Monday, August 2We Break the News

West Africa

Aug22021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
President Dr. George Manneh Weah, has congratulates athletes and officials of the National Olympic team

President Dr. George Manneh Weah, has congratulates athletes and officials of the National Olympic team

AFRICA, LIBERIA, OLYMPICS, Sports, West Africa
Monrovia, Liberia - The President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, has congratulated athletes and officials of the National Olympic team who are representing the country at the onging Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. President Weah said he is proud of what the athletes have been able to achieve so far under difficult circumstances, stating that they have laid the bedrock for progress at future competition President Dr. George Manneh Weah s.The team is participating in the track and field category. Accompanied by Olympic Attaché Kouty Marwien, Athletes Ebony Morrison, Emmanuel Matadi and Joseph Fahnbulleh are competing in the 100m hurdles, 100m and 200m races."We appreciate you. We are proud of you", the Liberian Leader said on Monday, August 2, before the openi...
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Jul282021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Africa: Over 200 graduates emerge from the Ecobank Group and AUDA-NEPAD MSME Training for Financing program

Africa: Over 200 graduates emerge from the Ecobank Group and AUDA-NEPAD MSME Training for Financing program

AFRICA, Banking World, Business, Ecobank, West Africa
The Graduates came from the eight (8) countries in the pilot phase of the MSME Academy namely, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda and Togo LOME, Togo, July 28, 2021/ -- The leading pan-African banking group, Ecobank Group (www.Ecobank.com), and the African Union Development Agency New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), held a virtual graduation ceremony for more than 200 alumni of the inaugural Ecobank’s MSME Training for Financing Program. The Graduates came from the eight (8) countries in the pilot phase of the MSME Academy namely, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda and Togo. The MSME Academy, launched by the Ecobank Group and AUDA-NEPAD in 2020, in the midst of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is part of AUDA-NEPA...
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Jul262021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Offshore Exploration: The Future of Guinea Bissau’s Energy Sector (By Jasser Hammami)

Offshore Exploration: The Future of Guinea Bissau’s Energy Sector (By Jasser Hammami)

AFRICA, ENERGY, HUMAN INTEREST STORIES, West Africa, WORLD
DAKAR, Senegal, July 26, 2021/ -- By Jasser Hammami, Field Editor The underlying offshore exploration potential of Guinea-Bissau has long been recognized given the country’s functional hydrocarbon system, good potential reserves, and several drillable prospects in a vast shallow water shelf setting. According to the country’s national oil company Petroguin, Guinea-Bissau authorized international businesses to begin prospecting for hydrocarbons in 11 offshore blocks where oil is likely to exist since October last year. In light of this, Energy Capital & Power will host MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2021, which will create a national platform for constructive dialogue on natural resource management, investment and initiatives for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of ...
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Jul202021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Africa: Scaling-up off-grid solar across Africa – EIB and International Solar Alliance study identifies solutions to unlock energy access for 120 million households

Africa: Scaling-up off-grid solar across Africa – EIB and International Solar Alliance study identifies solutions to unlock energy access for 120 million households

AFRICA, ENERGY, Ghana, West Africa
Scaling-up off-grid solar across Africa - EIB and International Solar Alliance study identifies solutions to unlock energy access for 120 million householdsStudy provides specific policy guidance for African countries based on barriers ACCRA, Ghana, July 20, 2021/ -- New analysis identifies challenges and solutions to transform clean energy; In-depth research in Nigeria, Uganda and Rwanda provides framework for continent; Study provides specific policy guidance for African countries based on barriers; EIB (www.EIB.org) confirms financial and technical support for off-grid to transforming energy access for 120 million African households lacking electricity. The European Investment Bank and the International Solar Alliance today published a new study outlining solutions to overco...
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Jul172021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Gunmen kill Nigerian army general Ahmed Hassan

