloni said several initiatives to support Tunisia's economy were signed, especially focusing on energy and education sectors.
"We want to work especially on regular flows, as we have done with Tunisia, with a decree that allows approximately 12,000 trained Tunisian citizens to come to Italy legally" she said.
This is Meloni's fourth visit to Tunisia, but the first one as prime minister.
#Italy #Tunisia
@africaintel
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was in Tunisia on Wednesday to reinforce cooperation between the two countries on migration.
Meloni said several initiatives to support Tunisia's economy were signed, especially focusing on energy and education sectors.
"We want to work especially on regular flows, as we have done with Tunisia, with a decree that allows approximately 12,000 trained Tunisian citizens to come to Italy legally" she said.
This is Meloni's fourth visit to Tunisia, but the first one as prime minister.
#Italy #Tunisia
@africaintel
🇸🇳🇲🇷 Senegal: Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Mauritania for his first foreign visit
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is expected in Mauritania this Thursday, April 18, for his first official visit abroad. He will meet his counterpart Ould El Ghazouani.
It's a friendship and working visit that will last one day," explains the Senegalese presidency. The choice of Mauritania is explained first and foremost by the good relations between the two countries, with nationals living on both sides of the borders for a long time. President Ould Ghazouani is also current Chairman of the African Union.
This first official trip outside Senegal's borders reinforces President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's commitment to African integration. Several ministers are expected to accompany him, including Yacine Fall, Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration, El Malick Ndiaye for Infrastructure, Fatou Diouf for Fisheries and Birame Souleye Diop for Energy.
One of the topics to be discussed is the large GTA gas field off the coast of both countries, whose long-awaited exploitation, initially scheduled for 2022, has been greatly delayed. Senegal's new president has also expressed his desire to renegotiate gas and oil contracts.
Another infrastructure-related topic: the Rosso bridge on the Senegalese-Mauritanian border, under construction since 2021, which will facilitate travel between the two countries.
Also on the agenda is fishing, with the renewal of the 500 licenses granted to Senegalese fishermen for access to Mauritanian waters, and security cooperation in the face of the jihadist threat in the region.
#Mauritania #Senegal
@africaintel
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is expected in Mauritania this Thursday, April 18, for his first official visit abroad. He will meet his counterpart Ould El Ghazouani.
It's a friendship and working visit that will last one day," explains the Senegalese presidency. The choice of Mauritania is explained first and foremost by the good relations between the two countries, with nationals living on both sides of the borders for a long time. President Ould Ghazouani is also current Chairman of the African Union.
This first official trip outside Senegal's borders reinforces President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's commitment to African integration. Several ministers are expected to accompany him, including Yacine Fall, Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration, El Malick Ndiaye for Infrastructure, Fatou Diouf for Fisheries and Birame Souleye Diop for Energy.
One of the topics to be discussed is the large GTA gas field off the coast of both countries, whose long-awaited exploitation, initially scheduled for 2022, has been greatly delayed. Senegal's new president has also expressed his desire to renegotiate gas and oil contracts.
Another infrastructure-related topic: the Rosso bridge on the Senegalese-Mauritanian border, under construction since 2021, which will facilitate travel between the two countries.
Also on the agenda is fishing, with the renewal of the 500 licenses granted to Senegalese fishermen for access to Mauritanian waters, and security cooperation in the face of the jihadist threat in the region.
#Mauritania #Senegal
@africaintel
🇳🇪🇲🇱 Niger to supply cheaper oil to Mali
Niger is to sell 150 million liters of diesel " at a preferential rate" over twelve months to its neighbor Mali, according to a partnership agreement signed on Tuesday April 16. The aim is to improve the supply of electricity to Mali.
Mali suffers from recurrent power cuts. Énergie du Mali, a heavily indebted company, is therefore the beneficiary of these fuel sales, according to the press release. The 150 million liters of diesel are intended to supply the country's power plants.
