Flowerbud News

Category: Foreign

  • Algeria’s Bouteflika sacks 2 generals to ease grip on power – Sources

    (Reuters/NAN)President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria has  dismissed two army generals to tighten his grip on power ahead of him possibly seeking re-election next year and to diminish the power of the military, analysts and diplomats said.

    Two weeks ago, Bouteflika, 81, sacked two more generals, bringing the number of dismissed top military figures to about a dozen in the last few months alone.

    Political sources told Reuters that the firings point to an accelerating security reform launched several years ago to transform Algeria’s politically oriented military into a more professional body.

    Easing the grip of an army dominating the OPEC oil producer since the 1954-1962 independence war with France will take time.

    But the first results can been seen — dismissals that once caused tremors in the secretive North African country now seem routine.

    “Generals used to sack, not to be sacked,” said one retired intelligence officer, asking like others not to get named due to the sensitivity of the issue.

    “Decisions used to be taken at Tagarins, now they are taken at Zeralda,” he added.

    Tagarins is the location of the defense ministry in central Algiers, while Bouteflika works in the coastal village of Zeralda, 20 km west of the capital.

    When Bouteflika was first elected in 1999, the army and the intelligence services were seen as the real holders of power.

    Now, amid speculation that he will bow to calls from the ruling party to run for a possible fifth term in presidential elections in 2019 despite health concerns, Bouteflika has been concentrating power in his inner non-military circle.

    Key players are now his youngest brother Said Bouteflika, Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia and Interior Minister Nouredine Bedoui.

    The recent sackings include four regional commanders, the head of military intelligence and several generals at the defense ministry, as well as police chief and army officer Abdelghani Hamel.

    Before this year’s cull, Bouteflika had already sacked in 2015 the top intelligence chief, Mohamed Mediene, and tens of senior generals in the intelligence services.

    He also replaced the main intelligence agency DRS with a new body called CSS led by a retired general, Athmane Tartag — it reports to the presidency, not to the military like before.

    “It is a long process, the goal is to make the military more professional, and away from politics,” said Arslan Chikhaoui, chairman of a consultancy firm.

    Changes in Algeria are closely watched as the country is a key ally in the Western fight against jihadism in the region and a top energy supplier to Europe.

    If the shift away from the army continues, this might help investors tired of visa or project applications becoming stuck in a bureaucracy dominated by military and security figures suspicious of foreigners.

    “That will be welcome news for foreign direct investors who will see the step as further normalization of the decision making process within the government,” said Geoff Porter, head of North Africa Risk Consulting.

    Algeria wants to drum up more investment for its oil and gas sector to end years of stalling output.

    Bouteflika hired in March 2017 a U.S.-trained new CEO to revamp state firm Sonatrach who has been rebuilding ties with oil majors who had lost interest in Algeria due to red tape, disputes and tough terms.

    The biggest risk remains the health of Bouteflika who has rarely been seen in public since a stroke in 2013 confined him to a wheel chair.

    A reminder of this was his trip last week to Switzerland to conduct what the presidency described as routine tests. (Reuters/NAN)

  • Pakistan committed to elimination of militants–High Commissioner

    Pakistan committed to eliminate remnant of militants–High Commissioner The Islamic Republic of Pakistan says efforts are being put in place to completely eradicate remnant of militants in the country. The Pakistan High Commission to Nigeria, Maj. Gen. (Rtd), Waqar Kingravi stated this at the ceremony to mark 53rd Defense Day of the country in Abuja. Kingravi explained that Pakistan had done so much to defeat militants but the battle was not yet over as remnants of such insurgents were still laying their ugly head. He said that his country had intensified efforts and adjusted its strategies to strongly deal with the militants in more hostile ways. The Envoy stated that the day was to commemorate the successful defense of their homeland by their valiant Armed Forces and brave people of Pakistan against a large scale offensive launched by much large eastern neighbour. The High Commissioner noted that this day also denoted the resolve of people of Pakistan to defend the territorial integrity against all sort of threats including militants, terrorists or any other external aggression. He said that his country and Nigeria had been cooperating in the past in the political and military fields to promote world peace pointing out that such needed to be boosted. Kingravi thanked Nigeria for its open hearted support to Pakistan and on Kashmir cause in particular at various international forums. The High Commissioner commended Nigerian government in the fight against terrorism in the North-East. “I have to congratulate the Nigerian Armed Forces in bringing peace to the North East and commend the government in fighting extremism in this country” he said. The Nigerian Minister of Defense, Rtd Maj.Gen. Mansur Danali said that Nigeria and Pakistan had maintained good relationship over the year and that had grown from strength to strength Represented by a Director from the ministry, Alhaji Hassan Abdullahi, Danali stated that Pakistan had supported the country in the fight against Boko Haram. He added that Nigeria had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pakistan on military cooperation.

