Yemen Stages Million-man Marches in Solidarity with Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English

Crowds renewed their demands for escalating the Yemeni armed forces' operations against the US and the Israeli regime until the genocide on the people of Gaza is stopped.

In a display of solidarity with Gaza and in support of the fourth stage of escalation launched by the Yemeni Resistance, Yemeni citizens staged a million-man protest on Friday in the heart of Yemen's capital city Sanaa, and in several other provinces.

Under the slogan "With Gaza: a holy struggle with no limits", Sanaa's Al-Sabeen Square along with dozens of other squares in the provinces of Saada, Raymah, Marib, Hudaydah, Dhamar, Ibb, Amran, Taiz, Hajjah, Al-Bayda, Al-Jawf, Al-Mahwit, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale, Lahj, and Al-Mahwit have all witnessed massive crowds.

Crowds renewed their demands for escalating the Yemeni armed forces' operations against the US and the Israeli regime until the genocide on the people of Gaza is stopped.

Demonstrators saluted the fighters of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza and all of occupied Palestine and expressed support for the fronts in Lebanon and Iraq, as well as operations led by the Yemeni armed forces in their fourth stage of escalation against the Zionist regime which have reached the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south.

They affirmed their continued mobilization and readiness with determination and resolve, and their commitment to continuing marches, activities, and various initiatives until victory.

They further expressed pride for the leader of the Yemeni Resistance Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi and reaffirmed their full readiness to execute any directives from him.

‘The Genocide Has to be Stopped Now’ – South African Anti-Apartheid Fighter Ronnie Kasrils

May 17, 2024

Veteran South African anti-apartheid activist Ronnie Kasrils. (Photo: Nurah Tape, Palestine Chronicle)

By Nurah Tape 

The Palestine Chronicle  

“Our four pillars incidentally took us 30 years to develop and crystallize. We don’t have 30 years. There’s the genocide. The genocide has to be stopped now.”

Veteran South African anti-apartheid activist Ronnie Kasrils has highlighted armed struggle and international solidarity among the important elements that paved the way for the country’s freedom, drawing parallels to the Palestinian struggle.

Addressing the first Global Anti-Apartheid Conference held in Johannesburg, Kasrils pointed out, “Our four pillars incidentally took us 30 years to develop and crystallize. We don’t have 30 years. There’s the genocide. The genocide has to be stopped now.”

He said the key overriding factor in the struggle was “clear politics, policy, unity,” along with “the mass struggle of the people,” adding “We can never make change without the mobilization of the masses.”

The former Intelligence Minister emphasized “an underground” as another important aspect, saying “We have seen how an underground has functioned right in Gaza and in the West Bank, and reached the most impressive heights.”

He said the underground aspect of South Africa’s struggle “brought the message of leadership to our people.”

“In those days through leaflets and pamphlets, giving leadership and guidance to the people, to public organizations of youth, of women, of trade unions and so on. Absolutely essential.”

Right to Resist with Arms

A third important aspect that Kasrils highlighted was “the right of armed struggle, an international right of resistance against tyranny, against military occupation.”

“There is no need to pussyfoot around the fact when we have our discussions about the right of the Palestinians to resist with arms,” he said. “And the Palestinian people are showing that in terms of their armed struggle … it’s past (the) guerilla stage of struggle.”

Kasrils was a founding member of Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), the paramilitary wing of the now-ruling African National Congress (ANC) which engaged in armed struggle against the South African apartheid regime.

The fourth key factor noted by Kasrils in the freedom struggle was that of international solidarity, “from the ANC to FRELIMO, to the Angolan comrades, the Zimbabwean comrades, the Vietnamese comrades.”

“As was the case with the South African anti-apartheid movement,” Kasrils said, it is important “to form such pressure in the streets, in the mobilization, and we see it, we see it before our eyes today in the most unbelievable way.”

‘Divest from Israel’

He mentioned boycotts, “divestment, sanctions against … apartheid Israel, and the BDS movement is growing and growing,” adding “And we see the students in the USA saying …to their universities and colleges, divest from Israel.”

Kasrils emphasized: “It’s been unheard of, it’s come to an absolute crystallization of the struggle and the support that the Palestinians are getting globally. And that for us in South Africa, that fourth pillar, we saw throughout that 30 years.”

The struggle activist was one of many influential speakers who addressed the conference held from May 10 – 12 at the Sandton Convention Centre which aimed to set the basis for the mobilisation of a Global Anti-Apartheid Movement “to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against the Palestinian people, and to work to dismantle Israeli apartheid,” according to the conference organizers.”

Speakers included Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Yvonne Dausab, Namibia’s Justice Minister; Mustafa Barghouti, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council; Dr Ahmet Davutoğlu, the former Turkish Prime Minister; and Declan Kearney, Chairperson of the Ireland’s Sinn Fein party.

Johannesburg Declaration

The Johannesburg Declaration on Israel’s Settler-Colonialism, Apartheid and Genocide was issued at the conclusion of the conference.

“We, inspired by, and many of us having been part of, the global Anti-Apartheid Movement that helped end apartheid in South Africa and Namibia, now rise, as the continuation of that movement, to confront the settler-colonialism and apartheid of Israel and its backers,” the Declaration stated.

The Conference Declaration vowed “to ensure Israel and those complicit in its genocide are held accountable (and) to support the struggle for the liberation of the Palestinian people.”

(The Palestine Chronicle)

– Nurah Tape is a South Africa-based journalist. She is an editor with The Palestine Chronicle.

African Media Charged to Adopt Technology

By Xinhua 

May 17, 2024

The African media should leverage the power of digital technology to tell the African story, reshaping the narratives and perceptions about the continent globally, an African Union (AU) official has said.

Leslie Richer, the AU director of information and communication, made this call in her opening remarks on Wednesday at the 3rd African Media Convention (AMC), which commenced in the Ghanaian capital of Accra.

She said that with the use of data analysis tools, African media can verify the source and authenticity of the data used to describe and assess the continent and its people around the world, correcting the wrong narratives. “With the evolving technology and digital media landscape, narratives about Africa and Africans are even more important. We must interrogate the source of data that is used to define and describe us in the world,” Richer said.

She underscored the need to use media literacy methods to empower individuals to navigate the complex landscape of information with confidence and clarity, helping build well-informed citizens and reshape their perceptions of Africa.

Rita Bissoonauth, head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Liaison Office to the AU Commission and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, underscored the need to explore how the African media can continue to evolve while upholding the principles of independence, diversity and integrity.

“The media’s role extends far beyond reporting news. It is about nurturing informed and engaged societies, holding power to account, and most importantly, shaping the future through responsible and innovative storytelling,” Bissoonauth said.

The AMC is an annual gathering of media experts, scholars, students, journalists, journalist unions and associations, editors and the public and private sectors to reflect on the fundamental role of journalism on the continent, celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, and deliberate on measures to safeguard media freedom.

Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Rises to 33.69 Percent in April

By Xinhua 

May 17, 2024

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 33.69 percent in April, compared to 33.20 percent in the previous month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said.

   The country’s consumer price index, a main gauge of inflation, rose by 11.47 percent, compared to the rate of 22.22 percent in April 2023, the statistics bureau said in its latest report.

