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Tag: Joe Biden

  • Seven key takeaways from Buhari’s visit to United States

    Seven key takeaways from Buhari’s visit to United States

    By Garba Shehu

    In the first in-person meeting with the American President Joe Biden, President Buhari established a personal equation with his US counterpart and got an important recognition for his democratic credentials and activism at home in particular, and Africa in general: “your legacy is a model,” says President Biden. There was a perfect meeting of minds.

    This, coming from the remaining superpower still standing and the guardian and promoter of the values of democracy all over the world,  is a  major milestone as the President braces up to give the country its most open, most free and most fair elections in February next year.

    Equally, it speaks to the fact the world is interested in what happens here and they are watching. Everyone is watching what happens in Nigeria and our politicians must watch their steps. President Buhari has cleared himself. He is doing all that is required of him to deliver free and fair elections, leading to the emergence of his successor in May next year.

    Beyond the symbolism of the one-on-one meeting and their sitting together to watch the Morocco-Argentina World Cup semi-final, an incident that grabbed the attention of the world soon as it took place, Biden’s recognition of President Buhari as continental champion of democracy will come with admirable dividends.

    One, the fact of the acceptance by the two leaders that we share with each other the values of democracy and human rights; that we are on the same page in regard to these values is indicative of deep ties between our two nations, working together to uphold free and fair elections, an important condition for democracy in Nigeria, West Africa and the rest of the continent.

    In this context, the Biden promise to work for a permanent “G20” seat for Africa may, if all continues to work well between our two nations, lead to Nigeria earning a place in the all-important intergovernmental forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union, and possibly thereafter, a “G7” place and-wait for it-a Permanent Seat on the United Nations Security Council!

    Nigeria’s strategic partnership with the US is important if a choice is to be made.

    Two. On the very important issue of peace and security of the continent, a key agenda item in the Biden-Africa summit, President Buhari was asked to lead. It is a recognition of Nigeria as the very important voice for Africa.

    After President Buhari finished with his speech on AU Agenda 2063, essentially speaking about the defined goals of peace and security on the continent, President Biden left the meeting.

    Three. President Buhari spoke at the US Peace Institute. It is interesting that the President spoke at the Institute in 2015 at the commencement of his first term and was coming to do so when the curtains are about being drawn on his second term tenure.

    Who invited him to speak at both points? It’s Ambassador Johnnie Carson, the diplomat and politician who was an Obama-era cabinet member and a friend of Nigeria who, not only extolled the virtues of President Buhari but played up the role of the administration in attaining a strategic partnership with the US.

    Amb. Carson has just been named by President Biden to coordinate the follow up of the decisions on the just-concluded Summit. In this regard, it is not out of place to expect Nigeria drawing substantially from the USD 55 billion the Biden administration has put in the basket for Africa to draw from.

    Four. President Buhari, who has been waging a global battle for the survival of gas, Nigeria’s abundant resource as a transition energy from fossil fuels that are being blacklisted for causing global climate degradation, found the right place to take his case to, and it is getting a traction. With the US supporting Nigeria, President Buhari is building a consensus for our well-articulated energy transition plan that has gas a transition energy.

    Five. Following the successful CEOs’ roundtable and interactions with businesses at US-Africa Civil and Commercial Space Forum and  Corporate Council on Africa-Nigeria Business and Investment Forum, US businesses reaffirmed their confidence and reinforced their commitment to deepening their business interests in Nigeria.

    Six. President Buhari presented a refocused roadmap clearly showing Nigeria’s commitment for a safer and healthier global climate, highlighting the country’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

    He has prepared a ready-to-go blueprint for whoever succeeds him; a plan that has earned the respect of the US government, paving the way for a partnership to address conservation, climate adaptation and a just energy transition based on shared objectives.

    Government plans to prepare well to draw substantially from the proposed US funding and from CocaCola Foundation which has indicated interest in their participation in our climate change and renewable energy plans.

    In line with the plan to address clean and reliable energy supply, creating jobs and ensuring knowledge and technology transfer, the government of Nigeria and a US company Sun Africa LLC, signed a major agreement, right there before the representatives of Mr. Biden for the “development, engineering, procurement and construction” of 5,000 MW of solar generation and 2,500 MWh of battery energy storage power plants for up $10 billion investment from the US government.

    The project portfolio location and size indicates the beneficiary states as including Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe,  Adamawa, Jigawa, Nassarawa, Benue, Kogi, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, FCT, Kwara, Edo and Akwa Ibom. Megawatts of power availability ranges from 24, the lowest to 350, the highest.

    In addition, 360 rural communities across the 36 states are to benefit from solar mini grids electrification infrastructure and smart meters.

    Seven. While there are several crucial outcomes from the visit, I am excited to report that between President Biden and President Buhari, there is a perfect meeting of minds. While President Buhari was full of commendation for the leadership of Biden on global issues, it emerged clearly from these interactions that the two leaders share a common vision on democracy, human rights and the important role in Africa that Nigeria is playing. Nigeria is crucial to Biden and he seemed pleased that he found in President Buhari, an African role model. He held back nothing in showering encomiums upon him for especially sticking to two stipulated terms in office.

    With impressive accomplishments trailing the seven-day visit, President Buhari has wetted the ground for whoever will be the next President from May next year. It will be in the nation’s interest to build on where the current President stops.

     

    Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity.

  • U.S. President Biden invites Buhari to Washington

    U.S. President Biden invites Buhari to Washington

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday depart for Washington, USA to join other African leaders at the United States-Africa Leaders Summit.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the president’s spokesman confirmed this in a statement on Saturday.

    Shehu said: “The High Level Meeting which holds Dec. 13-15 is at the instance of the United States President, Joe Biden.

    “Biden looks forward to working with African governments, civil society, diaspora communities across the United States, and the private sector to continue strengthening our shared vision for the future of US-Africa relations.”

    According to the presidential aide, the event is expected to demonstrate the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa, and underscore the importance of US-Africa relations and increased cooperation on shared global priorities.

    He said: ”The summit further seeks more pragmatic ways to: foster new economic engagement; advance peace, security, and good governance; reinforce commitment to democracy, human rights, and civil society.

    ”It works collaboratively to strengthen regional and global health security; promote food security; respond to the climate crisis; amplify diaspora ties; and promote education and youth leadership.”

    On the first day, Shehu said Buhari would speak on the topic: Conservation, Climate Adaptation and a Just Energy Transition”, dwelling directly on the ”Just Energy Transition” component.

    Shehu further disclosed that the Nigerian leader would also address some of the other sub-themes of the summit as well as participate in the US-Africa Business Forum (USABF).

    The forum will be hosted by the US Department of Commerce which focuses on increased trade and investment between the United States and African nations.

    On the sidelines of the summit, the Corporate Council of Africa will host the Nigerian delegation to a US-Nigeria Business and Investment Forum Business Roundtable.

    According to him, during the meeting, Nigerian organisations and businesses are expected to sign agreements with their American counterparts.

    He said that Buhari would be accompanied on the trip by Governors Bala Mohammed and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Bauchi and Kwara States, respectively.

    Some Ministers and other top government officials are also on the entourage of the president.

    Buhari is expected back in the country on Dec. 18.

  • The Donald Trump Magnus Onyibe Doesn’t Know – By Magnus Onyibe

    The Donald Trump Magnus Onyibe Doesn’t Know – By Magnus Onyibe

    For the sake of transparency,I need to be upfront about the origin of the title of this essay.
    It is not coined by me but by an angry reader of my last article on the immediate past United States of America,USA president,Donald J Trump.

    The piece was titled: “The Donald Trump That Africans Don’t Know” and it was first published in my column on the back page of Daily Independent newspaper on Tuesday 22 and subsequently on the back page of Thisday newspaper of Friday 25th November,2022 as well as across multiple online media platforms.

    Perhaps,owing to the fact that a stereotype opinion had long been formed about the 45th President of the US following several years of unmitigated public relations faux pax on the part of Mr Trump who never bothers to correct some misrepresentation of facts about him,my presentation of the persona of the former president of the US which is inconsistent with the mindset already shaped and propagated by a session of the Western media about Mr Trump, generated a mixed bag of vile and vicious attacks as well as enlightening and encouraging comments.

