Tutu, a Gandhian follower and Nobel Peace Prize winner died aged 90. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the late 1990s and in recent years he was hospitalized on several occasions…reports Asian Lite News.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday condoled the death of South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Describing him as a critical figure in the fight against apartheid, Johnson said Archbishop Tutu will be remembered for his spiritual leadership and good humour.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He was a critical figure in the fight against apartheid and in the struggle to create a new South Africa – and will be remembered for his spiritual leadership and irrepressible good humour,” Boris Johnson tweeted.
Tutu, a Gandhian follower and Nobel Peace Prize winner died aged 90. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the late 1990s and in recent years he was hospitalized on several occasions.
Tributes continue to pour in for Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He died in Cape Town this morning at the age of 90. Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela delivered the 11th Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture. She reflects on Tutu’s legacy. #AllAngles#DStv403pic.twitter.com/LZwUeqJTHJ
Desmond Mpilo Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize 1984 for his role as a unifying leader figure in the non-violent campaign to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa. He was hailed as the conscience of South Africa.
Meanwhile, the Queen said: “I am joined by the whole Royal Family in being deeply saddened by the news of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a man who tirelessly championed human rights in South Africa and across the world.”
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall said they were “deeply saddened” to hear his death, saying his bravery in speaking out “against the evil of apartheid and highlighting the threat of climate change” was an inspiration.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said when they introduced their son Archie to the archbishop in South Africa in 2019, Tutu made a joke about “Arch and The Arch”, and his “infectious laughter” rang through the room and relaxed “anyone in his presence”.
“He was an icon for racial justice and beloved across the world,” they said.
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer described Tutu as “a tower of a man and a leader of moral activism” who “dedicated his life to tackling injustice and standing up for the oppressed”.
Cooperation between Ankara and Africa, which is steadily increasing, is of vital importance to Turkey…writes Asad Mirza
Recently, the third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit was held in Istanbul from December 16-19. The first Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit was held in Istanbul, the second in Malabo. Over 100 government ministers and 16 Presidents from Africa attended the summit, which was held under the theme, ‘Enhanced Partnership for Common Development and Prosperit.
Turkey’s African outreach (Opinion)
Africa — market of the future
Cooperation between Ankara and Africa, which is steadily increasing, is of vital importance to Turkey. Trade volume between Turkey and Africa is enormous.
Economist Guven Sak of the Turkish Institute for Economic Policy (TEPAV) in a recent interview said “Continental Africa has the world’s youngest population and also its fastest population growth”. According to UN estimates, Africa’s population will have at least tripled by 2100, growing to over four billion. Sak sees expanded relations as a natural result of investment opportunities in the areas of urban infrastructure, logistics, energy and construction besides the fact that Africa is extremely rich — both in traditional as well as renewable energy resources.
A growing network of ties
Relations between the two regions kicked-off on a positive note and improved dramatically since Ankara declared 2005 “Africa Year”. Turkey’s central government realised that lucrative business opportunities were to be found in industrial production and construction. In addition Turkish businesses and non-governmental organisations, especially those working in the education sector, established a presence on the continent.
Growing business ties also resulted in improved diplomatic ties. Turkey has been a “strategic partner” to the African Union since 2008, conducting meetings with African heads of state and government.
Military cooperation
Security ties between Turkey and the continent have also increased considerably since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan came to power in 2014. Somalia, Turkey’s doorway to sub-Saharan Africa, has been the site of TURKSOM — Turkey’s largest overseas military base — since 2017.
Therefore, arms exports were a big topic at the Istanbul summit. Turkish arms and aeronautics exports to Ethiopia, for instance, shot from around $235,000 in January to nearly $94.6 million in November according to the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly. Sales to Angola, Chad and Morocco have seen similar jumps.
One of Turkey’s best-selling items is the Bayraktar TB2 combat and surveillance drone. It has been used in a number of conflicts and has proven itself highly effective. Reuters recently reported that Morocco and Tunisia took delivery of Turkish combat drones in September, adding that a large number of other African nations have also voiced their interest as well.
Turkey’s trade with Africa surpassed $25.3 billion last year, and this figure has already reached $30 billion in the first 11 months of 2021.