   Month-on-month, the inflation rate in April was 2.29 percent, 0.73 percentage points lower than the rate recorded in March, which was 3.02 percent.

   “This means that in April, the rate of increase in the average price level is less than the rate of increase in the average price level in March,” the NBS report said.

Namibia Begins Construction of New Hospital to Improve Healthcare Services

By Xinhua 

May 17, 2024

Namibia started the construction of a new 500-bed district hospital in the capital, Windhoek, on Thursday to address overcrowding at the country’s biggest public hospital and cater to the country’s growing population.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula, said the new hospital aims to address overcrowding at the Katutura Intermediate Hospital, which currently operates at an average occupancy rate of 113 percent.

“The new hospital will significantly relieve pressure on our healthcare system and improve patient care,” he said. The hospital, set for completion in 2027, will be a 500-bed facility featuring departments for general outpatient and inpatient care, mental health and frail care.

Additionally, the project includes staff accommodations and recreational facilities and will create jobs for young professionals and support staff.

According to Shangula, Namibia faces a rising burden of non-communicable diseases, which account for over 50 percent of deaths in the country.

He added that the new hospital is part of a broader strategy to tackle these health challenges and improve the population’s overall health.

Namibia’s population has increased significantly from 2,113,077 in 2011 to 3,022,401 in 2023, posing challenges for health service delivery due to the strain on infrastructure and the growing health and social needs.

Djibouti Forum Wraps Up with Promising Agreements, Optimism About Economic Prospects

By AMA 

May 17, 2024

The inaugural Djibouti Forum brought together nearly 400 delegates, including international institutional investors collectively overseeing a staggering $2.5 trillion in assets. Describing the forum as a “resounding success”, Dr. Slim Feriani, CEO of Fonds Souverain de Djibouti (Djibouti’s sovereign wealth fund), noted that it was evident that there “is great and growing interest in Djibouti.”

During the closing ceremony of the two-day event, Feriani signed a memorandum of understanding with Tamini Insurance, part of the influential Salaam Group, a leading financial conglomerate in Djibouti.

Tamini Insurance’s CEO, Mohamed Bahdon, announced that under the agreement, their clients—numbering over 4,000—will now have access to Djibouti’s first crowdfunding platform, Inclufin. Through this platform, Tamini Insurance clients can invest in socially impactful entrepreneurial ventures in the country while earning returns on their savings. “It’s an opportunity for our clients to invest in promising businesses, including startups and SMEs, and contribute to the country’s entrepreneurial future,” he said.

The Djibouti Forum also witnessed the signing of an agreement between PAIX Data Centres, a prominent data center solutions provider, and Djibouti’s sovereign wealth fund to establish a cutting-edge, cloud-and-carrier-neutral data centre in the country.

This deal introduces a new player to Djibouti’s data centre sector, which currently hosts only Wingu, and is expected to deliver benefits to customers in terms of innovation, pricing and reliability. The soon-to-be-constructed facility, named JIB1, will encompass approximately 50,000 square feet of net usable space and offer up to 5 megawatts of critical power. The first phase is slated to launch in 2026.

Having both Wingu and PAIX in Djibouti will create critical mass in data centres in the country and fast track its ambitions to become a digital economy hub.

“PAIX’s investment in JIB1 positions it at the crossroads of connectivity between Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia” PAIX CEO Wouter van Hulten said. “The strong network hub that is created by the aggregation of multiple undersea cable landing points connecting to terrestrial cables makes Djibouti a highly attractive gateway.”

Feriani expressed confidence that the first Djibouti Forum had laid the groundwork for future deals in additional sectors. He invited international partners in attendance to join forces with the country’s sovereign wealth fund to unlock the country’s promising economic potential. “To achieve our goal of doubling the economy in ten years, consistent 7% growth is essential. This can be achieved through mutually beneficial partnerships and economic diversification.”

The two-day forum included panels on various topics such as ports, logistics, technology, connectivity, energy, tourism, financial services, and agro-processing. Additionally, it facilitated lively discussions among leading economists, policymakers, and investors about the macroeconomic landscape in Djibouti and Africa.

Speaking on the macroeconomic outlook for Africa and Djibouti, Dr. Sampawende Tapsoba, Deputy Chief Economist & Director, Data Management & Model Development, Afreximbank, acknowledged that the country of 1.12 million people was punching above its weight. “Djibouti is growing faster than many African economies and has comparatively lower levels of debt-to-GDP,” he said, emphasizing that low levels of debt meant that Djibouti has the fiscal room to meaningfully invest in transformative sectors of the economy.

Charlie Robertson, Head of Macro Strategy, FIM Partners UK, delivered the closing remarks at the forum. “The three things that stood out for me in this forum are ambition, opportunity and safety,” he said. “The leadership’s ambition in Djibouti is palpable,” he observed, saying that Djibouti is a safe country that remains a beacon of stability in a volatile neighborhood.

The Djibouti Forum was hosted by the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti (Fonds Souverain de Djibouti), a fund created in March 2020. It is today under the stewardship of CEO, Dr. Slim Feriani, a former Tunisian Minister with over 30 years of experience in international capital markets.

Ghana Parliament Recalled for Urgent Business After LGBT Row

FRIDAY MAY 17 2024

Ghana's parliament, which has been adjourned since March following a row between the speaker and the president over an anti-LGBT bill, will reconvene on Friday to discuss approval of ministerial appointees and other "urgent matters".

Majority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said in a statement that the urgent recall was "in good faith to enable government to discharge its constitutional and democratic obligations to the people."

Lawmakers in February unanimously passed one of Africa's most restrictive anti-LGBT bills, but President Nana Akufo-Addo has not yet signed it into law. His office said it would wait for the outcome of two legal challenges to the bill before it passes to the president for assent.

The delay sparked a backlash from supporters of the bill and has hobbled parliamentary procedures in Ghana, including the approval of ministerial nominations following a government reshuffle in February.

Speaker Alban Bagbin, who adjourned parliament in March, said the president's refusal to sign the bill was unconstitutional.

Around 21 nominees to ministerial and deputy ministerial posts, including two for the finance ministry, and other scheduled business, are awaiting approval.

Afenyo-Markin, a ruling party lawmaker for Effutu constituency in central Ghana, said Friday's emergency sitting will also consider a $150 million loan agreement between the government and the World Bank's International Development Association to improve Accra's economic resilience, and tax exemptions for businesses.

The speaker's office told Reuters it is Bagbin's "constitutional duty" to recall MPs, and that the sitting will be limited to the reasons given.

The president's decision to hold off on signing the bill came after a finance ministry warning that it could jeopardise $3.8 million in World Bank financing and derail a $3-billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan package.

The Supreme Court asked lawyers battling over the legality of the anti-LGBT bill to amend their motions due to insulting language in their submissions and then postponed the case without setting a new date.

DRC Opposition Faults President Tshisekedi's Constitution Review Crusade

THURSDAY MAY 16 2024

Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi attends an opening session of the 35th ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 5, 2022. 

By PATRICK ILUNGA

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi has kick-started a constitutional review process, saying he wants a “dignified” constitution.

