Page 11 - 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

African court blocks sacking of content moderators, holds Meta liable

The court also directed that moderators' contracts be extended and also barred Meta and Sama from sacking them

CSM Tech inks multi-mn dollar deal with Gabon govt for timber traceability

IT consulting company CSM Tech has signed a multi-million dollar contract with the West African nation of Gabon, a company statement said. The deal is for the implementation of a timber traceability solution and an electronic timber trade platform for the ministry of Economy and Recovery of the Government of Gabon. The agreement was signed by Nicole Jeanine LydieRobotyMbou, Minister of Economy and Recovery of Gabon and Priyadarshi Nanu Pany, Founder & CEO of CSM Tech last week, the statement said. The project was kicked-off recently by the Minister of Waters & Forests of the Government of Gabon, Professor Lee White. "We are delighted to bag this opportunity and develop this one-stop, seamless digital solution for the Gabon government. This traceability platform will set new benchmarks in the transparent and sustainable timber trade. It will open up access to global markets for Gabon's finished wood products," said Priyadarshi Nanu Pany. He said it will also ease timber trade ..

413 people have died in ongoing Sudan conflict so far, informs WHO

WHO said that 413 people have died in the current Sudan conflict, while the UN children's agency said children are paying a high price, with at least nine reportedly killed in the fighting

From Prabhas to Tejas, here are new Indian names for African cheetahs

All the 19 cheetahs at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park will now be known by their new names as they have been given Indian names

Army vs paramilitary: A common person's guide to the crisis in Sudan

Sudanese people are running out of food, fuel and other vital supplies, and the healthcare system is in danger of collapse. But what's happening in Sudan? Here's an easy guide

Hunger stalks 48 million people in West Africa amid supply curbs

Food inflation has surged in Africa since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022