AFRICA DIPLOMATIC

Nigeria: Russian captain kidnapped

Pirates kidnapped two Russian sailors from the refrigerator ship Water Phoenix, the Embassy of Russian Federation in Nigeria has confirmed. (Image: illustration). Pirates kidnap two Russians from refrigerator ship in Gulf of Guinea:https://t.co/BgZNB3np2G © AP Photo/Sunday Alamba pic.twitter.com/CfPoO7tcAJ — TASS (@tassagency_en) September 9, 2020 “We confirm that two Russians were kidnapped from the ship Water…

Mali crisis: EU fully supports ECOWAS

‘The EU is following closely the national consultations in Bamako, and in the region. These consulations should be inclusive to reflect the aspirations of the Malian people, and they should come to the conclusion as soon as possible, leading to a rapid transition of power led by the civilians. The EU fully supports the ECOWAS…

South Africa slide to failed state

South Africa faces a precipitous economic and political collapse by 2030 unless it changes its economic model and implements growth-friendly policies, according to Eunomix Business & Economics Ltd. (Image above: courtesy UN photo). South Africa is heading toward becoming a failed state, group says https://t.co/ba6H1zuKyf — Bloomberg Africa (@BloombergAfrica) September 10, 2020 Using a range…

Mali Imam supports ECOWAS demands

On September 9 the influential Mali cleric Imam Mahmoud Dicko urged the military commanders led by Colonel Assimi Goita to comply with demands from West African leaders (ECOWAS) to name a civilian interim transition President and Prime minister by September 15 to ease sanctions imposed after last month’s coup. Mali's protest leader backs civilian 'rare…

Zimbabwe bans mining in game reserves

Zimbabwe has banned mining in countriy’s national parks, reversing a decision to let Chinese firms explore for coal at its famous Hwange game park. Zimbabwe bans coal mining in Hwange and other game parks https://t.co/Adm1v3OSgl — BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) September 9, 2020 The move came after campaigners took the government to court to prevent…

Tigray region counts ballots

Tigray region held regional elections on September 9, in spite of protests of the federal government and increasing political tensions in Ethiopia. Polling stations are now closed in Tigray without major incidents. Counting ballots has already started. #TigrayElection2020 #Ethiopia pic.twitter.com/fK1gYtt77j — Ethiopian News (@ethioNews) September 9, 2020 While Prime Minister Abiy has ruled out military…

Namibia opens arms to tourists

Namibia has further eased restrictions for international tourists to try to prevent the complete collapse of a sector severely damaged by the coronavirus pandemic after the country closed its borders in March, following the pandemic announcement of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Namibia eases coronavirus restrictions to attract tourists https://t.co/qvvnSnS9Jb — Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) September…

EU calls Ethiopians for inclusive dialogue

«The EU calls all sides to restrain from violent reactions, and appease tensions» said the European External Action Service spokesperson, while commenting on the situation in Tigray region of Ethiopia, where the elections to the regional 190 seats parliament were declared unilaterally, refusing to postpone them due to pandemic sanitary restrictions. The Tigray electorate intends…

Kenya: EU Auditors call to rethink aid

EU development aid to Kenya needs better targeting to make an impact, say Auditors The European Commission and External Action Service (EEAS) have not demonstrated that European Development Fund (EDF) aid to Kenya between 2014 and 2020 addressed the country’s development obstacles and focused on reducing poverty, according to a new report by the European…

Mali suffocated by ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) continues the imperative demands to the military commanders supported by Malians who assended power by coup d’état, to ensure a “rapid” return of civilian rule. The Republic of Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou on September 7 at the opening of ‘a summit of the ECOWAS in Niamey once…