    The anti Trump sentiments expressed against the article and my further comments are the subject of this follow up opinion piece.

    So basically,the purpose or raison detre for this further intervention is to shed more light on the areas of contention via the reproduction of the points of view of those that vehemently disagree with me on the need to engage with the 45th president of the US who is poised to be the 47th by contesting for the office next year when the incumbent president,Joe Biden’s first tenure would be over.

    As earlier stated,one particular critic made a case that l do not know Mr Trump well enough to warrant my trying to market him to blacks in the US and Africans on the continent,simply because they have already formed the opinion that Mr Trump is a racist and anti Africa.

    It is a notion that l had tried to,and l am still aiming at changing by throwing more light on my good intentions which is to create a rapport between the former US president Trump and black Americans in particular and Africans in general for future mutual benefits to Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

    In embarking on the mission,l am drawing on the conventional wisdom that the road to power is via diplomacy.That is why l have set for myself the task of working assiduously to mend the broken fence between the probable president of the US from next year via disabusing the minds of those who have literally declared him a persona-non-grata in Africa simply owing to the vile comment about Africa attributed to him.

    These gentlemen and perhaps ladies that read the original article in which l tried to correct some myths about Mr Trump’s comments on Africa and Africans by putting things in context,strongly disagree with my submissions.
    Their dissension was expressed in writing via the feedback platform of Thisday newspaper-Disqus.

    Is it not astonishing that none of the commentators contradicted the fact that former president Trump’s policies and programs (2016-2020) had positively impacted the lives of African Americans in the US and people from the continent of Africa?
    l had elaborated on the policies and programs implemented by Mr Trump in the article in question.

    But rather than dwell on the former president’s pro African American policies that have positively impacted the black race in the course of Mr Trump’s four (4) years tenure ,the aggrieved responders to my last article in which l was advocating for the shifting of the relationship between ex president Trump from winter to summer modes,were apparently too piqued by his alleged negative comment about Africa that they were only prepared to judge Mr Trump on that basis,while blocking their minds to whatever good outcomes that his policies might have engendered.

    What that suggests is that the critics are more interested in squaring up on the basis of bruised ego of Africans in light of the alleged demeaning comment about the continent by the 45th president of the US,than pursue the goal of befriending the likely president of the richest and most politically and economically strategic country in the world for the progress of Africa.

    In fact,my agenda for proposing a thawing of the frosty relationship between the 2024 presidential hopeful,Donald Trump and American blacks in particular as well as Africans in general is self evident,so it can not be overemphasized.

    Now,I am not unaware of the possibility that it may be a long shot for the former president to return to the White House next year in light of the political and legal battles currently staring the 45th US president in the face.

    But no other candidate except Mr Trump has thrown his hat into the ring for the presidency in 2024.And given his high capacity to surprise pundits as no one gave him any chance to win the presidency in 2016,Mr Trump in my estimation remains the front runner in the 2024 presidential race in the US.

    Thirteen (13) number of comments had been recorded on Thisday newspaper Disqus platform in response to my article as at the cut-off point of last Friday December 2,2023.

    Six (6) number of comments were one or two sentences or concurrence of previous comments which l would not respond to because they do not merit such attention.

    So l am sharing with readers seven (7)comments,some of which were copious and enlightening.

    And l have reproduced them below along with my additional comments with the expectation that they would help to further illuminate the points that l tried to convey in my piece which has elicited a good dose of criticisms and accolades.

    Off course the commentators did so anonymously,meaning that their true identifies are hidden.

    The most likely reason for allowing folks to make comments on Disqus platform under a smokescreen is because it allows the authors the boldness to bare their fangs in no holds bared manner.

    That way,since the proverbial ox that they may be gored would not know their identify,they would have no fear of consequences for their often mean comments.

    Usually,vulgar words are deployed.So l would like to forewarn or make readers aware of the graphic nature of the language employed by placing a sort of caveat emptor on the comments being reproduced.

    To maintain the originality,there is no editing of the comments and they are also reproduced in the order in which they were posted in Disqus platform.

    The first (1) commentator identifies his /herself as ‘fakindum’
    Below is his/her point of view:

    “This is a load of shit.A failed apologia for Donald Trump. This animal said to my hearing that he preferred immigrants from “Norway” to those from “shit hole countries”. Now this hired writer is slicing and dicing his statements to show he loves Africa. How can it be a (sic) honour to be loved by this regrettable human?”

    MY RESPONSE:
    The piece is not an apologia for Mr Trump as the angry man has alluded.It is aimed at enlightening Africans about former US president Trump and also bringing him up to date about Africa.
    As the saying goes: it is the light that the host brings to see the pilgrim in the dark that also enables the pilgrim see his host.
    In other words,shinning the light on ex president Donald Trump would enable the potential president of the US understand Africa and indeed Nigeria better and vice versa.

    I need not emphasis the infinite number of positive developments that could accrue to Nigeria if Mr Trump were to return to the White House in 2024 after gaining a better understanding of Nigeria and indeed Africa.

    Worryingly,going by his comment,this fellow appears to have met Mr Trump face-to-face and has an axe to grind with him.
    And the assumption above is derived from the choice of words used against him,which makes it obvious that the commentator is very bitter.

    Yes,Mr Trump stated that he would prefer immigrants from Norway to those from ‘shit hole countries’.
    But it is critical that we put into context the comparison between African and Norway,so that it can be better understood.

    The truth is that Mr Trump had just hosted the prime minister of Norway the previous day in the White House before senator Dick Durbin led a team to the White House to discuss a sort of amnesty for undocumented Africans already in the US.

    And his meeting with the Norwegian prime minister who he was very likely impressed by,might still have been fresh on his mind,hence he made the comparison which portrayed him in bad light because he should have controlled his emotions. But Mr Trump is like an open book and an unconventional president.

    Being a Freudian slip,the White House walked back the comment.
    That indicates to me that former president Trump might have been remorseful when he realized how offensive the utterance turned out to be.

    Arising from the above,suggesting that Africa should be bellicose after an apology had been tendered even though it was not made directly,is stretching the concept of self assertion too far.

    Rather than take a dog-in-the-manger posture,I would prefer to be guided by the wise counsel intrinsic in the book: Warrior Of Light by Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian novelist.
    “A Warrior of Light values a child’s eyes because they are able to look at the world without bitterness. When he wants to find out if the person beside him is worthy of his trust, he tries to see him as a child would”

    In any case ,which country in the world would welcome the rejects of other societies into their country as Mr Trump has categorized the illegal immigrants into the US?

    To buttress my point about the universality of xenophobia or racism,l referenced how Ghana and Nigeria that are supposed to be Sister countries have been expelling and counter expelling each other’s nationals since the mid 1960s on multiple occasions depending on the economic fortunes or misfortunes of both countries.

    With respect to the other allegation against me by the commentator “Now this hired writer is slicing and dicing his statements to show he loves Africa.”, it needs to be emphasized that the article in question “ The Donald Trump Africans Do Not Know”was written in the collective interest of Africa and Africans.

    And it is a pity that fellow Nigerians find it impossible to believe that some people can do things altruistically.

    The underlying reason for the negative mindset of most Nigerians on corruption may be because graft has become such a major issue in our society. In fact it has become so suffused with brazen acts of graft by leaders in public offices from the top of the ladder to the followers at the bottom of the rung,to the extent that the long suffering masses have had no option than to become obsessed with the suspicion that every action or motive by anyone must be dubious.

    Which is why I would like to remind the angry fellow that decided to assail my integrity and personality,that in the nearly thirty years that I have engaged in writing and publishing in the mass media critical analysis of policies of government and the society at large,the public officers and private sector practitioners that l have focused on,ranging from president Olusegun Obasanjo ,Umar Yar’dua of blessed memory,Goodluck Jonathan to Mohammadu Buhari,former senate president Bukola Saraki to my former boss and brother,James lbori,ex governor of Delta state;l have never solicited or received gratifications from anyone of them.

