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Defiant Morocco integrates Western Sahara waters into its maritime territory

editorial@africanews.com — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 02:00:00 +0000

Lawmakers in Morocco on Wednesday integrated waters off the coast of Western Sahara into the country’s maritime territory, adopting two laws that extend its legal jurisdiction over the disputed former Spanish colony. “These laws aim to update the national legal arsenal” in line with “the full sovereignty of the kingdom over its land and maritime borders,” Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said before parliament in Rabat passed the laws. The laws, intended to establish Morocco’s jurisdiction over territorial waters stretching from Tangiers on the northern coast as far as Lagouira, on the border with Mauritania, were unanimously backed by lawmakers and greeted with applause. The vast desert territory of Western Sahara lies north of Mauritania and is bordered to the west by around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) of Atlantic coastline. Morocco has controlled 80 percent of the territory since the 1970s and views it as an integral part of the kingdom. That is disputed by the Polisario Front, an Algerian-backed independence movement. The Polisario fought a war for independence from 1975 to 1991 and wants a referendum in which the people of Western Sahara choose between independence and integration with Morocco. Rabat has instead offered autonomy, but insists it will retain sovereignty. READ MORE: Morocco King says no to Western Sahara independence Supporters of the Polisario claim that 92 percent of Moroccan fishing is done in “pillaged” Western Saharan waters. Spanish mediation In the works for years, the delimitation of the maritime territory, whose status is still unresolved, has in the past sparked tensions between Morocco and Spain, particularly after oil exploration in the area. The issue will be addressed on Friday during the first visit to Rabat by new Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez, according to Bourita. “We do not want to impose a fait accompli, but we are ready to engage in dialogue with Spain in the framework of our essential rights and sovereignty,” he told parliament. In mid December, the Spanish government reminded Morocco that the delimitation of maritime borders with neighbouring countries was governed by “mutual agreement”. AFP

Uganda president reiterates how Africa 'betrayed' Libya, Gaddafi in 2011

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 14:56:10 +0000

Ugandan president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni says Africa should have taken steps to stop a North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, military intervention in Libya in 2011. According to the long-serving president, Africa’s diplomatic attempts in the intervention were not enough and that a military intervention should have been pursued to save the north African country currently embroiled in armed conflict. Speaking to the BBC in London where he attended the first United Kingdom – Africa summit, Museveni said; “The African countries should not have allowed Western countries to attack Libya. We should have intervened. We tried diplomatically but we could have intervened even militarily.” “Africa could have intervened and taught those people a lesson… Libya was an African country being attacked by foreign powers, we should have intervened.” It is the second time in recent years that he is commenting on the Libya situation that brought an end to the reign of Muammar Gaddafi who was eventually captured and killed by rebels in his hometown of Sirte in the same year. In 2016, Museveni wrote a piece that criticised the United States and European Union for their intervention in Libya and the wider Middle East region. He averred that the U.S. and E.U had no business dislodging Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein of Iraq. Museveni’s comments on Libya comes after that of Guinea president Alpha Conde, who in an exlusive interview with Africanews’ editor-in-chief Nathalie Wakam, spoke about the headache that a disorderly Libya continues to have on the North Africa and Sahel region at large. Libya has been at the heart of recent news coverage with multiple conferences geared towards achieving a ceasefire between the two main rival factions. The internationally recognized Tripoli government and the Benghazi government led by rebel chief Khalifa Haftar. Moscow and Berlin in the recent weeks hosted summits on Libya. The next meeting is under the auspices of the African Union and is due to be held in late December in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo. President Sassou Nguesso is leader of the AU-led committee seeking a resolution of the crisis.

Media Watch: Benin's opposition radio fires all staff over govt suspension

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 14:01:00 +0000

As part of our news analysis slot on Africanews, we will be updating a media watch page that deals with major issues of media ongoings across the continent. It will cut across happenings in mainstream and across social media with also a special eye for fake news. Burundi arrest journalist over corruption report Ghana remembers slain anti-corruption investigator Cameraman assaulted in Nigeria Ethiopian journalists associational dreams Journalists detained in Uganda and Malawi Western Ethiopia internet cut, Sudan bans pro-Bashir press Radio station fires all employees after suspension Beninese private radio station Soleil FM, owned by politician and business mogul Sebastian Adjavon, has fired all 41 employees in the wake of a government suspension of their operations. “We are in cessation of activities since the radio is suspended until further notice by the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication, the HAAC,” Virgile Ahouansè, a journalist and leader of the staff union told AFP. He said the dismissal letter was delivered on Tuesday. He deplored the suspension stressing that: “the body invested by the constitution to protect press freedom has come to such a radical solution that does not take into account the right to information of Beninese.” In mid-December, the radio, one of the few in opposition in Benin, received a letter from the president of the HAAC ordering “suspend programs until further notice”. Saturnin Djossou, its chief editor confirmed that the station had unsuccessfully applied for a renewal of their license prior to the suspension. Burundi journalist arrested over corruption report A Burundian journalist has been arrested after filing a report on misuse of public funds in the country. Blaise Pascal Kararumiye who works with Radio Isanganiro was arrested on Thursday, his employer confirmed to the BBC. The authorities have not disclosed the charges against the journalist and he was interrogated without a lawyer, station director Sylvere Ntakarutimana added. Ghana remembers slain anti-corruption investigator a year on Ahmed Hussein Suale was an unknown name and face in Ghana until his assassination in January 2019. That one incident became the biggest blot on Ghana’s mediascape in the year under review. Ahmed was a key investigator with undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. Reports linked his death to a production that unraveled corruption across Ghana football. A loudmoth lawmaker was cited prominently as inciting violence against Ahmed, whose photos he showed on primetime TV. Anas posted a homage on the slain investigator on his social media handles. Meanwhile, the push for justice in the matter of his death continues in Ghana. The West African country has routinely been classed as the freeest space for journalists operating on the continent. You were killed in the pursuit of truth. We will never forget. We will fight till justice prevails.#Justice4Ahmed #JournalismIsNotACrime #SayNoToCorruption pic.twitter.com/ygh1VDTSoF— Anas Aremeyaw Anas (@anasglobal) January 16, 2020 Ethiopian journalists move to form association From a top jailer of journalists only a few years ago, April 2018 marked a turning point in Ethiopia after Prime Minister Abiy freed all detained journalists. The media scape has been crucial in driving Abiy’s reforms despite threats of hate speech and fake news. Journalists in the country have now moved towards the formation of a professional association as pertains across much of Africa and the world. This is not the first time post-2018 that the idea has been raised. In its 2019 report, Reporters Without Borders, wrote that media freedoms were being eroded following some incidents in 2019. The RSF report said a journalist was being detained in the line of work contrary to claims by Abiy that no journalist was behind bars during his Nobel Prize ceremony in December 2019. የኢትዮጵያ ገለልተኛ ጋዜጠኞች ማህበር ዛሬ መስራች ጉባኤውን አካሂዷል። More than 400 journalists mobilized ourselves within few days. This professional association is going to be the real deal. Salute to those who started the initiative. #Ethiopia pic.twitter.com/DJvs5lLC4x— Haimanot B. Ashenafi (@Haimanotwua) January 12, 2020 A private TV station in Nigeria, Channels TV, reported last weekend that its cameraman and another were briefly detained by police and their tools assaulted. They were covering a protest in the central Benue State. They were shortly released and all their materials returned. But on social media most people rather took to mocking the stations choice of words in reporting the incident. Channels said its cameraman was assaulted by police but people advised that they use “clashes with police” as they have done when other classes of people happen to get involved with the police. Most of the retaliatory reactions were posted under their tweet. Uganda journalists briefly arrested The Daily Monitor portal in Uganda reported the brief arrest of two journalists who were picked up whiles covering the banned political consultations by musician, lawmaker Bobi Wine. Bobi Wine was twice blocked this week by police when he tried to undertake political engagements. His People Power Movement had planned nationwide consultations towards his presidential ambitions. police arrested Wine, collaborators and some journalists. They claimed our first consultation was blocked because it was an open venue. We secured an enclosed one. They lied we didn't have owner's permission. We produced evidence of payment. They have now intercepted us. Journalists arrested. People being clobbered. Dictator in panic pic.twitter.com/T87hwbhVeI— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) January 8, 2020 Malawi journalists arrested covering EU event The private Nation newspaper in Malawi reported the arrest of journalists on Wednesday December 8 as they went to the main airport to receive n European Union delegation for post-election duties. The Nation’s journalist Golden Matonga, ZBS journalist Steve Zimba and his television camera person Francis Chamasowa were released after being charged with “Disordery at an airport contrary to Aviation Act”. The trio, who had their cell-phones and cameras confiscated by police were arrested at around 4pm, the time the EU delegation was scheduled to arrive. They were released on police bail around 6.30pm. #NationOnline— NationOnline (@NationOnlineMw) January 8, 2020 Jan. 6 – 8: Security-related internet cut in Western Oromia Reports indicate that there is a partial internet cut across several towns in western Ethiopia. The development has been in place since Monday. The move is believed to be in connection with rising insecurity in western Oromia regional state where the army continues to battle a former rebel group. Over a dozen officials of the region have been killed in the last few months by suspected rebels in the area. The BBC adds that “in some areas mobile call services are also not working.” The state monopoly EthioTelecom has yet to comment publicly on the situation. The outfit twice last year cut the internet; first over national level examinations and in the wake of a foiled coup in the Amhara regional state. Jan. 7: Sudan bans pro-Bashir media outlets In Sudan, the state continues to squeeze media outlets affiliated with ousted president Omar Al-Bashir. Two two newspapers and two television were affected by the measure. Al-Sudani and Al-Ray Al-Am newspapers and Ashrooq and Teeba television stations were banned for allegedly receiving funding from al-Bashir, AFP news agency has reported. The punishment was meted down by a committee tasked with dismantling institutions linked to the former leader. But editor-in-chief for the Al Sudani, Diaa al-Din Belal rejected the allegations in an interview with AFP: “We operate under a private company and we did not receive any funds from a party or a government authority,” Belal said. Bashir was deposed by the army amid protests in April 2019. He has been jailed in a corruption case whiles other cases are running in the courts. Sudan is currently under a military – civilian council overseeing a transition to democracy.

