All Frikaz posts

Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia face mounting difficulties as authorities reimpose visa fees and hefty fines, leaving many stranded and unable to access vital opportunities.The policy reversal, which ended a February exemption for Sudanese nationals in Addis Ababa, now requires visa renewals and imposes a $30 daily fine for those who are not in compliance. This has resulted in some refugees, like one interviewed by Reuters, facing thousands of dollars in penalties, hindering their ability to secure work abroad.“I was offered a job in Saudi Arabia, but with these fines, I can’t afford to leave,” the refugee, who fled to Addis Ababa with his family, said.The UNHCR in Ethiopia has further complicated matters by refusing to register Sudanese refugees in the capital, insisting they relocate to camps. This contrasts with the agency’s approach to other nationalities, such as Yemenis and Syrians, who can register in urban areas.

Controversy Surrounding Matt Gaetz's Nomination as Attorney GeneralThe nomination of Matt Gaetz for the position of Attorney General by President-elect Donald Trump has ignited considerable debate and controversy. Gaetz, a Republican representative, has made headlines not only for his political career but also for his provocative statements regarding U.S. military involvement abroad, particularly his recent comments advocating for an invasion of Niger.

#Eritrea's delegation led by the Minister of Land, Water and Environment, Mr. Tesfai Ghebreselassie, is participating at COP29 which is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11-22 November this month. Main themes of the Conference include: discussion for an agreement on a new collective quantified goal on Climate Finance; negotiations on strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and, adaptations to climate changes among other matters.

Prince William went on an early-morning nature walk near South Africa's Table Mountain on Tuesday to promote the work of conservation rangers in a unique urban national park.The Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne met with some of the rangers who guard the Table Mountain National Park, an 85-square-mile (220-square kilometer) area that overlooks Cape Town and spills into the city's suburbs in some areas.William didn't go to the top of the famous flat-topped mountain, instead strolling through nature trails on Signal Hill, a foothill that sits by the ocean's edge.

ANOTHER KIND OF COLONIZATIONDavid Lammy has offered Africa other forms of British atonement for slavery and the slave tradeThe UK will seek to atone for the transatlantic slave trade through better trade relations with African countries, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said.Lammy is visiting Nigeria and South Africa this week as part of London’s outreach to the continent, just a week after 56 members of the Commonwealth signed a document calling for a “conversation” about reparations for slavery.The transatlantic slave trade was “horrific and horrendous” and left “scars,” Lammy said on Monday in Lagos, the Nigerian port city that was once a hub for slavers.“I am the descendant of enslaved people, so I recognize that,” he added.

From the moment Botswana's Masisi embarked on his quest to nationalise diamond processing, bringing him into direct conflict with De Beers, and initiated his plan to reduce Botswana’s elephant population, his tenure was on borrowed time. Yet his greater misstep was forming a close alliance with Mnangagwa, which was seen as a foreign policy pivoting Botswana towards Russia and China. This unsettled the United States, which viewed him as a potential security threat—particularly given that Botswana hosts a US military base. And the rest is now history.-Bla B

The old world is gone with its order; humanity is now scrambling for a better world with a firm, unbiased, and rule-based order.It is going to be a long turbulent journey, with a drastic and severe cost to humanity, like we have never seen or heard since the history of the world.While we hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

X now has a WATCHDOG group for election fraud! Be sure to post what you see the dems trying to pull as this battle goes down to the wire. Don't let them get away with anything this time. Eyes on the granddaddy frauds of them all, Pennsylvania! -W.R. Schock, QBD

JOHANNESBURG - The grandson of South Africa's first Black president, Nelson Mandela, said Friday the U.K. government denied him an entry visa because of his support for Hamas and his stance on the Israel-Hamas war.Mandla Mandela could not travel to the U.K. earlier this month to address pro-Palestinian gatherings in Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow after he was informed that he would need a visa, despite holding a South African government passport that would ordinarily allow him visa-free entry.This week, however, the U.K. Home Office sent Mandela a letter informing him that his visa application had been denied because of his "support for Hamas," and because his presence in the UK was "not conducive to the public good".Mandela told the AP that he received the letter, dated Oct. 21, on Thursday."Your presence in the UK has been assessed as not conducive for the public good on the grounds that you have engaged in unacceptable behavior. You have made multiple statements which explicitly support Hamas and their terrorist violence, including glorifying the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and their recently deceased leader Ismail Haniyeh," states the letter, seen by The Associated Press

King Charles III acknowledged a "painful" past of Britain and the royal family's profiting from human slavery, but did not support financial reparations payments at a Samoan summit of Commonwealth leaders.

