Russia, Iran to Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement on Defense

By Al Mayadeen English

31 Oct 2024 22:28

Russia and Iran are reportedly set to sign a joint agreement focused on defense as they both face off against security issues.

An updated partnership agreement between Russia and Iran, emphasizing defense cooperation, is expected to be signed soon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Thursday.

Speaking at the second Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, Lavrov highlighted the significance of this treaty in strengthening Russian-Iranian relations.

"A major factor in strengthening Russian-Iranian relations will be the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran that is being prepared for signing soon," Lavrov said.

Lavrov underlined that the agreement "will confirm the parties' desire for closer cooperation in the field of defense and interaction in the interests of peace and security at the regional and global level."

The announcement follows an earlier statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan on October 23, where he revealed plans for the imminent signing of the treaty with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Kazem Jalali, Iran's ambassador to Russia, also confirmed that the document would be finalized during an upcoming visit by the Iranian president to Moscow.

Axis to counter Western hegemony

US intelligence alleged that thousands of DPRK troops arrived in Russia for training, raising concerns about their potential deployment to "reinforce Moscow’s front lines in Ukraine," according to CNN.

The report adds that this development alarmed the United States and its allies, who are increasingly aware that the strengthening ties between nations resisting Western hegemony pose a significant and urgent challenge to imperial interests.

The collaboration doesn’t stop there; US allegations of Iran’s contributions, including hundreds of drones and even short-range ballistic missiles, the US suggests are fueling the fight against Western hegemony in Ukraine. It is worth noting that Iran denied such allegations.

Meanwhile, China has been accused of supplying Russia with critical dual-use goods like microelectronics and machinery that can be repurposed for military use, reported CNN. Recently, the US imposed penalties on Chinese firms for allegedly providing complete weapons systems, reflecting its desperation to curb this alliance. However, the parties denied such allegations.

On another note, this emerging cooperation among Russia, China, Iran, and the DRPK has prompted a US Congress-backed assessment that labels them as an “axis of growing malign partnerships.”

The US fears that their shared resentment toward US interventionism is driving their nations closer together, amplifying the challenge they could pose not just to Washington but to its allies around the globe. According to CNN, This potential coalition would indicate that the tide is shifting against the West, and the implications could reverberate far beyond any single conflict.

Iran, burdened by harsh Western sanctions and facing ongoing tensions with "Israel," sees its support for Russia as a strategic opportunity to strengthen its defense capabilities. This partnership not only enhances Iran's military readiness but also provides crucial diplomatic backing from its alliances with Beijing and Moscow, according to CNN.

Iraqi Resistance Conducts 7 Drone Attacks on Israeli Targets

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Islamic Resistance in Iraq - Military Media

The drones attacked targets in the Golan and across Israeli-occupied territories in Palestine.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced that its fighters conducted seven long-range attacks on Israeli targets, across occupied territories, on Thursday. 

The operations were announced on Thursday, from dawn until midnight, and were all conducted via one-way attack drones. 

Two of these operations targeted vital Israeli infrastructure in the occupied Syrian Golan. 

The rest of the attacks were spread across northern, central, and southern Israeli-occupied territories. 

Attacks on Israeli targets in "northern occupied territories," usually refers to al-Jalil in northern occupied Palestine. Two vital targets in this area were attacked. 

Two other attacks targeted "southern occupied territories," usually referring to occupied Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat), a coastal area on the Red Sea. 

The last of these drones attacked a vital target in central Israeli-occupied territories. 

Iraqi Resistance factions promised to continue conducting these operations in support of Palestine and Lebanon, adding that these operations will continue to escalate. 

Israeli Positions in Khiam Pummeled by Hezbollah as Invasion Falters

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Islamic Resistance in Lebanon Military Media

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon continues shelling the Israeli north, dealing extensive damage and killing numerous soldiers, forcing the Israeli invasion of Lebanon to reverse course.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah launched a series of targeted strikes against Israeli forces and positions, with a series of attacks throughout the day marking a significant escalation in the area around al-Khiam and beyond.

Islamic Resistance fighters struck a grouping of Israeli soldiers east of al-Khiam with a barrage of rockets and artillery shells. Israeli forces in Wadi al-Khiam, southeast of the town, were targeted in four separate barrages, beginning with artillery shells and followed by consecutive rocket attacks. Another round of strikes focused on Israeli forces south of al-Khiam, with artillery and rocket barrages reported in succession.

In a separate operation, Islamic Resistance fighters fired a substantial barrage of rockets at the Karmiel settlement, intensifying the range of their strikes beyond immediate military targets. Shortly thereafter, fighters launched a barrage targeting Israeli forces in the Yiftah settlement, followed by an operation by air defense units engaging a Hermes 450 drone over Lebanon’s western sector, ultimately forcing its retreat.

Additional attacks later in the day included a targeted rocket barrage on Israeli forces positioned in the Kawakh area of the Houla Plain, north of Ramat Naftali, and an assault on the Ramim barracks.

Later in the day, a large rocket barrage was directed at the Krayot cluster of settlements situated north of occupied Haifa.

Continuing their series of intensive strikes in support of Gaza and defense of Lebanon, the Islamic Resistance fighters expanded their operations against Israeli forces and strategic sites.

A series of rocket barrages began with a strike on Israeli forces stationed in the Zar'it barracks, followed by another targeting forces in the Avivim settlement. A sixth barrage in Wadi al-Khiam dealt extensive damage to the Israeli occupation forces in the area.

Hezbollah then attacked the Yarka storage facilities east of Akka with a substantial barrage of rockets, causing serious casualties.

On the eastern outskirts of al-Khiam, the Israeli occupation forces faced an assault by a specialized rocket, while subsequent barrages struck forces at the al-Maslakh district area south of al-Khiam, in the Manara settlement, and on the eastern outskirts of Maroun al-Ras.

As the night approached, a large barrage targeted Israeli forces in Metula, intensifying pressure on the Israeli occupation forces. Additionally, Islamic Resistance fighters utilized attack drones, achieving precise hits on Israeli positions within the Shomera settlement.

Coordinated attack targets three Israeli bases

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon's Military Media Unit released on Thursday footage documenting the targeting of the Israeli Shraga and Ein Shemer military bases and the Elyakim camp in a complex operation that involved the launch of high-end missiles and one-way drones.

Hezbollah announced on Wednesday that its Resistance fighters launched a coordinated attack.

The operation involved high-end rockets and a swarm of drones targeting the Ein Shemer Base (an air defense and regional brigade base) east of Hadera, as well as Israeli positions in the Elyakim Military Camp (of the Northern Command) south of Haifa and the Shraga Base north of the occupied city of Akka.

The targets were struck accurately as the Israeli forces failed to intercept the missiles and drones that hovered over the occupied Palestinian territories for some time, the group confirmed.

Israeli media reported that Hezbollah’s drones sent hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers into shelters, with the drones pursued for an hour and nine minutes, according to the KAN channel.

The Israeli military confirmed the detonation of two drones launched from Lebanon, while Israeli media reported that one drone detonated at the Shraga base, the primary base of the Golani Brigade, north of occupied Akka.

The operation is reminiscent of Hezbollah's drone attack on a training camp of the Golani Brigade in Binyamina, south of occupied Haifa, which killed at least four Israeli soldiers and injured dozens of others.

Operations overview

- At 00:10 am, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli soldiers east of the town of al-Khiam with a barrage of rockets and artillery shells.

- At 09:30 am, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Wadi al-Khiam area (southeast of the town) with artillery shells.

- At 09:35 am, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Wadi al-Khiam area (southeast of the town) with a barrage of rockets for the second time.

- At 10:00 am, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Wadi al-Khiam area (southeast of the town) with a barrage of rockets for the third time.

- At 10:15 am, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Wadi al-Khiam area (southeast of the town) with a barrage of rockets for the fourth time.

- At 11:30 am, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces south of al-Khiam with a barrage of rockets.

- At noon, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces south of al-Khiam with artillery shells for the second time.

- At noon, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Wadi al-Khiam area with a barrage of rockets for the fifth time.

