Africa

Photo: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev with Roscongrees Foundation in the backdrop. Credit: Roscongress Foundation.Collage of photos of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Roscongress Foundation and Head of the Coordinating Council under the Secretariat of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum (RAPF) Alexander Stuglev

Russia Keen to Strengthen Partnership with Africa

Kester Kenn Klomegah* Interviews Roscongress' CEO

MOSCOW (IDN) — As the epidemiological situation begins to stabilize through mass vaccination and building herd immunity, the 24th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is finally set to take place on June 2-5, 2021. This unique Russian forum is expected to bring together politicians, corporate business directors and investors from different parts of the world. The organizing committee will do everything in its power to ensure that the event is held with all the necessary measures in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

: Kester Kenn Klomegah; THE WORLD; Russia; 29 April 2021

Photo: Uber driver protest in Kenya. Source: africanews.com

South African Lawyers Sue Uber Car Service Seeking Employee Rights

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — South African law firm Mbuyisa Moleele Attorneys is partnering with lawyers at Lehigh Day, a UK law firm, to launch a class action in South Africa against the ride-hailing firm Uber.

The case on behalf of drivers would recognize them as employees with benefits, rather than as independent contractors not covered by the legal minimum wage. Similar cases have been brought in California and New York with mixed success.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 26 April 2021

Photo: Idriss Deby Itno who died on April 20. Source: Afrik.com

State Funeral for Leader of Chad, Embraced by Western Nations

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — European and American military leaders lost a key African ally in their fight against insurgent movements across Africa. Foreign forces face an uncertain future with the recent death of the President of the African nation of Chad.

Idriss Deby Itno died on April 20 during a firefight with militants of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) who had crossed into Chad from Libya. His death coincided with his reelection victory for a sixth term that would have made him one of the longest-serving leaders in the world.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 26 April 2021

Photo: Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed. Source: International Centre for Investigative Reporting.

Foreign Investors Shun Nigeria, Information Minister Faults Journalists

Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwene

The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Interview magazine based in Abuja, Nigeria.

ABUJA (IDN) — Something Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said reminded me of British political journalist, Andrew Marr.

Journalism, Marr wrote in his book, My Trade, is a chaotic form of earning, ragged at the edges and full of snakes and con artists.

: Africa & ME Editor; THE WORLD; Africa; 24 April 2021

Photo: A traditional Dogon village in central Mali. MINUSMA/Sophie Ravier

UN Finds French Military Culpable for Deadly Attack on Mali Civilians

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — Major combat operations by French troops in Mali have drawn fire from local officials who accuse the French military of killing civilians including at a recent wedding. Nineteen wedding guests and three armed men died in the strike in the village of Bounty, central Mali.

Now, a scathing report by the UN’s mission in Mali, known as MINUSMA, concurs with Malian authorities and upholds the claim that the victims were protected under international law. The French defence ministry rejects the report’s findings.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 20 April 2021

Photo: Rwanda Genocide suspect Munyenyezi faces seven counts in Rwanda Source: Africa CGTN

Genocide Suspect Back in Rwanda After Losing Appeal to Remain in the U.S.

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — After two unsuccessful appeals in the U.S., a Rwandan woman is back in Kigali where she stands to face prosecution for her active role in the 1994 Rwanda genocide.

In an application for political asylum, Beatrice Munyenyezi denied that she had been involved in the killing of Tutsis in Rwanda. But witnesses were found and told a court how Munyenyezi had inspected identity cards at a notorious roadblock where ethnic Tutsis were singled out for slaughter.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 19 April 2021

Photo: Nigerian start-up's bus. Source: Plentywaka

Nigerian Start-Up Plans International Debut in Canada

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — You’ve hailed an Uber, waved down a taxi—now a Nigerian start-up will take you to the next level. Their company—Plentywaka—will let you call a bus.

Founder Onyeka Akumah and his team are planning to make their international debut in the Canadian market after recently receiving $120,000 backing from Techstars Toronto.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 19 April 2021

Photo: Prof. Ksenia Tabarintseva-Romanova and Prof Alexei Antoshin

Economic and Social Development of the African Continent — A Russian Perspective

Kester Kenn Klomegah* interviews Prof. Ksenia Tabarintseva-Romanova and Prof Alexei Antoshin

MOSCOW (IDN) — After the Soviet collapse, Russia has maintained strong and time-tested relations with African countries, particularly as the Soviet Union had played an important role during decolonization. The African continent comprises a diverse collection of countries, each with its own set of development setbacks and challenges. The political culture and investment climate are, in fact, diverse but are also important forces in determining the levels of the economy.

: Kester Kenn Klomegah; THE WORLD; Africa; 18 April 2021

Photo: Food crisis in the Sahel and West Africa. Credit: Food Security Net

27 Million in the Sahel and West Africa Facing Unprecedented Food and Nutrition Crisis

By Jaya Ramachandaran

PARIS (IDN) — The Sahel and West Africa are facing a major food and nutrition crisis for the second consecutive year and 27.1 million people will be at risk during the 2021 lean season, according to experts. A swift and co-ordinated response, they say, is needed alongside strengthened political commitment to finding more sustainable ways of addressing recurrent crises and the growing need for food assistance across the region.

: Jaya Ramachandran; SUSTAINABILITY; Food security, nutrition & sustainable agriculture; 15 April 2021

Photo: A monument in memory of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is unveiled at the United Nations in Geneva (file). UN Photo / Violaine Martin.

UN Chief Calls for Reflecting on Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — In a message marking the grim anniversary of the 1994 genocide of Tutsi in Rwanda, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the rise of extremist groups and the inflammatory rhetoric that produced horrific consequences.

“Everyone must take a hard look at today’s world and ensure that we heed the lessons of 27 years ago,” the UN chief declared. “While the technology used by extremists is evolving, their vile messages and rhetoric remain the same.”