US Aggression on Yemen's Ras Isa Port Kills 38, Injures Over 100

By Al Mayadeen English

US airstrikes on the Ras Isa oil port in Yemen have caused significant damage and civilian casualties. The Yemeni government condemns the attack as a war crime, amidst continued attacks on the port.

The Ras Isa oil port in northwest Hodeidah was severely damaged on Thursday after a series of United States airstrikes, marking one of the most severe escalations in the American military campaign against Yemen in recent weeks.

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent on the ground reported that civil defense teams are battling large fires that continue to rage across the strategic oil facility after the assault. Early on Friday, local sources informed Al Mayadeen that 38 workers were martyred and 102 more were injured in the attacks, with the death toll from the Ras Issa Port massacre likely to rise, considering all the critical injuries reported and the ongoing search for missing persons.

Sanaa gov. promises retaliation

The government in Sanaa condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, denouncing it as a “full-fledged war crime.” The government warned that such actions "will not go unpunished."

“This crime once again proves that the American enemy deliberately targets civilian facilities and vital infrastructure,” the statement read. “The justifications provided by the US are false and misleading.”

US Strikes will not deter Yemen 

Sanaa further emphasized that the US escalation would not deter Yemen from continuing its operations in support of Palestine. “

We will continue our support operations, which have been 100% successful in preventing Israeli navigation in the Red Sea,” the statement asserted.

Reaffirming Yemen’s stance, the government said it reserves the legal right to self-defense and holds Washington fully accountable for the consequences of its ongoing aggression in regional waters.

Ras Isa assault continues, as workers fight raging fires

The Ras Isa assault came amid renewed US airstrikes on the facility, with warplanes returning to bomb the site located northwest of Hodeidah city, early on Friday. According to our correspondent, at least five emergency workers were killed by the strikes while fighting the fires. The attack on Ras Isa follows a pattern of intensified US airstrikes across Yemen, targeting civilian areas and critical infrastructure in multiple provinces. While Washington claims the airstrikes are aimed at neutralizing missile launch sites, Yemeni officials and residents stress that the strikes are disproportionately affecting civilians.

Growing US airstrikes on Yemen, their impact on civilians

The escalation of US airstrikes on Yemen has drawn criticism over the impact on civilian infrastructure. While the United States asserts that the campaign targets military sites linked to missile launches, the destruction of critical infrastructure such as the Ras Isa oil port has raised alarm. This facility plays a vital role in Yemen’s energy operations, which are essential to the country’s economy.

Other strikes and raids have caused extensive damage to civilian areas, with hospitals, schools, homes, and transportation infrastructure also being affected.

The Red Sea and Yemen’s support for Palestine

Despite the growing tensions and escalating airstrikes, Yemen has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause. Sanaa’s operations in the Red Sea, which have been successful in preventing Israeli navigation, continue to be a point of pride for the Yemeni government and people. Yemen has vowed to maintain its position against Israeli actions in the region, despite mounting pressure from the US and other international actors.

The Yemeni government’s commitment to the Palestinian cause remains a cornerstone of its foreign policy, even as it faces increasing military aggression from Washington. Yemen’s refusal to yield to these pressures signals its resolve in both defending its sovereignty and continuing to support regional solidarity, particularly in the face of Israeli occupation.

Al-Qaida-linked Rebels Attack a Strategic Town in Somalia

By OMAR FARUK

12:03 PM EDT, April 16, 2025

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — The Somalia -based militant group al-Shabab on Wednesday attacked a strategic town that serves as a major base for government troops, raising new concerns about the sustainability of the fight against the al-Qaida-linked militants.

The dawn attack on Adan Yabal in Middle Shabelle region started with the launching of explosives before the militants attacked on foot on multiple fronts.

Al-Shabab in a statement claimed it captured the town. A Somali military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media said government troops controlled some areas and fighting continued.

Adan Yabal, about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of the capital, Mogadishu, came under al-Shabab control in 2016 and was retaken by government forces in December 2022.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited the town last month, underscoring its symbolic and strategic importance in the fight against the militants. “For the past two consecutive years, we have been on a winning streak. Occasional losses on the battlefield do not mean we are losing the war,” he said.

Military sources reported significant casualties on both sides Wednesday, though the exact number was unclear due to disrupted communication lines in the area. 

In a related development, government forces and an allied militia withdrew from the nearby village of Abooreey after 10 days of clashes. Local sources confirmed that al-Shabab has since captured the village.

The setbacks come amid a broader counterinsurgency campaign that began in 2022 when Somali forces, supported by clan militias and international partners, reclaimed dozens of towns and villages across Hirshabelle, Galmudug and Southwest states.

It was one of the most significant offensives against al-Shabab in more than a decade.

However, in recent months, the insurgents have regrouped and launched a series of counterattacks, regaining control over rural settlements in Middle Shabelle and Galgaduud regions. Al-Shabab also continues to operate in large parts of Lower Shabelle, Middle Juba and Bakool regions, where government presence remains limited.

The militant group has fought for more than 15 years to overthrow Somalia’s internationally backed government. It retains the capacity to launch deadly raids and bombings, including in Mogadishu. The most recent attack was on March 18 when a roadside bombing targeted the presidential motorcade.

The Somali government insists al-Shabab has been weakened.

Struggling Ivory Coast Cocoa Farmers Are Worried About US Tariff Plans

By HILAIRE ZON

1:32 AM EDT, April 17, 2025

N’GATTAKRO, Ivory Coast (AP) — Jean Mari Konan Yao says he’s struggling as a cocoa farmer in the west African nation of Ivory Coast, which produces almost half the world’s cocoa supply of the raw ingredient used in chocolate.

Like many in Ivory Coast — the world’s biggest cocoa producer — Konan Yao says cocoa has long provided a lifeline for him, but adverse weather and plant diseases have hurt harvests in recent years.

Now, cocoa farmers worry even more over President Donald Trump’s plans to impose a 21% tariff on products from Ivory Coast — the highest among West African nations.

Although Trump has suspended the tariff plans for 90 days pending further review, authorities in Ivory Coast have warned that such tariffs could send the price of cocoa even higher and destabilize the local market by slowing their sales.

Ivory Coast produces between 2 million and 2.5 million metric tons of cocoa annually, with around 200,000 to 300,000 metric tons exported to the United States, according to the Coffee and Cocoa Council.

In 2023, Ivory Coast exported $3.68 billion worth of cocoa beans, its second biggest export after gold. The U.S. was its fourth-largest importer of cocoa beans, after the Netherlands, Malaysia and Belgium, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

For most local cocoa growers, any U.S. tariff could further shake a market already struggling with decreasing yields and shrinking funding that has limited farmers’ ability to meet global demands for chocolate.

“If we hear the American president is going to put a tax on the price of cocoa, it’s really not good for us, it doesn’t help us,” said another cocoa farmer, Salif Traoré.

Already, cocoa prices were rising in the country, in part because of insufficient and irregular rainfall in Ivory Coast.

The U.K.-based Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit research firm has noted a 32% rise in the price of cocoa imported into the United Kingdom over the last three years, partially due to extreme weather conditions in parts of Africa where it’s mainly grown. Together, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon produce about three-quarters of the world’s cocoa.

Cocoa is traded on a regulated, global market. In Ivory Coast, the government usually sets cocoa prices at the onset of each season, with prices reflecting market trends and global prices. The local prices are, however, lower than the global market rates, thereby limiting the farmers’ profit from high global prices.

Authorities say they are already considering cocoa price increases if the U.S. tariff comes into effect.