- At 12:25 pm, the Islamic Resistance fighters shelled the Karmiel settlement with a large barrage of rockets.

- At 13:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Yiftah settlement with a barrage of rockets.

- At 14:45, the Islamic Resistance air defense units engaged a Hermes 450 drone over the western sector and forced it to exit Lebanese airspace.

- At 15:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Kawakh area in the Houla Plain (north of Ramat Naftali) with a specialized rocket barrage.

- At 15:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the Rameem barracks with a barrage of rockets.

- At 15:10, the Islamic Resistance fighters shelled Krayot, north of Haifa, with a large barrage of rockets.

- At 15:20, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Zar’it barracks with a barrage of rockets.

- At 15:40, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Avivim settlement with a barrage of rockets.

- At 16:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Wadi al-Khiam area with a barrage of rockets for the sixth time.

- At 16:20, the Islamic Resistance fighters shelled the Yarka storage facilities east of Akka with a large barrage of rockets.

- At 16:20, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces on the eastern outskirts of al-Khiam with a specialized rocket.

- At 17:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the al-Maslakh district south of al-Khiam with a barrage of rockets.

- At 17:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Manara settlement with a barrage of rockets.

- At 17:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces on the eastern outskirts of Maroun al-Ras with a barrage of rockets.

- At 21:00, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli forces in the Metula settlement with a barrage of rockets.

- During the day, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the Shomera settlement with a strike drone, achieving precise hits.

Eight Israelis Killed in Rocket Fire from Lebanon

By Al Mayadeen English

31 Oct 2024 17:18

The Israeli occupation has been under intense rocket fire from Lebanon since the morning, with the casualties count rising steadily, as eight Israelis have been killed in the attacks thus far.

Israeli Channel 13 reported Thursday that six Israelis were killed in Metula, located in the Upper al-Jalil, and two others were killed in the Kiryot, following a direct rocket strike from Lebanon.

Israeli media highlighted that multiple rockets launched from Lebanon struck a gathering of Israeli soldiers in Metula, describing the incident as "severe." Reports indicated that the attack demonstrated Hezbollah's continued capacity to launch large volleys of rockets.

Israeli media further emphasized that Hezbollah's recent strikes reflect not only its capabilities but also its intentions. "Hezbollah knew precisely where to aim when firing at Metula, resulting in severe consequences," the reports stated. Additionally, the media expressed doubt that northern residents would be able to return to their settlements anytime soon after the day's events.

Following the incident, an Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that approximately 30 rockets were launched from Lebanon, triggering alerts between 12:21 and 12:23 in the Central, Upper, and Western al-Jalil regions.

In related developments, Israeli Channel 14 reported that rockets had killed two additional Israelis and injured two others near Kiryot in northern occupied Palestine. Another direct hit was reported in the area of Fraam, where emergency teams were en route.

Air raid sirens sounded across multiple locations, including eastern Haifa, the Kiryot, and various areas in Haifa Bay, as well as Kiryat Ata and Kiryat Bialik. The sirens extended to the Western al-Jalil settlements of Avivim, Avnei Menachem, Shomera, Zar'it, and Shtula, according to Israeli media.

In response to the escalating strikes, the Israeli military declared Metula, Kfar Giladi, and Misgav Am closed military zones based on current assessments.

Rising Israeli casualties

Hezbollah continued its strikes on Israeli military gatherings along the border on Thursday, with an Al Mayadeen correspondent indicating that seven Israeli positions were targeted in the areas surrounding Wadi al-Khiam, south, west, and near the detention center. 

According to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent, close-range confrontations broke out between Hezbollah fighters and the invading Israeli occupation forces in the eastern neighborhoods near the al-Khiam detention center, with skirmishes extending to an olive press in the eastern part of al-Khiam. Confirmed casualties were reported among Israeli forces near the detention center and the western entrance to the chalet area. Following a failed assault, Israeli forces reportedly evacuated their dead and wounded and retreated south.

The correspondent further noted that Hezbollah fighters prevented Israeli forces from using armored vehicles in their advances due to the risk posed by Hezbollah's anti-tank missiles.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military, under a permitted-for-publication directive, confirmed that 14 of its soldiers were injured within the last 24 hours, with 10 of these injuries occurring in southern Lebanon. Moreover, it was revealed that over 100 Israeli soldiers had been killed since the start of the invasion of Lebanon during direct confrontations.

Hezbollah 'draining Israel'

Israeli newspaper Maariv suggested on Tuesday that Hezbollah can continue to drain "Israel" and launch its projectiles for many months. It also highlighted that the Lebanese Resistance still retains its rocket capabilities and will persist in its launches in the coming days, with significant fire directed at Safad and Haifa.

In a related context, Israeli media cited former Gaza Division commander, Reserve General Gadi Shamni, as saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a "cold-hearted person" who does not care about the captives held in Gaza and is disconnected from "his people" and soldiers.

Shamni acknowledged a complete failure of Netanyahu's government, asserting that the premier has caused immense damage to "Israel".

"Israel" needs to end the war and bring back the captives, he stressed.

On his part, former commander of the Israeli Northern Corps, Noam Tibon, highlighted that more than 800 Israeli soldiers have been killed and around 12,000 injured, with thousands suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since the war began a year ago.

"We have lost the manpower of a whole division, and we need three additional divisions; otherwise, we will find it difficult to defend Israel," Tibon underscored.

Palestinian Resistance Factions Intensify Operations in Netzarim

By Al Mayadeen English

31 Oct 2024 23:00

The Palestinian Resistance factions are repelling the invading Israeli occupation forces in northern Gaza, where fierce confrontations have been taking place for weeks.

Palestinian resistance groups launched a series of attacks targeting Israeli military positions and vehicles in the Gaza Strip on Thursday as the IOF's siege and deadly airstrikes intensify in northern Gaza.

The al-Mujahideen Brigades, the military wing of the Mujahideen movement, announced it struck an Israeli command and control center at the Netzarim axis with multiple Hasib 111 rockets. 

In a statement, Abu Khaled, spokesperson for the Martyr Omar al-Qassem Forces, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), said, "Various Palestinian resistance wings continue to confront Israeli forces in the northern Gaza sector with appropriate weaponry, resisting attempts to impose control over the area and displace its residents."

The spokesperson pointed out that the occupation forces are compelled to retreat as their losses mount, driving them to retaliate against the Palestinian people by systematically destroying buildings and homes and continuing to demolish what remains of the infrastructure in the area.

Abu Khaled also confirmed that the artillery unit of the Martyr Omar al-Qassem Forces continues to shell occupation sites and groupings with heavy mortar rounds near the Salah al-Din Gate, along the boundary between Gaza and Egyptian territory to the south, inflicting losses on the occupation forces.

Israeli vehicles destroyed en masse

Simultaneously, the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, destroyed an Israeli armored personnel carrier with an anti-tank shell west of Jabalia’s civil defense headquarters. They also reported the destruction of an Israeli Merkava tank with two high-explosive devices near Jabalia.

Al-Qassam previously announced the destruction of four Merkava tanks, an armored personnel carrier, and two Israeli military bulldozers (D9) in Beit Lahia on Wednesday.

Upon returning from the front lines, the al-Qassam fighters confirmed targeting a third Merkava with an al-Yassin 105 shell in the Beit Lahia project area as well.

Additionally, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades claimed responsibility for destroying an Israeli armored vehicle by detonating a pre-planted Thaqib explosive device in the al-Atatra area in northern Gaza.

In the same area, the al-Qassam fighters detonated an Israeli armored personnel carrier and targeted a Merkava 3 tank with two Shawaz explosive devices. Subsequently, the fighters targeted a maintenance crew advancing toward the vehicles' locations using an anti-personnel device that left several casualties and injuries among the occupation forces.

The Israeli military confirmed that four of its soldiers were injured in Gaza over the past 24 hours. Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed that Hamas targeted a residence shortly after Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi left it, following a field assessment with Israeli forces engaged in operations in northern Gaza. A missile was reportedly fired at the residence during Halevi’s visit, narrowly missing him.