  • Malaysian PM denounces caning of 2 women for attempting lesbian sex.

    (Reuters/NAN)Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday denounced the caning of two Muslim women for attempting lesbian sex.
    The women had pleaded guilty to charges under Islamic laws forbidding lesbian sex.
    They were caned on Monday in front of dozens of people at a sharia court in Terengganu, a conservative state in the east, prompting an outcry from human rights activists, who described the punishment as torture.

    Mahathir’s government has appeared divided about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender.  (LGBT) community, while the premier himself had been silent on the caning and recent attacks on transgender people and marginalised groups in the Muslim-majority country.

    In a video posted on his Twitter account, Mahathir said the caning “did not reflect the justice or compassion of Islam”.

    It was the women’s first offence, he said, which warranted a lighter sentence, such as counseling.

    “This gives a bad impression of Islam,” the 93-year-old leader said.

    “It is important that we show Islam is not a cruel religion that likes to impose harsh sentences to humiliate others.”

    The LGBT community is routinely persecuted in Malaysia, where it is seen as a threat to conservative values.

    Mahathir’s government swept into power in May after campaigning on a reform agenda, but has been unconvincing in its handling of matters relating to race, religion and minorities in the multi-racial country.

    The caning followed a series of incidents in recent weeks that civil rights groups say illustrate growing hostility against gay and transgender people.

    Last month, a gay bar in Kuala Lumpur was raided by police and religious enforcement officials, while a transgender woman was beaten up by a group of assailants in Seremban, near the capital.

    The minister in charge of Islamic affairs also came under fire, including from other ruling party lawmakers, after he ordered the removal of portraits of two LGBT activists from an art exhibition.

    Malaysia describes oral and anal sex as against the order of nature.

    Civil law stipulates jail for up to 20 years, caning and fines for offenders, although enforcement of the law is rare.

    Muslims are also governed by state-level Islamic laws, most of which carry provisions outlawing same-sex acts.(Reuters/NAN)

  • China to invest N2.16trn in Africa in three years

    By Victor Asije
    China is ready to invest N2.16 trillion ($60 billion) in Africa in the next three years.

    The Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Mr Chao Xiaoliang disclosed this in a post-summit article entitled, “FOCAC Beijing Summit: A New Milestone in China-Africa Relations”.

    Chao said the new investment drive was one of the outcomes of the just concluded summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC).

    He said China would also in the next three collaborate with African
    countries in industrial promotion, infrastructure connectivity, trade
    facilitation, green development, capacity building, healthcare,
    people-to-people, peace and security.

    “President Xi Jinping has announced that China will launch eight major initiatives in close collaboration with African countries in the next three years.

    “The eight initiatives are in areas of industrial promotion,
    infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, green development,
    capacity building, health care, people-to-people, peace and security.

    “To make sure these eight initiatives are implemented, China will extend 60 billion U.S. dollars (N2.16 trillion) financing to Africa in
    different forms which includes 15 billion U.S. dollars (N5.4 trillion) grants, interest-free loans and concessional loans.

    “China will also encourage Chinese companies to invest more than 10
    billion U.S. dollars (N3.6 trillion) in Africa in the coming three years,’’ he said.According to him, China and African countries are destined to be good
    friends, good brothers and good partners.

    Chao said that the Chinese government had also planned to set up ten
    Luban vocational workshops and an China-Africa innovation cooperation centres for youth innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa.

    “There will also be a tailor-made programme to train 1000 Africans, as well as offer of 50,000 government scholarships to Africans.

    “There will also be training opportunities for 50, 000 Africans through workshops and seminars and 2000 exchange opportunities for African youth,’’ he said.

    Chao said the Summit was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari, 49 other Heads of State and Government, African Union (AU) Commission’s Chairperson and more than 240 Ministerial representatives from 53 African countries.

    The consul-general said the meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping
    and Muhammadu Buhari at the summit, ended with the signing of more bilateral cooperation agreements between China and Nigeria.

    He added: “We are confident that the FOCAC Beijing Summit and the meeting between the two Presidents will bring new opportunities for the comprehensive development of China-Nigeria strategic partnership.

    “FOCAC Beijing Summit has set a new milestone for China-Africa
    relations. China with Nigeria and other African countries are ready to
    join hands to build a China-Africa community.

    “A community with a shared future that features joint responsibility,
    win-win cooperation, happiness for all, common cultural prosperity,
    common security, and harmonious co-existence.’’ (NAN)

  • UK foreign minister attacks Google over ‘child abuse content

    British Foreign Minister, Jeremy Hunt, accused Google (GOOGL.O) on Thursday of abandoning its moral values by failing to remove child abuse content while launching a version of its search engine in China that will block some websites.

    The government has repeatedly criticised online platforms such as Twitter, YouTube and Facebook for failing to remove abusive material or sexual content posted online even after they were notified.

