Angola benefits from US School Feeding Programme

Luanda - The bilateral cooperation between Angola and the United States of America (USA) in the social area marked the meeting held today between the Minister of State for Social Affairs, Carolina Cerqueira, and the US ambassador, Tulinado Mushingi.

During the audience, the two entities discussed issues related to the implementation degree of programmes in favour of vulnerable populations, support to the health crisis caused by Covid-19, post-pandemic economic recovery, the fight against drought in the south of the country and support to refugees from DR Congo, located in Luvo, province of Lunda Norte, and the preparation of the next elections in Angola.

The State minister stressed the need to strengthen the support to fight drought in the south of the country, to reinforce the structuring projects and social and resilience programmes underway, to serve millions of people, particularly children, women and the elderly in areas affected by a severe drought that has lasted for years and has affected families and livestock and caused great food shortages.

The fight against Covid-19, under the COVAX programme, malaria and other contagious diseases such as Guinea worm that have been receiving direct US support were pointed out by the Minister of State, Carolina Cerqueira.

World Bank maintains interest in investing in Angola

Luanda - The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the financial arm of the World Bank (WB) group, which supports the private sector, recently showed interest in continuing to invest in the Angolan market due to the country's economic potential.

According to the IFC's senior manager for Angola, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia, Carlos Katsuya, the Angolan market has a space with "a lot of potential," a fact that motivates the WB financial institution to continue financing other projects in the real economy.

Cited in a press release received Thursday by ANGOP, the manager said that the IFC had already funded projects worth US$100 million.

According to the document, the French Agency for Development in Angola also has a portfolio of projects estimated at US$600 million, in the areas of diversification of the economy, agri-business and the social sector.

In relation to the European Union-Angola Business Forum, which is being held in Brussels, Belgium, the governor of the National Bank of Angola (BNA), José de Lima Massano, spoke about the reforms to the financial sector, highlighting the facilities for transferring income to investors, without the interference of the Central Bank.

He said that the foreign exchange market was stable, as a result of the macroeconomic reforms underway in the country, and presented the regulatory framework of the financial system to prevent money laundering practices.

Tycoon jailed in Angola over $900m scandal

A court in Angola has sentenced Carlos de São Vicente, a businessman with links to two former presidents, to nine years in prison for stealing $900m (£682m), the private Novo Journal reported.

The charges included embezzlement, tax fraud and money laundering.

His defence team intends to appeal Thursday’s ruling.

“Mr De São Vicente continues to contest all the accusations made against him and to assert his innocence,” his lawyers told US news site VOA.

Mr De São Vicente was in detention for more than a year before his court case began in February.

A son in-law to Angola’s first President Agostinho Neto, he was given the monopoly of insuring the country’s lucrative, state-controlled oil industry during the presidency of José Eduardo dos Santos.

The government of incumbent President João Lourenço has pursued several corruption cases against people linked to Mr Dos Santos.

However, the anti-graft campaign has also drawn criticism for being used as a political weapon.

……………………………………………………

UN raises alarm over South Sudan clashes

Renewed fighting in South Sudan between the army and opposition troops is a cause for concern, the UN has warned.

There are fears that the clashes between the forces belonging to the two sides in the unity government could threaten the fragile peace deal and election due to be held next year.

The fighting broke out on Thursday between the military and the armed wing of the main opposition SPLM-IO party in various areas in the northern oil-producing state of Upper Nile.

The army spokesman accused the opposition forces of attacking its positions in Longichuk and Malual Gathoth. The SPLM-IO says it was attacked.

On Monday, the SPLM-IO, led by deputy President Riek Machar, withdrew from the country’s peace monitoring body because of what it said were unprovoked attacks.

Nicholas Hysom, head of the UN’s peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (Unmiss), said that decision was deeply worrying.

Quote Message: Less than 12 months of the transitional period remain, it is crucial that all parties continue their best efforts to sustain the ceasefire and work towards implementing all outstanding benchmarks so that free and fair elections can take place.

Less than 12 months of the transitional period remain, it is crucial that all parties continue their best efforts to sustain the ceasefire and work towards implementing all outstanding benchmarks so that free and fair elections can take place.

Quote Message: There is no military solution to the conflict in South Sudan. I encourage all political parties to put aside their differences in the larger interest of peace, progress and prosperity.”

There is no military solution to the conflict in South Sudan. I encourage all political parties to put aside their differences in the larger interest of peace, progress and prosperity.”

A civil war broke out in South Sudan 2013 when President Salva Kiir and Mr Machar fell out, leading to a deadly conflict that forced about four million people from their homes.

………………………………………………………………

Rebels are after me, says Ethiopia cultural leader

A powerful traditional ruler of Ethiopia’s Oromo people has told the BBC he has been targeted by rebels in the Oromia region for urging them to lay down their arms.

Jiloo Mandho said Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) fighters had attacked his home in the remote village of Guji in southern Oromia.

‘‘I don’t know their exact number but they came on four motorcycles and opened fire on one of my residential houses in the rural area. I survived because I was away,’’ he said.

No-one was hurt in the incident but properties were destroyed, he said

Mr Jiloo holds the title “abbaa gadaa” – an elected position that is part of a cultural Oromo form of government known as the Gadaa system that oversees local communities.

There are many of these traditional rulers in Oromia and they each serve for eight years in the role.

Mr Jiloo currently chairs the union of abbaa gadaas, making him very influential throughout Oromia, where he is popular.

He said he had begun to receive death threats last September after declaring that the OLA was an enemy of the Oromo people – Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group – following rebel atrocities.

Fearing for his life, he said he had rented a house in a small town and had even skipped his son’s wedding because of the threats.

But an OLA spokesman told the BBC that it respects the Gadaa system and denied any involvement in the attack on Mr Jiloo’s rural home.

Fearing for his life, he said he rented a house in a small town and had even skipped his son’s wedding because of the threats.

But an OLA spokesman told the BBC that it respects the Gadaa system and denied any involvement in the attack on Mr Jiloo’s rural home.

The OLA says it fighting to liberate Oromia from years of oppression by the country’s various rulers – a struggle that began decades ago, but which has intensified in recent years.

…………………………………………………………

Boyfriend of pregnant SA woman found guilty of murder

The estranged boyfriend of a South African woman, whose murder galvanized protests against violence against women in the country, has been found guilty of arranging her killing.

Tshegofatso Pule was eight months pregnant, expecting her first child, when she was killed.

The 28-year-old was found hanging from a tree on the outskirts of Johannesburg in June 2020, with a gunshot wound to her chest.

The court heard that Ntuthuko Shoba, a foreign-exchange dealer, had hired someone to lure her to a meeting point.

That person was Muzikayise Malephane, who confessed to killing her and is serving a 20-year sentence.

He became a state witness and implicated Shoba as the mastermind.

In his testimony Malephane told the court that Shoba wanted Ms Pule killed to keep his wife from finding out about the pregnancy.

The court heard it was Shoba’s second attempt on Ms Pule’s life.

He is due to be sentenced in early May.

…………………………………………………………