AFRICA DIPLOMATIC

Taiwan-Somaliland diplomatic ties

Taiwan and the African region of Somaliland, which claims independence, will establish representative offices in each other’s capitals, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said on July 8. Till present Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with 15 countries because of pressure from the Communist China, which considers the island to be an integral part of its territory…

Guterres on foreign interference in Libya

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the Security Council on July 8 that the conflict in Libya has entered a new phase “with foreign interference reaching unprecedented levels.” U.N. chief warns foreign interference in Libya conflict at 'unprecedented levels' https://t.co/TKCGIJL0gm — Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) July 9, 2020 “The conflict has entered a new phase with…

France calls for Mali opposition leader release

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on July 8 called for the release of Malian opposition leader Soumaila Cisse (pictured), who has been held hostage by suspected Islamist militants since March. #Mali : "La France dit son indignation devant la situation faite à monsieur Soumaïla Cissé, un leader de l'opposition pris en otage depuis trois…

EU supports East Africa in locust outbreak

The EU has mobilised a further €15 million to support the United Nations and partner countries in the fight against one of the worst desert locust outbreaks seen in East Africa in decades. The desert locust outbreak has had a devastating impact on food security in an already vulnerable region. Efforts to halt the spread…

Ethiopia death toll rising to 239

The death toll from protests and violence outbreak in Ethiopia last week following the assassination of a popular Oromo singer and and activist Hachalu Hundessa has risen to 239, according to announcement of the authorities. #BREAKING Ethiopia violence toll rises to 239: police pic.twitter.com/j62dlY3FHL — AFP News Agency (@AFP) July 8, 2020 “Due to the…

EU-Italy provide aid to Somalia

“The EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flight arrived in Mogadishu from Brindisi, Italy, carrying humanitarian and medical supplies provided by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italian civil society organisations and international NGOs. Two other flights to Somalia will take off from Brindisi in the coming days, with additional material on board, bringing…

Ethiopia: death toll rises to 166

At least 166 people have been killed during violent demonstrations that spontaneouls occured in Ethiopia in the days following the murder of popular singer Hachalu Hundessa, police said July 4. Pop star and activist Hachalu, a member of the Oromo ethnic group, Ethiopia’s largest, was shot dead by unknown attackers in Addis Ababa on June…

Mali: Dogon village attacked

Nine soldiers have been killed in an ambush in the centre of Mali as they advancing on their way to the site of a massacre of villagers, an army official said. Unidentified armed men massacred 31 civilians in simultaneous attacks on several 🇲🇱 #Mali villages this week, then killed nine soldiers responding to the assault…

Ethiopia: EU joins AU calling for violence halt

“… Previously I was mentioning how important Africa is for us, the European Union, as a partner, this fully applies to Ethiopia, that is why we are following closely the situation in this country, we are following the rising tensions, and this is something that is worrying us, of course, and we are calling to…

Portugal takes control of Dos Santos shares

The Portuguese government took control of a stake held by Angolan investor Isabel dos Santos in Efacec Power Solutions SGPS SA as it attempts to help the manufacturer find a new shareholder, Bloomberg news agency reports. The daughter of late President of Angola Eduardo dos Santos, often named as the “richest woman of Africa” complained…