    The same applies to Godwin Emefiele Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN governor, Aliko Dangote,the richest man in Africa,Jim Ovia who is the founder of Zenithbank group and Mike Adenuga ,founder of GLO telecoms as well as Tony Elumelu,chairman of Heirs holdings and founder of UBA.

    And I have at some point or the other,had the privilege of writing personality profiles about the aforementioned eminent personalities which are featured in my soon to be released book: Leading From The Stteets.Media Interventions By A Public Intellectual (1999-2019) which is a compendium of seventy seven (77) of my published articles since the return of multi party democracy in Nigeria,plus afterwords on the topics discussed in each of the seven (7)chapters of the book written by renown authorities on the issues covered in the respective chapters.

    And none of identified Very Important Personalities,VIPs has offered me gratification,neither have l solicited such from them.

    It needs being emphasized that my interest in trying to mend the broken fence between former president Trump of the US and Africa is a patriotic gesture aimed at serving the best interest of all.

    As the saying goes: it is the same light that is shined to see a stranger that also enables he/she see his host.
    In other words,shinning the light on Donald Trump would enable the potential president of the US understand Nigeria and Africa better and vice versa.

    It is needless emphasizing the infinite number of positive developments that could accrue to Nigeria and indeed Africa if Mr Trump were to return to the White House in 2024.

    The optimism for the good fortune alluded to above is reflected by the ground breaking achievements in boosting the relationship between the Jews and Arabs in the Middle East via assistance from his son-Inlaw (husband to Ivanka)Jared Kushner,during Mr Trump’s tenure as president in the white house.And I laid it all out in the original piece which l urge interested readers to read or conduct more research on the subject online.

    The veritable accomplishments in the Israeli /Arab relationship in the Middle East are verifiable pointers to the warm relationship that the US could have with Africa and indeed Nigeria in the event that Mr Trump becomes the 47th president.

    The second (2)commentator who identifies himself as ‘American Abroad’ made the following comment:
    “In all fairness, original first-person reports from the Oval Office meeting, as first revealed by Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, was that President Donald Trump remarked, in reference to African immigrants, “Those shitholes send us the people that they don’t want.”

    He absolved Mr Trump by admitting that “He apparently did not specifically mention country, countries or continent. That precise quotation had been fact-checked contemporaneously several times in the past. To otherwise deny the obvious, or attempt to sugarcoat Mr Trump’s extensive history of racial instigation and crass misogyny is disingenuous.

    Furthermore, if you begin a serious intervention with an easily disprovable falsehood, it makes it extraordinarily difficult to give any credence to the rest of your homily, regardless of its underlying merits.”
    Thereafter he gave a caution note : “Journalist, kindly respect the intelligence of your readers- and your own claim to dignity, if not veracity.”
    MY RESPONSE:
    Clearly,this commentator did his homework.So he is not glib because he took time to ferret out the true and correct statement made by Mr Trump which has been misrepresented as: “Africa is a shithole country “.
    But he misunderstood me by assuming that l was making a case that Trump did not make a disparaging comment about Africa.That is far from the truth. I simply contextualized what Mr Trump said while also emphasizing that he was misquoted.

    Thankfully he acknowledged that there are merits in the case that l tried to make in the piece,but he was disdainful in his
    presumption that l was denying that Mr Trump made a disparaging comment about Blacks and Africans.
    ‘American Abroad’ if you are reading this, thank you for digging up the truth.
    We are both on the same page,but the only exception is that l disagree with you that Mr Trump should be crucified for being an unusual politician.We need to build bridges as opposed to burning them.

    The third(3) commentator goes by the name ‘Oparafo Ugakwu’ who wrote the following:
    “This level of low self esteem is stunning.It would be easier for Mr. Onyibe to lift the Olympus than to convince this forum that Donald Trump is not who he is. With this type of mentality from the so called Nigerian intelligentsia, the nation will continue to be ridiculed in the international community. Given his background,Mr. Onyibe could easily be made the Nation’s External Affairs Minister or an Ambassador, positions that would be readily exploited by demagogues and racists in power like Trump. Is there a better way to feed the beast?”
    MY RESPONSE:
    Again this a case of a victim of closed mind or mentality that is not willing or ready to see things beyond the jaundiced view that he has received.

    That is unlike the previous commentator ‘American Abroad’ who made the effort to look beyond the surface by digging up the correct comment made by former president Trump in the White House to a particular audience.

    What l have done is what a foreign affairs minister or ambassador does to build healthy and beneficial relationship between his country and strategic partners.The fact is that l seized an opportunity of meeting with the 45th president of the US planning to be the 47th by next year to see if l could build a bridge of friendship between him and my country and continent which he apparently knows pretty little about.

    What ‘Oparaku Ogakwu’ may not be aware of,is a principle called strategic engagement in international relations or diplomacy.It is less about bluster or self bloated image and fragile egos.

    But more about recognizing a challenge or opportunity and continuously engaging with the other party so that one can be abreast of the developments on their side with a view to taking proactive measures to forestall or embrace actions that could further jeopardize or strengthen existing relationships,as the case may be.

    Imagine the US not remaining engaged with North Korea or lran because of the so called “high self esteem’ of former president Trump or current president Joe Biden.
    It is a no brainer to figure out that the world would be under more serious threats of a nuclear Armageddon.

    The truth is that l have identified a window of opportunity for Africa to warm up to the potential next president of the US, Mr Trump and l am exploring it by trying to smoothen the current fractured relationship that some Africans have with him through illumination of the differences causing the friction and correcting the wrong impressions.

    The fourth (4) commentator who identifies as ‘Kawhi’ had the following to say:
    “Wow Magnus, you’re obviously star-struck! The arrogant presumption that you know someone after a casual encounter at your friend’s daughter’s wedding is mind-boggling and I think the title of your article should be ‘The Donald Trump that Magnus Onyibe Don’t Know’. That you needed most of the article to weave a narrative of Donald Trump’s mindset and supposed thoughts,based only on a casual comment that Nigeria has a lot of oil (which an average fool in the world knows), is a pointer to your own inclination. In describing him as a business titan, you even capitalized the letter T in the word titan!”
    He continued:
    “To know the Trump that most Americans know (after all they are his primary constituents), go read the submissions of his closest associates including his personal lawyers and those who served in the highest levels in his administration, and his family members.
    Perhaps no better words have been used to describe Trump’s extraordinary moral and character failings than those by his longest serving Chief of Staff,General John Kelly after the events of January 6, 2021 (the definitive and most consequential event of his presidency, which you did not even bother to mention);”

    And concluded with the admonition or wise counsel which l agree with:
    “We need to look infinitely harder at who we elect to any office in our land. At the office seeker’s character, at their morals, at their ethical record, their integrity, their honesty, their flaws,what they have said about women and minorities, why they are asking office in the first place, and only then consider the policies they espouse.”
    My RESPONSE:
    As readers might have noticed,he is the ‘copyright owner’ of the title of this article-“The Donald Trump That Magnus Onyibe Doesn’t Know”
    Obviously,he wants me to only see things from the prism of Trump,s enemies or traducers that he listed (sour grapes) and neglect the perspectives of the over 74,222,958 Americans who believe in his politics and voted for him in the 2020 presidential election which amounts to 46.8% of the votes cast compared to the 81,283,098 vote or 51.3% cast for the winner,president Joe Biden.

    He took umbrage at what he termed my casual meeting with Mr Trump and tried to savage me for assuming that such a casual encounter qualifies me to claim that l know him.

    Is Ogakwu aware that sometimes it takes only a game of golf between a job seeker and a potential employer for 
a top CEO to get hired ?

    In fact,most ministers in Nigeria are hardly previously known to the president and ditto for governors and their appointees as commissioners.

    It might also interest the fellow who identifies as Ogakwu to know that I first met President Trump at his golf course in West Palm Beach,and the second time at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida during which l had significant conversations with him.

    Ogakwu also stated that l was star-struck.
    Who would not be ?
    I have never met,wined and dinned with any president of the US,how much more a very charismatic and consequential one like Mr Trump. Before him,I had only attended an event where former president Bill Clinton was the keynote speaker and l didn’t have the privilege of having a conversation with him.

