Africa news roundup
June 16-22, 2024
Ghana
NPP can’t deliver states NDC running mate
During an engagement with female media professionals in Accra, the running mate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, warned Ghanaians to be cautious of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 slogan, “It is possible”. She claimed that the ruling party cannot deliver on its promises. Opoku-Agyemang criticized the NPP’s track record, citing recent events as evidence of their inability to fulfil their commitments. She referred specifically to the picketing by pensioners and bondholders at the Finance Ministry demanding the release of their monies. She urged Ghanaians to scrutinize the NPP’s promises critically and consider the reality of their delivery when making electoral decisions.
Opoku-Agyemang strongly dismissed criticisms that the NDC lacks ideas and the vision to govern effectively if elected. “When we say it is a people’s manifesto, we mean it, I keep saying that you can just shut a couple of us in a room for a couple of weeks and we can draft one for you nicely. But who are you doing the manifesto for? Does it include journalists? Yes, it includes journalists of many areas of focus. But what about the women? What is worrying them that we have to know? And if you don’t talk to them as a group, how will you know? It’s not that you lack ideas, no, those are childish. We’re a serious party. That is why we’re engaging all of you”, she said. The former minister of education was officially unveiled on April 24, 2024, as running mate to its flag bearer, John Mahama, for the 2024 elections.
Nigeria
Death toll rises amidst cholera outbreak
More than 37 deaths have been recorded in the current Cholera outbreak which has hit 30 states, including Lagos and Ogun. A statement by the Director of Public Affairs in the state Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, said that Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health Dr Kemi Ogunyemi had reported that the state had recorded an additional six cholera deaths. So far, cholera cases have risen to 401 in Lagos while 14 cases have been recorded in Ogun, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported. It stated that between 1 January and 11 June 2024 over 1,141 suspected and over 65 confirmed cases of cholera with over 30 deaths had been reported from 96 local government areas in 30 states. With the six additional deaths in Lagos, and one death in Ogun, the fatalities are no fewer than 37.
World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the International Organisation for Migration held an emergency meeting in Lagos on Tuesday 18 June to address the cholera outbreak. Giving the situational report in Lagos on Thursday, Ogunyemi stated that Lagos Island remained the epicenter of the outbreak. Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), has urged state governments to address the underlying issues to curb the spread of cholera. CAPPA noted that as the outbreak ravages the country, state authorities had been quick to issue safety guidelines and precautionary measures, but underlying issues needed to be addressed.
Kenya
Anti-tax protests intensify in Nairobi
Kenyan police have clashed with anti-tax protesters in Nairobi as demonstrations have spread across the country, including to the president’s home town of Eldoret. Anti-riot police, some on horseback, fired tear gas to disperse crowds of protesters on the streets of Nairobi. There were similar protests in other cities and major towns across the country – including Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and Nyeri. There is a palpable anger among many Kenyans over a controversial finance bill that has introduced several unpopular tax proposals. Despite the complaints, the controversial bill was passed by a majority of MPs at the second reading. It will now proceed to the next stage where a committee will consider amendments related to the proposed taxes.
Since the beginning of the protest, the public outcry has forced the government to withdraw some of the contentious provisions, including a 16 per cent tax on bread and an annual 2.5 per cent tax on vehicles. However, protesters say this is not enough and have demanded that legislators, who are currently debating the bill in Parliament, reject the entire bill. Unlike in the past, the current protests are being driven by young people rather than politicians and have mostly been peaceful. There have been intense rallying calls on social media using the hashtag #OccupyParliament and #RejectFinanceBill2024, urging Kenyans to keep vigil as members of Parliament debate the bill.
South Africa
DA suspends MP over racist comments
A member of Parliament for the Democratic Alliance (DA) has been suspended for racist comments, less than a week after the White-led party formed a coalition government with the African National Congress. A clip of Renaldo Gouws saying “Kill all the kaffirs” – a racial slur for Black people – and then repeating the phrase using a swear word and the N-word, has gone viral. “Black people are discriminating against White people and the Black people are singing about killing White people,” Gouws, a YouTuber who was sworn into Parliament recently said in the now viral video. Referring to Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters and previously ANC youth leader, singing the anti-apartheid song Shoot the Boer. Also in 2020, Gouws was captured saying “So in essence this is a new apartheid and I’m the sufferer of that… “
A party statement released in relation to his recently released video said: “The DA has established that the video, in which Renaldo Gouws uses execrable language, is in fact genuine and not a fake as initially suspected”. Gouws, a former DA councillor, has since been suspended “with immediate effect while he faces disciplinary charges”, it added. In an interesting turn of events, Gouws apologised “unreservedly” for a different video clip, from 2008, in which he had said: “The White people in this country are going through a reverse apartheid.” The DA leader, John Steenhuisen also said, “The remarks need to be seen in their context. He’s apologized for them.