    “Seems extraordinary that Google is considering censoring its content to get into China but won’t cooperate with UK, U.S. … in removing child abuse content,” Hunt said on Twitter.

    “They used to be so proud of being values-driven.”

    Alphabet’s Google plans a search engine in China that will block some search terms and websites, two sources told Reuters earlier this month, in a move that could mark its return to a market it abandoned eight years ago on censorship concerns.

    Google declined to comment on Hunt’s remarks.

    Britain, the U.S., Australia, Canada and New Zealand invited major technology companies to attend a meeting on tackling child abuse and extremism on their websites, but the firms declined to attend, the Daily Mail reported on Thursday.

    Google did offer to send an executive to the conference but the offer was not taken up, a source at the company said.

    In January, Prime Minister Theresa May used an address at the World Economic Forum in Davos to say investors should use their financial power to force internet firms into taking more responsibility for stopping militants and pedophiles using their platforms.

    Google, which quit China’s search engine market in 2010, has been actively seeking ways to re-enter China where many of its products are blocked by regulators.

    Leading human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have urged Google not to bow to censorship demands in China because by doing so, they allege, the company would be complicit in the repression of freedom of speech.

    Search terms about human rights, democracy, religion and peaceful protests will be among the words blacklisted in the search engine app, which The Intercept website said had already been demonstrated to the Chinese government.

    The project is code-named “Dragonfly” and has been under way since the spring of 2017, the news website said. (Reuters/NAN)

  • Kenya: May pledges Britain’s help in fight against militants

    Theresa May pledged support for East Africa’s fight against Islamist militancy on Thursday during the first trip by a British prime minister to Kenya in 30 years.

    In Nairobi, the last stop on her three-country Africa trip, May was also at pains to assure the region’s biggest economy that Kenya would not experience any trade fallout from Brexit.

    “The UK’s already the largest foreign investor in Kenya. … and I’ve set out this week our ambition to be the G7’s number one investor in Africa by 2022,’’ she said.

    “As Britain prepares to leave the EU we’re committed to a smooth transition that ensures continuity in our trading relationship with Kenya,” the Prime Minister added at a joint news conference with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

    May will later Thursday watch the British and Kenyan militaries training together to identify and destroy improvised explosive devices.

    “This afternoon we’ve signed a new compact that will see us expand our joint work on security even further.

    “The UK is no longer just training our own military in Kenya but training with Kenyans to promote stability in east Africa,” May said.

    “The UK continues to support the commitment of the brave Kenyan soldiers fighting in Somalia against al-Shabaab and I will announce a new package of funding to support the African Union mission in Somalia,” she said.

    Al-Shabaab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, is a Somalia-based terror group which has launched regular attacks on neighbouring Kenya, such as the assault on Nairobi’s Westgate Mall that killed at least 67 people in 2013. (dpa/NAN)

  • UK to create 100,000 jobs in Nigeria

    By Temitope Ponle

    The UK Government has announced a new £70million programme to create 100,000 jobs in Nigeria says the Minister of State for Africa, Harriett Baldwin.

    Baldwin said this during a business event as part of the activities for Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Nigeria on Wednesday.

    Baldwin, who led a business delegation to the event, said that the programme would raise the income of three million people from the poorest parts of Nigeria.

    “We are here today to talk about technology links between the UK Fintech sector and the Nigerian Fintech sector and will bring inward investment in terms of this important sector of technology.

    “Today, it is all about celebrating those links through technology and I am very excited that the Prime Minister is announcing today a new £70 million programme that will create some 100,000 jobs in Nigeria and will also raise the income of three million people from the poorest parts of Nigeria.”

    The minister said that the event was celebrating the role of growing businesses and entrepreneurs and also highlighted the partnerships of both countries in the area of technological development.

    She added that the delegation consisted of various UK businesses were willing to invest “the kind of capital that creates jobs”.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Ministers of Finance and Power, Works and Housing, Kemi Adeosun and Babatunde Fashola respectively, attended the event.

    Osinbajo said that the Federal Government was keen on driving technology development in the country in support of the government’s economic growth plan.

    The vice president said there was the need to create the right environment for technology companies to thrive and further gave an assurance of the government’s commitment to support innovation in the country.

    “I think just looking at some of the start-ups that we see today, many of them started while the recession was on and they proved, by just a number of jobs, value and wealth created, that this is the future starting today.

    “This is why we have started up first with the creativity and technology advisory group; many of these start-ups are members of this group where they help to formulate policies with Federal Government policy makers especially in fintech, which are some of the new areas we need to formulate policies.”

    NAN also reports that the event, held at Ventures Park, an innovation hub and co-working space for entrepreneurs, showcased a number products from start-up entrepreneurs.

    The founder of Ventures Park, Mr Kola Aina, said that the government’s `ease of doing business’ policy had been “relatively helpful” to the growth of small and medium-scale business in the country.