“Donald Trump’s customs tax is causing us problems. We are already feeling the effects,” said Boss Diarra, coordinator of the local cocoa farmers’ union in Bouaflé in central Ivory Coast. He pointed to bags of cocoa that he said farmers have been unable to sell.

Meanwhile, a U.S. tariff could mean more cocoa for European markets, said Bruno Marcel Iritié, researcher at the Ivorian Félix Houphouët-Boigny Polytechnic Institute. Some of the top importers of Ivory Coast cocoa are in Europe, market data show.

European customers “will inevitably buy cheaper because when there is too much, the customer is king,” Iritié said.

Divisions Undermine London Talks on Ending Sudan War

By Al Mayadeen English

17 Apr 2025 22:54

Disagreements between the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia stall efforts at a London summit to find a unified path toward ending Sudan’s war, now in its second year.

A top Emirati diplomat expressed disappointment to Reuters at the failure of a UK-hosted summit this week to produce a unified strategy to end the Sudan conflict, now in its second year.

The conference in London, intended to build regional consensus, ended without a joint communique due to disagreements between the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia over Sudan’s future governance, according to diplomatic sources.

"There was a clear call from us that we needed unity around, you know, an urgent need first and foremost that Sudan should transition to an independent civilian-led government," said Lana Nusseibeh, assistant minister for political affairs at the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"And that's why ... we were very disappointed that despite the gravity of the situation and the UK's efforts, we were unable to agree on a joint communique yesterday."

Regional tensions surface over civilian-led governance

Both the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have received backing from regional players, making Arab unity critical to any resolution.

However, divisions persist. At the London summit, Sudan’s government protested the inclusion of countries it has accused of supporting the RSF, particularly the UAE.

The summit also included Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which have ties to the Sudanese army and have played roles in prior, unsuccessful peace talks.

Two Egyptian security sources said disagreements arose over whether to prioritize the establishment of a civilian-led government or to first end hostilities, leaving governance to be addressed later.

Egypt, KSA align against joint statement

One diplomat present said the disagreement was rooted in wording around state institutions. Egypt reportedly advocated for language that was seen by others, including the UAE, as legitimizing the military leadership. Saudi Arabia supported Egypt’s position.

The failure to reconcile these differences ultimately blocked the release of a unified communique, the source said, and cast doubt on the prospects of future cooperation.

Requests for comment from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry and the Saudi government communications office were not immediately returned.

Sudan accuses UAE of violating Genocide Convention in Darfur

It is worth noting that the Sudanese government informed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week that the United Arab Emirates was violating the Genocide Convention by supporting paramilitary forces in Darfur. Sudan has requested that the court issue urgent provisional measures.

According to Reuters, Sudan’s complaint to the Hague-based ICJ concerns intense ethnically-driven attacks carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in West Darfur. The UAE has dismissed the case as a "political game".

Acting Sudanese Justice Minister Muawiya Othman told the UN’s top court, "The genocide against the Masalit people is being carried out by the Rapid Support Forces, believed to be Arabs from Darfur, with the support and complicity of the United Arab Emirates."

Sudan has accused the UAE of arming the RSF amid a civil war that has dragged on for two years. Although the UAE denies these allegations, UN experts and US lawmakers have found them to be "credible."

Sudan’s acting justice minister has also called on the court to issue an order preventing the UAE from continuing acts of genocide against the Masalit.

Aid Groups Warn of Mass Starvation in Sudan as Global Support Wanes

By Al Mayadeen English

11 Apr 2025 16:52

With over 30 million people—nearly two-thirds of the population—now reliant on emergency assistance, the country is sinking deeper into famine, mass displacement, and violence.

As Sudan enters its third year of war, leading international humanitarian organizations are raising the alarm over what they describe as an unprecedented catastrophe. With over 30 million people—nearly two-thirds of the population—now reliant on emergency assistance, the country is sinking deeper into famine, mass displacement, and violence.

In a joint appeal released ahead of a high-level ministerial conference on Sudan in the United Kingdom, the heads of the Danish Refugee Council, International Rescue Committee, Norwegian Refugee Council, CARE International, and Mercy Corps called on global leaders to act without delay. Without urgent intervention, they warn, the crisis will claim countless more lives.

"The world's failure to fund humanitarian action in Sudan has now become the biggest obstacle to saving lives," the statement reads. The 2025 humanitarian response plan—estimated at $4.1 billion—has received only 10 percent of its required funding. This shortfall is forcing local organizations to shut down critical services, including mobile clinics and communal kitchens that have served as lifelines for vulnerable communities.

Conditions across Sudan continue to deteriorate. Humanitarian agencies report relentless assaults on civilians and widespread use of sexual violence. "Women and girls endure systemic sexual violence," the statement adds, calling it one of the conflict's most horrifying features.

Displacement is surging. More than 3.7 million Sudanese—mostly women and children—have fled to neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, only to face overcrowded camps and scarce resources. Aid workers caution that these fragile host states are reaching a breaking point, with regional tensions escalating and humanitarian systems stretched to the limit.

The imminent rainy season is expected to worsen access to affected communities by flooding transportation routes and cutting off humanitarian corridors. 

Despite the growing scale of the crisis, international support remains, in the words of the appeal, "too slow, too timid, and dangerously inadequate." The signatories call on the upcoming conference to mark a "turning point," urging world leaders to secure a ceasefire, guarantee safe passage for aid, and fully fund humanitarian operations.

"When funding dries up, people don't just suffer—they die," the letter warns.

The statement is signed by Charlotte Slente (Danish Refugee Council), David Miliband (International Rescue Committee), Jan Egeland (Norwegian Refugee Council), Reintje van Haeringen (CARE International), and Tjada D'Oyen McKenna (Mercy Corps). They stress that the time for promises has passed—only immediate, tangible action can prevent further catastrophe.

Humanitarian Collapse

The appeal comes amid a broader global pullback from humanitarian funding, particularly from the United States, historically the world's largest aid donor. In January, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14169, enacting a 90-day freeze on US foreign development assistance. Weeks later, his administration announced it would cancel over 90 percent of USAID's overseas contracts, slashing approximately $60 billion from Washington's global aid budget. 

The repercussions have been swift. The Norwegian Refugee Council reports that clinics and schools serving Sudanese refugees in Chad have already been shuttered due to funding gaps. The World Food Programme warns that nearly 25 million people in Sudan now face acute food insecurity, with famine confirmed in at least 11 areas. To reach 7 million people over the next six months, the WFP says it urgently needs an additional $650 million—a target far from being met.

"This catastrophic gap is forcing Sudanese local responders to shut down life-saving communal kitchens and mobile clinics," the joint appeal explains. "Yet they are the backbone of the humanitarian response, saving lives daily."

As world leaders prepare to meet in London, aid groups insist that without bold financial commitments and political resolve, the consequences will be irreversible.

"This cannot go on."

Ceasefire in Ukraine Unrealistic at This Point, Russia’s UN Envoy Says

Vasily Nebenzya noted that attempt at a limited ceasefire concerning energy infrastructure was not observed by the Ukrainian side

UNITED NATIONS, April 18. /TASS/. A ceasefire in Ukraine is unrealistic at this point, as Kiev fails to honor the moratorium on striking energy infrastructure, said Russia's envoy to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya.

"We had an attempt at a limited ceasefire concerning energy infrastructure, which was not observed by the Ukrainian side. Under these circumstances, it is simply unrealistic to talk about a ceasefire at this point," he told reporters.

On March 18, US President Donald Trump put forward a proposal for the sides of the conflict to refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed and immediately gave the Russian military the appropriate command. Vladimir Zelensky later said Ukraine would also support the proposal.