Under the terms of the sales contract, which makes Mali Niger' s biggest customer in terms of volume, the fuel will be supplied by Sonidep at a preferential rate - almost half the normal rate, according to Malian Prime Minister Choguel Maïga.
Back in February, Niamey announced the signature of a memorandum of understanding to supply fuel to Mali and Burkina Faso, its two partners in the Sahel Alliance, as well as to Chad. Last year, a first contract was signed with Mali, for 22 million liters.
All that remains, explains the Niger Minister of Petroleum, is to find solutions to the logistical difficulties encountered in transporting the products. He mentions, for example, the creation by the two countries of a fleet of dedicated tanker trucks.
#Niger #Mali
@africaintel
Niger is to sell 150 million liters of diesel " at a preferential rate" over twelve months to its neighbor Mali, according to a partnership agreement signed on Tuesday April 16. The aim is to improve the supply of electricity to Mali.
Mali suffers from recurrent power cuts. Énergie du Mali, a heavily indebted company, is therefore the beneficiary of these fuel sales, according to the press release. The 150 million liters of diesel are intended to supply the country's power plants.
Under the terms of the sales contract, which makes Mali Niger' s biggest customer in terms of volume, the fuel will be supplied by Sonidep at a preferential rate - almost half the normal rate, according to Malian Prime Minister Choguel Maïga.
Back in February, Niamey announced the signature of a memorandum of understanding to supply fuel to Mali and Burkina Faso, its two partners in the Sahel Alliance, as well as to Chad. Last year, a first contract was signed with Mali, for 22 million liters.
All that remains, explains the Niger Minister of Petroleum, is to find solutions to the logistical difficulties encountered in transporting the products. He mentions, for example, the creation by the two countries of a fleet of dedicated tanker trucks.
#Niger #Mali
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇨🇫 France and the Central African Republic pave the way for reconciliation
On Wednesday April 17, Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadéra was received at the Élysée Palace by his counterpart Emmanuel Macron. This meeting - the second in less than six months - aims to ease the rift between the two countries, whose relations have deteriorated sharply following the rapprochement between Bangui and Russia.
The meeting between Faustin-Archange Touadéra and Emmanuel Macron provided an opportunity to review " the various aspects of the bilateral relationship as well as the regional situation ", according to the press release issued by the Élysée Palace.
In " continuity with their last meeting " on September 13, France and the Central African Republic adopted " a roadmap " for establishing " a constructive partnership " between the two countries. The Élysée's stated aim is to " contribute to stability, reinforce the broadest possible national cohesion and support the economic and social development of the Central African Republic ". " A joint mechanism for monitoring these commitments was also adopted by the two leaders ", he added at the end of the working lunch.
This could be a further step towards normalizing relations between the two countries - at a time when France has denounced the Wagner group's growing influence in the Central African Republic in recent years. Paris has also deplored disinformation campaigns in the past, which have fuelled anti-French sentiment in the Central African Republic.
#CAR #France
@africaintel
On Wednesday April 17, Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadéra was received at the Élysée Palace by his counterpart Emmanuel Macron. This meeting - the second in less than six months - aims to ease the rift between the two countries, whose relations have deteriorated sharply following the rapprochement between Bangui and Russia.
The meeting between Faustin-Archange Touadéra and Emmanuel Macron provided an opportunity to review " the various aspects of the bilateral relationship as well as the regional situation ", according to the press release issued by the Élysée Palace.
In " continuity with their last meeting " on September 13, France and the Central African Republic adopted " a roadmap " for establishing " a constructive partnership " between the two countries. The Élysée's stated aim is to " contribute to stability, reinforce the broadest possible national cohesion and support the economic and social development of the Central African Republic ". " A joint mechanism for monitoring these commitments was also adopted by the two leaders ", he added at the end of the working lunch.