Haaretz also reported an increase in Israeli soldier fatalities in Gaza last month, primarily due to explosive devices detonating within buildings. October saw 17 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza, with 11 of them reportedly dying from IEDs hidden inside buildings rather than by anti-tank missiles.

Nigeria: Dangote Tells NNPC, Oil Marketers to Stop Importing Petrol, Says Refinery Has Enough

Afreximbank

29 October 2024

Premium Times (Abuja)

By Mary Izuaka

Aliko Dangote says his refinery has more than 500 million litres of petrol in stock.

Aliko Dangote, founder and president/chief executive of the Dangote Group, says his refinery has more than 500 million litres of petrol in stock, which is more than enough to serve Nigeria if retailers buy from it.

Mr Dangote, who spoke in Abuja on Tuesday, questioned why state-owned Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and private retailers were still importing petrol when his refinery can produce enough.

"So, I am expecting that the NNPC Ltd and the marketers should stop importing; they should come and collect what they need," Mr Dangote said Tuesday.

"I don't know if you understand what it means to keep half a billion litres in our tanks; it is costing me money."

Mr Dangote did not say for how long the 500 million litres of petrol had been refined and stored by his 650,000 barrels per day refinery.

However, PREMIUM TIMES reported that data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), showed that his refinery was unable to meet the required volume of petrol sought by NNPC Ltd for three weeks.

According to the Dangote Evacuation Report seen by this newspaper, between 15 September and 5 October, the refinery delivered only 148 million litres of petrol, instead of 575 million litres.

However, speaking to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, Mr Dangote explained that his refinery has sufficient petrol available, but marketers have not been picking up the product.

He emphasised that, as a producer, the refinery is not responsible for the scarcity, as it does not handle fuel distribution.

"Yes, we have enough supply of crude; we can actually produce much more than 30 million litres every day. At full capacity, we can even supply whatever is being consumed. As we speak today, we have 500 million litres, you know, in our tanks. So, with 500 million litres in our tanks, even if there's no production from anywhere or no imports, this will take the country more than 12 days, you know, with no imports, with no production, nothing.

"So we are very ready. We are more than ready. And you know, I'm also putting my own name on line by giving Mr President my word that, yes, we will be able to supply the market a minimum of 30 million per day, and we'll be ramping up production. So, we're ready. We're more than ready," Mr Dangote said.

When asked that the reality on the ground does not show that the refinery has enough petrol because there appears to be scarcity of the product, he said: "Well, one thing that you have to understand is that we are producers. I have a refinery. I'm not in the business of retail. If I'm in the business of retail then you hold me responsible.

"But what I'm saying is that the retailers should please come forward and pick, if they don't, come forward and pick, what do you want me to do? So I don't expect either NNPC or the marketers to be importing, they should come and pick because we have what they need. And you know, as they remove, I will be pumping.

"I don't know whether you understand what it takes to keep half a billion litres inside our tank. It's costing me money every day. If I will be able to collect the naira, I can actually charge somebody 32 per cent in interest. So right now, that's what I'm losing. And you are talking about 500 million, you know, I mean, we don't print money. But the issue is that if they come and collect then you will not see any queues in the filling stations.

"We have what it takes for them to come and collect. We are not retailers. We also don't have trucks to send. We have a factory, we have where they can load. If they come and pick the ones...and they have been doing that with importation. So if they've been doing that with importation, if it's true, they are doing 55 million, I see no reason why they won't come and collect our own and distribute," he added.

Dangote Refinery-NNPC Tango

In recent months, the Dangote Group has been at loggerheads with the NNPC, petroleum regulators and some private oil firms over the control of the petroleum downstream market.

In June, the Dangote Group accused some international oil companies of sabotaging the plant's operations by either refusing to supply crude or offering oil at higher premiums compared to market prices.

It also clashed with the NMDPRA, which claimed diesel from the refiner has sulphur content levels above the allowed threshold. The regulator also accused Dangote of seeking to be a monopoly.

In refuting the allegation, Mr Dangote took lawmakers visiting the refinery to a laboratory within the plant, where diesel from the refinery was tested alongside two different samples from imports.

The results showed the sample from the refinery's diesel had much lower sulphur than the imported ones.

In July, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) directed NNPC Ltd to engage Dangote refinery and other local refineries with a view to resolving the dispute over the sale of crude oil to them.

The FEC, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, also directed that such crude oil sales to the refineries be made in naira and that the refineries, located in Nigeria, should also sell their refined products to the Nigerian market in naira.

In October, the Nigerian government said it had officially commenced the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in Naira. The sale in Naira took effect from 1 October, the government said at the time.

PREMIUM TIMES also exclusively reported that NNPC Ltd ended its exclusive purchase agreement with Dangote Refinery, opening up the market for other marketers to buy petrol directly from the refinery.

The decision meant that the NNPC no longer act as the sole off-taker, and marketers can now negotiate prices directly with Dangote Refinery.

On 11 October, the Nigerian government confirmed NNPC's stance.

Read the original article on Premium Times.

African and Ministers from Global South Come Together to Call for Urgent Action on Nature Finance at COP16

31 October 2024

Nature Finance Alliance

press release

The Ministerial Alliance for Ambition on Nature Finance (MAANF) has today shared a statement signed by 20 Ministers of Environment from the Global South, 'Seeking Accountability on Ambition for Nature Finance.' The press conference at which this was launched can be watched online.

Released on the second day of the High-Level segment, the statement calls on countries in the Global North to:

'Act urgently to ensure that at least $20 billion per year is delivered from developed to developing countries by 2025 and that at least $30 billion per year is delivered by 2030, as agreed in the GBF.'

The statement outlines two specific requests for developed world governments here at COP16 in order to ensure this financial commitment is met:

To urgently deliver new international funding for biodiversity; And

To establish a working group of ministers of environment and finance to focus on fully achieving the $20 billion and $30 billion target on time.

Upon the statement's release, Hon. Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, Minister of State for Environment, Federal Republic of Nigeria, stated:

"Today, we are releasing a Ministerial Declaration endorsed by 20 countries from the Global South to call on developed countries to urgently increase their international finance commitments and to develop a roadmap and accountability mechanisms to ensure that the $20 billion commitment to developing countries will be delivered on time. This is a call to action, and this is an offer to work together to increase accountability and transparency.  Let us be united on the road to ambition – let us work hand in hand to ensure we reach our common goal of fully implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Fellow MAANF Member Hon. Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Republic of Sierra Leone, at the same time impressed on those present at COP16 to recognise:

"Without sufficient funding, we will not be able to make the significant changes needed to our economies and societies to implement the goals agreed upon and ensure a future of sustainable livelihoods. And frankly, our lives depend on meeting these goals – we have no choice. We need all wealthy nations, philanthropies, and corporations to step up to the plate."

The statement, which can be found in full here, is endorsed by the following 20 countries:

Ministerial Statement Seeking Accountability on Ambition for Nature Finance

31 October 2024

Over the last year, countries from the Global South have come together to launch the Ministerial Alliance for Ambition for Nature Finance (‘the Alliance’). The Alliance is an intergovernmental group of ministers working to publicly champion achieving the nature finance targets that the world agreed to in December 2022 in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (“GBF”) and demonstrate actions that countries in the Global South are taking to increase nature finance.

As growing number of ministers of environment from the Global South joining the Alliance or supporting its objectives, and being home to the majority of the most important remaining biodiversity of our planet, we are deeply concerned by the crisis facing the natural world and the unprecedented loss of species and ecosystems.

The whole world came together two years ago to adopt the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and agreed to an ambitious plan to halt and reverse biodiversity loss – headlined by the target to protect or conserve at least 30 percent of the planet by 2030.

The emphasis for action must now be on urgently shifting our economies to respect and protect nature and closing the enormous biodiversity finance gap. Without sufficient funding, we will not be able to make the significant changes that are needed to our economies and societies to implement the goals that were agreed and ensure a future of sustainable livelihoods.

