Monday, December 23, 2024

Economic Crises in Africa and the Role of International Finance Capital

Events in Liberia and Mayotte reveals the role of imperialism and the continuing underdevelopment of the continent

By Abayomi Azikiwe, Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Monday December 23, 2024

Geostrategic Analysis

In the West African state of Liberia, a worsening economic situation is impacting the political stability of the country.

During the early morning hours of December 18, the people of Monrovia awoke to a massive fire at the Capitol building.

Immediately there was much speculation surrounding the origins and culpability of the incident with many believing it was arson. Inside Liberia there has been an escalating struggle over the political future of the country. 

The Capitol building, which encompasses the House of Representatives, was burned just one day after plans to oust Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa from his position prompted protests. Some of the demonstrators, including an assistant to former President George Weah, were arrested by the police. 

Current President Joseph Boakai has called for a thorough investigation into the fire at the Capitol. His relatively new administration has come under harsh criticism for the worsening economic conditions inside the country. Since early 2024, there have been a series of mass demonstrations and industrial actions demanding higher salaries and improved working conditions. 

A trial is looming after arrests were made of opposition leaders. Many activists are accusing the Boakai government of blaming his political adversaries for the rising discontent over the burgeoning financial crisis. 

One key figure in the attempted prosecution is the former finance minister. Charges levelled against these politicians are designed to cast dispersion on the previous administration led by President George Weah.

One African affairs news source described the situation saying:

“Former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and several others have pleaded not guilty to charges of economic sabotage and related offenses. While the government portrays the trial as a critical step toward accountability, supporters of Tweh argued that the case is a politically motivated charade, designed to distract from deeper issues plaguing the administration. The indictment which was read on Friday, December 20, alleging financial mismanagement and misuse of public funds, has sparked widespread debate. Many Liberians believe the case is less about justice and more about scapegoating individuals for the country’s economic struggles.” (https://frontpageafricaonline.com/breaking-news/liberia-tweah-others-plead-not-guilty-to-economic-sabotage/)

Although the government is moving to criminalize the opposition to President Boakai and his ruling Unity Party Alliance, official reports issued by the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) paint an entirely different picture than what is articulated by the workers and opposition groupings. The World Bank in its country overview of Liberia places a strong emphasis on growth within the national economy. Nonetheless, when further details of the report are reviewed it indicates growing problems with the national deficit which is undoubtedly hampering qualitative growth in areas which are important to working people, farmers and youth. 

The Liberia Observer however notes in its economic coverage that:

“According to the CBL quarterly bulletins, the economy’s three key sectors — primary, secondary, and tertiary — exhibited mixed growth performances throughout the year. The first and second quarters saw growth in most major commodities, while the third quarter showed moderation in several areas. However, overall performance across the three quarters suggests a positive trajectory, supporting the attainment of the 4.8% growth target, surpassing the 4.6% achieved in 2023.” (https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/liberia-s-economy-poised-for-4-8-growth/article_5470eec8-bc35-11ef-b647-c32236e20614.html)

The Role of Finance Capital

Yet a more objective assessment from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of the short and medium-term debt obligations stemmed from a request for an extension for payments of debt obligations by the Liberian government:

“The decline began in the second half of 2022 but became markedly worse during the 2023 presidential election campaign. The revenue-to-GDP ratio dropped to 13.4 percent, not only lower level than that at the beginning of the 2019 ECF (13.9 percent of GDP) but also well below the program targets for 2023 (15 percent of GDP). The measures proposed to underpin the 2023 supplementary budget were neither adopted nor implemented. Additionally, budget allocations among Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs) were often substantially revised without the required Legislature’s approval. This pattern highlights the need for strong enforcement of the PFM legislation in relation to the budget preparation, execution, and monitoring processes.” (https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/002/2024/309/article-A001-en.xml)

These economic problems are being manifested not only among the various political parties and coalitions vying for domination within the legislative branch. Workers in the healthcare sector are staging a nationwide strike listing a set of demands which can only be addressed by the current administration in Monrovia. The decline in the standard of living among the workers and youth of Liberia will continue to remain a source of mass action and general strikes.

Nordic Africa News published an assessment of the rising debt crisis in Liberia, emphasizing:

“Analysis of the budget from 2018 to 2023 showed Liberia has spent more than US$327 million on servicing debts. This is to show the harmful effect of debt service. The money that ought to be spent on the development of crucial sectors is spent on servicing debt…. Liberia’s debt-to-GDP ratio is considered low but the revenue that went into debt servicing is still on the high side. If you look at the budget, you will see that a huge sum of money is used to service debts…. The government of Liberia can’t only exist to pay creditors. If we can be consistent about ensuring that the money is invested in key sectors like agriculture, mining, health, education, and tourism that would ensure there are derivable and tangible benefits in terms of economic growth, job creation, and others, that in itself is not a bad thing, but a litany of constraints has prevented Liberia from achieving the necessary level of investment and growth, despite its significant borrowing.” (http://www.nanews.net/news/politics/how-liberias-debt-surged-to-us2-03-billion/)

Consequently, the indirect domination by imperialism continues to impact many states such as Liberia through the policies imposed by the IMF and the World Bank which reinforce the exploitation of African resources and labor. The profits from the resources in Liberia including large deposits of iron ore, gold, diamonds, rubber, palm oil, etc., are being utilized to pay debt service to the international financial institutions rather being reinvested into the social and economic well-being of the people.

Mayotte Exposes the Political Bankruptcy of French Colonialism

The Chido Cyclone hit several Southern and Eastern African states causing monumental devastation, injuries, deaths and dislocations.  One territory off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean Union of Comoros, Mayotte, was severely impacted by this extreme weather event.

Mayotte is routinely referred to by the western media as a “French Overseas Territory” as if it exists within a geopolitical vacuum. In reality the colony of Paris is part of an independent African state, the Union of Comoros, which is a member of the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). 

Official accounts claim that Mayotte refused to join Comoros when it gained independence through a referendum in 1974. Such allegations cannot conceal the extreme conditions of impoverishment under which the residents of Mayotte live. 

Since 1974, the United Nations General Assembly has voted in a non-binding resolution not to recognize French colonial rule in Mayotte. The Union of Comoros government continues to reject the domination of part of its territory by France and still asserts its legal sovereignty over the area.

Press accounts of the difficult situation in the colonial territory compelled French President Emmanuel Macron to visit amid the obvious failed relief efforts. Macron who faces his own political problems within the French government further exposed his precarious status within the body politic and internationally. 

The Cable News Network (CNN) reported on Macron’s visit to Mayotte, revealing:

“Upon arriving in Mayotte on Thursday (Dec. 19), Macron was met with ire from some residents, who were aggrieved by what they felt was a lack of support from Paris following the disaster. ‘The water isn’t there, no services are there. After six days, is that normal?’ one man angrily asked the French president. A woman, clearly distressed, told Macron that the archipelago ‘needs him.’ ‘Everything is demolished. We need you – there is nothing in Mayotte. We have young children, we are without water, without electricity,’ she told the president.” (https://www.yahoo.com/news/french-president-emmanuel-macron-lands-094712807.html)

Mayotte is not the only 21st century French colony which has proved the obsolete character of this system of governance. In New Caledonia and Martinique, rebellions erupted during 2023-2024 right under the watchful and oppressive eyes of Paris. 

Whether it is the classical colonialism of Paris or the neo-colonialism of France and the U.S., each form of modern-day imperialism cannot bring peace and prosperity to the impacted masses of workers, farmers and youth. Genuine independence and sustainable development can be most rapidly and effectively achieved through national democratic revolutions and socialism where the majority of those within society control the means of production and the state apparatus.

