Mali’s military junta chief appoints himself to top military positionThe head of the military junta that seized power in Mali in 2020 was promoted on Wednesday to the rank of army general, with the special title of Land Forces Colonel Assimi Goita. It is the highest military honor held only by two former heads of state in this country’s history. …Five other highly influential colonels in Mali’s military junta were also “exceptional” promoted to the rank of four-star general. “This means that the junta leaders continue to position themselves as the sole rulers and have no intention of making a democratic transition to civilian rule any time soon,” said Rida Lyamouli, a senior researcher at the Morocco-based Center for New Policy. This is another manifestation of this.” South. AP
The Nobel Prize in Economics is awarded to three economists who discovered that freer societies are more likely to prosper
On Monday, the Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to three economists who studied why some countries are rich and others poor, and who demonstrated that freer and more open societies are more likely to prosper. Ta. The Nobel Prize Committee of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in a statement in Stockholm that the research by Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, James A. Robinson and others “demonstrates the importance of social institutions for a nation’s prosperity.” Acemoglu said the research had received awards from countries around the world. This award emphasizes the value of democratic institutions. AP
Kenyan Senate to vote to remove vice presidentKenya’s Senate on Thursday began its second day of hearings ahead of a vote on whether to remove Vice President Ligachi Gachagua from office on charges of embezzling public funds, inciting ethnic hatred and undermining the government. , he denies this. Parliament last week voted to impeach Gachagua, who helped President William Ruto win an election two years ago but has come under fire from allies of the president over allegations of dishonesty and a series of provocative public comments. did. Reuters
Egypt’s Sisi replaces powerful General Intelligence Directorate
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday appointed Major General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad as head of the powerful general intelligence agency and appointed outgoing director Abbas Kamel as presidential adviser. The agency played a leading role under Sisi’s government, handling foreign affairs, including conflicts in Gaza, Sudan and Libya, as well as internal security issues related to the long-running crackdown on political opposition. Mr. Rashad previously served as Mr. Kamel’s deputy and took over management of important files, including improving relations between Egypt and Iran, two security officials said. Reuters
At least 150 killed in fuel tanker explosion in NigeriaA capsized fuel tanker exploded in northern Nigeria on Tuesday, killing more than 150 people, a police spokesperson said. It is said to be one of the worst road accidents ever recorded in Africa’s most populous country. The tanker capsized near Mahia, spilling fuel onto the road. . Local residents rushed to pick it up, seeing it as an easy way to collect goods that are becoming increasingly expensive in Nigeria. Fuel prices have more than tripled in the last year as the Tinubu government moves to scrap expensive government fuel subsidies that have provided Nigerians with some of the cheapest gasoline in Africa for decades. new york times
Equatorial Guinea: Dozens of islanders trapped as Anobon’s tragic history continues
Earlier this year, residents of tiny Anobong Island began noticing dead plants on their farmlands and large cracks in their homes. They blamed the damage on years of dynamite explosions linked to mining activities on the island, a province of Equatorial Guinea…In July, 16 island residents wrote to authorities in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea’s capital. expressed concern about the deterioration of the situation. Demanding an end to environmental destruction and the use of dynamite…(W) Within days, soldiers raided and arrested the letter’s signatories and dozens of activists sympathetic to their cause. Mobile phone service and internet access have also been cut off…Human rights activists and the Equatoguinean diaspora say Anobon’s roughly 5,000 residents have endured a particularly egregious recent history of human rights abuses and exploitation. guardian
Netherlands considers plan to send rejected African asylum seekers to UgandaThe conservative Dutch government is considering a plan to send rejected African asylum seekers to Uganda, the country’s trade and development minister announced late Wednesday. Raynette Clever revealed the idea during a visit to the East African country, but it is not immediately clear whether such a plan would be legal or feasible, or if Uganda would follow suit. There wasn’t. “We are open to all arguments,” Uganda’s Foreign Minister Jeje Odongo said in an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS. Reuters
EU announces €30 million aid package to prevent illegal immigration from Senegal