However, Ukraine attacked Russian energy sites from March 18 to April 16 in 15 regions. They are the Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Zaporozhye, Kursk, Lipetsk, Rostov, Saratov, Smolensk, Tambov, Krasnodar and Kherson regions, Crimea, and the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics. The strikes were carried out with drones and various artillery capabilities, including the HIMARS. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Kiev has not actually observed the moratorium, and attempts to attack the Russian energy sector continue.

Russia Says Requests Closed UN Security Council Session on Energy Strikes Moratorium

First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky reiterated that the moratorium had been faithfully observed by the Russian side

© AP Photo/ Bebeto Matthews

UN, April 17. /TASS/. Russia has requested closed-door consultations of the UN Security Council on a moratorium on strikes on energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine for April 17, Dmitry Polyansky, First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, said.

"We have requested closed consultations of the UN Security Council (which do not allow the presence of Ukraine) for today, April 17, to discuss the results of the 30-day moratorium on strikes on the energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine, proposed on March 18 by US President Donald Trump and faithfully observed by the Russian side," Polyansky wrote on his Telegram channel.

"They will begin approximately at 4:30 p.m. New York time (11:30 p.m. Moscow time). A media approach is scheduled after that."

On March 18, US President Donald Trump put forward a proposal stipulating that the parties to the conflict refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed and immediately gave the Russian military the appropriate command. Later Vladimir Zelensky said that Ukraine would support the proposal to stop attacks on energy facilities.

However, the Ukrainian army attacked Russian energy facilities from March 18 to April 16 in 15 regions. The Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Zaporozhye, Kursk, Lipetsk, Rostov, Saratov, Smolensk, Tambov, Kherson Regions, Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics, Krasnodar Region were shelled. The strikes were carried out using the UAVs and FPV drones, as well as various artillery, including the HIMARS MLRS. Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Kiev has not actually observed the moratorium since March 18, and attempts to attack the Russian energy sector are continuing.

Russia Suspends Taliban Ban Following Court Ruling

The court session was held behind closed doors

© Haroon Sabawoon/ Anadolu via Reuters Connect

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. The Russian Supreme Court has granted an administrative claim filed by the Prosecutor General’s Office to suspend the ban on the Taliban movement’s activities in Russia, a TASS correspondent reports from the courtroom.

"By decision of the Russian Supreme Court, the previously established ban on the activities of the Taliban movement, included in the unified federal list of organizations recognized as terrorist, is suspended," the judge announced.

The session was held behind closed doors. The ruling marks the first application of a legal provision that came into force in December 2024, which permits the temporary suspension of prohibitions on designated terrorist organizations. The decision takes effect immediately.

In late December, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law enabling the temporary suspension of bans on organizations listed as terrorist. Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, stated that this new condition would allow Russia to engage in legal cooperation with the Taliban.

According to the law, a suspension may be granted by court decision upon a request from the Prosecutor General or a deputy, provided there is evidence that the group has ceased terrorist activity, propaganda, justification, support of terrorism, or related criminal offenses. A copy of the ruling must be sent to the Federal Security Service within five days for updating the list of terrorist organizations.

The press service of the Prosecutor General’s Office noted that the legal basis for the appeal was grounded in the amendments made last December to the Russian Code of Administrative Judicial Procedure and the federal law On Countering Terrorism. "They allow suspension of a terrorist organization’s ban if it ceases activities aimed at propaganda, justification, support of terrorism, or committing crimes of terrorist orientation against Russia’s interests. Based on information provided by competent authorities, the court found that these conditions were met and ruled the claim valid. The decision shall be enforced immediately," the supervisory authority said.

Russian Troops Liberate Preobrazhenka Community in Donetsk Region Over Past Day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 240 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

© Alexey Konovalov/TASS

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Russian troops liberated the community of Preobrazhenka in the Donetsk region over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Thursday.

"Battlegroup Center units liberated the settlement of Preobrazhenka in the Donetsk People’s Republic through active operations. They inflicted losses on formations of three mechanized brigades, an assault brigade, an unmanned systems brigade of the Ukrainian army and two National Guard brigades in areas near the settlements of Ulyanovka, Uspenovka, Krasnoarmeysk, Novoekonomicheskoye and Mirolyubovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said in a statement.

The Ukrainian army lost more than 385 personnel, three armored combat vehicles, six motor vehicles and five field artillery guns in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicts 65 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 65 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and two ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"In the Belgorod direction, Battlegroup North units inflicted losses on formations of two mechanized brigades, an air assault brigade of the Ukrainian army and three territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Miropolskoye, Prokhody, Ryasnoye and Novodmitrovka in the Sumy Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 65 personnel, a tank, three armored combat vehicles, two motor vehicles and six field artillery guns in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed two ammunition depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicts 240 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 240 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup West units gained better lines and positions and inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of two mechanized brigades and an assault brigade of the Ukrainian army in areas near the settlements of Yampol in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Olgovka and Borovaya in the Kharkov Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 240 personnel, a tank, three armored combat vehicles, five motor vehicles, three field artillery guns and a Kvertus electronic warfare station in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed three ammunition depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicts 320 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 320 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup South units improved their tactical position and inflicted losses on massed manpower and equipment of four mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army, a territorial defense brigade and a National Guard brigade in areas near the settlements of Katerinovka, Poltavka, Seversk and Yablonovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 320 personnel, five armored combat vehicles, seven motor vehicles and six field artillery guns in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed six ammunition depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicts 130 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 130 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy jamming stations in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup East units kept moving deep into the enemy’s defenses and inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of two mechanized brigades and an air assault brigade of the Ukrainian army in areas near the settlements of Karla Marksa, Zelyonoye Pole, Zelyony Kut and Shevchenko in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 130 personnel, an armored combat vehicle, two motor vehicles, two field artillery guns and two electronic warfare stations in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr inflicts over 90 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr inflicted more than 90 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup Dnepr units inflicted losses on formations of two mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Novodanilovka and Kamenskoye in the Zaporozhye Region, Tomarino and Nikolskoye in the Kherson Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost more than 90 personnel, nine motor vehicles, an artillery gun and an electronic warfare station in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed three ammunition depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfield, UAV production facility in past day

Russian forces struck a Ukrainian military airfield and an enterprise producing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Operational/tactical aircraft, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groups of forces struck the infrastructure of a military airfield, an UAV production enterprise, a warehouse of uncrewed boats and temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 143 areas," the ministry said.

Russian air defenses destroy 204 Ukrainian UAVs, five JDAM smart bombs in past day

Russian air defense forces shot down 204 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and five US-made JDAM smart bombs over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Air defense capabilities destroyed five JDAM guided aerial bombs and three rockets of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system of US manufacture, and also 204 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said.

Overall, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 661 Ukrainian warplanes, 283 helicopters, 52,293 unmanned aerial vehicles, 601 surface-to-air missile systems, 22,876 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,536 multiple rocket launchers, 23,741 field artillery guns and mortars and 34,203 special military motor vehicles since the start of the special military operation, the ministry reported.

'Coalition of Willing’ Gone Mad, Strike on Sumy: Russian MFA Spokeswoman Holds Briefing

Vladimir Zelensky is "certainly" responsible for the unintended consequences of the Russian Armed Forces' attack on the venue where a Ukrainian command staff meeting was being held in Sumy, the Russian diplomat stated

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Russian Foreign Ministry/TASS

© Russian Foreign Ministry/TASS

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Vladimir Zelensky bears the responsibility for the collateral damage that occurred as a result of Russia’s strike on Sumy, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.

