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Decline in Chinese Labour Force Across Africa

Earlier in 2015, 263,696 workers were recorded on the continent, which drastically declined to 88,371 in 2022….reports Asian Lite News

The number of Chinese workers across Africa has dropped significantly to its lowest level in more than a decade, Voice of America reported, citing data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics.

Earlier in 2015, 263,696 workers were recorded on the continent, which drastically declined to 88,371 in 2022.

The China Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins University analysed data from 2009 to 2022 and attributed the drop in numbers partially to the pandemic, as Chinese workers left during that period and the country only reopened in early 2023, VOA reported.

However, the drop in numbers is also due to a variety of other factors, according to the experts, including oil prices and the downscaling of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s global Belt and Road Initiative, which initially saw thousands of Chinese sent out across the continent to work on large infrastructure projects.

When asked whether the numbers could have rebounded last year and might continue to do so, Deborah Brautigam, director at the China Africa Research Initiative, said, “We have no data for 2023, but anecdotally, we hear that more postponed projects are resuming. Yet we are unlikely to see the high numbers of the past.”

Yunnan Chen, a researcher at ODI Global, a UK-based research group, said, “It might be that some construction has restarted since 2022, but we know the number of overall Chinese-financed projects has been in decline for a number of years, and the last few years have put a damper on any new project deals. So I wouldn’t expect any dramatic increases in these numbers anytime soon.”

According to the statistics, the five countries with the most Chinese workers in 2022 were Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reported VOA.

While still leading in the number of workers, Algeria and Angola also saw the biggest drops.

Algeria had more than 91,000 Chinese workers in 2016, while Angola had a peak of 50,000. However, by 2022, only about 7,000 workers remained in each country.

The director of the China Africa Research Initiative further said that the huge drops “are explained by the price of oil. They’re both highly reliant on oil exports and they use this oil to pay for nearly all government spending.”

Moreover, China has been criticised for failing to aid job creation in Africa or equip local residents with new skills, despite its massive projects, as reported by VOA.

While large numbers of local workers have indeed been employed, it’s often been in the most basic of roles, whereas more senior jobs have been reserved for Chinese.

“Generally, Chinese projects do hire local labourers,” said Chen.

Even though China sends fewer of its people to Africa, hiring Africans for higher-paid, skilled jobs by Chinese companies may not happen immediately, Brautigam added. (ANI)

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Unveiling South Africa’s Untouched Beauty

Laced with stunning views and opportunities to hike around the free-flowing rivers, the Augrabies Falls National Park is located in the vicinity of Upington along the banks of the formidable Orange River…reports Asian Lite News

As the year gains momentum and travellers embark on checking off their bucket lists, numerous hidden gems await discovery, eager to be unveilled. For wanderlusts, these destinations project new desires to explore the unexplored and charter the roads less travelled. With the landscape of travel continuously evolving, play along and embark on an exploration of novel experiences that transcend geological boundaries. 

The essence of travel lies in the discovery of unfound gems and underrated cultures. Enriched by multiple less frequented destinations, the idea of exploring the Rainbow Nation appears ever so appealing. Often associated with iconic destinations such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, the country has so much more to offer if one goes beyond these well-trodden paths. Trading the familiarity of popular, mainstream destinations with untouched landscapes could be your very first stepping stone to embrace the thrill of the unknown, and when you get there, your camera lens will finally experience the unparalleled beauty that it has been missing all along.

Serenade By the Sounds at Augrabies Falls National Park

Laced with stunning views and opportunities to hike around the free-flowing rivers, the Augrabies Falls National Park is located in the vicinity of Upington along the banks of the formidable Orange River. Appreciating the incredible sounds generated from the powerful flow of the 56-metre-high waterfall here the Khoi people of South Africa often refer to the park as “Aulkorebis”. translating to “the place of great noise”. While there are no large predators here, expect to encounter Giraffes, Zebras, African Wild Cats, Springbok, and more along with rare sightings of Leopards. Besides, the park is also home to multiple fascinating rock formations to check out. One can also go against the currents of the Orange River and enjoy water sports such as white-water rafting and kayaking. 