Trump's new travel ban 'targets' Eritrea, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 11:35:09 +0000

Four African nations are targets of a new travel ban by United States president Donald Trump, multiple news sources have reported. An official announcement is expected by next week. Incidentally, only one of the quartet is a Muslim-majority nation i.e. Sudan. The others are Eritrea, Nigeria and Tanzania. During an engagement on the sidelines of the ongoing 2020 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump, told the Wall Street Journal that plans were afoot to upgrade the controversial list. He however remained mute on the affected countries. The measure will largely affected specific types of visas as and when the list is finalized, sources close to the issue added. Analysts have averred that business or visitor visas could likely be impacted. Barely a year after coming into office, Trump issued his first controversial travel ban which barred people from Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. Libya and Somalia were African reps along with Iran, Syria and Yemen. A court challenge of the measure was upheld by the Supreme Court in June 2018. The court ruled that it was within Trump’s executive powers to issue such an order. The fightback against it however continues by some politicians and activists. The United States’ recently published blacklist of religious freedom violations report kept Eritrea listed whiles it removed Sudan. Nigeria along with Comoros were classed on a watchlist by the State Department. Nigeria hit back at the U.S. for self appointing itself police of the world. “In international relations, you respect the internal affairs of other countries. The U.S. itself has enough to chew solving its own problems not to talk of poke-nosing into that of another country.” “No man, no country, nobody has appointed them the policeman of the world, let them face their own issues”, Mr Adesina, a media aide to President Buhari said in December 2019. April 2019: US considers new travel ban that affects 7 African countries In April 2019, the United States is threatened stricter travel restrictions for countries whose nationals frequently overstay their visas, an official of the Department of Homeland Security said at the time. African countries including Chad, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Eritrea, Liberia, Somalia, and South Sudan, have the highest rates of overstaying temporary visas for short-term tourist and business visas. While president Donald Trump has been relentless in his efforts to halt the flow of immigrants at the country’s southern border with Mexico, his presidency has devoted little attention to the hundreds of thousands of migrants who overstay a visa each year. AP analysis of existing travel ban Trump ran his 2016 campaign promising to crack down on illegal immigration and spent much of his first term fighting lawsuits trying to halt his push to build a wall along the southern border, prohibit the entry of citizens from several majority-Muslim countries and crack down on migrants seeking asylum in the U.S., amid other measures. Several of the people said they expected the upcoming announcement to be timed to coincide with the third anniversary of Trump’s first, explosive travel ban, which was announced without warning on Jan. 27, 2017 — days after Trump took office. That order sparked an uproar, with massive protests across the nation and chaos at airports where passengers were detained. The current ban suspends immigrant and non-immigrant visas to applicants from the affected countries, but it allows exceptions, including for students and those who have established “significant contacts” in the U.S.. And it represents a significant softening from Trump’s initial order, which had suspended travel from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen for 90 days, blocked refugee admissions for 120 days and suspended travel from Syria.

Displacements in Ethiopia's Oromia region amid recent fighting

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 09:20:00 +0000

Recent fighting between state forces and armed groups in Ethiopia’s Oromia region has led to displacements in the region, the largest and most populous in the country. The privately-owned Addis Standard portal quoted the United Nations as confirming that displacements had taken place in the Guji zone of Oromia region. Specifically in various kebeles of Seba Boru woreda, “hundreds of people have been displaced to the neighboring Darme town, the capital of Darme woreda administration,” the portal said. Most of the displaced ware without proper shelter and are struggling to make ends meet. “The IDPs are now living in a deplorable situation in Darme town, about 200 killometres from the zonal capital, Negele,” the UN said, adding that “Most of the IDPs had no time to bring their properties with them because of the tense fighting between the UAG and Government forces.” UAG are “unidentified armed groups” operating in parts of the Oromia region. The U.N. agency OCHA’s Humanitarian Needs Overview report of January 2020 identifies such groups as key drivers of conflict in Africa’s second-most populous nation. The report read in part under “Conflict and inter communal violence”: During 2019, there were frequent incidences of inter-communal violence as well as clashes between Government forces and unidentified armed groups (UAG) in various pocket areas. While violent events were registered in all the country’s regions, the bulk of hostilities occurred in western and southern Oromia. The national army has been deployed to deal with security situation in parts of Oromia after a number of regional state officials were killed by armed groups. Security has been a key issue for upcoming national elections in the country. Analysts and political watchers cautioned government to ensure durable security before during and after the elections which are seen as a stern test for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The government flatly denied proposals for a postponement of the polls on the issue of security. Ethiopia’s internal displacement figures topped globally in 2017 and 2018. Millions were resettled amid complaints that some of the over 1 million people were being forced to insecure areas.

Angola will seek extradition of Isabel dos Santos - Chief Prosecutor

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 09:15:00 +0000

Angolan authorities have vowed to explore all possible means to bring back Isabel Dos Santos, the daughter of the country’s former president. Thousands of recently leaked documents claimed that Dos Santos, dubbed Africa’s richest woman, made her fortune by ripping off the Angolan people. Speaking on public radio on Monday, Helder Pitra Gros, Angola’s prosecutor general, said he would invoke international mechanisms to bring Isabel Dos Santos back to the country. The prosecutor did not specify what channels they would use to bring Dos Santos back. She stopped living in Angola after her father Jose Eduardo dos Santos, stepped down in 2017. Dos Santos denies the allegations made in the leaks. She says she is the target of a campaign meant to discredit her and her father. The Angolan judiciary accuses Isabel dos Santos, along with her husband of having embezzled, more than a billion dollars from public companies such as state oil firm, Sonangol. As part of the accusations, Dos Santos was slapped with an asset freeze by a court in Luanda at the end of 2019. She’s is one of the high profile victims of president Joao Lourenco’s war on corruption which began when Dos Santos was removed as boss of Sonangol in 2017.

Militants attack, burn market in Burkina Faso killing 36

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Militants attacked a market in Burkina Faso’s Sanmatenga province, killing at least 36 people and wounding several others, the government said Tuesday. The gunmen then burned the market, according to a government statement. The violence is the latest in a surge of attacks in the West African nation’s north that led to the displacement of more than half a million people last year. The government urged people to collaborate with defense and security forces to restore safety. President Roch Marc Kabore called for two days of national mourning beginning Wednesday for the victims of the attack. For years, Burkina Faso was spared the kind of Islamic extremism that affected neighboring Niger and Mali, where it took a 2013 French-led military intervention to dislodge insurgents from power in several major towns. Militants staged a January 2016 attack in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, that killed at least 30 people at a cafe popular with foreigners. The following year, 18 people were killed at a Turkish restaurant in the capital. Attacks intensified in 2019 across northern Burkina Faso, and jihadists have gained more ground. AP

Madagascar opens up senior govt positions to public [Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com (Jerry Bambi) — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 08:59:12 +0000

A major recruitment campaign for senior government officials has begun in Madagascar. Interested persons since January 12 can apply for positions in an online platform. It includes positions for director of service in ministries, governor, ambassador, adviser to the president, and ministers. Interested persons have until Friday January 24th to submit their applications. So, what is the assumed goal of this initiative? And how likely are other countries of the continent to follow this model?

Could 'Luanda Leaks' really be political witch hunt? [Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com (Jerry Bambi) — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 08:44:22 +0000

It’s all over the news. Angola’s Isabel Dos Santos is shown in a trove of files published on Sunday by the New York-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) to have siphoned hundreds of millions of dollars of public money into offshore accounts. The more than 715,000 files — dubbed “Luanda Leaks” — were investigated by 120 reporters in 20 countries. And now, Angolans are calling for an international investigation into the world-wide dealings that allowed Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of the former president, to become the richest woman in Africa. Also Portuguese bank EuroBic has announced it will end its business relationship dos Santos over the revelations that have placed her under scrutiny. But Ms Dos Santos whose business deals range from Angola’s state oil company Sonangol to its biggest mobile phone provider, claims the revelations are untrue and a politically motivated witch hunt. She explains in a series of tweets that the revelations were false and are in fact an attempt to divert public scrutiny from the real issues facing Angola. So, what are the real issues here and where does Isabel Dos Santos, Africa’s richest woman’s wealth come from? Paul Mango Alicerce is a member of parliament from the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola known as UNITA the second-largest political party in Angola.

Global widening gap between the rich and poor [Business]

editorial@africanews.com (DIBIE IKE Michael) — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 05:20:38 +0000

A recent study released by the Government Accountability Office in the US reveals that the expanding gap between rich and poor is not only widening the gulf in incomes and wealth in America. But that it is also helping the rich lead longer lives, while cutting short the lives of those who are struggling. Almost three-quarters of rich Americans who were in their 50s and 60s in 1992 were still alive in 2014. Just over half of poor Americans in their 50s and 60s in 1992 made it to 2014. Over the past 40 years, the gap between rich and poor communities has increased dramatically, an American Sociologist, Robert Manduca believes a large measure of the change can be chalked up to rising income inequality. In view of this, the UK-based non-governmental organisation Oxfam as world and business leaders gather for the World Economic Forum in Davos released a report highlighting that the gap between rich and poor is widening globally. The report, titled “Time to Care,” comes out amid anti-inequality protest movements taking place in many parts of the world. Oxfam India’s Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Behar explained that the unequal distribution of income and wealth is problematic and contributes to exacerbating poverty across the globe.

