🇳🇬 Nigeria impounds food trucks on transit to neighbouring countries
Nigeria has seized 21 trucks with food bound for Chad, Central African Republic and Cameroon amid a scarcity of staple foodstuff.
The shortage is partly linked to smuggling and has sparked protests in several states.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) uncovered the food concealed among household commodities in north-eastern Borno state.
“The arrest of the trucks is expected to stem the tide of food insecurity occasioned by unscrupulous antics of smugglers across the country,” the EFCC said.
The Nigerian government plans to begin distributing 42,000 tonnes of grain across the country to quell public anger at spiralling food prices.
The food crisis in Nigeria has partly been blamed on President Bola Tinubu's decision to end a fuel subsidy in May last year.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
Nigeria has seized 21 trucks with food bound for Chad, Central African Republic and Cameroon amid a scarcity of staple foodstuff.
The shortage is partly linked to smuggling and has sparked protests in several states.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) uncovered the food concealed among household commodities in north-eastern Borno state.
“The arrest of the trucks is expected to stem the tide of food insecurity occasioned by unscrupulous antics of smugglers across the country,” the EFCC said.
The Nigerian government plans to begin distributing 42,000 tonnes of grain across the country to quell public anger at spiralling food prices.
The food crisis in Nigeria has partly been blamed on President Bola Tinubu's decision to end a fuel subsidy in May last year.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇸🇳 Opposition coalition welcomes the new election date in Senegal
The new date was welcomed by opposition presidential candidate Anta Babacar, who was among the majority of the 19 contenders in the race who were pushing for the vote to be held as soon as possible.
"I think this is very good news. This is the reason why we were fighting for these past weeks and days, because we knew that it was actually possible to hold these elections before April 2," she told.
She is also one of the leader of opposition coalition that was against Senegalese president Macky Sall's decision to postpone election date.
#Senegal
@africaintel
The new date was welcomed by opposition presidential candidate Anta Babacar, who was among the majority of the 19 contenders in the race who were pushing for the vote to be held as soon as possible.
"I think this is very good news. This is the reason why we were fighting for these past weeks and days, because we knew that it was actually possible to hold these elections before April 2," she told.
She is also one of the leader of opposition coalition that was against Senegalese president Macky Sall's decision to postpone election date.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇪🇬💰 Egypt secures IMF deal after pound plunge, bumper rate hike
Egypt secured an expanded $8 billion deal on Wednesday with the International Monetary Fund, hours after the central bank unshackled its currency and delivered a 600 basis points rate hike in a push to stabilise the economy.
Additionally, Egypt would obtain a $1.2 billion loan for environmental sustainability, bringing its total from the IMF to more than $9 billion, the government said. This was towards the lower end of what some analysts expected.
The currency weakened to beyond 50 Egyptian pounds to the dollar - far beyond previous records - from about 30.85 pounds, a level Egypt has for months tried to defend. It closed at 49.4 to the dollar.
#Egypt #IMF
@africaintel
Egypt secured an expanded $8 billion deal on Wednesday with the International Monetary Fund, hours after the central bank unshackled its currency and delivered a 600 basis points rate hike in a push to stabilise the economy.
Additionally, Egypt would obtain a $1.2 billion loan for environmental sustainability, bringing its total from the IMF to more than $9 billion, the government said. This was towards the lower end of what some analysts expected.
The currency weakened to beyond 50 Egyptian pounds to the dollar - far beyond previous records - from about 30.85 pounds, a level Egypt has for months tried to defend. It closed at 49.4 to the dollar.
#Egypt #IMF
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇬🇲 Gambian parliament to discuss bill to decriminalise female genital mutilation A bill seeking to repeal Gambia's ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) was presented in the country's parliament on Monday and will be discussed by lawmakers later this month.…
🇺🇳🇬🇲 UN asks The Gambia to withdraw bill lifting FGM ban
The United Nations has called on members of parliament in The Gambia to withdraw a bill lifting the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM).
The Gambia's parliament began examining the legislation on Monday.
FGM was banned in The Gambia in 2015.
Influential Muslim clerics have been pushing for the ban to be repealed.
