TheNewsGuru

Tag: African Union

  • African Union suspends Burkina Faso after military coup

    African Union suspends Burkina Faso after military coup

    The African Union has suspended Burkina Faso from all its activities in response to last week’s military coup, effective until constitutional order is restored, the AU said on Monday.

    Burkina Faso had already been suspended from the West African regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States, though ECOWAS stopped short of imposing sanctions after the Jan. 24 coup that deposed President Roch Kabore.

    An ECOWAS delegation on Monday met with Kabore and found him “in good spirits”, said Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Ghana’s foreign minister and head of the mission to Ouagadougou.

    The ousted president looks well, has access to his doctors, and is allowed visits from his family, Ayorkor Botchway told journalists, without saying where the meeting took place.

    Previously, no information had been disclosed about his whereabouts or condition since he was toppled.

    The delegation also met with the coup leaders including the new head of state, Lt.-Col. Paul-Henri Damiba, to discuss security and the political transition, she said.

    “They seemed very open to the proposals and to us that is a good sign,” said Ayorkor Botchway. “It is our position that the transition should be short, so that Burkina Faso can return quickly back to constitutional order.”

    The AU and ECOWAS suspended two other members, Mali and Guinea, after their own military takeovers last year. The coup in Burkina Faso was the fourth in West Africa in 18 months, including two in Mali.

    While regional leaders and allies have condemned the coup, which they fear could further destabilise a country beset by Islamist violence, they find themselves with limited leverage.

    The putschists led by Damiba, who call themselves the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR), issued a preliminary charter on Monday laying out basic rights and establishing the MPSR as the central authority while a transitional government is put in place.

    In a statement read on national television, the MPSR declared Damiba the president of Burkina Faso and head of the armed forces and removed the army chief of staff and the head of the national intelligence agency from their posts.

    The constitution, which the officers suspended when they seized power, has been re-instated except for any parts that contradict the new charter, the statement said.

    Ayorkor Botchway said the ECOWAS delegation will report back on the visit and on Thursday there will be another meeting with regional heads of state.

  • ECOWAS, international community will not accept unconstitutional takeovers of government- Osinbajo

    ECOWAS, international community will not accept unconstitutional takeovers of government- Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says there is a strong resolve by the ECOWAS and the international community not to accept coups d’etat or any other form of unconstitutional change of government.

    Osinbajo spoke with newsmen on Sunday in Accra after participating at an Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

    The extraordinary meeting, in which the vice president represented President Muhammadu Buhari, was to discuss the political situation in the Republic of Mali.

    Osinbajo said that ECOWAS had not lost its bite as it was concerned about issues of good governance and democratic enterprise in the ECOWAS region.

    He said this is the sanction against Guinea and of course, what is proposed against Mali.

    “So, I think what is being done is unprecedented; in the years gone by, African Union, then known as Organisation of African Unity, never came down heavily on coup d’etat.

    “But it is evident now; there is very strong resolve that the ECOWAS, and indeed the international community, will not accept unconstitutional takeovers of government in the form of coup d’etat and other such unconstitutional means of taking over governments.

    “So, it is very evident that there is a very strong resolve which is why we are here today,’’ Osinbajo said.

    He expressed optimism that the efforts being made to resolve the situation in Mali would yield a positive result.

  • Peer Review of Nigeria at last stage – NEPAD boss

    Peer Review of Nigeria at last stage – NEPAD boss

    Princess Gloria Akobundu, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) has said the peer review of Nigeria has reached its last stage.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Akobundu, who is the Coordinator of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), made this known during the weekend at the “African Single Market World Commodity Summit and Expo 2021 with Digital Economy in Africa”.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had given approval for the African Union Continental Secretariat of the APRM to commence the process of the validation of the country’s Peer Review.

    Speaking during the summit, Akobundu, who became the second recipient of Africa Achievement Award after Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, said when completed, the Peer Review will expose areas where Nigeria can learn from other nations, and where other nations can learn from Nigeria.

    Represented by her Senior Special Assistant, Dr Enobong Emmanuel Abraham, the NEPAD boss said: “Nigeria is currently undergoing second peer review from the African Union AVRM office, and we are at the last stage of it.

    “Peer review comes every four years, but the last time this was carried out was in 2008. You can see the length of time it is taking. President Muhammadu Buhari graciously approved the peer reviewing of Nigeria.

    “It is a self assessment exercise voluntarily assented to by individual African Union nations to review itself in all areas of activities and sectors, socioeconomic and political sectors to see where our strengths are, our weaknesses are and to learn from other nations, and for other nations to learn from us in those areas that we have capacity, we have strength and better performance shown”.

