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Burundi has announced its desire 

to host a football match with the 

Russian national team 

October 7th, 6:31pm

(Izvestia.ru)

 

The Burundi national football team is ready to play a 

friendly match with Russia. This was announced on 

Monday, October 7, by the President of the Football 

Federation of the African state, Alexander Muenge.

 

"We understand that politics interfering in sports now is a

 big problem. Our national team is interested in a friendly 

match with the Russian national team. However, the 

match will depend on the conditions that can be 

offered by the Russian Football Union," 

Muenge said.

 

The game may take place in November.

 

The Burundi national team is ranked 136th in the FIFA

 World Cup rankings. The Russian national team is

 in 34th place.

 

The training camp of the Russian national team began on 

October 7 in the city of Novogorsk, Moscow region. The 

last friendly match was held on September 5 with the 

Vietnam national team. The match ended with the

victory of the Russian team with the score 3:0.

 

On October 7th, it became known that the Football 

Federation of Tajikistan (FFT) on Monday refused

the offer of the Russian Football Union (RFU) to 

host a friendly match of the national teams in

 November, as it already had other 

games planned.

 

 

 

__________________________________



 

Somalia: Former Somali Leaders Decry 

Collapse of Mogadishu Talks, Accuse 

President of Illegal Term Extension

October 7th

(Shabelle Media Network Mogadishu)

 

Former Somali leaders Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, Hassan Ali 

Khaire, and Abdirahman Abdishakur have publicly 

criticized the recent breakdown of reconciliation

 talks between federal and state leaders 

in Mogadishu.

 

They have accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

 of orchestrating these talks as a cover for extending 

his presidential term, an action they deem illegal.

 

In a joint statement, the trio vehemently opposed any 

move towards extending the president's term, 

recalling a similar controversy under the 

previous administration which they 

assert was rightfully rejected.

 

 "We will use every legal avenue at our disposal to block 

such unconstitutional maneuvers," the statement
read, 
emphasizing their commitment to
democratic processes.

 

The former leaders further accused President Mohamud 

of misleading the populace with the promise of 

implementing a "one person, one vote" 

electoral system, which they claim 

is merely a distraction --- from his 

real agenda of clinging to power. 

 

This criticism comes at a time... when Somalia's political 

landscape is already fraught with tensions over security, 

governance, and the ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab, 

now rebranded as Khawarij.

 

The condemnation coincides.... with reports of Al-

Shabaab's continued resilience, casting doubt on 

government claims of nearing victory in the fight 

against terrorism. Critics argue that the focus on 

term extensions detracts from urgent issues like 

national security, governance reforms, and the 

broader stabilization of Somalia.

 

The international community has expressed concern 

over these developments, with observers noting that 

such internal strife could further destabilize Somalia, 

especially as African Union forces are set to with-

draw by December, leaving the country's 

security in a precarious state.

 

This political standoff not only challenges President 

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's leadership but also 

underscores the deep-seated governance 

issues in Somalia, where the balance 

between maintaining power.... and 

advancing the nation's interests 

seems increasingly delicate.

 

 

 

_______________________________________

 

 

 

Nigeria: How States Are Managing 

Devastating Effects of Flooding

October 7th

(This Day)

 

Chuks Okocha explores how various Nigerian states

 are managing the devastating effects of flooding.

 

State governors in Nigeria.... have ramped up efforts to 

manage the widespread flooding affecting many flood-

prone regions. The flooding has caused significant 

damage, particularly in states along the Rivers 

Benue and Niger, impacting over 610,000 

people, destroying key infrastructure, 

and heightening the risks of food

 insecurity and the spread of 

infectious diseases.

 

More than 225,000 people have been displaced, with 

201 deaths reported in 15 of the country's 36 states. 

 

Approximately 300,000 hectares of farmland have been 

submerged. In Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in

 the northeast, over 230,000 people have been 

affected by floods after a dam collapsed 

following heavy rainfall. This deluge 

has obstructed access to health

 facilities, schools, and markets.

 

The flooding in Maiduguri has impacted 14 health

 facilities --- leading to outbreaks of acute watery 

diarrhea, malaria & other water-borne diseases. 

Malnutrition is also a major concern.

 

Governors of the affected states, as expected, have 

risen to the challenge. The most recent example is 

Kogi State's response. The federal government, 

led by President Bola Tinubu, has provided 

support, including financial and 

logistical aid.

