North Korean foreign minister visits Moscow for talks as concern grows over an alleged arms deal
A delegation led by Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui arrived in Moscow on Sunday, according to North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency. The United States and South Korea say North Korea has provided Russia with arms, including artillery and missiles, to help its fight in Ukraine. The Biden administration said it has evidence that missiles provided by North Korea to Russia have been used in Ukraine. Koo didn’t provide a specific answer when asked whether Choe may be arranging a visit by Putin to North Korea. Both Russia and North Korea have denied accusations of North Korean arms transfers to Russia.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 21:25 UTC
Morocco chairs Arab FMs’ emergency meeting to address Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU – The North Africa Post
In a swift response to the memorandum of understanding inked between Ethiopia and the Somaliland region, the Arab League will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday Jan.17. The meeting, to be chaired by Morocco, will gather foreign ministers to deliberate on the potential ramifications of this diplomatic development. The Arab League, in a statement released on Sunday, underscored the seriousness of the situation and declared its decision to hold an emergency session via video conference at the League Council’s level. Elias Cheikh Omar Abu Bakr, the Ambassador of Somalia in Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, disclosed on January 4 that Somalia had formally approached the Arab League. The purpose was to call for an urgent meeting of the League Council, specifically among Arab foreign ministers.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 21:19 UTC
Guinea detains French journalist Thomas Dietrich – The North Africa Post
Authorities in Guinea Conakry arrested Sunday January 14 in capital Conakry French journalist Thomas Dietrich who has been in the West African country to investigate state-run fuel company Société Nationale des Pétroles (SONAP), following a deadly explosion at the country’s main fuel terminal that killed 24 people. Authorities did not provide reasons for his arrest but media in the African country have called for his release and condemned the State’s alleged attitude aiming at silencing critical media. It is not the first time the French journalist is being arrested in an African country. Dietrich who has worked in several African countries was first thrown out of Conakry in 2020. He was also arrested and kicked out of Chad in 2016 after he criticized former leader of the country, late Idriss Déby Itno.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 21:00 UTC
Explore the North African Gem of Algeria
However, their neighboring North African gem of Algeria awaits your discovery! AlgiersBegin your Algeria tour in Algiers, the nation’s capital city. Here, modernity meets old-world charm as African, Arab and European influences mesh to form a distinct North African vibe. History lovers will feel as though they’ve been transported back in time as they explore the amphitheater and ancient forum. Wander through Oran’s charming old town and stop at the Santa Cruz Fort to take in panoramic city vistas from 400 meters high.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 20:46 UTC
Africa’s Largest Refinery Begins Production in Nigeria
The Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest, has launched production of fuels, the Dangote Group of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, said this weekend, marking the start-up of the refinery that has seen years of delays. “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced production of diesel and aviation fuel,” the group said in a statement, adding that the new refinery is “a game changer for our country.”The Refinery can load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck-loading gantries. The refinery, which was commissioned last year, received 1 million barrels of Agbami crude from Shell’s trading unit in early December. Nigeria hopes the new refinery will alleviate its chronic fuel shortage that has turned Africa’s biggest oil producer into a fuel importer. ADVERTISEMENTThe Dangote refinery expects to export diesel to customers in Europe, as well as gasoline to Latin American and African markets.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 19:54 UTC
Namibia slams former colonial ruler Germany for supporting Israel in ICJ genocide case – The North Africa Post
According to President Geingob, its former colonial master could not “morally express commitment to the United Nations Convention against genocide, including atonement for the genocide in Namibia” and at the same time support Israel. In 2021, Berlin acknowledged committing genocide in Namibia between 1904 and 1908 when German colonizers massacred more than 70,000 Herero and Nama indigenous people. “The German Government is yet to fully atone for the genocide it committed on Namibian soil,” Geingob added. Berlin on Friday (12 January) said the accusation of genocide against Israel was completely unfounded and amounted to a “political instrumentalization” of the UN genocide convention. “In view of Germany’s history and the crime against humanity of the Holocaust, the government sees itself as particularly committed to the genocide convention,” it said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 19:51 UTC
The lack of small California Navel oranges may offer opportunities for Morocco
“The drought conditions in Morocco seem to be worsening,” says Miles Fraser-Jones with Sierra Produce. Fraser-Jones anticipates the sizing to lean towards smaller fruit with a shortage of large-size fruit. While volumes coming in from Morocco are lower this year, there is enough fruit between Morocco and domestic California supply to cover US demand. “During that time of lower California supply, we expect to see increased demand for Moroccan citrus,” said Fraser-Jones. Smaller Navel oranges from MoroccoWhile California is expected to have a usual clementine/mandarin crop, quality and sizing depend on weather conditions during the season.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 19:17 UTC
Egypt’s national carrier to launch third route to Libya from January 25 – The North Africa Post
