Author name: fatih

Zambia’s Hichilema unveils drought plan, anti-corruption measures

Africa /

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema said Friday his government has in place a response plan, with the provision of humanitarian assistance, for Zambians hard-hit by drought from erratic rains in the previous season. In a State of the Nation Address at the opening of the fourth session of the 13th National Assembly in Lusaka, Hichilema said the government was implementing recovery and resilience interventions to mitigate the effects of climate change, after drought wiped out more than 1 million hectares of crops, affecting nearly 10 million people and 6.6 million in need of direct relief in 84 of the country’s 116 districts. Having declared that the El Nino phenomenon introduced a national disaster and emergency in February, Hichilema applauded Zambians for their resilience and patience as well as local and international partners for humanitarian support. Hichilema said his administration was committed to upholding the rule of law, respecting human rights and the Constitution, as well as the core of good governance. His administration was determined to eradicate all forms of corruption, remaining committed to a zero-tolerance policy against the vice, he said. Hichilema said all cases of corruption were being thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law, with assorted properties worth more than 100 million Zambian Kwachas ($3.8 million) and cash amounting to $30.8 million and 56.6 million Kwachas forfeited to the state. He said through a foreign policy anchored on the pillars of peace, security and economic diplomacy; Zambia effectively presided over the Southern African Development Community Organ on Politics, Defence (SADC) and Security, fulfilling the bloc’s mandate of promoting regional peace, security and stability: ultimately creating more economic opportunities. This was in addition to successfully leading SADC electoral observer missions to Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Madagascar, Congo DR, Lesotho and South Africa. Hichilema also highlighted growth prospects in agriculture, mining, tourism, energy, manufacturing and technology, among other sectors.

Zambia’s Hichilema unveils drought plan, anti-corruption measures Read More »

Ethiopian Airlines adds nonstop to Conakry, resumes Monrovia

Business /

Ethiopian Airlines will soon offer direct flights between Addis Ababa and Conakry, Guinea’s capital, marking its first nonstop service to this West African city. Starting November 30, the airline plans to operate at least three weekly flights using the 787-8 Dreamliner. The journey will take approximately 9 hours and 5 minutes, with flights arriving in Guinea in the afternoon and departing the next morning. This move coincides with ongoing upgrades to regional airports in Guinea, signaling a potential boost in air traffic. Additionally, Ethiopian Airlines will resume flights to Monrovia, Liberia, ending its previous service to Ouagadougou. This marks the return of Ethiopian Airlines to Liberia since 2010. The Star Alliance member now serves over 50 cities across Africa.

Ethiopian Airlines adds nonstop to Conakry, resumes Monrovia Read More »

Bassirou Diomaye Faye calls for snap elections on Nov. 17

Africa /

 Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolved the country’s opposition-led National Assembly on Thursday in a bid to break the tension between the legislature and the executive branch. In a national address, Faye said snap elections will be conducted on Nov. 17 this year. “By virtue of the powers conferred on me by Article 87 of the Constitution, and after consulting the Constitutional Council on the right date, the Prime Minister and the President of the National Assembly, on the expediency, I dissolve the National Assembly,” he said. The move came six months after Faye was elected under an opposition platform. He said the opposition-dominated legislature had made it hard for him to carry out the “systemic transformation” he promised during campaigns. He asked voters to give his Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) party a mandate. The outgoing house, elected in 2022, was dominated by members of former President Macky Sall’s Benno Bokk Yakaar (United in Hope) coalition. Tension between the executive and the legislature was reported recently after opposition lawmakers cancelled a budget debate and threatened to table a motion to censure the government. The Benno Bokk Yakaar parliamentary group criticized the dissolution, saying it was aimed at avoiding the submission of a motion to censure the government by the parliamentary majority. In a statement, the group accused President Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of “manipulating institutions to serve their own political interests.” “This dissolution is a blatant attempt to silence the parliamentary opposition and avoid any democratic debate on the management of the country,” said Abdou Mbow, president of the majority parliamentary group.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye calls for snap elections on Nov. 17 Read More »