The European Union announced on Wednesday, October 16, a 30 million euro ($32.6 million) aid package to prevent irregular migration from Senegal. Every year, people risk their lives to reach Europe. Every year, thousands of people leave the West African country on the dangerous Atlantic crossing, losing their lives or going missing while battling strong ocean currents on board overloaded and unnavigable ships… The European Commission has already provided €5.75 million in funding for a project to strengthen the capacity of Senegal’s security forces to fight illegal migration and human trafficking. and smuggling of immigrants. Senegal’s coast is one of the main departure points for thousands of migrants hoping to reach Europe, many heading to the Spanish Canary Islands. Le Monde (AFP News)
Biden will travel to Germany on Thursday. Angola trip set for DecemberThe White House announced Wednesday that President Joe Biden will leave for a trip to Germany on Thursday, after postponing the trip last week as Hurricane Milton hit the United States. Biden was originally scheduled to visit Germany and Angola. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a regular press briefing that the trip to Angola has been rescheduled for the first week of December. Reuters
Sexual abuse by peacekeepers rampant in Central African Republic; survivors remain silent
Women and girls in the Central African Republic continue to have their lives ruined by sexual abuse and exploitation by UN peacekeepers, with many fearing reprisals, not knowing who to contact and reporting incidents to missions on the ground. have not been reported. Or there is a lack of confidence that action will be taken. The UN’s public database has recorded allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation against more than 730 peacekeepers working for the UN mission in the Central African Republic (known by the acronym MINUSCA) since 2015. However, The New Humanitarian spoke to 19 women who had not reported civil abuse or mistreatment. Social groups also said they did not share the claims, despite the “constant” rise of new cases…The mission is credited with saving lives, but the blue helmets… He has committed egregious sexual abuse cases that have destroyed lives and seriously tarnished the reputation of the mission. . new humanitarian
Zimbabwe to compensate white farmers who lost land in land seizure 20 years ago
Zimbabwe has announced it will compensate white farmers at home and abroad who lost land and property in farm seizures aimed at righting some of the wrongs of colonialism more than two decades ago. About 4,000 white farmers lost their homes and vast tracts of land when the black-majority country’s then president, Robert Mugabe, launched a chaotic and sometimes violent redistribution program in 2000. . Mugabe, who died in 2019, said the aim was to address colonial-era land inequality after the southern African country gained independence from white minority rule in 1980. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced in a meeting with diplomats on Wednesday that the government had approved 441 applications. Compensation worth $351.6 million was paid from local white farmers, and 94 claims from foreigners worth $196.6 million were paid in cash to local farmers who lost their land. That’s only 1%, or $3.5 million. The rest will be paid through the issuance of government bonds, Ncube said. AP
Former ANC spokesperson charged with fraud
Seven suspects, including a local government official and a former spokesperson for the African National Congress (ANC), have been charged with fraud in a South African court. The defendants appeared in court following an investigation into a 27 million rand (£1.2 million, $1.6 million) government tender. Investigations revealed that the Gauteng government had contracted a company called Enviro-Mobi for waste management services five years ago. Enviro Mobi has not disclosed its relationship with former ANC spokesperson Pulu Maeb, who was then a member of parliament, a police statement said… Outside court, Maeb told local media that the ANC He said he would resign from the executive committee. BBC
South Africa considers tax rebates and subsidies to promote local EV industry
South Africa is considering introducing tax rebates and subsidies for consumers to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday, as Africa’s most industrialized economy moves towards the car industry. said. Global car manufacturers such as Ford, Volkswagen, BMW and Toyota manufacture models in South Africa for both local and European markets. The UK and the European Union jointly consume 46% of the cars the country produces…Last year, the Trade, Industry and Competition Secretary announced support for the transition, including government incentives and a temporary reduction in import duties on batteries. A white paper was published outlining the process. Applies to vehicles produced and sold in the domestic market. Reuters
Afcon qualifying victory brings “pride” to civil war-torn Sudan
Forward Aboubaker Eissa says Sudan’s victory over Ghana to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will bring pride and joy to the civil war-hit country. Sudan defeated the Black Stars 2-0 in a home game in neutral Libya on Tuesday and need just one point from next month’s remaining two qualifying games to seal their place in the finals…” Now in Sudan “Civil war, we’re playing a bigger game,” Eissa told BBC World Service’s Newsday about what’s going on… Sudan has only appeared in one Afcon final since 2013, but will play in Morocco in 2025. Taking part in the 2020 tournament will be even more notable due to the ongoing conflict in the country and the fact that teams have been forced to hold their home qualifiers on neutral grounds. BBC