She also called France and Britain's plan to station a "multinational peacekeeping contingent" in Ukraine insane.

TASS has compiled her main statements.

On Sumy strike

Vladimir Zelensky is "certainly" responsible for the unintended consequences of the Russian Armed Forces' attack on the venue where a Ukrainian command staff meeting was being held in Sumy. "Faced with the facts, Zelensky had to dismiss the head of the Sumy military administration [Vladimir] Artyukh. In fact, he thus confirmed the charges against him."

"Coalition of the willing" loses its marbles

The "coalition of the willing’s" plan to send a "multinational peacekeeping contingent" to Ukraine is "insane."

Despite their efforts, France and the United Kingdom "cannot unify support" for this plan.

Most of the members of the "coalition" see such a military intervention as unfeasible without US backing: "Judging by the current discussions, Washington still has no intention of becoming involved in such an adventure. It seems to be realistically assessing where all this could lead."

On weapons supplies to Kiev

When discussing the next arms package to Ukraine, Europe feels "increasingly detached from the United States" in this matter, while the United Kingdom and Germany are taking an active role in the process.

On moratorium on strikes on energy facilities

Russia has again recorded Ukraine's non-compliance with the moratorium on strikes on energy facilities: "The Ukrainian military conducts drone strikes on the infrastructure of the Russian fuel and energy sector literally every day. Since the so-called energy truce was declared, over 80 such attacks by the Kiev regime have been documented."

Transformers, electrical substations and gas infrastructure were targeted in the Ukrainian attacks: "We have already sent all this data to international organizations and the US side. And we will continue to do so."

On Kiev’s crimes

Russia has evidence of Kiev's atrocities in the Kursk Region, and the information discovered is "not for the faint of heart."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, his numerous assistants, envoys and special representatives, as well as relevant international organizations are "not fulfilling their mandate well": "Where are your statements, your concerns, your press releases, your words of sympathy at least at briefings and press conferences, where are the specialized briefings or interviews on this subject? There is none of this."

On the detention of Gagauzia head

The Moldovan authorities are "actively attempting to dismantle" Gagauzia's autonomy. Its head Evghenia Gutsul was detained "under an obviously far-fetched pretext."

Russia "strongly condemns the totalitarian methods of the Moldovan authorities that are being applied to Gagauzia and call on specialized international structures to pay attention to the blatant violation of human and national minority rights and to force Chisinau to stop strangling the Gagauz people."

On Estonia’s actions

Russia will respond proportionately if Estonia, a NATO member, attacks Russian ships in the Baltic Sea.

Russia strongly condemns such "pirate-like behavior," arguing that the powers now granted to the Estonian Navy exceed the bounds of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Zimbabwe White Farmers’ Group Rejects Compensation Deal for Past Land Seizures

By Farai Mutsaka

10:47 AM EDT, April 16, 2025

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A group representing many of the white farmers whose land was seized during Zimbabwe’s land reforms over two decades ago has rejected a compensation deal and said it wants to reopen negotiations with the government.

The group has criticized the compensation that some farmers have accepted as “token” amounts.

There was little sign Wednesday that the government of the southern African nation would reopen talks. It has said the compensation deal represents closure.

About 4,000 white farmers lost their homes and swaths of land when the Black-majority country’s then-president, Robert Mugabe, launched the redistribution program in 2000. Mugabe pointed to the need to address colonial-era land inequities after the southern African nation gained independence from white minority rule in 1980.

Zimbabwe’s finance minister, Mthuli Ncube, last week announced that the government had started paying compensation to white farmers who lost land and property during the reforms. He said the government had approved the disbursement of $3.1 million, equivalent to 1% of the total compensation claim of $311 million.

According to the deal, the farmers would receive 1% of their claim in cash, with the balance settled through the issuance of treasury bonds over 10 years.

A first batch of 378 farmers has already been paid out of 740 farms approved for compensation, a move confirmed by Andrew Pascoe, who represents the beneficiary farmers. He said they were “extremely grateful.”

The dissenting group representing nearly half of the 4,000 commercial farmers asserted that those accepting the payments were doing so out of desperation.

“The limited number of farmers who have accepted the government’s revised deal have generally done so because they are destitute and require urgent funds for food, accommodation and healthcare,” representative Deon Theron said.

He called the government compensation “a tiny fraction” of the $3.5 billion to be paid in cash over five years that was agreed under a deal between white farmers and President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2020.

The compensation deal is part of conditions of a debt resolution and international re-engagement strategy by Zimbabwe after years of sanctions and isolation by the United States and other Western countries over alleged rights abuses against perceived critics of the government.

A few thousand farmers had owned most of Zimbabwe’s prime farmland before the land reform, which saw about 300,000 Black families resettled on the acquired land, according to government figures.

Theron said most of the white farmers are now in their 70s and 80s and are unlikely to benefit from the issuance of the treasury bills.

“They are going to their graves without receiving any compensation. They need cash, and it has to be paid while they are still alive,” he said.

He added, however, his group would not take legal action. He said efforts by his group to meet government officials have been unsuccessful.

Land ownership is an emotive topic in Zimbabwe and neighboring countries such as Namibia and South Africa, a result of colonial land conquests that dispossessed local Blacks.

In South Africa, a new land expropriation law has attracted criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who views it as a rights violation against a white minority who owned huge swaths of land. South Africa has rejected Trump’s claims.

World Trade Organization Says Global Trade Could Slide This Year Due to Tariffs

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, predicts global trade will decline.

By Africa News

The World Trade Organization says the volume of trade in goods worldwide is likely to decrease by 0.2% this year due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s shifting tariff policies and a standoff with China, but it would take a more severe hit if Trump carries through on his toughest “reciprocal” tariffs.

The decline in trade will be particularly steep in North America even without the stiffest tariffs, the global trade forum said Wednesday, with exports there this year expected to fall by 12.6% and imports by 9.6%.

The WTO based its report on the tariff situation as of Monday. Initially, 2025 and 2026 were expected to have continued expansion of world trade, but Trump’s trade war forced WTO economists to substantially downgrade their forecast, the forum said.

Trade in goods worldwide would slump by 1.5% if Trump follows through on his stiffest tariffs on most nations, due to the uncertainty unsettling businesses.

Trump suspended the toughest set of tariffs for 90 days earlier this month so more than 70 countries have a chance to address U.S. trade concerns. Meanwhile, he is increasing taxes on Chinese imports to 145% and engaging in a lengthy back and forth with Canada and Mexico about tariffs on their goods.

Despite the 90-day pause, “the enduring uncertainty threatens to act as a brake on global growth, with severe negative consequences for the world, the most vulnerable economies in particular,” WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in a statement.

“Our simulations show that trade policy uncertainty has a significant dampening effect on trade flows, reducing exports and weakening economic activity,” WTO chief economist Ralph Ossa said in the statement. “Moreover, tariffs are a policy lever with wide-ranging and often unintended consequences. In a world of growing trade tensions, a clear-eyed view of those trade-offs is more important than ever."

Senegal MP Proposes High Treason Charges Against Former President Macky Sall

If accepted by the National Assembly, this could lead to an unprecedented legal case in Senegal’s democratic history

By Agencies

A Senegalese lawmaker has formally proposed the indictment of former President Macky Sall for high treason.

The move follows revelations from the Court of Auditors alleging serious financial misconduct during Sall’s presidency between 2019 and 2023. The report points to forged documents, embezzlement, money laundering, and illicit enrichment.