Gunmen kill Nigerian army general Ahmed Hassan

AFRICA, ARMY, ATTACK, Nigeria, West Africa
Former army provost Marshal, General Ahmed Hassan has been shot dead by gunmen along Lokoja -Abuja road. Army spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu who confirmed it noted that “With a heavy heart, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, Officers and Soldiers of the Nigerian Army regret to announce the passing on of Maj Gen Hassan Ahmed, a former Provost Marshall of the Nigerian Army. “The sad incident occurred when the senior officer’s vehicle was attacked by gunmen while transiting along Lokoja-Abuja road yesterday 15 July 2021. “A delegation from the Army Headquarters led by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) Maj Gen Anthony Omozoje has visited the widow and other members of the bereaved family. “Members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA...
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Jul132021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Troops rescue 17 commuters from Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

Troops rescue 17 commuters from Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

AFRICA, ARMY, Nigeria, RESCUE, West Africa
The troops of Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai, deployed at the Forward Operational Base (FOB) along Maiduguri-Damaturu road, have rescued 17 civilians from being kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno. The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja. He said the terrorists had attempted to infiltrate Auno village through the Rail Line adjacent to the community, but were quickly intercepted by troops in a fierce gun duel. According to him, further exploitation conducted by troops of 7 Division Garrison and 212 battalion, resulted in the successful rescue of the commuting civilians, who were abducted during the attack at Kontori along Maiduguri-Damaturu road. He said that the rescued civilians have been ad...
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Jul102021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Mining: FG set to launch Nigerian made barite

Mining: FG set to launch Nigerian made barite

AFRICA, Business, DEVELOPMENT, Nigeria, PAN AFRICA, West Africa
The Federal Government has announced that it will soon launch made-in-Nigeria barite, as it explores expanding mining operations in the country. This was disclosed by Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, in a meeting with Mr Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), on Friday in Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. What the Minister said The Minister disclosed that the Ministry has succeeded in achieving the development of barite from extraction, milling and bagging stages to support local industries, as well as for export, adding that Nigeria bagged barite has “Proudly Nigeria” as its logo. He said, “The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in its bid to develop the value c...
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Jul92021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
NIGERIA: The Nnamdi Kanu arrest saga

NIGERIA: The Nnamdi Kanu arrest saga

AFRICA, CRIME, Nigeria, West Africa
Two weeks after the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was forcefully brought back to the country and arraigned, controversy rages in Nigeria. This is expected. The manner in which Kanu was brought home was in itself controversial. When a man who fled abroad for his safety is suddenly brought back to Nigeria in handcuffs, this will certainly generate heated discussion. However, it beats my imagination why Kanu, who could pass for the most wanted Nigerian for giving the Federal Government headaches with his agitation for Biafra, could be travelling alone. The Federal Government and people who always see what the government does as right have been thumping their chest that the IPOB leader has eventually been cut short and, perhaps, vanquished. Announc...
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Jul72021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
British parliament to debate Kanu’s arrest, repatriation to Nigeria Wednesday

British parliament to debate Kanu’s arrest, repatriation to Nigeria Wednesday

ADVOCACY, AFRICA, Nigeria, POLITICS, West Africa
The British Parliament will on Wednesday begin a debate on the arrest and subsequent repatriation of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to Nigeria. In the schedule of activities posted on its website Tuesday, the parliament said it would discuss Kenya’s role in the arrest of the separatist leader. The document revealed that a Member of the Parliament from Liverpool, Lord Alton, would raise the issue at the House of Lords. Alton, according to the schedule, will also query the British government on Kanu’s repatriation to Nigeria. The IPOB leader was arrested by security agents on June 27. The separatist group and Kanu’s family had accused the Kenyan government of facilitating the activist’s arrest and his subsequent handover to the Nigerian aut...
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Jul62021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Women protest ‘rape culture and impunity’ in Senegal

Women protest ‘rape culture and impunity’ in Senegal

ADVOCACY, AFRICA, PROTESTS, Senegal, UN Women, West Africa, WOMEN
‘We are here to make the culture of rape stop, for justice to do its work’ say women after a series of high-profile rape cases in the country Sitting in a circle, brandishing placards and wearing purple T-shirts reading ‘Justice for Louise’, several dozen Senegalese feminists gathered in Dakar's Place de la Nation on Saturday to protest what they called a culture of rape and impunity in the country. The women, and some men, were demanding justice for a 15-year-old girl, known as  ‘Louise’, who was allegedly raped by the 19-year-old son of a celebrity journalist in May. A video of the incident was widely seen after being posted online.  The victim’s mother lodged a complaint, but police were slow to act. Worried about a potential cover-up, activists launched the digi...
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Jul62021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Ghana proposes Africa’s first $2 billion social bonds

