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US announces nearly $152 million humanitarian assistance for Sahel
Asia-pacific

US announces nearly $152 million humanitarian assistance for Sahel

The United States announced last week nearly $152 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region countries of Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Mali. US Special Envoy to the Sahel Peter Pham announced the aid following a trip to West Africa, where he visited Mauritania and Niger. “More than $2.5 million people in the Sahel region are displaced, $3.3 million are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection services, and the United States is proud to be the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to the region,” Pham said during a conference call announcing the aid, hosted by the Wilson Center Africa Program. Pham added that the assistance will not go to the Malian military officers who recently took power in a coup, but stopped short...
Mali: Civilian Prime Minister appointed to lead transitional government
Asia-pacific

Mali: Civilian Prime Minister appointed to lead transitional government

The Malian transitional President Bah N’Daw signed a decree Sunday, appointing former foreign minister Moctar Ouane head of government. The appointment was announced two days after the swearing-in ceremony of Transitional President Bah N’Daw, and following a meeting Saturday evening with junta officials and the transitional president. Since 2016, the newly appointed Prime Minister was Delegate for Peace and Security at the Commission of the Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa (UEMOA) in Ouagadougou. The man also served as representative of Mali to the United Nations and diplomatic adviser to the presidency. His relatives describe him as an independent man; very fussy about principles. Like the transitional president, he believes that one cannot do everything in 18 months, but h...
OCP Africa, IFC pool efforts to strengthen the rice sectors in Côte d’Ivoire and millet in Senegal
Asia-pacific

OCP Africa, IFC pool efforts to strengthen the rice sectors in Côte d’Ivoire and millet in Senegal

OCP Africa and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have announced this Monday a partnership to strengthen value chains of rice in Côte d’Ivoire and millet in Senegal, and to help improve the living conditions of thousands of smallholder farmers. These crops, essential to ensure food security in these two West African countries, operate at yields well below their full potential due in part to a lack of professionalization, inadequate agricultural practices, and lack of access to financing, OCP Africa, a subsidiary of Morocco’s OCP Group, the world leader in the phosphate and derivatives market, and IFC said in a joint statement. As part of this partnership, IFC will provide consulting services to farmers and agricultural groups that are members o...
Morocco conveys Mali message of solidarity & support for smooth transition
Asia-pacific

Morocco conveys Mali message of solidarity & support for smooth transition

Morocco has sent Mali a message of support, friendship and solidarity with the Malian authorities and people following the important developments unfolding on the ground for a peaceful transition. The message was conveyed Tuesday by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, who, upon the instruction of King Mohammed VI, paid a visit to Bamako. Bourita, the first senior official of a friendly country to visit Mali following the developments there, was received by interim president Bah N’daw, transitional vice-president Col. Assimi Goita and PM Moctar Ouane. Bourita also met with religious dignitaries including Bouye Haidara and Mahmoud Dicko.   Bourita reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to accompany Mali through this important phase of its history, noting that the North African Kingdo...
Senegal: A plan worth €22.4 billion to revive economy after Covid 19 effects
Asia-pacific

Senegal: A plan worth €22.4 billion to revive economy after Covid 19 effects

How to revive the Senegalese economy? The question was at the heart of a presidential council on Tuesday, September 29. Representatives of the government, the private sector, and partners of the country were gathered around Macky Sall. The authorities presented a plan worth €22.4 billion and defined priority sectors. “After the defense, it is necessary to pass to the attack” to find the growth according to the sporting formula used by Head of State. And to do this, the authorities have adjusted their strategy, with new priorities: Accelerate food sovereignty by strengthening autonomy in basic products, where Senegal is on the right track, especially rice; sanitary and pharmaceutical sovereignty; the industrialization and digital transformation of the economy, explains Amadou Hott, Minist...
Africa stands to benefit from Morocco-US defense deal- Pentagon chief
Asia-pacific, TRENDING NEWS

Africa stands to benefit from Morocco-US defense deal- Pentagon chief

he 2020-2030 defense cooperation deal between Morocco and the US will benefit friendly African countries, said US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. Speaking at the signing ceremony of the landmark agreement, Esper highlighted the longstanding partnership between the US and Morocco citing a convergence of views regarding a range of security threats. “Morocco is a major non-NATO ally and a gateway to Africa,” he said, adding that the two countries share the same concern to safeguard regional security and stability. In this respect, he said the ten-year military cooperation roadmap will ensure that the partnership endures for generations to come, noting that African countries stand to benefit from this deal. He recalled the importance of the African Lion military drills, “a key training ex...
IOC President Thomas Bach Offers Pep Session For Tokyo Games And Talks Up Vaccine
Sports, World

IOC President Thomas Bach Offers Pep Session For Tokyo Games And Talks Up Vaccine

IOC president Thomas Bach delivered a pep talk to Japanese government officials and local organizers on Thursday that included suggestions that hundreds of millions of doses COVID-19 vaccines would be available before the postponed Olympics open in July. Bach was speaking from Switzerland in an on-line gathering of officials in Japan during the first of two days of meetings focused on how to pull off the delayed Tokyo Games. Bach pointed out that major sports events like the Tour de France have been held with limited fans and without the vaccine. But he said a vaccine or vaccines could be ready for Tokyo, although he gave few details. We have very encouraging news about the development of a vaccine and not only a vaccine, but vaccines, he said. Bach added that the International Olympic Com...
China knew how virulent COVID-19 was, says Pompeo
World

China knew how virulent COVID-19 was, says Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Wisconsin [US], September 24 (ANI): US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said that the Chinese Communist Party knew how virulent COVID-19 that originated in Wuhan was adding that Beijing censored and made courageous whistleblowers who tried to sound the alarm disappear. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said that the Chinese Communist Party knew how virulent COVID-19 was that originated in Wuhan adding that Beijing "censored and disappeared courageous whistleblowers who tried to sound the alarm". "The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) knew how virulent the coronavirus was that originated in Wuhan. They censored and disappeared courageous whistleblowers and journalists who tried to sound the alarm. They allowed people from Wuhan to trav...
2 Louisville officers shot amid Breonna Taylor protests
World

2 Louisville officers shot amid Breonna Taylor protests

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Hours after a Kentucky grand jury brought no charges against Louisville police for Breonna Taylor’s death and protesters took to the streets, authorities said two officers were shot and wounded Wednesday night during the demonstrations expressing anger over the killings of Black people at the hands of police. Interim Louisville Police Chief Robert Schroeder said a suspect was in custody but did not offer details about whether that person was participating in the demonstrations. He says both officers are expected to recover, and one is undergoing surgery. He says the officers were shot after investigating reports of gunfire at an intersection where there was a large crowd. Several shots rang out as protesters in downtown Louisville tried to avoid police blockades, movin...
First direct commercial flight from Israel lands in Bahrain
World

First direct commercial flight from Israel lands in Bahrain

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, President Donald Trump, Bahrain Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan react on the Blue Room Balcony after signing the Abraham Accords during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The first known direct commercial flight between Israel and Bahrain landed Wednesday in the island kingdom, just a week after it signed a deal alongside the United Arab Emirates to normalize relations. Flight data showed an Israir Airlines Airbus A320 landed at Bahrain International Airport after a nearly three-hour flight from Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion International Airport. ...