Sierra Leone
Innovation ministry seeks to raise $150 million for Tech Hub
Sierra Leone is seeking to raise up to $150 million to roll out a far-reaching digital innovation hub strategy led by a new Tech City. It will cover everything from job creation and training to entrepreneurship and supporting inbound investment. The new policy approach, which is overseen by the Technology and Innovation Minister Salima Bah, is intended to position the West African country as an incubation hub for innovators attracting talent from across the sub-region as well as within the country. “We really want to play the role of being a home for innovative ideas in the very early stages, in the hope that we create an environment that would allow [entrepreneurs] to thrive”, said Salima Bah. The Tech City is estimated to sit within a 130-acre special economic zone in Tikonko, Bo District in the middle of the country about 250 kilometers east of the capital, Freetown.
The digital hub is being adapted to support startups and innovators. According to the minister the country’s small size — with a GDP of just under $4 billion in 2023 and population of 8.7 million could allow it to adapt more quickly in a fast-changing environment. The early stages of the plan were rolled out last week at the three-day Sierra Leone Tech Summit in Freetown which was attended by some 4,000 delegates. President Julius Maada Bio, who was in attendance, committed his support of the $50 million digital transformation to modernize the country’s digital infrastructure and promote digital literacy.
Liberia
Japan donates rice worth millions to government
The Government of Japan has donated 3,294 metric tons of assorted rice valued at over 300 million Japanese yen, which is equivalent to US$1.5 million, to Liberia. This grant commodity is a part of the Japanese KR Food Aid programme, which is intended to be monetized to support Liberia’s socio-economic development initiatives. During the official handing-over ceremony, held on Tuesday 18 June at the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan Ambassador to Liberia Mochizuki Hisanobou emphasized the strong and longstanding relationship between Japan and Liberia. He also highlighted the Japan Food Assistance programme as a sustainable means of generating revenue through the Counterpart Value Fund, aimed at supporting Liberia’s pro-poor developmental initiatives and addressing critical challenges to the survival, livelihood, and dignity of its people.
Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Gabriel H. Salee committed that the rice donation would be used effectively. “Japan has given us rice not for us to eat, but for us to make money and contribute to the well-being and development of our country and our people”, he said. Steve Flahn-Paye, head of the JCVF Secretariat, provided background on the KR Food Aid programme which began in 2008 following a spike in global food prices, “The former President, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, took her time and approached the Government of Japan to benefit from the KR Food Aid programme”. He expanded, “We monetized the commodity grant, deposited the money in an escrow account, developed a project proposal, sent it to Japan, and had it approved based on their consideration of the project’s social and economic impact, as well as the viability of our economy”. Flahn-Paye also highlighted the diverse projects funded by the Japanese Counterpart Value Fund including road construction, housing units, market buildings, and bridges. “The government of Liberia remains very grateful to the government and people of Japan for their continued support towards Liberia’s economic recovery efforts,” Flahn-Paye stated.
Togo
Over $3 billion dollars invested in socio-economic projects
Government officials have revealed that Togo’s technical and financial partners (TFP) injected nearly $3 billion into the country’s development projects between 2018 and 2022. The figure was disclosed on June 19, during a meeting between the Minister, Secretary General of the Presidency Sandra Ablamba Johnson and some TFPs. Socio-economic projects received particular attention, per the government’s Togo 2025 Roadmap. Parties present at the meeting outlined the main roadblocks to the execution of the financed projects. The discussions were aimed at speeding up their execution and optimizing their impact.
Addressing the gathering, Abalmba acknowledged the funding challenges faced by the country in regard to the execution or completion of socio-economic projects. “Faced with current funding conditions, Togo has decided to reinvigorate the Intervention Coordination Platform and create all the conditions necessary for accelerated project implementation, in partnership with the various institutions“, Sandra Ablamba Johnson said. The Togolese official added that the roundtable will help deepen discussions and draw ways to implement development projects in Togo quickly.
Cote d’Ivoire
ECOWAS launch gender programs
The ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development (ECGD) has launched its gender programmes in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, marking a significant milestone in advancing gender equality and empowerment within the region. The launch took place at the auditorium of the Office of the Prime Minister in Abidjan, under the patronage of His Excellency Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister and Head of Government of Côte d’Ivoire. The initiative is part of the ECOWAS Gender Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2030, focusing on gender-sensitive disaster risk reduction and other critical areas. It underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to collaborating closely with Member States, regional and international institutions, and civil society organizations to promote gender equality at all levels.