Putin: 34 countries have expressed desire to join

Africa /

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with high-ranking representatives of BRICS countries on Thursday (Sep. 12). Russia took the rotating presidency of the group in 2024.  Putin who met with the representatives in the Konstantinovsky Palace in Saint Petersburg announced a possible new wave of BRICS expansion.  “We cannot ignore the increasing interest in BRICS from many countries. Today, more than thirty countries, specifically 34, have expressed a desire to join our union in one form or another. Therefore, an active discussion has been initiated among all BRICS participants regarding the modalities for a new category of partner states.”  The meeting is part of the 2-day BRICS security summit set to discuss the parameters of the future world order. Th intergovernmental organization comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. It has a stated aim to build a multipolar world. Its founding members have called for a fairer world order and the reform of international institutions like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Putin: 34 countries have expressed desire to join Read More »

Zambia’s president fires army commander, replaces him with deputy

Africa /

Zambia’s president fired the country’s army commander Thursday, replacing him with his deputy. “President Hakainde Hichilema has in exercise of the provisions of Article 91 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia elected not to renew the contract of appointment of Lieutenant General Sitali Dennis Alibuzwi as Zambia’s army commander. The President congratulates the outgoing army commander on his distinguished career in the Zambian Army and wishes him God’s blessings pending his redeployment in the diplomatic service,” said a statement issued in the capital Lusaka by State House Chief communications specialist Clayson Hamasaka. Hichilema swore in Major General Geoffrey Zyeele on the same day at State House in Lusaka, with Hamasaka adding that the appointment and promotion was in exercise of the provisions of Section 165 (1) of the Defense Act, Chapter 106 of the laws of Zambia and Article 91 (1) of the country’s Constitution. “The President has since appointed Major General Geoffrey Zyeele as Zambia’s army commander and has since promoted him to the substantive rank of lieutenant general in the Zambian Army,” Hamasaka further indicated. He said Hichilema had also appointed Brigadier General Luswepo Sinyinza as deputy army commander and promoted him to the substantive rank of major general. “The appointment and promotion is in exercise of the provisions of Article 91 (1) and Article 92 (2) (e) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia,” Hamasaka said.

Zambia’s president fires army commander, replaces him with deputy Read More »

Phelophepa health train provides crucial relief in Gauteng

Discover /

For the past 30 years, the Phelophepa train has been a lifeline across South Africa, offering free medical care to those in remote communities. What started as a single three-carriage train has expanded to two 16-carriage trains, serving patients who often struggle with overcrowded or distant local clinics. The train recently arrived in Tembisa, a township east of Johannesburg. Thabang, a local resident, shared his experience: “I’ve been suffering from my eyesight. I heard the train was coming to help people. They see around 150 people a day, and some of us stay overnight because we live far away.” The Phelophepa train provides a crucial service in a country where about 84% of people rely on an overstretched public health system. With only 16% of South Africans covered by health insurance, many face significant barriers to accessing care in a country with over 32% unemployment. In addition to healthcare professionals, the train is staffed by managers, translators, and security personnel. Operated by the Transnet Foundation, the social responsibility branch of Transnet, South Africa’s state-owned railway company, the train began in 1994. Originally focused on eye care, it quickly expanded its services to meet broader health needs. Now serving areas around Pretoria and Johannesburg, the train will spend two weeks in Tembisa. Despite its impact, the train is not a panacea for South Africa’s healthcare challenges. Public health expert Alex van den Heever notes that while there have been increases in the healthcare budget and staffing since 1994, the public health system still faces significant pressures. In Gauteng province, which includes Pretoria and Johannesburg, the health department’s budget has surged from 6 billion rand ($336 million) in 2000 to 65 billion rand ($3.6 billion) today. However, public health expert Alex van den Heever attributes the challenges facing the public sector to the African National Congress, the ruling party since the end of apartheid. For many South Africans who have witnessed the decline in healthcare services firsthand, the arrival of the Phelophepa health train offers a welcome reprieve. Thethiwe Mahlangu, who visited the clinic for an eye exam and pap smear, expressed her gratitude: “This train is truly helpful. I hope it doesn’t end here today. They should come back, even if it’s next year. There are so many of us who are really sick and in need.” Hundreds of residents walked away satisfied with the care they received, underscoring the train’s vital role in addressing health disparities.

