Page 10 - Africa

Sunil Mittal says 60% of world's arable, uncultivated land in Africa

Africa's arable, uncultivated and fertile land can offer solution to food crisis, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chair of B20 India Action Council on African Economic Integration, said, adding that adopting Africa as a place to do agriculture can potentially change the world. Mittal said Africa economic integration is gaining momentum, and expressed hope that the Africa Union will soon become a permanent member of G20. Mittal asserted that African voice in G20 is "absolutely important". "Sixty per cent of world's arable and yet uncultivated land is in Africa...today we have all seen the crisis that the world is going through on food production...Just adopt Africa as place to do agriculture, perhaps some value added agriculture...the entire world can change," he said speaking at B20 Summit India 2023. Mittal, who is Bharti Enterprises Chairperson, described Africa as the last continent of hope. "...one of the most populous young continent around the globe, but equally one of the most backwar

Mercenary leader Prigozhin said to be recruiting 'strongmen' for Africa

Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin on Monday published his first recruitment video for the Wagner Group since organizing a short-lived mutiny against defense officials in Russia, according to information on Russian social media channels. Prigozhin moved into the global spotlight in June with a dramatic, short-lived rebellion that posed the most serious threat to President Vladimir Putin of the Russian leader's 23-year rule. The Wagner founder long benefited from Putin's powerful patronage, including while he built a private army that fought for Russian interests abroad and participated in some of the deadliest battles of the war in Ukraine. In the video, which was posted on Telegram messaging app channels which are believed to be affiliated with Prigozhin, a person who appears to be the 62-year-old mercenary leader says the Wagner Group is conducting reconnaissance and search activities, and making Russia even greater on all continents, and Africa even more free. We are hiri

India has 'open mind' for expansion of Brics: Foreign secretary Kwatra

Ahead of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, India on Monday said it has a "positive intent" and an "open mind" for the expansion of the five-nation grouping. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the South African city from August 22 to 24 to attend the 15th BRICS summit at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. It will be the first in-person summit of BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) since 2019. Russian President Vladimir Putin has already decided not to travel to Johannesburg for the summit. The BRICS brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world, representing 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of the global trade. The prime minister is scheduled to leave for Johannesburg on Tuesday morning. From Johannesburg, Modi will travel to Greece where he will hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on broadening overall ties between the two countries. Aske

'Victory for Niger's coup leaders would be 'end of democracy in Africa'

If mutinous soldiers who ousted Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum succeed, it will threaten democracy and security across the region and the continent, a high-ranking member of Bazoum's political party warned in an interview with The Associated Press. Boubacar Sabo, deputy secretary general for the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism, said Bazoum had been kidnapped by members of the presidential guard who overthrew him on July 26 and have since kept him under house arrest. What is happening in Niger, if it succeeds, is the end of democracy in Africa. It's over. ... If we fight today, it is to prevent these kind of things from happening and to ensure a future for our continent, Sabo said on Thursday. In a region rife with coups, Niger was seen as one of the last democratic countries that Western nations could partner with to beat back a growing jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. The overthrow of the president nearly one month ago has been a big b

Nigeriens call for mass recruitment of volunteers as junta faces invasion

Nigeriens are preparing for a possible invasion by countries in the region, three weeks after mutinous soldiers ousted the nation's democratically elected president. Residents in the capital, Niamey, are calling for the mass recruitment of volunteers to assist the army in the face of a growing threat by the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, which says it will use military force if the junta doesn't reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. ECOWAS has activated a standby force" to restore order in Niger after the junta ignored a deadline to release and reinstate Bazoum. The initiative, spearhead by a group of locals in Niamey, aims to recruit tens of thousands of volunteers from across the country to register for the Volunteers for the Defence of Niger. The group would fight, assist with medical care, and provide technical and engineering logistics among other functions, in case the junta needs help, Amsarou Bako, one of the founders, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "It's

Surging rice prices make things difficult for billions in Asia and Africa

The grain is vital to the diets of billions in Asia and Africa. Rice contributes as much as 60 per cent of total calorie intake for people in parts of Southeast Asia and Africa

Soldiers declare Niger general as head of state after he leads a coup

Mutinous soldiers who staged a coup in Niger declared their leader the new head of state on Friday, hours after the general asked for national and international support despite rising concerns that the political crisis could hinder the nation's fight against jihadists and boost Russia's influence in West Africa. Spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane said on state television that the constitution was suspended and Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani was in charge. Various factions of Niger's military have reportedly wrangled for control since members of the presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger's first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France. Niger is seen as the last reliable partner for the West in efforts to battle jihadists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group in Africa's Sahel region, where Russia and Western countries have vied for influence in the fight against extremism. France has 1,500 ...

Trade between Russia, Africa reached $18 billion in 2022: Vladimir Putin

Talking about trade ties, Putin said, "Our mutual trade reached approximately 18 billion US dollars in 2022 and increased by nearly 35 per cent in the first six months of 2023."

Putin promises 50,000 tons of no-cost Russian grain to 6 African countries

Russian President Vladimir Putin told leaders and officials from most African countries Thursday that his nation is making every effort to avert a global food crisis despite concerns that its withdrawal from a deal allowing grain shipments from Ukraine will cause price spikes. Putin spoke at the opening session of a two-day Russia-Africa summit attended by a sharply lower number of African heads of state and government compared with a previous summit in 2019. While discussing the halted Black Sea grain deal, he promised large no-cost shipments of grain to six African countries. Our country will continue supporting needy states and regions, in particular, with its humanitarian deliveries. We seek to actively participate in building a fairer system of distribution of resources. We are taking maximum efforts to avert a global food crisis, Putin said. "I have already said that our country can replace Ukrainian grain, both on a commercial basis and as grant aid to the neediest African ..