Africa’s potential
With the area it covers on the international level, its geo-strategic position, and the economic and commercial potential it has, Africa has become one of the most important actors of the 21st century. The advantageous investment opportunities it has as a continent and the relations it recently developed with different countries and regions have begun to make Africa a centre of attraction in all areas.
The president of the African Union in his address called for a sturdy collaboration between Africa and Turkey against terrorism, and that sustaining peace and safety on the continent is vital for attaining maintainable development.
Talking about the summit, Felix Tshisekedi, ruler of the Democratic Republic of Congo, confirmed Africa’s trust in Turkey’s proficiency in several fields, stating: “Africa needs concrete projects in the areas of trade, infrastructure, agricultural development, governance, and health.”
“In some parts of Africa, unfortunately, there is instability and insecurity due to terrorist activities. Therefore, it is a must to ensure peace and security in order to move forward,” he said, while emphasising the necessity for collaboration in the face of terrorism.
Erdogan has also called for African representation at the UN Security Council. At the summit he said it is a “great injustice” that the African continent, with its population of 1.3 billion, is not represented at the Council.
Referring to his slogan, “the world is bigger than five”, protesting the unrepresentative setup of the UN Security Council, Erdogan said Turkey’s efforts were also meant for its brothers and sisters in Africa, as well.
Bilateral ties boosted
The summit also helped Turkey in reviving old ties with nations like Egypt and Libya.
Egypt and Turkey are two regional heavyweights. They used to be good partners but broke off all diplomatic ties in 2013 following a military coup that overthrew Egypt’s first democratically-elected government, led by the Muslim Brotherhood – an Islamist movement close to Ankara. Egypt’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hamdi Sanad Loza, who attended the summit said that participating countries would contribute to regional development, stability and security. Loza also discussed cooperation between Turkey and Egypt in the sectors of trade, investment and tourism.
After eight years of frozen relations, the two countries launched discussions in Cairo in May to renew ties. A second round of talks took place in September in Ankara but embassies were not reopened. The Turkish foreign minister also met with acting Speaker Fawzi al-Nuwari of Libya’s House of Representatives.
Turkey’s alternate vision
Africa, which was associated with poverty, civil wars and migration in the past, is one of the world’s up-and-coming regions in the 21st century. China, Russia, France, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and India have a strong presence in Africa together with Turkey. Yet Turkey’s vision for Africa represents an “alternative” to the current practices of former and new colonial powers.
Western nations are charged with sticking to their old colonialist ways. For example, France cannot get rid of its shameful baggage in the continent. Meanwhile, experts warn that China sets a “debt trap” in the name of economic development. Russia’s role as a “provider of security”, in turn, is a source of concern. Consequently, Turkey’s vision, which originated in humanitarian aid and rests firmly on the principles of equality, mutual benefits and “winning together, attracts more and more interest.
Unlike Western countries, Turkey continues to strengthen and diversify its policy, which aims to ensure security, stability and welfare in the rising star of our century, Africa, in all dimensions. Turkey has deepened its economic, commercial and political relations with Africa with the “African Initiative”. This initiative is “win-win” centred and based on mutual benefits with the principle of “developing together and growing together”. The vision reflects Turkey’s commitment to see Africa from an African perspective and to promote mutual development, beneficial to both.
Sudan protesters reach Presidential palace to demand civilian rule
Sudanese protesters have managed to reach the presidential palace in Khartoum to demand civilian rule…reports Asian Lite News
“The protesters reached the vicinity of the Republican Palace amid chants through which they affirmed rejection to the political agreement signed between the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and the Transitional Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok,” Xinhua news agency quoted the SUNA report as syaing.
Sudan protesters reach Presidential palace to demand civilian rule
Thousands of Sudanese citizens demonstrated in the capital Khartoum and other cities on Saturday.
The Sudanese authorities interrupted internal communications and the internet service before the start of Saturday’s demonstrations.
According to witnesses, hundreds of Sudanese army soldiers and the Rapid Support Forces have been deployed at the entrances to the bridges linking the three major cities of the capital, including Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri.