France Appoints Fourth Government in a Year Defined by Political Turmoil

Mizy Clifton and Mathias Hammer

Dec 23, 2024, 1:33pm EST

French President Emmanuel Macron’s office announced appointments to new Prime Minister François Bayrou’s cabinet Monday, as Macron hopes to end the country’s months-long political crisis.

The new administration features several French political heavyweights, including former prime ministers Elisabeth Borne and Manuel Valls, while Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu will remain in their respective posts.

Overall, the cabinet composition reflects a rightward shift compared to its immediate predecessor, France24 reported, although some leftist politicians, such as François Rebsamen, are included this time around. Macron’s choices seek to strike a broad coalition across the center-left and center-right, a move to counter the parliament’s far left and far right factions, which together voted to bring down the last government after just three months in the job.

Bayrou’s top priority will be to shore up enough support to pass unpopular budget measures designed to avert a looming debt crisis and bolster the eurozone’s second largest economy.

Africa's Debt Burden Eroding Funds for Sustainable Development in Ldcs

23 December 2024

Africa Renewal (United Nations)

By United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Soaring repayment costs leave Africa's Least Developed Countries struggling to fund health, education and SDG priorities

Africa's rising debt burden is eroding funding for sustainable development in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), impacting heavily on health and education, says Ms. Oyebanke Abejirin, Economic Affairs Officer, at the Macroeconomics, Finance & Governance Division of the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

Making a presentation on the opportunities and challenges for Africa's Least Developed countries (LDCs), at the Second Session on the Committee on Economic Governance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Ms. Abejirin explained that high debt servicing costs reduce the capacity for SDG-related spending causing a real decline in health and education funding across many countries.

She noted that debt distress worsens the public financial positions of African LDCs. Debt servicing reached a record 11.6% of the exports in 2022.

In 2021, she said, African governments allocated 4.8% of GDPs to debt servicing compared to 2.6% for health and 4.8% for education.

"Social protection systems in Africa LDCs are severely inadequate; only 12-13% of the population is covered," she added and stressed that inclusive, robust social protection "is essential to shield the LDCs from global and regional shocks including post-COVID-19 effects and climate change-related disasters."

Ms. Abejirin highlighted a need to strengthen domestic revenue generation to help close the significant gap in financing the SDGs in Africa.

According to Ms. Abejirin, African LDCs make up 33 of the 45 LDCs contributing to less than 1% of the global GDP despite having 10% of the worldwide population.

She emphasized Africa's need for a public debt sustainability framework that includes linking debt obligations to productive investment, improving fiscal and debt transparency and developing a framework for responsible borrowing.

Sharing the Mozambique perspective on debt servicing, Ms. Pamela Mabanda, from the Ministry of Finance, said the country is experiencing a trade balance deficit, importing more than exporting with imports mainly consisting of intermediate and capital goods.

The sustainability of the economy, she said, is threatened by the high proportion of expenditure (almost 70%) going towards debt repayment, which limits resources for investment and support.

Strategies are being developed to address these challenges and improve the fiscal space for sustainable development.

"There is a need to improve domestic resource mobilization and reduce tax evasion, especially for the main imports in the country," noted Ms. Mabanda.

She emphasized the importance of fiscal consolidation to reduce expenditure and increase revenues through diversification of financial funds and a proactive approach to macro-fiscal risk.

Mr. Allan Mukungu, Economic Affairs Officer at UN ECA, discussed the inability of African countries to finance their needs due to fiscal deficits, with an average public debt of 67% in 2024.

"Nine African countries are in debt distress and 11 are at high risk, making them vulnerable to financing issues. The focus should be on creating fiscal space to finance sustainable development and meet the Agenda 2063 aspiration," he said.

Mr. Mukungu pointed out the importance of the integrated national financing framework (INFFs) for financing SDGs.

"INFFs help to unlock financing for national development priorities by aligning available financing with the national development plans.

About the Economic Governance Committee.

The second Economic Governance Committee session was held in Addis Ababa in mid-November, with representatives from 31 countries in attendance.

The session aimed to discuss the issues and challenges of financing for sustainable development in Africa, with a focus on the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in 2025.

Read the original article on Africa Renewal.

University of Johannesburg Tops 2024 Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings

The University of Pretoria follows in second place, with the University of the Witwatersrand securing third.

Picture: University of Johannesburg/Facebook

Clarence Ford interviews Ellie Bothwell, Rankings editor at Times Higher Education.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2025 have been released, featuring over 2000 institutions from 115 countries and territories.

Bothwell explains that universities are evaluated based on several key criteria, including research output, academic performance, teaching quality, knowledge transfer, and international outlook.

Oxford University has maintained its position at the top for the ninth consecutive year, driven by notable advancements in industry engagement and teaching quality.

"It broke the record this year."

- Ellie Bothwell, Rankings Editor – Times Higher Education

The Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings 2024 have also been released, ranking 129 universities from 22 countries.

The methodology used for these rankings has been tailored to assess the role of universities in addressing some of the region's most pressing challenges.

South Africa’s University of Johannesburg takes the top spot, excelling in the access and fairness, and resources and finance pillars.

The University of Pretoria follows in second place, with the University of the Witwatersrand securing third.

"We can see that Joburg is really strong across the board. It's actually the only university this year to get an overall score of above 80 out of 100."

- Ellie Bothwell, Rankings editor – Times Higher Education

Alliance of Sahel States Rejects ECOWAS Timeline for its Withdrawal

Africa News

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprised of Mali Burkina Faso and Niger have rejected the timeline issues by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) claiming it is a scheme to destabilize their newfound entity.

At a summit held a week ago in Abuja, Nigeria, the regional organization announced a six-month withdrawal period to allow the three countries to reconsider their decision after their official departure date at the end of January 2025.

But according to the AES heads of state, this decision is “nothing more than yet another attempt by the French and its auxiliaries to continue planning and carrying out destabilizing actions against the AES”.

Their communiqué adds that “this unilateral decision is not binding on the ESA countries”. They had already indicated before the summit that their decision to leave the organization was “irreversible”.

This will be a “transition period” lasting until “July 29, 2025” to “keep the doors of Ecowas open”, according to the President of the Ecowas Commission.

The three countries accused the bloc of “inhumane and irresponsible” coup-related sanctions and of failing to help them solve their internal security crises.

The three coup-hit countries have largely rebuffed ECOWAS’ efforts to reverse their withdrawal. They have started considering how to issue travel documents separately from ECOWAS and are forming their own alliance. The one-year notice for their departure is expected to be completed in January.

One major benefit of being an ECOWAS member is visa-free movement to member states, and it is not clear how that could change after the three countries leave the bloc.

Egypt and Somalia Meet to Discuss Red Sea and Developments in Somaliland

Africa News

Egypt's foreign minister discussed Red Sea and developments in Somaliland with his Somali counterpart on Monday during bilateral talks in Cairo.

The meeting happened around a month after Ethiopia and Somalia agreed to hold “technical talks” to resolve a dispute sparked by Ethiopia’s deal with Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland.

Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi reiterated that the talks were successful in curbing further violence in the region, which would've lead to "a dangerous explosion that could have burned everyone’s interests."

Turkey has been mediating between the two east African countries as tensions between them have simmered since Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland in January to lease land along its coastline to establish a marine force base.

In return, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland's independence, which Somalia says infringes on its sovereignty and territory.

