🇪🇹 AfDB says it filed complaint after Ethiopia staff arrested
The African Development Bank (AfDB) said on Thursday it has lodged a formal complaint with the Ethiopian authorities after two of its staff members were arrested, assaulted and detained by the country's security forces.
Calling it a "very serious diplomatic incident", the AfDB said two staff members were "unlawfully arrested, physically assaulted, and detained for many hours by elements of the security forces without any official explanation."
An AfDB statement said the Ethiopian government had extended its support to the bank and has promised a speedy investigation into the incident. The bank's operations in the east African country have not been affected by the incident, it added.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
The African Development Bank (AfDB) said on Thursday it has lodged a formal complaint with the Ethiopian authorities after two of its staff members were arrested, assaulted and detained by the country's security forces.
Calling it a "very serious diplomatic incident", the AfDB said two staff members were "unlawfully arrested, physically assaulted, and detained for many hours by elements of the security forces without any official explanation."
An AfDB statement said the Ethiopian government had extended its support to the bank and has promised a speedy investigation into the incident. The bank's operations in the east African country have not been affected by the incident, it added.
#Ethiopia
@africaintel
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🇪🇬🇦🇪 Egypt sells stake in tobacco firm Eastern Co to UAE company
Egypt has sold a stake in tobacco products maker Eastern Co in its first foreign sale of a major state asset since it agreed to a privatisation programme with the IMF last December.
The buyer was the UAE's Global Investment Holding Co., Eastern CEO Hani Aman confirmed.
Global Investment bought 30% of Eastern, or 669 million shares, for 16.40 billion Egyptian pounds ($531.60 million), or 24.51 pounds per share in a transaction executed on the stock exchange on Thursday.
Eastern's shares closed up 0.95% on Thursday at 27.95 pounds.
The buyer also agreed to pay an extra 4.38 pounds per share, putting the total purchase value at $650 million, the Ministry of Public Enterprise said in a statement forwarded by EFG Hermes, which acted as adviser on the transaction.
#Egypt #UAE
@africaintel
Egypt has sold a stake in tobacco products maker Eastern Co in its first foreign sale of a major state asset since it agreed to a privatisation programme with the IMF last December.
The buyer was the UAE's Global Investment Holding Co., Eastern CEO Hani Aman confirmed.
Global Investment bought 30% of Eastern, or 669 million shares, for 16.40 billion Egyptian pounds ($531.60 million), or 24.51 pounds per share in a transaction executed on the stock exchange on Thursday.
Eastern's shares closed up 0.95% on Thursday at 27.95 pounds.
The buyer also agreed to pay an extra 4.38 pounds per share, putting the total purchase value at $650 million, the Ministry of Public Enterprise said in a statement forwarded by EFG Hermes, which acted as adviser on the transaction.
#Egypt #UAE
@africaintel
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🇲🇬 Madagascar polls closed and opposition shuns votes
Yesterday evening polls have closed in Madagascar following a presidential election that was marred by opposition calls for a boycott and weeks of protest.
Voting took place peacefully, though turn-out was reportedly low. Polling stations in opposition areas were mostly empty, with a a low-key security presence across Antananarivo.
However, people were seen lining up at polling stations in areas regarded as strongholds of Mr Rajoelina and his party.
There was a low-key security presence across Antananarivo during vote.
Ten of the 12 opposition leaders called for a boycott of the election.
Rajoelina dismissed their concerns, and was joined by his family as he voted in the capital Antananarivo's northern neighbourhood of Atmobe.
#Madagascar
@africaintel
Yesterday evening polls have closed in Madagascar following a presidential election that was marred by opposition calls for a boycott and weeks of protest.
Voting took place peacefully, though turn-out was reportedly low. Polling stations in opposition areas were mostly empty, with a a low-key security presence across Antananarivo.
However, people were seen lining up at polling stations in areas regarded as strongholds of Mr Rajoelina and his party.
There was a low-key security presence across Antananarivo during vote.
Ten of the 12 opposition leaders called for a boycott of the election.
Rajoelina dismissed their concerns, and was joined by his family as he voted in the capital Antananarivo's northern neighbourhood of Atmobe.
#Madagascar
@africaintel
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🇪🇹🇨🇳 Ethiopia's new debt-service suspension will mirror China deal
An agreement being finalised with Ethiopia's official bilateral creditors is expected to largely mirror a previous deal with China that suspended debt payments for the fiscal year ending next July, a senior finance ministry official said.
Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Fiscal Policy and Public Finance, also said that the government was reaching out to holders of a Eurobond maturing in December 2024 to set up meetings about a restructuring.