While current Justice Minister Ousmane Diagne confirmed that only financial crimes are under investigation for now, he did not rule out future high treason charges if sufficient evidence arises.

Under Senegal’s Constitution, a former president can only be prosecuted for high treason, which requires parliamentary approval and a trial before the High Court of Justice.

This proposal echoes earlier demands from civil society and opposition groups who have long called for accountability. If accepted by the National Assembly, this could lead to an unprecedented legal case in Senegal’s democratic history.

Sudan Rapid Support Forces Leader Announces Rival Government

By Africa News

The commander of the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group fighting the Sudanese government armed forces for two years, has declared that he would establish an alternative government, two years after war broke out in Sudan in April 2023.

“On this anniversary, we proudly declare the establishment of the Government of Peace and Unity,” Dagalo said in a recorded speech, adding that other groups have joined the RSF-led administration, including a faction of the Sudan’s Liberation Movement, which controls parts of Kordofan region.

The RSF government will rule over parts of the country, including the western Darfur region where the United Nations says recent attacks by the group have killed over 400 people.

Sudan was plunged into chaos on April 15, 2023 when simmering tensions between the military and the RSF exploded into open warfare across the country.

Since then, at least 24,000 people have been killed, though the number is likely far higher. The war has driven about 13 million people from their homes, including 4 million who have crossed into neighboring countries, and pushed parts of the country into famine.

The fighting has been marked by atrocities including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially in Darfur, according to the U.N. and international rights groups.

Dagalo’s announcement has come a few days after his forces and allied militias rampaged through two famine-hit camps, which shelter some 700,000 Sudanese who fled their homes, in North Darfur province.

The multi-day attack on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps killed more than 400 people, including 12 aid workers and dozens of children, the U.N. humanitarian office said, citing local sources.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday the attack forced up to 400,000 people to flee the Zamzam camp in recent days.

He said the camp has become inaccessible after the RSF and its allied militias took control of it, “restricting the movement of those remaining, especially young people.”

Two Years Into War, Sudan Faces a Humanitarian Crisis of Massive Proportions

Soldiers arrive to the Allafah market, in an area recently recaptured by Sudan's army from the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, in the Al Kalalah district, south of K

By Agencies

As Sudan marks two years since the outbreak of civil war, humanitarian agencies are warning of the immense and growing needs faced by the country’s population, particularly in its devastated capital, Khartoum.

UNICEF’s Representative to Sudan, Sheldon Yett, described a deeply alarming situation as limited humanitarian aid begins to trickle into newly accessible areas. “It is getting through but not enough, and the needs remain massive,” Yett said in a recent video call with The Associated Press. “As Khartoum opens up, I shudder to think about what we're going to see and how great the needs are.”

Khartoum, once a bustling metropolis, now lies in ruins—one of the epicenters of the conflict that erupted on April 15, 2023. The war, sparked by a violent power struggle between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has left at least 20,000 people dead, though real figures are believed to be significantly higher.

Despite the Sudanese military's recent recapture of Khartoum—an important symbolic victory—the return to normalcy remains elusive. The RSF retains control over vast swaths of territory, particularly in Darfur, where the U.N. reported more than 300 civilian deaths just last weekend in a fresh wave of violence.

“People don't know what's going to happen next,” Yett noted. “They're hearing that things are going back to normal, but they’re scared. They know about the destruction. Some have heard about unexploded bombs still in the city, which puts them at serious risk.”

Services in Khartoum are only beginning to resume, and from what Yett calls “a very low base.” Much of the city’s public health infrastructure has been destroyed, leaving families concerned not just about security, but also about their livelihoods and the wellbeing of their children.

“Unless children are able to access public health institutions, medical institutions, I'm afraid it's only going to get worse,” Yett warned.

The broader picture remains dire. According to the World Food Programme, nearly 25 million people—half of Sudan’s population—are now facing extreme hunger. More than three million have been forced to flee the country, seeking refuge in neighboring nations like Chad and Egypt.

With both warring parties accused of committing war crimes, and civilian casualties continuing to mount, the call for increased humanitarian assistance and a durable political solution is more urgent than ever.

Ecuador: the Neocolonial Right Remains in Power

The Ecuadorian people remain mostly in the streets in support of Luisa Gonzalez's claim of non-recognition of the figures released by the president of the Electoral Council, Diana Atamaint

Author: Mariley García Quintana | internet@granma.cu

april 14, 2025 11:04:59

Nearly 13 million Ecuadorians were called to exercise their democratic right. Photo: AP

After a second round of elections this April 13, Ecuador reaffirmed the right-wing character of its immediate future with the reelection of banana businessman Daniel Noboa, in a presidential election marked by the extreme polarization that describes the country, in an electoral panorama catalogued in many media as “an image that threatens democracy”.

Reflected in the fierce confrontation between its two main political forces: the Movimiento Revolución Ciudadana party, and the Acción Democrática Nacional party, the terrible fragmentation that the nation is experiencing reached its peak in the last hours. The leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez publicly denounced attempts against her and her family's safety, in addition to the state of siege declared by Noboa in several cities and provinces, seven of which represent the bulk of votes in favor of the left, in what many consider a “dictatorship scenario”, according to Telesur.

In that sense, the representative of the Citizen Revolution Movement emphasized in her first statements that Ecuador “faces the worst and most grotesque electoral fraud in history”, and that she will ask for a recount of votes. However, the candidate would have to demonstrate in a concrete manner that there were influential events on the results, which, at the closing of the count of 85.01% of the ballots, gave Noboa as the winner, with 55.95% of the votes, over the 44.05% of Gonzalez herself.

In order to avoid this second round, last February 9, it was necessary for a candidate to obtain more than 50% of the votes or ten points of advantage over his closest rival, something that did happen this Sunday to maintain the National Democratic Action party in power, despite the fact that more than a dozen pollsters, including some Noboa's supporters, had been giving his level as the favorite in the last months.

In the midst of this complex panorama, the truth is that the Ecuadorian people remain in the streets mostly, in support of Luisa Gonzalez's claim of non-recognition of the figures released by the president of the Electoral Council, Diana Atamaint.

Several political and popular organizations are already labeling the event as an “electoral coup”, in a Latin American and Caribbean context marked, in addition, by the supremacist brutalism of Donald Trump and his inevitable influence in our geographical area, where right-wing colonialism is reborn by the hand of obedient subordinates to the White House.

In this contest at the polls, close to 13 million Ecuadorians were called to exercise their democratic right, in an electoral system that considers the exercise of the vote practically mandatory for citizens between 18 and 65 years of age.

Based on these results, made public after nearly 90 % of voter turnout, the new National Assembly is also expected to be dominated by both political blocs, which, from now on, foreshadows the struggle between powers, which could even hinder the approval of official legislation in favor or against a certain sector of the population.

In a reality conditioned by the coexistence or survival, with another four years of financial oligarchy under Noboa's wing, beyond figures, the truth is that the Ecuadorian citizenship marches on the edge of a clear border established between one political tendency and another, in a radicalized context and without apparent or probable points of concord or agreement. This only generates greater divisions within the population itself.

Socialism, the Only Alternative in the Face of Danger

April 16, 1961 is also recognized as the founding date of the Communist Party of Cuba

Author: Jorge Ernesto Angulo Leiva | internet@granma.cu

april 16, 2025 08:04:00

Fidel's words on that April 16 and the days that followed remind us of those who wish to sow death and those who bet on the future. Photo: Raúl Corrales

The most accurate way to remember the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution is to reaffirm it every second, beyond the dates marked.