This could be a further step towards normalizing relations between the two countries - at a time when France has denounced the Wagner group's growing influence in the Central African Republic in recent years. Paris has also deplored disinformation campaigns in the past, which have fuelled anti-French sentiment in the Central African Republic.
#CAR #France
@africaintel
🇧🇯 Benin: President Patrice Talon appoints intelligence chief as special envoy to Haiti
Beninese Head of State Patrice Talon appointed Pamphile Zomahoun as Benin's special envoy to Haiti on Wednesday April 17. Benin has voluntarily pledged to provide 2,000 troops for the future Multinational Security Support Force (MMSS) in Haiti. The appointment of a special envoy to Haiti is a further step in the implementation of the plan to deploy Beninese forces in Port-au-Prince.
The cabinet statement announcing his appointment says nothing about his mission statement in Haiti, but his first priority will be to prepare for the arrival of the 2,000 Beninese troops.
Pamphile Zomahoun will be taking up his post shortly. Aged 53, he is a colonel in the Gendarmerie and trained at Saint-Cyr and Melun in France.
His interlocutors in this mission will be Haitian and international partners such as the United States, Brazil, Canada and Jamaica, all of whom are involved in setting up the multinational force. The details of Benin's participation are already known.
The 2,000 men are essentially drawn from Benin's armed forces, namely the army, air force, navy and national guard. It is possible that a very small number of police officers will complete the contingent, which will be trained by Beninese and foreign instructors before leaving for Port-au-Prince.
The timetable for deployment is still unknown. Financing is underway and, according to our information, the main players in the operation are preparing an imminent meeting.
#Benin #Haiti
@africaintel
Beninese Head of State Patrice Talon appointed Pamphile Zomahoun as Benin's special envoy to Haiti on Wednesday April 17. Benin has voluntarily pledged to provide 2,000 troops for the future Multinational Security Support Force (MMSS) in Haiti. The appointment of a special envoy to Haiti is a further step in the implementation of the plan to deploy Beninese forces in Port-au-Prince.
The cabinet statement announcing his appointment says nothing about his mission statement in Haiti, but his first priority will be to prepare for the arrival of the 2,000 Beninese troops.
Pamphile Zomahoun will be taking up his post shortly. Aged 53, he is a colonel in the Gendarmerie and trained at Saint-Cyr and Melun in France.
His interlocutors in this mission will be Haitian and international partners such as the United States, Brazil, Canada and Jamaica, all of whom are involved in setting up the multinational force. The details of Benin's participation are already known.
The 2,000 men are essentially drawn from Benin's armed forces, namely the army, air force, navy and national guard. It is possible that a very small number of police officers will complete the contingent, which will be trained by Beninese and foreign instructors before leaving for Port-au-Prince.
The timetable for deployment is still unknown. Financing is underway and, according to our information, the main players in the operation are preparing an imminent meeting.
#Benin #Haiti
@africaintel
🇿🇦 South African police investigate suspected murders in Cape Town
South African detectives are investigating three separate incidents in Cape Town's Khayelitsha township in which a total of eight people are believed to have been murdered early on Wednesday morning, police said.
South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, with about 20,000 murders recorded every year out of a population of about 60 million.
"At around 06:00 (0400 GMT) police were summoned to a shooting incident in Ncumu Street where the bodies of four males and one female were discovered with gunshot wounds," the South African Police Service said in a statement.
Police said preliminary investigations suggested that the five deaths in Ncumu Street could be linked to two incidents hours before.
"At around 02:50 an adult male and his adult girlfriend were shot and killed in Feza Street... and shortly after that a 35-year-old male was shot and killed not far from the first scene," police added. Police have yet to give a motive for the killings but said the same suspects could be responsible.
According to campaign group Gun Free South Africa, on average 31 people are shot and killed every day in the country.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
South African detectives are investigating three separate incidents in Cape Town's Khayelitsha township in which a total of eight people are believed to have been murdered early on Wednesday morning, police said.