 

For instance, Kogi State Governor Alhaji Usman Ododo 

authorized the formation of a Flood Disaster Response 

Team in response to warnings that states along the 

Rivers Niger and Benue were at risk of flooding. 

 

This team will coordinate the state's flood response 

strategies and implement the State Action Plan on 

Flooding to minimize damage in communities 

along the rivers. 

 

Kogi, located at the confluence of these rivers, has a 

history of severe flooding. The team will be led by

 the Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu, and 

include officials from various ministries.

 

In Benue State, between September 4 and 9, 2024, the 

Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) --- in collaboration 

with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency 

(BENSEMA), identified 22 locations affected by floods. 

 

Over 7,000 people in 1,089 households were displaced. 

While 23% of the affected houses are habitable but in 

need of repair, 13% are partially damaged, and 2%

 are completely destroyed. Crop farming, a key 

source of income, has been heavily impacted.

 

The Taraba State government - has also responded to the

 risk of flooding, particularly with the imminent release of 

water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. Governor Agbu 

Kefas announced the creation of a flood control team 

to manage emergency responses and prevent future 

disasters. He emphasized the need for long-term 

strategies, as outlined in the Taraba 

Development Master Plan 

2023-2050.

 

In Kwara State, the National Emergency Management 

Agency (NEMA) warned of impending floods in five 

local government areas: Pategi, Edu, Kaiama, 

Asa, and Baruten. NEMA called on the Kwara

 government to take proactive measures to

 mitigate the risk.

 

Similarly, in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states, local 

governments have started educating residents on 

how to prevent flooding. In Kebbi, local leaders 

have been involved... in developing preventive 

strategies, including the clearing of drainage 

systems and encouraging tree planting to 

combat erosion. The state plans to plant 

one million trees to reduce flood risk.

 

Bashir Ahmad, director of information at the Ministry of 

Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social 

Development in Zamfara, highlighted the government's 

collaboration with NiMet and other agencies to provide 

early warning systems and take preventive measures.

 

NEMA's Sokoto operation has also emphasized the need 

for early warnings and better preparedness in flood-

prone areas. The agency has been working with 

stakeholders to ensure proactive responses 

to flooding risks.

 

NiMet previously predicted that states such as Sokoto, 

Zamfara, and Kebbi would experience early rainfall 

between June 20 and July 7, 2023, increasing 

the risk of flooding.

 

The federal government, through NEMA.... has mounted a

 multi-sectoral emergency response in collaboration with

 local health authorities -- and international partners like 

WHO. In Jigawa, one of the worst-hit states, authorities 

have converted public buildings and schools into 

shelters and distributed essential supplies. WHO 

has provided Jigawa with medical kits and anti-

malarial drugs, and similar support is being 

sent to Bauchi and Kogi.

 

Dr. Mohammed Kainuwa, the Commissioner of Health for 

Jigawa, expressed gratitude for WHO's contributions, 

noting that they would help protect vulnerable 

populations, including pregnant women 

and children.

 

NEMA spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel warned that the 

flooding could worsen as floodwaters move from 

northern states towards the central and 

southern regions of the country.

 

The flooding has caused significant damage, particularly 

in states along the Rivers Benue and Niger, impacting

 over 610,000 people, destroying key infrastructure, 

and heightening the risks of food insecurity and 

the spread of infectious diseases. More than 

225,000 people have been displaced, with 

201 deaths reported in 15 of the country's 

36 states. Approximately 300,000 

hectares of farmland have 

been submerged

 

 

 

_________________________________________





Tunisia gears up for October 6th 


Presidential election


October 4th, 5pm


(africanews)


 


As Tunisia is drawing ever closer to its Presidential


 election on October 6th, there are mixed feelings 


among the country's youth towards politics and 


the vote itself.


 


Citing a lack of opportunity, some aspire to move abroad. 


Seddik Malki, a fruit vendor, says, “I want to tell the 


youth: leave through the sea; there is nothing that 


keeps us here in Tunisia... I have no future here.”


 


Meanwhile, others are hopeful,, that the election will 


bring about change. "I hope that whoever wins the 


presidential elections will fix the country and pay 


attention to the youth, especially the high cost 


of living,'' Lotfi Hamdi, a 32-year-old street


 vendor, says.


 


Current president Kais Saied is seeking another term 


in the upcoming election. With his major opponents 


in prison or barred from running, Saied has been 


accused of stamping out his political 


competition and accumulating 


power in his own hands.