    After all when our president Buhari met then President Trump in the White House when he was on a state visit during which he sealed the contract for the supply of super Tucano jets in 2018,he is not on record to have wined and dinned with him.
    So why would l pretend that doing so with former president Trump did not excite me?

    ‘Bolovi’ is the name by which the fifth (5)commentator identifies himself.
    Below is what he wrote:
    “Thank you Mr. Onyibe. I was born in Nigeria and now a US citizen. President Trump did more for blacks than the first black President.The media went after him because they could not control him. The media made-up negative stories on him, and simple-minded, low information and emotional people believed it.”
    MY RESPONSE:
    Thank you too’Bolovi’ for your unbiased assessment.

    The reality that we must all come to terms with is the fact that Mr Trump is a non traditional politician and some Americans are still trying to wrap their heads around his unique way of playing politics.

    Evidently,his brand of politics is supported by at least 46.3 percent of US voters who elected Mr Trump as their president in 2016.

    And apparently,Mr Trump does not really care much about public opinion and that reality is a validation of the belief that he is an unconventional politician.

    Take for instance ,his recent invitation to lunch in his Mar-La-Go resort,the artist formerly known Kanye West now simply Ye who is an antisemite and Nick Fuentes a widely known antisemite and holocaust denier. That action basically validates the fact that Mr Trump is a none conformist.

    Also,it would seem as if Mr Trump courts controversy. And if experience teaches us anything,that approach to politics works for him because all these hooplas may not count against him on the day elections.

    The sixth (6)commentator that goes by the name:’Mystic mallam’ wrote the following:
    “Mr. Magnus Onyibe,what’s your point – are you trying to persuade us that Trump loves Africa and Africans, that he’s not a rabid and bigoted racist? If that’s your objective, you have failed woefully, why? You have no idea whom Trump is, or what he represents to America’s Alt-right. Is hero-worship what they taught you at the Fletcher School you never stop touting as suffix to your name?”
    MY RESPONSE:
    I am not making a case that Mr Trump loves Africans.Rather my objective is to bridge the gap between Trump and African/blacks in the US through dialogue that could engender a more cordial relationship for mutual benefits.

    The justification for my intervention has been made in my earlier responses.
    Nevertheless,as we all know,racism against blacks in the US and neo colonialism against Africans did not start with Trump.It commenced with the enslavement of Africans by the Europeans and indeed the Western world over 400 years ago.

    As a way of healing the wounds of the past,some states and cities,in the US have started to pay reparations to black Americans.

    That indicates that racism is not a Trump creation,but he prefers to deal with it frontally than the old ways of pretending in Washington,DC to love Africans by traditional political actors via tokenism in the public,while working against blacks during closed door policy meetings.
    lt is an attitude that Trump does not subscribe to hence he expressed his views about illegal African immigrants publicly.

    The commentator also went low and cheeky by writing :”is hero worship what they taught you in Fletcher school that you never stop touting as suffix to your name”

    Well,I am a proud alumnus of Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy which is my alma mater.

    Instead of being offended by the snide comment,l would like to enlighten my traducer that Fletcher is also the alma mater of former foreign affairs minister of Nigeria,Professor Bolaji Akinyemi who attended the school for his masters degree in 1966 before heading to the university of Oxford,United Kingdom,Uk for his PhD degree.
    And the erudite professor never seizes to identify with his Fletcher pedigree in his public appearances.

    And my good friends,Dr Rueben Abati ,Thisday newspaper columnist and AriseTv anchorman,as well as Mr Segun Adeniyi,Editorial board chairman of Thisday newspaper who is also a columnist,also identify themselves in similar fashion.

    As a matter of fact,Dr Abati takes exception to being addressed without prefixing his name as an academic doctor and Adeniyi clearly states his role as chairman of Thisday newspaper editorial board under his name.
    Same also applies to Dr Mike Ozekhome,who also writes a column for LAWYER,a Thisday newspaper weekly pull out with all his academic titles in array.

    So it is a matter of style or branding if you like.

    Is it not curious that the commentator who scoffed at me for using the suffix of my alma mater in my media Interventions did not express reservations about the fact that l also include that l was a cabinet member of delta state government (2003-2007) and that l am an entrepreneur.?
    Apparently’Mystic Mallam’ is ready to live with that.

    As for ‘Reem Haak’ who is the seventh (7)commentator, his view is:
    “Donald Trump hates the way the Democrats patronise Africans and black people generally.What is the point of selecting a few blacks into Democrat’s government to convey the impression that Biden loves black people.Other African Americans keep insisting they are still largely marginalized. “
    He emphasized that “Joe Biden’s understading of how to help the Africans is to allow them invade America.Biden believes in the system of exploitation of Africa and indeed Nigeria ,just because some Nigerians live and work in America.”
    Raheem Haak argued further that
    “ IT is only Donald Trump who has campaigned favourably for Africans and Nigerians developing their own countries just like Americans are doing to their own country.
    Continuing,he made the point that “Joe Biden believes that America will carry the responsibilities of Nigeria through aid. Democrats release financial aid to Nigeria and it strengthens America’s right to dictate to Nigeria politically. “
    His opinion is that: “So far, it is only the Republicans who have admitted that aid to Africa has been disastrous.This was the admission of George Bush after Africans complained that aid is always stolen by the officials.The Democrats and Joe Biden don’t even entertain such thoughts let alone act accordingly.
    They believe Africans and Nigerians cannot think for themselves.”

    In Raheem Haak’s conclusion “Donald Trump does not believe in the politics of patron-client relationship which has undermined the development of Nigeria till date.”
    He then advocated that “The way out for Nigerians is to encourage politicians like Donald Trump who hate looters to become president. That is the only way Nigeria can be free from this needless crushing poverty devastating millions in Nigeria.”

    I could not have put it better in an environment where a lot of us are not keen on thinking out of the box,but prefer to internalize and even swear by information that we did not check the motive of the purveyor to see if it had been tainted to suit an ulterior motive which may not be in the best interest of our country.

    Obviously,most of the commentators views are shaped by what they have been seeing and hearing on CNN.

    May l suggest that they should also spare some time to watch Fox News,the preferred television station of Republicans to see the other points of view to form a balanced opinion of Mr Trump?

    I am not unmindful of the fact that the approach that l took for this follow up piece is unorthodox.But just as columnists sometimes adopt drama or satire style of writing when commenting on sensitive issues,the style that l have adopted is akin to democratization of free speech.

    It is a Question and Answer format which l am hoping would help expand the sphere of knowledge of readers in order to enable them have broader,as opposed to pigeon hole perspectives of the important national and international issue of forging stronger relationships with the US which is usually accomplished mainly when they have located a military base in a country of strategic interest to them.

     

    Magnus Onyibe,an entrepreneur,public policy analyst,author,development strategist,alumnus of Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy,Tufts University, Massachusetts,USA and a former commissioner in Delta state government, sent this piece from lagos.
    To continue with this conversation,pls visit www.magnum.ng

  • U.S. seeks to win over Africa as China records $254 billion trade in 2021

    U.S. seeks to win over Africa as China records $254 billion trade in 2021

    President Joe Biden will host the second United States-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC next week to reinforce the US-Africa commitment to democracy; mitigate the impact of Covid, respond to the climate crisis and amplify diaspora ties.

    Some 50 African leaders are expected to attend the two-day conference, which starts on December 13.

    Senior policymakers say talks will focus on economic engagement, human rights, food security and climate, with an emphasis on partnerships that demonstrate an intention to go beyond strategic geo-political interest.

    The White House will also seek to offer reassurance to African governments concerned by a perceived decline in relations with the US.

    A former under-secretary at the US Department of Commerce Gilbert Kaplan, said the key objective of this conference “should really be to enhance trust between African leaders and the United States”.

    “Africa is faced with some of the biggest governance challenges on the globe,” President of the Cameroon People’s Party and the first woman in the nation’s history to run as a presidential candidate in 2011 Kah Walla said.

