by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | africa, government, healthcare and medicine, medicine and healthcare, world
Kenya is ranked seventh as one of the nations significantly impacted by reductions in U.S. foreign assistance, highlighting the nation’s significant reliance on funding from donors, particularly within the realm of health care services.
The nation has received approximately $1.7 billion (
Sh
220.15 billion)
in aid
In the past three years, a significant portion from the United States has been allocated to health services.
This is according to official data from the US Agency for International Development (
Usaid
)
website
For the years 2023, 2024, and the accessible data from 2025.
The distribution pattern of aid in Kenya shows
A significant portion of the funds is allocated to HIV/AIDS programs; economic growth initiatives; farming activities; various healthcare projects; supplying clean water and improving sanitation; providing emergency aid; covering operational costs; offering programmatic support; safeguarding the environment generally; as well as promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance, in that order.
The examination utilized funding data supplied by
Usaid
to analy
s
It allocates international assistance from 2023 to 2025 and identifies the areas needing the highest expenditure by 2025.
“The final ranking is determined by the overall quantity of assistance received by the nation during this period,” stated Slot.day, who examined the information, with validation provided by
The Star
.
The
Usaid
The data indicate that the U.S. has kept up significant financial support for HIV.
Aids
program
me
As seen in Kenya, where the sector received $66 million (
Sh
(€8.54 billion) for 2025 allocations.
Nevertheless, Kenya’s financial assistance from the U.S. has been declining, with funds dropping from $846 million (
Sh
109.53 billion) in 2023 down to $128 million (
Sh
16.57 billion) in 2025.
Although the entire assistance package amounts to $1.7 billion (
Sh
The $220.15 billion committed over three years shows significant support from the U.S., but the decreasing pattern in yearly funding might jeopardize years of advancements in public health programs, according to the analysis.
The previous week, the World Health Organization highlighted that Kenya was one of eight nations—six from Africa—that might face shortages of HIV medications due to the U.S. government’s choice to halt international financial assistance.
Nevertheless, Kenya’s Ministry of Health attempted to alleviate concerns by stating that the nation currently possesses sufficient antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to cover a period of four months. They also mentioned that additional supplies are en route, which will elevate Kenya’s ARV inventory to a level adequate for maintaining supply until June 2025.
On his inaugural day in January, US President Donald Trump declared a freeze on federal expenditures as part of an assessment into governmental budgeting.
“Interruptions to HIV programs might reverse two decades of advancements,” cautioned WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus last Monday.
He further mentioned that it could result in over 10 million extra HIV cases along with an additional three million HIV-related fatalities. This figure, he noted, is “more than triple the mortality rate from last year.”
According to Dr. Tedros during a recent press briefing, Nigeria, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Mali – along with Haiti and Ukraine – face the risk of exhausting life-sustaining antiretroviral (ARV) medications within the next few months.
Trump’s executive order paused foreign aid support for an initial duration of 90 days in line with his “America First” foreign policy.
This issue has impacted global health programs, significantly impeding the delivery of essential medical supplies such as HIV medications worldwide.
Most of the programs run by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have now been discontinued.
Even with a waiver granted in February for the U.S.’s pioneering HIV program, its operations have been significantly affected.
Referred to as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), this initiative depends on logistic assistance provided by USAID and various organizations affected by the unrest.
Dr. Tedros stated that this situation has resulted in the “sudden halt of HIV treatment, testing, and prevention services across more than 50 nations”.
Introduced in 2003, Pepfar has provided millions of impoverished individuals around the globe with life-saving medications and is estimated to have saved over 26 million lives across the planet.
Last week, Kenya’s Ministry of Health announced that the nation possesses almost five months’ worth of inventory for the frequently utilized ARVs referred to as TLD, which stands for a regimen combining Tenofovir, Lamivudine, and Dolutegravir.
This is the primary ART regimen utilized by over 92 percent of all Kenyan individuals living with HIV.
The Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Deborah Barasa, stated that as of now, there are 2,026,555 packs of TLD available with both the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and their subcontractor, Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS). This supply amounts to approximately 4.7 months’ worth of stock.
She mentioned that an additional 4.8 million packages will be delivered to Kenya by June of this year. “By the end of June 2025, this will boost the national-level inventory to more than 11 months’ worth of supplies,” Dr. Deborah stated.