Speaking to the gathering in Chogm, Charles said, "the most painful aspects" of the British commonwealth's past "continue to resonate."

The United States has brought hundreds of thousands of children from abroad to be adopted by American families. After several years, it however appears thousands of them have been left without citizenship, through a bureaucratic loophole that the government has been aware of for decades, and hasn’t fixed.Some of these adoptees live in hiding, fearing that tipping off the government could prompt their removal back to the country the U.S. claimed to have rescued them from. Some have already been deported.A bill to help them has been introduced in Congress for a decade and is supported by a rare bipartisan coalition — from liberal immigration groups to the Southern Baptist Convention. But it hasn’t passed. Advocates blame the hyper-partisan frenzy over immigration that has stalled any effort to extend citizenship to anyone, even these adoptees who are legally the children of American parents.They say they are terrified about what could happen if former President Donald Trump is reelected because he has promised massive immigration raids and detention camps.

Nigeria has joined the BRICS as a partner country, alongside 12 other nations, further strengthening its economic ties with the intergovernmental bloc.This announcement was made at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, held from October 22 to 24, 2024.The 12 additional countries joining as partner nations are Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

The stage is set for the 24th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair, scheduled to take place from 26th October – 5th November, 2024 in Juba, South Sudan. This year’s trade fair themed: Promotional of unique innovation and skills development amongst EAC MSMEs expected to be a landmark event, showcasing the dynamism of small and medium-sized enterprises across the East African. The objective of the trade fair is promoting trade, investment, and economic growth within the region by providing a platform for entrepreneurs, businesses, and stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and explore new market opportunities. The event is expected to draw participants from all EAC Member States, including Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Federal Republic of Somalia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and the host nation South Sudan.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has sacked five cabinet members in a major reshuffle, appointing seven new ministers and reassigning ten to new positions. The move on Wednesday is part of “far-reaching actions” aimed at reviving the government’s ability to operate effectively in the West African nation, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said in a statement.Tinubu appointed new heads to the ministries of humanitarian and poverty reduction, trade and investment, labor, and livestock development, as well as junior ministers of foreign affairs, education, and housing.

Moscow continues to thrive despite the difficulties it faces, Abiy Ahmed has said

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has credited President Vladimir Putin’s “exemplary” leadership for Russia’s ability to maintain economic resilience during the present “difficult period.” The US and its allies have introduced a record number of sanctions against Moscow, including freezing an estimated $300 billion in assets in response to the Ukraine conflict.
During a meeting with Putin on Wednesday on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia’s fifth largest city, Abiy commended him for overcoming the challenges.

“It is a good time for most of us to come and to witness how Russia is doing on many fronts, including the economy,” the East African nation’s leader stated.

“This period was not easy for Russia, but under your leadership you have succeeded to maintain the economic resilience which might be exemplary for most of us,” he told Putin.

Tensions escalate in southern African state after disputed voteMozambique's top opposition candidate has claimed that police shot live rounds at protesters during demonstrations against the results of the recent presidential election in the southern African country.On Tuesday, Venancio Mondlane raised accusations of electoral fraud as tensions escalated in Mozambique, where initial results from the October 9 presidential election indicate the ruling party is in the lead.During a protest he organized in the capital, Maputo, on Monday, police reportedly used tear gas against Mondlane and his supporters while he was speaking to reporters, as shown in a video he shared on his Facebook page.

Zelensky eyes ‘first step’ towards ceasefire – mediaIf Russia stops striking Ukrainian infrastructure, Kiev will take it as an invitation to peace, the Financial Times reports Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has floated the idea of mutually suspending long-range strikes against energy infrastructure with Russia, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. The proposal was reportedly slated for discussion at Qatar-mediated talks, which were canceled after Kiev attacked Russia’s Kursk Region in August.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed Russia as a “valued” ally and “friend” who has long supported his country, including during the struggle against apartheid.Ramaphosa made the remarks during bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan. Dozens of foreign leaders have gathered in Russia’s fifth-largest city for the three-day event of diplomatic discussions and high-level bilateral talks.