We write to you today, as our partners in this effort, to act urgently to ensure that at least $20 billion per year is delivered from developed to developing countries by 2025 and that at least $30 billion per year is delivered by 2030, as agreed in the GBF. The $20 billion target is the most imminent of all the targets in the agreement. It is critical to drive protection, restoration and sustainable management policies in our countries and catalyze more funding from our treasuries and the private sector.

We are concerned that since the GBF was agreed, we have not seen a significant increase in international nature finance reach our countries.

We call on developed countries to:

1.     Urgently deliver new international funding for biodiversity and

2.     Establish a working group of ministers of environment and finance to focus on fully achieving the $20 billion and $30 billion target on time.

We also call on developed countries to take urgent measures to ensure that reporting on international biodiversity finance is significantly improved. Currently, the only up-to-date official tally of international biodiversity finance is from before the GBF was signed. We need timeliness and transparency in reporting international biodiversity finance so that we can know how much new finance has been given since COP15, especially the funding for projects that have biodiversity as its principal focus.

COP15 created momentum in our work to safeguard global biodiversity. It is essential that we now build on this trust between nations and maintain a high level of urgency to deliver our goals. We look forward to doing our part in the Global South and hope to work more closely with the Global North to meet all of the GBF’s finance targets and ensure that our ambitious plans for nature succeed.

Endorsed by Ministers of Environment from:

1.       Burkina Faso

2.       Cambodia

3.       Cameroon

4.       Côte d’Ivoire

5.       Dominica

6.       Ethiopia

7.       The Gambia

8.       Grenada

9.       Guinea

10.     Liberia

11.     Madagascar

12.     Nigeria

13.     St. Kitts and Nevis

14.     Samoa

15.     Sierra Leone

16.     Somalia

17.     South Sudan

18.     Togo

19.     Vanuatu

20.     Zambia

Ousted Kenyan Deputy President Gachagua Can Appeal Ruling Okaying Kindiki's Swearing-in

The bench at the same time discharged and set aside the conservatory orders issued at Kerugoya court

by FELIX KIPKEMOI

31 October 2024 - 16:49

In Summary

In his determining the matter, the bench restricted itself to three issues which are whether the court has jurisdictions over the consolidated petitions, whether the matters raised in the petitions are justice-able and whether the conservatory orders can be lifted.

The certified copies of the ruling, he said, would be availed to the parties at a cost. Other judges in the bench are Justices Anthony Mrima and Freda Mugambi.

A three-judge bench hearing the impeachment case against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has granted leave for him to lodge an appeal.

In the much-awaited ruling delivered Thursday, Justice Eric Ogola lifted the conservatory orders that blocked the swearing-in of Kithure Kindiki.

He averred that the applicants are not going to suffer any prejudice should their prayer not be granted.

“We find that the applicants do not stand to suffer any prejudice in the event the conservatory orders are not issued,” said Ogola.

Ogola further acknowledged that the matter is of public interest, as he gave an undertaken of urgently determining it.

“We reiterate that this matter holds significant public interest, and we remain committed to the expeditious examination of the petition,” he ruled.

“Therefore, we will further provide directions within this ruling,” he added.

The matter is set to come up for mention on November 7 in the open court.

The certified copies of the ruling, he said, would be availed to the parties at a cost. Other judges in the bench are Justices Anthony Mrima and Freda Mugambi.

In his determining the matter, the bench restricted itself to three issues which are whether the court has jurisdiction over the consolidated petitions, whether the matters raised in the petitions are justice-able, and whether the conservatory orders can be lifted.

The bench at the same time discharged and set aside the conservatory orders issued at Kerugoya court.

Justice Mrima said they are convinced and find that the current constitutional framework does not envision any scenario in which the office of the DP would remain vacant except during the brief period required to fill a vacant.

On her part, Justice Mugambi reiterated that the jurisdiction to hear disputes arising from the impeachment of a president and deputy president does not lie with the Supreme Court but within the realm of original and exclusive jurisdiction.

Addressing the concern by the applicants that the respondents have a history of disobeying court orders should the conservatory order be lifted, Mrima was of the view that the court cannot operate on assumptions.

Lawyers representing Gachagua had argued that once the new deputy president takes office, it would be impossible to remove him even if the petition was to be successful.

According to Mrima, there are several mechanisms to address such acts of disobedience, adding that Attorney General gave an undertaking to fully comply with orders that would be issued in the matter.

Beyond Physical Pain: Mental Health Toll of FGM on Survivors

For survivors, addressing FGM's impact on mental health is as vital as ending the practice.

by CELINE MOKEIRA

31 October 2024 - 16:23

In Summary

The Anti-FGM Board of Kenya has been developing a safeguarding policy to address the mental health needs of survivors, recognizing that trauma-informed care and culturally sensitive mental health resources are essential.

The issue of FGM has long been discussed from a physical health perspective, but advocates and researchers are increasingly drawing attention to its psychological impacts.

In an unprecedented event held in Nairobi, speakers and survivors shared heart-wrenching stories about the severe mental health toll of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Amisha Rashid, founder of Nivishe Foundation, an organization dedicated to mental health, highlighted the staggering impact of FGM on survivors’ mental well-being.

"FGM is not just about physical scars; it’s about lifelong trauma, loss of self-worth, and isolation," Rashid said.

She pointed out that many survivors experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) such as nightmares, flashbacks, and overwhelming anxiety, describing FGM as a "silent trauma" that affects survivors deeply.

Organized by the Nguvu Collective, the gathering focused on the often-overlooked psychological scars left by FGM, which go beyond the physical pain to affect survivors for the rest of their lives.

FGM survivors Selina Nkoile and Naomy Kelai Kolian took the stage to share their emotional journeys, conveying the pain and alienation they have faced in communities that still uphold FGM as a cultural tradition.

"FGM robbed me of my identity and my self-esteem," Kelai shared, her voice heavy with emotion.

"For years, I felt like I was less of a person, constantly questioning if I was 'woman enough.”

Her story detailed the internal struggle she has faced, compounded by a lack of mental health support within her community.

For these survivors, addressing FGM's impact on mental health is as vital as ending the practice itself.

Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana, a longtime advocate for mental health, called for stronger support systems that cater to the psychological needs of FGM survivors.

She proposed survivor-centred healing approaches, urging the government and NGOs to establish safe spaces and counselling services for those affected.

"We need comprehensive policies to support survivors’ mental health," Kibwana emphasized.

"FGM survivors face lifelong emotional scars, and it’s critical that we provide them with the resources to heal and find strength."

She further highlighted that rural areas, where FGM is more prevalent, often lack the necessary resources and mental health professionals to address these complex needs.

Meanwhile, Samburu County MP Pauline Lenguris voiced her frustration with the limited mental health resources available in rural communities, where FGM is most deeply ingrained.

"Our communities lack awareness and support around mental health. Many survivors suffer in silence, afraid to speak out," Lenguris stated, underscoring the need for community-based mental health initiatives that can reach survivors where they are.

The Anti-FGM Board of Kenya has been developing a safeguarding policy to address the mental health needs of survivors, recognizing that trauma-informed care and culturally sensitive mental health resources are essential.

The issue of FGM has long been discussed from a physical health perspective, but advocates and researchers are increasingly drawing attention to its psychological impacts.

Rashid’s organization, Nivishe Foundation, has been at the forefront of efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health within communities that practice FGM, working to educate leaders on the necessity of trauma-informed support.

"Untreated trauma not only affects the survivor but can also have generational impacts," Rashid explained, referring to the cross-generational trauma that can affect survivors’ children and families.

Rashid further explained that many survivors face stigma within their own communities, making it challenging to seek help.

"Feeling isolated, different, and inadequate only increases anxiety and depression. Survivors must be seen, heard, and supported—not as victims, but as leaders," she said.

Men, Youth Key in Efforts to Eradicate FGM

Men involvement is crucial for breaking long-standing cultural traditions.

by CELINE MOKEIRA

31 October 2024 - 17:11

In Summary

Valerie Loloju of the Youth Anti-FGM Network, emphasised that the youth’s involvement is also essential for lasting change.

"Young people are the incoming policymakers, the future parents, the next leaders. We are the ones who will shape a future free from FGM," Loloju said.