 


Only two candidates have been given the green light 


to run against Saied, who has suspended parliement 


since he came to power in 2019.


 


 


 


_____________________________


 


 


 


Sudan war intensifies, 


devastation spreads


October 4th, 4:59pm


(africanews)


 


The battle for Khartoum is raging in war-torn Sudan.


 


New fighting rocked the nation's capital in late 


September as the Sudanese military launched 


an operation aimed at taking control of parts 


of the city which have been ruled by the 


paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, 


or RSF.


 


AP footage shot in the immediate aftermath showed 


Sudanese soldiers in pickup trucks driving through


 the damaged roads of Bahri city, to the north


 of Khartoum.


 


The Halfaya Bridge was reopened after 


being under the control of the RSF.


 


According to local media reports, the army and allied 


forces are attempting to seize the Khartoum oil


refinery in al-Jaili, about 70 km north of 


the capital.


 


Other strategic battlegrounds include Jebel Moya 


in southeastern Sudan; as well as El-Fasher, the


 capital of the North-Darfur state.


 


Fighting is expected to intensify as the 


rainy season draws to a close.


 


The head of Sudan's military told the UN General 


Assembly last week that the militias fighting in 


his country must put down their weapons.


 


Sudan has been locked in a violent 


conflict since mid-April last year.


 


According to a spokesperson for the U.N. human rights 


office in Geneva, at least 78 civilians were killed by 


fighting in the Khartoum area since the beginning 


of September.


 


 


 


_____________________________________


 


 


 


Uganda: New Marriage Bill --- provides 


for Property Rights, Child Protection


October 4th, 12:39pm


(Source: Parliament of 


the Republic of Uganda) 


 


The bill also deals with financial responsibilities 


within marriages, specifically addressing 


pre-marital debts


 


A bill that will brings series of landmark reforms aimed at 


updating Uganda’s marriage laws... has been presented 


before Parliament. The bill, proposed by Tororo District 


Woman Representative, Hon. Sarah Opendi was tabled 


on her behalf on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, by 


Alebtong District Woman MP, Hon. Dorcus Acen. 


 


The focuses strongly on equal property rights, 


the protection of minors, and new regulations


 on marital arrangements.


 


The bill was presented without a certificate of financial 


implication from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and 


Economic Planning.


 


According to the Speaker Anita Among who presided over 


the sitting, whereas section 76 of the Public Finance 


Management Act requires a bill at the First Reading 


to be accompanied with a certificate of financial 


implication, the particular bill was not granted a 


certificate of financial implication within 60 


days of the date of request.


 


“Section 76(4) of the Public Finance Management Act 


provides that, a certificate of financial implication 


shall be deemed to have been issued after 60 


days of the date request of the certificate,” 


the Speaker ruled.


 


One of the key proposals ensures equal rights 


to matrimonial property for both spouses, 


whether their contributions are financial 


or non-financial.


 


"This bill recognises that domestic work, child-rearing, 


and other non-monetary efforts are just as valuable as 


monetary contributions. Every spouse, regardless of


 their income, has equal rights to property," 


says Opendi.


 


The bill also addresses spousal gifts stipulating that 


any gifts exchanged during marriage belong solely


 to the receiving spouse.


 


This proposal, intended to prevent disputes over gifts


 in the event of separation, comes with a penalty for 


those demanding the return of gifts.


 


Under Clause 87, a person found guilty could face up


 to three years in prison or a Shs10 million fine.


 


Opendi has also proposed establishing a National 


Marriage Register to electronically store the 


details of all married people in Uganda. 


Accessible by the public at a fee, the 


register ensures transparency in 


marital status.


 


"This will reduce instances of fraudulent claims 


of marriage and give Ugandans a secure way 


to verify marital status," Opendi states 


in her bill.


 


Another pivotal aspect of the bill tackles child marriages.


 Clause 101 proposes a 10-year jail sentence for anyone 


who conducts, attends, or arranges a marriage


 involving a minor. 


 


"We must protect our children from exploitation. 


This bill seeks to ensure that child marriages 


are completely eradicated,'' she said.


 


The bill also proposes a requirement for marital 


consummation. According to Clause 41, newly-


wed couples are required to consummate their


 marriage within six months or risk having


 their marriage declared voidable. 


 


"This clause ensures that marriages are genuine 


and not just ceremonial unions," the bill states.