Siya Kolisi and Rachel Kolisi have revealed their unexpected divorce, as reported by Cape {town} Etc.In a surprising development, Siya Kolisi, the renowned Springbok rugby captain, and his wife Rachel shared the news of their divorce through a heartfelt Instagram message, leaving fans in shock. The pair, often seen as South Africa’s power couple, announced their split after over ten years of marriage under the public gaze.In their post, the Kolisis reassured followers of their commitment to co-parenting, stating, “Although our relationship as a couple is changing, we remain close friends and dedicated partners in raising our children with the love and care they have always received.” They also highlighted their continued work on their foundation, underscoring its importance to them: “We will continue collaborating on the Foundation that holds great meaning for us.”Siya Kolisi has become a national symbol as the first Black captain of the Springboks, leading the team to two World Cup victories. Rachel, often termed the Springbok First Lady, has supported him as a committed businesswoman and philanthropist, championing numerous social initiatives. Together, they have embodied love, resilience, and partnership in South Africa.In their announcement, the couple thanked everyone for their “love, understanding, and support,” and requested privacy as they navigate this difficult transition. While they did not provide specific reasons for their separation, they called on the public to demonstrate compassion and understanding as they embark on this new chapter.

🇰🇪 Kenyan senators have voted to remove Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office despite his failure to testify at his impeachment trial after his lawyer said he had been taken to hospital. In one of the most dramatic days in Kenya's recent political history, Gachagua had been due to appear in the Senate after lunch to defend himself, a day after he had pleaded not guilty to 11 charges.

Why would someone want to live in Africa?

You are wherever you are on this earth right now,because you were born there,or that you are privileged enough to move to a continent of your choice.

A lot are born here,and have never moved outside a 200Km radius from their place of birth. They don’t have electricity or the standard of living as obtained elsewhere,yet,they can’t change Africa for the whole world! They live the most basic life you can ever think of,yet they are some of the most happiest people on earth. I want to be like them!!!

That aside,Africa is the mother continent,with a lot of beauty everywhere and is most suitable for almost about anything and everything.

The Serengeti for me,is the best place on earth,and yes it is in Africa.

Seeing a place on a map or on TV is not the same as being there. You have to be here to know why a lot would want to live here!
K. Haruna Hassan

We come to my first fundamental point. If we are to defend the humanity of humanity, our first obligation is to recognize that the line between West and East is, as it has always been, a human construct and nothing more. Herodotus, in his wisdom, made this point: Even as he recorded the half-century of enmity between the Persian Empire and the Greek city-states, he called the line between them, dividing East from West, “imaginary.”Nobody seems to have got this point over the past 2,500 years: It is commonly assumed today that this line is etched immutably into the earth, as if it would be visible from a satellite. So we must begin by disposing of this unexamined thought. It is a question, then, of — very literally — “changing our minds.”

US ready for talks with Russia, China and North Korea on nuclear arms reduction, Biden saysAccording to him, all countries should strive to completely abandon nuclear weapons. US ready to move to dialogue without preconditions, US president added.Too late sir

The DRC has officially lifted the moratorium on the death penalty since last March. This decision has caused a stir in the international community, which has not shared this way of doing things. Several diplomatic representations have reacted, citing the non-respect of human rights regarding the application of the death penalty. But Kinshasa has not backed down.This death penalty applies in particular to soldiers accused of treason against the nation in order to rid the army of the country, traitors and to stem the resurgence of acts of terrorism and urban banditry resulting in the death of men, the government had specified.Among the people who have already received this death penalty is Jean-Jacques Wondo, a Belgian-Congolese military expert. Enough to make Belgium react, which has expressed its serious concerns on this subject. Hadja Lahbib, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, reacting to the Wondo case and his alleged involvement in the failed coup attempt of 19 May in the DRC, she reaffirmed Belgium’s firm position against the death penalty.The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, said Amnesty International, which opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and campaigns for its abolition worldwide.https://actualite.cd

The first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa partnership forum, which takes place next month in Sochi, will bring together senior officials from key African ministries, the African Union Commission, regional associations, and business executives with their Russian counterparts, the organizing committee has announced.The event will focus on collaboration in a variety of areas, including defense, trade, education, healthcare, and food security, according to the Roscongress Foundation.The two-day event, from November 9 to 10, is being held to implement decisions reached at the second Russia-Africa Summit held last summer in Saint Petersburg, Roscongress said in a press release on Tuesday.

Algeria has barred French companies from competing for a wheat import contract and ordered participating firms not to supply grain produced in the country, Reuters has reported, citing trading sources. The North African nation is currently engaged in a diplomatic standoff with France.France had been the largest supplier to Algeria, one of the world’s biggest wheat buyers, which had historically relied on imports from the European Union (EU). However, the former French colony has, in recent years, turned to Russian supplies, which currently dominate the North African region’s market, according to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report published in April.Last month, Russia’s Center for Grain Quality Assurance ranked Algeria second behind Egypt among the top five African importers of Russian wheat by volume between January and September of this year. It received 1.3 million tons of the grain from Russia.

