AFRICA DIPLOMATIC

SA: King Zwelithini special burial

King Goodwill Zwelithini of the Zulu nation in South Africa has died on March 12 in hospital where he was being treated for diabetes-related issues. The king, 72, was the leader of South Africa’s largest ethnic group and an influential traditional ruler. Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi made the tragic announcement that the king took his last…

Tanzania: President whereabouts unknown

Questions persist over the health of Tanzanian President John Magufuli who has not been seen in public for 11 days. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu has told the BBC that according to his sources the President is being transported to Kenya for treatment in hospital against COVID-19. The BBC has not been able to verify this…

Chad: killings in N’Djamena

At least two people were killed after security forces went to arrest Chad’s opposition candidate Yaya Dillo at his home on Sunday morning, February 28, Dillo and the government said. At least two killed in skirmish at Chad opposition candidate's house https://t.co/vWPmc8koLu — Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) February 28, 2021 Dillo, who plans to run against…

Niger elections protests

The Republic of the Niger national electoral commission on Tuesday, February 23, declared ruling party candidate Mohamed Bazoum the winner of the February 21 runoff election with 55.75% of the vote, but his rival, Mahamane Ousmane, a former president, has alleged fraud and claimed he won with 50.3%. The incumbent President Mahamadou Issoufou is stepping…

DRC: Italy investigators head to Goma

An investigation Italian Carabinieri unit is expected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) today, February 23, to establish the facts of the assassination of the Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio. The mission will be accomplished with the support of the Congolese authorities and the United Nations Mission in Congo. The remains of Italian Ambassador and…

DRC: Italy Ambassador Assassination

Brussels 22.02.2021 “With all the EU foreign ministers, we expressed our closeness to the minister Luigi di Maio and to Italy for the death of three people in DRC including the Italian ambassador Luca Attanasio. We remain determined to continue to fight against all violence in the region” the EU top diplomat said, while reacting…

France: knife attack in Pau

A Sudanese asylum seeker who fatally stabbed an employee at a migrant reception centre in city of Pau in southern France on Friday, February 19, had no terrorist intentions, the Pau prosecutor said on Saturday February 20. A Sudanese asylum seeker who fatally stabbed an employee at a migrant reception centre in the southern French…

Africa: EU provides €100M for vaccination

“The EU continues to strengthen its partnership with the_African Union.Our actions speak for themselves: we provide €100M to @AfricaCDC to support vaccination campaigns. At global level EU doubling #COVAX contribution to €1 billion. We can only be safe together. #StrongerTogether” the EU top diplomat Josep Borrell wrote. The EU continues to strengthen its partnership with…

SAHEL: Chad to deploy thousand troops

Chad will deploy some 1,000 troops in Sahel to the tri-border region of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to reinforce national armies that, backed by French and European allies, are battling Islamist groups, according to French and Chadian sources. (Image: illustration). Chad reinforces troops against militants in Sahel as France mulls changes https://t.co/9LsSIUqQ7j — Reuters…

SA: wine exports increase

Over the past three months, exports of South African wine to China jumped 50%, according to the Wines of South Africa trade body, and hopes are high for even more sales once Australian stocks are polished off during China’s Lunar New Year holiday. Over the past three months, exports of South African wine to China…