The finance ministry announced on Wednesday that Ethiopia had reached an agreement in principle with its official bilateral creditors on an interim debt-service suspension, after striking a deal in August with China.
"With China we have a two-year debt suspension," said Eyob. "So essentially the creditors committee has put forward the same proposal for all our other creditors - largely similar terms. Some could be more favourable."
#Ethiopia #China
@africaintel
An agreement being finalised with Ethiopia's official bilateral creditors is expected to largely mirror a previous deal with China that suspended debt payments for the fiscal year ending next July, a senior finance ministry official said.
Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Fiscal Policy and Public Finance, also said that the government was reaching out to holders of a Eurobond maturing in December 2024 to set up meetings about a restructuring.
The finance ministry announced on Wednesday that Ethiopia had reached an agreement in principle with its official bilateral creditors on an interim debt-service suspension, after striking a deal in August with China.
"With China we have a two-year debt suspension," said Eyob. "So essentially the creditors committee has put forward the same proposal for all our other creditors - largely similar terms. Some could be more favourable."
#Ethiopia #China
@africaintel
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🇷🇺🌍 Russia says first free grain shipments to Africa are on their way
Russia's agriculture minister said on Friday that Moscow had begun free shipments of grain totalling up to 200,000 tonnes to six African countries, as promised by President Vladimir Putin in July.
Dmitry Patrushev said that ships headed for Burkina Faso and Somalia had already left Russian ports, and that additional shipments to Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Mali and the Central African Republic would soon follow.
Putin had promised to deliver free grain to the six countries at a summit with African leaders in July, soon after Moscow withdrew from a grain deal.
Last year, Russia exported around 60 million tonnes of grain, according to Putin.
#Russia #Africa
@africaintel
Russia's agriculture minister said on Friday that Moscow had begun free shipments of grain totalling up to 200,000 tonnes to six African countries, as promised by President Vladimir Putin in July.
Dmitry Patrushev said that ships headed for Burkina Faso and Somalia had already left Russian ports, and that additional shipments to Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Mali and the Central African Republic would soon follow.
Putin had promised to deliver free grain to the six countries at a summit with African leaders in July, soon after Moscow withdrew from a grain deal.
Last year, Russia exported around 60 million tonnes of grain, according to Putin.
#Russia #Africa
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
🇲🇬 Madagascar polls closed and opposition shuns votes Yesterday evening polls have closed in Madagascar following a presidential election that was marred by opposition calls for a boycott and weeks of protest. Voting took place peacefully, though turn-out…
🇲🇬 Madagascar president takes huge lead in early results of low turnout vote
Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina held a predictable lead in an election that was characterized by low turnout and an opposition boycott, preliminary results showed.
In preliminary results from the electoral commission CENI, Rajoelina had garnered more than 72.9% of the estimated total of 6.2% counted so far.
Votes counted so far indicated a turnout of 39.5%, compared to 55% in the equivalent first round of voting in 2018.
#Madagascar
@africaintel
Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina held a predictable lead in an election that was characterized by low turnout and an opposition boycott, preliminary results showed.
In preliminary results from the electoral commission CENI, Rajoelina had garnered more than 72.9% of the estimated total of 6.2% counted so far.
Votes counted so far indicated a turnout of 39.5%, compared to 55% in the equivalent first round of voting in 2018.
#Madagascar
@africaintel
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🇳🇬🌍🇩🇪 Nigeria's Tinubu to attend "G20 Compact with Africa" conference in Berlin
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu will fly to Berlin on Saturday to attend the G20 Compact with Africa conference as he seeks to attract investments in energy and infrastructure and boost trade, his office said.
The conference, hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, will focus on enhancing economic and business cooperation between African nations and G20 countries, spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale said.
Tinubu will also participate in the fourth G20 Investment Summit, co-hosted by the German government, where he will make a case for Nigeria as an investment destination, Ngelale said.
Nigeria is seeking to boost investment rather than rely on debt to revive its economy that is weighed down by sluggish growth, record debt, double-digit inflation, foreign currency shortages and thefts of crude oil, its main export.
#Nigeria #Africa #Germany
@africaintel
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu will fly to Berlin on Saturday to attend the G20 Compact with Africa conference as he seeks to attract investments in energy and infrastructure and boost trade, his office said.
The conference, hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, will focus on enhancing economic and business cooperation between African nations and G20 countries, spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale said.
Tinubu will also participate in the fourth G20 Investment Summit, co-hosted by the German government, where he will make a case for Nigeria as an investment destination, Ngelale said.