The UN says more than three-quarters of Gambian women and girls aged between 15 and 49 have undergone FGM.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights described the bill as abhorrent.
#UN #Gambia
@africaintel
The United Nations has called on members of parliament in The Gambia to withdraw a bill lifting the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM).
The Gambia's parliament began examining the legislation on Monday.
FGM was banned in The Gambia in 2015.
Influential Muslim clerics have been pushing for the ban to be repealed.
The UN says more than three-quarters of Gambian women and girls aged between 15 and 49 have undergone FGM.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights described the bill as abhorrent.
#UN #Gambia
@africaintel
🇮🇱🇿🇦🇵🇸 Israel says South Africa exploiting World Court on behalf of Hamas
Israel accused South Africa on Thursday of acting "as the legal arm of Hamas" after Pretoria again petitioned the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to take measures against Israel.
A South African government spokesperson dismissed the accusation.
"South Africa continues to act as the legal arm of Hamas in an attempt to undermine Israel's inherent right to defend itself and its citizens, and to release all of the hostages," Israel's foreign ministry said.
Clayson Monyela, a spokesperson for South Africa's department of international relations and cooperation, said: "South Africa has spelled out its concerns in its application to the ICJ. They (Israel) know what they are doing. It is absurd to keep saying that South Africa is acting on behalf of Hamas."
#Israel #SouthAfrica #Palestine
@africaintel
Israel accused South Africa on Thursday of acting "as the legal arm of Hamas" after Pretoria again petitioned the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to take measures against Israel.
A South African government spokesperson dismissed the accusation.
"South Africa continues to act as the legal arm of Hamas in an attempt to undermine Israel's inherent right to defend itself and its citizens, and to release all of the hostages," Israel's foreign ministry said.
Clayson Monyela, a spokesperson for South Africa's department of international relations and cooperation, said: "South Africa has spelled out its concerns in its application to the ICJ. They (Israel) know what they are doing. It is absurd to keep saying that South Africa is acting on behalf of Hamas."
#Israel #SouthAfrica #Palestine
@africaintel
🇧🇫 Five killed in a private plane crash in eastern Burkina Faso
A private aircraft with seven people aboard crashed into a tree Wednesday after failing to take off successfully in Burkina Faso's eastern region, killing five people and injuring two, authorities said.
The plane was taking off from a local airport in the city of Diapaga en route to the city of Fada N'Gourma when it "ended up in a tree," the government news agency Agence d'Information du Burkina said.
The two injured people were rushed to a health facility, and authorities had begun an investigation into the crash, Burkina Faso's Transportation Ministry said in a statement.
It was not immediately clear why the aircraft could not take off successfully.
#BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
A private aircraft with seven people aboard crashed into a tree Wednesday after failing to take off successfully in Burkina Faso's eastern region, killing five people and injuring two, authorities said.
The plane was taking off from a local airport in the city of Diapaga en route to the city of Fada N'Gourma when it "ended up in a tree," the government news agency Agence d'Information du Burkina said.
The two injured people were rushed to a health facility, and authorities had begun an investigation into the crash, Burkina Faso's Transportation Ministry said in a statement.
It was not immediately clear why the aircraft could not take off successfully.
#BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
🇲🇿 New attacks by IS-linked group in Mozambique leave over 70 children missing
A surge of new attacks by an Islamic State-affiliated group in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province has left more than 70 children missing, with fears they may have drowned in a river or been kidnapped by militants as thousands of families fled, local authorities and a group of aid agencies said.
Around 30 families now seeking shelter in Nampula province to the south have asked police to help locate their children, according to a report released Wednesday by the Protection Working Group, a network of non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies.
Save the Children called it the largest displacement of children in Cabo Delgado in 18 months.
"There are repeated reports of beheadings and abductions, including multiple child victims," Save the Children said.
#Mozambique
@africaintel
A surge of new attacks by an Islamic State-affiliated group in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province has left more than 70 children missing, with fears they may have drowned in a river or been kidnapped by militants as thousands of families fled, local authorities and a group of aid agencies said.
Around 30 families now seeking shelter in Nampula province to the south have asked police to help locate their children, according to a report released Wednesday by the Protection Working Group, a network of non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies.