On Friday, the Sudanese Professionals Association, the body leading the protests, urged citizens to take part in protests set for Saturday to demand full civilian authority.
Khartoum State’s security committee, meanwhile, announced the closure of the bridges linking Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman cities as of Friday evening, excluding Suba and Halfaya bridges.
The committee said deviating from peacefulness, approaching and violating the sovereign and strategic sites in central Khartoum would be regarded as a violation of the laws, noting that “chaos and violations will be dealt with”.
The country has been suffering a political crisis after General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on October 25 and dissolved the sovereign council and government.
However, on November 21, Al-Burhan and the then removed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok signed a political declaration, which included reinstating Hamdok as Prime Minister, but the deal has so far failed to calm the protesters.
Ethiopian army told to keep stronghold without proceeding further
The Ethiopian government has announced a successful competition of the latest military operation against rebel forces in the northern Afar and Amhara regions…reports Asian Lite News
The Ethiopian government forces have “routed the terrorist group forces in the Afar and Amhara regions, and effectively prevented (the rebel group) from taking ammunitions it brought to the areas it had invaded to its final destination,” Xinhua news agency quoted state-run Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) citing Legesse Tulu, Minister of Government Communication Service, as saying.
Ethiopian army told to keep stronghold without proceeding further
“The government has decided to order the army to keep the stronghold in liberated areas without further proceeding due to various reasons.”
Noting that the aim of the operation was to liberate the two regions from the occupation of the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the Minister stressed that the entire Afar and Eastern zones of the Amhara have been cleared of the aggression of forces loyal to the TPLF as per the plan.
The conflict that started in early November last year in the country’s Northernmost Tigray region between the TPLF and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) following the former’s attack on the northern military command of the latter had over the second half of 2021 expanded further southwards, affecting the neighbouring Amhara and Afar regions.
The ENDF had initially taken control of Mekelle, Tigray’s capital, within less than one month from the ousted rebel group, which used to rule the region for about three decades.
In June, the federal government announced a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew its forces from the region, emphasising the move would facilitate humanitarian assistance, peaceful livelihood and agriculture activities amid the approaching rainy season.
Forces loyal to the TPLF soon took control of much of the area in the region, including the regional capital.
The conflict has since expanded to Amhara and Afar, which was followed by a six-month nationwide state of emergency rule by the Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives (HoPR) to ward off forces of the TPLF — an entity designated as a terrorist organization by Parliament.
In line with the national call, which the Ethiopian government dubbed a “survival campaign”, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed joined frontline combat late last month, followed by strong mobilisation among the general public.
The massive nationwide mobilisation seems to have played a role as the ENDF, supported by regional allies and the popular movement, intensified its military operations against the rebel fighters.
Over the past month, the ENDF, together with regional forces and militia fighters, has claimed control of strategic cities and towns across Amhara and Afar, reversing months of battlefield gains by the rebel forces, eventually forcing the rebel forces to withdraw from the regions against their initial plans.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that the new Omicron Covid-19 variant has spread to at least 22 nations across the continent…reports Asian Lite News
“As of today, 22 African countries are reporting the presence of the Omicron variant,” John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa CDC, told journalists in a briefing.
Omicron Spreads to 22 Countries in Africa
According to figures from the Africa CDC, Burkina Faso, Togo, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco and Mauritius have reported Omicron cases during the past week, reports Xinhua news agency.
“We can see clearly that the Omicron variant is spreading very quickly in Africa,” Nkengasong said.
The African Union had recently warned that travel and entry bans in connection with the emergence of the Omicron Covid-19 variant limit the free movement of people and goods, imposing immediate and significant impact on countries.
As of Friday, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Africa has increased to 9,259,813 and the death toll stood at 226,536.
It is required for those coming from the four countries through other countries to stay in latter countries for at least 14 days before being allowed to enter the UAE, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
The United Arab Emirates government has announced the suspension of all inbound flights for national and international carriers and transit passengers from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Nigeria from Saturday, December 25, effective 7.30 a.m.