    Meanwhile, Dr Abraham said Akobundu since assuming the position of the National Coordinator and CEO of the AUDA-NEPAD in 2016 has accomplished various feats.

    Abraham said the AUDA-NEPAD had undergone several reforms under Akobundu, and that since she came into office, over 3,000 youths and women have been empowered through AUDA-NEPAD across the country.

    Also speaking during the event, was Chairman and Chief Coordinator of the summit, Mr Angelo Peter Elosia, who said the African economy has come of age and that there is a need for leaders in Africa to come out with a sustainable policy document that will drive growth and development for the continent in a digital age.

    TNG reports from the 1st of January 2021, Africa commenced the African Single market policy and to this end all African Heads of States signed a document proposing a single market to ensure ease of doing business for African countries.

    To this end any goods coming from Africa irrespective of the country should be regarded as single during export to any part of the world.

    The idea behind the policy is to ensure that such goods will not be subjected to multiple taxation as well as be given tax waivers where and when necessary.

    While welcoming guests to the event, Chairman and Chief Coordinator of the summit, Mr Angelo Peter Elosia said the summit is all about investments in Africa, stressing that the aim of the summit was for all the exhibitors and participants to showcase what they are doing and achieving in investment in Africa.

    He said his organization has been organizing such a summit for 20 years now but that the African Single market world commodity summit just started in January and it is in this 2021 event that it started a global awareness for it.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said digital technologies are critical for Africa’s single market economy, and that digital technologies are changing the way people live and work.

    Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Umar Danbata made this known at the “African Single Market World Commodities Summit & Expo 2021 with Digital Economy in Africa”.

    Prof Danbatta was represented by NCC’s Director of Digital Economy, Engr. Rev. Nwaulune Augustin at the event said the progression made in digital technologies became more prevalent in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic

    Danbatta’s remarks at the event reads: “It is a great honour to be given the opportunity to speak at the “African Single Market World Commodities Summit & Expo 2021 with Digital Economy in Africa”.

    “The Nigerian Communications Commission, in its capacity as the regulator of Nigerian telecommunication sector which is one of largest on this continent, understands the need for sustainable strategies that take into consideration the future of communication and its impact on stakeholders as well as the economy at large.

    “The evolution of our Telecommunication sector has driven the need for Africa as a whole to have a salient role in the formulation of policies that drive information communication technology and its global reach.

    “The Nigerian Communications Commission in its continuous effort to spearhead this role is improving its performance matrix through its Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024 which aligns with the mandate of the Federal Government on Digital Economy.

    “The SMP 2020-2024 is built on the pillars of adaptive and sustainable regulatory excellence, universally pervasive and inclusive broadband access, promotion of digital economy through regulations and initiatives, dynamic market development and last but not least, sustainable and strategic partnership with relevant stakeholders.

    “This plan plays a vital role in accelerating the implementation of the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025 which aims to increase broadband penetration, critical to the success of worldwide online broadcasting.

    “The switch to digital is affecting all areas of life and business. In recent years, the world witnessed digital transformation of broadcasting from traditional broadcasting. Digital technologies are changing the way in which media content is produced, disseminated and consumed.

    “This progression became more prevalent in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The surge in digital broadcasting such as the diffusion of online streaming has necessitated the need for a critical look and subsequent adoption of emerging trends.

    “However, in order for African broadcasting outlets to compete globally, they need to go beyond staying abreast with recent technology and swift dissemination of information, to ensure that they maximize their reach in underserved areas locally while striving for notable international presence.

    “As traditional business models are also gradually substituted by both emerging start ups as well as digitally transformed existing players, media companies and broadcasters need to develop new digital-based business strategies to be able to compete and retain their audiences. This cannot be achieved without broadband penetration.

    “Broadband penetration in Nigeria has increased, going from 21.69% in January 2017 to 39.79% as at July 2021, with approximately 45 million and 75 million subscribers respectively. With a population of over 200 million according to the World Bank, there is still work left to be done.

    “The initiative to increase broadband penetration led to the identification of Target Areas in synchronisation with the Commission’s Strategic Vision. An integral area identified was fibre infrastructure.

    “Consequently, a Broadband Implementation and Monitoring Committee was established to evaluate broadband infrastructure deployment. The NNBP is targeting the provision of 120,000Km of fibre optic nerwork, broadband speed of 10Mbps and 25Mbps in rural and urban areas respectively.

    “There is an expectation of 60% Digital Literacy, 70% Penetration and 90% Coverage by 2025. Additionally, the plan recommends 95% of LGA Headquarters with fibre, 60% of all Base Transceiver Stations with fibre as well as the local manufacture or assembly of three smartphones in Nigeria.