Nigeria is seeking to boost investment rather than rely on debt to revive its economy that is weighed down by sluggish growth, record debt, double-digit inflation, foreign currency shortages and thefts of crude oil, its main export.
#Nigeria #Africa #Germany
@africaintel
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🇨🇮 Ex-Credit Suisse chief eyes Ivory Coast 2025 presidential race
The former chief executive of Swiss investment bank "Credit Suisse", Tidjane Thiam, on Friday submitted his candidacy to lead one of Ivory Coast's main opposition parties, which could put him in the running for the 2025 presidential election.
Thiam served as a minister under ex-president Henry Konan Bedie. He left the country after Bedie was ousted in a 1999 coup and worked for consultancy firm McKinsey, and insurers Aviva and Prudential, before his appointment as Credit Suisse CEO in 2015.
Five years later, he resigned from the Swiss bank following a major spying scandal in which he denied any involvement.
Thiam recently returned to Ivory Coast for the first time in almost 25 years to run in the leadership race of PDCI - big opposition party.
#IvoryCoast
@africaintel
The former chief executive of Swiss investment bank "Credit Suisse", Tidjane Thiam, on Friday submitted his candidacy to lead one of Ivory Coast's main opposition parties, which could put him in the running for the 2025 presidential election.
Thiam served as a minister under ex-president Henry Konan Bedie. He left the country after Bedie was ousted in a 1999 coup and worked for consultancy firm McKinsey, and insurers Aviva and Prudential, before his appointment as Credit Suisse CEO in 2015.
Five years later, he resigned from the Swiss bank following a major spying scandal in which he denied any involvement.
Thiam recently returned to Ivory Coast for the first time in almost 25 years to run in the leadership race of PDCI - big opposition party.
#IvoryCoast
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
🇸🇳 Senegal opposition leader will not be able to re-register on the electoral rolls A department of the Senegalese interior ministry on Tuesday refused to accept the electoral commission's request to reinstate opposition politician Ousmane Sonko on the electoral…
🇸🇳 West Africa court backs Senegal in case against opposition leader Sonko
A West African regional court backed the government of Senegal in a legal battle with jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who had filed a case claming the state violated his human rights.
Sonko has faced a flurry of court cases over the past two years for charges including libel and rape, which he denies.
Now a court of the West African political bloc ECOWAS has rejected Sonko's claim that the state has treated him unfairly.
"The court ruled that none of Ousmane Sonko's rights had been violated and dismissed his requests," said his lawyer.
Last month, a tribunal in the southern city of Ziguinchor, where Sonko is mayor, ordered the electoral commission to put him back on the voter roll.
#Senegal
@africaintel
A West African regional court backed the government of Senegal in a legal battle with jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who had filed a case claming the state violated his human rights.
Sonko has faced a flurry of court cases over the past two years for charges including libel and rape, which he denies.
Now a court of the West African political bloc ECOWAS has rejected Sonko's claim that the state has treated him unfairly.
"The court ruled that none of Ousmane Sonko's rights had been violated and dismissed his requests," said his lawyer.
Last month, a tribunal in the southern city of Ziguinchor, where Sonko is mayor, ordered the electoral commission to put him back on the voter roll.
#Senegal
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
🇬🇧🇷🇼 UK's Rwanda migrant resettlement plan ruled unlawful The Supreme Court ruled that the British government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful as it could not be considered a safe third country. "This was not the outcome we wanted, but…
🇬🇧🇷🇼 Rishi Sunak denies 'tinkering' to save Rwanda plan
Rishi Sunak has denied "tinkering" with the government's Rwanda plan after his sacked former home secretary accused him of failing to take the radical action needed to implement the policy.
The PM defended his plan to introduce emergency laws and a new treaty with Rwanda to save the plan after the Supreme Court ruled it was unlawful.
After the judgement, Sunak announced he would bring in emergency legislation to certify that Rwanda was a "safe" country, despite the court's decision.
The prime minister also said he would sign a new treaty with Rwanda, so that the first flights could begin in the spring.
Asked whether his rescue plan amounted to "tinkering" he said: "No.
"We can pass these laws in Parliament that will give us the powers and the tools we need.
#UK #Rwanda
@africaintel
Rishi Sunak has denied "tinkering" with the government's Rwanda plan after his sacked former home secretary accused him of failing to take the radical action needed to implement the policy.
The PM defended his plan to introduce emergency laws and a new treaty with Rwanda to save the plan after the Supreme Court ruled it was unlawful.
