Africa news roundup
December 15-21, 2024
Ghana
$350m tax exemptions spark parliamentary row
Ghana’s government is facing opposition in Parliament over its request to approve $350 million in tax exemptions for 41 businesses operating under the One-District, One-Factory programme. The Minority Caucus has expressed its readiness to block the consideration of the amount, arguing that granting tax waivers to well-endowed businesses would impose a tax burden on Ghanaian taxpayers and a fiscal burden on the incoming government in the 2025 budget. The Minority Caucus has been objecting to the consideration of tax exemptions for the past two years. In a recent sitting, the member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, questioned why the Majority Leader was still pushing for the tax exemptions despite their unpopularity.
Speaker of the House Alban S.K. Bagbin has proposed six items for consideration, including the Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation Bill, 2024, and the Environmental Protection Bill, 2024. However, Minority Leader Dr Casiel Ato Forson has expressed concerns about the Majority’s proposal to acquire ships worth €140 million, citing the current economic situation of the country. The issue of tax exemptions has been pending before the House for two years, with 41 companies set to benefit, including B5 Plus Limited, Ferro Fabrik Limited, and Everpure Holdings Limited. The Minority Caucus is adamant that it will not support the tax exemptions, citing the potential fiscal burden on the next government.
Nigeria
Tinubu hosts Ghana’s President-Elect Mahama in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu welcomed Ghana’s President-elect John Mahahma to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday. This visit comes exactly one week after Mahama was declared the winner of Ghana’s 2024 presidential election by the Electoral Commission of Ghana. Tinubu had previously congratulated Mahama on his victory in a phone call. He also praised Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for conceding defeat before the official announcement. Bawumia’s concession aimed to ease tensions following reported clashes in several local constituencies.
Mahama, who previously served as Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2017, has a long history of public service. He was vice president from 2009 to 2012 and a member of Parliament from 1997 to 2009. During the meeting, Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the bond between Nigeria and Ghana. He expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Mahama’s incoming administration to enhance bilateral ties across various sectors and promote regional development in West Africa. Tinubu’s support for Mahama’s administration underscores the importance of fostering cooperation and unity among African nations.
South Africa
Rubella outbreak sparks vaccine rollout
A rubella outbreak, primarily affecting children under the age of 10 and pregnant women, has been confirmed in South Africa. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) had warned of the outbreak, highlighting the significant risks it posed to pregnant women, especially those in their first trimester. The viral infection causes symptoms such as fever, rash, runny nose, red eyes, and cough. However, exposure to rubella during pregnancy can lead to congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), a condition that can cause severe abnormalities in unborn babies, including heart defects, blindness, and deafness.
Pregnant women who have been in contact with an infected persons are advised to seek medical advice immediately. According to Dr. Kerrigan McCarthy of the NICD, if a pregnant woman is diagnosed with rubella, she should be referred to specialist obstetric services for guidance on her baby’s health. To combat the outbreak, the Department of Health has introduced the rubella vaccine for children aged six and nine months. The NICD expects the outbreak to be contained by the end of the year or early January.
Liberia
Fire engulfs Parliament building as protests turn violent
A fire broke out at the parliament building in Monrovia on Wednesday. The incident occurred amidst anti-government protests sparked by the decision to remove the Speaker of the House Konati Koffa, who faces corruption allegations. Demonstrators also called for President Boakai’s resignation. The protests began on Tuesday, with police arresting dozens of protesters and using tear gas to disperse crowds. Local media reported that at least four people, including the Speaker of the House and Rep. Frank Foko, were taken in for questioning. Foko had previously threatened to “burn down” the parliament chambers in an interview.
The cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed, but Police Chief Gragray Coleman did not rule out arson. The incident has added to the ongoing tension in Liberia, which has been experiencing months of deadlock in Parliament over Koffa’s removal. According to Liberia’s law, the speaker can only be removed by a two-thirds majority of the house. As a result, the government has been unable to pass the annual budget.
