AFRICA DIPLOMATIC

Abducted Polish sailors freed

All of the crew abducted by pirates from a container ship off the coast of Nigeria in October, including eight Polish nationals, are safe and will be reunited with their families, Poland Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Eight Polish sailors, three others freed in Nigeria https://t.co/OrHPg9fGor — Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) December 18, 2018 “We would…

Africa-Europe Forum in Vienna

Vienna, Austria. At Africa-Europe Forum, hosted jointly by the Austrian Presidency of the EU, notably by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, and Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and the Chairman of the African Union for 2018, President Jean-Claude Juncker reiterated Europe’s ambition for a true and fair partnership among equals between Africa and Europe. President Juncker presented the…

Ethiopia receives €89 million EU aid

EU announces new humanitarian package for those most in need in Ethiopia. On an official visit to Ethiopia, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides has announced today €89 million in humanitarian support for 2018-2019 whilst visiting EU aid projects in the Somali region in Eastern Ethiopia where many people have fled their homes due…

Mozambique ivory seized in Cambodia

Cambodian customs have seized more than three tons of elephant tusks from Mozambique following a notice from the US Embassy. The demand for ivory from China and Vietnam is a driving factor in Cambodia’s illegal wildlife trade. Cambodia: Customs seize 1,026 #elephant tusks, weighing over 3.2 tonnes, hidden in a storage container sent from Mozambique,…

EU on Mozambique acceding Arms Trade Treaty

“On 14 December 2018, Mozambique became the 100th State Party to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), after depositing its instrument of ratification to the Secretary General of the United Nations. Over half a million people are killed with conventional arms every year and strengthening the regulation of international trade in these weapons, which the ATT…

Sudan leader visits Damascus

President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir arrived in the Syrian capital Damascus on December 16, the first visit by an Arab leader since the start of the Syrian conflict, according to the reports. #BREAKING: #Sudan President #OmarAlBashir arrives in #Damascus in first such visit by an Arab leader to #Syria since the start of the civil…

Kenya Olympics replaced ritual lion hunting

Kenyan warriors of young generation are no longer pursuing lions to show off their hunting prowess and bravery, they are competing for monetary prizes in javelin throwing at the Maasai Olympics instead. Sunday's Pictures of the Day: A Maasai Moran athlete smears his face with red ocher paint during preparations for the 2018 Maasai Olympics….

#Baidoa: violent clashes in Somalia

“The following international partners* (listed below) are concerned about the recent events in South West State. We extend our deepest condolences for the death of the South West State assembly member and others who have died in the violence in Baidoa. We deplore all violence and any other acts that could exacerbate the humanitarian situation”…

EU programmes for Horn of Africa

The European Commission has adopted eleven new programmes for the Horn of Africa under the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. “These new EU programmes, worth over €134 million in all, will help to create lasting solutions for refugees and internally displaced people, as well as support vulnerable host communities in a region that hosts…

Marrakesh: leaders sign Global Compact

Speaking at the start of the UN conference in Marrakesh where states gather to adopt the so-called Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the Secretary General Antonio Guterres promoted the initiative, insisting developed countries needed more migration due to their declining birth rates and aging populations. UNSG @antonioguterres at #GlobalCompactforMigration Conference opening: #GCM is a roadmap…