This includes suspending the entry of travellers who were in the four countries 14 days before coming to the UAE, while flight operations will continue to transport passengers from the UAE to the same countries, according to The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
UAE suspends arrivals from 4 African countries
The UAE nationals, their first degree relatives, diplomatic missions, official delegations between UAE and these countries and Golden residence holders are excluded from this decision.
The excluded categories should present a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours of departure and a Rapid-PCR test at the airport within six hours of departure whenever possible and another PCR test at the airport upon arrival to UAE.
A 10-day quarantine and a PCR test on the ninth day of entering the country is required for UAE nationals, their first-degree relatives, diplomatic missions and golden residence holders.
GCAA also affirmed that it is required for those coming from the four countries through other countries to stay in latter countries for at least 14 days before being allowed to enter the UAE.
UAE citizens are barred from travelling to the four African countries except for the country’s emergency treatment cases, official delegations, and scholarships.
In addition, the two authorities have introduced new travel requirements for those coming on direct flights from Uganda and Ghana. These include having a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours and a Rapid-PCR test at the airport within six hours of the departure.
Those coming from Uganda and Ghana to the UAE on transit flights also have to have a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours and a Rapid-PCR test at the airport of their main point of departure within six hours of travelling in addition to another Rapid PCR test at the transit airport before being allowed to enter the UAE.
GCAA called on all travellers affected by the decision to follow up and communicate with the airlines to amend and schedule their flights and to ensure their safe return to their final destinations without any delay or other obligations.
1002 new Covid cases
The UAE has reported 1,002 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 746,557.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced that it conducted 365,269 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours.
COVID
In a statement, the Ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.
According to the Ministry, the infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and receiving the necessary care.
The Ministry added that no COVID-19-related deaths have been recorded in the past 24 hours, with the total number of deaths in the country remaining at 2,154.
MoHAP also noted that an additional 339 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 739,616.
Hosting safe Expo
The Steering Committee of the College of Commissioner Generals of Expo 2020 Dubai has held its third event-time meeting, doubling down on its united commitment to continue hosting an exceptional and safe World Expo in a manner that is engaging, exciting and full of learning.
The meeting of the committee, which represents Expo’s 192 participating nations, was attended by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai, and Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary-General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the governing body of World Expos. It was chaired by Manuel Salchli, Chair of the Expo 2020 Dubai Steering Committee and Commissioner General for Switzerland at Expo 2020.
The largest major global event to be held since the start of the pandemic, Expo 2020’s latest COVID-19 measures include the expansion of the number of on-site PCR testing facilities to four, and free testing for all Country Pavilion staff. While all frontline workers and entertainers continue to be tested on a regular basis, Dubai Expo 2020 is committed to applying the learnings of the past 18 months and move forward with partners and stakeholders to ensure a balanced and comprehensive approach forward.
With more than 90 percent of the UAE population fully vaccinated, Expo 2020 Dubai has required mandatory vaccination and boosters of all Expo and International Participant staff, volunteers, contractors and service providers.
Visitors ages 18 and above are required to present proof of any vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours. In addition, Expo 2020 maintains on-site sanitisation stations and mandatory face masks both in indoor and outdoor spaces.
World Bank Project To help 12 mn Tanzanian children
The World Bank has approved $500 million that will benefit more than 12 million children in pre-primary and primary education in Tanzania’s mainland, the bank has said in a statement…reports Asian Lite News
The programme called ‘BOOST Primary Student Learning Program for Results’ is aimed at making pre-primary and primary education better and more accessible across the east African country, Xinhua news agency reported citing the statement released on Wednesday.
The statement said the education programme supported by World Bank will help make Tanzania primary schools safer, more inclusive, child friendly and enhance teachers’ subject content knowledge.
World Bank Project To help 12 mn Tanzanian children
The overall goal is to ensure an education system that supports all children, including the most marginalised, to enroll early, develop strong foundational skills and complete a quality education, said the statement.
The programme which was jointly formulated with the government and other development partners will support Tanzanian government’s education sector development plan in the next five years by providing result-based financing to catalyze reforms, the statement said.
“Tanzania has made important progress in education by expanding access and reducing gender disparity in basic education,” said Mara Warwick, World Bank Country Director for Tanzania.