Save the Children called it the largest displacement of children in Cabo Delgado in 18 months.
"There are repeated reports of beheadings and abductions, including multiple child victims," Save the Children said.
#Mozambique
@africaintel
🇺🇳🇸🇩 Draft UN resolution calls for cease-fire in conflict-torn Sudan during upcoming Muslim holy month
Britain has circulated a draft U.N. resolution calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in conflict-wracked Sudan ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins soon.
The draft, obtained late Wednesday by The Associated Press, expresses "grave concern over the spreading violence and the catastrophic and deteriorating humanitarian situation, including crisis levels of acute food insecurity, particularly in Darfur."
With Ramadan expected to begin around Sunday, depending on the sighting of the new moon, the council is expected to vote quickly on the resolution, likely on Friday.
#UN #Sudan
@africaintel
Britain has circulated a draft U.N. resolution calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in conflict-wracked Sudan ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins soon.
The draft, obtained late Wednesday by The Associated Press, expresses "grave concern over the spreading violence and the catastrophic and deteriorating humanitarian situation, including crisis levels of acute food insecurity, particularly in Darfur."
With Ramadan expected to begin around Sunday, depending on the sighting of the new moon, the council is expected to vote quickly on the resolution, likely on Friday.
#UN #Sudan
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇱🇷 Liberia lower house votes to set up war crimes court Liberia's lower house of parliament has approved a motion to set up a war crimes court - more than two decades after the end of a devastating civil conflict. In 2009 a Truth and Reconciliation Commission…
🇱🇷 Liberia parliament approves creation of war crimes tribunal
Liberia's parliament voted on Wednesday to approve the creation of war crimes court, twenty years after the bloodiest conflict in the west African country's history.
Liberia suffered two civil wars between 1989 and 2023 in which serious atrocities including massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers were committed.
A truth and reconciliation committee recommended the establishment of a special tribunal to try those accused of committing crimes but no action was taken.
The proposal to create the court was fronted by new President Joseph Boakai and was backed by 42 legislators out of 72. To be implemented, the resolution must be approved by the senate.
No date has been set for the senate vote.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia's parliament voted on Wednesday to approve the creation of war crimes court, twenty years after the bloodiest conflict in the west African country's history.
Liberia suffered two civil wars between 1989 and 2023 in which serious atrocities including massacres, rape, and the use of child soldiers were committed.
A truth and reconciliation committee recommended the establishment of a special tribunal to try those accused of committing crimes but no action was taken.
The proposal to create the court was fronted by new President Joseph Boakai and was backed by 42 legislators out of 72. To be implemented, the resolution must be approved by the senate.
No date has been set for the senate vote.
#Liberia
@africaintel
🇿🇼🇺🇸 Zimbabwe condemns fresh "illegal and coercive" US sanctions
Zimbabwe's government has condemned fresh sanctions that the US imposed against the country's president and senior officials on Monday.
The US accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the others on its list of corruption and human rights abuses.
A spokesperson for President Mnangagwa on Wednesday said the accusations were "defamatory" and a "gratuitous slander" against Zimbabwe's leaders and people.
The new sanctions replaced a broader programme introduced two decades ago.
The deputy chief secretary in President Mnangagwa's communications team George Charamba demanded that the US promptly lift the "illegal coercive measures".
"We condemn these malicious statements as completely uncalled for, defamatory, provocative, and a continuation of wanton hostilities against Zimbabwe by the US government," he said.
#Zimbabwe #USA
@africaintel
Zimbabwe's government has condemned fresh sanctions that the US imposed against the country's president and senior officials on Monday.
The US accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the others on its list of corruption and human rights abuses.
A spokesperson for President Mnangagwa on Wednesday said the accusations were "defamatory" and a "gratuitous slander" against Zimbabwe's leaders and people.
The new sanctions replaced a broader programme introduced two decades ago.
The deputy chief secretary in President Mnangagwa's communications team George Charamba demanded that the US promptly lift the "illegal coercive measures".
"We condemn these malicious statements as completely uncalled for, defamatory, provocative, and a continuation of wanton hostilities against Zimbabwe by the US government," he said.
