Palestinian unity urged to resolve Gaza crisis
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh arrives to attend an international humanitarian conference for the people of Gaza at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Nov 9, 2023. [Photo/Agencies]The latest call for Palestinian unity by Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh is expected to generate renewed efforts to realize the two-state solution and end the conflict in Gaza, experts say. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday, Shtayyeh urged all Palestinian factions to engage in dialogue, as he stressed Palestinian unity "under any circumstances". Shtayyeh was among many senior government officials and heads of state who attended the three-day security conference in the German city of Munich. But we need Palestinian unity under any circumstances," Shtayyeh said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 20, 2024 01:28 UTC
Uganda: Green hydrogen-based fertiliser plant to fuel agriculture
Uganda is to set up a green hydrogen-based fertiliser plant to improve food security, promote sustainable agriculture and reduce the country’s reliance on imports. Energy Minister Dr Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu said: “Uganda is embracing green technology to transform its agricultural sector and become a regional sustainability leader. Agriculture, a major employer in UgandaThe US International Trade Administration said investors consider Uganda’s agricultural potential among Africa’s best. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, Uganda’s fertile agricultural land has the potential to feed 200 million people. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) estimates that about 68% of Uganda’s working population is employed in agriculture.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 20, 2024 00:27 UTC
France's foreign doctors suffer insecurity as understaffed hospitals struggle to function
On the groundThe situation for several thousand foreign doctors working in French hospitals has become more complicated since the end of the exemption scheme put into place during the Covid-19 pandemic. Hospital services under threat without foreign doctorsSeveral hospital department heads, particularly in the Paris region, have warned that they will be "forced to close" if no more foreign doctors are hired. Meanwhile, foreign doctors are suffering, as almost 1,900 of them are unable to work at the moment. Mostapha joined his fellow doctors and a French union delegation in a meeting at the French health ministry on February 16, 2024. The unions say the test is "too academic", "random", "opaque" and "discriminatory for doctors working more than 60 hours a week".
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 22:43 UTC
SA’s Sun Exchange pivots from crowdsale model to institutional funding of solar projects
South African energy-fintech startup Sun Exchange has announced a pivot away from its original crowdsale model towards an institution-focused approach towards funding small-scale solar projects. Launched in 2015, Sun Exchange started out as a peer-to-peer solar leasing platform that enabled anyone, anywhere in the world, to buy remotely-located solar cells that power schools, businesses and other organisations. It’s what allowed us to build a global community of solar power supporters and what established Sun Exchange as an innovative industry leader,” it said. “The crowdsale model is, unfortunately, no longer a viable business model for Sun Exchange.”Since introducing its institutional funder programme at the end of 2022, Sun Exchange has partnered with Absa, Allotrope Partners, Cars.co.za, CVE, Energea, Hannover Re and Jaltech to fund solar projects. “Simultaneously, the unprecedented levels of load shedding in South Africa since mid-2021 have led to a spike in demand for battery-integrated solar projects from our end users.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 20:08 UTC
The United States warns its citizens against any travel to Algeria, terror risks in Tindouf – The North Africa Post
The United States has issued a security alert, warning its citizens residing in or visiting Algeria against any travel to the city of Tindouf or the surrounding camps. American citizens residing or visiting the neighboring country are cautioned against traveling to the city of Tindouf in Algeria or the Sahrawi camps located there. Ahmed Ould Ben Ali, one of the thousands of disenchanted youths in the Tindouf camps, was sentenced to 5 years in prison by the Algerian court on charges of drug trafficking. The Algerian Court prison sentence provoked violent protests that took aim at Algerian authorities and their Polisario proxies in the Tindouf camps. Spain issued few days ago a similar travel warning to its citizens urging them to avoid trips to the Tindouf area.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 19:24 UTC
How electric cooking is changing lives for the better in Rwanda
Ever since she participated in the electric cooking pilot in Kigali, Rwanda, a positive shift has been made in what cooking means to her. Rwanda: Clean cooking project looks to phase out charcoal/LPG ovensThe benefits of clean cooking add upA lack of access to clean cooking solutions and the usage of traditional cooking methods contradicts the advancement of the right to an adequate standard of living. With that, we embarked on a ten-day interview mission trip to Kigali, Rwanda. One participant mentioned that children would now eat warm meals on time and another mentioned the financial benefits of clean cooking solutions. With such thoughts, it was a transformative expedition that continues to shape our understanding of the vital intersection between clean cooking and human rights.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 19:19 UTC
DRC: Will Félix Tshisekedi be forced to negotiate with M23?
There are bold declarations, made in the heat of electioneering – and then there is the cold reality on the ground. A few weeks ago, while campaigning for a second term, Félix Tshisekedi made a series of provocative statements about Rwanda and its President Paul Kagame, announcing that “at the first skirmish” he would take action. Understand Africa's tomorrow... today Get full access to The Africa Report Subscribe Now Already registered?