Ghana proposes Africa’s first $2 billion social bonds

AFRICA, Business, Ghana, PAN AFRICA, PRESIDENT, West Africa
Nana Akufo-Addo, Ghana's President Ghana plans to issue up to $2 billion in green and social bonds by November, making it the first African country to sell debt to support development projects. Ghana would become a leader in African social bond issuance, capitalizing on an instrument that has grown in popularity since the coronavirus pandemic, according to Bloomberg. A green bond is a fixed-income instrument designed particularly to raise funds for climate and environmental projects. Because these bonds are usually asset-linked and backed by the issuing entity’s balance sheet, they normally have the same credit rating as the rest of the issuer’s debt obligations. Only a few sovereigns, like Chile and Ecuador, have sold them so far. Despite having posted its lowest economi...
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Jul52021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Nigeria, Gambia sign MoU on security

Nigeria, Gambia sign MoU on security

AFRICA, Gambia, Nigeria, PAN AFRICA, Security, West Africa
The representatives of the two countries pledged in their separate speeches to operationalise the terms and conditions of the MoU. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Nigeria and the Gambia on Military Cooperations has been signed to tackle insurgency. The Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abdulkadri, in a statement on Friday, in Abuja that the common threats of insecurities were to be jointly tackled. Mr Abdulkadiri in the statement said the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, and the Gambian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohamadou Musa Njie, were the signatories for both countries. Mr Magashi agreed that the MoU could not have come at a better and more auspicious time than now when both countries are experiencing insurgency...
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Jul32021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Nigeria asks for Canada’s help to fight insurgency

Nigeria asks for Canada’s help to fight insurgency

AFRICA, CANADA, Nigeria, West Africa
The Nigerian Government has expressed its commitment to improving diplomatic relations with Canada, in a bid to boost the fight against insecurity. This was disclosed by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), in a meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Nicolas Simard, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, on Friday. The Defence Minister added that Nigeria’s relationship with the North American nation progressively and sustainably culminated into the formation a bi-national commission in April 2012 which was beneficial to both countries. He added that the FG was seeking Canada’s support to bring an end to extremism and insurgency in Nigeria, adding that Nigeria needed Canada’s assistance in driving national aspirations. He also req...
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Jul22021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Mixed feelings over French Barkhane force exit from Africa’s Sahel

Mixed feelings over French Barkhane force exit from Africa’s Sahel

AFRICA, France, HUMAN INTEREST STORIES, TERROR, WAR, West Africa
Although France officially declared the end of the military presence of its seven-year Barkhane operation in Africa's Sahel region -- decreasing its over 5,000 troops in the coming months, it appears that its forces are still being confronted by further Islamist extremist threats. The same violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State in the Sahel that saw the international anti-terrorism partner offensive in the area come about, to begin with. Colonel Stephane Gouvernet, battalion commander for France's recent Equinoxe mission in northern Mali, said jihadists there were trying to impose Sharia law, enforce a dress code, and ban young children from playing football. "We were witness of the presence of the enemy trying to impose Sharia law, denying young children to play f...
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Jul22021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Nigeria: Parliament passes overdue petroleum sector-reforming bill

Nigeria: Parliament passes overdue petroleum sector-reforming bill

AFRICA, DEVELOPMENT, Nigeria, PAN AFRICA, West Africa
Nigeria's oil sector reform bill, expected since 2008, was finally passed by parliament on Thursday, a "historic moment" for Africa's top oil producer which has seen this natural resource exploited by foreign companies without any benefit to the local communities or maximizing its own revenues. Parliament voted to approve the long-delayed oil and gas law that aims to attract new foreign investment in the OPEC country's petroleum industry. "Both the senate and house of representatives have passed the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). It's a landmark feat by the current National Assembly after many years of delay," said Ola Awoniyi, spokesman for the senate president. The PIB had been under review in the National Assembly for nearly two decades, hamstrung by disagreement...
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Jul12021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Central African Republic rejects conclusions of UN experts’ report