Sierra Leone
€20 million solar power initiative to electrify rural communities
The Government of Sierra Leone has adopted a results-based financing (RBF) mechanism to promote the development of solar mini-grids. This initiative is backed by €20 million in funding from the European Union (EU) which aims to electrify approximately 35,000 households, primarily in rural areas. The RBF model provides financial incentives to private mini-grid developers and operators based on the number of connections they establish. This approach has been successfully implemented in three locations in Sierra Leone, where Power Leone set up mini-grids with 500 connections using grant funds from the Universal Energy Facility.
According to Dr Kandeh Yumkella, Energy Sector Lead and Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, this funding will support rural development by powering productive energy use in communities currently lacking access to electricity. The EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Jacek Jankowski, emphasized that the RBF mechanism has the potential to accelerate rural electrification in Sierra Leone. He encouraged other donor partners to join the EU in supporting the government’s initiative. Overall, this initiative aims to promote rural development, improve livelihoods, and drive economic growth in Sierra Leone through the adoption of renewable energy solutions.
Kenya
Guantanamo detainee released after 17 years
The United States has released Guantanamo Bay detainee Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu to Kenya, reducing the number of prisoners at the facility to 29. Bajabu was arrested in Mombasa in 2007 and transferred to Guantanamo Bay weeks later for alleged involvement with Al-Qaeda’s branch in East Africa. The Periodic Review Board determined in 2021 that Bajabu was no longer a significant threat to US national security. Reprieve US, which represented Bajabu, welcomed his release, stating that he was tortured by Kenyan authorities and US military personnel.
Bajabu’s lawyer said that the US had “robbed an innocent man of the best years of his life”, separating him from his wife and young children. The lawyer added that Bajabu’s children, who were infants when he was detained, are now grown, and that the US owes him support and space to begin his life anew. The Guantanamo Bay detention facility has been a symbol of US abuses during the “war on terror”. The prison once housed nearly 800 detainees, but the number has been reduced over the years. Fifteen of the remaining 29 detainees are eligible for transfer. The Pentagon aims to eventually close the detention centre.
Togo
Nanfamé named new cotton company chairman
Nana Nanfamé has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors for the New Cotton Company of Togo (NSCT). This appointment was made official through a press release on December 13, 2024. Nanfamé, who replaces the late Simféitchéou Pré, brings extensive experience and knowledge to the role, having previously led the company from 2016 to 2020. Nanfamé’s appointment is expected to help the company consolidate its progress and achieve sustainable growth. However, he will also face significant challenges, particularly in addressing the decline in output over the past years. The forecast shows a drop to 66,000 tonnes in the next season, from 67,000 tonnes this year.
Nanfamé’s leadership will be crucial in reversing this trend and achieving sustainable growth. His experience and knowledge of the company and the cotton industry will be invaluable in navigating the complexities of Togo’s cotton sector. The appointment demonstrates the company’s commitment to using experienced leaders to drive growth and development. Overall, Nanfamé’s appointment is a positive step for the NSCT, and his leadership will be closely watched as he works to address the challenges facing the company.
Burkina Faso
Four French nationals released after year-long detention
Four French nationals, detained in Burkina Faso for over a year on espionage charges, have been released. France’s foreign intelligence service confirmed the release, expressing gratitude to Morocco for its mediation in the case. The four men were arrested in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital, on December 1, 2023, and were presented as agents of France’s Directorate-General for External Security. However, French authorities maintained that they were civil servants with diplomatic passports and visas in Burkina Faso for computer maintenance work.
Relations between France and Burkina Faso have been strained since Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a coup d’etat in September 2022. The release of the four French nationals is seen as a positive development in the relations between the two countries.
The mediation by Morocco is also significant, as it came at a time when France and Morocco are strengthening their ties. President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco in October marked a significant warming of relations between the two countries. Macron’s support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara has been seen as a key factor in the improvement of relations.
