💰🇲🇼 IMF board approves $178 mln loan for Malawi, frees $35 mln immediately

The International Monetary Fund's executive board has approved a loan of about $178 million for Malawi, with an immediate disbursement of about $35 million, the IMF said.

Malawian authorities reached a staff-level agreement with the fund on the four-year Extended Credit Facility in September.

Earlier this month Malawi devalued its currency by about 30% as it battles severe shortages of fuel, medicines and fertilisers linked to foreign-currency shortages.

"The decision is a big breather for us and our economy," Finance Minister said.

"Two major benefits expected are the resumption of budgetary support from our traditional donors and the easing of foreign currency supplies," minister added.

#IMF #Malawi

@africaintel

🇰🇪🌍 Kenya's President Ruto one of four Africans on Time climate leaders list

Kenya's President William Ruto has been named by Time Magazine as one of the world's 100 most influential leaders shaping global climate action.

The listing comes in the week he led a national holiday aimed at planting 100 million trees in a single day.

Time said it selected those listed for "making significant progress in fighting climate change by creating business value".

These "environmental actions" by Ruto are done to increase his prestige in the eyes of the international community, where there is a trend for climate stuff, and his credibility in his own country, where he is faced with criticism. For the same reasons he tries to involve himself into the Sudan peace initiatives.

#Kenya #Africa

@africaintel

🇪🇹💰 Ethiopia sets 2026 deadline for WTO accession

The Ethiopian government has set 2026 as a deadline for its decades-old effort to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Official documents say that around half of the preparations necessary for accession have been finalized, with officials planning to go two-thirds of the way by the end of this year.

The preparations include 181 separate queries and demands from WTO member countries. According to the report from the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, the federal government is re-aligning legislation based on the requests.

Officials are “revising avenues for goods and services” and “finalizing negotiation documents”, according to the document.

#Ethiopia #WTO

@africaintel

🌍 Main Events in Africa on November 13 — 18

🇲🇱 Malian Armed Forces alongside Wagner forces finally entered the improvised capital of Tuareg rebels in north-eastern Mali. Local citizens were happy with the presence of army and Wagner PMC. In Bamako, Malians celebrated capture of rebel stronghold. Burkina Faso and Niger congratulated Mali government on "liberation of Kidal".

🇸🇩 Two Darfur rebel groups threatened RSF to join Sudanese army. At the same time, Sudanese warring parties trade blame for damaged dam south of Khartoum. Earlier, Kenya in talks with the Sudanese leader criticized Jeddah talks and try to establish new dialogue format between warring sides in Sudan war.

🇨🇩 Islamists and M23 movement continue to pressure DR Congo's government. M23 rebels recaptured Kishishe. Meanwhile, DR Congo electoral panel promised fair presidential poll but some candidates see flaws. Opposition parties discussed joint election candidate.

🇳🇪 Niger's junta chief finally set up anti-corruption body. Meanwhile, UN to resume humanitarian flight operations in Niger.

🇿🇦🇮🇱🇺🇳 South Africa has referred Israel to the International Criminal Court. Meanwhile thousands marched in Cape Town in solidarity with Palestinians.

🇲🇬 Madagascar held president elections. The day before a curfew was imposed in Madagascar's capital. Opposition called for poll boycott. Madagascar president takes huge lead in early results of low turnout vote.

🇱🇷 Liberia held runoff election. Weah and Joseph Boakai were in neck and neck race. But in the end Liberia president George Weah conceded election defeat to Joseph Boakai.

🇩🇿🇨🇳 Algeria’s army chief of staff visited China, seeks to diversify sources of military supplies.

🇸🇴🇪🇹🇰🇪 Heavy floods continue in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. Somalia floods death toll rose to 31, president warned that people are going hungry. Kenya's rail operator halts cargo services to Mombasa port after floods. Overall, at least 111 dead and 700,000 were displaced in the Horn of Africa due to floods.

🇷🇺🌍 Russia said first free grain shipments to Africa are on their way.

#digest #Africa

@africaintel

🇲🇱 Malian Armed Forces and Wagner PMC established full control over Kidal and cleared the area around the city

The Malian Armed Forces together with PMC "Wagner" fighters successfully cleared the area around the city of Kidal.

The situation in the city has stabilized. Military personnel patrol the streets and a curfew has been imposed at night. The authorities stated that all citizens who had previously left Kidal could begin to return.

Meanwhile, Tuareg-rebels have already said they intend to continue fighting after regrouping.

#Mali #Wagner

@africaintel

🇨🇩 Campaigning for presidential elections officially launched in DRC

Tens of thousands of candidates, including the 26 candidates running for the highest office, officially launched a month-long election campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday.

Opposition heavyweights did not hesitate to motivate their bases, while President Félix Tshisekedi, who is seeking a second term in office, held a series of inaugurations as his team trumpeted his achievements in a wide range of fields.

On December 20th, some 44 million registered voters out of a population of around 100 million will be called upon to elect their president, as well as choosing from over 100 thousand candidates for the legislative provincial and municipal elections.

#DRC

@africaintel

🇲🇱 Mass grave found in Kidal, says Mali's army

The Malian army says it has discovered a mass grave in the north-eastern town of Kidal, days after recapturing it from ethnic Tuareg separatists.

In a statement the army said the discovery was made on Thursday during operations to secure the town.

It gave no further details but said investigations were under way to bring those responsible to justice.

#Mali

@africaintel