The resulting declaration said the sides agreed the talks, which would begin by February 2025 and conclude within four months, would respect Somalia’s territorial integrity while recognizing “potential benefits” of Ethiopia’s access to the sea.

Fiqi again lauded the agreement for its maintenance of "Somalia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity."

Separately, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke on the importance of the Red Sea's autonomy as a strategic location, saying that "the presence of any party other than coastal countries of the Red Sea is unacceptable."

In a joint statement after meeting, the two ministers agreed on the importance of developing bilateral relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Mozambique Supreme Court Confirms Ruling Party’s Win in Controversial Election

Supporters take part in a ruling party rally for presidential candidate Daniel Chapo, centre, ahead of elections, in Maputo, Mozambique, Sunday, Oct. 6,

Africa News

Mozambique’s top court has upheld the ruling party Frelimo’s victory in the contentious October elections, sparking widespread protests from opposition groups who claim the vote was rigged.

The Constitutional Council’s decision on Monday validates Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo’s landslide presidential win and the party’s increased parliamentary majority, despite allegations of fraud. Western observers criticized the election as neither free nor fair, but Frelimo has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Violent clashes between protesters and police have marked the post-election period, leaving at least 130 people dead, according to Plataforma Decide, a civil society group. The unrest represents the largest public opposition to Frelimo’s rule since the party took power at independence in 1975.

Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who has fled the country citing safety concerns, claims an independent count shows he won. Mondlane has called for a “popular uprising” in response to the court’s ruling, warning of “difficult days ahead.”

Tensions remain high in the capital, Maputo, where businesses are shuttered, and police have barricaded major roads. Chapo, 47, is set to succeed outgoing President Filipe Nyusi on January 15, becoming Mozambique’s first post-independence-born leader.

Mozambique Court Upholds the Governing Party’s Presidential Election Victory as Protests Flare Again

By CHARLES MANGWIRO

11:15 AM EST, December 23, 2024

MAPUTO, Mozambique. (AP) — Mozambique’s highest court on Monday upheld the governing party’s win in the October presidential election following weeks of opposition protests in which more than 100 people have died.

The court, called the Constitutional Council, said irregularities in the election “did not substantially influence the results” and that Daniel Chapo with the governing party, Frelimo, won with 65.17% of the vote, while opposition politician Venâncio Mondlane had 24.29%. The court revised the initial results that said Chapo received 70%.

Soon after the announcement of the results, Mondlane’s supporters again took to the streets in the capital of the southern African nation, Maputo, burning tires and blocking roads.

Mondlane had challenged the election results, accusing Frelimo of rigging the vote.

He threatened chaos if the Constitutional Council declared Chapo the winner and has called for a “shutdown” starting Friday.

Ballerinas Turn One of Kenya’s Largest Slums into a Stage for a Christmas Show

By BRIAN INGANGA

3:23 AM EST, December 23, 2024

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — With perfect pirouettes and plies, dozens of young ballet dancers gracefully moved between the makeshift iron houses of one of Africa’s largest urban slums, spreading Christmas spirit.

Hundreds of residents in Kenya’s Nairobi cheered as the nimble ballerinas, wearing Santa hats and sparkling colorful outfits, turned the dusty narrow roads of the neighborhood of Kibera into a dance-worthy stage on Saturday.

The annual show was a hit.

Organized by the Kibera Ballet School, one of the east African country’s smaller institutions that provides free lessons to children who otherwise wouldn’t have had access to this kind of training, the production was the result of rigorous practice.

For months, the children rehearsed in modest community halls while juggling their household chores, which included fetching water in plastic jerricans in the neighborhood with no clean running water.

Like the rest of Africa, Kenya boasts of a youthful population — with a median age of 19 — and the ballet school, funded by a local non-government organization, aims to give some of them a creative outlet.

For Kibera residents, the early Christmas ballet show is a celebration of community resilience and creativity.

“We don’t have grand stages here, but we have talent,” one observer said and he watched the dancers.

As the final routine ended with a synchronized bow, applause echoed throughout the neighborhood.

At that moment, the future for these young dancers gleamed a little brighter.

Nigerian Agency ‘Failed Completely’ to Clean Up Oil Damage Despite Funding, Leaked Files Say

By ED DAVEY

1:41 PM EST, December 23, 2024

As it passed above the Niger Delta in 2021, a satellite took an image. It showed acres of land, scraped bare. The site, outside the city of Port Harcourt, was on a cleanup list kept by the United Nations Environment Programme, supposed to be restored to green farmland as the Delta was before thousands of oil spills turned it into a byword for pollution. Instead the land was left a sandy “moonscape” unusable for farming, according to U.N. documents.

That failed cleanup was not an exception, records obtained by The Associated Press show. Previously unreported investigations, emails, letters to Nigerian ministers and minutes from meetings make clear that senior U.N. officials were increasingly concerned that the Nigerian agency in charge of cleaning up crude oil spills has been a “total failure.”

The agency, known as Hyprep, selected cleanup contractors who had no relevant experience, according to a U.N. review. It sent soil samples to laboratories that didn’t have the equipment for tests they claimed to perform. Auditors were physically blocked from making sure work had been completed.

A former Nigerian minister of the environment told the AP that the majority of cleanup companies are owned by politicians, and minutes show similar views were shared by U.N. officials.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way.

Fecurring oil spills from the Ogboinbiri/Tebidaba pipeline have been threatening farmlands, and have contaminated swamps, streams, and farmlands, crippling fishing and farming - the community’s primary sources of livelihood.

There have been thousands of crude oil spills in the tidal mangroves and farmlands of the Niger Delta since oil drilling and production began in the 1950s. Reports and studies document what is widely known here: People often wash, drink, fish and cook in contaminated water.

Spills still occur frequently. The Ogboinbiri community in Bayelsa state suffered its fourth spill in three months in November, harming farm fields, streams and the fish people rely on.

“We bought the land in 2023; we have not harvested anything from the farmland; both the profit, our interest, everything is gone,” said Timipre Bridget, a farmer in the community. “No way to survive with our children again.”

Many of the spills are caused by lawbreakers illegally tapping into pipelines to siphon off crude oil they process into gasoline in makeshift refineries.

After a major U.N. survey of spills more than a decade ago, oil companies agreed to create a $1 billion cleanup fund for the worst affected area, Ogoniland, and Shell, the largest private oil and gas company in the country, contributed $300 million. The Nigerian government handled the funds and the U.N. was relegated to an advisory role.

To oversee the work, the government created the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, or Hyprep. It first addressed sites that were supposed to be easy to clean, like the one outside Port Harcourt. Then it would move on to complex ones, where oil had sunk more deeply into the ground.

But a confidential investigation by U.N. scientists last year found the site outside Port Harcourt was left with a “complete absence of topsoil” and almost seven times more petroleum in the subsoil than Nigerian health limits.

The company that performed that work has since had its contract revoked, Nenibarini Zabbey, the current director of Hyprep, who took over last year, told the AP.

The head of operations when the contract was awarded, Philip Shekwolo, called allegations in the U.N. documents “baseless, mischievous and cheap blackmail.”

Shekwolo, who used to head up oil spill remediation for Shell, said by email he knows more about tackling pollution than any U.N. expert and insists the cleanup has been successful.

But the documents show U.N. officials raising the alarm about Hyprep with Nigerian officials since 2021, when Shekwolo was acting chief.

Systemic issues with contractors

A January 2022 U.N. review found that of 41 contractors allowed to clean up spill sites, 21 had no relevant experience. Not one was judged competent enough to handle more polluted sites.