The recently re-elected head of State announced his intention to “set up a commission to reflect on a new constitution”, arguing that the Congolese law put in place in 2006 was a “post-conflict” law.

President Tshisekedi complained, among other things, about the slowness in setting up political institutions such as the Bureau of the National Assembly and the government. The institutions are still not in place more than five months after the 2023 elections which gave him a second and final term of office, ending in 2028.

Although he announced this while on a European tour at the beginning of May, it has become a serious concern among the opposition and civil society.

When asked by Congolese in Belgium about a possible revision of the Constitution, he replied that “we need a constitution worthy of our country”.

Some opponents already fear that he could set his term count back to zero, seeking a fresh mandate under the new supreme law if amended.

Christian Mwando, who heads the opposition parliamentary group in the National Assembly, said the announcement is “an attempt at a third term”. 

“We cannot accept it...It’s a total lack of leadership. President Tshisekedi must take his responsibilities for the Republic and not always put the blame on others or the texts. The texts are clear and are good. With a Stalinist majority, he should have put the country in order but he did not. He has no right to blame anyone, not even the Constitution,” said Mwando.

 “Tshisekedi should read the Constitution carefully and understand that the installation of the prime minister and government can in no way be blocked by the Law, especially in the current context of a single political bloc with a majority at all legislative levels and a corrupt electoral commission, contrary to what he claims”, said Devos Kitoko, Secretary General of the Ecidé (Commitment to Citizenship and Development) party of the opposition leader Martin Fayulu.

In a statement, Fayulu’s party said, “Tshisekedi’s manoeuvres are aimed at illegitimately maintaining himself in power, which he obtained by an electoral hold-up in 2018 and by a sham of elections in 2023. He is also concealing his inability to preserve the territorial integrity of the DRC in the face of the M23 rebels”.

Much of French-speaking Africa has seen the debate about changing their constitutions and extending the terms of office of heads of State. Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, the Central African Republic and Guinea have not escaped this debate. 

DRC government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, in an attempt to calm the debate, said, “We must avoid any politicisation of the President’s thinking. We must not mystify this debate. People want to fixate on a question to which the President has already given a sufficient answer by saying that he does not want to be seen as a dictator”.

According to the spokesman, “after 20 years of this Constitution, we are entitled to think that we need to reflect on what comes next, in particular, the functioning of the provinces or the question of the debate on Congolese nationality”.

South Africa Ends Rescue Efforts at Collapsed Building and Revises Figures: 33 Dead, No More Missing

BY GERALD IMRAY

9:58 AM EDT, May 17, 2024

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — An exhaustive rescue operation to find missing construction workers trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building in South Africa ended Friday after nearly two weeks, as authorities released a major revision of their figures and said they now believe that no one else is missing.

They confirmed that 33 workers died in the collapse of the five-story apartment building that was under construction in the city of George on South Africa’s south coast.

Authorities in the city had said that 19 workers were still unaccounted for and believed to be buried in the rubble of the unfinished building that came crashing down on May 6.

But as rescue crews and other personnel finished moving concrete and clearing the debris on Friday, the city said that it now believed that a total of 62 construction workers were at the site when the building collapsed, and not 81 as it previously announced. The conclusion came after more consultations with the building company, police and other new sources of information, the city said.

That meant that all workers were now accounted for: the 33 dead and 29 rescued, the city said. Of the dead, 27 were men and six were women, the city said.

The tragedy was one of South Africa’s worst building collapses.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the collapsed building on Thursday to show support for the victims’ families, emergency workers and others who had been on the site for more than 250 hours, working night and day in shifts to try and locate and rescue survivors. Five of the victims were taken out of the building alive but later died in the hospital, authorities said. Ten people remain in the hospital.

More than 1,000 emergency responders, rescuers, volunteers and other personnel were part of the search efforts.

There were some remarkable stories of survival amid the thousands of tons of concrete that collapsed, including a man who was found alive after being trapped for six days without food and water. Rescuers said he incredibly had only minor injuries.

As the rescue operation ended and became a clear-up operation, the building will be handed over to the national department of employment and labor to conduct an investigation into the collapse, the city said. There will be several other investigations, including by police and the provincial Western Cape government.

“This was a devastating tragedy,” said Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, the head of the provincial government. “We need to understand what happened and what steps need to be taken to ensure that we do whatever we can to hold those who need to be held to account.”

Many of the workers were foreign nationals from Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

The construction contractors responsible for the building have come under scrutiny and the investigations will probe whether they adhered to safety standards. The building was due to be completed in July or August.

A Man is Convicted in Malawi over a TikTok Video Showing a Caricature of the President Dancing

FILE - Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera attends the swearing-in ceremony for Kenya’s new president William Ruto, at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. A man in Malawi was convicted of insulting President Lazarus Chakwera after posting a TikTok video that shows an animated figure with Chakwera’s face superimposed on it doing some wacky dance moves. Sainani Nkhoma was found guilty by a court on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga, File)

8:18 AM EDT, May 17, 2024

BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — A man in Malawi was convicted of insulting President Lazarus Chakwera after posting a TikTok video that shows an animated figure with Chakwera’s face superimposed on it doing some wacky dance moves.

Sainani Nkhoma was found guilty by a court on Thursday, which said he had posted the video and insulting comments about Chakwera in a community WhatsApp group. Other members of the WhatsApp group in the central town of Mponela reported Nkhoma to the ruling Malawi Congress Party and the police and Nkhoma was arrested.

Judge Talakwanji Mndala said Nkhoma’s actions were inappropriate and his sentencing was scheduled for next week. The judge warned that the punishment could be a fine of around $3,500 or six years in prison.

Chakwera, 69, was elected president of the southern African nation in 2020 after its Constitutional Court ordered an unprecedented rerun of the 2019 presidential election. Incumbent Peter Mutharika had initially been declared the winner of the 2019 vote but the Constitutional Court said there was evidence of widespread irregularities.

After he was elected, Chakwera said: “I’m so happy I could dance all night.”

Senegal’s New Prime Minister Criticizes French Military Presence in the West African Country

FILE - Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko addresses journalists following his release from police custody in Dakar, Senegal, on March 8, 2021. Senegal’s new prime minister Ousmane Sonko, who was freed from jail weeks before the presidential election earlier this year and propelled his party to victory, criticized the presence of French military bases in the West African country at an event late on Thursday May 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui, File)

BY MARK BANCHEREAU

3:46 PM EDT, May 17, 2024

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal’s new prime minister, who was freed from jail weeks before the presidential election earlier this year and propelled his party to victory, has criticized the French military presence in the West African country.

Ousmane Sonko also criticized efforts by France and the West to promote values that he said didn’t fit with those held by Senegal and other African countries, including LGBTQ rights and monogamy. Polygamy is widely practiced in Senegal.

Sonko was speaking late Thursday at an event held jointly with the French far-left politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon in the capital, Dakar.

Sonko is known for his criticism of interference by France, which is Senegal’s former colonial ruler. His fiery views in a region where other neighbors have already taken steps to cut ties with France helped his chosen candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye win the presidential election in March.

“I want to reiterate Senegal’s desire for self-determination, which is incompatible with the long-term presence of foreign military bases in Senegal,” Sonko said.