    “There is also a lot of talk about incentives like the pioneer start-ups programmes that we are looking to see how start-ups can begin to benefit from.

    “More than ever before, we are starting to see a lot of support from the government.”

    The event simultaneously held a panel discussion highlighting opportunities for doing business among businessmen of both countries.

    The panel included Fashola, Adeosun and other key government representatives.

    The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Charles Bowman, was also part of the discussions alongside several other UK businessmen.

    May’s visit to Nigeria is part of her tour of some African countries.

    The Prime Minister is expected in Nairobi on Thursday, where she will meet President Uhuru Kenyatta and see British soldiers from Kenya and other African countries in the techniques needed to identify and destroy improvised explosive devices before they go to fight Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

    The prime minister is on a trade mission in an attempt to bolster Britain’s post-Brexit fortunes. This is her first visit to Africa since she became prime minister in 2016.

    She is accompanied by a 30-man business delegation as part of her efforts to “deepen and strengthen” partnerships around the world as the UK prepares to leave the European Union next year.

  • China-Africa trade hits N4.17 trn in seven months

    China-Africa trade hits N4.17 trn in seven months

    The Consul-General of  China in Lagos, Mr Chao Xiaoliang, on Thursday said the volume  of trade
    between China and Africa from January to July this year now stand at about N4.17 trillion ($116 billion).

    Chao, in an article entitled, “Working Together to Write a New Chapter in China-Africa Relations’’, also announced China’s
    readiness to host this year’s Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)  Summit in Beijing.

    “The Chinese government has since 2010 continued to maintain its position as Africa’s largest trading partner.

    “In 2017, the volume of trade transacted between China and Africa is about N6.12 trillion ($170 billion).

    “Trade volume between China and Africa in the first seven months of this year reached N.17 trillion ($116 billion),’’ he said.

    Chao also said that China’s total non-financial investment in Africa last year was over N3.6 trillion ($100 billion).

    According to him, there are currently about 3,200 Chinese companies’ investment in Africa’s transportation, energy,
    telecommunications, industrial zones, agricultural technology centres, water supply, schools and health sectors.

    He said China has so far trained more than 16,200 African technicians and provided over 43,000 training opportunities in
    China and 20,000 government scholarships for Africans.

    On the summit, Chao disclosed that it is scheduled hold from Sept. 3 and Sept. 4 in Bejing, adding that the summit will bring
    together  China and African leaders for a renewed friendship and cooperation.

    The Chinese Envoy said President Muhammadu Buhari, other leaders of African countries, Chairperson of the African Union
    Commission would lead delegations to the summit.

    “The FOCAC Beijing Summit is another reunion for the big family of China and Africa.

    “It is going to be the largest home-field diplomatic activity attended by  foreign leaders after the Beijing Summit in 2006 and that
    of Johannesburg Summit in 2015,’’ he said.

    The consul-general said that FOCAC was first established in 2000 as a mechanism for collective dialogue and multilateral
    cooperation between China and Africa. (NAN)

  • “Africa has chosen China,” says Burkina Faso president

     (Xinhua/NAN)Burkina Faso will strengthen cooperation with China in all areas as Africa-China relations develop for mutual benefit, President Roch Kabore said.

    Kabore, whose country resumed diplomatic ties with Beijing in late May, will pay a state visit to China from Thursday to Sept. 5, during which he will also attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

    “For us, this trip is an important mission as it will help build up and consolidate the two countries’ relationship, which is founded on win-win, legal and transparency principles,” Kabore said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

    The president said it will also help the two sides select priorities and see how they can make headway together.

    “We expect to reinforce cooperation with China in all areas,” he said, expecting a partnership “as broad as possible.”

    As for China’s relations with all of Africa, Kabore said Africa-China cooperation is based on the principles of mutual benefit, equal opportunity and the need to develop international trade.

    “We don’t have any regrets about this existing China-Africa cooperation, which is developing day by day in favor of our respective peoples,” he said.

    “Africa has chosen China … It is our choice and we stick to that.”

    He said Africa can learn from China’s success in developing into the second largest economy in the world, and the China-championed notion of building a community with a shared future for mankind will promote Africa-China ties.

    Kabore called the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative a “sound initiative” intended to develop infrastructure links and boost trade between different countries.

    “I think it is an initiative that should be supported,” he said, adding that it will probably take some time but is an initiative “which is necessary if we want to develop international trade.”

    Regarding the rising protectionism and unilateralism in the world, the president said the upcoming China-Africa summit “shows the interest of multilateralism.”

    “This is what we have always defended together because protectionism in our current times raises problems as it is a real threat to international and world peace,” he said.

    “Therefore, the holding of this summit is a real success as we tell supporters of protectionist policies that we have opted for multilateralism.” (Xinhua/NAN)