 


The bill also deals with financial responsibilities within 


marriages, specifically addressing pre-marital debts. 


 


According to Clause 51, liabilities incurred before 


marriage remain the sole responsibility of the 


spouse who bore them, unless the property 


involved becomes part of the matrimonial 


estate, at which point the debt 


may be shared.


 


In a move aimed at curbing bigamy, the bill proposes


 penalties for individuals who knowingly marry 


someone already in a monogamous union. 


Clause 92 recommends a sentence of 


up to five years in prison or a fine of 


Shs10 million for those found guilty.


 


This is however is not the first time that a 


bill legislating marriage is in the House. 


 


Initially tabled in Parliament as the Marriage and Divorce


 Bill in December 2009, the draft sought to modernise 


Uganda’s marriage laws by recognising various 


forms of marriage, addressing marital rights


and duties and providing clear guidelines 


for the dissolution of marriage. 


 


Among its most controversial clauses was the 


prohibition of the return of bride price and 


the outlawing of widow inheritance.


 


The original draft also equalised divorce provisions, 


correcting prejudices... that allowed men absolute 


rights to initiate and control divorce proceedings.


 It further challenged customary norms by 


introducing a clause that bride price 


could not be treated.... as a 


prerequisite for marriage.


 


Speaker Among referred the bill to the Committees of 


Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and that of Gender.


 


Later, the Domestic Relations Bill  was introduced  


in 2003 but  faced strong opposition from Muslim 


groups, who rejected its provisions 


banning polygamy. 


 


In 2006, after a continued pushback, particularly from


 religious groups, the bill was split into two; the 


Muslim Personal Law Bill which covered 


Muslim marriages and the Marriage 


and Divorce Bill that applied to 


other recognised marriages


 in Uganda.


 


The revised draft of the Marriage and Divorce Bill 


sparked controversy again when religious leaders 


and sections of the public argued that the 


proposals within it contradicted African 


cultural practices. As a result, despite 


being tabled multiple times, the bill 


was shelved.


 


Distributed by APO Group on behalf of 


Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.


 


 


 


________________________________________


 


 


 


 


Review of Economic Commission for Africa
(ECA) 
Study to Shed Light on Closing
Malawi’s Land 
Administration Gaps


October 4th, 12:35pm


(Source: UN Economic 


Commission for Africa) 


 


The workshop is taking place against the backdrop 


of commitments by the Government of Malawi to 


implement the AU Declaration on Land Issues 


and Challenges in Africa


 


Land governance stakeholders have convened in 


Lilongwe, Malawi to review an assessment study


 of the gaps in land administration institutions,


 capacity and training needs. 


 


Organised by the Economic Commission for Africa, 


the workshop aims to facilitate a collaborative 


discussion on challenges and gaps or 


inadequacies in the policy, legal and 


institutional frameworks governing 


women's land tenure security, and 


gender-responsive land governance.


 


The validation of the study will be followed by a high-level


Policy Dialogue ....aimed at creating a multi-stakeholder 


platform to deliberate on women’s land tenure security 


and gender-responsive land governance and look into 


policy and legal issues affecting women’s land rights


and tenure security. It will also be an opportunity to 


secure necessary input into a policy brief that 


clearly shows the government’s pathways 


towards implementing gender-responsive 


land governance and also draft a strategy 


action plan and roadmap --- to ensure that 


women’s land rights issues are addressed.


 


The workshop is taking place against the backdrop of 


commitments by the Government of Malawi to


 implement the AU Declaration on Land


 Issues and Challenges in Africa.


 


This aligns with the AU Declaration on land, which calls 


on the AU Member States to review their land sectors 


and develop comprehensive policies to meet Member 


States’ specific land needs. The review of the land 


sector includes mainstreaming gender in the 


development and implementation of national 


land policies that promote economic growth 


and preserve the livelihoods of African 


communities, as this is considered key 


to land policy growth for nation-states 


and the continent.


 


Between 2016 and 2018, Malawi was part of a six-


country project examining opportunities to main-


stream land governance issues in the agricultural 


National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP). 


 


One key recommendation of the study was to Empower 


Women & Vulnerable Groups in Agriculture to promote 


equitable agricultural investments including through 


programmes to allocate land and secure rights to 


land for women. 


 


Since then, Malawi has made great progress in enacting


 laws to support land governance including women’s 


rights to land. To show its continuous political will, 


Malawi made a request for technical assistance


 to ECA in 2019 through the Ministry of Lands, 


Urban Housing and Development. 