Become Captive to The Natural Beauty of Coffee Bay

Tucked away in the Wild Coast of South Africa, Coffee Bay is famous for its prominent geographical marvel – Hole in the Wall. Placed right in the path of Mpako River the elements of the rock stacked offshore have eroded a hole thus creating a beautiful arch. The Xhosa mythology credits the phenomenon to a romantic tale of semi-deities. Coffee Bay is surrounded by a rich diversity of wild flora and fauna, inviting you to embark on hour-long strolls and become captive to the town’s scenic beauties. Try taking a leisurely break under the canopy of milkwood trees or dive for a swim right before lunch. You can conclude the day driving back along a picturesque road and return in time to sip your favourite sundowner drink. 

Gaze The Turquoise Waters of Langebaan Lagoon

Safeguarded within the West Coast National Park, Langebaan is a saltwater lagoon and a remarkable international treasure. A paradise for bird enthusiasts, the intertidal area of this 16-km-long waterbody attracts as many as 55,000 water birds in the summer. Striking an intense turquoise blue shade, the lagoon is also responsible for supporting a huge population of crabs and snails along with 70 different marine algae serving as a nursery to juvenile fish. What makes it unique is its self-sustaining nature where the lagoon shapes itself by the rise and fall of sea levels. If you are a beachbody, make your way to the coast for a relaxing swim or a comforting picnic or spend time exploring a series of unique salt marshes that make up the biggest salt marsh area in South Africa. 

Hide In the Mountains with The Hidden Village of Hogsback

A charming village hidden in the elevated Amatola range, Hogsback is an enigmatic world of mountains and forests.  Wrapped in the native Afromontane Forest, the village offers a rejuvenating experience. Posing dramatic natural beauty, the mountains are host to numerous hiking trails attracting adventure seekers from around the world taking them through an exploration journey of glorious waterfalls. This little sanctuary is also the home to the last surviving Cape parrots and vibrant Knysna Loerie as well as long-crested eagles and crowned eagles. With breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, Hosgback is a haven for wanderers. During winters you will also find the lower-lying parts of the village covered in a blanket of snow.

Stand Above the Valley of Desolation

Offering breathtaking views from the top, the Valley of Desolation in the Eastern Cape is essentially a geological phenomenon that surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet.  A national monument located within the Camdeboo National Park, the valley is popular for its Karoo Landscape and the charming Karoo-styled homes of the town it encompasses as well as its historic museums. Being just 14 km away from the town’s borders, the valley poses a remarkable diversity of plants, mammals, and bird species. The inspiring vertical cliffs and dolerite columns stand tall at 120 meters above the floor of the valley is an unusual feature resulting from the volcanic and erosive forces that have taken 100 million years to form. If you find yourself strolling the Graaf Reinet, be sure to seize the opportunity to embark on an invigorating hike in the valley for a fun-filled outdoor experience. An enduring force of nature, this majestic beauty provides a momentary escape from the ordinary.

South Africa is abundant with natural beauty and peculiar landscapes and while the above spills the beans to a few, many more hidden gems of the Rainbow Nation await to be unearthed.

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From Asia to Africa, India’s Key Role in Global South’s Growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated new infrastructure, including an airstrip and jetty, aiming for regional security and prosperity…reports Asian Lite News

In yet another proof of its emergence as an emphatic voice of the Global South, India joined hands with “valued friend” Mauritius once again to strengthen its maritime security and foster socio-economic development.

Along with six other community development projects, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Indian-origin Mauritius counterpart Pravind Jugnauth inaugurated a new airstrip and a jetty in Agalega Island on Thursday — a move seen as an attempt to ensure security, prosperity, and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

The development was seen as a reaffirmation of the Modi government’s focus on ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ as a hallmark of India’s foreign policy. It goes without saying that PM Modi has been successful in setting the economic agenda aimed at shaping global growth at various international forums.

With the oceanic nation being a key partner of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and a special partner under Vision SAGAR, the last 10 years have registered an “unprecedented momentum” in the relations between the two countries.

India has extended a credit line of $1,000 million along with USD 400 million worth of assistance to the people of Mauritius which underlines the fact that addressing the humanitarian issues is of paramount importance for PM Modi.

In addition, New Delhi has contributed profusely to the development of metro rail lines, community development projects, social housing, ENT Hospital, Civil Service College, and sports complexes infrastructures in Mauritius.

In what highlights India’s greater role in the development of various nations under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, the government has initiated around 600 projects on infrastructure, energy, healthcare, etc, in 78 countries, especially from the Global South.