South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, with about 20,000 murders recorded every year out of a population of about 60 million.
"At around 06:00 (0400 GMT) police were summoned to a shooting incident in Ncumu Street where the bodies of four males and one female were discovered with gunshot wounds," the South African Police Service said in a statement.
Police said preliminary investigations suggested that the five deaths in Ncumu Street could be linked to two incidents hours before.
"At around 02:50 an adult male and his adult girlfriend were shot and killed in Feza Street... and shortly after that a 35-year-old male was shot and killed not far from the first scene," police added. Police have yet to give a motive for the killings but said the same suspects could be responsible.
According to campaign group Gun Free South Africa, on average 31 people are shot and killed every day in the country.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Nigerian judge to rule on separatist leader's bail next month
A Nigerian judge will rule next month if separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu's bail should be reinstated, the judge said on Wednesday, after the court last month denied a fresh application and ordered that he face a speedy trial on terrorism charges.
Kanu, a British citizen who leads the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, was first arrested in 2015 but disappeared from Nigeria after while on bail in 2017. He was subsequently arrested in Kenya in 2021 and charged in Nigeria with seven counts of terrorism. Kanu has pleaded not guilty.
Kanu denied breaching the 2017 bail conditions, saying he escaped for his life after soldiers invaded his ancestral home in southern Nigerian state of Abia. The prosecuting lawyer asked the court to dismiss Kanu's request.
Justice Binta Murtala Nyako, who denied Kanu bail last month, had wanted to commence his trial on Wednesday.
Nyako set May 20 for ruling on Kanu's application to restore his bail or to be moved to prison or house arrest from custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), a security agency.
Kanu's IPOB campaigns for the secession of southeastern Nigeria where the majority belong to the Igbo ethnic group. Nigerian authorities have labelled IPOB a terrorist organization.
An attempt by the southern region to secede as the Republic of Biafra in 1967, the year Kanu was born, triggered a three-year civil war that killed more than 1 million people.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
A Nigerian judge will rule next month if separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu's bail should be reinstated, the judge said on Wednesday, after the court last month denied a fresh application and ordered that he face a speedy trial on terrorism charges.
Kanu, a British citizen who leads the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, was first arrested in 2015 but disappeared from Nigeria after while on bail in 2017. He was subsequently arrested in Kenya in 2021 and charged in Nigeria with seven counts of terrorism. Kanu has pleaded not guilty.
Kanu denied breaching the 2017 bail conditions, saying he escaped for his life after soldiers invaded his ancestral home in southern Nigerian state of Abia. The prosecuting lawyer asked the court to dismiss Kanu's request.
Justice Binta Murtala Nyako, who denied Kanu bail last month, had wanted to commence his trial on Wednesday.
Nyako set May 20 for ruling on Kanu's application to restore his bail or to be moved to prison or house arrest from custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), a security agency.
Kanu's IPOB campaigns for the secession of southeastern Nigeria where the majority belong to the Igbo ethnic group. Nigerian authorities have labelled IPOB a terrorist organization.
An attempt by the southern region to secede as the Republic of Biafra in 1967, the year Kanu was born, triggered a three-year civil war that killed more than 1 million people.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
⚡️🇧🇫🇫🇷 Burkina Faso expels three French diplomats for 'subversive activities'
Burkina Faso's military government has expelled three French diplomats for alleged subversive activities, the foreign ministry said in a letter on Thursday.
The three diplomats, two of whom were listed as political advisers, were declared persona non grata and given 48 hours to leave the country, according to the letter dated April 16, which was addressed to the French embassy.
It did not elaborate on what they were accused of.
#BurkinaFaso #France
@africaintel
Burkina Faso's military government has expelled three French diplomats for alleged subversive activities, the foreign ministry said in a letter on Thursday.
The three diplomats, two of whom were listed as political advisers, were declared persona non grata and given 48 hours to leave the country, according to the letter dated April 16, which was addressed to the French embassy.