Approximately 1.4 million individuals in Kenya are affected by HIV, and over 95 percent of these people are receiving treatment.
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | health, healthcare and medicine, illness, infectious diseases, public health
The WHO stated that although more than 79 million lives have been saved from tuberculosis since 2000 due to anti-TB efforts, severe budget reductions now pose a risk of undoing these advancements.
Each year, at least one million individuals worldwide receive a tuberculosis diagnosis. In Kenya specifically, approximately 97,000 cases of TB were identified in 2024.
TB is the most lethal infectious disease globally.
In a press release, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization’s Director-General stated: “Over the last two decades, significant progress was achieved globally against tuberculosis; however, these advancements are currently endangered due to budget reductions which hinder individuals’ access to essential preventive measures, screenings, and therapeutic treatments for TB,” he emphasized. “Nonetheless, we must not abandon the firm pledges that global leaders reaffirmed less than one year and a half ago during the United Nations General Assembly aimed at intensifying efforts towards eradicating TB altogether.”
WHO is dedicated to collaborating with every donor, partner, and nation impacted to lessen the effects of budget reductions and discover creative answers.
The WHO indicated that significant interruptions in tuberculosis treatment have been observed across many of the highest-burden countries due to funding reductions.
The highest impact of this issue is being felt by countries within the WHO African Region, closely trailed by those in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions. A total of twenty-seven nations are grappling with severe disruptions in their tuberculosis control efforts, leading to dire outcomes.
The WHO also stated that the planned funding reductions for 2025 will worsen an already insufficient financial situation for the worldwide tuberculosis response. In 2023, merely 26% of the required $22 billion yearly budget for TB prevention and treatment was secured, resulting in a significant gap. The state of TB research is dire, having received only one-fifth of the targeted $5 billion in 2022—a shortage that has significantly impeded progress in developing new diagnostic tools, therapies, and vaccines.
In her statement, Dr Tereza Kasaeva, who leads WHO’s Global Programme on TB and Lung Health, remarked, “This critical appeal comes at an essential time and highlights the importance of rapid and firm actions to maintain global advancements against tuberculosis and avoid reversals that might claim lives.”
She stated, “Allocating resources to combat TB is both a ethical duty and an economic must—a reported $43 in economic benefits is generated for every dollar invested inTB prevention and treatment.”
The increase in drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis, particularly throughout Europe, along with the continuous conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, has intensified the challenges faced by the most susceptible populations in their battle against this disease.
The WHO is spearheading initiatives to speed up the development of a TB vaccine via the TB Vaccine Accelerator Council; however, advancements could be jeopardized without immediate financial support.
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).
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | foreign policy, international relations, investing business news, politics, politics and government
Santiago [
Chile
], March 25 (ANI):
Chile
an President
Gabriel Boric
The font will undertake a state visit.
India
From March 30 to April 6, signifying the first visit by a
Chile
a head of state to the nation after 16 years. The visit is intended to bolster political and economic relations, with special focus on
trade
diversification and
investment
partnership with the planet’s fifth-biggest economy, as announced in an official statement by the Government
Chile
reported.
President Boric will be joined by an official delegation consisting of government officials, lawmakers, and representatives from various sectors.
business
, education, culture, and agriculture
business
The tour will include visits to New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, with discussions and accords centered around these locations.
investment
,
technology
transfer, and economic cooperation.
On reaching New Delhi on April 1st, the
Chile
A president will conduct meetings.
India
including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. An important aspect of the trip will involve
business
forum with participants from both countries, focused on enhancing
trade
and
investment
The conversations aim to strengthen economic ties and encouragepromotion
Chile
as a key
trade
collaborate with them and discover new realms of partnership opportunities
business
and
innovation
.
In Mumbai, President Boric will head commercial activities, which include a high-level session with executives from
India
n and
Chile
in the agri-food industry. Furthermore, he will be participating in ” Shoot in
Chile
“an effort aimed at positioning
Chile
as an ideal spot for global movie shoots.
The concluding part of the visit will be held in Bangalore, where the President is scheduled to participate in the Innovation Summit on April 4. This event aims to enhance interactions in various sectors.
technology
and
innovation
, leveraging
India
The President and his group will discuss ways to enhance collaboration in these areas. They aim to promote coordination through conversations during their visit.
