Namibian president names woman successor

 Namibia’s President Hage Geingob on Saturday named Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the sole candidate for the ruling Swapo party in next year’s elections.

In remarks to the party’s top organ, the president called on party members to support Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah when official campaigns begin next year.

Ms Nandi- Ndaitwah is the party’s vice-president and the country’s current deputy prime minister.

“Elections took place, we have the results that we are going to have one candidate only, that will be comrade Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and we will campaign and we have a person who will lead us,” President Geingob said.

He also called on Swapo members not to create factions from the outcome of the party nominations.

President Geingob is due to step down next year after serving two terms. He was first elected in November 2014.

Swapo has led Namibia since independence and remains the country’s biggest political party.

But its popularity has recently waned because of discontent over rampant unemployment and corruption linked to senior party officials.

The party lost its two-thirds majority in parliament in the last general election in 2019. It also lost control of key municipalities, including the capital Windhoek, the port towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, and several regional councils.

Source; BBC

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At least 17 killed by ADF rebels in east DR Congo

 Suspected rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces have killed at least 17 people in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo – the second mass killings in less than a week.

They also set fire to buildings during the dawn raid on Kirindera in North Kivu province.

On Wednesday, 45 people were killed during a raid on two villages by the same rebels – who are said to have links to the Islamic State group.

Peace talks have been tried, but the international response to the crisis in eastern DR Congo is to send in more soldiers.

The Ugandan army has been in North Kivu to fight the ADF rebels for over a year but without success.

Last week alone the ADF killed dozens of civilians in three villages.

There has also been a lot of attention on the M23 rebels who are widely reported to be backed by Rwanda. Kigali has always denied the accusations.

Angola is now sending troops to North Kivu. Kenyan and Burundian soldiers are also there.

The hope is these countries are united against all the rebel groups and don’t turn on each other to exploit DR Congo’s minerals – as has happened before.

Source: BBC

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Tributes continue after rapper Costa Titch dies

 

South Africans continue to pay tribute to rapper Costa Titch who died over the weekend after collapsing while performing at a music festival in Johannesburg. The musician, real name Constantinos Tsobanoglou, was 28. His family confirmed the death in an Instagram post.

Footage on social media shows the rapper collapsing twice before falling off the stage. There are conflicting reports on whether he died on stage or in hospital. “It is with deep pain that we find ourselves having to acknowledge his passing at this time,” his family said.

“We are thankful for those emergency responders and all those present in his last hours.”

It did not not mention the cause of death. Costa Titch’s song Big Flexa made him a star across the continent.

His death comes a month after another popular South African rapper AKA was assassinated.

Police said the gunman had approached AKA from behind and shot him at close range in the side of the head.

Source: BBC

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Malawi closes schools in Cyclone Freddy aftermath

 The authorities in Malawi have closed schools in 10 districts over safety concerns after Cyclone Freddy wreaked devastation in neighbouring Mozambique.

Heavy rains pounding southern Malawi have washed away roads and disrupted power generation, with more rainfall expected in the next few days.

Physical classes have been suspended for Monday and Tuesday in all learning institutions in the area.

Teachers and learners have been encouraged to use available online platforms and radio lessons, the education ministry said in a statement.

“When physical classes resume teachers are urged to provide remedial lessons to recover the lost time,” it added.

Neighbouring Mozambique has received more than a year’s worth of rainfall in the past four weeks as Cyclone Freddy made landfall on Sunday for the second time in a month.

The death toll in Mozambique is at least 28 since the storm first made landfall.

Source: BBC

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Fisheries Ministry projects better conditions for scientific research

 Luanda - The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has set as one of its priorities the expansion of infrastructure and acquisition of new equipment for the National Institute for Fisheries Research (INIP), in order to provide better comfort to human capital in general and scientists in particular.

Carmen Neto, the incumbent minister of the sector, who did not advance the date of the beginning of the works, said the sector is working to build a new facility and expand the infrastructure for marine research to improve working conditions of professionals of this field.

 

Speaking to the press Saturday at the end of a visit to the infrastructure of INIP and the Center for Support to Artisanal Fisheries (CAPA), both located on the island of Luanda, the minister acknowledged the existence of a considerable increase in demand for the services of INIP, a fact that requires the ministerial department to work to expand the workspaces and provide the institution with new technological means.

 

She commended the work being done by INIP, highlighting the institution’s top quality in conducting fishing research activities.

João Lourenço meets with Sheik Al Nahyan

 Luanda - Angola Head of State João Lourenço on Saturday had a courtesy meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

João Lourenço arrived in Abu Dhabi from Tokyo (Japan) on Saturday , a statement issued by the President’s Press Office said.

 

The two Heads of State assessed the state of bilateral relations and sought for opportunities for future collaboration in areas such as investment, trade, renewable energy and food security, for the benefit of both countries and peoples.

 

The two presidents exchanged views on the COP28 Climate Summit to be held in December in Dubai, and stressed the importance of each country working towards sustainability, climate action and environmental protection.

 

The diplomatic relations between Angola and the UAE were established on December 11, 1997, with the Angolan diplomatic representation in Abu Dhabi opened on September 21, 2008, while the UAE opened on August 1, 2016 its representation in Luanda.

 

The two countries enjoy active economic cooperation. Bilateral trade reache1.9 million in June 2020, with trade between the two nations increasing  since 2004, involving a diverse range of goods and raw materials, such as ornamental rocks, diamonds, oil and other minerals.