Chad is grappling with one of its worst natural disasters in recent history, as relentless rainfall since July has caused severe flooding across all 23 provinces of the country.The floods have resulted in the deaths of more than 550 people and the destruction of over 210,000 homes, leaving families homeless and vulnerable, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reported. The rain season, which typically lasts until October, has seen unprecedented precipitation, submerging entire communities and destroying vital infrastructure.In addition to the devastating death toll, around 432,000 hectares of farmland and 72,000 livestock have been wiped out, severely undermining the country’s agricultural backbone.

Ukraine has said it “strongly rejects” accusations that it is involved in the supply of drones to Tuareg militants in Mali, after French media reported that the rebels received “discreet but decisive” support from Ukraine in their campaign against the pro-Russian government in Bamako.After Malian and Wagner forces suffered a major defeat in an ambush in July, A spokesman for Kiev's HUR military intelligence agency, Andrey Yusov, admitted that his agency had given the rebels “necessary information, and not just information, which enabled a successful military operation.”The Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA), a coalition of predominantly Tuareg militant forces based in northern Mali, has been trained in drone warfare by Kiev’s HUR military intelligence agency, French newspaper Le Monde reported last week.The Tuaregs used light quadcopter drones to drop explosives on Malian government forces and members of the Russian Wagner private military company in at least three ambushes since July, Le Monde reported, without specifying how many of these “Ukrainian drones” have allegedly been supplied by the HUR.”Ukraine strongly rejects the accusations that have recently been released by the international media outlets about the alleged involvement of our state in the supply of UAVs to the rebels in Mali,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

Trust in US news media hits record low – pollOnly 31% of Americans say they have confidence that the press reports news fairly and accuratelyTrust in US news media hits record low – pollLess than a third of Americans trust US news media, a record low figure, according to a new Gallup poll published Monday.This year’s poll showed a 1 percentage point drop of Americans who believe the media reports the news fully and accurately from last year. The trend has been on a downward trajectory since 2018.

Albania has finally opened accession talks with the European Union at an intergovernmental conference held in Luxembourg on Tuesday. The first “cluster” of topics under negotiation covers judiciary and fundamental rights, freedom and security, and procurements and financial control.

“The moments we have experienced in the last hour-and-a-half have been historic for sure… which means, substantially speaking, that accession talks have started in order to make sure that Albania will join the European Union as soon as possible,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, whose country holds the EU presidency for the second part of 2024, told the conference.

Chinese scientists will explore extraterrestrial life and assess the habitability of exoplanets and solar system objects as part of a new space science program.This initiative will also investigate the evolution of the Universe and the effects of physical laws in extreme space conditions. The program was announced following the successful launch of a Long March-6 carrier rocket, which deployed a new group of Chinese satellites into orbit from the Taiyuan Cosmodrome in Shanxi province.

The situation in Sudan, particularly regarding its resources and conflicts, is complex and influenced by a range of national and international actors. Various countries have been accused of engaging in actions that exploit or sabotage Sudan’s resources for economic or strategic gain. Notable countries and entities involved include: China: China has been heavily involved in Sudan's oil sector, often supporting the Sudanese government for access to its oil resources. While this relationship has economic benefits for Sudan, it has also been criticized for neglecting human rights and contributing to the regime's durability.Russia: Russia has shown interest in Sudan's gold, arms trade, and military cooperation. While Russia's involvement can bolster the Sudanese government, it is often viewed as a means to gain access to valuable resources and to exert influence in the region. United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE has invested in Sudan, especially in agriculture and infrastructure projects. However, there are concerns that such investments can lead to the exploitation of Sudan’s resources. The UAE has also engaged in military cooperation with Sudan, influencing local power dynamics. Egypt: Egypt shares a border with Sudan and has vested interests in the Nile River's management. Tensions can arise when projects or actions in Sudan threaten Egypt’s water security, which can lead to political maneuvering that affects Sudan's resource management. Western Nations: Some Western countries have imposed sanctions on Sudan in response to human rights abuses and conflicts. While they aim to promote better governance and respect for human rights, these sanctions can also unintentionally impact the economic development related to resource management in Sudan. Multinational Corporations: Various multinational companies, often with government backing, have been involved in Sudan's mineral and oil sectors. Their primary focus is typically profit, which can lead to exploitative practices and environmental degradation. Rebel Groups: Internally, various rebel factions have also been involved in activities that impede resource extraction and management. These groups often finance themselves through illicit activities linked to natural resources, particularly in conflict areas where the central government has limited control.The complexity of Sudan's political situation means that the involvement of these countries and actors often intersects with issues of conflict, human rights, and international relations. The repercussions of their actions can exacerbate local conflicts and create further instability in the region.