SOUTH AFRICA CONSIDERS RUSSIA A TREASURED PARTNER, RAMAPHOSA INFORMS PUTIN

AFRICA NEWS

23rd October 2024

By Oyenike

SOUTH AFRICA CONSIDERS RUSSIA A TREASURED PARTNER, RAMAPHOSA INFORMS PUTIN

South Africa regards Russia as an esteemed partner, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated during a bilateral discussion with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, just before the BRICS summit set to occur in Kazan, Russia. This meeting highlights the strengthening ties between the two nations.

“We continue to view Russia as a cherished ally, a true friend that has stood by us since the outset of our fight against apartheid,” Ramaphosa remarked, as shared by South Africa’s government news agency on social media. This acknowledgment underscores the historical support Russia has provided.

The South African President emphasised the significance of the upcoming conversations in Kazan among the BRICS nations, which include major emerging economies.

“We anticipate meaningful dialogues within the BRICS community that will foster collaboration and mutual growth,” he added, reflecting the hopeful spirit of the summit.

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ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT DISMISSES SENIOR JUDGES WHO SUPPORTED HIS OPPONENT

The President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, has dismissed three senior judges he had earlier suspended due to alleged judicial misconduct, leading to further claims of political interference in the judiciary. These judges were involved in a 2016 presidential petition where they rejected Hichilema’s challenge against former President Edgar Lungu’s election win and also participated in a contentious ruling that permitted Lungu to run in the 2021 elections despite already serving two terms.

Their removal followed their unsuccessful attempt to challenge a judicial panel’s recommendation for their suspension. A statement from the presidency confirmed their immediate dismissal based on the Judicial Complaints Commission’s recommendation, stating that this action falls within the President’s constitutional powers.

The judges—Justice Annie Sitali, Justice Mungeni Mulenga, and Justice Palan Mulonda—have not made any public statements regarding their dismissal. The JCC had been investigating them for serious misconduct following a complaint from a private citizen, Moses Kalonde.

Reactions to the judges’ removal have been mixed, with rising political tensions in Zambia as the country approaches the 2026 elections, where Hichilema and Lungu are anticipated to compete again. Commentator Laura Miti noted that public opinion is divided, with some viewing the President’s actions as legally justified yet self-serving, while others support him, asserting that the judges acted improperly.

The President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema

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NIGERIA CONTINUES TO BORROW DESPITE ELEVATED DEBT EXPENSES – IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has noted that Nigeria remains active in the global debt market, despite facing high borrowing costs. Tobias Adrian, the IMF’s Financial Counsellor, highlighted that Nigeria and other frontier markets have continued to engage significantly in debt issuance throughout 2024, even as financing expenses have risen since before 2021, at a press briefing during the IMF/World Bank annual meetings.

Adrian pointed out that while access to funding remains pricier than in the past, the overall levels of debt issuance are promising. He also expressed support for Nigeria’s recent monetary policy actions, including interest rate increases and foreign exchange reforms implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stabilise the economy. These measures are aimed at addressing inflation, which is nearing 30 per cent.

Moreover, Adrian emphasised the critical nature of these reforms, especially in light of inflationary pressures exacerbated by recent natural disasters, such as floods, which have deteriorated living conditions for many Nigerians. The IMF has revised its economic outlook for Nigeria, predicting a deceleration in growth for 2024.

According to the latest World Economic Outlook report, Nigeria’s economy is anticipated to grow by 2.9 per cent in 2024, reflecting the same growth rate as in 2023. This new forecast indicates a 0.2 per cent reduction from the previous estimate in July and a 0.4 per cent decline from April’s prediction, showcasing the IMF’s cautious view on the obstacles confronting emerging markets like Nigeria.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF)

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CLIMATE CHANGE INTENSIFIES RAINS IN FLOOD-RAVAGED AFRICAN AREAS, EXPERTS CLAIM

Recent heavy rains that triggered deadly floods across Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan have been worsened by human-induced climate change, according to a team of international scientists.

Global warming has intensified this year’s seasonal downpours by roughly 5-20 per cent in the Niger and Lake Chad basins, as highlighted by World Weather Attribution (WWA). The researchers cautioned that if warming continues, such extreme rainfall could occur annually.

This year’s catastrophic floods claimed around 1,500 lives and displaced over 1 million individuals in West and Central Africa. The situation calls for urgent investments in early warning systems and upgrades to dams to mitigate future disasters.

Joyce Kimutai, a researcher at the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College in London, emphasised that while Africa contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, it faces the brunt of extreme weather events. She urged that the upcoming COP29 climate talks in November must ensure that wealthier nations provide “meaningful finance” to assist those affected.

People in the flood

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POLICE DISTRIBUTE N60.5M CHEQUE TO FAMILIES OF FALLEN OFFICERS IN BORNO

The Borno State Police Command in Nigeria has allocated N60,507,444.17 to 34 families and next of kin of police officers who either lost their lives or were injured in the line of duty.

This information was shared by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, in a statement on Monday evening. The funds are part of the Group Life Assurance Benefits and IGP Family Welfare Insurance Schemes, initiated by Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to assist the families of deceased officers.

The cheque distribution occurred on 21st October 2024, at the Command Headquarters in Maiduguri. During the event, Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP A.M. Bello, represented the Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, CP M.L. Yusufu, and handed over cheques totalling Sixty Million, Five Hundred and Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty-Four Naira, Seventeen Kobo (N60,507,444.17) to the beneficiaries.

In his remarks, the DCP expressed appreciation to the Inspector General of Police for his dedication to the welfare of officers and encouraged the recipients to utilise the funds wisely for their future well-being. One beneficiary, Mrs. Jagila Bitrus, conveyed her gratitude to the IGP and the police management for their support following her sister’s passing and vowed to use the funds responsibly.

The Nigeria police force

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