As Kenya intensifies efforts to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a powerful call to action has been made, focusing on the role men and young people must play to end the practice.

Tony Mwebia, founder of Men Against FGM, highlighted that men involvement in the conversation is crucial for breaking long-standing cultural traditions.

A campaign, hosted by Nguvu Collective and supported by the Anti-FGM Board Kenya at Nairobi's Bomas Hotel, highlighted a unique angle in the fight against this harmful practice.

"Men are more than willing to be part of this conversation, but what’s often lacking is awareness and information," Mwebia stated, stressing the need to educate men who often unknowingly perpetuate the practice by remaining silent.

Mwebia’s organisation, Men Against FGM, works to bridge this gap by providing men with spaces to discuss FGM and its effects openly.

"In many of these communities, men have little to no knowledge of what FGM actually does to women physically and emotionally. They only know what they have been told through culture," he said.

He acknowledged the importance of introducing men to survivor stories and educating them on the real-life consequences of FGM.

Men Against FGM has hosted workshops across Kenya, educating men about FGM’s lifelong repercussions on women's health and well-being and empowering them to stand up against the practice within their own families.

To drive this point home, Kisii County Woman MP Donya Dorice Aburi spoke about the importance of men in challenging the cultural value placed on FGM.

"It’s encouraging to see men publicly say they prefer to marry women who haven’t undergone FGM. This is how we change perceptions and show that FGM is neither a requirement for marriage nor a mark of dignity," she stated.

Aburi, a vocal advocate for women's rights, recently introduced an amendment to the Sexual Offences Act aimed at increasing awareness of FGM, teenage pregnancies, and gender-based violence, underlining that Kenya’s fight against FGM requires action from all fronts.

Speaking to a captivated audience, Valerie Loloju of the Youth Anti-FGM Network, emphasised that the youth’s involvement is also essential for lasting change.

"Young people are the incoming policymakers, the future parents, the next leaders. We are the ones who will shape a future free from FGM," Loloju said.

She noted that the network has organised 15 active chapters across Kenya, uniting young advocates to lead campaigns and shift cultural attitudes.

For her, the drive of Kenya’s youth is unmatched, but resources and support are needed to sustain this energy.

Loloju expressed her frustration over youth efforts being undervalued by some stakeholders and insisted on the need for practical support.

"We keep hearing about the need to engage young people, but we need more than talk. Resources must be allocated to empower us as equal partners in this fight," she said.

She urged organisations and government bodies to provide funding and training that would allow young activists to expand their reach.

She described how these resources would help young leaders initiate dialogues in communities, shifting norms from the ground up.

The event also featured powerful testimonies from survivors, such as Selina Nkoile, who spoke about the profound emotional scars FGM left on her life.

"FGM robs us of our dignity, health, and self-worth," Nkoile said.

"It took me decades to even accept myself, to stop feeling like less than a human being."

For her, being at the forefront of the anti-FGM movement is not just a responsibility but a call to protect other girls from experiencing the same trauma.

"It’s a lifelong scar, physically and emotionally, and that’s why we are saying it ends with us," she added, voicing the commitment of countless survivors who have taken up the mantle to lead the movement.

Nguvu Collective, which has long worked with change-makers in rural and marginalized communities, organized the event to unify efforts from grassroots to policy level.

As the event came to a close, men and youth stood alongside women in a historic movement to #BreakTheBlade, vowing to make this generation the one that ends FGM.

The campaign has shown that when people across generations and genders unite, traditions harmful to young girls can be dismantled.

Loloju called on Kenyans to join the movement and ensure a future where every girl is free from the threat of FGM.

LSK Protests Supreme Court Ruling Upholding Finance Act 2023

Jeff Angote/The Nation

The Supreme Court (file photo)

30 October 2024

Capital FM (Nairobi)

By Sharon Resian

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has expressed dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court's ruling overturning the decision by the Court of Appeal to quash the Finance Act 2023.

LSK President Faith Odhiambo, however, agreed with the court's recommendation for the enactment of a statute to guide public participation.

In a statement, Odhiambo noted that in upholding the impugned provisions of the Finance Act 2023 as constitutional, the Court went to great lengths to demonstrate why, in its view, the issues surrounding public participation in the Act were not compelling.

"We respectfully disagree with the approach taken by the court. The expeditiousness of the legislative process cannot override legitimate expectation and public interest, nor can Parliament be exempt from the need to justify its decisions under the guise of legislative processes not constituting administrative actions," Odhiambo said.

Odhiambo was reacting to the Supreme Court's ruling on Tuesday, which overturned the Court of Appeal's decision declaring the Finance Act 2023 unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court's decision came after a consolidated appeal concerning the legislative process that led to the enactment of the Finance Bill, 2023 into the Finance Act, 2023 following Presidential assent on June 26, 2023.

On July 31, 2024, the Court of Appeal had declared the Act entirely unconstitutional, null, and void, citing inadequate public participation.

However, the seven-judge Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Martha Koome, dismissed the appeal, stating that no law currently governs public participation.

"The Bill was subjected to adequate and satisfactory public participation, taking into account the circumstances surrounding the enactment of a Finance Act. Therefore, we find no basis to declare the entire Act unconstitutional," the Supreme Court declared.

The Supreme Court further advised that Parliament should establish a legislative framework to regulate public participation as envisioned under the Constitution.

The decision by the Supreme Court allows the government to implement the provisions of the Act, which are essential for tax collection, following the rejection of the Finance Bill, 2024.

African Union and Cuba Reiterates Demand to End Western Sanctions on Zimbabwe

President Emmerson Mnangagwa as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) calls measures imposed by the United States and European Union (EU) as unjust

By Abayomi Azikiwe, Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Wednesday October 30, 2024

Geopolitical Analysis

After nearly a quarter-century, the people of Zimbabwe have been subjected to draconian sanctions enacted by the leading imperialist states.

These punitive policies began as a response to the passage of legislation in 2000 which reallocated large swaths of agricultural land to the indigenous Africans who were colonized by Britain starting in the late 19th century. 

Formerly known as Southern Rhodesia, the people gained their national independence in April 1980 under the leadership of the Zimbabwe African National Union, Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU, PF) after the years-long armed struggle against the settler-colonial regime of Ian Smith. The two liberation movements turned into political parties and merged during the late 1980s. 

At the time of independence, the former British colonial power and the United States made pledges to fund a land reform program to meet the basic demands of the liberation struggle. However, two decades later, the redistribution of the land stolen by the colonialists in the 1890s still had not been realized by the people.

When the land reform bill was passed in 2000, millions of Africans moved on to white-controlled farms reclaiming what was rightfully owned by the people. These actions by the ZANU-PF government under former President Robert Mugabe prompted outrage among the displaced white settler farmers and their allies in the United Kingdom, the EU and the U.S.

The Struggle Against Sanctions Continue

October 25 has been designated as “Anti-Sanctions Day” throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and the entire African Union (AU) bloc. Every year there are renewed calls for the halting of what is in essence economic warfare against Zimbabwe. 

The economic problems which have existed for years in Zimbabwe stem from the western sanctions. Various opposition groups to the ruling ZANU-PF party over the years have been financed and given diplomatic cover by the imperialist states and their domestic allies. 

Nonetheless, the 16 nations member-states of SADC have remained firm in their calls for the lifting of these sanctions. Moreover, the 55 member-states of the AU also supports the position of SADC noting that the ongoing economic injustices levelled against Zimbabwe has proven to be a detriment to the entire sub-continent and beyond.

The sanctions against Zimbabwe have been maintained throughout successive U.S., British and EU administrations. In the U.S., both the Democratic and Republican parties have refused to lift these economic measures despite the willingness of the Zimbabwe government to negotiate with these politicians.