Chile
an and
India
Entrepreneurs in new sectors will also be part of this discussion. Boric plans to arrive back in Santiago on April 6.
The
Chile
A delegation will feature prominent ministers including Foreign Affairs Minister Alberto van Klaveren, Finance Minister Mario Marcel, Agriculture Minister Esteban Valenzuela, Mining Minister Aurora Williams, Women and Gender Equality Minister Antonia Orellana, and Culture, Arts, and Heritage Minister Carolina Arredondo. Additionally, according to the press statement, Undersecretaries for International Economic Relations Claudia Sanhueza and Economy Javiera Petersen will join the group.
Included among the high-ranking officials participating in the visit are José Miguel Benavente, who serves as the Executive Director of Corfo, and Karla Flores, acting as the Director of Investments.
Chile
; Maximo Pacheco, who serves as the President of Codelco; Daniel Hojman,President of BancoEstado; Ignacio Fernandez, serving as the Director of Proyecto
Chile
; and Pablo Zamora, who serves as the President of Fundacion
Chile
.
A bipartisan group of parliamentarians will join the trip, featuring Senate President Jose Garcia Ruminot alongside Senators Alejandra Sepulveda, Loreto Carvajal, and Luciano Cruz-Coke. Additionally participating are Representatives Gael Yeomans, Jorge Alessandri, Raul Leiva, and Victor Pino.
The
business
The delegation will include prominent figures from various industries like Rosario Navarro, president of SOFOFA; Vicente Astorga, head of the National Chamber of Laboratories; Álvaro Ananías, leader of the Biobío Chamber of Production and Commerce; Fernando Corteza, general manager of the Antofagasta Industrial Society; and Jorge Guerrero, who leads the presidency of the
Chile
an-
India
n Chamber of Commerce.
In the cultural realm, the delegation will consist of Alexandra Galvis, who serves as the Vice President of the Association of Film and Television Producers, along with Paula Ossandon, the Director of the
Chile
a Documentary Corporation; Rodrigo Terreros, who leads the Atacama Film Commission; and Jennifer Mayani,
Chile
an-
India
An actress who has worked in Bollywood.
The educational sector will be represented by Marcelo Pacheco from the Fenix Robotics team at Abdon Cifuentes Comprehensive High School, Antonio Briones from Emilia Lascar Elementary School, and Dorotea Lopez, who directs the Institute of International Studies at the University of.
Chile
, and Elisa Marzuca, who founded the Padma Yoga School. Joining them will be Susana Urrutia, a surgeon specializing in Ayurvedic medicine, and Roxana Nahuelcura, who teaches biology at Liceo 1 Javiera Carrera.
Participants from the agri-food industry will feature Juan Esteban Rodriguez, who serves as the President of
Chile
almonds; Antonio Walker, President of the National Agricultural Society; Ivan Marambio, President of Frutas de
Chile
; Froilan Flores, President of the Confederation of Free Markets (ASOF); Angelica Valenzuela, Commercial Director at Vinos de
Chile
; Juan Carlos Dominguez, who serves as the President
Chile
Beef; and Margarita Cuellar, General Secretary of the Association of Cooperative Societies
Chile
.
In the
innovation
In this sector, attendees will consist of Daniel Dacarett, who serves as the Director of Emprende Tu Mente; Komal Dadlani, holding the position of CEO at Lab4U; Manuel Rozas, recognized both as the Chief Strategy Officer and founder of Kura Biotech; along with Sol Besprosvan, acting as the General Manager for Tata Consultancy Services.
Chile
; Constanza Levican, President of Climatetech; Christopher Schiess, Director of Business Expansion at The Ganesha Lab; Magdalena Guzman, Executive Director of the
Chile
A venture capital association; and Martin Andrighettti, an engineer renowned for his victory at the TCS Olympus in Mumbai. (ANI)
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Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | business, colleges and universities, education, government, politics and government
The Vice-Chancellor of Lead City University in Ibadan, Professor Kabiru Adeyemo, has appealed to the Federal Government to expand the Tertiary Education Trust Fund advantages to include private institutions, enabling these schools to have access to similar resources as those available at publicly funded universities.