Central African Republic rejects conclusions of UN experts’ report

AFRICA, Ghana, REPORT, UN, West Africa
A United Nations report claimed that members of the FACA and Russian instructors dispatched to the country were guilty of abuses. Central African authorities on Wednesday rejected a U.N. expert report denouncing "violations of international humanitarian law" by Central African military and Russian instructors supporting them against rebels trying to overthrow President Faustin Archange Touadéra. "This is a clear desire to tarnish by all means the image of our military institution while it continues to make enormous sacrifices to restore the authority of the state throughout the territory," said Rameaux-Claude Bireau, Minister of National Defense, in a statement received by AFP. According to him "this slanderous publication based on fabricated and unverified evidence is a...
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Jul12021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Two protesters shot dead in Ghana

Two protesters shot dead in Ghana

AFRICA, CRISIS, PAN AFRICA, POLITICS, West Africa
Two protesters were shot dead and four others were injured in clashes with security forces in the Ashanti region of southern Ghana, police and a hospital source said Wednesday. Residents of the town of Ejura had gathered on Tuesday to protest the killing of Ibrahim "Kaaka" Mohammed, a young civil society activist and member of the recent #FixTheCountry political and social protest movement, who was beaten to death by several unidentified people on Saturday. Police and security officers intervened violently to quell the protest and "two people died in the clashes," said police spokesman Godwin Ahianyo, assuring that calm had returned to the locality. "One of the two men had already died when he arrived at the hospital. We tried to resuscitate the other but he succumbed to his ...
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Jun302021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Zimbabwe: States Frustrate Civil Society Efforts to Stem ‘Blood Diamond’ Sale

Zimbabwe: States Frustrate Civil Society Efforts to Stem ‘Blood Diamond’ Sale

AFRICA, CRIME, CRISIS, HUMAN INTEREST STORIES, PEOPLE, TERROR, West Africa, ZIMBABWE
Pressure groups in the extractive sector are rattling world powers over its unwavering stance against trading of blood diamonds, as states led by China continue to derail diamond trade reforms under the Kimberly Process (KP). The KP Intercessional meeting, a half-yearly gathering of KP Participants and Observers conducted last week virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions reportedly degenerated into an embarrassing spectacle. In a communique, the KP Civil Society Coalition (KP CSC) says several participating countries could not stand public condemnation for continuing to derail discussions on addressing the KP's failings. Shamiso Mtisi, the KP CSC coordinator was even heckled by Chinese officials for calling out that KP-certified diamonds continue to fuel violence and human rig...
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Jun302021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Nine things to know about Nnamdi kanu’s rearrest

Nine things to know about Nnamdi kanu’s rearrest

AFRICA, CRIME, CRISIS, Nigeria, West Africa
The Federal Government on Tuesday presented the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu before Federal High Court in Abuja. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami said: “Self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been intercepted through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and Security Services.” Here are nine things to know about Nnamdi kanu’s rearrest 1. Kanu went into hiding in 2017 following alleged invasion of his home by the military, months after he was granted bail while being tried for treasonable felony. He was thereafter declared wanted by the federal government. 2. Although there are no details on where he was re-arrested, Malami said he wa...
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Jun182021 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments
Bandits Abduct Students, Teachers In Kebbi, Kill Policeman

Bandits Abduct Students, Teachers In Kebbi, Kill Policeman

AFRICA, CHILDREN, Nigeria, POLICE, Security, TERROR, TERRORISM, West Africa
THE Kebbi State police command has confirmed the abduction of some students of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, on Thursday afternoon. Five teachers were also abducted while a policeman was killed during the attack.  The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Adeleke Adeyinka-Bode, confirmed the incident in Birnin-Kebbi on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).  He said: “The truth is that the attack took place and five teachers have been taken away, four males and one female, but the number of students abducted is not known yet. “The attack occurred at about 12 noon, and during the crossfire between the police and the bandits, a student was injured, while one police officer was also injured and another was killed. These are the f...
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