 


ECA responded by supporting Malawi in a project on 


Strengthening Women’s Land Tenure Security and 


Entrepreneurship, with training of gender & land 


stakeholders conducted in December 2020.


 


With the outbreak of the COVID-19, Malawi - like many 


other countries - faces challenges of ensuring food


 security, particularly the availability of agricultural 


inputs to meet its demand in view of supply chain 


disruptions that emanated from COVID-19 related 


restrictions. 


 


Because of pre-existing gender inequalities, deep-rooted 


discrimination and feminine poverty, the multifaceted


 consequences of the COVID crisis impacted women 


more than men, while - at the same time - placing 


increased responsibilities on women’s shoulders. 


 


In such an unprecedented and difficult context, ECA 


secured funding to continue supporting Malawi 


under the project Gender-responsive Land 


Governance in Africa as a Pathway for 


Enhancing Women’s Resilience in the 


Context of COVID-19.


 


Under this project, the assessment study and


 policy dialogue, are being undertaken.


 


The workshop has assembled a diverse group of stake-


holders -- from the Ministries of Lands, Justice and
Constitutional Affairs, Agriculture, Gender, Local 


Government, Parliamentarians; Representatives


 of parliamentary committees on agriculture; 


and legal practitioners. 


 


Others include representatives of farmer organisations, 


UN agencies such as FAO, UN Women, UN-Habitat, UN 


resident coordinator, OXFAM, Landnet, National Land 


Coalition, Centre for Environmental Policy and 


Advocacy (CEPA) and NGOs working on land 


and women. 


 


Gender advisory committee representatives, gender 


and human rights technical working groups and 


Representative of the women’s caucus 


committee and the Land Justice 


Consortium will also be present, 


as well as representatives from 


academia (LUANAR, University 


of Malawi) and research 


institutes (such 


as Mwapata).


 


Distributed by APO Group on behalf of 


United Nations Economic Commission


 for Africa (ECA).


 


 


 


____________________________________________




The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mali 

said that they appreciate the 

efficiency in the supply of 

weapons from Russia

October 4th, 1:57am

RT.ru

 

Mali highly values the prompt delivery of 

military equipment purchased 

from Russia.

 

This was stated in an interview with RIA 

Novosti by the Mali's Foreign Minister 

Abdoulaye Diop.

 

"We highly appreciate the prompt delivery 

of all the military equipment that Mali 

buys, and all the support that we 

receive from Russia," he said.

 

In addition, Diop noted the country's interest

 in purchasing new Russian weapons.

 

Earlier, the Malian Foreign Minister expressed 

confidence that the results of the 

investigation into Kiev's ties 

with terrorists will be made 

public in a timely manner.

 

In addition, he expressed Mali's 

interest in joining BRICS.

 

 

___________________________




South Africa: Sites of the

anti-apartheid history on 

UNESCO Heritage List

August 3rd, 5:48pm

teleSUR)

 

Recently added to the list of UNESCO, are 

various sites in S. Africa related to the 

long and bloody struggle against 

apartheid ---- as World 

Heritage sites.

 

The system of institutionalized racial segregation was 

established in South Africa after the Second World 

War. It was finally eradicated in the early 1990s –

 largely due to the sacrifices of activists like 

Nelson Mandela, who came to serve as the 

country’s first post-apartheid president.

 

Recently nominated to UNESCO as “Human Rights, 

Struggle for Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson 

Mandela Legacy Sites” - the heritage consists of 

fourteen component parts scattered throughout 

the country, all related to the political history of 

South Africa in the twentieth century.

 

These include the Union buildings, which are now the 

official seat of the South African government... and 

house the offices of the president. Over the years,

they have hosted many important events, such

as the inauguration of South Africa’s first 

democratically elected president

 in 1994.

 

 A nine-metre-high bronze statue of Nelson Mandela has 

been standing at the foot of the buildings since it was 

unveiled one day after his funeral in Qunu – a village

 near the birthplace of the late president – in 

late 2013.

 

In the words of Tokyo Sexwale, an anti-apartheid activist 

who was in prison with Mandela, The inclusion of the 

site on the heritage list symbolizes world 

recognition of South Africa’s long 

journey towards freedom.