In a statement issued by the AU on October 25 it emphasized that:

“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat renews the African Union call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of all remaining sanctions imposed against the Republic of Zimbabwe, and in support of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) commemoration of SADC Anti-Sanctions Day. The Chairperson acknowledges the engagement with the European Union through political dialogue. In this regard, he encourages all parties to continue constructive dialogue with a view to remove the remaining sanctions against institutions and individuals of the Republic of Zimbabwe. The Chairperson remains concerned by the negative impact of continued sanctions against the Republic of Zimbabwe to the country’s socio-economic development and recovery efforts. The Chairperson reaffirms the full support of the African Union to the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) efforts in this regard and aligns fully with the position of SADC on the issue.” (https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20241025/auc-chairpersons-statement-support-end-sanctions-against-zimbabwe)

At present President Mnangagwa is chairing the SADC regional grouping. On the recent October 25 Anti-Sanctions Day, the president brought further attention to the role of the imperialists in crippling the economic development of the people of Zimbabwe.

Just earlier this year in March, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden extended the existing sanctions citing numerous individuals. The expanded sanctions program impacts the ability of officials to hold assets and travel on an unofficial capacity to the U.S.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made numerous unsubstantiated claims related to the domestic policies of the Zimbabwe government. The administration in Washington accused the ZANU-PF of human rights violations against those operating within the western-backed opposition organizations.

In addition to President Mnangagwa, the Biden administration has introduced new sanctions against 10 other people along with three businesses. The expanded list of those being targeted include First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and Defense Minister Oppah Muchinguri. There are others added to the list which encompasses senior security officials, personnel from the Zimbabwe's national police and the Central Intelligence Organization (CIO). The businesspeople cited were accused by the State Department of being involved in corruption in the service of the government in Harare. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68475474)

A report on this year’s Anti-Sanctions Day published by Positive Eye News says:

“Addressing the impact of these measures, President Mnangagwa appealed for the message of solidarity to transcend borders and resonate with those enforcing the sanctions. ‘They must realize the extent of harm their actions impose on Zimbabwe’s people, the SADC region, and Africa at large,’ he stated. The call for the lifting of sanctions traces back to the 39th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in 2019, where October 25 was designated as SADC Anti-Sanctions Day. This decision added renewed strength to the region’s collective resolve against these sanctions, which are widely viewed as violations of Zimbabweans’ basic human rights. Since then, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) have echoed this call, joined by international allies like China and Russia.” (https://positiveeyenews.co.zw/2024/10/26/sadc-calls-for-unconditional-removal-of-sanctions-against-zimbabwe/)

Although the imperialists have continued to sanction Zimbabwe for many years, other governments which have a well-documented record of human rights violations such as the State of Israel, have not faced any punishment for its decades of the denial of the right to self-determination and independence for the people of Palestine. Neighboring Republic of South Africa has taken Tel Aviv to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and won rulings which confirm the legitimacy of the legal arguments charging the settler-colonial regime with genocide. 

While the Zionist state has not been held to account by the imperialists for its actions, billions of dollars are being poured into the apartheid regime to continue its genocidal program directed at the Palestinian people. Tel Aviv has now extended its war once again into Lebanon where leaders of the resistance movement and civilians are being killed on a daily basis. Targeted assassinations of government officials from Iran, Iraq along with the bombing of Yemen and Syria are justified by Washington, London and Brussels under the guise of fighting terrorism.

Communist Party of Cuba Reiterates Solidarity with Zimbabwe

Another state which has been victimized for more than six decades by a U.S. embargo, the Republic of Cuba, has continued its support for Zimbabwe and other states within the SADC region. Every year at the United Nations General Assembly the overwhelming majority of governments pass resolutions demanding the lifting of the embargo against Cuba.

However, these resolutions are routinely ignored as Washington maintains its attempts to strangle the people of Cuba. The recent problems in Cuba with the electrical grid are a direct result of the measures carried out by the U.S. government.

Cuba has expressed its solidarity with Africa for many years. From 1975 to 1989, the socialist government deployed hundreds of thousands of international volunteers who fought against the racist apartheid regime’s military forces in Angola resulting in the unity of this state as well as the liberation of the Republic of Namibia and the overthrow of apartheid in South Africa. 

In an article published by Prensa Latina on October 25 it emphasized in regard to the sanctions against Zimbabwe that:

“The head of the International Relations Department of the Communist Party of Cuba, Emilio Lozada, reaffirmed today the condemnation of the unilateral sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe. Through social media, the party official expressed his support to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Day against Sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States and the European Union. ‘We reiterate our support to the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and to that brotherly people in the face of these unilateral coercive measures that hinder their legitimate right to development,’ Lozada stressed in his message.” (https://www.plenglish.com/news/2024/10/25/cuba-condemns-sanctions-against-zimbabwe/)

The imperialist policies towards Zimbabwe and Cuba illustrate clearly that any state which seeks to pursue an independent existence based upon its own social and economic interests will be singled out for isolation and attempted destruction by Washington and its European allies. Sanctions levelled by the West against developing, independent and socialist states are indeed acts of war.

Therefore, those within the Global North who are fighting for peace and stability throughout the world must oppose arbitrary embargoes and sanctions by imperialism. Every state has an equal right to self-determination, genuine independence and sovereignty.

BRICS Declaration Reinforces Call for Multipolarity

Kazan summit rejects unilateralism advanced by the West

By Abayomi Azikiwe, Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Wednesday October 30, 2024

Geoeconomic Analysis

A three-day gathering (October 22-24) held in the city of Kazan in the Russian Federation represented the 16th Annual Summit of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa Plus (BRICS).

At present there are nine governments that have officially joined the multilateral organization which are the five already mentioned along with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been approved for membership by the body although they have not formally accepted. Nonetheless, there was high-level representation from Riyadh in attendance in Kazan led by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.  

The Final Declaration of the BRICS Summit held under the theme: “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security” covered 32 pages encompassing 134 points of agreement. Much of the focus in the document revolves around the desire for the democratization of international trade and the dissolution of punitive and coercive measures including sanctions and economic blockades. (https://cdn.brics-russia2024.ru/upload/docs/Kazan_Declaration_FINAL.pdf?1729693488349783)

36 governments were represented at the Summit while 13 of these nations have been invited to become “partner states.” This collection of countries poised to join BRICS as "partner states" were Turkey, Indonesia, Algeria, Belarus, Cuba, Bolivia, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Uganda. 

In an unfortunate episode of disunity within South America, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was blocked from joining BRICS as a result of a veto by the Republic of Brazil which apparently cited the criticism by the western imperialist states and their allies in regard to the recent elections that extended the tenure of President Nicholas Maduro. In response, Maduro after returning to Venezuela, proclaimed that no one will halt the Bolivarian Republic in its international efforts. 

A statement issued by the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said in part that: 

"The Venezuelan people feel indignation and shame at this inexplicable and immoral aggression by Itamaraty (foreign ministry), maintaining the worst of Jair Bolsonaro's policies against the Bolivarian Revolution founded by Commander Hugo Chávez.” Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attended the BRICS Summit remotely after it was announced that he had experienced a head injury. (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89l45zeq2eo)

Interestingly enough, many of the heads-of-state and officials in attendance at the BRICS Summit in Kazan have recognized President Maduro as the legitimate leader of the socialist-oriented state, including host member President Vladimir Putin. Venezuela has thwarted numerous attempts to overthrow its government by successive administrations in the United States since the ascendancy of the former late President Hugo Chavez a quarter-century ago. 

134 Points of Unity Confirmed

Some of the highlights embodied within the Kazan Declaration include proclamations related to the necessity of the Global South states to win their right to self-determination and national sovereignty. The objectives of achieving genuine economic growth and development for the majority of the world’s population will not occur absent of political independence from neo-colonialism led by the U.S. in the 21st century. 

The BRICS Declaration passed in Kazan demands the diplomatic and military recognition of the territorial unity of the Syrian Arab Republic which has been the focus of imperialist destabilization efforts for more than a decade. This same declaration goes on to oppose the recent bombings of Yemen which has acted in solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine and Lebanon in the face of genocidal aggression from Tel Aviv coordinated and bolstered by Washington and its NATO allies.

Unlike other gatherings sponsored by the western industrialized states, the BRICS Kazan Declaration is in support of the just struggles of the Palestinians and other targeted nations in West Asia which are subjected to constant military attacks by the State of Israel and its principal supporters in the U.S.