    “We need government that is functional, competent and innovative, and what we are getting instead is the US and a global international system that is supporting autocratic and dysfunctional governments. We can’t continue in this way,” she added.

    Africa’s 54 nation states span six time zones and the continent’s population of 1.4 billion is on course to make up a quarter of the global population by 2050.

    It boasts the youngest demographic in the world, a potentially huge labour resource for private sector investors seeking to expand in manufacturing and processing

    But despite the continent’s tremendous economic potential, the US has lost substantial ground to traditional and emerging partners, especially China which surpassed the US as Africa’s largest trade partner in 2009, with total bilateral trade reaching more than $254 billion in 2021, a 35 per cent rise on 2020.

    A member of the World Economic Forum’s Regional Action Group for Africa Landry Signé, told a Senate subcommittee on Africa last year that while recent trends indicate that the US engagement with the region has cooled down, “it has not and should not cede its relationship with the region to other powers”.

    The first United States-Africa Leaders Summit was held by President Barack Obama in 2014.

  • Viral photograph of Tinubu with U.S. President stirs reaction

    Viral photograph of Tinubu with U.S. President stirs reaction

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has said that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate is currently in Abuja not in the United States as speculated.

    Mr Bayo Onanuga, APC PCC Director of Media and Publicity said this after a photo of Tinubu surfaced on the Internet, showing the former Lagos State Governor sitting right beside U.S. President Joe Biden.

    In a statement, Mr Onanuga described the picture making the rounds that Tinubu was in the U.S. with President Biden as fake, saying it should be disregarded while pointing fingers at supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

    Onanuga said although America was listed among Tinubu’s destinations, according to an unofficial report that was widely shared, he could confirm that the APC presidential candidate was in Abuja all through Tuesday.

    He added that Tinubu was in Abuja on Monday as well, and had no need to surreptitiously leave Nigeria as some other presidential candidates did.

    He said the APC presidential candidate would be travelling to Bayelsa for a rally on Thursday, according to the party’s campaign programme.

    The statement reads: “A viral photograph showing Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and U.S. President Joe Biden in talks at the White House is the latest in the series of misinformation being dished out by the political opposition.

    “We cannot just fathom the purpose of the mischief and the falsehood, which emanated from the rabid followers of Peter Obi.

    “The apparently photo-shopped image surfaced Tuesday night, on the heels of news that Asiwaju will embark on a foreign trip this weekend.

    “Although America was listed among his destinations, according to an unofficial report that was widely shared, we can confirm that the APC presidential candidate was in Abuja all through Tuesday.

    “He was in Abuja on Monday as well, and has no need to surreptitiously leave Nigeria, like some candidates do.

    “Tinubu will be travelling to Bayelsa for a rally on Thursday, according to the party’s campaign programme.

    “He is not scheduled to travel outside the country until the weekend for speaking engagements. His first port of call will be Chatham House in London, where he will speak on his Action Plan for Nigeria”.

  • U.S. Supreme Court to hear argument on Biden immigration enforcement policy

    U.S. Supreme Court to hear argument on Biden immigration enforcement policy

    The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday is set to consider whether President Joe Biden’s administration can implement guidelines challenged by two conservative-leaning states of shifting immigration enforcement toward public safety threats.

    This the court said in a case testing executive branch power to set enforcement priorities.

    The justices will hear the administration’s bid to overturn a judge’s ruling in favor of Texas and Louisiana that vacated U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidelines narrowing the scope of those who can be targeted by immigration agents for arrest and deportation.

    The Democratic president’s policy departed from the hard line approach of his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump, who sought to broaden the range of immigrants subject to arrest and removal.

    Biden campaigned on a more humane approach to immigration but has been faced with large numbers of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

    The guidelines, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in September 2021, prioritised apprehending and deporting non-U.S. citizens who pose a threat to national security, public safety or border security.

    In a memo, Mayorkas called the guidelines necessary because his department lacks the resources to apprehend and seek the removal of every one of the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally.

    Mayorkas cited the longstanding practice of government officials exercising discretion to decide who should be subject to deportation and said that a majority of immigrants subject to deportation “have been contributing members of our communities for years.’’

    Biden’s administration, saying fewer detentions and deportations have encouraged more illegal border crossings.

    The top Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, earlier called on Mayorkas to step down and said the House may try to impeach him when Republicans formally take control of the chamber in January.

    Republican state attorneys general in Texas and Louisiana sued to block the guidelines after Republican-led legal challenges successfully thwarted other Biden administration attempts to ease enforcement.

    Their lawsuit, filed in Texas, argued that the guidelines ran counter to provisions in immigration laws that makes it mandatory to detain non-U.S. citizens who have been convicted of certain crimes or have final orders of removal.

    U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton, a Trump appointee, ruled in favor of the challengers, finding that while immigration agents could on a case-by-case basis act with discretion the administration’s guidelines were a generalised policy that contravened the detention mandate set out by Congress.

    “Whatever the outer limits of its authority, the executive branch does not have the authority to change the law,’’ Tipton wrote.

    After the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in July declined to put that ruling on hold, Biden’s administration turned to the Supreme Court.

    The justices on a 5-4 vote declined to stay Tipton’s ruling, with conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett joining liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson in dissent. The justices did not provide reasons for their disagreement.

    Biden’s administration has told the Supreme Court that Texas and Louisiana lack the proper legal standing to challenge the guidelines because the states had not suffered any direct harm as a result of the policy.

    The states countered that they would be harmed by having to spend more money on law enforcement and social services as a result of an increase in non-U.S. citizens present within their borders due to the guidelines.

    The administration also told the justices that the guidelines do not violate federal immigration law and that the mandatory language of those statutes does not supersede the longstanding principle of law enforcement discretion.

    A decision is expected by the end of June.

  • Wanted: A “President Kennedy” To Avert The Looming Nuclear Armageddon – By Dennis Onakinor

    Wanted: A “President Kennedy” To Avert The Looming Nuclear Armageddon – By Dennis Onakinor

    Summary

    Dennis Onakinor takes a retrospective look at President John F. Kennedy’s diplomatic resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 as he laments the ongoing carnage in Ukraine, which could escalate to a nuclear war amidst President Putin’s unceasing threats to resort to nuclear weapons in the event of an existential threat being posed to Russia by Ukraine’s long-range conventional weapons supplied by its US-led NATO partners. He urges the warring parties to emulate President Kennedy’s example, in order to prevent hostilities from escalating to a global nuclear war.

    Full Article

    Powerlessness tends to frustrate, and absolute powerlessness frustrates absolutely. Unfortunately, a situation of absolute powerlessness is apparently enveloping the helpless masses of the world, as President Vladimir Putin threatens a global nuclear “catastrophe” should America and its NATO allies continue to militarily support Ukraine in its bid to repel his invasion forces and reverse Russia’s brazen annexation of its four territorial regions – a threat the US’ President Joe Biden says is capable of ending with “Armageddon.”

    While people of goodwill across the globe continue to hope and pray for reason to prevail on the part of the nuclear sabre-rattling Russian leader, the honorable pacifism of America’s President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who selflessly prevented the occurrence of a global nuclear showdown between the US and the Soviet Union in October 1962, comes to mind. In course of that Cuban Missile Crisis, which saw the world tethering on the brink of a nuclear disaster, President Kennedy’s inimitable statesmanship effectively saved mankind from self-annihilation.

    On that occasion, trouble began on October 16, 1962, when US Intelligence sources briefed President Kennedy that the Soviet Union was deploying intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Cuba, a Communist island state located barely 93 miles (150 km) from the US coast of Florida. Alarmed by the discovery, Kennedy confronted his Soviet counterpart, Chairman Nikita Khrushchev, who refused to own up, prompting the US president to set up a crisis committee known as “The Executive Committee of the National Security Council” or “Ex-Comm” to deal with the situation.

