Africa

UNESCO to evaluate heritage conservation in Morocco’s capital

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Morocco’s capital, Rabat, is one of 124 World Heritage sites to be assessed for the state of its conservation at the UNESCO committee’s annual meeting in India. With architecture dating back to 1184, the city is one of the most ancient in the world, and its numerous monuments depict the many different periods of Moroccan history. Mosques dating back nearly a thousand years blend into the new urban town built under the French Protectorate in the early 1900s. “Morocco, as one of the most ancient countries in the world, by virtue of its strategic location, has been home to a group of civilisations from the prehistoric period to the present day,” said Mohammed El Krombi, curator of historical monuments at the Culture Ministry in Rabat. He said having World Heritage status is both an honour and a responsibility. “It requires us to take care of these historical monuments because UNESCO, together with the Ministry of Culture and local partners, is trying to support this heritage and make it known,” he said. “When people visit Morocco, they tend to go to just Fez or Marrakesh. The royal vision now is that Rabat is not only the administrative capital but also the cultural capital, the city of lights. These are the things that will help attract tourists.” Tourism plays a pivotal role in enhancing Rabat’s historical heritage, and restoration projects use traditional methods and materials to preserve the original design. With its quiet alleyways, high blue and white walls and ornate doorways, the Kasbah of the Udayas if a firm favourite with visitors. The real birthplace of the city, its origins date back to the 12th century. “The Kasbah of the Udayas is the city of Mahdia. It is the first nucleus of the Almohad city of Rabat al-Fath. It is the historical city that extends on both banks and not only on the left bank,” said Rabat historian and archaeologist, Mohamed Es-semmar. Chakir Cheraibi, a Moroccan tourist from Canada, said the area has always been a major attration. “Even for us, it makes us discover Rabat, the children too. We teach them about the history of Morocco through these places and these monuments,” he said. What started out as a humble military outpost nearly 1,000 years ago to defend the area, has been expanded over time into a citadel. Today, this mostly residential neighbourhood, is home to several important historical monuments, including the Andalusian Gardens, the Bab Udaya gate, and the Old Mosque. UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee holds its 46th session from 21 to 31 July in New Delhi.

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African Union addresses integration issues at Ghana conference

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The African Union convened in Ghana on Sunday to address issues related to African integration and to establish a unified stance before engaging with the G20 and UN. Mauritania’s President and current African Union Chair, Mohamed Cheikh Ghazouani, urged for the acceleration of the African integration process. He stressed the importance of expediting economic integration to support the continent and fulfill the aspirations of African citizens. Discussions during the meeting centered on financing mechanisms for African Union projects, particularly the funding of the organization itself, which heavily relies on contributions from non-African partners. African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, highlighted the necessity for member countries to present a united front in upcoming engagements with international partners. He emphasized the importance of speaking with one voice at major global forums, including the G20, where the African Union now holds membership. With ongoing regional instability in West Africa, ECOWAS nations Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso risk losing their memberships due to military coups that ousted democratically elected leaders in these countries. These nations have been under threat from terrorist organizations affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State for years.

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Ivory Coast deports 164 Burkinabe refugees amid concerns

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The Burkinabe government has expressed regret over the deportation of 164 of its citizens, who recently sought refuge in Ivory Coast. This comes amid ongoing efforts to accommodate the 60,000 Burkinabe who have fled instability in their homeland since 2021. Many of these refugees are hosted by local families, while others are housed in government-established reception centers. On July 13, 2024, a group of 173 Burkinabe, predominantly women, children, and about fifty men, arrived in Ouangolodougou, Ivory Coast. Seven members of the group reported to local authorities to register their livestock. However, three days later, 164 of the refugees were deported back to Burkina Faso without any official explanation. Local sources suggest the deportations were due to the refugees’ failure to register with authorities and concerns over potential migratory influxes and security infiltrations. Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, spokesperson for the Burkinabe government, condemned the deportations as a violation of humanitarian principles during a Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday. In response, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Humanitarian Action visited Niangoloko to provide support and supplies to the affected individuals. The Ivorian government insists that the deportation was an isolated incident and reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to assisting asylum seekers, a practice it has maintained for nearly three years.