India receives 'overwhelming support' to include Africa as a G20 member

Explaining India's argument in support of granting Africa a membership in the G20, the official said this is an effort towards creating an inclusive world

World is losing battle to wipe out hunger by end of decade: Report

Hunger was still rising in western Asia, the Caribbean and throughout Africa last year

One more African cheetah, Tejas, has died in MP's Kuno National Park

One more African cheetah died in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park (KNP) on Tuesday, a senior forest department official said. The male cheetah, Tejas, was brought to KNP in Sheopur district from South Africa in February this year. Cheetah Tejas, aged around four years, died in KNP due to suspected infighting, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Wildlife J S Chauhan told PTI. The feline, brought from South Africa as part of the ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme, was in an enclosure at the time of the incident, the official said.

India not pursuing 'narrow economic activities' in Africa: Jaishankar

In a veiled attack on China, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that, unlike some other countries, India is not "an extractive economy" and it was not pursuing "narrow economic activities" in the resource-rich African continent. Jaishankar, who arrived here on Thursday after visiting Zanzibar, made these remarks while addressing the Indian community in Dar-es-Salaam city of Tanzania. "Had a lively interaction with members of the Indian community in Dar es Salaam. Stressed the importance of Mission IT (India & Tanzania). Highlighted the strong India-Africa connection, especially our deep links with East Africa; Heart of India and Tanzania ties is the solidarity of spirit and mutuality of interests," Jaishankar tweeted. "Recognised that the Indian community is an expression, contributor and force of this relationship; Explained how India and Tanzania's friendship is making a difference in the lives of the average Tanzanian. Our water projects will benefit 8 million; ...

India increases credit lending to Africa, in race to counter China

Forty two African nations received about $12 billion or 38% of all credit extended by India in the last decade

Millions left with no aid as West Africa suffers worst hunger crisis: UN

The UN World Food Programme said Wednesday that millions of hungry people in West Africa are without aid as the agency struggles with limited funding to respond to the region's worst hunger crisis in a decade. Nearly half of the 11.6 million people targeted for food aid during the June to August lean season are not receiving any assistance, the agency said in a statement. It warned that hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of joining armed groups, getting married early or engaging in survival sex in their desperation to survive. We're in a tragic situation. During this year's lean season, millions of families will lack sufficient food reserves to sustain them until the next harvests in September," said Margot Vandervelden, WFP interim regional director for Western Africa. "We must take immediate action to prevent a massive slide into catastrophic hunger, she said. Long before last year's flooding and Russia's war in Ukraine, West Africa already was facing its worst food cris

Press Putin on release of political prisoners: Zelenskyy to African leaders

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to a group of African leaders to ask his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to free political prisoners from Crimea and beyond saying it could be an important part of their trip to Russia on Saturday. Seven African leaders presidents of Comoros, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia, as well as Egypt's prime minister and top envoys from the Republic of Congo and Uganda visited Ukraine on Friday as part of a self-styled peace mission to both Ukraine and Russia to try to help end their nearly 16-month-old war. The African leaders were traveling to meet with Putin on Saturday in the Russian city of St. Petersburg. The mission to Ukraine, the first of its kind by African leaders, comes in the wake of other peace initiatives such as one by China, and it carried extra importance for the African countries: They rely on food and fertilizer deliveries from Russia and Ukraine, whose war has impeded exports from one of the world's most important

Indian firms looking at business opportunities in Africa, says Piyush Goyal

Indian companies are looking at business opportunities in Africa as the continent holds huge potential to boost trade and investments, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday. He also said that businesses of both regions should look at increasing bilateral trade beyond the target of USD 200 billion by 2030. The bilateral trade at present is about USD 100 billion. India can also look for negotiating a free trade agreement with Africa to further strengthen economic ties, he said. "Indian companies are looking at many more opportunities, and they can help increase economic growth in Africa and create jobs," Goyal said at CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on 'India-Africa Growth Partnership'. In terms of increasing trade, "we have not reached our true potential", he added. Goyal also said India works as a friend and brother with Africa and does not "take over" assets like power transmission lines and ports.

Partnership with Africa to focus on digital, healthcare, food security: EAM

The African Union is one of India's largest trading partners after the US, China, and the UAE

China offers South Africa help to bolster security for BRICS summit

China on Friday said it is ready to work with South Africa to bolster the security for the BRICS summit in August in light of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Russian President Vladimir Putin. BRICS is an international grouping comprising China, India, Russia, Brazil and South Africa. The 15th BRICS summit is set to take place in Johannesburg in August this year. The possible attendance of Putin who is the subject of a war crimes arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has put South Africa's handling of the warrant and summit security under the spotlight. The ICC issued a warrant on Putin in March, accusing him of the unlawful deportation of children and transfer of people from the territory of Ukraine to the Russian Federation. As a signatory to the ICC, South Africa will be obliged to execute the warrant if Putin visits the country for the BRICS Summit. On Thursday, the South African Police Minister Bheki Cele who is on a

India is open to negotiate trade agreement with Africa: Piyush Goyal

India has expressed interest in negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with Africa with an aim to boost economic ties between the two regions. This was stated by commerce and industry Minister Piyush Goyal during his interaction with fifteen ambassadors from several countries of the Africa region here on Thursday. "India is open to FTA negotiations bilaterally or individually with African countries or Africa as a whole," he said. India would act as a trusted partner to expand trade, commerce, business, investment and opportunities with Africa, he said. In such agreements, two or more trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on maximum number of goods traded between them. Besides, they ease norms for promoting trade in services and attract investments. The 15 ambassadors are from countries, including Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe. T