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ASEAN leaders’ summit kicks off in Laos

World /

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders’ summit began in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on Wednesday. In a short statement on X, the ASEAN Secretariat said the summit started with the opening ceremony which will be followed by a plenary session and a retreat session. “ASEAN Leaders will engage with representatives from AIPA (ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly), ASEAN-BAC (ASEAN Business Advisory Council), and ASEAN Youth,” it said. Leaders from member countries who arrived on Tuesday in Vientiane are expected to discuss regional issues, including recent devastating floods that have hit several ASEAN countries, the crisis in Myanmar, South China Sea tensions, and Middle East violence. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other leaders from partner countries are also expected to arrive in Laos for summits with regional bloc leaders. The ASEAN region is home to over 700 million people, spans 1.7 million square miles (4.5 million square kilometers), and recorded a total GDP of $3.62 trillion in 2022.

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Towards the parliamentary elections in Mozambique

Africa /

Mozambique is set to hold general elections on October 9 to choose a new President, Parliament, and regional governments. The ruling Liberation Front of Mozambique (Frelimo) is campaigning to maintain the presidency and its parliamentary majority under new leader Daniel Chapo. They face challenges from the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) led by Ossufo Momade, the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) headed by Lutero Simango, and independent candidate Venancio Mondlane. As the campaign wraps up on October 6, there have been no significant reports of partisan violence. However, on September 28, the National Electoral Commission (CNE) disclosed it had experienced a cyber-attack, the repercussions of which are still unclear. In anticipation of the elections, authorities are expected to heighten security across the nation, with potential measures including checkpoints, increased patrolling in urban areas, border restrictions, and curfews. Protests and clashes between party supporters and security forces are anticipated, particularly in major urban centers, opposition strongholds, and northern provinces like Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Niassa, and Zambezia. Significant disruptions to urban and intercity travel, business operations, and telecommunications may occur due to civil unrest or preemptive security measures.

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Ethiopia elects Taye Atske Selassie as first female president

Africa /

Ethiopia’s two houses of parliament elected Taye Atske Selassie as president on Monday (Oct. 7). He was sworn in on the same day, receiving the Constitution from the outgoing president. Taye succeeds Ethiopia’s first female president, who held the largely ceremonial role for six years, as executive power remains with the prime minister. The Chairperson of the African Union congratulated Taye and reaffirmed the AU’s support for Ethiopia’s democratic development. A seasoned diplomat, Taye previously served as Ethiopia’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations in New York. His predecessor, Zewde, who made history as Ethiopia’s first female president in 2018, resigned from her role as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative to the African Union to take on the presidency. Reports suggest there were tensions between her and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

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Zambia and China sign MOU for Africa’s first cholera vaccine plant

Africa /

Zambia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China on Monday to establish the southern African nation’s first cholera vaccine manufacturing plant. The project’s first phase will cost $37 million, with about three million doses expected to be produced through a joint venture between Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Jijia International Medical Technology Corporation. Speaking during the signing ceremony for the agreement at State House in the capital Lusaka, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said the development was a key step in the country’s quest to eradicate the disease, which took away productivity as a result of affecting citizens. “We are also sending a signal that Zambia, Africa and the globe are able to work together. Zambia must be looked at as a center, as a location to manufacture for a bigger market. And if you look at the population of Africa, it is growing very rapidly,” Hichilema was quoted as saying on state television. Hichilema said he expected the project to be commercially viable, adding there was no room for bureaucracy in its implementation, as it was lifesaving. He added that ahead of the manufacturing, China would donate about three million doses of the cholera vaccine. Cholera is perennial in the southern African nation, especially during the rainy season, and while curable, it also claims lives.

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10 die in Zambia mine collapse

Africa /

Ten miners were reported dead, and five others survived with injuries after a mine pit they were quarrying in collapsed, trapping an undisclosed number of people under the debris. The incident occurred at the Luili gold mine in Mumbwa District, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) west of Zambian capital of Lusaka on Monday. “An unknown number of people went to conduct mining activities at the pit this morning and during the course of their activities, the earth collapsed on them,” Charity Chanda, the police commissioner for Central Province, said in a statement. “Rescue efforts led to the recoveries of six miners with injuries, while nine were confirmed dead on the spot. Unfortunately, one of the six injured miners later succumbed to his injuries at Nangoma mission hospital,” said the statement.  Chanda said that efforts to rescue any remaining miners trapped under the debris were still underway, and the injured miners were receiving treatment at Nangoma Mission Hospital, which is located nearby. Nangoma Member of Parliament Collins Nzovu, who is also the country’s Minister for Water Development and Sanitation, revealed that the number of miners still trapped under the debris was five. Nzovu told reporters during his visit to the site that he had since directed the suspension of all mining activities at the quarry. While officially opening the inaugural Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka in Lusaka on Monday, Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema cautioned against unsafe mining practices, urging citizens interested in the sector to ensure they obtain licenses to conduct mining in a safe and legal environment.

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Nigeria: 15 illegal oil refining sites have been destroyed

Africa /

In Nigeria, a country rich in oil and natural gas, 15 illegal refineries processing stolen crude oil have been destroyed. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, announced in a written statement that the military conducted aerial operations against oil smugglers in the Niger Delta, the nation’s oil-producing region. He reported the destruction of 15 illegal refining sites and the seizure of 11 tankers carrying oil, along with several boats. Additionally, 115,000 liters of stolen crude oil were recovered. Oil theft in Nigeria is negatively impacting the country’s economy. Nigerian Senator Ned Nwoko has stated that due to increasing oil theft and attacks on pipelines, the country has suffered losses exceeding $3 billion in 2023. Nigeria’s proven oil reserves are approximately 37 billion barrels, accounting for 3.1% of global reserves. Ranked among the top 15 countries in crude oil production, Nigeria is the 8th in the world for oil reserves and 6th in oil exports. In the Delta region, where oil fields are located, armed groups are involved in sabotage, conflicts, and kidnappings related to oil operations.

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Kenyan athlete Kipyegon Bett dies at the age of 26

Africa /

Kenyan athlete Kipyegon Bett, who won a bronze medal in the 800m at the 2017 World Championships in London, has died at 26 due to renal and hepatic failure. Bett first gained prominence at the U20 World Championships in 2016 in Bydgoszcz, Poland, and was considered one of Kenya’s top middle-distance runners. However, his career faltered in 2018 when he was suspended for doping after testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO), a claim he consistently denied. After serving his suspension, Bett faced ongoing mental health issues, including depression and alcohol addiction, which his sister reported. He was hospitalized last week in his hometown of Kericho and was readmitted on Friday as his condition worsened. Despite significant investments in anti-doping measures since the 2016 Rio Olympics, over 70 Kenyan athletes have been banned in the last three years. Recently, the World Anti-Doping Agency raised concerns over severe budget cuts to the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak), which may jeopardize the integrity of Kenyan athletics.

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Tunisian President Saied wins 2nd term

Africa /

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has won a second term with 90.69% of the votes in the presidential election held on Sunday, the country’s electoral commission announced on Monday. At a press conference in the capital Tunis, the head of Tunisia’s Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE), Farouk Bouasker, said the voter turnout was 28.8%. While Saied received 90.69% of the votes, his competitor Ayachi Zammel garnered 7.35%, and Zouhair Maghzaoui received only 1.97% of the votes, Bouasker added. Tunisia’s election took place amid political tensions, economic challenges, and a polarized nation.

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