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Protests erupt in Tunisia, Morocco against Israeli attacks on Gaza

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Demonstrations against Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip took place Friday in Tunisia and Morocco, drawing thousands of protesters. In the Tunisian capital of Tunis, protesters gathered on Habib Bourguiba Avenue for a Solidarity with Palestine march. Demonstrators carrying Palestinian and Tunisian flags, chanted slogans such as “Freedom for Palestine” and “The hypocritical world has set Gaza and Palestine on fire.” Human rights activist Said Buacle, who participated, told Anadolu that protesters have been holding support demonstrations for Gaza for 37 weeks and plan to continue. Similar demonstrations were held in cities across Morocco, including Rabat, Fez, Meknes, Tangier, Kenitra, Nador, Ahfir, Taroudant and Agadir. Thousands took part to demand that Israel stop its attacks on Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the enclave. Israel, flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas. More than 38,800 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 89,400 injured, according to local health authorities. Over nine months into the Israeli onslaught, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

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110 irregular migrants caught in western Libya

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Security Forces Capture 110 Irregular Migrants in Libya’s Western Hamada el-Hamra Desert Security forces in Libya have apprehended 110 irregular migrants from various African countries in the Hamada el-Hamra desert region in the west, according to a statement from the Border Security Unit under the Ministry of Interior. The statement reported that patrol teams from the Border Security Unit detected a group of irregular migrants scattered across the terrain in the Hamada el-Hamra desert region. It was noted that the 110 irregular migrants, originating from several African countries, underwent health screenings and were subsequently handed over to relevant authorities for legal proceedings. Libyan authorities had previously collaborated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to deport 174 irregular migrants from Nigeria on June 25. Libya is recognized as a departure point for irregular migrants attempting to reach Europe via illegal routes across the Mediterranean Sea.

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Ceasefire in DR Congo extended by 2 weeks

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In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the ceasefire agreed upon between the army and armed groups on July 5th has been extended by 2 weeks. According to local reports, following mediation talks held in the United States, conflicting parties in the DRC have agreed to extend the ceasefire. Under this decision, which aims to allow displaced people to return home, the ceasefire declared on July 5th has been prolonged for an additional 2 weeks. Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, expressed satisfaction with the ceasefire decision. Human rights advocates highlight that the conflicts intensified in the eastern part of the country have led to numerous human rights violations, including murder, arrests, and sexual abuse targeting women and children. The renewed attacks by the M23 Movement in eastern DRC since November 2021 have displaced thousands of civilians in the region and sparked a crisis between Rwanda and the DRC. The DRC has accused Rwanda of attempting to occupy its mineral-rich territories, including gold, coltan, and cobalt, for its own interests, as well as supporting M23 rebels. Rwanda denies these allegations.

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South Africa’s new government focuses on inclusive economic growth

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President Cyril Ramaphosa said late Thursday that South Africa’s new Government of National Unity (GNU) will prioritize inclusive growth, job creation and the reduction of poverty. “We have decided to place inclusive economic growth at the center of the work of the Government of National Unity and at the top of the national agenda,” he said at the opening of the Seventh Parliament in Cape Town. Ramaphosa’s address on Thursday is historic because it coincides with former President Nelson Mandela’s birthday and it is when he presided over a GNU in 1994 during the first democratic government. “Our experience over the past 30 years has shown that when our economy grows, jobs are created. When our economy contracts there is no job creation and jobs are lost,” said Ramaphosa. He said the GNU will pursue every action that contributes to sustainable, rapid economic growth and remove every obstacle that stands in the way of growth. Ramaphosa said the government is determined that growth must be inclusive, transformational and drive the redistribution of wealth and opportunity. “It must support the empowerment of black South Africans and women, and all those who in the past had been relegated to the fringes of the economy,” he said. Ramaphosa explained that the move is part of the constitutional imperative to redress the imbalances of the past caused by apartheid and deal with the slow process of development. “Inclusive growth demands that we affirm the position of women and youth in the economy. Requires that we remove the social, economic, cultural and other barriers to the full participation of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in the economy,” he added. South Africa held national and provincial elections on May 29 where Ramaphosa’s African National Congress party (ANC), which ruled South Africa without a coalition for the last three decades, lost its majority. The ANC reached a deal with nine parties to form the GNU, and Ramaphosa appointed partner members to his Cabinet as ministers and deputy ministers.

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U.S. Pledges $203M to prevent Sudan crisis spillover in region

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U.N. ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. is pledging $203M in the hopes of averting the crisis in Sudan to spill over into the region. Close to 9 million people have fled their homes, according to the United Nations, and more than 1 million have left the country. Thousands have been killed in a conflict overshadowed by the ones in Gaza and Ukraine. “We hope this new round of aid serves as a call to action for others to follow. Partners will use this funding to build new shelter for refugees or provide cash assistance so that they can pay rent, and it will help children whose lives have been upended by conflict return to school,” among other things, Thomas-Greenfield told reporters in New York on Thursday. “Three quarters of a million people, women and children, the very old and very young, facing famine, starvation, IPC five level conditions. People are eating dirt to survive, relying on tree leaves for nutrition,” she also said. The war in Sudan began a little over a year ago causing tens of thousands to flee into neighboring Chad in search of safety. The U.N. says it has asked for $2.7 billion in funding to respond to humanitarian needs but has received $155 million — or 6%. “My call is for those who have influence on the warring parties to press them, to urge them to come to the table, because until they come to the table, the people of Sudan will continue to suffer. There is no military solution to this situation,” the ambassador also said.

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