He said the desire to question the presence of French and other foreign forces didn’t undermine existing defense treaties that Senegal has signed with those countries. France has about 350 troops in Senegal.

While Sonko warned that promoting LGBTQ rights could cause conflict between Senegal and France, Mélenchon responded that he had introduced legislation permitting same-sex marriage in France.

“I thought that this freedom to love anyone had to be open to all that wanted to enjoy it,” the French politician said.

Senegal is considered a pillar of stability in a region that has experienced a wave of coups in recent years, and Sonko’s remarks are likely to draw attention from Western allies.

Following coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, all three nations have expelled French troops and turned to Russia instead for help fighting yearslong insurgencies there. The three nations also formed their own alliance of Sahel states, causing a split within the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS.

Sonko, whose party has said ECOWAS needs to be reformed, reiterated criticism of the regional bloc for allowing the divisions to grow.

“We will not abandon our brothers in the Sahel and will do everything necessary to strengthen our ties,” he said.

Niger PM: US Threats Led to Rupture of Ties

By Al Mayadeen English

14 May 2024 15:07

The Washington Post cites Niger's prime minister as saying that relations with the US significantly deteriorated due to US officials' attempt to dictate Niger's foreign partnership choices.

The United States' tone and behavior toward Nigerien officials was the primary reason for the collapse of its relations with Niger, after a senior US official threatened the country's authority during recent last-attempt negotiations regarding the presence of American forces, Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine revealed in an exclusive interview with The Washington Post.

Zeine confirmed that ties with the US significantly deteriorated due to US officials' attempt to dictate Niger's foreign partnership choices, in addition to failing to provide adequate justification for the stationing of US forces in the country, which is now slated to end in the coming months.

A first set of about 100 Russian advisors arrived in Niger on April 10 along with air defense systems after talks between military ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian advisors are now staying at a Nigerien air base near the Niamey airport, which also houses over 1,000 US troops who were deployed in 2012 under the excuse of fighting terrorism in Africa's Western Sahel.

'Lack of respect'

Following a military coup last year led by Tiani that ousted the Western-backed President Bazoum, the US suspended security agreements and assistance with Niger.

"The Americans stayed on our soil, doing nothing while the terrorists killed people and burned towns," the premier said. "It is not a sign of friendship to come on our soil but let the terrorists attack us. We have seen what the United States will do to defend its allies, because we have seen Ukraine and Israel."

Citing US officials, the newspaper reported that the withdrawal of the US troops marks a notable setback for US President Joe Biden's administration.

Zeine expressed that the leaders of Niger's new government were puzzled by Washington's decision to suspend military assistance while simultaneously insisting on maintaining troops in the country, all without providing justification for their ongoing presence.

He noted a stark contrast in the US' reaction to Niger's coup, compared to other countries like Russia, Turkey, and the UAE, which welcomed the new leaders of Niger "with open arms".

He noted a stark contrast in the US' reaction to Niger's coup compared to other countries like Russia, Turkey, and the UAE, which have welcomed the new leaders of Niger "with open arms."

US threatened Niger not to engage with Iran, Russia

The prime minister pointed out that the Nigerien government was particularly offended by comments made by Molly Phee, the State Department's senior official for African affairs, during her visit to the capital Niamey in March.

He said that Phee had warned the country's officials against engaging with Iran and Russia in manners that Washington found objectionable if Niger wished to maintain its security ties with the United States. Additionally, Zeine said that Phee had threatened sanctions if Niger proceeded with a uranium deal with Iran.

"When she finished, I said, ‘Madame, I am going to summarize in two points what you have said...First, you have come here to threaten us in our country. That is unacceptable. And you have come here to tell us with whom we can have relationships, which is also unacceptable. And you have done it all with a condescending tone and a lack of respect."

An unnamed official said in response to the prime minister's statement, "The message to the CNSP [Niger's leadership] in March was a coordinated US government position, delivered in a professional manner, in response to valid concerns about developments in Niger. The CNSP was presented with a choice, not an ultimatum, about whether they wished to continue their partnership with us, respectful of our democratic values and national security interests."

The official added, "In the coming months, we will work with the CNSP to draw down US forces in an orderly fashion and ultimately reposition them elsewhere, consistent with U.S. security interests."

Imagine it happening in the US

Elsewhere in the interview, Zeine recalled his efforts to discuss the relationship between the two countries, stating that his attempts to arrange meetings with officials in Washington were declined for several months.

He said that Salifou Modi, a former army chief now serving as vice president, drafted a new status-of-forces agreement to govern the presence of American troops, but it was rejected. Still, he said, Nigerien officials had remained hopeful that the US might provide more assistance to respond to terrorist attacks.

Following the coup, Niger's new government expelled some 1,500 French soldiers stationed in the country, but left open the possibility for US forces to stay.

When Phee arrived in Niger in December, Zeine recalled showing her photographs of Nigeriens displaying American flags during protests against France, Niger's former colonial power. Despite protesters setting fires and vandalizing the French Embassy, he pointed out that they did not target the US Embassy.

"Nigeriens were saying, ‘Americans are our friends, they will help us this time to annihilate the terrorists,’" the prime minister said. "But there was radio silence." He added that his country would have dismissed help from other countries had the US responded to requests for more support, including for jets, drones, and air defense systems.

Speaking in an earlier interview, Phee said that US officials "made the choice as stark and clear" as much as possible during the December meeting with Niger's leadership. She added that the officials said that US support would "remain suspended until Niger set a timeline for restoring democracy."

When Phee came back to Niamey earlier this year, "I asked Modi if he knew how many Americans were in the country and what they were doing exactly," Zeine said. "He said 'No'". The prime minister said that he then turned to Phee and posed the question, "Can you imagine the same thing happening in the United States?"

In front of cameras

He explained that this visit marked a significant shift, largely due to Phee's hour-long opening remarks. She accused the Nigerien government of striking a deal to sell uranium mined in Niger to Iran, which could potentially use it for its nuclear program.

Zeine said that these allegations are not only untrue but also that "absolutely nothing" was signed during his visit to Tehran in January. If an agreement had been signed, "it would have not been under the table … but in front of cameras."

He likened the United States' actions to those of George W. Bush's administration before the Iraq invasion, citing subsequently debunked intelligence that claimed Saddam Hussein's regime had attempted to procure uranium from Niger for a nuclear weapons program.

Despite Niger's insistence on the departure of US military personnel, Zeine emphasized that his government desires to maintain economic and diplomatic ties with the United States, asserting that "no Nigerien sees the United States as an adversary."

He conveyed to Phee and Campbell that Niger would prefer American investors over soldiers. "If American investors come, we will give them what they need," he recounted informing the State Department officials.

"We have uranium. We have oil. We have lithium. Come and invest. That's all we ask."

Baku Rejects French Accusations of Meddling in New Caledonia Protests

By Al Mayadeen English

16 May 2024 15:56

Azerbaijan promptly refutes the claim made by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin that the country is escalating tensions between France and New Caledonia.

France leveled on Thursday accusations against Azerbaijan, alleging "interference" in the political affairs of its Pacific territory, New Caledonia, where violent protests erupted in recent days.