They include Nigerian construction companies and general merchants. The websites of two construction firms, for example, Jukok International and Ministaco Nigeria, make no mention of pollution cleanups.

In the minutes of a meeting with U.N. officials and Shell, Hyprep’s own chief of communications, Joseph Kpobari, is shown to have said bad cleanups happen because his agency hired incompetent companies. The U.N. delegation warned that despite their inadequate work, these companies were being rewarded with contracts for tougher sites.

Zabbey denied in an email this admission took place. The cleanup of the simple sites was not a failure, he insisted, because 16 out of 20 had now been certified as clean by Nigerian regulators and many returned to communities. Hyprep always complied with guidelines when issuing contracts, Zabbey said, and their monitors were U.N.-trained.

Questionable lab tests

Two sources close to the cleanup efforts in the Delta, speaking anonymously for fear of loss of business or employment, said test results held up by Hyprep as proof of cleanup could not have been real because when officials visited the laboratories, they found they did not have the equipment to perform those tests.

In a letter to its customers, one laboratory in the U.K. frequently used by Hyprep acknowledged its tests for most of 2022 were flawed and unreliable. The U.K. laboratory accreditation service confirmed the lab’s authorization to carry out the tests was suspended twice.

Zabbey defended the cleanup agency in a statement to the AP, saying it monitors contractors more closely now. Labs adhere to Nigerian and U.N. recommendations and are frequently checked, he said, and the U.N. could have trained local lab staff if it chose to.

The U.N. cited another problem — contractors were allowed to assess pollution levels at their sites. No government agency was setting a baseline for what needed to be cleaned up at oil-damaged sites. This meant companies were monitoring their own progress, effectively handed a “blank check,” U.N. Senior Project Advisor Iyenemi Kakulu is recorded as having said in minutes of a meeting in June of last year between the U.N., Hyprep and Shell.

No audits of Nigerian cleanup agency accounts

The U.N. warned the Nigerian government in an assessment in 2021 that spending at the cleanup agency was not being tracked. Internal auditors were viewed as “the enemy” and “demonized for doing their job.” Shekwolo’s predecessor as head of Hyprep blocked new financial controls and “physically prevented” auditors from seeing if work had been performed properly before paying contractors, according to the U.N. assessment.

Zabbey said this too, has changed since that assessment: The audit team is now valued, he said, and accounts are now audited annually, although he provided only one audit cover letter. In it, the accounting firm asked what steps had been taken to “correct the identified weaknesses.”

Shekwolo referred the AP to the office of Nigeria’s president, which did not respond to a request to show how funds are being spent. Environment Minister Iziaq Salako’s office declined an interview.

An environment minister tries to act

Sharon Ikeazor was born in Nigeria, educated in Britain, and spent decades as a lawyer before entering politics. In 2019, she was appointed environment minister of Nigeria. She was well aware of Hyprep’s alleged failings and determined to address them.

“There wasn’t any proper remediation being done,” she told the AP in a phone interview. “The companies had no competence whatsoever.”

In February 2022, she received a letter from senior U.N. official Muralee Thummarukudy, with what experts say is unusually strong language in diplomacy. It warned of “significant opportunities for malpractice within the contract award process,” in the Nigerian oil cleanup work. Ikeazor removed Shekwolo as acting chief of Hyprep the next month, explaining that she believed he was too close to the politicians.

The “majority” of cleanup companies were owned by politicians, she said. The few competent companies “wouldn’t get the big jobs.”

One of Shekwolo’s roles, Ikeazor said, was to deem who was competent for contract awards. Ikeazor said Shekwolo’s former employer Shell and the U.N. warned her about him, something Shekwolo says he was unaware of.

When she hired a new chief of Hyprep was, she had him review every suspect contract awarded over the years and investigate the cleanup companies.

“That sent shockwaves around the political class,” said Ikeazor. “They all had interests.”

“That was when the battle started,” she said.

It was a short battle, and she lost. She was replaced as environment minister and Shekwolo was rehired. He had been gone for two months.

Shekwolo says the only politicians he was close to were the two environment ministers he served under. He was never given a reason for his removal, he said, and suggested Ikeazor simply didn’t like him.

U.N. breaks ties

Last year, the U.N. Environment Programme broke ties with the Nigerian oil spill agency, explaining its five-year consultancy was over. The last support ended in June.

Ikeazor said the real reason U.N. pulled out was frustration over corruption. The two sources close to the project concurred the U.N. left because it couldn’t continue to be associated with the Nigerian cleanup organization.

Zabbey responded that he believes the U.N. merely changed its goals and moved on.

___

Associated Press reporters Taiwo Adebayo and Dan Ikpoyi contributed from Abuja and Bayelsa, Nigeria.

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Yemen Downs F-18, Target USS Truman Thwarting Attack on Sanaa

By Al Mayadeen English

The Yemeni Armed Forces successfully thwarted an American-British attack on the country, shooting down an F-18, forcing the USS Harry Truman to withdraw, and warning of further action to defend Yemen and support Palestine.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced a significant victory in repelling an American-British attack against the country, which was reportedly orchestrated to support the oppression of the Palestinian people and in retaliation for the ongoing support front that the Yemeni people have launched after October 7.

According to a statement from the Yemeni military, an operation was carried out with eight cruise missiles and 17 drones. The operation led to several key outcomes:

First, the Yemeni forces successfully shot down an F-18 aircraft, while enemy destroyers attempted to confront the Yemeni drones and missiles launched against the aircraft carrier simultaneous to the US-UK aggression against the country.

Second, the statement noted, most of the hostile aircraft retreated from Yemeni airspace to international waters in the Red Sea in an effort to defend the aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman, which was being targeted.

Third, the attack launched by the coalition on Yemeni territory failed, and the Yemeni Armed Forces marked a crucial defeat for the aggressors.

Fourth, the USS Harry S. Truman, after being subjected to multiple attacks from the missile force, naval forces, and air force, withdrew from its previous location in the Red Sea towards the northern waters.

The Yemeni Armed Forces, while confirming their success in thwarting the American-British aggression, reaffirmed their readiness to confront any further American-British-Israeli provocations in the future.

The statement concluded with a strong warning directed at the Israeli and American forces: "The Yemeni Armed Forces warn the Israeli and American enemy against aggression on Yemen and that the Yemeni Armed Forces will use their full right to defend Yemen and continue to support the Palestinian people until the aggression against Gaza stops and the siege is lifted."

It is worth noting that earlier, the US Armed Forces had claimed that a US Navy F/A-18 fighter jet was shot down by friendly fire over the Red Sea.

A violent explosion rocked the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, on Saturday evening, with reports of intensive fighter jet activity in the skies, according to Al Mayadeen's correspondent who confirmed that two airstrikes targeted Mount Attan, located south of the city.

Yemen's state news agency, SABA, reported that American-British warplanes carried out an aggression targeting Sanaa's Attan area.

In turn, Israeli media quickly denied any involvement, which comes amid escalating tensions between "Israel" and Yemen.

These tensions have been further fueled by "Israel's" increasing threats against Sanaa, particularly in light of its continued support for Palestine, its people, and its Resistance.

CENTCOM published a statement on X announcing the aggression against Yemen. In the statement, CENTCOM claimed to have targeted Ansar Allah's "missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility."

The statement also claimed that the attack aimed "to disrupt and degrade Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden."

Additionally, it stated that "CENTCOM forces also shot down multiple Houthi one way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and an anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) over the Red Sea," adding that the aggression "involved U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy assets, including F/A-18s."