 

“It’s a great recognition for UNESCO to do that, but for us,

 it’s for South Africa, as I said earlier. It is for human 

rights, it's for social justice, it's for the recognition 

of what democracy has defended. It was for our 

own national self-determination, to take the 

affairs of our nation into our own hands.

Therefore, it is important that the UN, 

UNESCO, in this case, recognise 

what happened here,” 

said Sexwale.

 

 

_____________________________



 

Lavrov to attend first meeting 

of Russia-Africa Forum

October 2nd, 12:32pm (TASS) 

 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in 

the first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa 

Partnership Forum in Sochi on November 9-10, 

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria 

Zakharova said at a briefing.

 

"On November 9-10, the first ministerial conference of the 

Russia-Africa Partnership Forum will be held at Sirius

University in Sochi," she said. "The event will be 

attended by foreign ministers from Russia and 

African states, as well as the leadership of 

the African Union Commission and the 

continent's largest integration 

associations."

 

Zakharova added that the meeting will address a wide 

range of issues on the Russian-African agenda,

including --- "security, trade, investment, 

agricultural industrialization, mining 

development, education, health-

care, and sanitary and 

epidemiological 

well-being.".

 

 

_____________________________________________

 

 

 

Ship with 300 passengers capsizes 

in Nigeria, 150 people missing — 

newspaper

October 2nd, 11:10am (TASS) 

 

A passenger ferry, carrying 300 passengers, 

has capsized on a river in Nigeria.

 

According to the Vanguard newspaper, 150 have

 been rescued, and the rest have gone missing.

 

Search and rescue operations at the 

site of the incident are ongoing.

 

 

_____________________________________



 

Nigeria celebrates independence day - 

amid protests over economic hardship

October 1st, 8:27pm

(africanews)

 

Nigerians on Tuesday staged mass protests against 

economic hardship as the West African nation 

marked its 64th independence anniversary, 

with its president calling for patience.

 

Waving placards, the protestors demanded better 

opportunities and jobs for young people, 

especially in a country that has some 

of the world’s highest poverty and 

hunger levels despite being a top 

oil producer on the continent.

 

It is the second mass protest in two months in Africa’s 

most populous country amid worsening hardship 

caused by the government’s reforms to save 

more money and shore up dwindling foreign 

investments. At least 20 protesters were 

shot dead and hundreds of others 

arrested during the last protest 

in August.

 

Although the government has defended the economic 

policies, their immediate impact has contributed to 

pushing the inflation rate to a 28-year high while 

the currency languishes at record lows

 against the dollar.

 

At least 63% of the population is poor. The government 

has struggled to create jobs. And the world’s longest 

war on militancy continues to unfold in its northeast.

 

“The truth is, there’s nothing worth celebrating about 

Nigeria,” said Adetayo Babatunde-Daniel, a young 

entrepreneur who joined the protests.

 

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who was elected in May 

last year on the promise of renewed hope, defended the 

reforms as necessary steps for progress that prevented 

the country’s economic “collapse.”

 

Additional sources • AP

 

 

_______________________________

 

 


Nigeria to join BRICS at right

 time — foreign minister

October 1st, 6:14pm (TASS)

 

 Nigeria is interested in joining BRICS and it intends 

to do so "at the right time," the country’s Minister 

of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said.

 

"We’ll join when the time is right. We never said we are 

not joining BRICS. It is about timing. We have already 

indicated our interest in joining but we have not 

formally written," he was quoted as saying by

 the Vanguard newspaper.

 

Nigeria "will do so at the right time when it is the most 

advantageous for [the country] to do so. There are a

 lot of reforms going on internally for us to be able 

to make that move," the minister added.

 

Since its inception in 2006, BRICS has experienced two 

phases of expansion. In 2011, South Africa joined the 

original group -- which included Brazil, Russia, India,

 and China. On January 1st, 2024, five new members 

officially entered BRICS --- namely Egypt, Iran, the 

United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia. 

 

Russia assumed the one-year rotating chairmanship of 

BRICS on January 1, 2024. On Moscow’s watch, BRICS 

will carry out over 250 events covering a wide range of 

issues. The key event of Russia’s chairmanship will be 

the BRICS summit in October 2024 in Kazan, Tatarstan

 - in Russia’s Volga region.

 

 

_______________________________________

 


M23 rebel group generates 

approximately $300,000 a 

month from mining --- UN

October 1st, 5:47pm

(africanews)

 

A rebel group in Congo generates around $300,000 

a month in revenue through its control of a mining

 area in the east of the country, a U.N. official said.