In points 29-30 it emphasizes:

“We mourn the tragic loss of civilian lives in the recent period and express sympathy with all civilian victims and their families. We call for urgent measures, in accordance with international law, to ensure the protection of lives. We reiterate our grave concern at the deterioration of the situation and humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in particular the unprecedented escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank as a result of the Israeli military offensive, which led to mass killing and injury of civilians, forced displacement and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.”

Several points within the Declaration urge the member states and participants to enhance their internal and cross-border financial transactions in a manner which can be beneficial for the peoples of the Global South. Hyperinflation within the developing nations is serving as a major impediment to qualitative growth. 

The precipitous decline in the value of national currencies across many sections of Africa, Asia and Latin America stems from the lack of controls over the role and value of the U.S. dollar. Mechanisms for trading in national currencies could provide greater purchasing power for the developing states, which would undoubtedly ease the problems of housing shortages and food deficits.

Point 65 in the Declaration from Kazan goes on to state:

“We reiterate our commitment to enhancing financial cooperation within BRICS.  We recognize the widespread benefits of faster, low cost, more efficient, transparent, safe and inclusive cross-border payment instruments built upon the principle of minimizing trade barriers and non-discriminatory access. We welcome the use of local currencies in financial transactions between BRICS countries and their trading partners. We encourage strengthening of correspondent banking networks within BRICS and enabling settlements in local currencies in line with BRICS Cross-Border Payments Initiative (BCBPI), which is voluntary and non-binding, and look forward to further discussions in this area, including in the BRICS Payment Task Force.”

These goals, if implemented, would go a long way in reconfiguring the methods utilized for financial transactions on a world scale. Nonetheless, there is tremendous concern and opposition by the imperialist states to these objectives being advanced by the nations of the Global South. 

Much of the animosity exemplified by Washington and Wall Street towards various geopolitical regions of the world is clearly related to the hegemonic designs of the imperialist states. The continuity of these policies is resulting in greater internal, regional and international conflict.

Other Economic Alliances in Recent History

BRICS represents a historical pattern of efforts to build alternatives to the existing world capitalist system. During the period of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), there was the founding of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON). (https://www.the-map-as-history.com/Europe-after-1945/the-marshall-plan-and-comecon)

COMECON was formed in response to the project headed by U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall in June 1947 under the administration of President Harry S. Truman. Popularly known as the Marshall Plan, its actual purpose was to undermine the expansion and viability of socialism which had grown exponentially after World War II. 

Founded in 1949, COMECON was designed to build unity and economic integration among the socialist states in the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and other territories such as the Republic of Cuba, Angola, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Vietnam, etc.  The organization faded after the overthrow of the socialist states in Eastern Europe during the late 1980s. When the Soviet Union was weakening to the eventual point of collapse in 1990-91, COMECON was dissolved.

Since this time period there has been the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) which consists of those nations and autonomous areas which remain in alliance with Moscow. Even though Russia is no longer a socialist state, the U.S., the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom and Japan are threatened by the reemergence of the county as a major regional and world center of power. 

The BRICS Summit differs from COMECON because it brings together states which have both capitalist and socialist economic systems. The world’s second largest economy and leading socialist state, the People’s Republic of China, has pioneered with Russia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) established in 2001, which is now the largest regional grouping in the world. China has also formed in conjunction with the Africa Union (AU), the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) which has been in existence since 2000.

There is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) headquartered in Accra, Ghana as well which seeks to build deeper economic cooperation between these independent states. Affiliates within the AfCFTA include regional groupings such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the newly formed Alliance of Sahel States (AES), among others. 

Consequently, the BRICS Plus Summit is a manifestation of the international movement towards ending the domination of the world’s peoples by international finance capital. This movement inevitably must wage a protracted struggle against the enemies of progress and development. As the desire for genuine independence and sovereignty intensifies, the incompatibility of these objectives with the forces of exploitation and oppression will become more pronounced. 

South Africa: Media Caught Up in Geopolitical Crisis of Unipolarity, Inequality, Uneven Application of Global Rules - Naledi Pandor

AIJC

The AIJC is being held at Wits University for its 20th edition, bringing another packed schedule of talks, panel discussions, masterclasses, workshops, and networking sessions with some of Africa’s finest and most renowned investigative journalists, trainers, and experts. Major themes for #AIJC2024 include data journalism, cyber and crypto crime, cultural art and NFT investigations, safety of journalists, and health investigations.

30 October 2024

allAfrica.com

By Nontobeko Mlambo

Johannesburg — "Many countries, particularly in our continent Africa, have failed to meet the standard of freedom of expression set out in international instruments, including our own African Union founding instruments. And thus in many of our jurisdictions, very little protection is available to practitioners in the field," said Naledi Pandor, Chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation at the opening of the 20th African Investigative Journalism Conference taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The event held at Wits University brings together journalists and experts who will take part in panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions to find solutions faced by investigative journalists across the continent.

“Investigative journalism is potentially the most plentiful field as it deals directly with issues of integrity and morality, the most worrying aspect is that countries that are the foundation of free expression are today the most active abusers of the craft.

“The profession has been stained by embedded journalism, runaway technology advances, by the practice of reporting that does not require training or certification, and to some degree, by the failure of the profession to form global bonds of solidarity to end harm as was done through the liberation movements when we were fighting for freedom,” Pandor said in her keynote address.

With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in newsrooms, this year’s program includes sessions on navigating AI challenges and opportunities in the Global South. It also features themes on data journalism, cyber and crypto crime, cultural art and safety of journalists, and health investigations.

"Freedom of expression of the media, of creative artists, and academia is a highly prized right in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of South Africa. The right has the status due to the limitations on free expression that were imposed under race-based apartheid rules, South Africans were told what they could read, and scholars were denied wide reading," Pandor said.

Pandor, who was South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperations from 2019 to 2024, said during the Apartheid era media professionals had to reflect state-directed views and falsehoods, had to pretend at times that separate development was a genuine sociological phenomenon, and had to hide the facts even when they had facts in their possession.

Despite all the challenges the country continues to face in the media profession, Pandor said she assesses the media in South Africa as robust, and respected, but that it is a wading field in the face of emerging technology and arts. And this is a great concern.

Pandor said the 30-year journey of democratic transition has had for South Africans, high drama between the state, political parties, and media in all its forms, mentioning that there have been high points in which the media has been a boost for ethical conduct, and some instances of huge embarrassment on all sides.

“I believe that common action in changing the human condition will be a means of operating for journalists of South Africa who gave up their lives in the struggle for the truth. Journalists such as Nat Nakasa, journalists such as Percy Qoboza and many others who used this craft to assist in securing freedom for oppressed peoples and in telling the truth of their oppression and their oppressors,” she said.

Every year, the AIJC holds a memorial lecture in Carlos Cardoso’s memory. Cardoso was a Mozambican journalist assassinated while investigating corruption in 2000.

Pandor said in line with the Nelson Mandela Foundation's theme of action and support of humanity, there's a task "before all of us".

She said the world is troubled and under strain and urged Africans to see what they could contribute and what in collaboration to make to create the conditions for a better world.

“I think every profession, every institution, needs to be asking itself that question today because the strife underway is going to impact on all of us. I truly believe that what people have been saying in analysis, that this is an inflection point in our right, it's an inflection point as to the kind of global community we wish to see, and I challenge all of you to work with your colleagues worldwide, to seek truth, to convey truth, and to build a better for the future,” Pandor said.

The three-day investigative journalism event will recognize outstanding investigative journalists from the continent in an awards ceremony that recognizes their powerful and impactful work.

Somalia Inaugurates Largest Emergency Care Center

The state-of-the-art facility can accommodate 200 patients in need of emergency health services

by BRIAN ORUTA

30 October 2024 - 19:40

In Summary

Somalia Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre stressed on the need by government to improve on healthcare in order to boost the sector.

He said such a deliberate move will also help provide job opportunities for the people of Somalia.

