The United States has proposed a significant expansion of the UN Security Council, including the creation of two permanent seats for African nations.
US proposes two permanent UNSC seats for Africa Read More »
The mpox outbreak has been particularly severe in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Africa CDC raises $600 million to fight mpox outbreak Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Severe flooding in northeastern Nigeria has resulted in 30 deaths and affected over a million people, authorities reported on Wednesday. The disaster was triggered by the collapse of a major dam in Borno State on Tuesday, marking some of the worst flooding the region has seen since a similar incident 30 years ago. The dam had reached full capacity due to unusually heavy rainfall. Many residents have been forced to evacuate their homes. This latest flood comes nearly two years after Nigeria experienced its worst flooding in a decade, which claimed more than 600 lives nationwide. According to state police spokesperson Nahum Daso, about 15% of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, is submerged. Ezekiel Manzo, spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the death toll of 30 on Wednesday. An aide to the Borno governor stated that approximately one million people have been affected so far, with that number potentially rising to up to two million as efforts to account for displaced individuals continue. This surge in displacement coincides with some of the worst flooding West Africa has seen in decades, with over 2.3 million people affected across the region this year, a threefold increase from last year, according to the UN. A new report reveals that African nations are losing up to 5% of their GDP annually due to the impact of climate change, which has intensified in one of the continent’s hottest years on record. The World Meteorological Organization notes that many African countries are allocating up to 9% of their budgets to climate adaptation efforts. The governor’s aide emphasized that rescue operations are ongoing and that displaced people are currently seeking refuge at a former refugee camp outside the flooded areas.
Severe floods in Nigeria leave residents displaced Read More »
The Democratic Republic of Congo has received 50,000 additional mpox vaccine doses from the United States to help combat the ongoing epidemic.
DRC receives 50,000 more mpox vaccines from the US Read More »
Authorities in Niger have arrested at least 245 people allegedly linked to terrorist groups as part of ongoing operations to combat crime and insurgency, officials said Thursday. The arrests were carried out by Niger’s Central Service for the Fight against Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime, according to the Integrated Operations Coordination Center (CICO). Many of those detained are suspected to be members of armed groups involved in kidnappings and other criminal activities, operating along the Niger-Nigeria border, where the militant group Boko Haram is active. Additional arrests were made near the Mali-Niger border, an area where the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM) operates, as well as in the Agadez region, known for its gold mines. Among those arrested were nationals from Algeria, Chad, and Somalia. Security forces also confiscated over 559 kilograms of drugs, 108,381 tablets of various types, and arrested 139 traffickers. CICO stated that these actions are part of broader efforts to dismantle criminal networks in the region. The arrests coincide with the junta’s launch of two major military operations: Operation Almah in the Tillaberi region, located on the left bank of the Niger River, and Operation Garkoua in the Agadez region, aimed at rooting out criminals. Niger, along with neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) last September after ECOWAS threatened military intervention following the Niger coup in July. Earlier this year, the three nations formed the Alliance of Sahel States and announced the creation of a joint military force to tackle escalating security challenges posed by terrorist groups in the region.
Niger arrests over 245 linked to terror groups Read More »
The death toll is climbing in Algeria and Morocco following severe flooding triggered by intense rainfall. Over 20 people have lost their lives, with dozens more reported missing as floods inundated villages in these typically arid regions. In Morocco, the floods have destroyed homes and severely impacted infrastructure, including roads, electricity, water supplies, and phone networks. Officials noted that the storms over the weekend brought rainfalls surpassing the annual average in some areas. This deluge comes at a time when the country is grappling with a water shortage due to six consecutive years of drought. Neighboring Algeria is facing similar devastation, with bridges and railways also affected by the flooding. The government has deployed thousands of civil protection and military personnel to aid in emergency response and assist residents trapped in their homes. Rescue operations are ongoing in both countries.
Death toll increases in Algeria and Morocco after catastrophic floods Read More »
Hungary defies Western trend by deploying soldiers to Chad, a strategic move amidst growing Russian influence in the Sahel region.
Chad and Hungary form military partnership to combat terrorism Read More »