    As documented by Robert Kennedy (President Kennedy’s sibling and then-US’ Attorney General) in his 1969 posthumous publication titled “Thirteen Days: A Memoir of The Cuban Missile Crisis,” the nuclear crisis saw the fate of mankind hanging in the balance. Guided by the singular objective of eliminating the nuclear missiles from Cuba without a military confrontation with the Soviet Union, President Kennedy rejected the Ex-Comm’s recommendation of a military solution to the crisis – massive air strikes on the missile bases. Instead, he opted for a comprehensive naval blockade of Cuba, designed to pressurize Chairman Khrushchev into yielding to his unequivocal demand that the nuclear missiles be dismantled and evacuated from the island state.

    As the story goes, President Kennedy had shrewdly calculated that Khrushchev did not also want a military confrontation with the US over the nuclear missiles, but he realized that such a confrontation could occur for reasons of pride or miscalculation on either side. Therefore, he insisted that the Soviet leader must not “lose face” or incur “humiliation” by removing the nuclear missiles from Cuba. According to him: “We don’t want to push him (Khrushchev) to a precipitous action … I don’t want to put him in a corner from which he cannot escape.” In this wise, he instructed the Ex-Comm members and other government officials to refrain from making utterances that tended towards claims of a US’ victory.

    President Kennedy’s resolve to avert a military confrontation at all costs was severely tested, to the extent that even when a US’ U-2 reconnaissance flight crashed over Cuban airspace on October 27, 1962, resulting in the death of the pilot – Major Rudolf Anderson Jr., he refused to order reprisals, maintaining that the crash could have been “accidental.” To say the least, every of his move was a calculated risk, and every risk a calculated move. Little wonder the missile crisis ended on a mutually beneficial note on October 28, 1962, with the Soviet Union removing the nuclear missiles from Cuba under UN supervision, while the US equally agreed to dismantle its own nuclear bases in Turkey, which the Soviets had complained about.

    Paramount in President Kennedy’s resolve for a diplomatic resolution to the Cuban Missile Crisis was his consideration for the massive human lives, especially that of children, which would have been lost in the event of a nuclear war. As detailed by Robert Kennedy in his aforesaid publication, “The thought that disturbed him the most, and that made the prospect of war much more fearful than it would otherwise have been, was the specter of the death of the children of this country and all the world – the young people who had no role, who had no say, who knew nothing even of the confrontation, but whose lives would be snuffed out like everyone else’s … It was this that troubled him most, that gave him such pain.”

    Unfortunately, such pacifist thoughts have failed to find their way into the hearts of the belligerents of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has so far witnessed the death of thousands of innocent children and women amongst other casualties. With mass-graves and senseless slaughter of both civilians and combatants becoming regular features of the war, there arises an overwhelming need for the belligerents and their supporters to emulate President Kennedy’s concern for human lives and bring hostilities to an end as soon as possible.

    Some critics maintain that President Kennedy’s pacifism in course of the Cuban Missile Crisis was informed by his April 1961 “Bay of Pigs” debacle, which saw the humiliation of US-backed Cuban exiles, who had sought to topple Fidel Castro’s communist regime in a military invasion. Be that as it may, it should be noted that he had inadvertently inherited the invasion plan from his predecessor, President Dwight Eisenhower, although he might have actually learnt some vital lessons from its disastrous outcome.

    According to Robert Kennedy, during the thirteen-day Cuban Missile Crisis, President Kennedy’s thoughts went beyond the fear of the outbreak of a nuclear war with the Soviet Union to the undesirability of war as a destructive social phenomenon. He complained that “The politicians and officials sit at home pontificating about great principles and issues, make the decisions, and dine with their wives and families, while the brave and young die.” Specifically, he lamented the loss of Major Rudolf Anderson in the U-2 reconnaissance flight crash.

    A decorated 2nd World War Navy Reserve hero, President Kennedy decried his military advisers’ propensity for armed solution to every issue that arose during the missile crisis, without taking into consideration the implications, while naively assuming that war was in US’ interest. To him, their inability to look beyond the “limited military field” is a pointer to the importance of civilian direction and control of the military, and the importance of raising probing questions to military recommendations.

    From a historical perspective, President Kennedy’s pacifism echoes that of the US Civil War Hero, General Tecumseh Sherman – the originator of the dictum “War is hell.” At the end of the civil war in May 1865, General Sherman reportedly wrote in a personal letter: “I confess, without shame, I am sick and tired of fighting – its glory is all moonshine; even success the most-brilliant is over dead and mangled bodies, with the anguish and lamentations of distant families … it is only those who have never heard a shot, never heard the shriek and groans of the wounded and lacerated, that cry aloud for more blood, more vengeance, more desolation”

    Also, in 1879, General Sherman admonished the graduating students of the Michigan Military Academy, thus: “It’s entirely natural that there should beat in the breast of every one of you a hope and desire that someday you can use the skill you have acquired here. Suppress it! You don’t know the horrible aspects of war. I’ve been through two wars, and I know. I’ve seen cities and homes in ashes. I’ve seen thousands of men lying on the ground, their dead faces looking up at the skies. I tell you, war is hell!”

    Perhaps, had the warring parties in Ukraine been acquainted with the pacifism of President Kennedy and General Sherman, the ongoing carnage might have been averted. Certainly, President Putin had a genuine case in his demand for “Security Guarantees” against NATO’s eastward expansionism vis-à-vis Russia. But to have opted for military action in place of a negotiated solution to the crisis smacks of international geopolitical gangsterism. But, with benefit of hindsight, it is obvious that there wasn’t sufficient will on the part of Ukraine and its US-led NATO allies to avert the ongoing war, even though Putin’s belligerency may have suggested that he had decided, irrevocably, to resolve the lingering Russo-Ukraine crisis by military might.

    Nevertheless, as the war rages and casualties mount, there is an overriding need for the global community to re-dedicate itself to finding a lasting solution, even though Russia has compounded future mediation efforts by its September 2022 annexation of the four Ukrainian regions of Donesk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye. Even so, there is still some cause for optimism in a mediated solution following a series of prisoner exchanges, and the July 2022 Grain Shipment Agreement.

    Therefore, it is high time global statesmen with sincerity of purpose stepped up to mediate a peaceful end to the war. Such statesmen must consciously refrain from playing to the gallery in their mediation efforts. They must also ignore the provocative utterances of politicians, especially those of the extreme right wing of the US’ Republican party, who have unscrupulously assumed the role of Russian propagandists as they spew pro-Russian misinformation, which would have earned them long jail terms had they been Russian citizens engaging in such self-abnegation within their Motherland.

    Also, the mediating statesmen must be cognizant of the negative influence of the global military-industrial complex, whose agents have been unscrupulously extolling the destructive qualities of their new technological weapons, such as the “Javelin” missile, the “High Mobility Artillery Rocket System” (HIMARS), the “Kinzhal” hypersonic missile, etc. Once again, they are demonstrating their ubiquitous role in the protraction of global conflicts through arms sales.

    More than anything else, the mediators must ensure that the war ends on a mutually satisfactory note as far as all the parties to the conflict are concerned. There must be no attempt to impose crushing or humiliating peace terms on any party, especially Russia, which is generally viewed as the aggressor in the war. Particularly, President Putin’s unceasing nuclear threats should be viewed from this perspective.

    As President Kennedy said in a speech at the graduation ceremony of the American University in Washington DC, on June 10, 1963, “Above all, while defending our own vital interests, nuclear powers must avert those confrontations which bring an adversary to the choice of either a humiliating retreat or a nuclear war.” To adopt that kind of course in the nuclear age would be evidence only of the bankruptcy of our policy, or of a collective death-wish for the world.”

    Dennis Onakinor, a global affairs analyst, has written about a half-dozen articles on the Russo-Ukraine Crisis. He can be reached via e-mail at dennisonakinor@yahoo.com.

  • U.S. to “re-evaluate” relationship with Saudi Arabia over financial support for Russia- Biden

    U.S. to “re-evaluate” relationship with Saudi Arabia over financial support for Russia- Biden

    United States President, Joe Biden, Tuesday, revealed that America needs to “re-evaluate” its relationship with Saudi Arabia, especially in light of the decision by the OPEC+ oil cartel to cut production following the latter’s financial support for Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

    According to the White House: “I think the president’s been very clear that this is a relationship that we need to continue to re-evaluate, that we need to be willing to revisit,” White House spokesman John Kirby said in an interview with CNN. “And certainly in light of the OPEC decision, I think that’s where he is.”