    “This year, a select number of Infrastructure Companies were given the go ahead to begin a Fibre roll-out that will reach underserved areas across the nation. The roll-out is in conformity with the license agreements already issued to these companies and will be effectively monitored throughout the deployment lifecycle. The fibre roll-out is one of several other Enterprise Strategic Initiatives that were identified, notably:

    “Stakeholder Education and Engagement MOUS Implementation and Monitoring; Developing a framework for regulating Over the Top (OTT) services; Developing a framework for facilitating emerging technology services in Nigeria; Revision and expansion of licensing categories; Identify high yield market segmentation, and Exploring other channels of broadband deployment.

    “These initiatives will ensure that the Commission remains well informed and prepared for the metamorphosis of communication.

    “In conclusion, the Nigerian Communications Commission is persistent in its regulatory mandate. It has strongly urged and provided an enabling environment for telecommunication companies to thrive and adopt emerging technologies.

    “The Commission’s dedication to sustainable communication is evident in its Strategic Management Plan which ensures the effective implementation of the National Broadband Plan, and the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) of the Federal Government.

    “The Commission is determined to fully engage in the digital advancement of the different Communication factions to that which rivals its counterparts in the global industry”.

    Other participants and exhibitors at the event Includes Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Aviation Management Authority (NAMA), the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture.

    All of these government agencies were all there to showcase investment opportunities in the various sectors of the economy, and the quality of export products from Nigeria and Africa as well as sustainable development of water resources and agriculture in Africa.

  • Coup: Like ECOWAS, African Union suspends Guinea

    Coup: Like ECOWAS, African Union suspends Guinea

    Guinea’s ruling military came under diplomatic pressure on Friday as the African Union suspended the country over last weekend’s coup and West African envoys arrived to mediate in the crisis.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the regional bloc ECOWAS had already suspended Guinea after special forces led by Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya seized power on Sunday and arrested president Alpha Conde.

    On Friday, the African Union (AU) followed suit, tweeting that it had decided “to suspend the Republic of Guinea from all AU activities and decision-making bodies.”

    According to reports, mediators from ECOWAS — the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States — also landed in the capital Conakry on Friday for a possible solution to the crisis.

    ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou is part of the delegation, as are the Nigerian, Ghanaian, Burkinabe and Togolese foreign ministers.

    Coup leader Doumbouya met the envoys at a hotel in Conakry on Friday afternoon. The delegation, which is also due to meet Conde, is set to Guinea leave the same evening.

    Increasing pressure on Guinea comes amid rising fears of democratic backsliding across West Africa, where strongmen are an increasingly familiar sight.

    Guinea’s putsch has drawn parallels with its neighbour Mali, which has suffered two coups since August last year led by Colonel Assimi Goita, who was also a special forces commander.

  • African Union mourns fallen Chadian President, Deby

    African Union mourns fallen Chadian President, Deby

    Chadian President Idriss Deby, who died in the battlefield on Tuesday, was a distinguished military leader, the African Union (AU) has said.

    President Deby was a great Statesman, the African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said in a condolence message on Tuesday.

    Mahamat wrote that he learnt of President Deby’s death with “great dismay and deep emotion” while sending his condolence message to Chadians.

    President Deby, who rose to power in 1990, has been acknowledged for his fight against the Boko Haram insurgents and was on the frontline when he was killed.

    The Chadian leader had joined his troops to fight rebels marching towards the capital, N’Djamena, when he was killed.

    Meanwhile, the Chadian Transitional Military Council, which was formed after the death of the 68-year-old leader, has named President Deby’s son, Mahamat Kaka, the President.

    Deby was killed shortly after emerging winner of a recent Presidential election.

  • African Union suspends South Sudan

    The African Union (AU) has suspended South Sudan over failure to honour its financial obligations for the past three years, amounting to $9 million.

    South Sudan will, however, remain a member of the Addis Ababa-based organization, but cannot participate in meetings until it clears its obligation.

    In clarifying the extent of the suspension, Mr Hakim Edward, deputy Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said the country’s AU membership attained in July 2011 remained intact except that the country cannot participate in AU meetings.

    “We would like to confirm to the public that South Sudan is one of the countries that have been sanctioned by the AU due to lack of yearly financial contributions,” Mr Edward said in a statement.

    “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to assure the public that it is coordinating with the ministry of finance to resolve the matter not only with the AU but with other regional bodies,” he added.

    It was reported by local media that South Sudan has a lot of unpaid arrears to regional, international, and global bodies it subscribes to. It was also reported, the country was also yet to clear its arrears to the East African Community to which it owes about $24 million.