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 16:38 UTC
Avian flu in poultry reported by 2 African nations
Ostriches at two farms in South Africa were among the latest cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the continent. Following a four-month hiatus, the H5N1 serotype of the HPAI virus has been detected in Nigeria. This was the first HPAI outbreak to be confirmed in the West African state since August of last year. This was highlighted by the chairman of the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) in the industry organization’s latest "Poultry Bulletin." Avian flu 'resolved' in Niger, ReunionFollowing a single HPAI outbreak in December of 2022 in the West African state of Niger, the disease wave was declared ended in October last year.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 15:48 UTC
Egyptian Museum: Africa's first awarded green building certification
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has been awarded the EDGE Advanced Green Building Certification, making the museum the first in Africa and the Middle East, and one of a handful worldwide, to receive the acknowledgement. The Grand Egyptian Museum received this prestigious award based on the building’s water and energy efficiency measures and its reduced carbon footprint. Museum leads the way for green building in AfricaSustainable design features are becoming increasingly common in modern architectural projects, especially high-profile ones like museums. The Grand Egyptian Museum sets a new standard for sustainable construction in Africa, demonstrating Egypt’s leadership in embracing environmentally responsible practices Dr Mohamed Massoud, Chairman of the Housing and Building National Research Center. The partnership focuses on increasing the public sector’s awareness of the economic case for certified green buildings, developing skills to implement green incentive schemes, and supporting the local development of green building stock.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 15:01 UTC
The Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS) has inaugurated new Governance Boards
Mr. Kingsley K. Asah, the APSS Board Secretary announced that the newly reconstituted Advisory Board and Board of Directors (Executive Board) of the Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS) LBG (https://AfricaPrivateSectorSummit.org/) were inaugurated on February 12, 2024 in a joint virtual induction and inauguration meeting of both boards. Sherif El-Gabaly (North Africa), Dr. Eugenia Xoliswa Kula (Southern Africa), Mr. Otsile Mphela (Southern Africa), Assoc. Professor Nakijoba Rosemary (East Africa), Mrs. Pheona Nabaasa Wall (East Africa), Mr. Otunba Bimbo Ashiru (West Africa), Mr. Guevera Yao (African Diaspora), Mr. Adama Gaye (West Africa), Dr. M’Zee Fula-Ngenge (Central Africa), Mr. Gerald F.B.Cooper (African Diaspora). Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS). Fortunate KwiringiraDirector TechnicalAfrica Private Sector Summit (APSS)E-mail: Fortunate@africaprivatesectorsummit.orgKampala, Uganda.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 14:30 UTC
IBM Unveils the IBM® LinuxONE 4 Express
IBM has unveiled the IBM® LinuxONE 4 Express, extending the latest performance, security, and AI capabilities of LinuxONE to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and new data center environments. Addressing this challenge, the IBM LinuxONE 4 Express empowers SMEs to craft a deliberate hybrid cloud strategy tailored to their needs. The IBM LinuxONE 4 Express, based on the IBM Telum processor, delivers high scalability, availability, and security while reducing energy consumption and data center floor space. Moreover, IBM is activating the IBM Ecosystem to ensure client success, collaborating with partners to provide solutions for sustainability and cybersecurity challenges. IBM Business Partners can access resources to install, deploy, service, and resell the IBM LinuxONE 4 Express, facilitating seamless integration and support for clients.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 14:23 UTC
Amplats plans to cut thousands of jobs cuts after profit plunge
The Anglo American AAL.Lunit said in a statement that it is embarking on a restructuring that could affect about 3,700 jobs at its South African operations as it battles to keep the lid on costs amid falling platinum-group metals prices. The miner is also reviewing contracts with 620 service providers, Amplats said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 13:28 UTC
Morocco’s green train revolution on track to meet energy goals
Nearly all Morocco’s trains are operating using green energy, the country’s National Railway Office (ONCF) announced recently. The office said in a statement that 90% of its train fleet is now powered by green energy. This is in line with the national energy strategy which places renewable energy sources at the heart of the Morocco energy mix. From Our ArchivesMorocco invests into new high-speed rail infrastructureThe Al Boraq train started operating in Morocco in 2018 as the first high-speed railway system in Africa. The company will make driving cabs for regional and underground railway trains at the facility.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 13:24 UTC
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The unanimous selection of the President of the Republic to chair the African Union is proof of recognition of his commitment to the unity and progress of the continent
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad considers that the selection of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, to assume the presidency of the African Union by his counterparts in North Africa, and the unanimous recommendation of this selection by the countries of the continent, are evidence of the recognition of His Excellency’s commitment to the unity and progress of Africa, as well as the success and dynamism of Mauritanian diplomacy. This statement was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad on Saturday, a copy of which was received by the Mauritanian News Agency. The statement reads as follows:“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad views the selection of His Excellency the President of the Republic by his counterparts in North Africa to carry out this noble mission on their behalf, and the unanimous endorsement of this choice by the countries of the continent, as evidence of the recognition of the commitment of His Excellency the President of the Republic to the unity and progress of Africa, and of the success and dynamism of Mauritanian diplomacy, thanks to his vision and tireless efforts to strengthen the country’s position on the international stage. “The leadership of the African Union in this sensitive regional and international circumstance will enable His Excellency the President of the Republic to utilize his vast experience and remarkable wisdom, in close cooperation with his counterparts, the African Union Commission, and its various bodies, to promote cooperation, sustainable development, and peace in Africa, and to achieve the aspirations of our African peoples for a more prosperous, advanced, and secure future.”Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mauritanian Embassy in Jakarta.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 12:08 UTC
54% of women in Middle East and North Africa region lack understanding of investments, survey reveals
The report, based on a survey of over 600 women in the Mena region, indicates an opportunity to promote investment literacy among women in the Middle East. The expansion of women’s wealth in the Middle East raises further considerations and inquiries. Economic empowerment: The surge in growth signifies that women in the region are acquiring economic influence and achieving greater financial autonomy. This might encompass disparities in inheritance laws, restricted availability of financial education, and cultural norms that discourage women’s involvement in financial decision-making. The previous UBS research indicates that a 10 per cent gender pay gap can result in a 40 per cent gender wealth gap, which increases to 85 per cent for a 20 per cent gender pay gap.
Source:The North Africa Journal
February 19, 2024 12:04 UTC