The articles of the Magna Carta dedicated to the irreversibility of that choice for our destiny are not enough as a guarantee; only men can enlarge this collective work. Nevertheless, celebrating the path chosen to face the future, 64 years later, speaks to us of resistance, despite the storms.

Under the threat of an armed storm, on the morning of April 16, 1961, Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz deepened the boldness of the Revolution when he publicly linked it to socialism.

Thousands of militiamen raised their rifles as a sign of approval of his words and ready for a new combat. From the corner of 23rd and 12th, in Havana's Vedado district, they could observe the ocean from a few meters away and imagine how the mercenaries were advancing through its waters, with the mission of invading the Island.

At dawn on the 15th, three formations of U.S. planes bombed important points of the Cuban air defense, without warning of war and with the perfidious strategy of carrying insignia of the attacked aviation.

They tried to diminish the capacity to respond to the imminent invasion and to evade their responsibility, behind the appearance of an internal uprising. The Puma, Linda and Gorilla squadrons attacked Ciudad Libertad, San Antonio de los Baños and Santiago de Cuba.

In Ciudad Libertad 53 people were wounded and seven died, including the artilleryman Eduardo Delgado, who expressed with his blood the decision of the people: to follow “Fidel” to the last consequences. The victims were buried after the transcendental declaration that marked the course of the Homeland.

In the midst of the greatest dangers, those present listened and supported the determination that “for this Revolution we are ready to give our lives”. Just a few hours later, the pages of heroism was demonstrated at Playa Giron.      

Like any human achievement, Cuban socialism is not a perfect work, but Fidel's words on that April 16 and the days that followed remind us of those who wish to sow death and those who bet on the future.

China Rejects U.S. Statements on Its Relations with Latin America

China has rejected statements by U.S. officials on relations with Latin America. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that relations with the region are based on mutual cooperation, rejecting geopolitical calculations

Author: Yesey Pérez López | internet@granma.cu

april 15, 2025 07:04:45

Photo: Internet

Beijing-The Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected statements by U.S. officials on the Asian giant's relations with Latin America.

“There is not a single word of truth in them,” a spokesman emphasized, in response to U.S. statements, made recently in Panama and El Salvador, referring to alleged advantages and unequal exchanges in China-Latin America ties.

The spokesman stressed that ties with the region are based on the principles of South-South cooperation, with a view to seeking mutual support, and without being governed by geopolitical calculations.

“Who sees Latin America and the Caribbean as a backyard and imposes a new Monroe Doctrine on them? Who has been coercing them with tariff threats? Who has military bases all over the Western Hemisphere?” the spokesman asked, adding that the world knows the answers to these questions.

He asserted that these are positions “steeped in ideological bias and Cold War mentality.” “The United States continues to defame China and spread the alleged threat to invent a pretext to justify its actions to control Latin American nations, but it will never succeed,” he emphasized.

Last week, President Xi Jinping wished Latin American countries greater development achievements and affirmed that relations with the region “have withstood the test of international turbulence”. He also referred to the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-Celac Forum, which will take place in Beijing in the first half of 2025.

Cuba and Russia Deepen Economic, Commercial, Financial, Investment and Cooperation Relations

Cuba and Russia agreed on the excellent state of political and diplomatic relations, as well as on the interest to continue deepening economic, commercial, financial, investment and cooperation relations

Author: International Editor | internet@granma.cu

april 15, 2025 07:04:05

Cuba and Russia strengthen cooperation relations on multiple fronts, with a focus on economic development, sectoral cooperation and mutual support in international forums. Photo: @CubaMINREX

Cuba and Russia agreed on the excellent state of political and diplomatic relations, as well as on the interest to continue deepening economic, commercial, financial, investment and cooperation relations.

This was reported in Moscow, venue of the Inter-Chancellery Political Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two nations.

According to Prensa Latina, the meeting was chaired by the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gerardo Peñalver, while for the host country it was headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Riabkov.

The meeting addressed issues on the regional and international agenda and highlighted the solid cooperation between Cuba and Russia, based on 65 years of uninterrupted bilateral ties.

Peñalver thanked Russia for its traditional support in favor of the resolution in the United Nations General Assembly against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba; as well as its rejection of Cuba's reinsertion in the spurious List of Sponsors of Terrorism.

Riyabkov ratified Russia's support for Cuba in its struggle against the U.S. blockade.

He also expressed his gratitude for the presence of the Caribbean country at the meeting of national coordinators of the Group of Friends in Defense of the United Nations Charter, which began yesterday in the Russian capital.

Both parties also reiterated their willingness to continue developing bilateral relations in various spheres of common interest, based on the broad potentialities identified.

Abby Phillip Makes Trinidad and Tobago Proud at 23rd Eric Williams Memorial Lecture

 MIAMI, FL. (April 15, 2025) — To a crowd of about 250 attendees, both in-person and online, the 23rd Eric E. Williams Memorial Lecture at The University of Texas, Austin, hosted CNNs celebrated Abby Phillip, of Trinidad and Tobago heritage. 

“Journalism in Challenging Times” ably displayed Phillip’s masterful navigation of her craft, and emphasized particularly the need to not only have all voices heard, especially those with whom we are at odds, but also to focus on the facts, where too much of social media today traffics in the alternative. 

Media Contact: 

Erica Williams Connell 

305-905-9999 

ewmc@ewmc.tt.org 

Wading into what she deemed as the obligation to “tell our story” with courage and clarity, Phillip drew parallels to Eric Williams’ fearless condemnation of the status quo during his hugely popular “University” of Woodford Square speeches in the 1950s, where Williams endeavored to teach the Trinidad and Tobago populace, most of whom had only had a primary school education, “what one French writer of the 18th century saw as the greatest danger, that they have a mind!” 

Abby talked about partially growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, and of how Williams’ policies with regard to free secondary and tertiary education made both her parents and, by extension, their children believe anything was possible, that there were few constraints on an individual’s desire to achieve.  

With respect to the ofttimes heated discussions on her program in these deeply polarized times, she said she often feels like a school teacher having to admonish unruly children.  Ground rules are imposed before hand and she does not hesitate to intervene with “Stop talking”, when people interrupt and speak over each other.  As a journalist, and in order to navigate the inevitable political partisanship, Phillip affirms her responsibility to be informed on both sides of an argument, and to demonstrate that even parties who disagree vehemently can still participate in dialogue.  In fact, she marveled at how, after a contentious program, guests can leave the studio conversing about their children, grandchildren or other innocuous matters. 

The Lecture was followed by a lively and probing Q&A session that touched on, among other topics, media technology changes and the urgency for legacy media/cable news to keep up with it. She bemoaned the lagging of the news media to adapt rapidly to the way in which the young consume information today.  

She added that she has been mastering TikTok and, at the same time, thinking about how reliable news can reach Gen Z. 

The final question was asked by Eric Williams’ 15-year-old granddaughter who wanted to know how she could use social media to improve her community. Abby stressed that it was vital for her peers to become politically engaged and aware, and encouraged her first to always seek truth, check for relevant information and dependable sources, and to think before posting.  

After 19 consecutive years at Florida International University (FIU), the Eric Williams Memorial Lecture, in its new home at the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies at the University of Texas, Austin (UT), honors the distinguished Caribbean statesman, consummate academic, internationally-celebrated historian, and author of several books.  His 1944 trailblazing study Capitalism and Slavery, popularly referred to as The Williams Thesis, arguably re-framed the historiography of the British Transatlantic Slave Trade and established the contribution of Caribbean slavery to the development of both Britain and America. “Capitalism and Slavery [is] a ‘landmark’…but it would be even more correct to think of it as the progenitor of almost all of the questions, problems, arguments and interpretations that have come to inform the study of slavery, abolition and emancipation in the British Empire.” 