Yehia Zakariya, chairman of the Board of Directors of the EgyptAir Holding Company, has confirmed the operation of new direct flights from Cairo to Misrata in Libya, starting from January 25, Libya Observer reports. Misrata become the third city the Egyptian carrier will be flying to, after Tripoli and Benghazi. Zakariya reportedly on company’s Facebook page indicated that the new route is scheduled with one flight per week every Thursday. The new route brings the number of flights to Libya per week to 15. The launch of the new route is the result of the increase in traffic between Libya and Egypt, especially with the presence of Egyptians residing and working in Libyan territories.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 19:01 UTC
‘Starling’: Photobook shows stunning images of the bird migrating through Europe
The phenomenon, known as a starling murmuration in English or “black sun” in Danish, lasts just minutes, or even seconds. But it left a lasting impression on Danish photographer Søren Solkær, who first witnessed the spectacle when he was 10 years old. “The first thing that came to mind was starling murmurations … this big piece of calligraphy in the sky,” he told CNN. Solkær’s latest photobook, “Starling,” published last month, charts this migration journey, and with it, he hopes to inspire a closer relationship with nature. In Rome, Solkær included architecture in his compositions.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 12:45 UTC
South Africa seeks more tourists from Netherlands
from DION HENRICK in Cape TownWestern Cape BureauCAPE TOWN, (CAJ News) – SOUTH African Tourism’s North Europe Hub has kicked off the showcasing at the Vakantiebeurs trade and consumer show in The Netherlands. Abby Jacobs, the Acting Hub Head for North Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden), emphasised the strategic importance of the Netherlands as a source market. Vakantiebeurs kicked off on January 10, with an exclusive trade day, which provided a platform for business-to-business engagements. A standout feature of South African Tourism’s participation at Vakantiebeurs is a South African pavilion incorporating the presentation of ten South African products and provincial representation, including Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Wesgro). Following South Africa’s presence at Vakantiebeurs, North Europe Hub joined by various South African products, will embark on a dynamic roadshow which will run from January 16 to 23, covering four different cities across The Netherlands and Belgium.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 12:22 UTC
Second episode of new Disrupt Podcast series shines light on Africa’s ed-tech space
Disrupt Africa has released the secon d episode of its three-part podcast series zeroing in on the state of Africa’s ed-tech space, looking at trends, opportunities and challenges within the vital sector. The series looks at how innovation in education is so pivotal on the continent, and discusses initiatives and funders that are backing the development of Africa’s ed-tech ecosystem. Episode one digs into the scope of Africa’s educational challenges, and how ed-tech startups are working to address them. About Disrupt AfricaDisrupt Africa is the one-stop-shop for all news, information and commentary pertaining to the continent’s tech startup – and investment – ecosystem. With journalists roaming the continent to find, meet, and interview the most innovative and disruptive tech startups, Disrupt Africa is a true showcase of Africa’s most promising businesses and business ideas.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 12:00 UTC
World’s 10 most under-reported urgent humanitarian crises are in Africa — CARE’s report – The North Africa Post
Crises in Africa are being overlooked, with news about humanitarian emergencies on the continent buried beneath the weight of media attention focused elsewhere, according to a recent report by CARE International. The 2023 report entitled ‘Breaking the Silence: Ten Humanitarian Crises That Didn’t Make Headlines in 2023’ lists ten forgotten humanitarian crises of last year, all of whom are taking place in Africa. Climate change plays a huge role, the aid organization says, and more media attention is needed. This is the 8th edition of the ‘Breaking the Silence’ report where CARE International draws attention to the world’s “forgotten crises”. However, the Central African Republic (CAR) occupied a place in this sad list every year, according to the report.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 11:51 UTC
Resource curse: more Africa countries could benefit from China’s new tariff-free policy – The North Africa Post
China’s recent announcement that it was expanding its tariff-free policy to additional African countries, namely Angola, Gambia, Congo, Madagascar, Mali and Mauritania, may be a catalyst for new opportunities amid criticisms about the trade imbalance, according to experts. The Chinese government announced on 25 December 2023 that it was granting the additional six African states with tariff-free access for goods on 98% of taxable products. This has increased the number of African countries on the zero-tariff policy to 27, as Beijing had earlier announced similar cuts for 21 other African countries. “Each country is pursuing their national interest; you can’t vilify China or any country for pursuing their interest. You have to look at each policy and take the opportunity for your own national interest,” Olalekan Babatunde of the National Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies in Nigeria said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 11:51 UTC
World Economic Forum 2024 | Chief economists expect global economy to weaken in 2024, shows survey
Warning of more economic uncertainty, the Chief Economists Outlook report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) said the global economic prospects remain subdued. It said that the global economy continues to grapple with headwinds from tight financial conditions, geopolitical rifts and rapid advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI). More than half of chief economists (56%) expected the global economy to weaken this year, while 43% foresee unchanged or stronger conditions. Precarious nature of the global economy"The latest Chief Economists Outlook highlights the precarious nature of the current economic environment," WEF Managing Director Saadia Zahidi said. "Amid accelerating divergence, the resilience of the global economy will continue to be tested in the year ahead.
Source:The North Africa Journal
January 15, 2024 11:51 UTC