Azerbaijan promptly refuted the claim made by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin accusing the country of escalating tensions between France and the oil-rich Caspian Sea nation.

The unrest in New Caledonia, situated as a French territory between Australia and Fiji, was reportedly triggered by proposed changes to voting laws that independence supporters argue unfairly target the indigenous Kanak community. 

"This isn't a fantasy. It's a reality," Darmanin said, as quoted by France 2 TV when asked if Azerbaijan, China, and Russia were meddling in New Caledonia.

"I regret that some of the Caledonian pro-independence leaders have made a deal with Azerbaijan. It's indisputable," he claimed.

However, he stressed, "Even if there are attempts at interference... France is sovereign on its own territory, and so much the better."

In response, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ayhan Hajizadeh said, "We completely reject the baseless accusations." 

"We refute any connection between the leaders of the struggle for freedom in Caledonia and Azerbaijan," he further stressed.

France deploys troops in New Caledonia as protests leave four dead

France dispatched on Wednesday troops to defend ports and the international airport in its Pacific territory of New Caledonia following two nights of violent-turned protests that resulted in four fatalities and hundreds of injuries.

The unrest erupted after France's national assembly approved contentious changes to voting rolls, which indigenous Kanak leaders argue will undermine their voting rights.

Despite the implementation of security forces and a nighttime curfew, the violence has persisted, marking the most significant upheaval in New Caledonia since the 1980s.

Reports claim widespread looting of shops and arson attacks on public buildings, resulting in numerous casualties, including around 100 police and gendarmes.

Meanwhile, pictures have circulated all over social media showing French men targeting Kanak protesters with firearms.

While New Caledonia has twice rejected independence in referenda, support for sovereignty remains strong among the indigenous Kanak population.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for renewed political dialogue amid the crisis. However, the government has imposed a state of emergency, effective Thursday, to restore order, with troops deployed to secure key infrastructure.

Simultaneously, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced the deployment of additional security measures, including a ban on TikTok.

The government's primary objective is to quell unrest and facilitate dialogue, he stated.

Under the state of emergency, authorities are empowered to enforce travel restrictions, house arrests, and conduct searches.

In response to the unrest, nearly 1,800 law enforcement officers have been mobilized, with an additional 500 reinforcements expected.

Macron canceled a scheduled trip to convene an emergency meeting and address the situation in New Caledonia.

Russian Forces Take Village of Rabotyne, Annihilate 1,200 Ukrainian Soldiers in 24 Hours

Russian Defence Ministry: Rabotyne taken

15.05.2024 14:52

Incidents

The Russian forces have taken the village of Rabotyne (spelled the Russian way as Rabotino) in the Zaporizhzhia direction of hostilities, the Russian Defence Ministry said.

The small village of Rabotyne in the Pologovsky district of the Zaporizhzhia region was one of the goals of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the summer and autumn of last year. Russian and Ukrainian forces have been fighting for the village during the recent several months, but neither side has been able to take full control of it.

The military department also reported that units of the Sever (North) group of the Russian forces took two more settlements in the Kharkiv region. It goes about the villages of Glubokoe and Lukyantsy north of Liptsy.

The military department also reported massive attacks on the positions of four Ukrainian brigades in the areas of the settlements of Zhuravka, Granov, Liptsy and Volchansk. Three counterattacks were repelled in areas of Glubokoe and Staritsa.

As for other directions of hostilities, the following changes have occurred there over the past 24 hours:

units of the Zapad (West) group attacked positions of three brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in areas of the settlements of Petropavlovka, Stelmakhovka, Nadiya, ten counterattacks were repelled in areas of Makeyevka and Novoegorovka;

units of the Yug (South) group attacked positions of eight brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in areas of the settlements of Kalinina, Razdolovka, Kleshcheevka, Nevelskoye, Krasnogorovka, Georgievka, Belogorovka;

units of the Center group attacked positions of four brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of the settlements of Novgorodskoye, Mayorsk, Semenovka, Umanskoye. Six counterattacks were repelled in areas of the settlements of Solovyevo, Ocheretino, Netailovo, Keramik;

units of the Vostok (East) group attacked positions of three brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in areas of the settlements of Staromayorskoye, Urozhainoye, Vodyanoye;

units of the Dnepr group attacked positions of three brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in areas of the settlements of Malaya Tokmachka, Nikopol, and Zolotaya Balka.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have lost more than 1,200 people over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defence ministry said. The Russian forces also annihilated three tanks, a Vampire MLRS combat vehicle, a Grad MLRS combat vehicle, and three Gvozdika self-propelled guns. In addition, Russian air defence systems shot down a MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force.

See more at https://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/159599-rabotyne/

Slovakia’s PM in 'Very Serious' Condition, President-elect Says

Peter Pellegrini added that "the next few hours and days" will be decisive for Robert Fico, who is staying at a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica

Slovak President-Elect Peter Pellegrini AP Photo/Petr David Josek

© AP Photo/Petr David Josek

BRATISLAVA, May 16. /TASS/. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in very serious condition after an assassination attempt, Slovak President-Elect Peter Pellegrini said after visiting him in a hospital.

"The condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico is assessed as very serious. He was on the verge of death. I was only allowed to talk to him for a few minutes," Pellegrini told reporters.

He said "the next few hours and days" will be decisive for the prime minister, who is staying at a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica.

According to Pellegrini, the conversation was of private nature.

"Robert Fico, after saying a few phrases, felt very tired," the president-elect said.

The official called for the unification of a society amid divisions over political views. Never before in Slovakia's history, he said, had a red line been crossed by an assassination attempt on a democratically elected politician.

Pellegrini and incumbent President Zuzana Caputova plan to meet with leaders of all parties and political groups in the coming days.

"It should be noted that competition [between political forces] will take place only within a democratic framework and hatred will not be spread in any way. In this case, we will not witness such tragedies," the president-elect said.

Shooting of Slovak PM Sounds the Alarm for Increasing Political Violence in Europe

By Global Times

May 16, 2024 10:21 PM

A man is detained on the site where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and wounded in Handlova, Slovakia, on May 15, 2024. Photo: Xinhua

The shooting of Slovakia's prime minister sends a grim signal of political and social fragmentation, violence and extremism in Europe.

On Wednesday, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and injured after an away-from-home government meeting in the country's Trencin region. According to media reports, Fico has been out of surgery and is in stable condition. The local media also revealed that the suspect was a 71-year-old man, who was an author of three collections of poetry and a member of the Slovak Society of Writers. 

"This assassination (attempt) was politically motivated and the perpetrator's decision was born closely after the presidential election," said Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok.

The prime minister is known for his ability to reinvent his political career in the face of major setbacks. Last October, Fico and his Smer-SD party won Slovakia's parliamentary election after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message, marking the start of his fourth term as Slovakia's prime minister. He has consistently advocated for peace between Russia and Ukraine, and promised to stop sending weapons to Ukraine, to block Kiev's potential NATO membership and to oppose sanctions on Russia. When discussing the situation in Ukraine, he emphasized, "We share the same opinion with China on the impossibility of solving the conflict in Ukraine by military means and we support all meaningful peace plans that will not be phantasmagories but will be based on reality." This stance positioned him outside the European mainstream. He has become the target of criticism by the opposition party and liberal media.