    South Sudan, which seceded from Sudan on July 9, 2011, joined the African Union on July 27, 2011, becoming the 54th member.

    In 2019, the AU’s Peace and Security Council voted to suspend neighbouring Sudan from all AU activities until a civilian government has been formed. The decision followed violent military action against pro-democracy activists who helped toppled the government of Mr Omar Al-Bashir.

    The council made the announcement after a meeting in Addis Ababa of the member states of the pan-continental body. The country’s membership was restored after the ruling military council and opposition groups agreed to share power in a transition to democracy.

  • BREAKING: African Union suspends Sudan

    BREAKING: African Union suspends Sudan

    The African Union (AU) on Thursday suspended Sudan days after the military launched a crackdown on protesters that killed dozens of people.

    The AU’s Peace and Security Department said in a post on Twitter that Sudan’s participation in all AU activities would be suspended with immediate effect – “until the effective establishment of a civilian-led transitional authority” as the only way to “exit from the current crisis”.

     

  • In Photos: President Buhari, Magu, others at closing ceremony of AU Meeting

    PHOTO: President Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu among other top Nigerian delegates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the closing ceremony of the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

     

  • AU ambassadors demand apology from Trump over ‘shit hole’ remarks on Africa

    African Union ambassadors to the UN demanded an apology from U.S. President Donald Trump for his racist remark on the people of Africa.

    The group of over 50 nations in a statement said: “the AU expressed its disappointment and outrage over the unfortunate comment made by Mr Donald Trump, President of the United States of America.

    “The remarks dishonour the celebrated American creed and respect for diversity and human dignity.

    “While expressing our shock, dismay and outrage, the African Union truly believes that there is a huge misunderstanding of the African continent and its people by the current administration.

    “There is a serious need for dialogue between the U.S. administration and the African countries. The African Union, through its member States, values the strategic partnership with the U.S.

    “This relationship should be from the point of equality and mutual respect based on accepted international principles of respect for basic human dignity of all,” the mission said.

    The Mission demanded a retraction of the statement and an apology from the U.S. leader.

    “The AU mission condemns the statement in the strongest terms and demands a retraction of the comment as well as an apology to not only the Africans but to all people of African descent across the globe.”

    The U.S. president reportedly made the comment during a meeting with congressional leaders in the Oval Office on Thursday.

    “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” Trump allegedly said after being presented with a proposal to restore protections for immigrants from the countries in question.

    The UN has also branded as racist, the reported remark branding Haiti, El Salvador and unspecified African nations as “shithole countries”.

    “If confirmed these are shocking and shameful comments from the President of the United States. There is no other word you can use but ‘racist’.

    “You cannot dismiss entire countries and continents as ‘shitholes’, whose entire populations who are not white, are therefore not welcome,” said Rupert Coleville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. (NAN)

     

  • AU launches dotAfrica Internet domain

    AU launches dotAfrica Internet domain

    More than 50 African countries have created an internet domain fully owned by Africa, which they named dotAfrica, APA report on Wednesday.

    This happened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the 29th ordinary session of the African Union Assembly.

    “DotAfrica will bring the continent together as an internet community under one umbrella and create an opportunity to forge a unique online identity which will associate products, services and or information with the continent and the people of Africa,” read a communiqué.

    The domain is an African initiative created by Africans for Africans and the worldwide audience of companies, organisations and individuals interested in, associated with and connected with the African community and markets.

    It was said that the objective of the launch was to mark the commencement of the DotAfrica operational phase by setting up a road show starting at the AU headquarters.

    The idea of DotAfrica was conceived in 2000 when some African internet professionals argued that DotAfrica should be operated by Africans for the benefit of the entire continent.

    Meanwhile, Africa has been reported to have recorded robust growth with international tourist arrivals and tourism revenues growing at 6 percent and 9 percent respectively each year between 1995 and 2014, over the last two decades,

    In its Economic Development in Africa report 2017, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said tourism in Africa is a flourishing industry that supports more than 21 million jobs.

    The report said tourism attracted capital investment of $26 billion on average in 2011-2014 to the African economy, and that this amount represented 1.8 percent of total GDP of the continent.

    It added that international tourist arrivals in Africa increased to 56 million in the period 2011-2014, from 24 million in the previous one (1995-1998), and that the figure is forecast to grow to 134 million by 2030.

    Tourism export revenues have more than tripled, increasing from $14 billion to approximately $47 billion, between 1995 and 2014. As a result tourism is now estimated to contribute about 8.5 percent to the continent’s gross domestic product (GDP), it further stated.