#Zimbabwe #USA
@africaintel
Forwarded from ENTRE GUERRAS (R)
🇲🇱🇷🇺🇳🇪El Daesh reivindicó un ataque contra un convoy comercial nigerino que habría dejado según el grupo terrorista 12 conductores muertos.
También dicen haber llevado un atentado contra el grupo Wagner en una carretera maliense en dirección a Níger, ejecutando supuestamente a dos espías del grupo ruso.
🇬🇧Daesh claimed responsibility for an attack in Mali against a Nigerien commercial convoy that, according to the terrorist group, left 12 drivers dead.
They also claim to have carried out an attack against the Wagner group on a Malian highway towards Niger, allegedly executing two spies of the Russian group.
▫️@ENTRE_GUERRAS▫️
También dicen haber llevado un atentado contra el grupo Wagner en una carretera maliense en dirección a Níger, ejecutando supuestamente a dos espías del grupo ruso.
🇬🇧Daesh claimed responsibility for an attack in Mali against a Nigerien commercial convoy that, according to the terrorist group, left 12 drivers dead.
They also claim to have carried out an attack against the Wagner group on a Malian highway towards Niger, allegedly executing two spies of the Russian group.
▫️@ENTRE_GUERRAS▫️
🇨🇩🇷🇺 DR Congo denies signing military agreement with Russia
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has denied reports that it has signed a military co-operation agreement with Russia.
"There is, to date, no military co-operation agreement signed recently between Russia and the Democratic Republic of Congo," the ministry of communication and media said.
The denial follows an article published by Russian state-owned news agency TASS on Tuesday, which said that Russia’s government had approved a draft military co-operation agreement with DR Congo.
TASS, citing a government document, reported that the agreement entailed joint drills and exercises, military training and "visits by warships and warplanes at an invitation or request".
DR Congo says the draft agreement in question was initiated by the two countries in 1999, but is yet to be signed.
#DRC #Russia
@africaintel
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has denied reports that it has signed a military co-operation agreement with Russia.
"There is, to date, no military co-operation agreement signed recently between Russia and the Democratic Republic of Congo," the ministry of communication and media said.
The denial follows an article published by Russian state-owned news agency TASS on Tuesday, which said that Russia’s government had approved a draft military co-operation agreement with DR Congo.
TASS, citing a government document, reported that the agreement entailed joint drills and exercises, military training and "visits by warships and warplanes at an invitation or request".
DR Congo says the draft agreement in question was initiated by the two countries in 1999, but is yet to be signed.
#DRC #Russia
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇸🇳 Senegal schedules presidential election for March 24 Senegalese President Macky Sall has scheduled a delayed presidential election for March 24, the government said on Wednesday after a top court ruled that a proposal to hold the vote after his mandate…
🇸🇳 Senegal court confirms March poll, ending weeks of uncertainty
Senegalese presidential candidates faced a shortened race to election day on Thursday after the constitutional council confirmed the delayed vote would be held on March 24, kick-starting a competition that remains wide open.
Many hope the worst of the crisis is over after the council ruled on Wednesday that the vote must be held before President Macky Sall's mandate expires on April 2, prompting him to schedule it for March 24 - a date the top court has now approved.
The new date leaves the 19 candidates little more than two weeks to canvas support. It also means for the first time campaigning will take place during the holy month of Ramadan, when many in the Muslim-majority country fast.
#Senegal
@africaintel
Senegalese presidential candidates faced a shortened race to election day on Thursday after the constitutional council confirmed the delayed vote would be held on March 24, kick-starting a competition that remains wide open.
Many hope the worst of the crisis is over after the council ruled on Wednesday that the vote must be held before President Macky Sall's mandate expires on April 2, prompting him to schedule it for March 24 - a date the top court has now approved.
The new date leaves the 19 candidates little more than two weeks to canvas support. It also means for the first time campaigning will take place during the holy month of Ramadan, when many in the Muslim-majority country fast.
#Senegal
@africaintel
🇿🇦 South African public enterprises minister to retire after elections
South Africa's Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, will retire after this year's general elections on May 29, he told on Friday.