In a video widely circulated on Slovak media purporting to feature the suspect, the man expressed disagreement with the Slovak government's policies. Some foreign media outlets also believe that the root of the attack lies in Slovakia's "bitter divides."

As geopolitical tensions, the rise of right-wing forces, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict intensify, the shooting of Fico reveals not only chaos within Slovakia but also rising political violence and social turmoil across Europe. According to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, with the European Parliament elections and multiple state elections in Germany approaching in June, recent violent acts have primarily targeted politically active individuals seeking election or re-election. Hatred and contempt for politicians are no longer marginalized phenomena but have increasingly permeated society. In 2023, German police recorded 2,790 attacks on politicians, roughly double the number recorded in 2019.

Currently, political and social crises across Europe are compounding, with contradictions intertwining. Politically, dissatisfaction among the populace with governments and ruling parties is escalating, allowing extremist forces to rise, and leading to polarization in Europe, accompanied by a clear trend of violence.

Rome wasn't built in a day. Europe's overall economic decline, the impact of immigration crises on social welfare systems and the cultural clashes resulting from religious differences have given rise to a plethora of chaos in Europe. "For Europe, this is an era of compounded crises in political, economic and social contradictions. Europe is now at a critical juncture between reform and clinging to the past," Zhao Junjie, a research fellow at the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

After Fico was shot, many politicians expressed shock at the incident. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, "Violence must have no place in European politics." The sound of gunfire shows that addressing political violence has become a major challenge for Europe as a whole. Extreme sentiments pervade Europe, with many feeling uneasy due to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, climate crises and economic uncertainties. More and more people are unwilling to engage in political dialogue, and the democratic consensus of maintaining political objectivity rather than personal attacks is gradually disappearing.

Upsetting signs are on the rise in European politics. The assassination attempt against Fico sounds the alarm for increasing political violence in Europe. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated, "There can be no justification for this monstrous crime." The chaos in European politics and society is worthy of serious consideration.

Stable Devt of China-Russia Ties Beneficial to World Peace, Prosperity: Global Times Editorial

By Global Times

May 17, 2024 12:04 AM

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet the press on May 16 in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

On May 16, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is in China on a state visit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two heads of state jointly met the press, signed and issued the Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for the New Era in the Context of the 75th Anniversary of China-Russia Diplomatic Relations (hereinafter referred to as the "Statement"). Under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, China and Russia have consistently developed their bilateral relations based on the principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party, setting an example of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between major powers. This not only aligns with the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples but also contributes to regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. Summarizing the notable progress in China-Russia relations over the past 75 years, President Xi said that it is attributable to the two countries' commitment to five principles. First, China and Russia are committed to mutual respect as the fundamental principle of relations, and always render support for each other's core interests. Second, China and Russia are committed to win-win cooperation as the driving force of relations, and work to foster a new paradigm of mutual benefit. Third, China and Russia are committed to lasting friendship as the foundation of relations, and carry forward the torch of Sino-Russian friendship. Fourth, China and Russia are committed to strategic coordination as an underpinning of relations, and steer global governance in the right direction. Fifth, China and Russia are committed to fairness and justice as the purpose of relations, and dedicated to the political settlement of hotspots. These "five principles" set an exemplary model for relations between neighboring major powers and will continue to guide China-Russia relations toward new successes.

The relationship between China and Russia, two major powers, is unique in the history of modern international relations. The two countries are not military-political allies, but rather represent a new model of major power relations characterized by non-alignment, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third country. The development of their relationship has its own internal logic and driving force. It is not a threat to any country, nor is it subject to any interference or discord sown by any third party. This is a summary of the extraordinary 75-year development history of China-Russia relations. Both countries respect each other's national sovereignty, security, and development interests, as well as their own chosen development path, which is the "secret" to why their relationship has become a model for the development of partnerships between major powers and neighboring countries. As President Xi said, this is not only the correct way for China and Russia to get along, but also the direction that major-country relations should strive for in the 21st century.

The close cooperation between China and Russia is a driving force for stability in the international landscape. This year, Russia assumes the rotating presidency of the BRICS countries, and China will also take over the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization within the year. The two countries work together to promote regional stability and development, strengthen the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union, and jointly promote cooperation among the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the BRICS mechanism, and countries in the Global South. Both countries uphold multilateralism, oppose hegemony and unilateralism in international organizations such as the United Nations and the G20, effectively promoting the democratization and multipolarization of the global order, as well as firmly upholding international fairness and justice.

Currently, some countries are using "national security" as a pretext to promote deglobalization and group politics, kidnapping allies to push for "decoupling" and build "small yard, high fence." This has increased the complexity and uncertainty of regional and global security situations. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia share similar security views and maintain effective strategic communication. They jointly oppose zero-sum games and Cold War mentality, group politics, confrontational blocs, dividing the world based on ideology and political systems, and confrontational policies and interference in other countries' internal affairs. This is a positive asset for the world. In the Statement, China and Russia propose that, given the current geopolitical context, it is necessary to explore the establishment of a sustainable security system in the Eurasian space based on the principles of equal and indivisible security, outlining a blueprint for achieving genuine regional common security.

In recent years, with Russia's focus on "turning to the East" in foreign economic cooperation, China-Russia economic and trade cooperation has developed rapidly. China has been Russia's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years, accounting for 32 percent of Russia's foreign trade. Russia became China's fourth largest trading partner in 2023. These achievements are not easy and have been achieved by both countries overcoming various external challenges and unfavorable factors, highlighting the solid foundation of the China-Russia relationship. This year also marks the "China-Russia Years of Culture." The two countries and their people have a strong driving force to enhance mutual understanding and continue lasting friendship through deepening cultural exchanges.

A mountain is formed by accumulation of soil and an ocean is formed by accumulation of water. After 75 years of solid accumulation, lasting friendship and all-round cooperation between China and Russia provide a strong impetus for the two countries to forge ahead despite wind and rain. In the future, guided by head-of-state diplomacy, the two countries, standing at a new historical starting point, will jointly promote the all-round development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era, create more benefits for their peoples and make a due contribution to global security and stability.

Xi, Putin Hold Talks, Sign Joint Statement on Deepening Ties

China, Russia have found ‘new path for major countries’

By Yang Sheng in Beijing and Zhang Weilan in Harbin

May 16, 2024 11:39 PM

Photo: Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping held large-group talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is in China on a state visit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. Analysts from both countries said the visit will reinforce and further promote the bilateral strategic ties with high level mutual-trust and broad common interests. 

During the meeting, Xi again extended a warm welcome to Putin for his state visit to China. He pointed out that this is President Putin's first foreign visit after he began his new term as the president. This fully demonstrates the great importance President Putin himself and the Russian government attach to developing China-Russia relations. China highly appreciates this.

Xi said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the China-Russia diplomatic relations. It is an important milestone year in the history of China-Russia relations. Over the past 75 years, China and Russia together have found a new path for major countries and neighboring countries to treat each other with respect and pursue amity and mutually beneficial cooperation.

