Year: 2023

Russia reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso on Thursday, which it had closed in 1992, thus continuing a rapprochement with this Sahelian country led by a military regime since last year, and which seeks to diversify its partners since its break with France.

“Today we are attending the ceremony for the resumption of activities of the Russian embassy in Ouagadougou,” declared the Russian ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire accredited to Burkina Faso, Alexeï Saltykov, during the reopening of the chancellery early Thursday afternoon.

The Russian diplomat who until now resided in Abidjan but who has made regular trips to Ouagadougou in recent months, added that he would initially lead the diplomatic mission in Burkina until the appointment of an ambassador by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Burkinabè Prime Minister, Appolinaire Joachimson Kyélèm de Tambéla, the Burkinabè Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, other members of the government and the chief of general staff of the armies of Burkina were present during the ceremony, noted by our journalist.

The Burkina Faso embassy in Russia was reopened in 2013, after closing in 1996.

For his part, the head of Burkinabe diplomacy, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, assured during the ceremony that the closure of the Russian embassy 31 years ago had not put an end to ” cooperation” between the two countries, which notably includes “the training of several of our executives”.

Alexei Saltykov added that “Russia will continue to assist Burkina Faso for the training of specialists, national, civil and military executives”.

In addition, “we are determined to expand cooperation in the areas” of trade and the economy, said Mr. Saltykov.

“We hope that Burkinabe partners will gradually expand the ranges of products purchased from Russia, including agricultural machinery, mineral fertilizers, as well as equipment for the mining industry,” he continued.

Furthermore, “25,000 tonnes of wheat” representing “humanitarian aid from Russia” are “being transported to Burkina Faso”, indicated Mr. Saltykov.

Vladimir Putin announced during the Saint Petersburg summit in July that Moscow would deliver cereals free of charge to six African countries, including Burkina Faso, in the coming months.

For its part, the Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday welcomed the “development” of relations with Burkina Faso.

The reopening of the Russian embassy will help “increase coordination in terms of foreign policy” and consolidate the “ relations of friendship and cooperation” uniting these two countries, the ministry writes in a press release.

Since the coup d’état which brought Captain Ibrahim Traoré to power in September 2022, Burkina Faso has severed its relations with France and is seeking to diversify its partners.

Ouagadougou notably obtained the departure of French troops from its soil at the start of the year, before moving closer to Russia.

An agreement was signed by the two countries in mid-October for the construction of a Russian nuclear power plant in Burkina, where less than a quarter of the population has access to electricity.

At the beginning of September, a Russian delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Defense, Younous-Bek Evkourov, went to Ouagadougou to discuss issues of development and military cooperation with Ibrahim Traoré.

The transitional president of Burkina later added that most of the equipment of the Burkina army was Russian.

“This reopening” of the Russian embassy “completes a process of rapprochement,” said Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré.

A few weeks after the last coup d’état, Burkina granted the operating permit for a new gold mine to the Russian company Nordgold, which already exploited three deposits in the north of the country.

Burkina, where gold constitutes the main mineral resource, has been facing deadly and recurring jihadist violence for several years over a large part of its territory, which has left more than 17,000 dead and more than two million internally displaced.

Ouagadougou has also moved closer to Mali and Niger – two countries run by military regimes and linked to Burkina through the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – a defence cooperation – which also maintains relations with Moscow.

A leaking tanker truck exploded earlier this week as people gathered to collect gasoline, killing more than 40 people, Liberian authorities said Thursday.

Tuesday’s explosion also injured at least 83 people in the town of Totota in the central West African country, according to health authorities.

Many of the dead were buried in a mass grave on Wednesday because their remains were unrecognizable, said Dr. Cynthia Blapook, a health official in Bong County. Health authorities said it was difficult to confirm the exact number of deaths due to the burned state of the bodies.

Liberia’s Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor, attended the mass funeral. “We didn’t expect to start the year this way,” Mr Howard-Taylor said.

Health officials said the number of injured could rise because they are not sure everyone has been transported to receive treatment.

A doctor at a hospital treating the injured urged the Liberian government to deploy a disaster management team and have one in every county to respond to emergencies.

