Tag: Africa

Guinea-Bissau’s President Threatens to Expel ECOWAS Mission

3Mar

By adminNo Comments

ECOWAS, Guinea-Bissau, News

Guinea-Bissau’s President Threatens to Expel ECOWAS Mission

Political tensions in Guinea-Bissau reached a boiling point on Monday as President Umaro Sissoco Embalo’s threat to expel a mediation mission from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) dominated headlines across Africa. The dramatic standoff, which saw the ECOWAS team abruptly depart the country over the weekend, has raised fresh concerns about stability in the coup-prone West African nation and the broader region’s unity. The ECOWAS mission, deployed in late February to broker a resolution to an ongoing election dispute, left Bissau in the early hours of March 1 after what the regional bloc described as explicit threats from President Embalo. The delegation had been tasked with facilitating dialogue between the government and opposition parties over the timing of legis...

Five Years On: What Has become of the AfCFTA?

10Feb

By adminNo Comments

Africa, Economy, News, Trade

Five Years On: What Has become of the AfCFTA?

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was ambitiously launched with the goal of transforming trade across Africa, creating what would be the world's largest free-trade zone by connecting 1.3 billion people and aiming for an additional $450 billion in revenue by 2035. However, five years after its signing in 2019, questions arise about its implementation and overall impact. The Promise of AfCFTA The AfCFTA was designed to dismantle trade barriers, reduce tariffs on 90% of goods by 2034, and foster a single market for goods and services across 55 African countries. It was seen as a pivotal step towards economic integration, promising to elevate intra-African trade, stimulate industrial growth, and enhance economic competitiveness. Early transactions under this framework, suc...

ADB Commits $2 Billion to Clean Cooking Access in Africa

16May

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Environment, Finance, Infrastructure, News, Safety

ADB Commits $2 Billion to Clean Cooking Access in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged a monumental $2 billion over the next decade towards enhancing access to clean cooking solutions in Africa. This commitment was announced during a landmark summit on Clean Cooking in Africa held in Paris, where the Bank's President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, emphasized the critical importance of safe cooking alternatives beyond just culinary needs, highlighting the profound impact on dignity. The significance of this commitment lies in its potential to save the lives of approximately 600,000 individuals annually, predominantly women and children. The AfDB plans to allocate 20% of its energy project financing towards promoting safe cooking alternatives, aiming to address the prevalent use of charcoal, wood, and biomass for cooking in Africa. ...

Opposition in Zimbabwe Demands Fresh Elections Amid Fraud Allegations

30Aug

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Corruption, Elections, News, Zimbabwe

Opposition in Zimbabwe Demands Fresh Elections Amid Fraud Allegations

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the opposition party in Zimbabwe, has raised serious allegations of fraud following last week's general election. The party is calling for fresh elections and the disbandment of the electoral commission, accusing the ruling party, Zanu-PF, of manipulating the results. Deputy CCC spokesperson, Ostallos Siziba, addressed the media, stating that his party intended to appeal to the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to exert pressure on the government to organize new elections. The CCC's leader, Nelson Chamisa, secured 44% of the vote, but he maintains that the election results are inaccurate and tainted by manipulation. While Siziba did not directly reveal whether the CCC would pursue legal action to challenge the...

Army Officers Announce Coup in Gabon, Overturn Election Results

30Aug

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Armed Forces, Breaking News, Elections, Gabon, News, Security

Army Officers Announce Coup in Gabon, Overturn Election Results

A group of army officers in Gabon has declared a coup, claiming to have taken power and annulling the results of the recent presidential election. The military takeover was announced on national television by twelve soldiers who appeared early on Wednesday morning. The officers disclosed that the election results were being cancelled, and all institutions of the republic were being dissolved. They also revealed that the country's borders had been closed "until further notice." The move comes after the opposition alleged that Saturday's election, which declared President Ali Bongo as the winner, was fraudulent. Bongo was reported to have won just under two-thirds of the votes, an outcome that was met with skepticism from the opposition. If this coup is successful, it will bring an end to...

ECOWAS Condemns Threats to Prosecute Ousted Niger President, Calls for Peaceful Resolution

14Aug

By adminNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Armed Forces, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone

ECOWAS Condemns Threats to Prosecute Ousted Niger President, Calls for Peaceful Resolution

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strongly condemned the threats made by Niger's military rulers to prosecute the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum. The military leaders, who staged a coup that led to the removal of Bazoum from power, announced their intention to prosecute him for "high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger." In response, ECOWAS issued a statement on Monday expressing its astonishment and concern over the threats. The regional bloc characterized the move as a form of provocation and highlighted its contradiction with the military authorities' stated willingness to restore constitutional order in Niger through peaceful means. See Also: ECOWAS Chair: No Option Off the Table in Niger Republic Crisis Resolution ECO...

Uche Jombo Says African Leaders Makes Her Sad

8Sep

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

Africa, Movies and Films, News

Uche Jombo Says African Leaders Makes Her Sad

Nollywood Actress, Uche Jombo, said on Tuesday that the kind of leadership from African and Nigerian Leaders saddens her. Speaking at an event held in Dubai, She said Nigerian leaders visit other countries but don’t apply what they learned from their trip. See Also: Peter Okoye Gives Reason Why Opponents attack Peter Obi Jumbo also gave an example of how Dubai was developed using its crude oil, adding that Nigeria which is an oil nation should follow suit. "It makes me sad with the kind of leaders we have. This is my individual opinion and I have to say it. I mean Nigeria is an oil country. We can do so much if we have the right leadership," She said. “Look at what Dubai is doing. Dubai constantly shows and reminds you of what is possible. ” Also present at the event,...

FG Warns against Fake COVID-19 Vaccines from China

28Mar

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Africa, Covid-19, News, Nigeria, Press Statement

FG Warns against Fake COVID-19 Vaccines from China

The Federal Government has warned Nigerians over fake COVID-19 vaccines currently in circulation in Africa. It stated that about 3,000 of the fake vaccines, which were Africa-bound from China, have been intercepted on African soil. The Director of Hospital Services of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Dr. Adebimpe Adebiyi, made these known in a letter dated March 26, 2021, to the Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions. She said: “The ministry is in receipt of a letter from the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 regarding the arrest of about 3,000 doses of fake COVID-19 vaccines which were Africa-bound from China. “The report further indicates that the fake COVID-19 vaccines are already in circulation in Africa. “To preve...

CAF Fines Aubameyang For Social Media Post

9Dec

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Gabon, Sports

CAF Fines Aubameyang For Social Media Post

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been fined $10,000 for social media posts. CAF said the post had tarnished its “honour and image”. Aubameyang posted in the social media after Gabon spent the night on an airport floor ahead of an African Cup of Nations qualifier in November. The player and his team mates were stuck at the airport in the Gambia after arriving for a qualifying game. They were not allowed to leave as officials argued over COVID-19 testing. The Arsenal striker posted pictures of players sleeping on the airport floor and wrote: “Nice job CAF, it’s as if we were back in the 1990s.” He later added: “This will not demotivate us but people need to know and CAF needs to take responsibility. “It is 2020 and we want ...

8Dec

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Africa, Breaking News, Economy, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Trade

President Buhari To Reopen Borders Soon

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, had a closed door meeting with the nation’s 36 state governors on the security challenges across the country. He explained that the closure of the nation’s land borders was partly an attempt to control the smuggling of weapons and drugs. African News Today had earlier reported that state governors did not speak with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Presidency has now issued a statement quoting Buhari as asking the state governors to work more with traditional rulers and community members to improve local intelligence gathering that will aid the work of security agencies. The statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, wa...