    Sen. Bob Menendez, the New Jersey Democrat who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Monday called on the U.S. to “immediately freeze all aspects of our cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including any arms sales and security cooperation beyond what is absolutely necessary to defend U.S. personnel and interests.”

    Menendez cited Saudi Arabia’s financial support for Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

    His get-tough-on-Saudi-Arabia stance seems to be gaining traction with other Senate Democrats as the administration eyes conversations with Congress about the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia.

    On Tuesday, during a brief meeting meant to tee-up consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act next month, Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, told reporters that he is “very supportive of Menendez” and his efforts to end arm sales and security cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

    “I think we should look carefully at everything we’re sending them,” Reed said. “Because their inability to cooperate with the West and their willingness to cooperate with Russia is very disturbing.”

    Last week, Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on the Senate to pass a bill that would allow the Justice Department to sue oil cartel members for antitrust violations, including, he said, “price fixing by OPEC” and its partners.

    Sen. Angus King, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, said he agrees with proposals to cease sending arms to Saudi Arabia.

    “Why should we? If they don’t have any ore concern for international security and stability of the world economy, why should we be helping them?” King said.

    Biden would be willing to start conversations with Congress “right away,” Kirby said.

    The move by OPEC+ could send oil prices higher, which in turn, could raise prices at the gas pump in the United States. Higher gas prices could hurt Biden and Democrats politically heading into this fall’s midterm elections.

    Biden traveled to Saudi Arabia in June to, in part, push the kingdom’s leaders to increase production.

    After OPEC+ announced the production cut last week, Biden’s top economic adviser, Brian Deese, told reporters the White House would “be assessing and consulting closely with Congress around a range of issues on the back end of this.”

    Deese, the director of the White House National Economic Council, declined to say whether the Biden administration thought the U.S. should continue to provide weapons and other military assistance to Saudi Arabia if the Gulf nation was not willing to keep the price of gas in the U.S. lower.

  • Biden to address UN on 2nd day of General Assembly

    Biden to address UN on 2nd day of General Assembly

    U.S President, Joe Biden is due to address the 77th General Debate of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

    In a break with tradition, Biden’s appearance came on the second day of the high-level annual diplomatic event instead of the first, the delay was due to Biden’s attendance of Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in London on Monday.

    Other high-profile world leaders due to address the 193-member assembly on Wednesday include Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and British Prime Minister Liz Truss.

    Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky is also due to give a speech on Wednesday, though he would  be speaking by video, after a motion allowing him to address the body remotely due to the war in Ukraine was approved by UN member states.

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had overshadowed this year’s speeches so far as well as topping the agenda of many meetings on the event’s sidelines.

    UN Secretary General, António Guterres and Brazilian, President Jair Bolsonaro were among those who gave speeches to the General Assembly on Tuesday.

    Over 140 heads of state and government were expected to have attended the week-long event by the time it ended on Monday.

    Russian President, Vladimir Putin is not attending, however but had sent Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to represent Moscow instead.

  • Biden, UN chief, world leaders condole with UK over Queen’s death

    Biden, UN chief, world leaders condole with UK over Queen’s death

    World leaders, including the President of the United States of America (USA), have condoled the government and people of the United Kingdom (UK), and the Commonwealth over the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral Castle on Thursday after her doctors first expressed concerns over the state of her health and placed her on medical supervision.

    In a statement jointly signed, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden stated that “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch” and that “She defined an era”.

    President Biden and the First Lady went further to describe Queen Elizabeth II as a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who they said deepened the bedrock alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States.

    The statement reads in full: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era. In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her. An enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth II united people across the Commonwealth. The seven decades of her history making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity.

    “She was the first British monarch to whom people all around the world could feel a personal and immediate connection-whether they heard her on the radio as a young princess speaking to the children of the United Kingdom, or gathered around their televisions for her coronation, or watched her final Christmas speech or her Platinum Jubilee on their phones. And she, in turn, dedicated her whole life to their service.

    “Supported by her beloved Prince Philip for 73 years, Queen Elizabeth II led always with grace, an unwavering commitment to duty, and the incomparable power of her example. She endured the dangers and deprivations of a world war alongside the British people and rallied them during the devastation of a global pandemic to look to better days ahead. Through her dedication to her patronages and charities, she supported causes that uplifted people and expanded opportunity. By showing friendship and respect to newly independent nations around the world, she elevated the cause of liberty and fostered enduring bonds that helped strengthen the Commonwealth, which she loved so deeply, into a community to promote peace and shared values.

    “Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States. She helped make our relationship special.

    “We first met the Queen in 1982, traveling to the UK as part of a Senate delegation. And we were honored that she extended her hospitality to us in June 2021 during our first overseas trip as President and First Lady, where she charmed us with her wit, moved us with her kindness, and generously shared with us her wisdom. All told, she met 14 American presidents. She helped Americans commemorate both the anniversary of the founding of Jamestown and the bicentennial of our independence. And she stood in solidarity with the United States during our darkest days after 9/11, when she poignantly reminded us that “Grief is the price we pay for love.”

    “In the years ahead, we look forward to continuing a close friendship with The King and The Queen Consort. Today, the thoughts and prayers of people all across the United States are with the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in their grief. We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, who are not only mourning their Queen, but their dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world”.

    UN chief mourns Queen Elizabeth II

    Meanwhile, UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres on Thursday paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II for her unwavering, lifelong dedication to serving her people.

    Guterres in a statement said he was deeply saddened at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

    Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the nation’s figurehead for seven decades, died at the age of 96 in Balmoral, Scotland, the Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.

    “I extend my sincere condolences to her bereaved family, the Government and people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the wider Commonwealth of Nations.

    “As the United Kingdom’s longest-lived and longest-reigning Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II was widely admired for her grace, dignity, and dedication around the world.

    “She was a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonization of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth,’’ Guterres said.

    The UN chief said Queen Elizabeth II was a good friend of the United Nations, and visited the New York Headquarters twice, more than fifty years apart.

    According to him, she was deeply committed to many charitable and environmental causes and spoke movingly to delegates at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow. “The world will long remember her devotion and leadership,’’ he added.

    Queen’s leadership of the Commonwealth is admirable – Kenya’s president-elect

    Similarly, President-elect of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto has said Queen Elizabeth II’s leadership of the Commonwealth for the past seven decades is admirable.

    Ruto in a statement stated that the Queen steered the institution’s evolution into a forum for effective multilateral engagement whose potential to drive tremendous socioeconomic progress remains incontestable and redounds to the Queen’s historic legacy.

    The statement reads: “I have received news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and I send condolences to the people of the United Kingdom. The queen’s leadership of the Commonwealth for the past seven decades is admirable.

    “She steered the institution’s evolution into a forum for effective multilateral engagement whose potential to drive tremendous socioeconomic progress remain incontestable and redounds to the Queen’s historic legacy.

    “We will miss the cordial ties she enjoyed with Kenya and may her memories continue to inspire us. We join the Commonwealth in mourning and offer our condolences to the Royal Family and the United Kingdom”.

    Here are some reactions below:

    INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI

    “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a stalwart of our times. She provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people. She personified dignity and decency in public life. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and people of UK in this sad hour.”

    SHEHBAZ SHARIF, PRIME MINISTER OF PAKISTAN

    “Deeply grieved at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Pakistan joins the UK & other Commonwealth nations in mourning her death. My heartfelt condolences to the royal family, people & government of the UK.”

    CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU

    “It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.”

    GHANAIAN PRESIDENT NANA AKUFO-ADDO

    “The Ghanaian people have very fond memories of the two visits she made to Ghana during her reign, and, on both occasions, we remember the friendliness, elegance, style and sheer joy she brought to the performance of her duties.”

    NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER JACINDA ARDERN

    “I know that I speak for people across New Zealand in offering our deepest sympathy to members of the Royal Family at the passing of the Queen. To us she was a much admired and respected monarch, to them she was a mother and grandmother.”

    “The Queen was a much loved and admired monarch, whose record reign of 70 years is an absolute testament to her, and her commitment to us all. She was extraordinary.”

    AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE

    “With the passing of Queen Elizabeth the Second, an historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end.”

    “Australian hearts go out to the people of the United Kingdom who mourn today, knowing they will feel they have lost part of what makes their nation whole.”

    “There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: ‘Grief is the price we pay for love’.”

    JAMAICAN PRIME MINISTER ANDREW HOLNESS

    “It was with great and profound sadness, that I learnt of the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch, whose reign spanned seven decades. We join our brothers and sisters in the Commonwealth in mourning her passing, and pray for the comfort of the members of her family, and the people of the United Kingdom, as they grieve the loss of their beloved Queen and matriarch, ”

    U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI

    “Today, Americans join the people of the United Kingdom in mourning the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Over her seven decades on the throne, Her Majesty was a pillar of leadership in the global arena and a devoted friend of freedom.

    U.S. SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL

    “For 70 long years, from the aftermath of World War II well into the 21st century, across 15 different Prime Ministers, through great triumphs and great challenges, the Queen’s steady leadership safeguarded the land she loved. Despite spending nearly three quarters of a century as one of the most famous and admired individuals on the planet, the Queen made sure her reign was never really about herself — not her fame, not her feelings, not her personal wants or needs. She guided venerable institutions through modern times using timeless virtues like duty, dignity, and sacrifice. She offered our contemporary world a living master class it needed badly.”

    FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND FORMER FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP

    “Queen Elizabeth’s historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain. Her leadership and enduring diplomacy secured and advanced alliances with the United States and countries around the world.”

    FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

    “Michelle and I were lucky enough to come to know Her Majesty, and she meant a great deal to us.”

    “Time and again, we were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humor and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance.”

    FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

    “Laura and I were honored to have known Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a woman of great intellect, charm, and wit. Spending time at Buckingham Palace, and having tea with Her Majesty – and her Corgis – is among our fondest memories of the presidency. Queen Elizabeth ably led England through dark moments with her confidence in her people and her vision for a brighter tomorrow. Our world benefitted from her steady resolve, and we are grateful for her decades of service as sovereign. Americans in particular appreciate her strong and steadfast friendship.”

    FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON

    “My thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family and all the people Her Majesty inspired throughout her lifetime of service.”

    EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN

    “It is with deep sadness that I have learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was the world’s longest serving Head of State and one of the most respected personalities worldwide. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the British people.”

    EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT CHARLES MICHEL

    “Once called Elizabeth the Steadfast, she never failed to show us the importance of lasting values in a modern world with her service and commitment.

    IRISH PRIME MINISTER MICHEAL MARTIN

    “On behalf of the Government of Ireland, I would like to convey my deepest sympathy to the British people on the loss of their beloved monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.”

    “Her State Visit to Ireland in 2011 marked a crucial step in the normalisation of relations with our nearest neighbour. That visit was a great success, largely because of the many gracious gestures and warm remarks made by the Queen.”

    DUTCH KING WILLEM-ALEXANDER

    “We remember Queen Elizabeth II with deep respect and great affection. Steadfast and wise, she dedicated her long life to serving the British people. We feel a strong bond with the United Kingdom and its royal family, and we share their sorrow at this time.”

    THE ROYAL HOUSE OF NORWAY
    “The Royal Family is deeply saddened to receive the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has passed away.”

    KING CARL XVI GUSTAF OF SWEDEN

    “With sadness, my family and I have today received the news that my dear relative, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, has passed away.

    “The Queen served Her countries and the Commonwealth with an outstanding devotion and sense of duty. She has been a constant presence, not only in British society but internationally. In addition, she has always been a good friend to my family and a link to our shared family history.”

    GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ

    “We mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II. She was a role model and inspiration for millions, also here in Germany. Her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War II will remain unforgotten. She will be missed, not least her wonderful humour.”

    ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER MARIO DRAGHI

    “Queen Elizabeth was a major player in world history over the last seventy years. She represented the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth with balance, wisdom, respect for institutions and democracy. She has been the most beloved symbol of her country and has garnered respect, affection and warm feelings everywhere. She ensured stability in times of crisis and kept the value of tradition alive in a society in constant and profound evolution.”

    FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON

    “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years. I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.”

    SPANISH PRIME MINISTER PEDRO SANCHEZ

    “My condolences to the entire Royal Family, the government and the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.”

    “A figure of global significance, witness and author of British and European history.”

    CZECH PRIME MINISTER PETR FIALA

    “I am deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II. Sending heartfelt and sincere condolences to the Royal family and the British people and the people of the Commonwealth.”

    POLISH PRESIDENT ANDRZEJ DUDA

    “My deepest condolences to the Royal Family and all the British people on passing of Her Majesty The Queen. For decades she has been an embodiment of everything that makes Britain truly Great. She will be missed and remembered in Poland and all over the world.”

    KAJA KALLAS, PRIME MINISTER OF ESTONIA

    “Her sense of service and dedication to public duty were unparalleled. It’s the end of an era but her legend will live on and inspire.”

    UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY

    “It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of the UA people, we extend sincere condolences to the @RoyalFamily, the entire United Kingdom and the Commonwealth over this irreparable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”

    CHIEF MINISTER OF GIBRALTAR FABIAN PICARDO

    “The People of Gibraltar will mourn Her Majesty as a monarch who has reigned wisely and with incomparable dedication throughout the period of our post-war emergence as a part of the British family of nations.”

    “The People of Gibraltar and the Government proclaim their loyalty to the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to His Majesty The King.”

    UNITED ARAB EMIRATES VICE PRESIDENT SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM

    “We join the world in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, a global icon who represented the finest qualities of her nation and people. Her incredible lifetime of service and duty to the United Kingdom is unparalleled in our modern world.”

    UAE’S PRESIDENT MOHAMED BIN ZAYED

    “Her Majesty was a close friend of the UAE and a beloved & respected leader whose long reign was characterised by dignity, compassion & a tireless commitment to serving her country.”

    ABDULLAH BIN AL HUSSEIN, KING OF JORDAN

    “Jordan mourns the passing of an iconic leader. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a beacon of wisdom and principled leadership for seven decades. She was a partner for Jordan and a dear family friend. We stand with the people and leadership of the UK at this difficult time.”

    IRAQI PRESIDENT BARHAM SALIH

    “I am deeply saddened by the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II. I extend profound condolences to the royal family and to the people of the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth will be remembered as a great icon of history who served with grace, dignity and fortitude.”

    HONDURAN FOREIGN MINISTER EDUARDO ENRIQUE REINA

    “Our sincere condolences to the people and government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, a message of sympathy to her family.”

    ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT

    Expressed its “sorrow” at the death of Queen Elizabeth II and said that it “stood by the British people and her family in this moment of pain”.

    VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO

    “The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II of England, British monarch. We express our condolences to the royal family, to the United Kingdom and to the British people. Peace to her Soul!”.

    ECUADORIAN PRESIDENT GUILLERMO LASSO

    “Distraught at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, whose long life and dedication to the service of her people go down in history as an exemplary reign.”

    PARAGUAYAN PRESIDENT MARIO ABDO BENÍTEZ

    “From the Republic of Paraguay, we convey our condolences to the Royal Family, the Government and the people of the United Kingdom on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, who will always be remembered for her great vocation of service, ” said

    MEXICAN FOREIGN MINISTER MARCELO EBRARD

    “Our thoughts and condolences to the people and government of the United Kingdom.”

    COSTA RICA FOREIGN MINISTRY

    “Costa Rica expresses its heartfelt condolences to the British government and people as well as to the Commonwealth of Nations on the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

    PANAMANIAN PRESIDENT LAURENTINO CORTIZO

    “I send heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, the British people and the Commonwealth on the physical passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who honored Panama on a historic State Visit six decades ago. Peace to her soul.”

    EL SALVADOR PRESIDENT NAYIB BUKELE

    “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. My wife Gabriela and I extend our deepest sympathies to the British people and the Royal Family. Her Majesty’s legacy will always remain a touchstone for our shared values of empathy, solidarity and service.”