Sahara issue no longer on AU agenda – The North Africa Post
Since Morocco’s return to the African Union and following Decision 693 on the question of the Sahara, adopted unanimously at the Nouakchott Summit in 2018, the Sahara issue is no longer submitted to the African Union, i.e. is no longer on the agenda of the Pan-African organization, reaffirmed the Minister in a statement to the press on the sidelines of the AU Summit, which wrapped up on Monday in Addis Ababa. Decision 693 on the Sahara issue, adopted unanimously at the 2018 Nouakchott Summit, underlines the exclusive competence of the United Nations over this issue. None of the reports of this 37th AU Summit contained any quotation or reference to the Sahara issue, added the Minister, who represented King Mohammed VI at the Summit. Similarly, the speeches by the African Union Presidency and the AU Commission made no reference to this issue, which falls within the exclusive remit of the UN.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 15:32 UTC
Southern Africa: Heatwave forecast across Botswana, Namibia, and central and northern South Africa through at least Feb. 26
Forecast models indicate that high temperatures will persist across parts of southern Africa through at least Feb. 26. The affected area includes much of Botswana, the interior of Nambia, and parts of central and northern South Africa. In spite of the high temperatures, localized showers and storms are possible in parts of the affected area over the coming days. The Department of Meteorological Services in Botswana has issued a heatwave warning across the country through at least Feb. 26. In addition to significantly impacting athletes and those who work outdoors, high temperatures can cause problems for people using mass transit.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 14:28 UTC
SURVEY OPEN: ALB MENA Super 50 Lawyers 2024
In this listing, ALB will pick the most highly recommended private-practice lawyers based permanently in the MENA* (the Middle East and North Africa) region. These lawyers will be selected based on client feedback. Clients should fill out the online survey, highlighting their recommended lawyers and why they are recommending him/her. The survey will close on May 31 (Friday), 2024. *Lawyers need to be based in one of the following countries and regions – Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 14:25 UTC
President of Spanish Government Pedro Sanchez starts working & friendship visit to Morocco – The North Africa Post
President of the Spanish government, Pedro Sanchez, arrived in Morocco on Wednesday, as part of a working and friendship visit to the Kingdom. Sanchez is accompanied by Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, during this visit, his first to the North African Kingdom since his government took office in January. During his official trip to Morocco, Pedro Sánchez will hold talks with senior Moroccan officials, including his counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch. Pedro Sánchez’s previous official visit to Morocco dates back to February 2, 2023, when he co-chaired with Akhannouch the 12th high-level meeting between the two countries. Sources from the Spanish government highlighted, according to the Spanish official news agency EFE, the importance of this trip, which comes at the beginning of the legislature presided over by Sanchez.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 13:52 UTC
Niger again fails to meet debt payment as post-coup woes pile – The North Africa Post
Niger failed to make a debt payment of 13.4 billion CFA francs ($22 million) last week, the West African debt management agency said on Monday (19 February), bringing the total default to $519 million since a coup in July 2023 and its subsequent suspension from regional financial markets. The West African Economic Monetary Union (WAEMU) debt management agency UMOA-Titres said in a statement that Niger had been “unable to meet its financial obligations on the Government securities market” after it had failed to make a repayment of principal which was due on 16 February. “This situation is carefully monitored by UMOA-Titres in collaboration with the institutions concerned,” the statement added. Following the military coup in July 2023 that ousted a democratically elected president, Niger has been suspended from the regional financial market and the regional central bank by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Other countries, including the United States and the European Union, that had provided aid for health, security and infrastructure needs, also suspended their support.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 13:42 UTC
Senegal, Egypt bow out of FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
Senegal and Egypt’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup campaign officially came to an end on Tuesday, 20 February after both sides were eliminated during the group stages of the ongoing competition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The two nations represented Africa at the global showpiece following their success in the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations held in Mozambique in 2022, where Senegal were crowned champions in the final against Egypt. It was however not meant to be for the West African nation, as they suffered a close 6-4 defeat to Japan, which also spelt the end of their campaign. Meanwhile, the COSAFA region will be hosting its Beach Soccer Championship this year, with the official dates, venues and participating nations to be announced in due course. The last edition was held in Durban, South Africa in 2022.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 11:56 UTC
Cisco, Microsoft & Samsung Introduce Advanced Hybrid Meeting Solutions
During Integrated Systems Europe 2024, Cisco & Microsoft Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. unveiled cutting-edge meeting room solutions aimed at enhancing collaboration experiences for hybrid meetings. With a shared commitment to fostering seamless and inclusive meetings, the companies introduced integrated video collaboration solutions for Cisco Room Series. As companies strive to entice employees back into offices, meeting experiences must surpass those offered at home. “In today’s era of hybrid work, it is essential that workspaces are reimagined to enable great collaboration. “We’ve entered a new era in which hybrid work is an integral part of the work experience.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 11:02 UTC
All you need to know about Major League Soccer 2024 and its Messi mania
The Messi effect, biggest players, league breakdown and everything else you need to know about Major League Soccer. The new Major League Soccer season is set to get under way in North America with the spotlight shining brightly on one man: Lionel Messi. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming MLS season:Who are the biggest names in MLS? Inter Miami: Inter Miami brought Messi mania to the MLS for the end of their last season and the Qatar World Cup 2022 winner arrived in a media whirlwind. ✨ pic.twitter.com/UR6h1XjIj7 — Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 19, 2024How has Messi transformed the MLS?