Rwanda to waive visa fees for Africans, Commonwealth, OIF citizens - Kagame

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 04:30:00 +0000

Rwanda is considering waiving visa fees for a broad category of visitors entering the country, president Paul Kagame is reported to have said in London. The waiver if eventually passed will mean that all Africans, citizens of Commonwealth nations and the Francophonie will be admitted into Rwanda without having to pay visa fees. According to the state broadcaster, the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, RBA, Kagame disclosed the proposed exemption as part of his engagements in London, where he attended the maiden United Kingdom – Africa summit. “The Commonwealth is a community of values, with continued relevance for today’s world. More than one-third of its member states are African. These are the reasons why Rwanda chose to join in 2009. “In that connection, we are soon considering exempting citizens of the Commonwealth, as well as the African Union and the Francophonie, from paying visa fees when entering Rwanda,” President Kagame said. Next June, Rwanda will host the 26 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM 2020. Rwanda’s visa-openness has earned it top place as one of the most open in the yearly visa openness index publications. Rwanda from January 1, 2018 started a global visa free entry for all travelers. A communique released by the Directorate of Immigration and Emigration said all travelers could enjoy 30 days visa on arrival under the regime. That being the case, some entrants were required to pay a fee where applicable. The November 16, 2017 document read in part: “30 days visa upon arrival – Citizens of all countries to get visa upon arrival without prior approval, starting 01 January 2018. Before that, only African countries and few others were getting visa upon arrival.”

Ivorian president assures of peaceful 2020 polls, mute on candidacy

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 04:30:00 +0000

Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara says he is ready to ensure that peaceful polls are held in the West African nation later on this year. The president was speaking at event organized by Chatham House in London. Ouattara was in town for the maiden United Kingdom – Africa summit which was held on Monday, days to the UK’s exit from the European Union. The session was under the theme: “Elections in Côte d’Ivoire in 2020: ensuring stability and inclusion,” as part of his presentation, the president presented the Ivorian model of economic development from 2012 to 2019. “I want to reassure the audience about the political stability and control of the security situation in Côte d’Ivoire, and to reiterate my commitment to work for the organization of peaceful, free, transparent and democratic elections,” he said. The president was however mute on whether or not he will be a candidate in the next elections. Ouattara had earlier this year said he would propose “modifications to the country’s constitution,”:https://www.africanews.com/2020/01/07/ivorian-president-wants-to-amend-constitution/ even as he rubbished claims by the opposition that he plans to sideline opponents from this year’s presidential elections. In ceremonies to mark the New Year, Ouattara said, “In the first quarter of the year, I will put to parliament proposals for modifications to the constitution.” The aim is to make the constitution “more coherent… to further consolidate the state of law and bring institutions closer to our fellow citizens,” he said. He has been in office since 2010 he secured a second term in office in 2015 with elections meant to be held for his replacement. One of his main rivals, former ally and National Assembly president Guillaume Soro is currently in forced exile. Ivory Coast, one of the world’s biggest cocoa producers experienced a brief civil war prior to Ouattara coming into office. The country has been stable for the better part of the last decade except for a mutiny by soldiers which threatened to shut down the economy, it was later resolved.

Oil pipeline incident kills 4 in Nigeria's economic hub Lagos

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Four people were killed and several shops and vehicles destroyed by a fire after a vandalized oil pipeline went up in flames near Lagos over the weekend, according to local emergency services contacted by AFP. Mobile phone footage showed a huge blaze and thick smoke from the accident scene. Ibrahim Farinloye, an area coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, told AFP that his team found the bodies of two men, a woman and her baby at the scene of the fire. The incident took place in the Abule Egba region near the economic capital Lagos. This first-ever incident this year is the latest in a long series that has been going on for years. Pipeline accidents are common in oil-rich Nigeria. People looking to steal oil attack pipelines resulting in fires and oil spills which contribute to ecological disasters. In the Niger Delta region, attacks on pipelines to siphon fuel for sale on the black market has become common place. Fuel shortages which are common in Africa’s biggest oil producer have fueled smuggling rings. The looting of oil pipelines followed by fires has become commonplace, fuelling a growing traffic of fuel that goes beyond Nigerian borders. AFP

Boko Haram beheads Christian leader in Nigeria

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 03:00:00 +0000

Boko Haram insurgents beheaded a Christian leader in their captivity on Monday, according to Ahmad Salkida, a Nigerian journalist closely covering the crisis in Nigeria and across the Lake Chad region. The journalist in a tweet said Reverend Lawan Andimi along with a soldier were were killed by the the terrorists at the same time. They released a video which the journalist described as “appalling executions.” Local media reports said the reverend belong to the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN. He was a local leader of CAN in the Michika Local Government Area in northeastern Adamawa State. The CAN leadership in the state confirmed the execution adding that negotiations for ransom payments were well underway. The reverend was abducted early this year when the insurgents stormed Michika, they were repelled by the military but made away with the reverend as they fled. I am greatly saddened by the fact that the terrorists went on to kill him even while giving signals of a willingness to set him free by releasing him to third parties. This barbarism is condemnable. We will ensure that these terrorists pay a heavy price for their evil actions.— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) January 21, 2020 Adamawa State CAN chairman, Stephen Mamza, deplored the circumstances leading to the murder, he said the insurgents had asked for £2 million but they had been able to raise only 50 million naira which was flatly rejected. The insurgents had told the deceased’s wife that they will execute him last Saturday but waited till Monday to undertake the act. Mamza spoke about how another clergyman was killed on Monday. “It is now clear that Christians are not protected by the government. We don’t feel like we have a government,” he is quoted to have said. The State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, also condemned the incident as has Amnesty International’s local branch. On the subject of attacks on Christians, the CAN leader echoes a sentiment that is gaining currency but has routinely been rejected as untrue. Boko Haram violence does not discriminate be it age, sex, religion or social standing. One case that stands out in their abductions is of Leah Sharibu, a sole Christian abductee, in the 2018 Dapchi Girls swoop. Whiles all her colleagues were released, Leah was held because she reportedly refused to disavow her Christian faith. To break some news items can traumatize. I'm battling with one of such. Reverend Andimi, abducted by #BokoHaram was executed yesterday. Rev. Andimi was a church leader, a father to his children and the community he served. My condolences go to his family. pic.twitter.com/1G9n3RLQjk— Ahmad Salkida (@A_Salkida) January 21, 2020

Tensions high at Sudan-South Sudan border as 32 killed in ethnic clashes

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 03:00:00 +0000

Tensions are hight at the border between Sudan and South Sudan, where at least 32 people were killed Wednesday when suspected nomadic Misseriya herders from Sudan attacked a village along the border of South Sudan. The oil-rich region of Abyei has been contested since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, while there have long been tensions between the South Sudanese Ngok Dinka community and the Misseriya herders who traverse the area looking for grazing. Kuol Alor Kuol, the chief administrator of the Abyei area, told AFP that heavily armed Misseriya and allied militia attacked the village of Kolom early on Wednesday. “Thirty-two people were killed among them children and women, and secondly about 24 people are wounded … and about 15 people including children were abducted and 20 houses burned,” Kuol said. He said the wounded had been evacuated to a hospital in the town of Agok which is run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). In 2011, the UN Security Council deployed a peacekeeping force to the area after deadly clashes displaced some 100,000 people. The United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) is made up entirely of Ethiopian troops, with some 4,500 soldiers on the ground. UNISFA could not be immediately reached for comment on the attack. Saddened by the recent violence in #Abyei. The United States condemns this attack, and we send our condolences to the victims and families who lost loved ones. Now is the time for calm and restraint. We support UNISFA_1’s efforts to restore both.— Tibor Nagy (AsstSecStateAF) January 22, 2020 The UN Security Council in 2018 warned that the situation in Abyei and along the Sudan-South Sudan border “continues to constitute a serious threat to international peace,” and called on the two countries to show concrete progress on border demarcation and monitoring.

10 died at Ethiopia Timkat event, 250 others injured - Official

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 02:30:00 +0000

Regional officials in Ethiopia on Tuesday confirmed 10 deaths and 250 people injured after a wooden platform collapsed during a religious event the day before. Thousands of people attended the colorful Epiphany celebration known as Timkat in the northern city of Gondar. “Ten people have lost their lives,” the Ethiopian Press Agency quoted the city’s police chief, Ayalew Teklu, as saying. “Thirteen people have sustained serious injuries, including four members of the security services.” Ashenafi Tazebew with Gondar University Hospital said more than 250 people had received medical care. Some 80 people remained at the hospital, Ashenafi said. The collapse occurred inside the Emperor Fasilides Bath in the city where several thousand Ethiopians and tourists attended the celebration commemorating the baptism of Jesus. The Ethiopian News Agency reported that more than 15,000 foreigners attended the event in Gondar. UNESCO late last year added Ethiopia’s Epiphany festivities to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which attracted more attendees. AP

'2020, year of protests and action' - Zimbabwe opposition chief

editorial@africanews.com — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 05:51:13 +0000

Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader said Tuesday he will roll out anti-government street protests this year, declaring that the collapsing economy will improve only if political issues, including a long-disputed election, are resolved. Nelson Chamisa told hundreds of Movement for Democratic Change party supporters in the capital, Harare, that he will use the protests to push for a ”transitional authority” to run the southern African nation until credible elections are held. “This year is going to be a year of demonstrations and action,” he said to cheers. “It is time to fight for a Zimbabwe we all want, and have been dreaming of. Come what may, we will not be intimidated.” Zimbabwe held largely peaceful elections in 2018 in a transition from former leader Robert Mugabe’s nearly four-decade rule. But days later the military shot dead several people in Harare as opposition supporters protested a delay in releasing results. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former Mugabe protege, has said Chamisa should accept the election results, but the opposition leader still asserts the vote was rigged even though the constitutional court threw out his legal challenge. Zimbabwe’s military and police have crushed subsequent anti-government protests, while opposition events are routinely banned. Police were uncharacteristically absent at Tuesday’s rally, although officers mounted roadblocks on roads leading into downtown and circulated with loudspeakers shouting: “Don’t be used, please go to work.” Local churches have failed to bring Mnangagwa and Chamisa to the negotiating table, while former South African president Thabo Mbeki, with the support of the regional Southern African Development Community, visited Zimbabwe late last year to push for dialogue. The economy has continued to deteriorate, erasing hopes of improved fortunes that greeted the fall of Mugabe in 2017. At the rally on Tuesday, his first this year, Chamisa said the military, which led the coup against Mugabe and continues to hold significant influence in political matters, should take part in any future dialogue. AP

Tunisia president picks new Prime Minister

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:40:08 +0000

Tunisian President Kais Saied on Monday appointed former finance minister, Elyes Fakhfakh as a new prime minister designate. Fakhfakh has been mandated to form a government as soon as possible,” the presidency said in a statement. The new PM designate proposal will have to gain the approval of a divided parliament, which this month rejected an earlier attempt to form a government. After months of negotiations that followed elections last October, parliament dismissed a cabinet list proposed under the leadership of the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party. Ennahdha won more seats than any other party in October’s legislative election, but was still far short of a majority. AGENCIES

Rising insecurity in Nigeria's northeast region [Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com (Jerry Bambi) — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 12:24:01 +0000

Head of Nigeria’s army Tukur Buratai has said counter-insurgency operations in the North East and other operations against insecurity in the west african country were on course. Buratai speaking on Monday in Abuja explained current indicators had revealed tremendous successes across the region. But how true is this going by the spate of kidnappings and insecurity in the Northeast? Our correspondent Ibrahim Abdulaziz gives us the latest from the region

Guinea: schools remain shut as unions suspend talks [Morning Call]

editorial@africanews.com (Jerry Bambi) — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 12:23:35 +0000

Guinea’s teachers union have suspended talks and discussions with the government aimed at ending a strike that has paralysed the country’s education sector. Schools in the country have remained shut since January 9, 2020, in what has now become a recurring experience for pupils and students in the West african country.

Lesotho PM to be questioned by police over wife's murder

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 12:18:00 +0000

Lesotho’s embattled prime minister Thomas Thabane is set to be questioned by the country’s police over alleged links to the 2017 murder of his estranged wife. The brutal assassination of Lipolelo Thabane sent shock waves through the tiny mountainous kingdom, which is entirely surrounded by South Africa. She was gunned down outside her home in Lesotho’s capital Maseru on June 2017, two days before the inauguration of her husband — with whom she had been embroiled in bitter divorce proceedings. The case was brought back into the spotlight this month by a letter from Lesotho’s police chief, which claimed that communication records from the day of the crime picked up Thabane’s mobile phone number. Dated December 23, 2019, it became public in court documents filed over a separate matter. On Monday, police summoned the prime minister to their office to “cast a light” on the 58-year old’s murder. “This case does not only attract the attention of Basotho nation (Lesotho) but it is of international concern,” deputy police commissioner Paseka Mokete said in a statement. Thabane, 80, said last week he planned to resign after senior members of the All Basotho Convention (ABC) party accused him of hampering investigations into the killing. He gave no timetable for when he would be stepping down. He is expected to report to the police on Wednesday and vowed to cooperate with the justice system. “As the prime minister I have undertaken an oath to respect and protect the constitution and all other laws of Lesotho,” he told reporters in Maseru, promising to “get to the bottom of this matter”. Several high-profile figures have also been summoned to provide information on the case, including Thabane’s current wife Maesaiah Thabane. But police have been unable to trace her whereabouts since she failed to turn up for questioning on January 10. A court has since issued a warrant for her arrest. AP

Guinea's Alpha Conde addresses Libyan crisis, Sahel, domestic politics [Interview]

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 11:06:00 +0000

In an exclusive interview with Africanews, Guinean President Alpha Condé reiterated his belief that the African Union must take the lead in solving crises on the continent. The 81-year-old leader was refering to Turkey’s recent entry into the Libyan crisis. Regarding the crisis in the Sahel, he however commended the agreement reached in France on the need to strengthen cooperation and concentrate forces in the areas bordering Niger, Burkina and Mali. On the political crisis in his country, he justified the need for a new constitution and spoke about the deaths of demonstrators .

Innovation shines beyond gloom of Libyan conflict, Brexit [SciTech]

editorial@africanews.com (Daniel Mumbere) — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 09:36:10 +0000

The United Kingdom which will be leaving the European Union at the end of this world on Monday welcomed African leaders and innovators, with whom it hopes to strike mutually beneficial trade deals. Having toured several innovations from Africa, including a pavement that generates electricity, a solar-powered well and remote-controlled robots, the prime minister Boris Johnson took some time to highlight his country’s own tech offering. ‘‘We have the tech. We have ed tech, med tech, fin tech, bio tech, green tech, nano tech. Tech of all kinds. And we have by far the biggest tech sector anywhere in this hemisphere, the premier said. “If you want to come here to study in those universities, if you want to play a part in the high tech revolution, if you want to work with the titans of our financial world then you’ll be pleased to hear my friends that one thing is changing – our immigration system.’‘ Libyan engineers innovate for amputees A group of Libyan engineers are using smart technology and design to transform the lives of amputees in the country. They’ve formed a non-profit making social enterprise which fits people with high tech prostheses enabling them to live normal lives. “We first know what the amputee needs are, what he wants to do with this prosthetic hand, does he want to use it in his daily work…so we know his needs from this hand, how he wants to use it, so we envisage how to make this hand beneficial to him,’‘ Ayoub Khalifa, a Mechanical Engineer explained. The company, Abhath has a fully equipped laboratory for research and development, which provides the latest technologies for 3D printing and artificial intelligence. “We prepare a hand arm model from a mechanical standpoint and design it using programs such as SolidWorks or ANSES and then applying some tests to it using the computer, then comes the role of printing, which is the 3D Printing, we print the artificial hand, then we conduct tests on it using software first and then in reality.” @danmumbere

Moscow - Berlin: Next Libya summit will be in Congo - and it's AU-led

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 06:00:00 +0000

The next meeting on Libya crisis will take place in Africa and it is an African union, A.U.-led process. It will take place in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. The January 30, 2020 meeting was communicated in a press release by the AU Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat after taking part in a Berlin conference over the weekend seeking to bring peace to the troubled North African country. The meeting will be under the aegis of the A.U. High Level Committee on Libya. The body “is expected to convene a follow up meeting in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, on 30 January 2020. “(it’s aim will be) to study the evolution of the situation in Libya, ahead of the February 2020 AU Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,” a the AU chief said in a statement. The list of people expected to attend has yet to be released. The Committee established in 2011, same year Gaddafi was overthrown, is currently headed by Congolese president Denis Sassou-Nguesso. Sassou was part of the leaders in Berlin over the weekend seeking a resolution to the crisis. In the last few weeks, Libya has been top of the agenda of mostly European countries. Two significant meetings were held first in Moscow, where a ceasefire agreement failed to hold as rebel chief Khalifa Haftar refused to sign. The Berlin meeting called by German Chancellor Angela Merkel invited international actors including all the permanent member states of the United Nations Security Council, with the view to to assist the United Nations to unify the international community in their support for a peaceful solution to the Libyan crisis. Full Statement: Communique on the Libya Conference in Berlin The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat attended a conference on Libya in Berlin, Germany, at the invitation of Chancellor Angela Merkel, alongside President Denis Sassou Nguesso, Chairperson of the AU High-Level Committee on Libya. The conference, which invited international actors including all the permanent member states of the United Nations Security Council, had for its objective to assist the United Nations to unify the international community in their support for a peaceful solution to the Libyan crisis. The Chairperson reiterated the African position in support of a full and unconditional ceasefire, the respect for the UN arms embargo and the need for violators to face sanctions, and the return to an inclusive Libyan-led and owned political process that includes an effective follow-up monitoring mechanism. The African Union High Level Committee on Libya, established in 2011, is expected to convene a follow up meeting in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, on 30 January 2020, to study the evolution of the situation in Libya, ahead of the February 2020 AU Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Luanda Leaks: Africa's richest woman using Twitter to 'clear' her name