It is these partnerships in the Global South — from security and health to EEZ — that spotlights India’s role as a “vishwaguru”, or global teacher, in leading developmental work across third-world countries.

With the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war putting the third-world nations under a severe strain, Papua New Guinea PM James Marape, in his address at the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation in May 2023, urged PM Modi to offer a voice in the face of the Global North.

Marape reportedly suggested that the Pacific Island countries would rally behind his voice at global forums even as he praised the Indian PM as the leader of the Global South.

India’s efforts for these countries were made amply clear during PM Modi’s address at the opening session of the 2023 Voice of Global South summit where the leader called for creating a new world order to ensure the welfare of citizens in developing countries.

Emphasising that the next phase of global growth will come from countries in the South, PM Modi stressed self-reliance and proposed a four-point global agenda of ‘Respond, Recognise, Respect and Reform’ at the session.

In a bid to remove inequalities, support growth and opportunities, and spread progress and prosperity, the PM — successfully positioning India as a powerhouse of the 21st century — urged the developing countries to work towards redesigning political and financial governance globally.

Apart from Mauritius, the shining examples of developmental contributions made by India, based on the partner country’s priorities, include the recent launch of Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services in Sri Lanka and Mauritius.

In a groundbreaking move last year, India and the United Nations launched the ‘India-UN Capacity Building Initiative’, which aims to share the South Asian nation’s development experiences, best practices, and expertise with partner countries in the Global South.

In December last year, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed the Parliament that India has extended lines of credit ‘worth $32.02 billion’ for infra projects in Asian and African countries.

Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, said that these funds have supported more than 600 projects in sectors ranging from infrastructure, power, connectivity and health.

Providing a breakup of the line of credit amount, Muraleedharan said about $17.06 billion has gone to countries in Asia, $12.15 billion to those in Africa, and $2.81 billion to countries elsewhere.

Further, grant assistance projects with countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan have also been set up as part of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

The parliament was also told that the government is also offering capacity-building assistance to its partners in the Global South under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC).

“Around 160 countries benefit from these scholarships every year. More than 14,000 training slots are available annually for civilian and defence courses,” V. Muraleedharan had said.

Via ITEC, India has helped countries like Afghanistan, Lithuania, Maldives, Nepal, etc, and scholarships were also announced for Pacific Island Countries in May last year.

ALSO READ-South Africa’s economy estimated to grow 1.6% 

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South Africa’s opposition launch poll campaign

In a country plagued by an energy crisis and high unemployment, some 27.5 million registered South Africans will elect a new parliament which will then vote in a new president...reports Asian Lite News

The Liberal Democratic Alliance, fighting to keep its place as South Africa’s official opposition party, was to launch its electoral campaign on Saturday ahead of a hotly contested vote.

In the capital Pretoria the party led a march from the center city to the seat of government, the Union Buildings. Under the scorching sun, streets were flooded with a sea of the DA’s signature blue as supporters sang along to an energetic brass band as they marched behind their leader. He, John Steenhuisen, was expected to unveil the party’s new manifesto. “I’m here today to see some change, we want to give this political party a chance because you never know it could work” said Pontsho Mona, 24, “because truly speaking the ANC has failed.” The ruling African National Congress is set to launch its own manifesto next week. The image of the 110-year-old ANC has been fractured and stained by corruption, cronyism and a lackluster economic record.

In a country plagued by an energy crisis and high unemployment, some 27.5 million registered South Africans will elect a new parliament which will then vote in a new president. Some polls show the alliance currently battling with leftist party Economic Freedom Fighters for second place behind the ANC.

A recent Ipsos survey put the two parties tied at between 17 and 20 percent. Formed in 2000 as a fusion of three mostly white parties, the DA has struggled to escape its white, middle-class image and win over black voters. But Simon Nkabinde, a 68-year-old pensioner, said he has put his faith into the DA after being “constantly lied to” by the ANC. “I had been complaining about not having a tar road in my township since 1991 under ANC leadership but nothing happened for 30 years,” he said. “The DA has now won our municipality and has started building us a tar road.” The center-right  party has formed a coalition in the hope of unseating the ANC.

