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Turkey calls for immediate Sudan cease-fire, humanitarian aid

Africa /

Turkey expressed deep concern Sunday over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, particularly highlighting violence against civilians in Al Jazirah state. “We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Sudan and the attacks against civilians in Al Jazirah state in violation of humanitarian law,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in an official statement. The ministry emphasized the urgent need for a cease-fire “without further delay to restore peace and stability.” It also urged swift action to “ensure the return of displaced persons to their homes and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid.” The statement reiterated Turkey’s commitment to Sudan’s “sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity.” As part of this commitment, Ankara pledges ongoing humanitarian support to “alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people,” the statement added.

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Egypt’s FM, Blinken discuss cease-fire efforts in Middle East

Africa /

 Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed cease-fire efforts in Gaza and Lebanon as well as the crisis in Sudan in a phone call Sunday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The top diplomats discussed efforts to secure an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and to address the sharp deterioration in humanitarian conditions in the enclave, according to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s condemnation of Israel’s actions that impede humanitarian aid and block the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) from carrying out its mission. He emphasized the importance of empowering the Palestinian Authority and treating the West Bank and Gaza as a unified Palestinian territory, with a view toward ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state. The two officials also addressed political and field developments in Lebanon. Abdelatty stressed the need for international efforts to secure an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon, calm tensions, fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and provide humanitarian aid in response to Lebanon’s severe crisis. Resolution 1701, adopted on Aug. 11, 2006, calls for a cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel and for the establishment of a demilitarized zone between the Blue Line and the Litani River in southern Lebanon to be patrolled by the Lebanese Army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Abdelatty condemned Israel’s incursions into Lebanese territory and its targeting of UNIFIL in violation of Lebanese sovereignty and international law. Regarding Lebanon’s internal issues, he discussed Egypt’s efforts to resolve Lebanon’s presidential vacancy, underscoring the importance of electing a president without external influence. Since September 2022, Lebanon’s parliament has failed 12 times to elect a head of state. The two men also discussed the deteriorating situation in Sudan and ongoing efforts to secure a cease-fire and ensure humanitarian access. Abdelatty stressed the importance of maintaining Sudanese state institutions, supporting Sudan’s territorial integrity and increasing humanitarian aid. Since mid-April 2023, fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has left more than 20,000 people dead and displaced more than 11 million, according to the UN. International calls are growing for an end to the conflict, which has driven millions toward famine and death amid severe food shortages across 13 of Sudan’s 18 states.

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Women in Senegal demand climate justice ahead of COP29 summit

Africa /

Ahead of the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, women in Senegal marched through Dakar on Saturday to demand climate justice. Approximately 50 activists gathered to call for the protection of the country’s resources and a decarbonized future. Cheikh Niang Faye, a former tour guide, expressed frustration over four years of protests yielding little change. “They’re spending billions on conferences but owe us billions in compensation. It’s the industrialized nations that have caused these greenhouse gases,” she stated. This year, record floods in Senegal have affected tens of thousands and damaged over 1,000 hectares of crops. Activists argue that those responsible for emissions owe Africa reparations for the climate-related suffering. Khady Faye, an activist from the Saloum Delta, emphasized the need to protect local communities from coastal erosion exacerbated by oil drilling. She urged, “Leave the gas at Sangomar underground, and let the community live normally. We want climate justice.” Khady Camara, the march’s main organizer, called for countries to respect the Paris Agreement, urging polluting nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which she identified as the root of Africa’s climate catastrophes.

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Israel Withdraws from UNRWA Agreement

World /

Israel officially informed the UN on Sunday of its decision to withdraw from an agreement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), citing “security concerns.” In a letter addressed to UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang, Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated that the withdrawal relates to the 1967 agreement concerning UNRWA’s operations in support of Palestinian refugees. The withdrawal will take effect after a three-month transition period. Israel emphasized that it would still collaborate with international partners, including other UN agencies, to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza. However, the ministry highlighted the importance of safeguarding Israel’s security, signaling that aid facilitation should not compromise its safety. The statement added that Israel expects the United Nations to contribute to these efforts, aligning humanitarian support with regional security needs. The letter was also copied to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, also wrote on X: “Despite the overwhelming evidence we submitted to the UN that substantiate Hamas’ infiltration of UNRWA, the UN did nothing to rectify the situation.” “The State of Israel will continue to cooperate with humanitarian organizations but not with organizations that promote terrorism against us,” he added.

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Sudan’s Al-Burhan replaces foreign minister

Africa /

Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, removed several ministers, including foreign minister, and appointed new ones late Sunday. In a statement, the Sudanese Sovereign Council said al-Burhan has decided to relieve Foreign Minister Hussein Awad Ali of his responsibilities and replace him with Ali Youssef Ahmed. However, he was appointed as acting foreign minister. Graham Abdelkader, the minister of information, has been replaced by Khalid Ali Aleisir. Similarly, Omar Bakhit has taken over as Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments from Osama Hassan Mohamed Ahmed. The new government reshuffle comes amid an ongoing deadly conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has killed over 20,000 people and displaced more than 10 million since mid-April 2023, according to the UN. The international community and the UN have intensified their calls for an end to the violence, as the conflict threatens to drive millions into famine due to food shortages in 13 of Sudan’s 18 states.

