Africa

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 Graham Abdelkader, the minister of information, has been replaced by Khalid Ali Aleisir.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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Fitch upgrades Egypt’s rating to B with stable outlook

Business, Egypt /

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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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WHO Allocates Nearly 1 Million Mpox Vaccine Doses to Africa

Africa /

The World Health Organization announced on Friday that nearly one million doses of mpox vaccines have been allocated to nine African countries. This follows the creation of an Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM) last month to ensure equitable access to the vaccines. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that over 50,000 individuals have already been vaccinated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, thanks to donations from the U.S. and the European Commission. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 500 percent increase in mpox cases compared to last year, now affecting 19 countries. The WHO declared mpox a global health emergency in mid-August after a new strain began spreading from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Dr. Ghebreyesus stated that the allocation of approximately 900,000 doses was based on public health needs, especially in areas with significant transmission. He emphasized that this is the first allocation of nearly six million doses expected to be available by the end of 2024. While vaccination is a critical component, he highlighted the importance of other strategies, including case finding, contact tracing, infection prevention, clinical care, risk communication, and testing, as part of a comprehensive response plan.

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Kenyan court approves new deputy president

Africa /

A Kenyan high court on Thursday, October 31, approved the swearing-in of Kithure Kindiki as the new deputy president, despite an ongoing legal challenge to the impeachment of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua. The three-judge panel in Nairobi overturned a prior court order that had temporarily suspended Kindiki’s inauguration, stating that the suspension risked creating a political vacuum. Gachagua was impeached on October 17 by over two-thirds of legislators on charges of corruption, inciting ethnic tensions, and supporting anti-government protests. President William Ruto nominated Kindiki, currently the interior minister, the following day. The impeachment revealed divisions within Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, particularly between Ruto and Gachagua. The former deputy president faced accusations of insubordination after opposing government policies regarding forced evictions during floods. Gachagua is contesting his impeachment in the High Court, claiming the charges lack evidence and the proceedings were unfair. He experienced chest pains and was hospitalized during the Senate hearings on October 17, prompting his lawyers to request a delay, which was denied. Following the Senate’s vote on the impeachment, Gachagua’s supporters condemned the process as rushed and biased, suggesting it had Ruto’s backing. Ruto, who initially campaigned as a champion for Kenya’s poorest citizens, has faced backlash over tax increases aimed at servicing foreign debt. This public discontent has led him to reorganize his Cabinet and reconsider certain policies.

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