Meanwhile, Sanaa's Information Minister Hashem Sharaf al-Din commented on the aggression saying that Washington has clearly "learned from [past] mistakes," adding that the US will continue to be "humiliated" by Yemenis. 

On his part, Sanaa's Foreign Minister Jamal Ahmad Amer said that any state that assists Israeli aggression on Yemen would be considered a partner of the aggression.

South Africa: Who's Behind 16 Days of Activism Online?

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

20 December 2024

allAfrica.com

By Melody Chironda

The 16 Days of Activism campaign was led by government and business accounts on South Africa X (formerly Twitter), according to a new report published by the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC).

The report looked at the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign between 25 November and 10 December 2024.

According to the CABC, three dominant hashtags constituted 25% of the entire conversation on the 3rd of December. Several hashtags dominated the conversation, such as #EndGBVF, #16DaysofActivism, and #FinancialAbuse.

Many of the posts using #EndGBVF were from government accounts and businesses promoting their efforts to end GBV in the country. "Several authors posted and shared Spar's initiatives to combat GBV," reports CABC.

Under this hashtag, #16DaysofActivism posts were predominantly from the South African Police Service who provided updates on their efforts and initiatives aimed at tackling gender-based violence.

Nedbank used the hashtag #FinanciallAbuse to shed light on the issue of financial abuse, its signs, and its effects on relationships. The initiative is commendable since it allows South Africans to obtain information about different types of abuse that they may not be aware of or have the language to discuss.

According to the report posts with the highest engagement during 16 Days of Activism were mostly unrelated to the campaign. The 16 Days of Activism content did not make CABC's Social Media Analytics Report 7's top 10.

The researchers said that a shift from the 16 Days of Activism discussion in 2023, with more posts calling for accountability on abuse and parenting issues. Two posts depict this, one in which a father allegedly handed his son over to the authorities after discovering that he had committed a crime, and another in which a group of men protected a woman fleeing from her abusive partner.

There were also posts calling out abuse and poor treatment of a spouse, a shift from the 16 Days of Activism period of 2023.

The CABC reports that content and conversations related to 16 Days continue to be led by the government or businesses in a top-down approach and are not naturally occurring in the vast majority of data points collected. The CABC excluded influence, government, or business-related accounts in order to isolate naturally occurring individual expressions in order to test and strengthen the aforementioned proposition. Individual expressions refer to those accounts with a followership of less than 10,000 individuals.

However, the CABC found a variety of 16 Days content during the reporting period.

How South African Women Navigate Gender Issues on TikTok

20 December 2024

allAfrica.com

By Melody Chironda

The Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC) has released its latest report, Gender-Based Violence and Misogyny TikTok Analytics and Narrative Update in South Africa, on the online conversation regarding gender-based violence and misogyny.

The report provided an overview of the emerging themes and most popular posts within the TikTok conversation. It examined dominant themes, topics, influential accounts, and trends shaping the debate.

The trends and narratives from January 1 to November 2024 were examined.

The study identified four distinct peaks where conversations increased in volume. According to CABC, there were two peaks in March, while the other two occurred in April and September 2024. The most popular posts within these peaks focused on cheating and its impact on relationships, marriages and motherhood.

The highest reach was achieved by a post promoting a Dove campaign to address men's mental health. CABC reports that while comments on the TikTok video were disabled, comments to the videos on YouTube suggested that it is important to open these spaces for men to talk as well as see the strength in vulnerability.

On TikTok, a post about Sizwe Ngema, a Durban metro police officer who allegedly stabbed his girlfriend Yolanda Khuzwayo (who was also an officer), received high reach.

Three keywords dominated the search.

Women were used in posts about women living in fear and how they must always be alert for danger. Love, with posts ranging from age gaps to infidelity, and Marriage, which included debates about whether it gives women social status and legal protection.

The report provided an overview of the emerging trends and popular posts within the TikTok conversation.

Based on the report, TikTok differentiates itself from traditional social media platforms, which historically were text-based, by offering short-form video content and challenges. Through trends and challenges, users can share videos centered around specific prompts or themes with others around the world.

However, TikTok can sometimes blur the line between societal issues and humour, "sometimes to an inappropriate extent".

CABC reports that the platform has grown significantly in the past few years, allowing spaces to be created for the discussion of important societal issues.

Somalia Takes Helm of Eastern Africa Standby Force for First Time

22 December 2024

Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)

Kigali, Rwanda — Somali Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur has assumed the position of chair for the Council of Ministers of Defence and Security within the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) at the 33rd Policy Organ Meetings held in Kigali, Rwanda.

This marks a historic moment as it is the first time Somalia has chaired the regional body since its establishment 20 years ago.

The EASF, an organization aimed at enhancing peace and security in Eastern Africa, now looks to Somalia for leadership in its next session, which will be hosted by Mogadishu.

This development underscores Somalia's increasing role in regional security and cooperation efforts amidst its ongoing efforts to stabilize the country.

The transition of the chairmanship was highlighted as a significant step towards Somalia's reintegration into regional security frameworks, reflecting its commitment to peace and stability in the broader Eastern African context.

The next meeting in Somalia is anticipated to focus on enhancing the capabilities of the EASF to respond to regional conflicts and humanitarian crises.

Read the original article on Shabelle.

France Rushes to Withdraw Troops from Chad Following New Deadline

Africa News with Joel Honoré Kouam

The situation caught France by surprise. It was preparing to start withdrawing its ground troops in Chad from next week.

Then on Friday, Paris received a communiqué from the authorities demanding the total withdrawal of all personnel from its base in N’Djamena by 31 December.

This is another setback for France. Chad was the last stronghold of French influence in the Sahel region of West Africa.

Paris was planning to begin repatriating its soldiers from Tuesday, although sources suggest negotiations were underway for a gradual withdrawal ending in March.

Now, Paris has had to speed things up, sending the first 120 men back to France on Friday afternoon.

The situation in the country has evolved rapidly.

In October, 40 Chadian soldiers were killed in an attack by Boko Haram insurgents on a military post in the Lake Chad region.

The government accused France in particular of refusing to provide information and assistance following the violent attack.

Paris’ failure to help did not go down well with N’Djamena which demanded the withdrawal of French soldiers from Chad, ending its defence pact.

This was followed by a series of demonstrations in towns across the country calling for the French army to leave.

The end of the Chad-France defence pact raises questions about who N’Djamena might turn to next and what this means for the region.

Burkina Faso Releases Four French Nationals After Detaining Them for a Year

7:38 AM EST, December 19, 2024

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Burkina Faso’s anti-imperialist government said Thursday that it had released four French nationals it called spies, following Morocco-mediated negotiations with France.

The West African nation’s information agency said in a statement that Capt. Ibrahim Traore, the country’s president, welcomed Morocco’s diplomatic efforts and noted that France and Burkina Faso’s relations had soured in recent years.

In a post on X Thursday, France’s Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu described the detainees as French armed forces members.

The four were arrested in Ouagadougou in December 2023 on what Jeune Afrique and French media reported as espionage-related charges. Their detention came at a low point in France’s relations with its former colonies in the Sahel, including Burkina Faso. After two coups, the landlocked nation of 20 million people expelled French forces and turned to Russia for security support.

The government has since joined forces with neighboring countries to form the Alliance of Sahel States. The alliance’s three countries — Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso — have each struggled to contain the security and humanitarian crises.

France’s Elysee Palace said in a statement that President Emmanuel Macron had thanked Morocco’s King Mohamed VI for mediating discussions that led to their release.