Dr. Minnie Sankawolo-Rocks also appealed to the public to stay away from fuel trucks in the hope of getting much-needed gasoline. Similar fatal accidents have occurred elsewhere in Africa.

“Please, I beg you,” she said. Ms Sankawolo-Rocks said people did not listen to police instructions to move away before the tanker exploded.

Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye recently launched a virulent tirade against same-sex marriage, denouncing it as an “abominable practice” and advocating for the stoning of gay couples, citing religious reasons.

The President, known for his conservative Christian views, previously called for homosexuals to be “banished” and treated as outcasts. He criticized Western countries opposing LGBTQ+ rights and defiantly rejected aid from those advocating such practices, urging individuals embracing those beliefs to stay abroad.

This strong stance is in line with the conservative Christian values prevalent in the Great Lakes country, where same-sex relations are punishable by imprisonment.

This statement comes in reaction as the global discourse on LGBTQ+ rights has seen some notable developments, such as Pope Francis’ declaration on December 18th regarding the blessing of homosexual couples.

While this marks a symbolic shift in the Catholic Church’s stance, it’s essential to note that the Church maintains a clear distinction between homosexual and heterosexual marriages.

The Vatican’s doctrine of the “one true marriage” underscores its position that while marriage for all is tolerated, it is not yet fully accepted within the Catholic religion.

However, implementing such changes globally is a complex endeavour. Despite the Vatican’s guidance, the ability to enforce a shift in mentality and impose measures across all Catholic communities proves challenging.

Several African churches have already signalled their resistance to these advances. For instance, the bishops of Cameroon explicitly rejected any change, stating, “We formally prohibit all blessings of homosexual couples.” Similarly, Togo has expressed openness to individuals in same-sex relationships but encourages priests to refrain from blessing such couples.

This dynamic reflects the ongoing struggle within the Catholic Church to reconcile differing perspectives on LGBTQ+ issues, illustrating the tension between global doctrinal shifts and the autonomy of individual religious communities, particularly in conservative regions like Africa.

Africa is emerging as a preferred global destination for travellers, driven by a thriving tourism and business sector. The continent’s aviation landscape is now a formidable force, fostering crucial connections between Africa and the global community.

Recently, Skytrax, a renowned international airline assessment organization, revealed its 2023 report on the Best Airports in Africa. South Africa dominated the regional ranking, with additional entries from Kenya, Morocco, Rwanda, and Mauritius.

1. Cape Town International Airport, South Africa

This is a premier international hub with modern infrastructure and a commitment to eco-friendly practices. The airport hosts 4.13 passengers per 10 square meters daily, catering to a discerning crowd.

2. King Shaka International Airport, South Africa

Located in Durban, it stands as a beacon of excellence among Africa’s best international airports. The terminal, covering 102,000 m2, can handle 7.5 million passengers annually.

3. Johannesburg International Airport, South Africa

Serving as the primary hub for domestic and international travel in South Africa. Since 2020, Africa’s fifth busiest airport with a capacity for 28 million passengers per year.

4. Casablanca International Airport, Morocco

Handled about 7.6 million passengers in 2022, ranking among the top 10 busiest airports in Africa. A hub for Royal Air Maroc, Royal Air Maroc Express, and Air Arabia Maroc.

5. Mauritius International Airport

A strategic gateway with direct flights to Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Renowned for its commitment to passenger satisfaction and prime location.

6. Marrakech International Airport, Morocco

An international facility connecting Europe, the Arab world, and soon North America. Terminals designed to handle 2,500,000 passengers annually.

7. Addis Ababa International Airport, Ethiopia

Formerly Haile Selassie I International Airport, it’s the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines. Links Ethiopia and Africa to Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.

8. Kigali International Airport, Rwanda

Serving Kigali and playing a vital role in connecting Congolese, Burundian, and Ugandan cities. The terminal accommodates 1.5 million passengers annually.

9. Nairobi International Airport, Kenya

A key connection point to East African destinations, quadrupling its capacity to host 26.5 million passengers yearly.

10. Bloemfontein International Airport, South Africa

Formerly Bloemfontein International Airport, now Bram Fischer International Airport. An economic hub hosting over 300,000 passengers and 17,000 air traffic movements annually.

