Africa

Rwanda’s president denies supporting M23 rebels

Africa /

Rwandan President Paul Kagame dismissed reports claiming that his country supports the M23 rebel group, which recently seized key towns in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Kagame told reporters in the capital Kigali on Thursday that Rwanda has nothing to do with the rebel group and it does not make sense to blame Rwanda for the conflict in the DR Congo. “These leaders of M23 and the majority of their fighters came from Uganda, where they had been refugees,” he said, adding that M23 rebels are not Rwandans but speak the Rwandan language, Kinyarwanda. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting the M23 rebels, a claim that Kagame has frequently denied. A recent report by the United Nations Group of Experts claimed that Rwandan forces were helping the rebels in DR Congo. Kagame said M23 fighters are Congolese, and even the past and present leaders admit it.  ‘‘Why do we have over 100,000 refugees here in Rwanda originating for eastern Congo?” he said. He said the Rwandan government disarmed M23 fighters who crossed into Rwanda in 2012-13 and gave back their arms to the authorities in DR Congo. Kagame urged Congolese authorities to address the root causes of the conflict and negotiate with the rebel group to find a solution to end it. Angolan President Joao Lourenco had been mediating between Tshisekedi and Kagame, but talks hit a deadlock last month.

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Ethiopian, Turkish envoys discuss investment opportunities

Africa, Turkey /

A high-level meeting between Ethiopian and Turkish officials highlighted growing bilateral ties and investment opportunities. Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Misganu Arega met Turkey’s Ambassador to Addis Ababa, Berk Baran, on Thursday, underscoring Ethiopia’s macroeconomic reforms as key to attracting Turkish investors. Arega pointed to recent policy changes, such as floating Ethiopia’s foreign exchange rate and welcoming foreign banks, as transformative steps. He emphasized the potential for Turkish companies to capitalize on Ethiopia’s improving investment climate. State media reported that Arega also highlighted the Ankara Declaration, a Turkish-mediated agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia. This pact ensures Ethiopia’s access to the sea while preserving Somalia’s territorial sovereignty. Baran praised the Ankara Declaration as a testament to regional collaboration. He reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to deepening economic and diplomatic ties with both Ethiopia and Somalia. In a separate development, Mustafa Sheikh Ali Dhuhulow, Somalia’s Director General of Immigration Affairs, met with Turkey’s Ambassador to Mogadishu, Alper Aktas. Dhuhulow expressed gratitude for Turkey’s unwavering support in Somalia’s rebuilding efforts. The discussions underscored Turkey’s role as a strategic partner in East Africa, fostering economic and political stability in the region. Ethiopia’s recent reforms signal a new era of economic liberalization, with officials hoping to attract diverse global investors, especially from Turkey. This meeting marks a significant step in enhancing the relationship between Ethiopia and Turkey, built on mutual interests and shared regional goals.

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At least 19 dead as armed attack on Chad’s Presidential complex

Africa /

At least 19 people have died following a violent confrontation in Chad, where security forces intervened to thwart an armed attack on the presidential complex in N’Djamena. The government reported that 18 of the 24 assailants were killed during the failed raid on Wednesday evening, while one security officer also lost his life. Chad’s Foreign Minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, reassured the public, stating that the president’s safety was secured and that the situation was under control. Residents in N’Djamena reported hearing sustained gunfire near the presidential compound during the attack. Koulamallah confirmed that 18 attackers were killed, six others were wounded, and the security forces had suffered one fatality along with three injuries, one of which was serious. In a video appearance shortly after the violence, Koulamallah, flanked by armed soldiers, declared, “The situation is entirely under control… the attempt to destabilize the government has been thwarted.” This assault took place during an official visit by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who had just met with President Mahamat Idriss Deby and other senior officials hours before the attack. Koulamallah confirmed that Deby was inside the presidential complex when the violence erupted. Local resident Zakaria Daoud expressed concerns about the region’s security, especially given its history of political instability and coups. Footage from the scene showed military vehicles and heavily armed troops securing the streets around the presidential palace. Koulamallah, in a live broadcast, reassured the public again, saying, “The situation is completely under control, there is no fear,” and emphasized the military’s commitment to protecting the president. The attack occurred just days after parliamentary elections, which were intended to restore democracy but were boycotted by major opposition groups. The election results are still pending, but analysts believe the outcome could further consolidate President Deby Itno’s hold on power. Deby Itno assumed leadership in 2021 after the death of his father, who had ruled for three decades. He was later elected president in 2023, though international observers raised concerns about the credibility of the election.

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People living near airports face increased heart attack risk

Discover /

 Living near airports with high aircraft noise could increase the risk of heart issues, including heart attacks and strokes, according to a new study led by University College London researchers. The study analyzed detailed heart imaging data from 3,635 individuals living near four major airports in England and compared it with data from people in areas with lower aircraft noise levels. The risk, researchers found, was particularly true for those exposed to higher aircraft noise at night, likely due to factors such as disrupted sleep and increased time spent at home, leading to greater noise exposure. The researchers found that heart abnormalities in people not exposed to aircraft noise could raise the risk of major cardiac events, such as heart attack, arrhythmias, or stroke, by two to four times compared to those without these abnormalities. “Our study is observational so we cannot say with certainty that high levels of aircraft noise caused these differences in heart structure and function,” said cardiologist Gaby Captur. “However, our findings add to a growing body of evidence that aircraft noise can adversely affect heart health and our health more generally,” she added.

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China reports mpox case linked to traveler from Congo

Africa /

China on Thursday confirmed an mpox outbreak traced to an individual with a travel history to the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  The center said the outbreak was caused by a source “traced to a foreign individual with a travel history in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”  “Four related cases were identified among close contacts, all of whom were infected after intimate contact,” it added, noting that there were no such infections among the general population.  The infected individuals are receiving medical treatment and remain under observation. “The outbreak has been effectively controlled,” said the center, advising people to avoid contact with wild or unidentified rodents as well as primates, such as monkeys and apes. Mpox cases have been rising in Africa since early 2024, prompting urgent measures at the continental level.  Congo remains the worst-hit country, with the World Health Organization declaring mpox a public health emergency of global concern last August.  More than 1,300 suspected mpox-related deaths have been reported in Africa.

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