At a press conference held on Monday in Ibadan to celebrate the institution’s 20th anniversary, Adeyemo stressed that private university students ought to have access to student loans, and professors should get government-supported research grants.
I recommend that the Federal Government promote private universities by granting them access to the same benefits enjoyed by most public universities, particularly those provided by TETFund.
“As the chairperson of the Committee of Private Universities in Nigeria, we have explicitly stated that private universities should be granted access to these resources,” he emphasized.
Adeyemo also highlighted the importance of educational fairness, emphasizing that TETFund resources, funded by taxpayer dollars, ought not to be limited to just public institutions.
Our students ought to have access to scholarships, as these can assist them in covering part of their tuition costs.
“Furthermore, faculty members at private institutions should also gain access to these resources, ensuring they feel included.”
“At minimum, the funds from TETFund come from taxpayers’ money and shouldn’t be exclusively enjoyed by public universities,” he stated.
The Vice-Chancellor encouraged the administration to establish an enabling atmosphere for private universities to flourish, appealing to the National Universities Commission (NUC), the federal authorities, and other involved parties to offer essential support measures.
When looking back at the accomplishments of Lead City University over the last twenty years, Adeyemo credited its prosperity to robust collaboration, outstanding academics, and a dedication to fostering individuals who generate wealth instead of those seeking employment.
Our dedication to quality stands unmatched. The team remains devoted to our processes. It’s our collaboration, connections, pledges, and shared goals that distinguish us.
He stated, ‘We maintain an open-door policy, exhibit zero tolerance towards misconduct, and prioritize being student-friendly.’
Adeyemo mentioned that the university’s offerings have expanded from 40 to around 120 programs, vowing to uphold academic standards in compliance with NUC guidelines.
The growth of the university stems from a commitment to build an engaging, all-encompassing, and forward-thinking educational setting that fosters exceptional achievements among both learners and faculty members.
“Our main objective is to boost capability, productivity, and enthusiasm among our staff members, guaranteeing their continued leadership in educational quality, creativity, and service provision,” he noted.
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | air travel, airfares, airline industry, flights, flying
Air Peace has offered a 15 percent reduction on economy-class fares for students flying on its Nigeria-London routes.
According to a statement released on Monday by Ejike Ndiulo, who leads corporate communications for the airline, this information was shared.
The declaration stated, “To enhance accessibility in air travel, the airline is prolonging its special 15% student discount on economy class seats for routes connecting Nigeria and London. This allows students to enjoy discounted rates while still experiencing top-notch service.”
This special offer is exclusively for economy class tickets and targets students who are furthering their studies overseas, with a focus on those heading to the UK, Europe, USA, and Canada.
“The airline highlighted that this offer provides a great chance for parents and students planning to go back to Nigeria during the summer break after finishing school.” “Furthermore, they mentioned that students who are part of full-time education programs at recognized institutions could benefit greatly from substantial discounts on their travel,” the statement continued.
Applicants must be 25 years old or under and should submit a current student ID, student visa, along with an enrollment confirmation letter to apply. These reduced-price tickets can be reserved via Air Peace’s official site and stay valid for twelve months starting from the travel date.
Nevertheless, the tickets cannot be transferred or refunded. Students have the option to upload their passport information page along with the necessary documents through the airline’s specified portal under the ‘student discount’ segment of the website.
“Air Peace isn’t just focusing on students; they’re also offering current promotions that provide significant benefits to all travelers. By connecting any of Air Peace’s key domestic routes to London, flyers can save up to N600,000. Additionally, customers on these flights get an extra piece of complimentary checked luggage, making travel easier for those who carry more items,” the announcement stated.
The airline highlighted its commitment to providing exceptional in-flight services, featuring upscale comfort along with a variety of European-inspired dishes designed to cater to different preferences.
“This promotional offer will be available till March 31, 2025, with travels extendable until April 15, 2025,” it stated.
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | armed forces, military, national security, special forces, united states armed forces
The federal government has introduced a Special Operations Forces training initiative, recruiting 800 troops from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This program is designed to boost the nation’s capability to effectively tackle terrorism, insurgency, transnational crimes, and various unconventional threats.
On Monday, during the inauguration of the elite forces’ training program at Camp Kabala within the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna, Minister of Defence Mohammed Abubakar stated that this initiative aims to develop a proficient, adaptable, and operationally ready unit equipped for intricate missions across various challenging terrains.