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Twitter has proven the preferred outlet of defense by Africa’s richest woman Isabel dos Santos in the wake of damning investigative report that said it had uncovered how she fleeced the country whiles her father was in charge for decades. The controversy surrounding dos Santos increased this week when the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, ICIJ, and 36 media partners accused her of “two decades of unscrupulous deals.” Dos Santos took to Twitter to dismiss the investigation as lies. “The ICIJ report is based on many fake documents and false information, it is a coordinated political attack in coordination with the “Angolan Government”. 715 thousand documents read? Who believes that?#icij #lies” ICIJ report: This is perpetrated by political agenda to neutralize Isabel dos Santos. “Information” leaked by angolan intelligence services was used to manipulate ICIJ, and to further Angolan Authorities political agenda. Already:ICIJ Panama papers were disproved in UK High Court— Isabel Dos Santos (@isabelaangola) January 19, 2020 This ??????is what I do ! I build companies and enterprises, I invest and create jobs. This where my wealth comes from : BUSINESSES, please watch this video- building Candando my supermarket: pic.twitter.com/ty4HyPbKPp— Isabel Dos Santos (@isabelaangola) January 19, 2020 According to the report, dos Santos, her husband and their intermediaries put together a web of more than 400 companies in 41 countries that over the past decade were awarded consulting jobs, loans, public works contracts and licenses worth billions of dollars from the Angolan government. The allegations were based on more than 715,000 confidential financial and business records provided by the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa, an advocacy group based in Paris, as well as hundreds of interviews. The cache of documents is known as Luanda Leaks, named for Angola’s capital, Luanda. December 2019 court order freezing Isabel’s assets Last December, a Luanda court froze dos Santos’s major assets, which include banks and a telecom company. The government says it is trying to recover $1.1 billion it says the country is owed by dos Santos, her husband and a close associate of the couple. Angola anti-corruption activist Rafael Marques urged Angolan and Portuguese authorities to investigate dos Santos for crimes. “Isabel dos Santos and her facilitators have to be investigated,” said Marques to the Portuguese New Agency, Lusa. ”“We are talking about money laundering schemes that have harmed Angola and the Angolans and should be seriously investigated.” One of the firms that worked with companies controlled by dos Santos was accounting firm PwC. Its CEO, Bob Moritz, told The Associated Press in Davos that it is conducting an investigation and has “ceased doing work for her and the organizations around her.” “I’m personally tremendously disappointed in terms of the association we had, and the fact that we didn’t get out of that relationship earlier,” he said. “But I’m thankful that we’re getting out of it now.” He declined to elaborate. PwC had longtime business dealings with dos Santos. Isabel pulls out of Davos summit The rapidly changing circumstances for Isabel dos Santos, widely known as “Africa’s richest woman,” is evident by her absence at the the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Instead of hobnobbing with world leaders in Davos, she is confronted with calls for her to be investigated for criminal corruption and is hotly defending herself on Twitter. Forum organizers said the participation of dos Santos, daughter of longtime Angolan strongman Jose Eduardo dos Santos, at the forum’s annual gathering in Davos was cancelled this month, well before an investigation alleged that she bilked her country of more than $1 billion through unscrupulous dealings. Forum spokesman Max Hall refused to specify whether the forum or dos Santos cancelled her participation. However, the forum says it’s maintaining its ties to one of the companies controlled by dos Santos. The forum said dos Santos’s company, Unitel, “remains a partner.” Such partner companies can pay tens of thousands of dollars for the privilege of associating with the forum, which this week is hosting U.S. President Donald Trump and some 3,000 leaders of business, politics and civil society. The dos Santos era and calls for justice Jose Eduardo dos Santos ruled the oil- and diamond-rich nation for 38 years until 2017. Human rights groups have long accused the former president of stealing vast amounts of state money during his rule. Despite the country’s wealth, poverty is widespread among Angola’s 30 million people and its standards of health and education are abysmally low, according to U.N. surveys. Isabel dos Santos said that she has amassed her fortune, estimated by Forbes Magazine at $2.2 billion, through hard work. She has said on Twitter that she will use all possible legal means to fight the legal actions against her and her companies. In London, Angola’s Minister of Economic and Social Development, Manuel Nunes Júnior, said Monday that no one is above the law. Junior spoke in London while attending the first UK-Africa Investment Summit, opened by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and attended by Prince Harry. “We need to have a true rule of law in Angola. We believe that the rule of law is the essential element for the confidence of agents in the society in which we operate,” he said, according to Lusa. In response to questions from journalists the Angolan minister said that “no one can be above the law, the law must be the same for everyone.” AP

Boko Haram cuts off Maiduguri from Nigeria's national power grid

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 04:30:00 +0000

Maiduguri, capital of Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State is without electricity after Boko Haram insurgents cut off power supply from the national electricity grid. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), confirmed in a statement on Monday, that the insurgents had damaged the electricity equipment serving the state capital and its environs. Ndidi Mbah, TCH spokesperson said the agency was making efforts to restore electricity supply in the area as soon as possible. “The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby inform the public that Maiduguri and its environs have been cut off from the National Grid since January 17, 2020, due to damages to TCN’s equipment by insurgents,” Mbah said. “The incident affected the 330kV transmission line between Maiduguri and Damaturu. Also, the Damboa – Maiduguri 132kV transmission line has equally been disconnected from the grid for sometime, for the same reason. “TCN has located the fault on the Maiduguri – Damaturu line and has arranged to repair the line. Bulk electricity would be restored to Maiduguri on or before January 20, 2020. “TCN pledges to continue to work to ensure bulk electricity transmission and grid expansion nationwide. The company wishes to use this opportunity to commend the Nigeria Armed Forces for their continued support especially in areas prone to insecurity. “TCN regrets inconveniences caused by this problem to electricity consumers in the affected areas.” Reports indicate that the insurgents have carried out a series of attacks on villages located along a major road, Damaturu-Maiduguri, in the last one month. People have reported severally on social media how the road has become a death trap and have urged commuters to avoid that stretch. Maiduguri is birthplace of the decade-old insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. The crisis has extended beyond Nigeria across the wider Lake Chad region. Cameroon’s Far North region has had its fair share of deadly attacks as has Niger and Chad.

Ethiopian activist turned politician 'cries' over security idleness amid attacks

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Ethiopian politician and media owner Jawar Mohammed is accusing security forces of being passive during an attack on a building complex housing his media outfit, the Oromo Media Network, OMN. The activist turned politician shared photos of a damaged office complex he said was located in Harar, in eastern Ethiopia. He said aside OMN, offices of the party he belongs to, the Oromo Federalist Congress, OFC, were also attacked. The photos showed smashed glass windows on the building and also damage to a vehicle parked in front of the edifice. “Buildings hosting OMN and OFC offices in Harar were attacked today. While the mob was carrying the attack, security personnel were photographed watching idly,” he wrote. The incident was linked to a security situation that warranted federal intervention to restore order during skirmishes that arose in the celebration of the Epiphany also known as the Timket, an Orthodox celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ. Leader of the OFC confirmed to the OMN that their offices were attacked and property damaged. There has yet to be official word of any arrests over the incident. A stage collapse in northern city of Gonder also claimed ten lives according to AFP. Ethiopia heads to national polls in August, according to a tentative poll date, the issue of security has been top of the agenda as Prime Minister Abiy looks to oversee a democratic process for a fresh mandate. Celebrations were interrupted & gunshots were briefly heard when members of the fed. army intervened. Late this afternoon,Prof. Merera Gudina,Chairman of the opposition #Oromo Federalist Congress (#OFC), told OMN that OFC’s Harar office was attacked & its properties were damaged pic.twitter.com/Fwc81ZtJs7— Addis Standard (@addisstandard) January 20, 2020

Congo trains stakeholders to tackle fake drug menace

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:13:12 +0000

Along the main streets of Brazzaville, or at the total market, several street drug stalls have been erected at the mercy of dust, bad weather and sunlight. This vendor, who sells street drugs is defending the practice. “First of all, they’re almost the same medicines. For me as a salesman, I can say that it cures like any other drug sold in a pharmacy or elsewhere. But, the preservation is what borders us because seeing these drugs exposed to the sun is a bit absurd”; Hermann Stephane Mabiala told our Congolese correspondent, Laudes Martial. Despite the obvious risks, consumers say these products are cheaper than those available in the pharmacies. “I prefer to buy on the street because they are expensive in the pharmacies. When they give you a prescription, you go into the pharmacy to ask for prices. But the money we often have at our disposal allows us to buy only on the street. Forgive us for buying on the street”, Riva Massa said. But not everyone falls for this. Others are well aware of the dangerous practice. “I like to go to the drugstore because the products on the street don’t work too well. Everything is exposed to the sun. I don’t really like to take this. It’s not good to sell the drugs on the street. In pharmacies they are rather well preserved. To keep my life, my health, I prefer to buy them in pharmacies”, fake drugs patron, Dany Massamba said. At a recently held training program for health sector workers in Brazzaville, experts recommended the population to purchase drugs from certified pharmacists. Dr. Edrène Mampouyath is an official with the Congolese health ministry. “When you think about that, you realize that you can’t really fight fake drugs if the ‘‘pharmaco-vigilance’‘ system is not well executed. Because it’s through ‘‘pharmaco-vigilance’‘ that you can strengthen the fight against fake drugs”, Mampouyath said. Street drugs are a real public health problem in Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 100,000 people die each year from fake drugs.