It did not elaborate on what they were accused of.
#BurkinaFaso #France
@africaintel
🇿🇼 Here we go again: Zimbabweans forced to use US dollar in absence of new currency ZiG
Zimbabwe’s informal traders who account for about 75% of all employment in the nation have stopped accepting the ZIMdollar also know as RTGS dollar fearing its value has declined.
The new ZIG currency which was supposed to be effective from April 8 was delayed until the April 30th, leaving the US Dollar, dominating the market.
"When you introduce new measures, you will be hoping that, you will bring stability and lower inflation but you need to be disciplined and sincere about the process," economist Happy Zengeni explained.
"The ordinary Zimbabwean does not have the capacity to inject liquidity into the economy but capacity rests with the authorities so they need to be sincere about it."
Before the announcement of the launch of the new gold-backed currency , ZIG, the Zimdollar was trading at 28,720 to 1 US dollar.
Ordinary Zimbabweans like street vendor Mildred Mapfumo are dejected:
"I sell fruits for a living and I had been saving the RTGs Dollar for a while in order to pay tuition for my children but now we woke up to the news that our money is no longer valuable, I don’t even know how I will navigate this."
Zimbabwe is not new to currency change, we have seen the RTGs dollar being rolled and eventually being phased out and before that was the bearers cheques however, Zimbabweans are really worried about the extent to which this new ZiG, will be able to curb inflation that has been going on in the country.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
Zimbabwe’s informal traders who account for about 75% of all employment in the nation have stopped accepting the ZIMdollar also know as RTGS dollar fearing its value has declined.
The new ZIG currency which was supposed to be effective from April 8 was delayed until the April 30th, leaving the US Dollar, dominating the market.
"When you introduce new measures, you will be hoping that, you will bring stability and lower inflation but you need to be disciplined and sincere about the process," economist Happy Zengeni explained.
"The ordinary Zimbabwean does not have the capacity to inject liquidity into the economy but capacity rests with the authorities so they need to be sincere about it."
Before the announcement of the launch of the new gold-backed currency , ZIG, the Zimdollar was trading at 28,720 to 1 US dollar.
Ordinary Zimbabweans like street vendor Mildred Mapfumo are dejected:
"I sell fruits for a living and I had been saving the RTGs Dollar for a while in order to pay tuition for my children but now we woke up to the news that our money is no longer valuable, I don’t even know how I will navigate this."
Zimbabwe is not new to currency change, we have seen the RTGs dollar being rolled and eventually being phased out and before that was the bearers cheques however, Zimbabweans are really worried about the extent to which this new ZiG, will be able to curb inflation that has been going on in the country.
#Zimbabwe
@africaintel
🇷🇼🇬🇧 UK's Rwanda asylum plan to be debated on April 22
Britain's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda will be debated on April 22 in the House of Commons, the government said on Thursday, setting the date for the latest stage in a protracted battle over the scheme.
On Wednesday, Britain's House of Lords rejected for a fourth time the piece of legislation needed for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to push through one of his flagship policies.
Under the scheme, the government wants to start sending asylum seekers arriving illegally in Britain to Rwanda to have their claims processed.
The bill will continue to be passed between both houses of parliament until the final wording is agreed. Parliamentary time was also set aside, if needed, for further debate on April 23.
#Rwanda #UK
@africaintel
Britain's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda will be debated on April 22 in the House of Commons, the government said on Thursday, setting the date for the latest stage in a protracted battle over the scheme.
On Wednesday, Britain's House of Lords rejected for a fourth time the piece of legislation needed for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to push through one of his flagship policies.
Under the scheme, the government wants to start sending asylum seekers arriving illegally in Britain to Rwanda to have their claims processed.
The bill will continue to be passed between both houses of parliament until the final wording is agreed. Parliamentary time was also set aside, if needed, for further debate on April 23.
#Rwanda #UK
@africaintel