ALSO READ-African leaders condemn Israel’s offensive in Gaza

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African leaders condemn Israel’s offensive in Gaza

Moussa Faki, the chair of the African Union Commission, said Israel’s offensive was the “most flagrant” violation of international humanitarian law…reports Asian Lite News

Leaders at an African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Saturday condemned Israel’s offensive in Gaza and called for its immediate end.

Moussa Faki, the chair of the African Union Commission, said Israel’s offensive was the “most flagrant” violation of international humanitarian law and accused Israel of having “exterminated” Gaza’s inhabitants.

Faki spoke alongside Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, who also addressed the summit.

“Rest assured we strongly condemn these attacks that are unprecedented in the history of mankind,” Faki said to applause from delegates. “We want to reassure you of our solidarity with the people of Palestine.”

Azali Assoumani, president of the Comoros and the outgoing chairperson of the African Union, praised the case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice while condemning “the genocide Israel is committing in Palestine under our nose.”

“The international community cannot close its eyes to the atrocities that are committed, that have not only created chaos in Palestine but also have disastrous consequences in the rest of the world,” Assoumani said.

A quarter of Gaza’s residents are starving because of the war, which began with Hamas’ assault into Israel on Oct. 7, in which militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250.

Israel strongly denies committing genocide in Gaza and says it does all it can to spare civilians and is only targeting Hamas militants. It says Hamas’ tactic of embedding in civilian areas makes it difficult to avoid civilian casualties.

During last year’s AU summit, an Israeli delegate was unceremoniously removed from the plenary hall amid a row over the country’s observer status at the continental body.

Concern over conflicts and the resurgence of coups across the African continent also underscored the opening of this year’s summit. Faki cited tensions over Senegal’s postponed election and violence in eastern Congo, Sudan, the Sahel, and Libya. He called for a revival of “the spirit of African solidarity and Pan-Africanism” to overcome the many challenges facing the continent of 1.3 billion people.

Ethiopia-Somalia friction boils over at summit

Tensions between Horn of Africa rivals Ethiopia and Somalia boiled over on Saturday on the opening day of an African Union summit in Addis Ababa.

The two neighbours — already at odds over a controversial maritime pact — locked horns over Somalia’s claims that Ethiopian security tried to block its President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud from accessing the summit venue.

The feud is one of a “litany of difficulties” referred to by AU Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat in his opening address to the gathering in the Ethiopian capital.

Faki painted a “bleak picture” and said leaders of the pan-African body had to step up and tackle the myriad conflicts, coups and political crises blighting the continent of 1.4 billion people.

The 55-nation AU, which is headquartered in Addis Ababa, has long been criticised for being ineffectual and taking little decisive action in the face of numerous conflicts and power grabs.

In a sign of the uneasy relations between two member states, Mogadishu accused Addis Ababa of “outrageous conduct” and a “provocative” act over the reported security incident and demanded a full AU investigation.

Mohamud told reporters he had been blocked by Ethiopian security agents as he tried to enter a summit venue, a second time while accompanying Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh. “A soldier with a gun stood in front of us and denied us access to this facility,” he said after later attending the summit.

Ethiopia insisted Mohamud was warmly welcomed and that the Somali delegation was blocked when its security detail tried to enter a venue with weapons.

Mogadishu has accused Addis Ababa of violating its sovereignty over a January maritime deal with Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 in a move not recognised by the international community.

Under the memorandum of understanding, Somaliland agreed to lease 20 kilometres (12 miles) of its coast for 50 years to landlocked Ethiopia, which wants to set up a naval base and a commercial port on the coast.

Faki had earlier spoken of “worrying trends” in the Horn of Africa without directly referring to the maritime pact, but said respect for the sovereignty of all countries in the region was crucial.

The commission chief also blasted a failure of African leaders to counter multiple “unconstitutional changes of government”.

Gabon and Niger are absent from the summit following their suspension over coups last year — joining Mali, Guinea, Sudan and Burkina Faso, which are also barred for similar reasons.

Faki also voiced worries about the crisis in Senegal, set off by President Macky Sall’s last-minute move to push back this month’s elections in a country usually considered a beacon of democracy in West Africa. But he said he hoped for a “spirit of consensus” to organise “inclusive, free and transparent elections as quickly as possible” after the Constitutional Council overruled Sall’s move.