Somalia Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and other dignitaries at the launch of Media Emergency Health Centre in Mogadishu [HANDOUT]

The Federal Government of Somalia has marked a new era in healthcare following the launch of the country’s largest Emergency Care Centre at Medina General Hospital in Mogadishu.

Speaking during the launch, Somalia Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre stressed on the need by government to improve on healthcare in order to boost the sector.

He said such a deliberate move will also help provide job opportunities for the people of Somalia.

“This center will play a major role in treating and caring for the Somali army and citizens who are fighting with the Al-Shabab group,” Barre said.

The state-of-the-art facility, which can accommodate 200 patients in need of emergency health services, is designed to provide comprehensive support for individuals impacted by both natural and man-made disasters.

The launch comes two years after the tragic Zoobe-2 explosion which claimed dozens of people in the country’s capital.

Madina Hospital's Emergency Department was a cramped space with about five beds, which were also located far from the operating theater.

PM Barre emphasized the government’s commitment to fully constructing and equipping the country’s largest hospital.

He said his government is currently undertaking efforts re-launch of a fully repaired blood bank center, the establishment of an emergency response center, and the improvement of numerous health facilities.

The Emergency Care Center was constructed by funds raised by the National Emergency Committee, which is comprised of various federal ministries, the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), and civil society organizations.

Somalia's Minister of Health, Dr. Ali Haji Adam, expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the establishment of the facility.

Adam said the centre will greatly contribute to the ease of access to urgent medical care.

The commissioning was attended by ministers, members of parliament, leaders of social organizations, police representatives, business owners, bank officials, families of Zoobe-2 attack victims, and among other guests.

The condition of the access road to the health facility were also deplorable to the extent that vehicles could not pass.

Boxing Dreams Live on in Congo’s Grassroots Clubs 50 Years After the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’

Daniella Mulekets, 20, practices Oct. 23, 2024 in the streets of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, prior to her first professional fight Oct. 26 on the 50th anniversary of the “Rumble in the Jungle” fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

By RUTH ALONGA

12:23 AM EDT, October 30, 2024

GOMA, Congo (AP) — A punch crunches into the side of Daniella Muleketsi’s face. She grimaces at the sting of it and the crowd holds its breath in fear for their homegrown boxing hope.

It is the 20-year-old Muleketsi’s first professional fight and it’s in her hometown of Goma in eastern Congo. It’s a mark that will be on her record forever — a triumphant debut or a bitter loss.

This tournament was held over the weekend by the Nyama Boxing Club to remember perhaps the greatest fight ever. Muhammad Ali came to the central African country and beat then-undefeated George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle” on Oct. 30, 1974, to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion again.

That fight a half-century ago made Ali a legend. It also offered a glimpse of Congo, then called Zaire and in the grip of the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.

As Congo marks the 50th anniversary of the Rumble on Wednesday, boxing dreams live on not only in the capital, Kinshasa — where the Ali-Foreman fight happened — but also in the grassroots promotions like Nyama’s out in Goma, a city in the heart of a region that has seen decades of conflict, displacement and crisis.

While that shadow of suffering and hardship hangs over nearly everything that happens in Goma now, the boxing tournament drew a surprisingly large and enthusiastic crowd to the open-air arena in the Volcans neighborhood.

In the ring, Congo’s Muleketsi shook off the blow that rocked her backwards and rallied against her more experienced opponent, “Scary” Charity Mukami of Kenya. Mukami is a 12-fight veteran and a one-time contender for world titles. Muleketsi ground her way to a win on points and a victorious professional debut.

The referee held up her right arm as she reveled in the applause and cheers. She gripped a blue, red and yellow Congolese flag in her other hand.

“My goal is to one day be a world champion. I won’t stop working until I get there,” said Muleketsi, who stands 5-foot-3, weighs 74 kilograms (163 pounds) and began boxing at age 16 under the tutelage of her uncle, a regional boxing official.

She wasn’t born when Ali beat Foreman but she has, like so many Congolese, heard tales of the Rumble in the Jungle.

“The fight of the century between Mohammed Ali and George Foreman inspires every professional boxer,” she said. “I want my name to be registered in boxing in my country and throughout the world.”

Botswana Holds an Election Where the Diamond Trade Has Become a Central Issue

By SELLO MOTSETA

8:43 AM EDT, October 30, 2024

GABORONE, Botswana (AP) — Botswana held a national election on Wednesday to decide if one of Africa’s longest-ruling parties stays in power for another five-year term.

The Botswana Democratic Party has governed the southern African nation for 58 years, since independence from Britain in 1966, and has held the presidency throughout. The election will determine the makeup of Parliament and lawmakers will later elect the president.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi, a 63-year-old former high school teacher who also previously worked for UNICEF, is seeking a second and final term.

Botswana has been held up as one of Africa’s success stories — a peaceful and stable democracy with one of the best standards of living in the region — but is facing new economic challenges that have pushed the ruling party to concede that policy change is needed.

That’s largely because of a global downturn in demand for mined diamonds, which Botswana’s economy relies on. Unemployment in the nation of some 2.5 million people has risen to 27% this year and is significantly higher for young people.

The economy running on diamonds

The ruling party says it has listened to the concerns of voters and will pursue changes that could diversify an economy where diamonds account for more than 80% of Botswana’s exports and a quarter of the GDP, according to the World Bank. One of its campaign slogans has been “Changing Together, Building Prosperity.”

On the eve of the election, Masisi held a boisterous final campaign rally in the capital, Gaborone, wearing a bright red suit jacket — the color of his party — and dancing with supporters. He voted Wednesday at a school in his home village of Moshupa.

“It is my final hurrah,” Masisi told reporters. “I have enjoyed the contest.” He added that “the challenge of unemployment faces every leader.”

Three other men are challenging Masisi for president: Duma Boko of the main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change party, Dumelang Saleshando of the Botswana Congress Party and Mephato Reatile from the Botswana Patriotic Front.

Counting is expected to start straight after polls close Wednesday evening and the results could be announced within days.

“We are concerned about issues of employment and wage structures,” said Karabo Manguba, a 29-year-old sales executive at a radio station who voted early in the morning. “Voting is a patriotic effort ... and our voices need to be heard.”

While the Botswana Democratic Party has dominated the country’s politics since independence, recent economic uncertainty has closed the gap between the BDP and the opposition, analysts say.

Botswana is the second biggest producer of natural diamonds, behind Russia, and has been responsible for all the biggest rough gems found in the past decade.

But sales of rough diamonds at Debswana, the company that Botswana’s government jointly owns with the De Beers Group and a critical source of state revenue, were down nearly 50% in the first half of 2024, according to authorities. They said the slump is partly down to geopolitical instability because of conflicts and the rise of synthetic diamonds.

It has put a dent in the public purse and raised criticism of Masisi and the BDP for not taking steps to diversify the economy. Government employees have received their salaries late as a result of the tight financial situation, taking the shine off of Botswana’s reputation for efficient government.

Masisi has previously said those changes in the diamond market threaten Botswana’s entire prosperity.

Ahead of the election, the BDP said it would now put emphasis on processing mineral resources for new revenue streams, while also building the agriculture and tourism sectors.

“This is a classic case of needing to think outside the box. Looking at where the country is going, it appears Botswana has one script,” said Elton Katlego Ditaol, a 26-year-old part-time university student. “There is a visible and structural need to elect a leader who will write a new script. We need to diversify the economy. It is an old song. We cannot depend on mineral extraction.”

Just over a million people have registered to vote, according to the Independent Electoral Commission. Botswana is larger than France but has a small population, with the Kalahari Desert covering large portions of the landlocked country that borders South Africa. Drought and desertification threaten Botswana’s development and the livelihoods of many of its people.

The election could also revive Masisi’s feud with former President Ian Khama, the man he succeeded as Botswana’s leader and then fell out with.

Khama, the son of Botswana’s founding president, quit the BDP and went into exile in South Africa in 2021, accusing Masisi of taking an authoritarian approach to criticism. Khama was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and receiving stolen property in a criminal case he said was politically motivated to silence him.

Khama returned to Botswana in September to attend a court hearing and has campaigned for the Botswana Patriotic Front in an attempt to oust Masisi.