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 08:18 UTC
The New Playbook Behind Private Equity’s Quiet Boom In Africa
Private equity (PE) investment in Africa has seen a remarkable upswing in recent years. This trend is expected to continue, which makes Africa an attractive destination for private equity investors who want to leverage the continent’s growth potential. The value of investments made by private capital firms in Africa remained strong despite economic uncertainty throughout the year, closing 2022 with private capital firms reporting investments worth USD 7.6 B. Although Africa presents some promising opportunities for private equity investors, the industry is not without its challenges. The partners leading the Africa team have been investing on the continent for over two decades and are among the pioneers of private equity in Africa.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 07:27 UTC
IPS 2024 to feature top real estate exhibitors from GCC countries
International Property Show (IPS)DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, February 20, 2024 / EINPresswire.com / -- The International Property Show (IPS) 2024, celebrating its 20th anniversary, is set to take center stage at the Dubai World Trade Centre from February 27-29. This event presents a unique opportunity to highlight our commitment to excellence and contribute to the dynamic landscape of the GCC real estate market.”The event will host exhibitors from nearly 40 countries around the world, including Turkey, Pakistan, Georgia, Spain, Philippines, Albania, Greece, Thailand, Cyprus, Mauritius, France, North Cyprus, and USA, apart from the GCC countries, and serves as a melting pot for real estate professionals, fostering international collaborations and expanding horizons for attendees.Statistically, the GCC real estate market is on an upward trajectory, projected to reach a value of US$4.55 trillion by 2024, according to Statista. Residential Real Estate is expected to dominate, with a market volume of US$3.07 trillion in the same year. With an annual growth rate of 2.64% anticipated (CAGR 2024-2028), the market is poised to reach US$5.05 trillion by 2028. This strategic partnership highlights the commitment to showcasing a global perspective on real estate and investment opportunities, enhancing the event's value for both exhibitors and participants.IPS 2024 introduces a comprehensive lineup of events, including the IPS Exhibition, IPS Conference, IPS Future Cities, IPS Connect, IPS Finance, IPS Women, IPS Youth, IPS Studio, IPS PropTech, and IPS Design.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 02:54 UTC
Chinese man arrested in Australia faces extradition to US in North Korea smuggling case
Jin Guanghua was arrested in Victoria state in March in response to a request from the United States and remains in custody, Australia’s Attorney General’s Department said. “The individual is wanted to face prosecution in the United States for a number of sanctions, bank fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy offences,” a spokesman for the department said in a statement.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 02:46 UTC
Morocco's ONCF Achieves 90% Transition To Green Energy For Electric Trains
Morocco’s National Railways Office (ONCF) has declared that starting from the early part of 2024, 90% of its electric trains have effectively shifted to utilizing “green” energy. Originally targeting 25% of trains on renewable energy, the ONCF has surpassed this goal, with 90% of electric trains now operating on electricity generated from wind power. This achievement contributes to ONCF’s broader objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to environmental sustainability. In January 2024, ONCF received certification for its MAD 1 billion ($99 thousand) green bond, reinforcing its dedication to low-carbon, sustainable transportation and aligning with the “Green Bonds Framework.” Morocco, as a nation, has shown a strong commitment to renewable energy, with projections indicating a substantial increase in green energy investments by 2027. Energy Minister Leila Benali emphasized the government’s focus on stimulating private sector investment in the green energy sector, anticipating a fourfold increase compared to the 2009-2022 period.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 01:12 UTC
Wagner in Africa: How the Russian mercenary group has rebranded
In every country in which it operates, Wagner was reported to have secured valuable natural resources using these to not only cover costs, but also extract significant revenue. Russia has extracted $2.5bn (£2bn) worth of gold from Africa in the past two years, which is likely to have helped fund its war in Ukraine, according to the Blood Gold Report.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 21, 2024 00:34 UTC
Air Europa’s new routes connecting the Dominican Republic to North Africa
Santo Domingo.- Air Europa has announced the launch of flights from the Dominican Republic to North Africa with a layover in Madrid, starting in March of this year. The airline plans to commence flights to Morocco next month, followed by trips to Tunisia starting in June 2024. These routes to Marrakech and Tunisia are scheduled until the end of October, allowing Air Europa to meet the growing demand observed in both tourist destinations since their initiation. Air Europa intends to operate these services using its Boeing 737 fleet, specifically chosen for its suitability in covering short and medium-distance routes. In a significant move, Air Europa signed a codeshare agreement with Kenya Airways this year.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 20, 2024 21:44 UTC