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Nigeria’s 29 children face death sentences for protests

Africa /

There has been widespread outrage in Nigeria over the potential death sentences facing 29 children accused of participating in protests against the cost-of-living crisis. The minors, aged 14 to 17, were part of a group of 76 individuals charged in court on Friday. The charges include treason, destruction of property, public disturbance, and inciting a military coup. During the proceedings, four of the children collapsed from exhaustion before entering a plea. Reports indicate they have been in police custody since August. Protests erupted across Nigeria in August against economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and currency devaluation, which have led to soaring inflation and increased hardship for many citizens. Despite this, President Bola Tinubu insists these reforms are essential for the country’s stability. Security forces have faced allegations of excessive force during the protests, with Amnesty International reporting at least 13 fatalities in clashes with police. Lawyers representing the children confirmed they were granted bail, with the case set to go to trial in January. The death penalty has been on the books in Nigeria since the 1970s, but there have been no executions since 2016.

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Low-income economies will struggle to fill climate finance gap

Discover /

Low-income economies will struggle to fill climate finance gap, according to a report by the US-based global credit rating agency Moody’s. “Vast sums are needed for the world to shift to a low-carbon economy, build resilience, and adapt to the effects of climate change,” said the report released on Thursday. “Investment has risen rapidly since the 2015 Paris Agreement, but it will take a lot more to reach the goal of global net zero emissions by 2050.” The rating agency said wide investment gaps exist for both climate mitigation to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation in order to adjust to the effects of climate change. The agency estimates nations spending almost $2 trillion on clean energy this year, including low-carbon power, infrastructure, energy efficiency and electrification, adding there will be an estimated annual climate mitigation investment gap of nearly $2.4 trillion by 2030. “Adaptation investment has drawn much less funding, given its more limited commercial potential, and is well below estimated annual needs of about $400 billion, standing around $72 billion in 2022,” said the report. “This adds up to an annual climate investment gap of $2.7 trillion by 2030 – around 1.8% of global GDP – and exposes vulnerable communities to rising risks from climate change, particularly in emerging markets where investment needs are largest,” it added. Climate change also has far-reaching credit implications for economies and businesses through physical effects on livelihoods and infrastructure, or through the changes involved in reducing carbon emissions, according to Moody’s. It advised that early investment in clean energy can prevent big economic losses from climate change. “In addition to lives preserved, rapid climate spending could lead to higher growth and more revenue for governments globally over time,” said the report.

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Fitch upgrades Egypt’s rating to B with stable outlook

Business, Egypt /

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US to deploy additional military assets to Middle East

World /

 US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of additional military assets to the Middle East, the Pentagon said Friday. “In keeping with our commitments to the protection of U.S. citizens and forces in the Middle East, the defense of Israel, and de-escalation through deterrence and diplomacy, the Secretary of Defense ordered the deployment of additional ballistic missile defense destroyers, fighter squadron and tanker aircraft, and several U.S. Air Force B-52 long-range strike bombers to the region,” spokesman Pat Ryder said in a statement. The forces will begin to arrive in the coming months as the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group prepares to depart, he added. The statement came amid media reports that claim Iran is preparing to strike Israel from Iraqi territory in the coming days, possibly before the US presidential election on Nov. 5. “These deployments build on the recent decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to Israel as well as DoD’s sustained Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) posture in the Eastern Mediterranean,” said Ryder. The US will take “every measure necessary” to defend its people if “Iran, its partners, or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region,” he said. Israeli carried out a strike last week against Iranian assets, reportedly targeting missile production facilities and air defense systems, in response to Tehran’s missile attacks on Oct. 1. Regional tensions have escalated due to Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 43,200 people, mostly women and children, following a cross-border incursion by the Palestinian group, Hamas, last October. As the conflict spread to Lebanon with Israel launching deadly strikes across the country, more than 2,900 people have been killed and over 13,000 injured in Israeli attacks since last year, according to Lebanese authorities.

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Fitch affirms Nigeria’s ‘B-’ rating with positive outlook

Business /

 Fitch Ratings said Friday it affirmed Nigeria’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating at ‘B-‘ with a positive outlook. The rating agency said Nigeria’s rating is supported by the country’s large economy, developed and liquid domestic debt market and large oil and natural gas reserves. Those factors, however, are balanced against weak governance indicators, high hydrocarbon dependence, weak net foreign exchange reserves, high inflation, ongoing security challenges and low non-oil revenue. Fitch expects crude oil production to increase in 2024-2026, averaging 1.4 million barrels per day, from 1.23 million in 2023, due to improved onshore surveillance.

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