Africa (except North Africa)

DAKAR, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrapped up a visit to Senegal on Sunday, where he discussed the US role in security issues in Africa.

This visit came as the U.S. Defense Department is conducting a global force review and has indicated there likely will be a reduction, but not a complete withdrawal, of US forces from Africa.

DAR ES SALAAM, Feb 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa warned politicians to stop making misleading statements on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 in China.

“Politicians should stop making misleading statements on the virus that confuse members,” said Majaliwa shortly after attending Friday prayers in the capital city of Dodoma.

He gave the warning as infections reached more than 64,000 worldwide with a reported death toll of more than 1,500.

DAKAR, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Macky Sall defended the country’s criminalisation of homosexuality, telling visiting Canadian prime minister that ‘we’re comfortable with our laws’.

The exchange between Justin Trudeau and Sall highlighted the impasse the United States, Canada and other Western nations have had in persuading Senegal and most African countries not to jail gays and lesbians.

Trudeau told journalists he was “a great defender of human rights” and so had to raise the issue.

HARARE, Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has warned that traders who continue to demand payment in US dollars will face prosecution.

In June, the country abandoned the use of the US dollar for its official currency the Zimbabwe dollars; reintroducing a local currency that was scrapped 10 years ago.

But a shortage of local currency and its rapid decline in value has resulted in businesses – including grocers and fuel stations – demanding payments in US dollars.

Zimbabwe imports most of its goods including fuel and food.

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 10 (NNN-ENA) – The African Union (AU) and the Arab League (AL), voiced their rejection of the newly unveiled U.S. peace plan that has sparked growing tensions between Palestine and Israel.

African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat said, the U.S. plan was devised without consulting Palestinians and violates existing AU and UN resolutions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

09 Feb 2020; MEMO: South Africa aims to free up over a billion dollars in stalled weapons sales, including to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, by amending a document at the heart of an export row, a senior arms control official told Reuters.

Local defence firms have lobbied the government for months to change a clause in the export document requiring foreign customers to allow South African officials to inspect their facilities to verify that weapons aren’t being transferred to third parties.

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 9 (NNN-ENA) – The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, called for intensified international efforts, to deal with a locust outbreak, that has affected large parts of the African continent.

“The UN issued an urgent appeal for assistance, to respond with speed and generosity, to ensure an effective response and control the infestation, while we still have the chance,” Guterres said, on the sidelines of the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU, in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 9 (NNN-ENA) – Around 239 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are suffering from hunger and malnutrition, a senior official of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said.

“The only way we can bring it to zero is through peace and security. Let us silence the guns by working hand in hand for peace and development.” said Marina Helena Semedo, Deputy Director General of FAO, on the sidelines of the 33rd Ordinary Session, of the Executive Council of the AU in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.

GABORONE, Feb 8 (NNN-XINHUA) — Lucara Diamond Corp, 100 percent owners of Karowe Mine in the northwestern part of Botswana, announced the recovery of an unbroken 549 carat white diamond of exceptional purity.

The 549 carat diamond was recovered from direct milling of ore following a recent recovery of a gem quality 176 carat stone from its EM/PK(S) unit.

According to the statement, this unit continues to produce large gem quality diamonds in line with expectations and forms an important economic driver for the potential underground mine at Karowe.

LILONGWE, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika and the country’s electoral commission have formally filed an appeal against a court ruling that overturned his win last year.

“I can confirm that the court has received both appeals by first respondent [the president] and second respondent [electoral commission],” High Court Registrar Agnes Patemba said.