ALSO READ-SLP passes motion calling for Gaza ceasefire

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Campaign across Africa against female genital mutilation  

Grassroots activists and organization officials will travel about 12,000 km across Africa, holding events and media outreach campaigns in areas where FGM is commonly practiced…reports Asian Lite News

African survivors of female genital mutilation are set to lead a thousands-strong caravan of campaigners around the continent in a bid to end the practice.

Grassroots activists and organization officials will travel about 12,000 km across Africa, holding events and media outreach campaigns in areas where FGM is commonly practiced.

The #FrontlineEndingFGM coalition will visit 20 countries with convoys that will attempt to challenge the practice of FGM using information tailored to the local area.

Ayo Bello-Awodoyin, who leads the Global Media Campaign to end FGM in Nigeria, said: “We are shifting the power. Grassroots activists who have been doing the work but have not really had the backing to do it at this level, will now have the opportunity to come out en masse across different countries and lead these efforts.”

The caravan is set to begin its journey in June, starting in Mauritania in Africa’s northwest. It is expected to reach Djibouti on the Horn of Africa by mid-2026.

Though FGM has declined across the continent — in some places rapidly — the practice continues despite being illegal in many African countries, which activists blame on poor enforcement. In Somalia, the Gambia, Mali and Guinea, the practice is still highly supported by the public.

Bello-Awodoyin said: “The major issue is the effectiveness of laws — if we say that FGM is a punishable offense but there’s no prosecution, it becomes a big challenge.”

According to activists, a major impediment to eradication of the practice are regional beliefs that FGM is a religious mandate, including in Somalia, where an estimated 98 percent of women have undergone cutting.

Anti-FGM messaging to local populations must be tailored to the specific cultural and religious beliefs of regions across Africa, activists have said.

Ifrah Ahmed, an FGM survivor and founder of the Ifrah foundation, said: “It will have a huge impact for the community to hear a religious leader say that it’s not a religious practice, but a cultural one.”

#FrontlineEndingFGM will also travel to rural areas housing internally displaced people, who will be given information via documentaries on the health consequences of FGM.

The practice can lead to childbirth complications, trauma, menstrual and sexual issues, and in some cases death.

Ahmed said: “When they watch these documentaries for themselves, it will reach them differently. It is one thing to tell them that young girls are dying from FGM, it’s another for them to see it.”

Previous campaigns to eradicate the practice have reported promising results. Kenya’s Tana River region recorded an 84 percent decline in the worst form of FGM following a three-year broadcast project led by local religious leaders.

Bello-Awodoyin said: “I hope that people will learn how harmful FGM is … and that survivors and leaders of grassroots organisations will not stop fighting.”

A joint statement by United Nations Population Fund Executive Director Natalia Kanem, UN Children’s Fund Executive Director Catherine Russell, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was issued on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

While the exact number of girls and women who have undergone female genital mutilation worldwide is unknown, data from the 30 countries with population level data show that at least 200 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to the practice. The practice is primarily concentrated in Western, Eastern, and North-Eastern Africa, as well as some Middle Eastern and Asian countries.

As migration has increased, so has the number of girls and women in Europe, Australia, and North America who have undergone or are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation. FGM is, therefore, a global concern.

Female genital mutilation violates the rights of women and girls, endangering their physical and mental health and limiting their ability to live healthy and fulfilling lives. It increases their risk of severe pain, bleeding, and infections, as well as other health complications later in life, such as risks during childbirth, which can endanger their newborns’ lives.

“We must amplify the voices of survivors to raise awareness and inspire collective action, and promote their power and autonomy by ensuring they have an active role in prevention and response interventions,” the statement said.

There has been some progress: The practice of FGM has declined over the last three decades and in the 31 countries with nationally representative prevalence data, approximately one in every three girls aged 15 to 19 today has undergone the procedure, compared to one in every two in the 1990s.

While the prevalence of FGM has decreased globally over the last three decades, not all countries have made progress, and the rate of decline has been uneven. Current progress is insufficient to keep up with increasing population growth, the UN said. If trends continue, the number of girls and women undergoing FGM will rise significantly in the next 15 years, the WHO warned.

ALSO READ-‘Terrorist threat high in Africa conflict zones’

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‘Terrorist threat high in Africa conflict zones’

The panel said al-Qaida has improved its media productions which appeared aimed at restoring the extremist group’s credibility, attracting recruits, and filling the void over its inability to announce a new leader…reports Asian Lite News

The terrorist threat from al-Qaida, the Islamic State group and their affiliates remains high in conflict zones in Africa and in Afghanistan – and threat levels have risen in some regions including Europe, U.N. experts said in a new report.