Cote d’Ivoire
African Development Bank to build new HQ in Abidjan
The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has given the green light for the construction of a state-of-the-art headquarters building in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. This decision was unanimous, with the executive directors emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong presence in Abidjan and investing in a work environment that supports staff well-being. Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, hailed the decision as “historic” for the Bank, its staff, Côte d’Ivoire, and Africa, as a whole. He noted that this move reflects the Bank’s commitment to enhancing its business operations, staff welfare, and productivity, all while accelerating Africa’s development.
The new headquarters building will boast cutting-edge facilities, including energy-efficient design and advanced security features. It will also provide world-class workplace experience, aligning with the Bank’s commitment to green growth, energy efficiency, and safety. Dr Adesina expressed gratitude to President Alassane Ouattara and the government of Côte d’Ivoire for their strong support. He emphasized that the Bank is committed to staying in Côte d’Ivoire permanently and looks forward to the government’s continued support in this historic project.
Senegal
African vaccine production gets $45 million boost
A $45 million investment has been announced to support vaccine production in Senegal. The US Development Finance Corporation, the African Development Bank, and the International Finance Corporation have joined forces to fund VaxSen, the vaccine production and distribution arm of the Pasteur Institute in Dakar. The agreement was signed on December 13th, with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in attendance. This development highlights Senegal’s leadership in advancing public health goals across Africa. The funding will enhance local vaccine production, strengthen supply chains, and establish a robust network for vaccine distribution.
This initiative aligns with the African Union’s Vision 2040, which aims to have Africa produce 60 per cent of its vaccine needs locally. By strengthening vaccine production and distribution, Senegal is poised to play a vital role in enhancing public health across the continent.
The investment is expected to have a significant impact on Senegal’s ability to respond to public health crises. It will also contribute to the development of a robust vaccine manufacturing industry in Africa. The partnership between the US Development Finance Corporation, the African Development Bank, and the International Finance Corporation demonstrates a commitment to supporting Africa’s public health goals.
Cameroon
Sonara Wins $100M Oil Dispute in London Court
Cameroon’s state-owned oil refinery, Société Nationale de Raffinage (Sonara), has emerged victorious in a contractual dispute against Nigerian oil supply company Sahara Energy Resource. The London High Court dismissed Sahara’s claim of over $100 million for interest, penal charges, and foreign exchange losses incurred due to delayed payments by Sonara. The dispute stemmed from a 2013 agreement between Sahara and Sonara for the supply of crude oil. Sahara’s purchase of oil was financed by three Nigerian banks, and when Sonara’s payments were delayed, Sahara suffered losses due to interest rises, foreign exchange changes, and penalty clauses.
Sonara rejected Sahara’s claim that a joint report produced by negotiations in 2019 constituted a binding agreement. The London court upheld their view. The court found that the joint report was not a contractual agreement, but rather an agreement to agree. Additionally, the court ruled that the foreign exchange losses were too remote to be covered by Sonara.
Sonara was represented by a team from Squire Patton Boggs, led by partner Timi Balogun, while Sahara was represented by Reed Smith solicitor Alexander Sandiforth. The court’s decision brings an end to the long-standing dispute between the two companies.
Rwanda
Peace talks fail in eastern DRC
Peace talks between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been cancelled, according to the Angolan presidency, which has been mediating the talks. The meeting was expected to bring together the leaders of Rwanda and the DRC to discuss an end to the conflict in eastern DRC. However, the Angolan Presidency announced that the summit would no longer take place as expected. The reason for the cancellation was not provided, but the DRC Presidency stated that the Rwandan delegation refused to participate. Rwanda’s foreign ministry attributed the cancellation to a lack of consensus on direct talks between the DRC and a rebel group.
The conflict in eastern DRC has resulted in thousands of displaced people and a major humanitarian crisis. The M23 rebel group, which the DRC and the UN say is backed by Rwanda, has seized significant territory in the region. Rwanda denies supporting the M23 but has admitted to having troops and missile systems in eastern DRC for security purposes. The cancellation of the peace talks has raised concerns about the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The humanitarian situation in eastern DRC remains dire, with millions of people in need of assistance. The international community is urging the parties to resume talks and work towards a peaceful solution.