Gordhan oversees state entities including struggling power utility Eskom and logistics firm Transnet, whose poor performances have dragged down economic growth in Africa's most industrialised economy.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
South Africa's Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, will retire after this year's general elections on May 29, he told on Friday.
Gordhan oversees state entities including struggling power utility Eskom and logistics firm Transnet, whose poor performances have dragged down economic growth in Africa's most industrialised economy.
#SouthAfrica
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇺🇳🇸🇩 Draft UN resolution calls for cease-fire in conflict-torn Sudan during upcoming Muslim holy month Britain has circulated a draft U.N. resolution calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in conflict-wracked Sudan ahead of the Muslim holy month…
🇺🇳🇸🇩 UN chief calls for Ramadan ceasefire in Sudan
The UN Secretary General has called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan.
Antonio Guterres urged the warring parties to halt hostilities during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
His appeal comes as UN Security Council members are negotiating a British draft resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access - which could be voted on as soon as Friday.
The UN Secretary General said a cessation of hostilities must lead to a definitive silencing of the guns - and set out a firm path towards lasting peace.
He warned that the humanitarian crisis in Sudan was reaching colossal proportions and that the human rights situation continued to spiral out of control.
#UN #Sudan
@africaintel
The UN Secretary General has called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan.
Antonio Guterres urged the warring parties to halt hostilities during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
His appeal comes as UN Security Council members are negotiating a British draft resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access - which could be voted on as soon as Friday.
The UN Secretary General said a cessation of hostilities must lead to a definitive silencing of the guns - and set out a firm path towards lasting peace.
He warned that the humanitarian crisis in Sudan was reaching colossal proportions and that the human rights situation continued to spiral out of control.
#UN #Sudan
@africaintel
🇳🇬 Nigeria Air Force trainer plane crashes but pilots survive
A Nigerian Air Force trainer aircraft was involved in a “minor mishap” but two pilots came out of the crash unharmed, the air force said.
It happened near a military airfield in the northern Kaduna state at 14:35 local time.
The pilots had been returning from a routine training flight, the air force said.
“Luckily both pilots came out of the crash unscathed,” the air force spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement.
The air force has ordered an investigation to determine the immediate cause of the crash.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
A Nigerian Air Force trainer aircraft was involved in a “minor mishap” but two pilots came out of the crash unharmed, the air force said.
It happened near a military airfield in the northern Kaduna state at 14:35 local time.
The pilots had been returning from a routine training flight, the air force said.
“Luckily both pilots came out of the crash unscathed,” the air force spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement.
The air force has ordered an investigation to determine the immediate cause of the crash.
#Nigeria
@africaintel
🇹🇷🇸🇴 Turkey signs energy cooperation deal with Somalia
Turkey signed an offshore oil and natural gas cooperation deal with Somalia on Thursday, the Turkish Energy Ministry said, further strengthening bilateral ties after agreeing a defence deal last month.
The energy ministry said the deal, which it described as an inter-governmental agreement, includes exploration, evaluation, development and production of oil in Somalia's land and sea blocks.
"With this agreement, we will carry out joint activities to bring the resources of Somalia to the Somali people. We aim to strengthen Turkey's presence in the Horn of Africa with new collaborations in the field of energy," Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said.
"Oil and natural gas exploration offshore of Somalia, and it looks more like oil for now, will start very soon in the areas we have identified. We will maybe send our seismic (exploration) vessel there in the first phase," he said.
#Turkey #Somalia
@africaintel
Turkey signed an offshore oil and natural gas cooperation deal with Somalia on Thursday, the Turkish Energy Ministry said, further strengthening bilateral ties after agreeing a defence deal last month.
The energy ministry said the deal, which it described as an inter-governmental agreement, includes exploration, evaluation, development and production of oil in Somalia's land and sea blocks.
"With this agreement, we will carry out joint activities to bring the resources of Somalia to the Somali people. We aim to strengthen Turkey's presence in the Horn of Africa with new collaborations in the field of energy," Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said.
"Oil and natural gas exploration offshore of Somalia, and it looks more like oil for now, will start very soon in the areas we have identified. We will maybe send our seismic (exploration) vessel there in the first phase," he said.
#Turkey #Somalia
@africaintel