Morocco, which has made efforts to expand its role in the Sahel, lauded its own role in mediating between the two countries. Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the negotiations a “humanitarian initiative.”

Amid France’s retreat in the Sahel, Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have each sought to expand security and trade partnerships in the region. Morocco has also aspired to play a larger role as a diplomatic mediator and economic partner, launching new initiatives to deepen ties and build infrastructure giving landlocked nations new gateways to access the Atlantic Ocean.

Morocco has also deepened its ties to France since July, when Paris shifted its stance and backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed Western Sahara.

Destructive Cyclone Chido Unearths the Failure of France’s Colonial Project in Mayotte

By SAM MEDNICK and THOMAS ADAMSON

11:37 AM EST, December 22, 2024

MAMOUDZOU, Mayotte (AP) — When Cyclone Chido ravaged Mayotte’s fragile infrastructure, it also exposed deep-seated tensions between the island’s residents and its large migrant population.

Thousands of people who have entered the island as workers bore the brunt of the storm that tore through the Indian Ocean archipelago — France’s poorest colony. Authorities in Mayotte said many migrants avoided emergency shelters out of fear of deportation, leaving themselves and the precarious shantytowns they inhabit even more vulnerable to the devastation.

Meanwhile, anger simmered among residents who accused the government of diverting the island’s already scarce resources to migrants at their expense.

“We are the legitimate population of this island,” said Amada Salime. Standing in the rubble of his home on Saturday, he added, “If there is help from the government — water or something to eat or money to make houses — Mahorais people will not have it. Immigrants are more numerous than us, and we will be left behind.”

Mayotte, a French colony located between Madagascar and mainland Africa, has a population of 320,000. French authorities have estimated another 100,000 migrants also live there, most of whom have arrived from the nearby Comoros Islands, just 70 kilometers (43 miles) away.

The island’s fragile public services, designed for a much smaller population, are buckling under the strain. According to the French statistics agency INSEE, around three-quarters of Mayotte’s population live in poverty, with a median annual disposable income just one-eighth that of the Paris metropolitan area.

“The problems of Mayotte cannot be solved without addressing illegal immigration,” French President Emmanuel Macron said during his testy visit this week, acknowledging the challenges posed by the island’s rapid population growth. “Despite the state’s investments, migratory pressure has made everything explode,” he added.

The cyclone further exacerbated the island’s issues after destroying homes, schools and infrastructure. Though the official death toll remains 35, authorities say that any estimates are likely major undercounts, with hundreds feared dead.

The migrants’ shantytowns, known as “bangas,” have long been an issue in Mayotte. “Can we solve the issue of shantytowns today? The answer is no. We will address it during the stabilization and rebuilding phase,” Macron said.

For many migrants, like Nazca Antoiy, a Comorian who has lived in Mayotte for a decade, the cyclone has heightened fears of displacement.

“I heard that people were told not to reconstruct new houses. So we need to worry about that,” she said, reflecting a widespread concern that authorities may use the disaster to expedite demolitions of informal settlements.

Such concerns are not unfounded. Last year, France launched Operation Wuambushu, a controversial campaign to demolish shantytowns and deport migrants who entered illegally. Macron hinted that similar policies could resume but stressed reconstruction efforts would take precedence.

The storm has left many residents struggling to meet basic needs.

A hotspot for migrants

“I can’t take it anymore. Just to have water is complicated,” said Fatima, a 46-year-old mother of five whose family has been without clean water since the storm ravaged Mayotte last weekend. Fatima, who only gave her first name because her family is known locally, also said she felt the island could not support the current population, let alone more.

Most migrants have family links in Mayotte and speak the same language. They seek a better life on the island rather than aiming to reach the European continent.

Mayotte’s geopolitical position has long made it a hotspot for migration. While the island voted to remain French in referendums held in 1974 and 1976, neighboring Comoros has never recognized its sovereignty and continues to claim the archipelago as its own. This unresolved dispute has fueled waves of migration, with thousands risking perilous sea crossings each year.

Outgoing French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau recently reignited the debate, describing the situation in Mayotte as a “war,” earlier this week. Retailleau proposed stricter measures, including using drones and naval patrols to block further arrivals. “We must be much tougher on the Comoros,” he said, accusing the neighboring government of allowing migrants to leave its shores unchecked.

Retailleau’s calls to “change the rules” include proposals to restrict birthright citizenship in Mayotte, a policy already tightened in 2018 to require proof that at least one parent had been a legal resident for more than three months. Critics argue that these measures only deepen Mayotte’s divisions without addressing the root causes of migration.

A 2023 parliamentary report cited in French media warned that the island was a “ticking time bomb,” while suggesting redistributing part of Mayotte’s migrant population to mainland France — a proposal unlikely to gain widespread support.

___

Adamson reported from Paris

SAM MEDNICK

Mednick is the West and Central Africa reporter for the Associated Press. She focuses on conflict, humanitarian crises and human rights abuses.

France’s Mayotte Struggles to Recover as Cyclone Overwhelms Hospitals

By SAM MEDNICK, ADRIENNE SURPRENANT and THOMAS ADAMSON

12:33 PM EST, December 21, 2024

MAMOUDZOU, Mayotte (AP) — One week after its worst cyclone in nearly a century, and a day after a testy presidential visit, France’s impoverished Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte is still grappling with counting the dead, restoring essential services and aiding a beleaguered population.

Cyclone Chido wreaked devastation across the archipelago. Already stretched thin, hospitals are overwhelmed with patients suffering not only from cyclone-related injuries but also from dehydration, malnutrition and disease.

At Mayotte’s main hospital in the capital, Mamoudzou, doctors faced a cascade of crises.

“We lost 40% of patient rooms, about 50 to 60 beds,” said Dr. Roger Serhal, chief of the obstetrics and gynecology department. “There are so many patients coming to the hospital, and we don’t have space to admit them.”

As Chido battered the archipelago last weekend with 220 kph (136 mph) winds, Serhal and his team delivered three babies, including by cesarean section.

The hospital’s structural damage has forced staff to triage patients, prioritizing the most severe cases. Though the official death toll remains 35, according to the French Interior Ministry on Saturday, the number of seriously injured has risen to 78, with 2,432 others sustaining minor injuries. Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq has warned that any estimates are likely major undercounts “compared to the scale of the disaster.”

Emergency aid was being delivered by air and sea. Since the cyclone, 31 tons of food and 108 tons of water have arrived, with an additional 1.6 million liters of water expected Monday aboard a container ship, according to the Interior Ministry.

The hospital is operating at 50% capacity, while 109 patients have been evacuated to mainland France for urgent care. Three advanced medical posts have been established on Grande-Terre, Mayotte’s main island, to address the surge in need.

The storm has devastated entire neighborhoods. Many people ignored warnings, thinking the storm wouldn’t be so extreme. Even worse, many migrants avoided shelters out of fear of deportation, authorities said, adding there could be hundreds or possibly thousands of fatalities.

Doctors fear that the lack of clean water and electricity — compounded by overcrowded living conditions — is setting the stage for a health crisis. “Patients are coming because their illnesses are untreated, there’s no water, and no electricity. We’re concerned about epidemics, like the cholera outbreak we stopped just months ago,” said Dr. Vincent Gilles, the hospital’s emergency medical director.

The hospital staff continues to work tirelessly, but resources are running dangerously low. “If we have rain it will be catastrophic,” Serhal said.