After the judgement, Sunak announced he would bring in emergency legislation to certify that Rwanda was a "safe" country, despite the court's decision.
The prime minister also said he would sign a new treaty with Rwanda, so that the first flights could begin in the spring.
Asked whether his rescue plan amounted to "tinkering" he said: "No.
"We can pass these laws in Parliament that will give us the powers and the tools we need.
#UK #Rwanda
@africaintel
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🇵🇸🇳🇬 A pro-Palestinian demonstration leaves one dead in Nigeria
Clashes between police and a pro-Iranian Nigerian Shiite group protesting against Israel's incursion into Gaza left one person dead and several injured in Kaduna, northern Nigeria.
Hundreds of members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) took to the streets of the city, carrying Palestinian flags and mannequins representing dead children, in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
"The police opened fire on our peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Palestine, killing one of our members and injuring several others," IMN spokesperson told. “We were not harming anyone, it was not a provocation”.
A Kaduna police spokesman confirmed the death, but blamed it on IMN protesters, whom he accused of being armed.
The IMN movement was banned by the Nigerian authorities in 2019 due to connections to Iran and shiite religious traditions in mostly sunni Nigeria.
#Palestine #Nigeria
@africaintel
Clashes between police and a pro-Iranian Nigerian Shiite group protesting against Israel's incursion into Gaza left one person dead and several injured in Kaduna, northern Nigeria.
Hundreds of members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) took to the streets of the city, carrying Palestinian flags and mannequins representing dead children, in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
"The police opened fire on our peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Palestine, killing one of our members and injuring several others," IMN spokesperson told. “We were not harming anyone, it was not a provocation”.
A Kaduna police spokesman confirmed the death, but blamed it on IMN protesters, whom he accused of being armed.
The IMN movement was banned by the Nigerian authorities in 2019 due to connections to Iran and shiite religious traditions in mostly sunni Nigeria.
#Palestine #Nigeria
@africaintel
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🇩🇿🇪🇸 Algeria appoints new ambassador to Spain after nearly 20 months of friction
Algeria has appointed a new ambassador to Spain, after nearly 20 months of diplomatic friction caused by Madrid's U-turn on the Western Sahara issue, the Algerian Foreign Ministry announced.
"The Spanish government has approved the appointment of Abdelfetah Daghmoum as Algeria's ambassador to Spain, the ministry said in a statement.
Algeria had recalled its ambassador in March 2022 to protest against Spain's U-turn in favour of the Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara, where Algeria supports Polisario separatists.
#Algeria #Spain
@africaintel
Algeria has appointed a new ambassador to Spain, after nearly 20 months of diplomatic friction caused by Madrid's U-turn on the Western Sahara issue, the Algerian Foreign Ministry announced.
"The Spanish government has approved the appointment of Abdelfetah Daghmoum as Algeria's ambassador to Spain, the ministry said in a statement.
Algeria had recalled its ambassador in March 2022 to protest against Spain's U-turn in favour of the Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara, where Algeria supports Polisario separatists.
#Algeria #Spain
@africaintel
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Africa Intel
🇱🇷 Weah and Joseph Boakai in neck and neck race after Liberia's run-off election With results in from more than 85% of polling stations in Liberia's run-off election, opposition candidate Joseph Boakai is slightly ahead of President George Weah. Boakai so…
🇱🇷 Liberia President George Weah concedes election defeat to Joseph Boakai
Liberia President George Weah on Friday conceded election defeat to opposition leader Joseph Boakai after a tight race.
Boakai, a former vice president who lost to Weah in the 2017 election, led with 50.9% of the vote over Weah's 49.1%, with nearly all the votes counted, the country's elections commission said on Friday.
"A few moments ago, I spoke with president elect Joseph Boakai to congratulate him on his victory," Weah said on national radio. "I urge you to follow my example and accept the results of the elections."
Weah's concession paves the way for Liberia's second democratic transfer of power in over seven decades - the first was when Weah was elected six years ago.
#Liberia
@africaintel
Liberia President George Weah on Friday conceded election defeat to opposition leader Joseph Boakai after a tight race.
Boakai, a former vice president who lost to Weah in the 2017 election, led with 50.9% of the vote over Weah's 49.1%, with nearly all the votes counted, the country's elections commission said on Friday.
"A few moments ago, I spoke with president elect Joseph Boakai to congratulate him on his victory," Weah said on national radio. "I urge you to follow my example and accept the results of the elections."
Weah's concession paves the way for Liberia's second democratic transfer of power in over seven decades - the first was when Weah was elected six years ago.
#Liberia
@africaintel
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