Angolans skeptical about Isabel's bid for presidency

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 20:40:04 +0000

Angolans are skeptical about the candidacy of Isabel Dos Santos for the presidency. In the capital Luanda, locals are uncertain about the political prowess of the eldest daughter of José Eduardo dos Santos, Angola’s ex-president. Jao Lusevikueno is a political analyst. “The big reality is whether she has political popularity to be elected. But I don’t think she does. “It’s hard to be wrong, especially with social media, where sometimes people want to take advantage of others for various reasons,” he said. For Luanda-based resident Diabanzila Barros, “I think she is free and has the right to run for president, but it is the Angolan Constitution that allows her to do so. “I am not sure, but if that is the case either her political party, the MPLA, presents her on a list of candidates or she has to create her own party. But the big question remains whether that party will be accepted,” Barros said. Isabella Dos Santos, run state-owned national oil company Sonangol when her father was president of the Central African nation. She revealed her intentions to run for the country’s 2022 presidential election, But this week, leaked documents revealed that Africa’s richest woman garnered her wealth through corrupt deals, according to New York-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Dos Santos took to Twitter to refute the claims. “My fortune is built on my character, my intelligence, education, capacity for work, perseverance”, she wrote. AFP

Mixed reactions greet post Berlin-Libya conference

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 05:42:17 +0000

Mixed reactions on the streets of Tripoli following the aftermath of the Berlin conference on Libya. The conference led to an international agreement to re-launch peace processes in the country. “The truth is that the Berlin conference is like previous conferences in Skhirat, France or Rome. The most important thing is that there must be a consensus among Libyans themselves. There was no need for a different conference. Libyan reconciliation is necessary to reconcile our country”, Abdul Rahman Miloud, said. “The results of the Berlin conference so far, if both sides adhere to them, they will be successful. Firstly, the ceasefire will prevent bloodshed in the country. Libyans must sit down together and solve their problems”, Mohammed Boukhatouh said. But a peaceful solution to Libya’s protracted conflict remains uncertain despite the deal, according to some analysts. The two rivals Fayez al-Sarraj, head of the UN-backed Government of National Unity, and his rival Khalifa Haftar refused to meet at the conference in Germany on Sunday. AFP

Jammeh will be arrested, charged if he returns - Gambia govt

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:50:14 +0000

The Gambian government has publicly addressed surging calls for former president Yahya Jammeh to return from exile in Equatorial Guinea. According to Minister of Justice Abubacarr Tambadou, the former president will be arrested and charged with crimes committed during his over two decades in charge. The Minister did not spell out what charges will be leveled against Jammeh even though a government commissions – on reconciliation and finances – have revealed gross rights abuses and pillaging of public funds through the better party of Jammeh’s 22-years in office. After over a year of hearings into the Jammeh dispensation: “it can no longer be ruled out that crimes against humanity have been committed in The Gambia,” the Minister is quoted to have said. The Minister was speaking over the weekend at the opening of the judicial year in the capital Banjul. President Adama Barrow was the special guest of honour at the event. Members of Jammeh’s APRC party held a protest last week demanding that the government implements an 2017 agreement that spelt out conditions under which Jammeh could return from exile. The former president fled in January 2017 under threat of regional military intervention. He had attempted to unilaterally overturn an election loss to then president-elect Adama Barrow. The West African country has had a protest-filled last few months. First was by a group demanding that the president fulfills a promise to serve three-years in a post Jammeh government. Subsequently a group calling for Barrow to see out his five-year constitutional mandate also marched through the streets. The pro-Jammeh march was the third whiles activists have planned a fourth one to counter that of Jammeh’s party. A group representing victims of the Jammeh regime say they will march to protest against his return and that even if he does that he be arrested on charges of rights abuse – torture, killings, sexual assault – which littered his presidency.

Deaths after Timket stage collapse in Ethiopia's Amhara region

editorial@africanews.com — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 19:30:09 +0000

Deaths have been reported during a religious celebration in Gondar, located in Ethiopia’s northern Amhara regional state. According to a freelance journalist, Vincent Dublange, a stage collapsed during the Timket celebrations which left dozens of injured. At the time of filing this report he tweeted a death toll of seven people citing sources whiles the Mayor’s office put the toll as three. Gondar hosted a high-level government delegation that arrived in town for the celebrations. President Sahle-Work Zewde and mayor of the capital Addis Ababa were among the delegation that participated in the events. “Several deaths and dozens of injuries reported from the collapse of a stand inside the Emperor Fasilades Bath in Gonder. Families have began to take bodies and the hospital has been overwhelmed with many forced to be treated in makeshift beds,” journalist Samuel Getachew disclosed on Twitter. Thousands of Ethiopian and Eritrean orthodox worshipers have joined the faithful across the world to celebrate the Epiphany. A festival that commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ according to the ancient Orthodox calendar. The colourful festival, also known as Timket is one of the oldest and most important observed religious festivals in Ethiopia. Church leaders carry representations of the box built by Moses to house the 10 commandments known as the Ark of the Covenant, as worshippers sing and dance in the streets. Ethiopia is one of the oldest Christian nations in the world. Despite the growing influence of Islam and evangelical churches in the country, the traditional Orthodox Church remains strong.

As Brexit nears, UK's Johnson pushes for deeper trade ties with Africa

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:21:07 +0000

The United Kingdom is positioning itself to be the ‘investment partner of choice’ for Africa, holding a summit with leaders of 21 African countries on Monday, days before it leaves the European Union (EU). Britain’s prime minister, Boris Johnson, who secured the country’s January 31st departure from the EU trading bloc is determined to enter into new agreements with other countries. British companies run several projects on the African continent including smart street lighting in Nigeria and environmentally friendly breweries in Kenya. They have reportedly signed deals worth more than $7.8 billion ahead of Monday’s summit. The UK government says it has signed 11 trade agreements with African countries, and is expected to unveil a new strategy for development in Africa, focusing on infrastructure and trade. The Department for International Development says it is now focusing on digital technologies, green energy and women entrepreneurs. READ MORE: UK PM Theresa May courts Africa

Libyan conflict: foreign powers 'withdraw' military support, back ceasefire

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 10:25:20 +0000

Foreign powers backing rival governments in Libya have agreed to stop military interference in the country, and rather support ongoing efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire that could facilitate a political solution to the conflict. The resolutions were arrived at during a Peace Summit hosted by Germany on Sunday. In attendance were the presidents of Russia, Turkey, France, Egypt and the United States Secretary of State. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that countries with interests in Libya’s long-running conflict have agreed to respect a much-violated arms embargo. “Yes, we spoke to them individually, because the differences between the two parties are so great that they are not speaking to each other at the moment,’‘ Merkel explained highlighting the work that still needs to be done to resolve the conflict. Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Russian mercenaries and African troops are backing military strongman Khalifa Haftar while Turkey and the United Nations back the Tripoli-based government. READ MORE: Who supports who in Libya’s complex battlefield Merkel added that the participants at the peace forum agreed to continue holding regular meetings to ensure the process continues “so the people in Libya get their right to a peaceful life.” The rival governments also agreed to name members of a military committee that will represent them at talks on a more permanent cease-fire. “I cannot stress enough the summit’s conclusion that there is no military solution to the conflict in Libya. All participants have mentioned it several times, during the meeting. Even those that are more directly involved in the conflict itself,’‘ said Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General. The summit was overshadowed by the blockade of Libya’s oil exports by Haftar’s forces. Haftar blocked the country’s main ports on Saturday to protest Turkey’s decision to send troops tin support of Tripoli’s UN-recognised government led by Fayez al-Sarraj. Libya’s National Oil Company says it could lose up to $55m as revenue from oil exports, as daily crude production reduces from 1.3 million barrels to 500,000 barrels. The oil-rich North African country has been torn by fighting between rival armed factions since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed president Muammar Gaddafi and toppled his regime. Agencies

Why stars are chasing citizenship in Africa [This is culture]

editorial@africanews.com — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 09:13:01 +0000

2019 saw a lot of U.S-based celebrities and business executives visiting Africa for various reasons, but especially to trace their roots. Why this new found love for Africa? Watch Claudia Nsono talk with Tracye Campbell Fofie, an African-American who relocated to Cameroon in 2009, to get an understanding of the trend. @claudiansono

Africa criminalizes trafficking of fake drugs

editorial@africanews.com (Serge KOFFI) — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 14:12:10 +0000

Africa has agreed to criminalize the trafficking of fake drugs on the continent. This was reached in Lome, Togo on Saturday where seven African leaders and their partners held a summit to tackle the menace. The trafficking of fake drugs affects over 100,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa. “This is the first time that we Africans have tackled the problem of fake medicines and their trafficking ourselves. A scourge of which our continent is the first victim and whose consequences are dramatic for our populations. Africa must take its destiny into its own hands and engage in the fight against this deadly traffic’‘, Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbé said. Our Serge Koffi who covered the summit reports that ‘‘the seven Heads of State made a solemn commitment at the summit to implement the Lomé initiative. Does this convention herald the end of impunity for traffickers of fake drugs? It is now up to governments to work towards the establishment of a framework agreement extended to other African countries with a roadmap to put an end to this deadly menace”, he said.

South African aims to break own world record

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 12:00:10 +0000

It’s a world record that arguably nobody knows. But South African Vernon Kruger is ready to beat it, by spending more than two months perched in a barrel hoisted 25 metres above the ground. The 52-year-old professional scuba diver is trying to break his own record for the longest human stay perched in a barrel. In 1997, Kruger spent 67 days and 14 minutes on a barrel. 22 years later, Guinness asked him to beat his own record, which is still unbeaten. “Sleeping in this barrel is not very easy, I’ve had a lot of cramps and back pain since I’ve been here. It’s a very small place to curl up and I have to lie down in the fetal position. I wash myself, I have a little tub that I can fit in here, and then I wash myself, say, twice a week I go and take a bath”, Kruger said. So on November 14, Vernon Kruger was hoisted unto a 500-liter wine barrel on top of a 25-meter mast for a stay that he knew from experience was very challenging. “It’s getting a bit frustrating here, especially because I can’t do a lot of things on my own, I have to rely on the ground team. I need to rely on others for absolutely everything”, the Guinness World Record hopeful said. His ordeal is almost over. By Monday, he’ll have broken his own record. But he has not said what day he’s coming off the pole as yet. “Vernon won’t go down when he breaks his record, which is Monday. He won’t go down, he’ll stay a little longer. We haven’t been given a date, which worries us because we have to get him off”, co-organizer, Fiona Jones said. Kruger is planning to extend his ordeal by a few more days to support NGO’s for children relief and epilepsy, for which he raises funds. Plus, to keep his name in the Guinness Book of World Records. AFP