The minister highlighted that current security threats were constantly changing, necessitating the creation of a specialized unit equipped with modern tools and trained in sophisticated strategies, guerrilla warfare, data-backed operations, and swift deployment capabilities.
He stated, “The Special Operations Forces Training program is a strategic effort designed to boost our operational efficiency in countering terrorism, insurgency, cross-border criminal activities, and various other asymmetric challenges plaguing our country.”
This special operations unit will play a vital role in safeguarding our nation’s independence, ensuring the safety of our people, and upholding tranquility and order both domestically and internationally.
This training program has been carefully crafted to produce highly proficient individuals adept in specialized combat techniques, anti-terrorism activities, information collection, and hostage recovery assignments.
The program aims to equip participants with the skills needed for high-risk operations in various settings, including urban and challenging terrains, guaranteeing their ability to respond effectively to evolving dangers. Considering the cross-departmental character of contemporary security issues, this training will encourage smooth teamwork between members of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, and additional security organizations.
Abubakar also mentioned that this unveiling marks the initial phase involving 800 individuals out of a total of 2,400 who will undergo training. This initiative forms part of an extensive plan aimed at fostering elite special operations capabilities within the Nigerian military forces. He emphasized that moving forward, the program will continue and grow to include additional members drawn from various divisions of the armed services.
Musa highlighted the significance of the training, asserting that it was essential for attaining “convergence,” which refers to the capability to synchronize and combine kinetic and non-kinetic abilities to produce simultaneous impacts across various fields more swiftly and efficiently than adversaries.
“As everyone recognizes the changing nature of contemporary warfare and the distinct difficulties presented by asymmetrical threats in our nation, the circumstances require that our armed forces must be thoroughly trained, adequately equipped, and ready to react quickly, efficiently, and resolutely. In light of these requirements, the formation of this Special Operations Unit is greatly anticipated because they symbolize the pinnacle of our military’s capability to promptly and firmly address dangers, whether domestic or foreign,” he stated.
However, Musa showed optimism that the Special Operations Force would play a crucial role in the military’s endeavors to combat terrorism, insurgency, and other threats to national security.
I’m equally impressed with the cutting-edge training facility, which undoubtedly will boost the effective training of our armed forces personnel. Consequently, I wish to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Defence for their courageous initiative that made this occasion possible. This development will greatly contribute to realizing my vision of ‘cultivating a citizen-focused Nigerian military equipped to fulfill its constitutional duties within an integrated and cooperative framework.’
To the 800 valiant members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who have participated in this training following an extensive selection process, I applaud your commitment and national spirit. You stand at the forefront of a fresh era in our defense story.
“I thus encourage all of you to face the upcoming challenges and duties with unyielding resolve. The training will be demanding and strenuous, yet with perseverance and the correct attitude, you will succeed. It is crucial that you dedicate yourselves fully to the training because this program aims to equip you thoroughly for every operational situation you may confront in the field,” he emphasized.
The Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani—who attended as the Special Guest of Honor—stated that this initiative demonstrates the administration’s steadfast dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s security framework, addressing new challenges, and safeguarding the nation.
In her representation of him, Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe highlighted that “the nature of security concerns nowadays continues to change, encompassing not only terrorism, insurgency, and brigandage but also extending into areas like cyber threats and international criminal activities. To counteract this wide array of issues, it is essential for us to provide our military personnel with top-tier education, advanced strategies, and the fortitude required to tackle these multifaceted problems.”
This specialized force training program represents an ambitious move to ready a fresh cohort of top-tier soldiers adept at safeguarding our nation’s independence through accuracy, wit, and bravery. Additionally, this initiative aims to foster strategic reasoning, prompt decision-making, and leadership marked by integrity.
“In the current security landscape, the threats we encounter continue to change, ranging from terrorism, insurgency, and banditry to cyber threats and transnational crimes. To address these issues, we should provide our military forces with top-notch training, advanced strategies, and the fortitude required to tackle these obstacles,” he stated.
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | foreign policy, gaza israel conflict, international relations, news, politics
![]()
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, called for resuming negotiations on Monday in reaction to the recent intensification of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which followed unexpected Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) air strikes on Gaza.