With the concerted efforts of the two sides, China-Russia relations have been moving forward steadily, with enhanced comprehensive strategic coordination and further cooperation on economy and trade, investment, energy, people-to-people exchanges, at the subnational level and in other fields. This has made positive contributions to maintaining global strategic stability and promoting greater democracy in international relations, Xi remarked.

Both China and Russia are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major emerging markets. It is the shared strategic choice of both countries to deepen strategic coordination, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and follow the general historical trend of multipolarity in the world and economic globalization.

Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Thursday that China and Russia are providing back-to-back mutual support to each other amid the turbulence that the world is experiencing. He pointed out that this doesn't mean they are building an alliance to target anyone, but are providing strategic support to serve the fundamental interests of not only the two peoples but also the fairness and justice of the world, to jointly withstand hegemony and unilateralism, and promote multilateralism.

"The China-Russia strategic partnership has set an example for successful relations between major powers that can withstand the turbulence of the world, and it's also the key to maintaining the strategic balance of international relations," Li noted. 

According to TASS, Putin said at the meeting with Xi that "It is of fundamental importance that relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic and are not directed against anyone. Our cooperation in world affairs today serves as one of the main stabilizing factors in the international arena." 

More and more cooperation

According to the Xinhua News Agency, Xi and Putin on Thursday signed and issued a joint statement on deepening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The two leaders also attended the signing ceremony of cooperation documents in Beijing on Thursday.

Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times on Thursday that Putin has brought a massive delegation with him that includes senior officials in charge of fields such as energy, economy and finance, as well as heads of giant companies in heavy industry and mining.

"This means the cooperation documents between the two sides will cover many areas, which, it is believed, will further promote bilateral relations to a higher level," Cui noted.

Alexey Maslov, director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies of Moscow State University, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview recently that Russia's economy realized a 3.6 percent GDP increase in 2023, and will continue to grow this year thanks to the cooperation with China and other countries. 

"Recently, Russia invested in a lot of innovative productions, including electronics and microprocessors. Russia started to cooperate with, for example, China in electric car production and science and technology. It also started to produce much more of its own agricultural products. Right now, Russia not only produces these agricultural products by itself, but also exports these products more, for example, to China," he said.

Maslov said, "What Russia really needs right now is much more new technologies. And in this area, we have a lot of problems, including the lack of highly qualified personnel. And that's why Russia started to develop its Far Eastern region, where Russia established new centers for technological development."

The eighth China-Russia Expo is set to take place from May 16 to 21 in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, which borders Russia's Far East region. Trade between the two countries will see new impetus after Putin's China visit, said businesspeople from the two countries.

Vice President of the Russian Export Center Alexey Solodov told the Global Times on Thursday at the expo, "The Chinese market is definitely our largest market. I would say it's the most friendly and a very important one for us. We are doing our best to show that these products are very nice and cost-effective."

President Putin's visit to China will no doubt inject more vitality into bilateral trade cooperation. The foundation of our bilateral trade cooperation is our friendship and I'm sure after this Expo, ties between Russia and China will be stronger, he said.

"I'm confident that the trade cooperation between the two countries will be strengthened," Solodov said.

On international affairs

Xi and Putin jointly met the press in Beijing on Thursday. Xi said to the press that with Russia chairing BRICS this year and China taking over the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization later this year, the two sides will support each other's chairmanship, build a high-quality partnership that is more comprehensive, close, practical and inclusive, and build the unity and strength of the Global South.

China and Russia are committed to fairness and justice as the purpose of relations, and dedicated to the political settlement of hotspots. Cold War mentality still exists, and unilateralism, hegemonism, bloc confrontation and power politics threaten world peace and the security of all countries. The two presidents are of the view that it is urgent to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. UN resolutions must be earnestly implemented and the question of Palestine must be solved on the basis of the two-State solution, Xi said.

The Chinese president said that the two sides believe that a political settlement is the right way forward for the Ukraine crisis. China's position on this issue is consistent and clear, including observing the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, respecting the legitimate security concerns of all parties, and building a new security architecture that is balanced, effective and sustainable. China hopes that peace and stability will return to the European continent at an early date, and stands ready to play a constructive role to this end.

US House Committee Advances Bill to Restrict Chinese Biotech Firms, Exacerbating Tensions

By Ma Jingjing

May 16, 2024 11:30 PM

China US Illustration: Liu Rui

A US House of Representatives committee on Wednesday local time voted to advance Biosecure Act that would prohibit US federal agencies from contracting with China's BGI, Wuxi AppTec and other biotech companies under the excuse of "national security." This is the latest move of the Biden administration's heightened suppression of China's normal economic, trade and technological activities.

Chinese observers said the biotech legislation targeting Chinese companies, along with US' new tariffs imposed on Chinese electric vehicles and advanced batteries, is part of the Biden administration's political show aimed at winning voters in an election year. US President Joe Biden and his administration will likely intensify crackdown on Chinese companies before the election, even at the risk of harming more US consumers and economic health.

However, they said the US' hysterical crackdown on China will neither make China surrender nor impede China's development, rather it will harm US companies in international competition and hinder technological progress.

Intensifying crackdown

The US House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Wednesday approved the Biosecure Act, which must get through the US House and Senate before Biden could sign it into a law, Reuters reported.

The targeted Chinese companies expressed strong opposition to the US' proposed legislation which is based on false and misleading allegations.

"As public records show, the Biosecure Act is advocated by a US company, to eliminate competition and strengthen its monopoly in the DNA sequencing market. BGI Group is disappointed to see the US legislative process being abused by the company which the US government itself has accused of holding an unlawful monopoly," BGI Group told the Global Times on Thursday.

BGI places the highest priority on privacy and strictly follows international and local data protection regulations. Statements alleging BGI is controlled by the Chinese government or military are false, the company stressed.

WuXi AppTec said the company "has not posed, does not pose, and will not pose a security risk to the US or any other country," according to a filing with the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd on Thursday. The company reiterated that it does not have a human genomics business or collect human genomic data in the US, China or elsewhere.

Since the beginning of 2024, the Biden administration has expanded its crackdown on Chinese companies to sectors including biotechnology, new energy and shipbuilding, which are part of a political show to win voters for the presidential election, Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Take the newly announced tariffs on $18 billion worth of Chinese imports for example. The volume is not that big compared with tariffs imposed on hundreds of billions of Chinese goods amid China-US trade war, but by doing so, the Biden administration wants to show that they could come up with a stronger hard-line policy against China, according to Gao.

On Wednesday, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that her department plans to announce proposed rules on Chinese connected vehicles this autumn, citing so-called "national security" risks to Americans' data, Reuters said in another report.

China firmly opposes and lodges solemn representations over the further increase of additional tariffs on some Chinese goods by the US, and will take resolute measures to safeguard its own rights and interests, He Yadong, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Commerce, reiterated at a regular press conference on Thursday.

US' protectionism doomed

Unilateral and protectionist actions aimed at China by the US expose the loss of confidence and composure on the part of the US and are doomed to fail, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The US' unscrupulous suppression of China does not help address domestic problems in the US, but only results in a greater disruption of the normal operation of the international industrial and supply chains, Wang said, adding that the US' move will not deter China's development and rejuvenation.