The panel of experts said in the 23-page report that the relationship between Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers and al-Qaida remains close, and unnamed member states report that “the high concentration of terrorist groups” in the country are undermining the security situation in the region.

The greatest threat within Afghanistan still comes from the Islamic State “with its ability to project into the region and beyond,” the experts said in the report to the U.N. Security Council covering the period until Dec. 16, 2023 which was circulated Wednesday. Regionally, they pointed to a succession of attacks in neighboring Iran and Pakistan and threats in Central Asian nations.

The panel said, however, that while none of the al-Qaida affiliated groups have recovered the capability to launch long-range operations, “they harbor global ambitions.” And it said “covert and calibrated efforts to rebuild capability” have been reported.

The Daesh broke away from al-Qaida over a decade ago and attracted supporters from around the world. Despite its defeat in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria two years later. The panel said the combined IS strength in the two countries is still between 3,000 and 5,000 fighters. In Iraq, they are carrying out “a low-intensity insurgency with covert terrorist cells” while in Syria attacks have intensified since November, the experts said.

The panel said the three-month delay in naming the current Daesh leader, Abu Hafs al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi, following the death in fighting of his little-known predecessor “is judged indicative of internal difficulties and security challenges”

Some unnamed U.N. member nations have assessed that serious pressure from counter-terrorism operations in Syria and Iraq raise the possibility that the Islamic State could move its leadership and “center of gravity” to Africa or Afghanistan, with Africa more likely, the experts said.

In West Africa and the Sahel, the panel said, “violence and threat have escalated again” in conflict zones, raising concerns among U.N. member nations. The experts point to “a deficit in counterterrorism capabilities,” which Daesh and al-Qaida affiliated groups are continuing to exploit.

“The situation is becoming ever more complex with the conflation of ethnic and regional disputes with the agenda and operations of these groups,” they said.

In east Africa, the experts said, the Somali government is continuing its military offensive against al-Shabab, an al-Qaida affiliate, but they said U.N. member nations assess that despite significant losses from air strikes and military operations, “al-Shabab remains resilient. It has an estimated 7,000 to 12,000 fighters, and an estimated $100 million annual income, mostly from illegal taxation in the capital Mogadishu and southern Somalia, they said.

The panel said al-Qaida has improved its media productions which appeared aimed at restoring the extremist group’s credibility, attracting recruits, and filling the void over its inability to announce a new leader.

But that messaging changed after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel, the experts said.

The attack killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and Hamas and other extremists took about 250 people hostage, according to Israeli authorities. In Israel’s ongoing offensive in response in Gaza aimed at destroying Hamas, more than 27,000 people have been killed, according to the territory’s health ministry which doesn’t distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths.

The experts said Al-Qaida has focused on “the sanctity” of the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in Islam which is in a compound in Jerusalem sacred to Jews and Muslims, with some communications stressing “an obligation for individuals to take action to the limits of their own ability.”

“Member States are concerned that it (al-Qaida) could exploit the situation to recover relevance and tap into popular dissent about the extent of civilian casualties, providing direction to those keen to act,” the panel said, and they “are concerned that the renewed narrative could inspire self-initiated attacks globally.”

Across Europe, the experts said, “formal terrorist threat levels have risen … following fatal attacks in late 2023 in France and Belgium, in addition to numerous non-lethal terrorist incidents and arrests in several European countries.”

ALSO READ-‘Africa to have place of honor on agenda of Italy’s G7 presidency’

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‘Africa to have place of honor on agenda of Italy’s G7 presidency’

Of the plan’s €5.5 billion budget, Meloni said “about €3 billion will come from the Italian climate fund and €2.5 billion from the development cooperation fund.”…reports Asian Lite News

Africa will have “a place of honor” on the agenda of Italy’s G7 presidency in 2024, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pledged on Monday.

At the Italy-Africa Summit in Rome, Meloni presented the government’s Mattei Plan, which aims to transform Italy into an energy hub and stop migrants reaching the country from North Africa. The plan is named after Enrico Mattei, founder of Italy’s state-owned energy giant Eni.