 

In April, the M23 — a rebel group with alleged links to 

Rwanda — seized the Rubaya mining area in eastern 

Congo, which holds deposits of a key mineral used 

in the production of smartphones and computers. 

 

Over 15% of the world's supply of tantalum, a rare metal 

extracted from coltan, comes from Rubaya, Bintou Keita, 

head of the U.N. mission in Congo, told the Security 

Council on Monday.

 

“Unless international sanctions are imposed on those 

benefiting from this criminal trade, peace will remain 

elusive and civilians will continue to suffer,” 

Keita said.

 

Tantalum is among the minerals that were identified 

earlier this year in a letter from Congo’s government 

questioning Apple about the tech company’s 

knowledge of “blood minerals” being 

smuggled in its supply chain.

 

The decades-long conflict in eastern Congo has produced

 one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with more 

than 120 armed groups fighting for power, land and 

valuable mineral resources while others try to 

defend their communities. Some armed 

groups have been accused of mass 

killings, rapes and other human 

rights violations. The violence 

has displaced some 6 million 

people in the country's east.

 

M23, or the March 23 Movement, is a rebel military group 

mainly made up of ethnic Tutsis that broke away from 

the Congolese army just over a decade ago. They 

staged a large offensive in 2012 ...and took over

 the provincial capital of Goma near the border 

with Rwanda, the same city they are

 threatening again.

 

Congo alleges that Rwanda has been involved in war 

crimes in the east and U.S. and U.N. experts accuse

 it of giving military backing to M23. Rwanda denies

 the claim, but in February admitted that it has 

troops and missile systems in eastern Congo

 to safeguard its security, pointing to a 

buildup of Congolese forces near 

the border.

 

In July, U.N. experts estimated that between 3,000 and 

4,000 Rwandan government forces are deployed in 

eastern Congo alongside M23, which has been 

making major advances.

 

Last week, a regional court in East Africa opened 

proceedings in a case filed by Congo against 

Rwanda, accusing it of violating Congo’s 

sovereignty and territorial integrity by 

sending troops to help rebels in the 

country’s east.

 

 

___________________________________





Russia, Congo ---- to start

 implementing oil pipeline 

project shortly - minister

October 1st, 4:58pm  

(TASS) 

 

Russia and the Republic of the Congo plan to start the
implementation of the Pointe-Noire-Lutete-Maloukou
Trechot oil pipeline project in the near future, the
republic’s Minister of International Cooperation 

and Promotion of Public-Private Partnership 

Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso said 

in an interview with TASS.

 

The signing of the intergovernmental agreement on the 

pipeline construction will be the first step after which

the creation of a joint venture is planned with 

Zakneftegazstroy-Prometey Ltd. and the 

National Petroleum Company, which 

acts as a customer ------ to become 

authorized companies responsible

for implementation of the project 

from Russia and the Republic of 

the Congo, respectively, 

he added. 

 

"We agreed on finalizing the creation of this venture in 

a month or less. Heads of authorized companies have 

already signed a respective agreement, which will 

enable them to start the work quite fast. It will 

take us another three months to draft and sign

 the concession agreement. Once it is done 

the joint venture will provide the schedule 

of construction and implementation of 

the project. Then it will be possible to

get started immediately. And we are

 full of optimism," the minister said.

 

The republic is facing logistical challenges, which create 

many problems when it comes to supplies and the

transportation of ready oil products, with the 

goal of the oil pipeline project being to 

improve and upgrade the supply 

processes, he noted.

 

 

_____________________________

All Africa music winners

Image: Sudan's Wazza instrument

will africa solve hunger by 2030?

Image: bust of queen Nefertiti

ONE UNION

Two weeks before Brexit, the African Union

 announced a new single African passport
that permits holders to enter any of the
 54 AU member states without a visa –
an interesting turn in African history
which NO-ONE in the West knows
or cares about !  What a stunning
reflection of how far our mindset
and media are, from the 'world
community' we say we love.

__________________________________




This is one reason why Rhondda Records
is devoting this page to Africa - and there
are so many other reasons!

Here are two - one bad - one good.

I was stunned, when I read a year or so
ago, that 40% of Africa has no regular
electricity supply! How could this be?

And, second, Africa is not only the
Mother of the human species...
it is, now, becoming the hope
of the new multipolar world.

Rise up, Africa!





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