(Christopher L. Brown, London Review of Books, December 2023).  The book has been translated into nine languages, including Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Turkish and Korean. The tenth and eleventh, Dutch and German, are in process. In 2022, almost 80 years after it was first published in the US, the book registered at #5 on the UK Sunday Times Bestseller List (non-fiction). Eric Williams was also the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Head of Government for a quarter of a century until his death in 1981. He led the country to Independence from Britain in 1962 and onto Republican status in 1976.  

Among prior Eric Williams Memorial Lecture speakers have been:  the late John Hope Franklin, one of America’s premier historians of the African-American experience; Kenneth Kaunda, President of the Republic of Zambia; Cynthia Pratt, Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas; Mia Mottley, Attorney General of Barbados; Beverly Anderson-Manley, former First Lady of Jamaica; Portia Simpson Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica; Hon. Kenny Anthony, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia; Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and The Grenadines; and Dr. Angela Davis, renowned for her ongoing work to combat all forms of oppression in the U.S. and abroad. 

The Lecture, which seeks to provide an intellectual forum for the examination of pertinent issues in Caribbean and African Diaspora history and politics, is co-sponsored in part by UT’s: LILLAS Caribbean Studies Initiative; School of Journalism and Media; Center for Global Change and Media; Dr. & Mrs. Leroy Lashley; and Jerry Nagee. It is also supported by The Eric Williams Memorial Collection Research Library, Archives & Museum at the University of the West Indies (UWI, Trinidad and Tobago), which was inaugurated by former US Secretary of State, Colin L. Powell in 1998.  It was named to UNESCO’s prestigious Memory of the World Register in 1999. 

Post-Lecture viewing, as well as all prior Lectures, 2021 digital launch videos and an online exhibition of the Eric Williams Memorial Collection Museum at UWI are available at: Eric Williams Memorial Lecture | John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies | Liberal Arts | UT - Austin

Trump's Tariff Moves Threaten African Economies, AfDB Warns

By Al Mayadeen English

11 Apr 2025 22:19

In South Africa, a 30% duty on citrus exports has alarmed agricultural groups.

The head of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has issued a stark warning about the devastating ripple effects of the United States' new tariff regime, saying the measures threaten to destabilize African economies already grappling with mounting debt, sluggish growth, and shrinking foreign aid.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday, AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina criticized the trade actions spearheaded by President Donald Trump, particularly the sweeping levies on Chinese imports. While a blanket 10% tariff now applies globally, African nations face the prospect of even steeper duties—part of a broader protectionist shift that has upended long-standing global trade norms.

According to Adesina, 47 African countries are directly at risk. "Inflation will increase as costs of imported goods rise and currencies devalue against the US dollar," he said during a speech at Nigeria's National Open University. He further warned that the burden of external debt will intensify under these conditions: "The cost of servicing debt as a share of government revenue will rise, as expected revenues decline."

The fallout is already tangible in several African countries. In Lesotho, for instance, a 50% tariff on garment exports has jeopardized the future of the textile industry, which employs tens of thousands and constitutes a major share of the national economy. Workers have expressed fears over mass layoffs and factory closures, with many saying they have no alternative means of livelihood.

In South Africa, a 30% duty on citrus exports has alarmed agricultural groups. Farmers warn the sector, central to employment in rural areas, could suffer long-term damage if access to the US market is curtailed. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast has threatened to raise cocoa prices in retaliation for a 21% tariff on its exports, signaling broader tensions between African economies and Washington.

Adesina also noted that beyond trade disruption, the broader global instability will exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. "Europe and Asia will buy fewer goods from Africa," he warned, as countries turn inward or prioritize more stable trade partners in response to market volatility.

The tariffs come at a particularly sensitive time for Africa, as the continent faces a decline in development assistance. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provided duty-free access to the US market for years, is now in jeopardy ahead of its scheduled expiration in 2025, leaving many African nations in a precarious position.

The AfDB president noted the potential for long-term damage, not just in economic terms but also with regard to migration and social stability. As aid shrinks and job prospects dwindle, migration pressures are expected to intensify, particularly among youth seeking opportunities abroad.

In response, some African leaders are calling for accelerated efforts to diversify trade through regional mechanisms like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), hoping to reduce reliance on US and European markets.

UN Humanitarian Agency to Cut 20% of Workforce Amid Funding Crisis

By Al Mayadeen English

12 Apr 2025 13:15

As part of the cost-cutting measures, OCHA will scale back or withdraw operations in Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, and Zimbabwe.

The United Nations’ emergency and disaster response agency, OCHA, announced on Friday that it will reduce its global workforce by 20% and scale back operations in nine countries due to a severe funding crisis and growing global needs.

This comes as humanitarian organizations from across the world have been reeling since Donald Trump returned as president in January and abruptly halted most US foreign assistance money.

In a letter shared on the agency's website, OCHA head Tom Fletcher described the cuts as “brutal", caused by a nearly $60 million funding gap for 2025, alongside rising humanitarian demands.

As part of the cost-cutting measures, OCHA will scale back or withdraw operations in Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, and Zimbabwe while focusing on "dynamic and full responses" in the locations where it continues to operate.

Approximately 500 staff members from OCHA’s 2,600-strong workforce across more than 60 countries will be laid off. The agency has already implemented austerity measures, including a hiring freeze and travel restrictions, saving $3.7 million, according to Najwa Mekki, OCHA's communications director.

Fletcher emphasized that the cuts stem from financial constraints, not a reduction in humanitarian needs. “The humanitarian community was already underfunded, overstretched and literally, under attack. Now, we face a wave of brutal cuts,” he wrote, stressing that these measures are necessary to sustain operations.

The agency plans to adopt a "lighter, faster" model, focusing on crisis response, sector reform, and humanitarian leadership. These changes align with the UN’s broader “Humanitarian Reset” — a 10-point plan adopted in February — and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ UN80 reform initiative.

While OCHA justifies the cuts as essential for sustainability, aid groups have expressed concern over reduced capacity in crisis zones. An official with Iraq’s Al Amal Association warned that OCHA’s cuts could severely impact humanitarian efforts in Iraq and that the organization could also face staff layoffs without OCHA's support.

Fletcher defended the restructuring, stating that OCHA must focus on coordinating efforts rather than replicating them. “We believe passionately in what we do,” he wrote, “but we cannot continue to do it all.”

More women are at risk of dying from pregnancy and childbirth complications due to aid cuts from wealthy nations, which could have “pandemic-like effects,” UN agencies warned last week.

A new UN report on maternal mortality trends found that pregnant women in war zones face an “alarmingly high” risk—five times greater than in other areas. Globally, maternal deaths fell by 40% between 2000 and 2023, but progress has slowed since 2016. In 2023 alone, an estimated 260,000 women died from pregnancy-related causes.

The authors of the report warned of a “threat of major backsliding” amid growing challenges. This year’s US aid cuts have already led to clinic closures, job losses among health workers, and disrupted supply chains for essential medicines treating hemorrhage, pre-eclampsia, and malaria, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The report, which was partly funded by the US, also noted that maternal deaths rose by 40,000 in 2021 due to COVID-19, likely due to virus complications and healthcare disruptions.

Dr. Bruce Aylward, WHO assistant director general, said that the Covid-related rise in deaths offers insight into the consequences of current funding cuts. “With Covid, we saw an acute shock to the system, and what’s happening with financing is an acute shock.”