During a press conference in Jerusalem, where she had a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Kallas commented, “Violence only breeds further violence.”
“What we’re seeing currently is a perilous intensification of the situation. This is creating immense uncertainty for the captives and their loved ones, and simultaneously instilling terror and leading to fatalities among the Palestinian population,” Kallas stated additionally.
Foreign Minister Sa’ar stated that “the conflict could conclude as early as tomorrow” provided certain conditions are met. These include the liberation of hostages seized by Hamas, the disarmament of Gaza, along with “the removal of armed factions from Hamas and Islamic Jihad.”
Sa’ar stated that they would be delighted to reach their objectives through diplomatic channels. However, should this prove unfeasible, they must proceed with their military operations.
The truce initiated in January halted more than a year of conflict that started with Hamas’ assault on October 7, 2023. During this period, their fighters killed around 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, and seized 251 hostages. Many of these captives have subsequently been freed via ceasefire arrangements or various pacts.
During the initial stage of the truce, 25 Israeli hostages along with the remains of eight more were freed in return for approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees.
The Israeli military later permitted hundreds of thousands of individuals to return to their homes, leading to an uptick in humanitarian assistance. However, Israel recently halted all deliveries of supplies to Gaza earlier this month in order to exert pressure on Hamas for additional negotiations regarding the agreement.
It was anticipated that the parties would start discussions in early February concerning the subsequent stage of the truce. This included releasing the leftover 59 captives—of whom roughly half are thought to have perished—in return for additional Palestinian inmates being freed, a permanent cessation of hostilities, and Israel’s retreat from occupied areas. Nonetheless, such dialogues did not take place.
“The only viable solution to alleviate the pain for everyone involved is to restart the discussions,” Kallas emphasized again.
Moreover, Kallas highlighted that the EU does not envision a role for Hamas in governing the Strip moving ahead and stated their willingness to engage in talks regarding Gaza’s future with the aim of achieving lasting peace.
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | air travel, aviation, flights, flying, news
________________
BRUSSELS –
On Monday, Brussels Airport declared that it would cancel all departure flights planned for March 31 as an anticipatory measure due to a national strike anticipated to severely affect air traffic control operations.
The head of operations at Belgium’s biggest airport advised passengers to prepare for potential cancellations of incoming flights due to a strike announced by the nation’s primary labor unions.
Much of the airport’s security and maintenance workforce is anticipated to go on strike during a protest against proposed changes to their pensions from the new conservative administration, along with concerns about rising costs of living.
The strike scheduled for next Monday was likewise anticipated to significantly disrupt activities at the nation’s secondary airport, located in the southern town of Charleroi.
Bart De Wever, a Flemish nationalist, assumed the role of prime minister at the beginning of last month. This followed extensive coalition negotiations that occurred after Belgium’s elections in June of the previous year.
However, trade unions have been angered by his efforts toward pension reform as Belgium struggles with a budget deficit that exceeds the limits set by European Union regulations.
The scheduled demonstration on Monday follows a previous national strike that took place six weeks ago, drawing tens of thousands of participants to the streets.
A significant number of military personnel, educators, railroad employees, law enforcement officers, and emergency responders have participated in the strike due to the government’s decision to eliminate their distinct retirement plans, which disproportionately impacts these professions.
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | africa, international relations, military, politics, south africa
__________________
JOHANNESBURG –
The defense minister from the Democratic Republic of Congo initiated a trip to South Africa on Monday with the purpose of enhancing “strategic defense capacities” between the nations, according to statements made by South Africa’s government.
The visit, scheduled to end on Thursday, occurs amid intensifying hostilities in the resource-abundant eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here, soldiers from South Africa, who were dispatched under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mandate, have faced significant setbacks.
“The purpose of this visit is to further bolster and improve the long-standing bilateral defense ties between South Africa and the DRC,” stated the South African Ministry of Defense.
Discussions between Congo’s Defence Minister, Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, and his South African peer, Angie Motshekga, will center around enhancing “critical aspects of defense collaboration” as well as strengthening their strategic defensive capacities, the statement noted.
The partnership is essential for promoting peace, security, and stability throughout the area, according to the ministry.
In January, fourteen South African troops lost their lives in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This occurred as the M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, initiated a rapid assault, capturing extensive territories and major urban centers.