The proposed strategic partnership between Italy and African countries aims to address the root causes of irregular migration and turn Italy into a hub for energy supplies from Africa to Europe as the latter tries to reduce its dependency on Russian oil and gas after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The plan aims to position Italy as “a bridge between Africa and Europe, funneling energy north while exchanging investment in the south for deals aimed at curbing migrant departures across the Mediterranean Sea,” Giulio Tremonti, president of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Italian Chamber of Deputies, told Arab News.

Initial funding of the plan will be of €5.5 billion ($5.9 billion). Some of it will be loans, with investments focused on energy, agriculture, water, health and education in African countries.

Twenty-five African leaders and top representatives of the EU, including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Speaker of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, attended the summit, which was held in the Plenary Hall of the Italian Senate in the presence of Italian entrepreneurs and lawmakers.

At the event, which was attended by Arab News, Meloni said Italy is making a “precise foreign policy choice, which will lead to giving Africa a place of honor on the agenda of our G7 presidency.”

She added: “We’re aware of how interconnected the destiny of our continents is, and … it’s possible to imagine and write a new chapter in our relations involving cooperation between equals that’s a long way removed from any predatory temptation and charitable approach.”

Of the plan’s €5.5 billion budget, Meloni said “about €3 billion will come from the Italian climate fund and €2.5 billion from the development cooperation fund.”

Pilot projects contemplated under the plan include the creation of a vocational training center on renewable energy in Morocco, education projects in Tunisia, and projects giving greater access to healthcare in Ivory Coast.

Tunisia and Ivory Coast were respectively the second and third most common country of origin of migrants and refugees arriving in Italy by sea in 2023.

“Sharing is one of the cardinal principles of the Mattei Plan, and the work of this summit will be decisive in enriching the path,” said Meloni, adding that projects are also foreseen in Algeria and Egypt, among other countries.

Von der Leyen said the Mattei Plan “is an important contribution to this new phase of our partnership with Africa, and complements our European Global Gateway” project that aims to mobilize €150 billion in funding to support green and digital transitions in Africa.

“The interests and destinies of Africa and Europe are aligned more than ever before,” she added, pointing to clean energy, the fight against the climate crisis, employment, and preventing loss of life along migration routes by addressing the root causes of migration and combating people smugglers.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the summit “intends to strengthen a dialogue between equals in order to look together at the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

He added: “We live in a context of three wars, in which even the situation in the Red Sea has strategic and economic repercussions on African countries as well as for us.”

For this reason, he said, the summit has “strong strategic value,” reiterating that Italy’s G7 presidency “intends to be a factor of stability and partnership with Africa.”

ALSO READ-Civil servants of 6 African countries learning skills in India

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Civil servants of 6 African countries learning skills in India

This programme is for civil servants from the African region and 36 senior officers from six countries, namely Eritrea, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Gambia, and Eswatini are attending it, an official said…reports Asian Lite News

Civil servants of six different African countries are being trained in India, learning leadership and governance related skills in a Mussoorie institute.

The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), an apex-level autonomous institution under the Union Ministry of Personnel, commenced a two-week Advanced Leadership Development Programme on Public Policy and Governance.

This programme is for civil servants from the African region and 36 senior officers from six countries, namely Eritrea, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Gambia, and Eswatini are attending it, an official said.

NCGG Director General and Secretary, DARPG, V. Srinivas, emphasised India’s commitment to digital transformation, and highlighted the role of technology in bringing citizens closer to the government.

Course Coordinator and Associate Professor at NCGG, Dr. A.P Singh said that the programme includes sessions on governance paradigms, digital technology in housing, Aadhar for good governance, land records modernisation, transparency in government procurement, rural property survey programmes, public-private partnerships, effective office administration, climate change policies, sustainable development goals, agriculture in India, public policy perspectives, and India-Africa relation along with institutional visit to PM Sangrahalaya, the DMRC, AIIMS, and the Taj Mahal.

Srinivas said that India’s policy maxim of “Maximum Governance, Minimum Government” has focused on digital empowerment of citizens and digital transformation of institutions to bring citizens and government closer using technology, and the focus is on effective grievance redressal using CPGRAMS, secretariat reforms focused on e-services, and improving service delivery through integrated service portals.

The Capacity Building Programme seeks to present India’s strides in technology, zero tolerance to corruption, and ethics in governance to the delegates in addition to the focus on land reforms.