“Countries have not had time to plan for alternative financing or staffing,” he said. “The shock to services would lead to ‘pandemic-like effects,’” he warned, adding that without intervention, “you could have a shift backwards.”

Changes to US foreign aid structure

The reduction in US aid is part of a broader change in American foreign policy under the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk. This new department has overseen major cuts to the US Agency for International Development, the main agency responsible for American foreign aid. These cuts have had serious consequences, especially for countries like South Sudan that depend heavily on international support.

By mid-August, the State Department is expected to take over the remaining duties of USAID. This transition has sparked concern about the future of US foreign aid—particularly in crisis-prone regions like South Sudan, where American funding has been crucial for health and humanitarian efforts.

The restructuring has created uncertainty about how effective future aid programs will be. As funding is reduced or shifted, many nonprofits and local agencies are struggling to fill the gaps left behind. This policy shift is likely to have a lasting impact on global humanitarian efforts.

South Africa’s New US Envoy Called Trump Racist, Homophobic and Narcissistic in a 2020 Speech

By GERALD IMRAY

9:58 AM EDT, April 15, 2025

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South Africa’s new special envoy to the United States is already under scrutiny for calling U.S. President Donald Trump a racist, homophobic and narcissistic “right-winger” in a speech in 2020.

Mcebisi Jonas, a former deputy finance minister, was appointed Monday by President Cyril Ramaphosa as his representative to Washington, tasked with rebuilding South Africa’s deteriorating relationship with the U.S. under Trump.

The Trump administration expelled the South African ambassador last month.

Trump has singled out South Africa, issuing an executive order in February suspending all U.S. funding to the country over what he claimed are its anti-white and anti-American policies.

South Africa’s ambassador was expelled from the U.S. for saying during a webinar that the politics of Trump and the Make America Great Again movement were partly the result of a “supremacist instinct.”

The Trump administration called the ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, a “race-baiting politician” who hated Trump. South Africa hasn’t named a new ambassador.

The new South African envoy’s speech criticizing Trump and his first term was delivered on Nov. 8, 2020, five days after the election where Joe Biden defeated Trump. His comments have been circulated in the media.

“Right now, the U.S. is undergoing a watershed moment, with Biden the certain winner in the presidential race against the racist, homophobic Donald Trump,” Jonas said. “How we got to a situation where a narcissistic right-winger took charge of the world’s greatest economic and military powerhouse is something that we need to ponder over. It is something that all democracies need to ponder over.”

Jonas was delivering South Africa’s annual Ahmed Kathrada Lecture, where public figures are invited to give a speech for the foundation of Kathrada, one of the anti-apartheid activists put on trial by the white minority government in the 1960s and imprisoned alongside Nelson Mandela.

Jonas’ speech largely focused on inequality, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting the ideas of globalism and international trade. “Hopefully the defeat of Trump will deal a blow to the deglobalization lobby,” he said.

There was no immediate comment from him or the government over those remarks. After he was appointed, Jonas said he would do his best to “promote a healthy working relationship” between the countries but was aware of the “difficulties that lie ahead considering recent global developments.”

South Africa has been a prime target for Trump’s criticism.

He has falsely accused the South African government of allowing violent attacks on white minority farmers and seizing their land, claims that have been rejected by political parties across the spectrum and experts in South Africa.

A new land expropriation law does allow the government to expropriate some land without compensation as long as it’s in the public interest. No land has been taken under it. But its passing led groups representing some of South Africa’s white minority to lobby the Trump administration for help, saying their land was likely to be targeted.

Trump has also announced a program offering white South African farmers refugee status in the U.S.

Gambian Ex-soldier Convicted at US Trial of Torturing Suspected Backers of a Failed 2006 Coup

By COLLEEN SLEVIN

9:01 PM EDT, April 15, 2025

DENVER (AP) — A former member of Gambia’s military was convicted in federal court Tuesday of torturing five people accused of involvement in a failed coup against the West African country’s longtime dictator nearly 20 years ago, capping a rare prosecution in the United States for torture committed abroad.

Jurors at the weeklong trial in Denver also found Michael Sang Correa guilty of being part of a conspiracy to commit torture against suspected opponents while serving in a military unit known as the “Junglers,” which reported directly to Yahya Jammeh.

Correa came to the U.S. in 2016 to work as a bodyguard for Jammeh, eventually settling in Denver, where prosecutors said he worked as a day laborer.

Correa, who prosecutors say overstayed his visa, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2019 and then indicted the following year under a seldom-used law that allows people to be tried in the U.S. judicial system for torture allegedly committed abroad.

The law has only been used twice since 1994 but both of the previous cases were brought against U.S. citizens. The U.S. Department of Justice said the verdict was “the first conviction of a non-U.S. citizen on torture charges in a federal district court.”

“If you commit these atrocities in your country, don’t come to the United States and seek refuge,” said Steve Cagen, the head of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations’ Denver office.

Demba Dem, a former member of the Gambian parliament who testified to being tortured by Correa and others, was among those in the packed courtroom to hear the verdict.

“It was a victory of democracy, a victory of all the victims,“ he said. ”Those alive and those who passed away.”

1. Dem and other survivors traveled from Gambia, Europe and elsewhere in the U.S. to testify, telling the jury they were tortured by methods such as being electrocuted and hung upside down while being beaten. Some had plastic bags put over their heads.

Prosecutors showed the jury photos of victims with scars left by a bayonet, a burning cigarette, ropes and other objects. The men were asked to circle scars on photos and explain how they received them.

Members of the media from Gambia covered the trial in Denver and immigrants now living in the U.S. attended proceedings, including sisters Dr. Jaye Ceesay and Olay Jabbi. They said their brother was killed by Junglers after returning to Gambia in 2013 to start a computer school for children there and they wanted to support others victimized by the regime.

The defense had argued Correa was a low-ranking private who risked torture and death himself if he disobeyed superiors and that he did not have a choice about whether to participate, let alone a decision to make about whether to join a conspiracy. One of his lawyers declined to comment after the verdict.

But while the U.S. government agreed that there’s evidence that the Junglers lived in “constant fear,” prosecutors said at trial that some Junglers refused to participate in the torture.

Jammeh, a member of the military, seized power in a coup from the country’s first president in 1994, and survived three significant coup attempts, making him suspicious of the very military he depended on to stay in power, according to testimony.

Jammeh has been accused of ordering opponents tortured, jailed and killed during his more than 22-year rule of Gambia, a country surrounded by Senegal except for a small Atlantic coastline. He lost the 2016 presidential election and went into exile in Equatorial Guinea in 2017 after initially refusing to step down.

In 2021, a truth commission in Gambia urged that the perpetrators of crimes committed under Jammeh’s regime be prosecuted by the government. Other countries have also tried people connected with his rule.

Last year, Jammeh’s former interior minister was sentenced to 20 years behind bars by a Swiss court for crimes against humanity. In 2023, a German court convicted a Gambian man who was also a member of the Junglers of murder and crimes against humanity for involvement in the killing of government critics in Gambia.

Human rights activists in Gambia hope those who committed torture under Jammeh’s regime will also be held accountable at home.

“Correa’s conviction is very significant in the quest for justice for victims of human rights violations, but many Junglers and other human rights abusers continue living in impunity. Some are even living freely in Banjul,” said Kadijatou Kuyateh, spokesperson for the Alliance of Victim-Led Organisations, referring to Gambia’s capital.

Correa faces up to 20 years for each of the six counts he was convicted of. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after lawyers determine when survivors can return to Denver to speak about the impact of his actions.