 

Non-oil trade between the two countries reached1.6 billion US dollars at the end of 2017, a 38 percent increase from the previous 1.15 billion US dollars reached in 2016.

Angola concludes work agenda at UN Women´s Summit

 New York - The minister of Social Action, Family and Promotion of Women, Ana Paula do Sacramento Neto, concluded Friday her working agenda at the United Nations headquarters in New York, after attending the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

In fulfilment of her agenda, the Angolan official participated in the Ministerial Open Debate of the Security Council, having made a statement on behalf of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, under the theme “Women, Peace and Security Towards the 25th Anniversary of Resolution 1325”.

 

On behalf of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) Ana Paula do Sacramento Neto also spoke on the general debate of the 67th Session on the Status of Women in which she noted the investment of the Angolan Government in innovation and technology with the inclusion of women and young women in the different projects underway in the country, aiming to develop the field of new technologies. 

 

Ana Paula do Sacramento Neto took part in several round tables and interactive panels, having chaired a working breakfast with her CPLP counterparts on the sidelines of the session, with the aim of reviewing the state of cooperation between member states.

 

On her last working day in New York, the minister granted a interview to the Official UN news agency (UN NEWS) and took the opportunity to note the Angolan Government’s actions to achieve gender equality, women and young women empowerment, through innovation and technological change in digital era, strategies to fight fake news, as well as the strengthening cooperation with the CPLP countries in issues regarding gender, science and technology.

 

Meanwhile, work will continue at the experts level until the 17th of this month for the elaboration of the conclusions and recommendations of the 67th Session on the Status of Women.

 

Angola and Japan to sign new legal instruments

 Tokyo - The Angolan and Japanese governments are preparing to sign new legal instruments in the fields of space technology, health, transport and energy, as part of President João Lourenço's visit to the Asian country, said Sunday in Tokyo, Japan, the Angolan Foreign minister Téte António.

Speaking to the press, minister Téte António said that the visit of the Angolan Head of State has an economic aspect, with emphasis on issues related to the management of Angola´s debt with Japan, whose value he did not specify.

 

According to the official, the issue of talks on debt management is an initiative proposed by the Japanese authorities, “within the scope of the debt contracted with Japan by several African countries”.

 

The Foreign minister also noted the importance of holding the Angola/Japan economic forum, to be held on Monday (13), which President Lourenço is to attend.

 

Téte António recalled that negotiations are underway on the reciprocal investment protection liberalisation agreement between the both countries.

 

“It is an agreement that is taking some time, taking into account its characteristics and the difference in development between Angola and Japan”, explained the minister.

 

He considered that relations between both countries are rich and promising, marked by the political will of both governments.

 

Cooperation between Angola and Japan

 

 Angola and Japan intend to increase cooperation in the political, economic and cultural domains, mainly in the industrialisation process and in overcoming challenges in the areas of agriculture and agribusiness development, oil and mining.

 

Bilateral cooperation began in 1988 as Emergency Aid, through UNICEF.

 

After the end of the war in Angola in 2002, Japan began to provide assistance in the demining and social reintegration of ex-soldiers and refugees.

 

Within the framework of Angola´s national reconstruction, Japan has been carrying out assistance through international organisations in terms of food aid and assistance to farmers and people living in poverty.

 

Japan´s support extends to assistance for the repatriation of refugees, water supply facilities, primary school construction, communication network and ports.

 

In the health sector, since 1996, Japan has donated 40 million US dollars for the facelift of the Luanda’s Josina Machel Hospital, which is a reference in the country.

 

Within the scope of economic cooperation, in recent years Japan's knowledge and experience has been used in rice cultivation development and vocational training.

João Lourenço starts visit to Japan

 Tokyo - The Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, arrived Sunday in Tokyo, Japan, for an official visit from 12 to 15 of this month, at the invitation of the authorities of that Asian nation.

In Japan, besides high-level meetings in Tokyo, President Lourenço, who arrived accompanied by the First Lady of the Republic, Ana Dias Lourenço, will take part in a Japan-Angola business forum, on Monday (13). 

 

According to the president’s press secretary, while in Japan, part of the programme of João Lourenço´s visit will be work in the cities of Nagoya e Kyoto for cultural and protocol activities.

 

Cooperation between Angola and Japan

 

Angola and Japan intend to increase cooperation in the political, economic and cultural areas, mainly in the industrialization process and in overcoming challenges in the areas of agriculture and agribusiness development, oil and mining.

 

Bilateral cooperation began in 1988 as Emergency Aid, through UNICEF.

 

After the end of the war in Angola in 2002, Japan began to provide assistance in mine clearance and social reintegration of former soldiers and refugees.

 

Within the framework of Angola´s national reconstruction, Japan has provided assistance through international organisations in terms of food aid and assistance to farmers and people living in poverty.

 

Japan´s support extends to assistance for the repatriation of refugees, water supply facilities, primary school construction, communication network and ports.

 

In the health sector, since 1996, Japan has donated USD 40 million for the facelift of the Josina Machel Hospital in Luanda, which is a reference in the country.

 

In the field of economic co-operation, in recent years, the knowledge and experience of Japan has been used in the development of rice cultivation and in vocational training.

 

Located in the Far East and known as the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan is made up of an archipelago formed by the islands of Kyushu, Honishu, Honshi Shikoku and Hokkaido. It is an island country in the Pacific Ocean and has dense cities, imperial palaces, mountainous national parks, as well as thousands of shrines and temples.