Economic bullying and technological blockades have actually accelerated China's innovation. China's chip-making capability is catching up, artificial intelligence is gaining traction, and sectors like aerospace and electric vehicles are developing very fast, Li Yong, a senior research fellow at the China Association of International Trade, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The US' unilateral moves will only backfire, as they will likely raise market prices, burden consumers, and hinder global cooperation and innovation in the industry, Li said.

"A series of hegemonic and bullying practices against China underlies the US' double-dealing face," he said. While the US touts its open economy and free trade, its unilateral and protectionist actions are against its words. Biden promises that the US does not seek to decouple from China and hinder China's development, but its practices tell another story, Li said.

Despite US' growing erraticism and paranoia to fragment the world by ideological differences, it is becoming increasingly hard to decouple from China, Li said.

Putin Says Russians, Chinese 'Brothers Forever'

The audience, listening first to the Russian speech and then to the Chinese translation, applauded the Russian president's words

© Sergey Bobylev/POOL/TASS

BEIJING, May 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has characterized relations between Moscow and Beijing quoting a 1940s song. Speaking ahead of a concert dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China and the start of the Cross-Cultural Years, he expressed confidence in the brotherly interaction between the two countries.

"The event is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. There is a famous song from that time, it was created 75 years ago, but is often sung today: there is a quite famous line in it: 'Russian and Chinese are brothers forever'," Putin said.

"I am sure that we will continue to strengthen the fraternal spirit of the harmonious Russian-Chinese partnership," the Russian president emphasized.

The audience, listening first to the Russian speech and then to the Chinese translation, applauded the Russian president's words both times.

Ethiopia Protests US Ambassador’s Speech After He Calls for Release of Political Prisoners

BY EVELYNE MUSAMBI

4:01 PM EDT, May 16, 2024

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Ethiopia lodged a complaint Thursday over statements by the U.S. ambassador after he said the release of political prisoners could help the country engage in a productive dialogue and that detaining critics won’t resolve the country’s issues.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement that Ambassador Ervin Massinga’s speech on policy and human rights contained “allegations” and “unsolicited advice,” and that it would work with the Embassy to correct the “errors and inconsistencies” in his statement.

“The statement is ill advised and contains uniformed assertions. It is contrary to the historic and friendly relations between Ethiopia and the United States,” the ministry wrote.

Massinga had said in his speech that detaining critics would not resolve Ethiopia’s outstanding issues and that “the political dialogue the Ethiopians need could be helped by releasing key political figures.”

He urged the government and rebel groups to agree to dialogue and that “the country has far more to gain through peace than on the battlefield.”

Federal forces in Ethiopia are engaging in fighting with several rebel groups in its regions as well as ethnic-related insurgencies, which have led to deaths and the displacement of people. Human rights groups have accused federal soldiers of rights abuses in regions like Amhara, where rebel groups are based.

A prominent opposition figure was gunned down last month after his release from prison, and a state-appointed rights group has called for an investigation into his death.

Chad’s Military Leader is Confirmed as Election Winner in the Final Tally Despite Opposition Protest

BY EDOUARD TAKADJI

2:11 PM EDT, May 16, 2024

N’DJAMENA, Chad (AP) — Chad’s constitutional council confirmed Thursday that President Mahamat Deby Itno, who seized power in 2021, was elected president in the May 6 vote and rejected an appeal by his main opponent.

Deby Itno, also known as Mahamat Idriss Deby, seized power after his father, who spent three decades in power, was killed fighting rebels in 2021. The long-delayed election came after three years of military rule. Analysts had widely expected him to win.

The final results from the election showed that Deby Itno won with 61% of the vote, while the leading opposition candidate and head of the transitional government, Prime Minister Succès Masra, lagged far behind with an 18.5% share. The council’s announcement confirmed provisional results released earlier this week.

The decision dealt a blow to Masra, who had filed an appeal with the council challenging the preliminary results which showed Deby Itno had won.

The oil-exporting country of nearly 18 million people hasn’t had a democratic transfer of power since it became independent in 1960, after decades of French colonial rule.

South Sudan Government and Rebel Groups Sign ‘Commitment’ for Peace in Ongoing Peace Talks in Kenya

BY EVELYNE MUSAMBI

2:48 PM EDT, May 16, 2024

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The government of South Sudan and rebel opposition groups on Thursday signed a “commitment declaration” for peace during high-level mediation talks in Kenya, described as key step in efforts to end the conflict in South Sudan that has long crippled its economy.

The content of the agreement was not made public during the signing ceremony, attended by diplomats and civil society groups.

The rebel opposition groups were not part of the 2018 agreement that ended South Sudan’s five-year civil war that left 400,000 people dead and millions displaced.

Kenya’s foreign office said the agreement was a “first milestone” in the ongoing talks in which warring sides pledged their commitment to end the violence and hostilities.

At the start of the high-level mediation talks launched a week ago, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir thanked his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, for hosting the negotiations.

The talks have been dubbed Tumaini, Swahili for hope, Initiative and are led by former Kenyan army commander Lazarus Sumbeiywo.

South Sudan is due to hold elections in December but remains politically fragile, in part because the 2018 peace agreement is yet to be fully implemented and because conflict and violence continues in different parts of the country over ethnic and political differences.

As Crisis Escalates in Tunisia, Lawyers Strike Over Arrested Colleague They Say Was Tortured

BY BOUAZZA BEN BOUAZZA AND SAM METZ

11:35 AM EDT, May 16, 2024

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Lawyers in Tunisia took to the streets on Thursday to protest a string of recent arrests that have convulsed the country over the past week and provoked international outcry.

The demonstration in the North African country’s capital came days after two lawyers were arrested — one brusquely extracted from the bar association headquarters and the other needing to be hospitalized after sustaining injuries while being apprehended by security forces.

Both were charged with violating a cybercrime statute outlawing fake news that authorities have increasingly used to target critics.

The National Bar Association called for nationwide strikes on Monday and staged a “day of anger” on Thursday that included protests and a second day of striking.

Along with activists and civil society groups, they gathered in front of the capital’s courthourse chanting for freedom, in support of their colleagues and against what they called “a police state.”

“We demand an apology from the authorities for the enormous blunders committed,” Bar Association President Hatem Mziou said, referring to the two arrests.

“We are fighting for a democratic climate and respect for freedoms,” Mziou added, threatening further action if authorities do not change course.

Protests about civil rights have been routine since President Kais Saied froze Tunisia’s parliament, consolidated his own power and fired top ministers in July 2021. But the speed and number of arrests this week — of the lawyers as well as journalists and prominent activists — have marked a new phase in his crackdown against dissidents.

The Bar Association said in a statement that Mehdi Zaghrouba, one of the lawyers arrested, was tortured and lost consciousness after being apprehended, leaving visible injuries throughout his body.

The government denied Zaghrouba had been tortured and said that the arrest had been carried out legally and without issue.

“Claiming torture is a way of evading justice” Interior Ministry spokesperson Faker Bouzghaya told IFM radio, a station where a journalist was also arrested this week.

SAM METZ

Metz covers Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and points beyond for The Associated Press.