“Investing in the education of young and vulnerable children, especially girls, is a critical building block to accelerate the country’s progress towards inclusive growth, poverty reduction and stronger upward mobility of all Tanzanians,” she said.
Primary enrollment in Tanzania increased since 2013, the statement said, adding that Tanzania’s mainland now has 12.3 million pupils attending preprimary and primary classes.
Nevertheless, Tanzania’s education sector remains constrained by several key factors including inequitable access to early learning and primary education for rural marginalised and vulnerable groups, inadequate school learning environments exacerbated by declining financing and increasing school populations, and a shortage of teachers and low teacher competencies, said the statement.
Humanitarian Response Plan launched to help Somalian people
The UN and other partners have launched the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for 2022, seeking about $1.5 billion to help the over 5 million of the most vulnerable people in Somalia…reports Asian Lite News
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said it is releasing $17 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to meet the immediate needs of drought-affected communities, reports Xinhua news agency.
“To save lives in Somalia and avert another humanitarian catastrophe, we must release funding now so that people can protect themselves from further hunger and impoverishment,” the UN Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.
Humanitarian Response Plan launched to help Somalian people
Somalia is facing three consecutive failed rainy seasons for the first time in 30 years.
“I count on other donors to follow this lead and urge them to generously support the Somalia Humanitarian Fund,” Griffiths said.
According to the UN, people in Somalia have endured decades of conflict, recurrent climate shocks, and disease outbreaks, including the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. And a prolonged desert locust infestation has also impacted harvests and livelihoods in Somalia.
The UN estimates that about 7.7 million people in Somalia will require humanitarian assistance and protection in 2022.
The UN said the HRP will prioritise life-saving assistance for the most vulnerable people, including one million children under five, by decreasing the prevalence of hunger, acute malnutrition, public health threats and outbreaks, abuse, violence, and exposure to explosive ordinances by the end of the year.
In addition, the UN said, partners will attempt to sustain the lives of 5.5 million people requiring humanitarian assistance by ensuring safe, equitable and dignified access to livelihoods and essential services.
Finally, the humanitarian response in Somalia aims to uphold commitments to the centrality of protection.
Khadija Diriye, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster of Somalia, said the current drought has devastated livelihoods and pushed families to the brink of disaster.
“There is a high risk that without immediate humanitarian assistance, children, women and men will start dying of starvation in Somalia,” Diriye said.
Over 20 people were killed when bandits attacked villages in Nigeria’s northwestern state of Kaduna on Saturday…reports Asian Lite News
Samuel Aruwan, the commissioner for internal security affairs in Kaduna, said in a statement that four villages in the state’s Giwa local government area came under heavy attacks, as the bandits went on the rampage, shooting at the villagers and setting ablaze houses late Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.
Bandits kill 20 in Nigeria
Aruwan said the state government has immediately directed an urgent assessment of the affected areas or communities toward providing relief, and security agencies will sustain surveillance in the general area.
The security forces fired tears gas, forcing the majority of the demonstrators to retreat…reports Asian Lite News
Thousands of Sudanese protesters managed to break a security cordon and reach the presidential palace in capital Khartoum, demanding a civilian rule on the third anniversary of the December revolution, which toppled the regime of former President Omar al-Bashir.
The huge crowd on Sunday have managed to cross three bridges linking cities of Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman despite the intensive security presence, Xinhua news agency reported.
Unrest Continues in Sudan
The protesters voiced rejection to the political agreement signed between Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and the transitional Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok on November 21, the report said.
Protesters from Gezira and North Kordofan states, who arrived in Khartoum on foot on Saturday evening, also took part in the demonstrations.
The security forces fired tears gas, forcing the majority of the demonstrators to retreat.
Meanwhile, the Forces of Freedom and Change Alliance, the civilian coalition leading the protests, called for continuing the resistance until “power is handed to the people”.
The Sudanese Doctors’ Committee said in a primary report that one protester was killed and about 80 others injured during the demonstrations.
The country has been suffering a political crisis after General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on October 25 and dissolved the sovereign council and government.