Senegal’s supreme court on Friday confirmed a prison sentence handed down to the mayor of Dakar, convicted of killing a man during a wave of political violence in 2011.

However, Barthelemy Dias, a fierce opponent of President Macky Sall, will not be jailed, as his sentence was covered by the pre-trial detention he served.

The sentence upheld is a six-month prison term and an 18-month suspended sentence.

His lawyer, Cire Cledor Ly, said the sentence would not cost the opposition figure his post as mayor of the capital, but could threaten his seat in the National Assembly.

“The court rejects the appeal lodged by Barthelemy Toye Dias, the mayor of Dakar,” the court’s president Abdourahmane Diouf announced.

Dias was not required to attend the reading of the judgment.Dias must also pay 25 million FCFA francs (around 38,000 euros) to the heirs of Ndiaga Diouf.

He was shot dead on 22 December 2011 during an attack on the town hall in Mermoz Sacre-Coeur, one of the capital’s communes, by alleged supporters of the ruling party under the then presidency of Abdoulaye Wade.

Dias was mayor of the that district of the city at the time.

He accuses those in power of having resurrected this affair to hinder the 2024 presidential election bid of the former mayor of Dakar and close ally, Khalifa Sall.

The justice ministry did not respond to our journalist requests for information on the consequences of the court ruling.

Morocco, where agriculture is a crucial sector, is heading for its sixth consecutive year of drought due to a drop in rainfall in recent months linked to climate change, Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, said on Thursday.

“We have entered a critical phase after five consecutive years of drought that our country has never experienced before,” said Mr. Baraka at a press conference.

Rainfall has fallen by 67% in recent months compared with a year considered normal, and “the last three months (from October to December) show that we are heading for another year of drought”, the minister added.

In Morocco, agriculture employs a third of the working-age population and accounts for 14% of the country’s exports.

Water stress in Morocco has been exacerbated by rising temperatures, which have increased water evaporation from dams. The Ministry of Agriculture predicts an average temperature rise of 1.3 degrees Celsius by 2050.

The North African country’s reservoirs are currently only 23.5% full, compared with 31% at the same time last year, which is “a very dangerous situation”, said Mr. Baraka.

“Our hopes are high for the next three months, which are (usually) the rainiest in our country”, he added.

Failing that, local authorities in some regions will have to turn off the water supply, usually at night.

In the face of growing water stress, the authorities are betting on seawater desalination projects, such as the one due to start construction next month in Casablanca, the country’s largest conurbation with over six million inhabitants.

By the end of 2027, Morocco plans to build seven desalination plants with a total capacity of 143 million cubic meters per year.

There are currently 12 desalination plants in the country, with a total capacity of 179.3 million cubic meters per year, according to official data.

More than 300 firefighters were battling a blaze on the slopes of a mountain near Cape Town in South Africa for a second day on Wednesday.

Meanwhile residents were evacuated from at least one neighborhood overnight, emergency services said.

Five firefighters were injured and two were taken to the hospital, the city’s Emergency Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said.

The wildfire on the mountain slopes near the seaside town of Simon’s Town, around 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Cape Town, had threatened houses in the pre-dawn hours after it started on Tuesday.

That threat was narrowly averted, Carelse said.

He said only one derelict building on the grounds of a nearby South African navy base had been damaged.

Residents were evacuated from the neighborhood most at threat just before 1 a.m. as a precaution, he said. Three helicopters continued to scoop up water from the ocean and drop it on the fire.

Firefighters had worked to put out the fire through most of Tuesday and overnight, but it was still burning, Carelse said.

The fire lit up the mountain that overlooks Simon’s Town, a small resort town that hosts South Africa’s flagship naval base.

Wildfires are a regular threat on the mountain slopes around Cape Town in the hot, dry months from November to April.

They become dangerous and unpredictable when they are fanned by strong coastal winds, which city authorities said happened with the Simon’s Town fire.

A huge wildfire burned across the slopes of Cape Town’s world-famous Table Mountain for days in 2021, destroying nearly a dozen buildings, including some historic structures at the University of Cape Town.