Libya: Pro-Haftar forces block oil exports

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 07:38:55 +0000

On the eve of the international summit in Berlin to relaunch peace process in Libya, supporters of Khalifa Haftar, the eastern Libyan commander have hit hard. On Saturday morning, his forces blocked the country’s main oil terminals in order to economically cripple the UN-backed Government of National Unity in Tripoli. In a press release, the National Oil Company reported a halt of exports in the ports known as “oil crescent”. It stated that this blockade will cause the country’s production to fall from 1.3 million barrels per day to 500,000 barrels. The shortfall will cost $55 million per day, the company added. Pro-Haftar forces justified their action of blocking the ports of Brega, Ras Lanouf, Al-Sedra and Al-Hariga. They said it was a sign of protest against the Turkish intervention in Libya. According to them, the oil revenues distributed by the Government of National Unity were being used to pay fighters from outside the country, particularly from Ankara. AFP

First woman appointed to top Vatican post

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 09:54:06 +0000

Pope Francis has appointed Francesca Di Giovanni to be the new undersecretary for multilateral affairs in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State. It is a first at the Vatican for a woman. Di Giovanni said she did not expect the appointment, but was looking forward to advance a “feminine point of view” in her new role. The Pope “surprised us, as he often does, with this decision”, Di Giovanni said. Speaking to local media on Wednesday, she said she had not yet had the chance to speak with the Pope since her appointment, but that she intents to write to him. AP

Harry, Meghan will no longer receive public funds, drop titles

editorial@africanews.com — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 09:30:07 +0000

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle will no longer use the titles ‘‘royal highness’‘ or receive public funds, the Buckingham palace said Saturday. The news comes after a deal was struck for them to step aside as senior royals as they had requested. “This is an abdication, in a sense, from the Royal Family, by Harry. And he and his wife are now free to a certain extent to go and follow the dreams that they have to pursue very good works it would seem, in the widest possible sense. But no longer part of the royal business”, royal commentator, Alastair Bruce said. The palace also said, the couple will repay 2.4 million pounds, almost 3.1 million dollars of public funds used in renovating their home near Windsor Castle. In a statement, Queen Elizabeth II of England, said she was pleased that ‘‘together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family’‘. AP

Guinea: Funeral for slain protesters held

editorial@africanews.com — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:06:10 +0000

A funeral ceremony for protesters killed during clashes at recent anti-government demonstrations in Guinea was held Friday. The victims were the latest of crackdown on anti-government protesters by law enforcement officials. “I am always saddened to find myself here at the morgue to see these bodies carried, those of young people who are cowardly murdered by the Guinean government that is supposed to protect them. It is always a source of consternation when this happens, especially since what the Guinean people are asking for is not that much, it is just respect for the laws and principles that govern our society”, FNDC protester, Abdoulaye Oumou Sow said. Mamadou Hasmiou So is father of a victim. “In this country, lying has become commonplace. It is the authorities who encourage these lies. By the grace of God, that will change one day. I pray for that”, he said. Opponents of President Alpha Conde are against his move to review the constitution for him to run for a third term in office. A coalition of opposition parties is spearheading the protest, which has led to the death of some protesters during clashes with security officers. The group has suspended protest to allow for peaceful funeral ceremony. It said further protests will be held on January 21-22, 2020. AFP

DRC police quell protest in Kinshasa

editorial@africanews.com — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:52:12 +0000

Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo prevented a forbidden march in Kinshasa on Friday. They kept a close watch on its instigator, opponent and former presidential candidate Martin Fayulu. The latter denounced the massacres in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. One person was slightly injured in the head by police officers who dispersed the gathering by firing tear gas. “They took the money from me, they hurt me. I wasn’t even in the march. Do you see how hurt I am? Do you see how hurt I am? I wasn’t even in the march”, an injured student, Jean-Paul said in tears. “We’re here for a cause. The cause is balkanization. On the administrative level the DRC is already balkanized, it’s just the realization on the ground. We can’t imagine how we can slit people’s throats”, Fayulu supporter, Blaise Benazo said. The police escorted Fayulu’s vehicle on foot, taking him home and preventing him from walking with his supporters after a morning mass in the popular district of Ndjili. Fayulu claimed victory in the presidential election of December 2018. He had called the march to denounce the massacres of civilians in Beni and the alleged “balkanization” of the eastern DRC, which he said would benefit neighbouring countries, starting with Rwanda. AFP

Anti-bribery protest hits Malawi over election petition case

editorial@africanews.com — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:27:09 +0000

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Malawi on Thursday to protest against corruption. It’s a movement that began after the country’s supreme court chief justice accused five judges overseeing a legal challenge to President Peter Mutharika’s re-election last year of taking bribes. The complaint, which was filed with the Anti-Corruption Bureau on Monday, prompted a call for demonstrations in Malawi’s three main cities, bringing together nearly 50,000 people in the capital Lilongwe. Timothy Mtambo chairs the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) in Lilongwe. “We are going to come back to the streets and we are going to demand the head of Mr. Matemba, the head of the anti-corruption bureau to say he should resign because it will be clear that he is not ready to address this issue”, he said. “I am going to march the entire route because I want justice to be seen. We cast our votes on 21 May but it is evident that the votes were stolen, so we are fighting for justice”, Angess Banda said. Opposition leaders say the 21 May poll, which saw Mutharika narrowly defeat the second candidate, Lazarus Chakwera, was marred by fraud. In August, they asked Malawi’s highest court to annul the results. It’s a first time the presidential election results have been legally challenged since the country gained independence from Britain in 1964. AFP

Protests against Khalifa Haftar held in Tripoli

editorial@africanews.com — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:30:08 +0000

Hundreds protest in Tripoli on Friday against General Khalifa Haftar, who leads the Libyan Arab Armed Forces and his supporters. Protesters gathered at Tripoli’s Martyr’s square in the centre of the Libyan capital. They are against an impending meeting on Libyan in Berlin Sunday. “Our opinion regarding the Berlin meeting is that we reject it, but since our government has decided that it will go, I would like to tell it to put in its perspective the blood of the martyrs and the sacrifices of young, wounded and displaced people, and to not let us down and be as bad as the situation”, a Tripoli resident, Dalila Franco said. For Salah Belhaj “After nine months they say that there will be a meeting in Berlin. We now have the power and became able to return him (Hiftar) back from where he came, and I myself will not agree with any meeting nor will I be accepting any dictators. We are a free people, a decent people, and a people that have suffered, and we have the men and the capacity to return him from where he came.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host world powers for the summit to discuss efforts at restoring peace in the North African nation. Mass protests also took place in the same day in the city of Benghazi to support the Libyan Arab Armed Forces. AP

$20m out of $2 bn: Kenya recoups 1% of looted funds - Chief prosecutor

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Across Africa, the fight against corruption is a topical issue with leaders promising to root out the cancer and with opposition and activists accusing governments of lacking the will to prosecute appointees who dip their hands into the kitty. Kenya, an economic giant in East Africa has over the years been dogged with issues of corruption and financial mismanagement. The offshoot of which is a series of high-profile corruption related arrests and ongoing prosecutions. The coming into office of Public Prosecutor Noordin Haji was seen as a boost for the fight against corruption. Under his leadership charges have been leveled against top personalities – amongst them: a former finance minister, Henry Rotich, and flashy governor of the capital Nairobi, Mike Sonko. Haji, however admits that there is a lot to be done in securing convictions but also importantly with recouping stolen public funds. He told the BBC in a recent interview that the state has succeeded in recovering only 1% of stolen assets – Kenya has accrued $20m from corruption cases. The estimated amount of stolen funds comes up to $2bn. The country is ranked 144 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (score of 27%). President Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged prosecutors to do all it takes to secure good conviction rates for the year. The president is himself the subject of corruption allegations by activists. Kenyans have often taken to the streets protesting the spate of corruption and demanding that the state takes action to save the poor – who are adversely affected by graft.

EU, ECOWAS react to Gambia protests: caution against 'coup' voices

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 06:00:00 +0000

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, and European Union delegation in the Gambia have commented on recent political ongoings in the West African country. Their statements called for the respect of the rule of law on the part of all groups staging protests for one reason or the other. It further stressed their support for democratic processes in the Gambia cautioning against unconstitutional calls for change of government. Gambians have held pro and anti-government protests in the last few weeks. The first was an anti-government, Three Years JOTNA, march asking president Adama Barrow to respect a promise to serve three terms in office. The pro-government march, Five-Years-JOTAGUL, staged last week said incumbent Adama Barrow had to serve his full five-year term. Then this week, there was a protest by the party of exiled leader Yahya Jammeh, demanding his return from Equatorial Guinea. A statement from the ECOWAS representative to The Gambia and carried by the local news outlet Freedom Newspaper read in part: “Though these protests have so far been peaceful, the ECOWAS Mission wishes to categorically state that it is totally against any group or party that seeks to undermine the constitution of The Gambia… “... and by extension any group that seeks to forcefully demand the removal of any constitutionally and democratically elected government, which contravenes the provisions of the ECOWAS 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.” In its statement the EU delegation also stressed that it was “not in any way associated with, neither supports any particular political movement seeking to illegally or unconstitutionally change the democratic order in The Gambia.” Press statement regarding the ongoing and announced public protests#PressRelease EUinTheGambia pic.twitter.com/iFMqLvWA0N— EU in The Gambia (EUinTheGambia) January 17, 2020 The government through the Interior Ministry backed a police ban on a second round of anti-government protest. Police however okayed the pro-Jammeh protests and have yet to give the green light to a proposed march by Jammeh’s victims. The victims say they are marching to denounce the demand by Jammeh’s allies. The group insist that the former leader has a plethora of crimes waiting for him from killings and other gross rights abuses to financial crimes.