Among the patients struggling to recover is Saindou Mohamadi, 54, who fractured his arm and sprained his ankle during the storm that left his home completely destroyed. Speaking from his hospital bed, Mohamadi expressed despair for his family. “My mother is sick, I’m sick, and my child is sick,” he said. “They need to eat, but I’m the one who takes care of the food, and now we have nothing.” With six children to support, Mohamadi is among countless residents left homeless and destitute.

“I’m not alone,” he said. “There are many of us who have lost everything — our houses, our food. I want the government to care about us, to give us food and a place to sleep.”

Mayotte, a densely populated archipelago of over 320,000 people, is also home to an estimated 100,000 migrants, many living in precarious conditions.

The poorest overseas region of France and, by extension, the European Union has long struggled with systemic neglect and underinvestment. Around 75% of its population lives in poverty, and the archipelago’s infrastructure was ill-equipped to withstand a disaster of this magnitude. Chido’s destruction has compounded these challenges, leaving many residents with little faith in the government’s ability to provide timely and adequate relief.

Efforts to deliver emergency aid, including airlifts of water and food, are underway, but the scale of the need is staggering. Mayotte’s airport remains closed to civilian flights due to damage, further complicating logistics.

French President Emmanuel Macron, during his visit on Friday, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and pledged to rebuild but faced criticism from residents frustrated by the slow pace of aid.

Calling the archipelago “totally devastated,” Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau painted a bleak picture — with some 70% of the population gravely affected by the catastrophe, and many left homeless and vulnerable. For now, the island’s residents and its overstretched medical staff are left to confront the daunting aftermath of Chido, one day at a time.

___

Adamson reported from Paris.

Stampedes in Nigeria Leave at Least 32 Dead During Christmas Food Distribution

By DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN

8:09 AM EST, December 22, 2024

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The death toll from stampedes during two Christmas charity events in Nigeria has increased from 13 to 32, police said Sunday. The victims, including at least four children, collapsed during crowd surges as people grew desperate for food items while the country grapples with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

The dead included 22 people in southeastern Anambra state’s Okija town, where a philanthropist on Saturday organized a food distribution, local police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said. Ten others died in the capital, Abuja, during a church-organized similar charity event.

Police said they were investigating the two incidents, only days after another stampede in which 35 children were killed.

Africa’s most populous country is seeing a growing trend by local organizations, churches and individuals to organize charity events ahead of Christmas to ease economic hardship caused by a cost-of-living crisis.

Witnesses of the Abuja stampede told The Associated Press there was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as dozens tried to enter the premises at around 4 a.m., hours before gift items were to be shared.

Some of them, including older people, waited overnight to get food, said Loveth Inyang, who rescued one baby from the crush.

The stampedes prompted growing calls for authorities to enforce safety measures at such events. Nigerian police also mandated that organizers obtain prior permission.

Why Did at Least 67 People Die in Christmas Charity Stampedes in Struggling Nigeria?

By CHINEDU ASADU

11:17 AM EST, December 22, 2024

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Stampedes during three Christmas charity events across Nigeria have left at least 67 people dead in the past week, many of them children. Families are struggling during the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

At least 35 children were killed in southwestern Oyo state on Wednesday. And on Saturday, 22 people died in southeastern Anambra state while 10 died in the capital, Abuja, where more than 1,000 people had gathered at a church to receive clothes and food.

Here’s why people in Africa’s most populous country are risking their lives for holiday donations.

Inflation at a 28-year high

“There is hunger in this Nigeria. Every Nigerian needs food,” one woman, in tears, told the local Arise television after the stampede in Abuja.

The economic crisis is blamed on the government’s policies to save money and attract investors, which have contributed to pushing the inflation rate to a 28-year high of 34.6%. Meanwhile the naira currency languishes at record lows against the dollar.

At least 63% of Nigeria’s more than 210 million people population is poor, according to the government’s statistics office. The government has struggled to create jobs. And when people gather to protest hardship, security forces are quick to clamp down. In August, more than 20 people were shot dead by security forces during nationwide protests.

“The average Nigerian has seen food go out of their reach,” said Cheta Nwanze, managing partner at the Lagos-based SBM Intelligence research firm. In 2022, the firm found that about 97% of Nigerians spend up to 63% of their income on food, but that share must have grown since then, he said.

Some of those who died in Abuja had waited overnight outside the church in cold weather for the chance to enter early, according to Loveth Inyang, a witness who rescued a baby from the crush.

Security is costly, too

Deadly stampedes are not new in Nigeria and are often caused by lack of adherence to public safety measures. But analysts say people’s desperation to survive is making crowd control more difficult.

Accounts from witnesses and police in Abuja and Anambra showed that the stampedes occurred before the events started as people tried to secure prime positions.

In Abuja, the church was forced to cancel the event, leaving bags of rice and clothing items inside.

Organizers of such charity events often do not consider security a priority, said Ademola Adetuberu, who runs the Abuja-based Barricade Executive Protection security firm.

Meanwhile, the number of events is increasing as philanthropists and organizations try to meet the growing demand for food.

“If organizers of such events brainstorm more, get professionals to advise them and have a budget for security, this can be prevented,” Adetuberu said.

How authorities are responding

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has asked authorities to no longer tolerate “operational lapses” by organizers of such events, while police have made it mandatory for organizers to get prior permission before hosting them.

But such commitments are not new and usually difficult to enforce, analysts said.

“People’s incomes have been squeezed through the entire year. When they hear somewhere that food is being distributed, their natural instinct is to go,” Nwanze said. “Add this to our notoriously poor queue culture and you have the perfect storm that will lead to such a stampede.”

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Israel Fires at Protesters in Syrian Border Village, Wounding One

Syrian man waves a white flag as he approaches Israeli soldiers in Maariyah

Africa News with AP

The Israeli military on Friday said its forces shot and wounded a protester demonstrating against its army’s presence in a border village in southern Syria.

Maariyah is near the Israeli occupied Golan Height, just outside the demilitarised buffer zone established in a 1974 ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

A group of people gathered in the village on Friday to demand an end to the Israeli military presence.

Residents say Israel has set up position in an abandoned Syrian army base there and are preventing farmers from accessing their fields.

“We are calling on the United Nations to remove the Israeli occupation from the Syrian points in Maariyah village, based on the 1974 agreement between Syria and the Israeli occupation," said village headman, Abdulraouf Abu Zalfa.

Since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last weekend, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syria.

In a move widely condemned internationally, it also sent troops into the United Nations-patrolled buffer zone, seizing a swathe of southern Syria.

Critics have accused Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria in the wake of Assad’s ouster to make a land grab.

Israel has described the move as a defensive and temporary measure to ensure the security of its northern border.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday said Israel must halt its airstrikes on Syria, calling them violations of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Israel seized control of the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it, a move not recognised by most of the international community

Its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Tuesday that Israeli forces will stay there until another arrangement is in place “that ensures Israel’s security”.

Mpox and Marburg Virus Outbreaks Strain Central and East Africa's Health Systems

This colorized electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2024 shows Mpox virus particles

Africa News

20/12 - 17:33

Mpox and Marburg Virus Outbreaks Strain Central and East Africa's Health Systems

The Mpox virus continues to severely impact Central and East Africa, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the epicenter. Over 13,000 cases and 450 deaths have been reported in the country, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Neighboring nations such as Cameroon, Burundi, and Uganda are also recording new cases. Despite ongoing containment efforts, limited testing capacities and overwhelmed healthcare systems have made controlling the outbreak challenging.

In August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency due to the rising number of cases, operational difficulties, and the pressing need for a coordinated response to curb the disease.