These initiatives will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry for Women, the Family and Children (MFFE) and technical ministries, supported by the Ministry attached to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Living Abroad through the ECOWAS National Office. They aim to achieve sustainable development goals by addressing gender disparities and promoting inclusive economic growth in the region. The launch event reaffirms ECOWAS’s dedication to enhancing the role of women in West Africa’s development agenda, fostering a more equitable and prosperous future for all. Some of the programmes launched include, Medical and Financial Support for Obstetric Fistula, Promotion of Girls in Technical and Vocational Training, Support for Women Processors and the 50 Million African Women Speak Project.
Burkina Faso
Military junta debunks insurgent attacks
An attack that, reportedly, killed more than 100 soldiers on an army base in Burkina Faso has escalated into speculation about unrest in the security forces. The leader of the military junta has since appeared on state TV to debunk the rumours. Burkina Faso has been battling Islamist insurgents for several years and about half the country is outside government control. The Jihadist group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has accepted responsibility for the attack in the northern town of Mansila. The attack was followed by an explosion near the headquarters of the state television.
Armed men attacked the military base, located near the border with Niger, on 11 June. More than 100 soldiers were killed, and many others were missing. Hundreds of civilians fled Mansila for neighbouring towns in search of safety. Five days after the attack, JNIM, an al-Qaeda affiliate, through a video shared online while flaunting many weapons and ammunition that the group claims were captured during the assault, said it was behind the attack, and that dozens of soldiers were killed. The armed forces have since blockaded Mansila, and it is not possible to enter the city without a military convoy.
Senegal
Diomaye Faye to meet Macron
Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye arrived in France on Wednesday for his first visit since his election in March this year. His visit is part of the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation. President Faye will meet President Emmanuel Macron for lunch at the Élysée Palace. Trade agreements between the two countries, the CFA franc and the French military presence in the country will be on the agenda for discussion. Before taking off for Paris on his first trip outside Africa, Diomaye Faye made a series of visits to neighbouring countries including Mauritania, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Sierra Leone.
The meeting between Macron and Faye could ease tensions linked to the political crisis in Senegal that preceded the new president’s arrival in power. Between 2021 and 2024, the legal battle between Ousmane Sonko and the former Senegalese Government led to several periods of unrest, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of arrests. Senegal and France have historically maintained strong political and economic relations. However, Faye, a left-wing pan-Africanist, has insisted that such partnerships should be mutually beneficial.
Cameroon
Afreximbank to finance Douala port project
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed an indicative term sheet with Cameroon for the financing of the development and operation of a new port terminal in Douala, Cameroon, estimated to cost EUR210 million. According to the term sheet, the proposed facility will receive two tranches in Euro and Central African Francs (XAF) of up to EUR147 million, with a proposed Afreximbank participation of EUR80 million. The new terminal will be an extension of the existing Port of Douala and will consist of two berths to be numbered 53 and 54.
Addressing guests at the signing ceremony, Helen Brume, Director of Project and Asset Based Finance at Afreximbank, said that the facility would help to address the “significant infrastructure financing gap” which remained on the African continent. “By signing this term sheet, we are committed to helping our countries bridge this gap. We applaud the initiative of Cameroon, which through its commitment to this project, is helping to promote an innovative financing mechanism through a public-private partnership, thereby, reducing the financial burden of these strategic investments on the Government of Cameroon”, said Brume. Marc Tabchy, who signed on behalf of the Cameroonian delegation expressed his gratitude, “We are honoured to be part of the expansion and specialization of the Port of Douala by building additional berths that will be dedicated to dry bulk. The committed resources will allow us to develop this critical infrastructure, significantly contributing to the growth of the economy, creating employment opportunities and encouraging inter-African trade”. The new specialised terminal is expected to help strengthen Cameroon’s position as a leading economic power in the central Africa region.
Rwanda
We are ready to go to war – Kagame
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has declared Rwanda’s readiness to go to war with the Democratic Republic of Congo if necessary, stating, “they are ready to fight and are not afraid of anything”. This follows accusations from Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, who claimed Rwanda is organizing a genocide in eastern DRC. Kagame responded by accusing Tshisekedi of promoting a genocidal ideology against Congolese Tutsis. Kagame also refused to confirm the presence of Rwandan soldiers in the DRC, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of regional tensions.
As he prepares for a fourth term in the upcoming July 15 presidential election, Kagame denied claims that the election is rigged and rejected accusations of repressing and assassinating opponents. He asserted his government’s commitment to free and fair elections. These statements underscore the rising tensions between Rwanda and the DRC and highlight the challenges facing Kagame as the election approaches. The decades-long conflict in eastern Congo has produced one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 100 armed groups fighting in the region, most for land and control of mines with valuable minerals. Some are fighting to try to protect their communities. Many groups are accused of carrying out mass killings, rapes and other human rights violations. The violence has displaced about seven million people, including thousands living in temporary camps like the one that was attacked last month. Many others are beyond the reach of aid.