Many of the troops were part of the SADC deployment made in December 2023 to assist the DRC government – which is also a SADC member – in reinstating stability and safety.
At minimum, two of the deceased soldiers were serving with a distinct United Nations peacekeeping unit.
After the fatalities, a dispute arose between South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwanda’s leader Paul Kagame. In response, Kagame tweeted that the Southern African soldiers were not serving as a peacekeeping unit but were instead “conducting offensive combat missions to support the DRC government.”
“If South Africa opts for confrontation, Rwanda will address the issue within that framework anytime,” Kagame stated on X.
In mid-March, the SADC declared that it would conclude its military operation, with the majority of forces being contributed by South Africa.
On March 18, Qatar surprisingly revealed that it had facilitated meetings with the Presidents of Rwanda and Congo, during which they “confirmed the pledge of all sides to an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities.”
However, even after the announcement, the M23 seized control of Walikale, which is a key mining center, marking their deepest advance into the heartland of the DRC since 2012.
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | africa, business, energy sector, government, politics
By Francis Ntow
Accra, March 24, GNA – The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has urged the government to promptly reassess all agreements related to Ghana’s natural resources with the aim of maximizing the nation’s benefits from their extraction.
She stated that the evaluation must ensure the nation achieves a minimum return of 60 percent from its natural assets, valued at more than 10 trillion, to aid in the country’s economic shift and reduce its debt load.
Former Chief Justice and IEA Fellow, Justice Sophia Akuffo, addressed this topic during a press conference in Accra on Monday, focusing on “Optimizing the Benefits from Ghana’s Natural Resources.”
She expressed worries about the exploitation of Ghana’s natural resources over several years, due to concession leases that granted sole control to international companies. These entities retained an unfairly large share of the goods and paid minimal sums as royalties and taxes.
The natural resources encompass gold, diamonds, bauxite, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, cocoa, and timber.
She requested the government to take cues from the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, Qatar, Tanzania, Botswana, Angola, and Eritrea, who examined their mining legislation and agreements to secure up to 50 percent for their national interests.
For instance, in Angola, the Petroleum Income Tax operates under a Production Sharing Agreement with a tax rate of 50% for taxable income. However, operations conducted through different contractual arrangements like consortium agreements face a higher tax rate of 65.75%, according to Justice Akuffo.
The ex-Chief Justice mentioned the UK as an example, where they had a separate corporate tax rate of 30 percent, an additional charge of 10 percent, and a levy of 38 percent on the extraction and production of oil and natural gas.
Likewise, according to Article 41 of Eritrea’s Mining Law Proclamation, the government was permitted to hold an equity stake of up to 40 percent in total, which includes a mandatory participatory interest of 10 percent in any mining venture.
“The moment has arrived for Ghana to terminate its Guggisberg-style agreements that favor international corporations and instead embrace contemporary optimal methods, ensuring that a greater portion of the resource revenue benefits the nation rather than solely foreign mining enterprises,” she stated.
She requested the establishment of a five-person panel consisting of seasoned Ghanaian individuals to examine and suggest revisions to every law and contract related to natural resources. This was aimed at maximizing the advantages these resources could bring to the nation.
The former Chief Justice suggested that Ghana should fully embrace domestically-owned production lines or, at minimum, establish joint ventures between Ghanaians and foreigners in the natural resources sector, which would involve cost-sharing and profit distribution.
Dr. John Kwakye, the Director of Research at IEA, remarked, “Although our nation boasts abundant wealth beneath the soil, it appears impoverished above ground.” He further stated that leaders have not sufficiently leveraged the country’s natural resources to foster national progress.
“More than 10 trillion dollars worth of natural resources could potentially be harnessed if appropriate systems are in place… If you’re unprepared, keep them underground until the necessary expertise and funding become available,” he stated.
Should it require street protests to prompt the government into favoring Ghanaian interests in natural resource agreements, the IAE will be at the forefront.
Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, the Deputy Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has called upon the government to boldly reassess all laws and agreements to ensure they benefit the nation.
He committed TUC to ongoing collaboration with the IEA and other partners in developing policies aimed at ensuring appropriate changes in foreign ownership and control of Ghana’s natural resources.
GNA
ABD
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