EU parliament calls for release of 4 Burundian journalists

editorial@africanews.com — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 05:00:00 +0000

The European Union’s parliament has urged Burundi to release four journalists and who have been jailed since October. The European parliament on Thursday called on Burundian authorities to drop charges and immediately release the reporters for Iwacu, one of the few remaining independent media organizations in the country. The reporters, two females and two males, were arrested in Musigati district where they had traveled to report on an armed attack by anti-government rebels in the Kibira National Park, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the capital, Bujumbura. They were charged with undermining state security and the public prosecutor called for 15-year jail sentences. He also called on the judge to deny them the right to vote for five years. The European parliament’s resolution, passed in Brussels, Belgium, said the jailing of the journalists is part of the “continued deterioration of the human rights situation in Burundi ahead of the May 2020 elections.” The plight of the journalists “is very alarming and concerning for everybody who cares about press freedom, freedom of speech and even democracy in Burundi and in the region,” said Muthoki Mumo, of the Committee to Protect Journalists. The jailing of the journalists comes after the Burundi government closed several local media groups. And last year Burundi stopped local operations of the Voice of America and the British Broadcasting Corporation, which aired broadcasts in the local Kirundi language. Tensions continue to rise as Burundi’s polls approach. Local authorities and the ruling party’s notorious youth league members have beaten, threatened, and restricted people’s access to basic services to force them to “donate” money to fund the elections, and committed rampant abuses against the opposition, according to Human Rights Watch. AP

African leaders in Togo to help fight fake drug menace

editorial@africanews.com (Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban) — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 11:30:10 +0000

Seven African leaders are in Lome, capital of Togo, as a summit against fake drugs kicked off on Friday (January 17). The two-day summit is under the aegis of the Brazzaville Foundation. It is the first time African heads of state are gathering on the issue of fake drugs on the continent which continues to plague especially sub-Saharan Africa. Discussions at the political and health level are on the agenda to build a reliable strategy. President Faure Gnassingbe is hosting colleagues such as Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Congo Republic’s Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Niger’s Mahamadou Issoufou, Macky Sall of Senegal, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Adama Barrow from The Gambia. The Togolese described the phenomenon of fake drugs as a daily humanitarian scandal and that the time to act and stamp it out had arrived. “It affects millions of people, either indirectly because these drugs do not treat those who believe they are treating themselves, or directly because the falsified products used kill,” he said in a tweet. The Brazzaville Foundation, an independent NGO based in London is teaming up with Initiative Lome to address the problem of fake drugs which is a big public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa. Experts have stressed that porous borders and weak governance of health systems are some of the main factors that underline the proliferation of fake drugs. A number of former heads of state are also in town as is the head of the World Health Organization, WHO, Tedros Ghebreyesus. Great to be in #Togo to join Mustafa Mujiyawa, Minister of Health ??, and launch the InitiativeLome to fight falsified and substandard medicines in Africa. #SafeMedicines are key to providing #HealthForAll. #FakeDrugsRealCrime

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (DrTedros) January 17, 2020

Catalan-Spanish conductor Jordi Savall enthralls UAE audiences

editorial@africanews.com — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 15:09:53 +0000

Award-winning Catalan-Spanish conductor and musician Jordi Savall, performed at Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Foundation theatre this month. The septuagenarian took audiences on a melodious journey, spanning 500 years of the philosophical, cultural and historical Arabic roots of Grenada in Andalusia. “There is a lot of information from 1500 until the Romantic time, says Savall, describing the elements he uses in his music to tell stories from the past. “The bow technique, the documentation, the way to improvise, the way to sing,” he adds, are all instrumental in weaving an authentic experience. Savall has long been a luminary in the field of Western early music, with a particular penchant for melding Medieval, Baroque, Renaissance and classical music. IME S03E02 MAIN ARTICLE – SECONDARY IMAGE 1 Jordi Savall speaks to Euronews’ Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham Orchestrating the right talent The performance in Abu Dhabi was executed by Savall’s music groups of La Capella Reial de Catalunya and Hesperion XXI, with musicians and singers hand-picked from countries from the Mediterranean to Mali and Madagascar. “In French we say, ‘le diable a plus de vieux que de diable.’ You never forget a good musician,” explains Savall. Egyptian musician Sherine Tohamy was in the capital to play the ancient Arabic oud, a pear-shaped lute-type instrument, dubbed by some in the region to be “the king of instruments.” “It’s a very sensitive instrument and I can press all my feelings into the oud,” says Tohamy, describing how, when playing, she cradles the oud like a baby. IME S03E02 MAIN ARTICLE – SECONDARY IMAGE 2 Jordi Savall during rehearsals in Abu Dhabi Bringing the past to life Since Savall established his musical and choral groups in the 1970’s and 1980’s, he has continually resurrected ancient – commonly pre-18th century manuscripts – through what he calls a “musical time machine”. He adds new orchestral elements, whilst remaining historically loyal and accurate with the narrative, to make his music relatable to today’s audience. “When we play this well and with emotion, we will feel the same emotions as the people of that time,” he says. IME S03E02 MAIN ARTICLE – SECONDARY IMAGE 3 Jordi Savall performing in Abu Dhabi Music and society In recent times, Savall has voiced his support for the Catalan independence movement. “We have to find today, a solution that makes it possible for the Catalan culture and the Spanish culture to find the way to be together, respecting each other,” he says. A passionate humanitarian, Savall is working with displaced ethnic groups, helping to preserve to their traditions. He describes his visits to Calais in France and Greece’s Thessaloniki, where he met refugees with rich cultural offerings. Over the past three years, the composer has chosen to work with refugee musicians from around 30 different countries from Kurdistan to Syria and Baghdad. Savall has put these musicians centre stage in public performances, showcasing their ability to play multiple instruments. He’s also continually impressed by their vast musical knowledge, which has been handed down through the generations orally and not in sheet music form. The refugee’s skill for recalling these ancient, haunting pieces of music, Savall poetically says, means that they are living, breathing, melodic “life libraries”. SEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA: FINE TUNING Emirati Saleh captured the moment Jordi Savall added some Arabic rhythm to his performance in Abu Dhabi. Voir cette publication sur Instagram Great performance by jordi Saval with Hesperion XXI and bait al oud, at Abu Dhabi cultural foundation. The music takes you through the forgotten era of Andalusia.. . . . . . #jordisavall #jordisavallhesperionxxi #abudhabi #visitabudhabi #unitedarabemirates #culture #culturalfoundation #music #conductor #instrumentals #songs #performance #coral #poem #andalusian #spain #andalusia #موشح #livemusic #evening #multiculture #past #oud #flute #entertainment #joy Une publication partagée par Saleh Ballaith (@saleh_ballaith) le 7 Janv. 2020 à 9 :57 PST

Things Fall Apart for Angola's dos Santos family

editorial@africanews.com — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 15:57:07 +0000

Angola’s president Joao Lourenco who took office in 2017 has systematically embarked on a mission to take down a patronage network that was championed by his predecessor Jose Eduardo dos Santos. During dos Santos’ 38-year rule from 1979, his offspring occupied top positions in the government and in lucrative sectors ranging from banking, telecoms and media to oil. Today, law enforcement agencies are cracking down on the high profile family of former Angolan president, accused of plundering revenues from the country’s vast oil wealth. In this article, we highlight the purge of the dos Santos administration as well as public companies, targeting relatives who have benefitted from nepotism. Isabel: ‘Africa’s richest woman’ Scornfully dubbed ‘the princess’ by Angolans, the 46-year-old is dos Santos’s eldest daughter and the public face of the family empire. Dubbed Africa’s richest woman by US magazine Forbes with a fortune estimated at $2.2 billion, Isabel dos Santos headed national oil company Sonangol but was forced out by her father’s successor shortly after he came to power. Last month, an Angolan court ordered a freeze on her bank accounts and assets. Isabel dos Santos and her Congolese husband, Sindika Dokolo, are suspected of having embezzled a billion dollars from the public firms Sonangol (oil) and Sodiam (diamonds). She has denied any wrongdoing, calling the accusations “lies,” “fake news” and “politically motivated.” Isabel has amassed billions and owns stakes in Banco de Formento Angola, the country’s leading private bank, drinks distributor Sodiba and construction material producer Cimangola. This week, Isabel said she would do everything to defend and serve her country, including a possible run for presidency. READ MORE: Africa’s richest woman could run for Angola presidency Jose Filomeno: the indicted son Jose Filomeno dos Santos, 41, also known as “Zenu” has become the first member of the dos Santos clan to be prosecuted. Currently on trial with three others including former central bank governor Valter Filipe da Silva, he is accused of allegedly stealing $1.5 billion from Angola’s $5 billion sovereign wealth fund which he headed from 2013 when his father was in power. Filomeno dos Santos was fired from the fund manager post in 2017 by President Lourenco. He was later placed in pre-trial detention in September 2018 and was released six months later pending his trial, which opened last month in the capital Luanda. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 12 years, if convicted. He has denied all charges of money laundering and embezzlement. Tchize: the media magnate An influential figure in the Angolan media, 42-year-old Welwitschia is dos Santos’s second daughter and half-sister of Isabel. Popularly known as ‘Tchize’, she has controlled one of Angola’s leading multimedia and advertising agencies. Much like most of the dos Santos family, Welwitschia dos Santos has moved abroad, claiming threats from the Angola secret service. She was recently suspended from parliament, where she served from 2008, after lawmakers voted that her extended absence amounted to unjust enrichment. Ana Paula: the businesswoman wife The former air hostess was Angola’s first lady for 26 years from 1991. She and the ex-president have three children together. The businesswoman owns a stake in a number of companies in Luanda, including a private airline. ALSO READ: When successors rebel against their mentors: Mauritania, Angola, Botswana AFP