Gambia’s Deputy High Commissioner Lamin E Singhateh expressed gratitude for the knowledge-sharing collaboration between his country, India, and the NCGG. He also emphasised the importance of continuous learning for professional and personal growth in today’s world.

ALSO READ-S. Africa’s Parliament calls for pressure on Israel

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S. Africa’s Parliament calls for pressure on Israel

Calling the ICJ verdict “a significant human rights victory,” the parliament said “the ruling vindicates South Africa’s position on an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities in Gaza”…reports Asian Lite News

The South African parliament welcomed the “landmark ruling” of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the country’s genocide case against Israel, calling on the international community to apply pressure on Israel to comply with the order. According to a statement issued by the parliament on Friday evening, the ICJ has determined that Israel’s actions in Gaza are “plausibly genocidal” and has indicated provisional measures on that basis. Calling it “a significant human rights victory,” the parliament said “the ruling vindicates South Africa’s position on an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities in Gaza.”

In the statement, the South African parliament called on Israel to respect the binding measures and to cease all plausibly genocidal acts in Gaza and against the Palestinian people. “There is now no credible basis for Israel and its supporters’ indiscriminate military actions in the name of self-defense. The ruling is a clear demonstration of Israel’s non-compliance with international law, including the Genocide Convention,” said the parliament. Therefore, it noted, the ruling compels Israel to stop immediately all hostilities in Gaza and allow more UN humanitarian aid. “Considering the measures ordered by the court, we call on governments, parliaments, and the international community to respond by applying pressure on Israel to comply with the order,” it added. The parliament also called on the United Nations Security Council, upon formal notification of the ICJ’s order and pursuant to its statute, to ensure swift action as “no government or state is above the law.” On Dec. 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The order is binding on Israel, and must be respected by all states that are party to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, he said, adding that South Africa expects Israel, as a self-proclaimed democracy and a state that respects the rule of law, to abide by the measures handed down by the ICJ. “As South Africa, we thank all in the international community who have supported our application, including a number of countries who have declared their intention to be part of our application,” he said. “It is our earnest hope and wish that this court order paves the way for an end to this crisis, for an end to the terrible loss of life and hardship, and for the crucial first steps to be taken towards reconciliation and a just, lasting peace,” said Ramaphosa. South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation on Friday also welcomed the ICJ’s order, saying the ruling marks a decisive victory for the international rule of law and a significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people.

On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The decision “gives the clear message that in order to do all the things that they are asking for, you need a ceasefire for it to happen”, said Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN. Algeria, the Arab representative on the council, requested the meeting late on Friday after a closed-door discussion of the UN’s 22-member Arab group. “So fasten your seat belts,” Mansour said, hinting that the Arab group would push for a halt in the fighting. The UNSC, long divided on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, has only agreed to two resolutions since the October 7 Hamas attacks that led to Israel’s massive offensive on the Gaza Strip. In December, it demanded aid deliveries “at scale” to Gaza’s besieged population, while Israel’s ally, the United States, has kept out calls for a ceasefire despite international pressure. Hamas’s October 7 attacks killed about 1,140 people in Israel, according to authorities. Palestinian fighters also seized about 250 people and Israel says 132 of them remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 of them. XXX UN chief hopes Israel will ‘duly comply’ XXX Meanwhile, The UN Chief Antonio Guterres said on Saturday that he hopes Israel will “duly comply” with the ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), ordering it to take action to prevent acts of genocide being carried out in war-torn Gaza, the media reported. Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary General, told reporters in New York that Guterres had taken note of the orders from the UN’s top court, which made the ruling as part of a genocide case brought by South Africa, CNN reported. In the statement, Guterres reiterated the legally binding nature of ICJ decisions, adding that he trusts “that all parties will duly comply with the Order from the Court”.

The UN Chief has repeatedly called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, expressing deep concern about the “unprecedented” number of civilian casualties and the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in the enclave, CNN reported. In a rebuke of Israel, the ICJ on Friday said Israel must “take all measures” to limit the death and destruction caused by its campaign in Gaza but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire. The ICJ’s decisions are binding and cannot be appealed, but it has no way of enforcing them, CNN reported. Israel previously indicated it would not abide by the ruling.

ALSO READ-  South Africa Seeks Israel’s Adherence to ICJ Ruling