Phelophepa health train provides crucial relief in Gauteng Read More »

Mali suspends another French television station

Africa /

 Mali suspended another French TV station, according to a statement Wednesday. The High Authority of Communication (HAC) proceeded to withdraw the service of TV5 Monde from authorized distributors for three months, it said. The decision follows violations of legislative and regulatory texts on media regulation detected Aug. 26. The HAC criticized TV5 Monde for not taking into account the version of the Malian army in a broadcast regarding the death of at least 15 civilians in drone strikes in the northern Tinzaouatene region. In 2022, the HAC permanently suspended the broadcasts of France24 television and RFI radio. LCI, another French television channel, was suspended July 27 for two months.

Mali suspends another French television station Read More »

US approves $1.3B in military aid to Egypt

Egypt /

The Biden administration will provide Egypt with $1.3 billion in military assistance, including funding that Congress had tied to human rights improvements, a US State Department spokesperson said Wednesday. “This decision is important to advancing regional peace and Egypt’s specific and ongoing contributions to US national security priorities, particularly to finalize a cease-fire agreement for Gaza, bring the hostages home, surge humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in need, and help bring an enduring end to the Israel-Hamas conflict,” a State Department spokesperson told Anadolu. The spokesperson added that Egypt’s role in promoting a cease-fire in Sudan and facilitating humanitarian assistance was also critical to the decision. The decision comes despite persistent concerns from rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers over Egypt’s human rights record under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who came to power one year after a military coup against democratically elected President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.  Out of the $1.3 billion in US military aid designated for Egypt, $320 million is tied to human rights related conditions. But for fiscal year 2023, Secretary of State Antony Blinken used a national security waiver to bypass conditions on $225 million of the $320 million. The remaining $95 million in conditional funding lacked a waiver and is subject to the statutory requirement that Egypt “is making clear and consistent progress in releasing political prisoners, providing detainees with due process, and preventing the harassment and intimidation of American citizens,” according to the State Department. However, Blinken informed Congress Wednesday that Egypt has met these conditions, allowing the release of the remaining funds.

US approves $1.3B in military aid to Egypt Read More »

6 UNRWA staff killed in Israeli attack on UN-run school in Gaza

World /

 Six employees from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) were killed in an Israeli bombing of a UN-run school in the central Gaza Strip, the UN’s secretary-general said Wednesday. “What’s happening in Gaza is totally unacceptable. A school turned shelter for around 12,000 people was hit by Israeli airstrikes again today,” Antonio Guterres said on X. “Six of our @UNRWA colleagues are among those killed,” he added. His remarks came after at least 18 people were killed Wednesday in an Israeli bombing of al-Jaouni School housing displaced civilians in central Gaza, with several injured. “These dramatic violations of international humanitarian law need to stop now,” Guterres said. UNRWA said this was “the highest death toll” among its staff in a single incident. “Among those killed was the manager of the UNRWA shelter and other team members providing assistance to displaced people. Sincere condolences to their families and loved ones,” it said on X. The school has been hit five times since the Gaza war began last October, it said, adding: “Schools and other civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times. They are not a target.” Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas early last October, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire. Nearly 41,100 people, mostly women and children, have since been killed and more than 95,000 injured, according to local health authorities. The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine. Israel faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

6 UNRWA staff killed in Israeli attack on UN-run school in Gaza Read More »

Kenya Airways delays amid airport strike and deal legal halt

Africa /

Passengers at Kenya’s main international airport are stranded following a workers’ demonstration on Wednesday protesting a planned deal between the government and a foreign investor. Since the protest began, all flights have been suspended. The government has proposed a build-and-operate agreement with India’s Adani Group, which would involve renovating Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, constructing an additional runway and terminal, and allowing the group to manage the airport for 30 years. The Kenya Airport Workers Union, which called the strike, argues that the deal would result in job losses and impose “inferior terms and conditions of service” for remaining employees. Kenya Airways announced on Wednesday that flight delays and potential cancellations are expected due to the ongoing strike at Nairobi’s main international airport. Last week, airport workers had initially threatened a strike but suspended their plans to allow for further discussions with the government. Local media reported concerns after unknown individuals were seen moving around with airport officials, taking notes and photographs, leading to speculation that the Indian firm’s representatives were preparing for the deal. On Monday, the High Court issued a temporary injunction halting the implementation of the agreement until a case filed by the Law Society and the Kenya Human Rights Commission is reviewed.

Kenya Airways delays amid airport strike and deal legal halt Read More »

Scroll to Top