“Mpox has been reported in the DRC for over a decade, with the annual number of cases steadily increasing during this period. Last year saw a significant surge in cases, and the number reported so far this year has already surpassed last year’s total, with over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths,” stated Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Symptoms and Transmission Challenges

Mpox symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that typically starts on the face before spreading to other parts of the body. While the disease is often mild, it can lead to severe complications, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems.

The virus spreads through close contact with infected individuals or animals, posing greater challenges in densely populated areas.

“A person is considered infectious from the onset of symptoms until skin lesions crust over, fall off, and new skin develops. Transmission primarily occurs through large respiratory droplets or direct contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, or contaminated clothing or bedding,” explained Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County Public Health Officer.

Marburg Virus Emerges in Rwanda

Adding to the region’s health crisis, Rwanda is grappling with its first outbreak of the Marburg virus. Over 60 confirmed cases have been reported, with healthcare workers among the hardest hit. The virus's high fatality rate has heightened the urgency for a robust response from governments and international partners like WHO.

Insufficient Vaccines and Calls for Global Support

Nearly 900,000 Mpox vaccine doses have been distributed across Africa. However, health authorities warn this falls short of the need. Africa CDC estimates that over 10 million doses are required to control the outbreak. Vaccination campaigns are underway, supported by global partners, but significant challenges remain.

With Africa simultaneously battling Mpox and the Marburg virus, the call for increased investments in testing, surveillance, and healthcare infrastructure has become critical. While local communities are making remarkable efforts on the ground, sustained global support is essential to combat these overlapping health crises effectively.

Additional sources • AP

Marburg Outbreak in Rwanda Declared Over

The New Times

Medics in charge of helping Marburg patients at Kigali Hospital. According to the Ministry of health, only one Marburg patient under treatment.

20 December 2024

World Health Organization Africa (Brazzaville)

The outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease was declared over today by the Government of Rwanda with no new cases reported over the last 42 days after the last patient tested negative for the virus twice, as per the usual protocol for ending these types of outbreaks.

The outbreak, confirmed on 27 September 2024, was the first Marburg Virus Disease outbreak Rwanda has experienced. A total of 66 confirmed cases and 15 deaths were recorded. Almost 80% of the cases were among health workers who were infected while providing clinical care to their colleagues and other patients.

To halt the spread of the virus and save lives, Rwandan health authorities, with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, mounted a comprehensive response, with a large range of measures from disease surveillance, testing, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, to clinical care and public awareness. These actions helped to curb the spread of the outbreak, with cases halved between weeks two and three after detection and declining by around 90% thereafter.

“The robust response by Rwanda shows how committed leadership, concerted efforts by partners and a strong health system are crucial in addressing public health emergencies, saving and protecting lives as well as safeguarding the health of individuals and communities,” said Dr Brian Chirombo, WHO Representative in Rwanda.

The deployment of WHO experts, a team of national first responders from other countries in the region and the strong mobilization of national efforts were instrumental in enhancing the outbreak response. The last confirmed case received their second negative PCR result on 7 November, kicking off the 42-day countdown to declaring the end of the outbreak, as per WHO recommendation.

WHO continues to work closely with the national authorities to maintain critical measures to ensure swift detection and response in case of any flare-up or new spillover of the virus. WHO will continue to support the Ministry of Health to implement and sustain a holistic care programme for people who recovered from Marburg Virus Disease to help them overcome any after-effects they may experience.

The virus which causes Marburg, is in the same family as the virus that causes Ebola Virus Disease. It is highly virulent with a fatality rate ranging from 24% to 88%. In this outbreak, the fatality rate was on the lower end, at around 23%. Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials.

Read the original article on WHO-AFRO.

SACP Congratulates SWAPO on Electoral Victory

Sunday 8 December 2024

The South African Communist Party (SACP) congratulates the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) on its electoral victory in the recent Namibian elections. The SACP also congratulates president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for the victory, particularly as the first ever female president of Namibia.

SWAPO’s electoral victory demonstrates the Namibian people’s desire to continue building their country and rid it of the legacy of apartheid and colonialism. SWAPO was part of the forces which made an indelible contribution to the defeat of the apartheid regime, both in South Africa and Namibia, as well as fighting against apartheid influence across the southern African region.

In support of the Namibian people’s efforts to develop their country further, grounded in national sovereignty and self-determination, the SACP will strengthen its ties with its historical ally, SWAPO and the revolutionary movement. This is crucial due to the fact that the struggle against imperialism continues, and in that context the building of the African Left Networking Forum is urgently necessary.

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FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.

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National Spokesperson & Political Bureau Secretary for Policy and Research

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Statement on the Parole and Release of Janusz Walus

Friday, 6 December 2024

The Constitutional Court’s order on 21 November 2022, under the leadership of Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, granting Janusz Waluś parole within ten days, remains a source of profound anger and disappointment. This is true not only for the Hani family and the South African Communist Party (SACP) but also for millions of South Africans, of whom the majority is the working class.

Waluś, a Polish immigrant who cold-bloodedly assassinated our beloved General Secretary, Comrade Chris Hani, on 10 April 1993, has now concluded that parole. The SACP will dedicate a session at its Fifth Special National Congress scheduled for 11 to 14 December 2024 on this matter. 

Through the past 31 years since the sentencing of Waluś and his co-conspirator, one Clive Derby-Lewis who has since died while on medical parole, our stance remained resolute: both the convicted assassins should have rotted in jail. We demanded full disclosure of the truth about Hani’s assassination. To achieve this, we opposed both amnesty and parole for the convicted assassins and called for an inquest into Hani’s assassination towards closure for the family.

This week, the government reached out to Comrade Limpho Hani, Chris Hani’s widow, to arrange a meeting regarding Waluś’ release. Comrade Limpho, as a matter of principle, ensured the SACP’s presence at the meeting held on the evening of Thursday, 6 December 2024. SACP General Secretary Comrade Solly Mapaila led the Party’s delegation, which included the legal representative of the Hani family and the SACP. The government delegation was headed by Deputy President Paul Mashatile and included three ministers.

While the Hani family and the SACP acknowledged the government’s effort to reach out to the family and the Party, this was on the eve of the end of the assassin’s parole. The meeting occurred at 8 PM, a few hours before the assassin’s parole ended at midnight. A deportation plan for Waluś, who is neither a South African citizen nor a permanent resident, was already finalised and set to commence the next morning, 6 December 2024.

The eleventh-hour notification clearly appeared to be the result of how the Department of Correctional Services, under Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald – leader of the Freedom Front Plus – handled the matter. The Hani family and the SACP voiced deep concerns over this disregard and urged the Deputy President to provide Cabinet feedback. We made it clear: no family of apartheid-era or other victims should ever be treated in this manner. This was a joint appeal grounded in justice and humanity.

Additionally, Comrade Limpho Hani and Comrade Mapaila presented the joint call by the Hani family and the SACP for an inquest into Chris Hani’s assassination. The parole granted to Waluś disregarded the fact that neither he nor his co-conspirators have fully disclosed the truth surrounding the assassination. Justice remains incomplete, and the Hani family, the SACP, and the working class continue to suffer the painful absence of closure.

While unrepentant racists and right-wingers in South Africa and Poland may view Waluś as their hero, he is a convicted assassin who sought to defend the perpetuation of the racist regime of apartheid and its social relations. This must be considered a warning. Chris Hani will live forever in our hearts and in the programme of the SACP and the working class.

We will not rest until the full truth is uncovered, justice is served and the revolutionary values Hani stood for are fully realised.

Issued by the South African Communist Party,

Founded in 1921 as the Communist Party of South Africa.

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