– NEWS –
Cyril Ramaphosa is South Africa’s new President: Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in as South Africa’s president on Thursday after scandal-plagued leader Jacob Zuma resigned. In a nationally televised address on Wednesday, Zuma announced his resignation, saying he had been disturbed about what he described as instances of violence outside the party’s headquarters. Zuma, who has been plagued by corruption and nepotism scandals during his nine years in office, was told to resign by his party and vacate his office. Ramaphosa, the leader of the ruling African National Congress party since December, was the only candidate nominated during a session of the South African Parliament.
nytimes.com, cnn.com, forbes.com
Gupta home raided by police: South Africa’s elite police unit has raided the home of a controversial business family linked to former President Jacob Zuma. Officials say three people were arrested as part of an investigation into the wealthy, Indian-born Guptas. They have been accused of using their close friendship with Zuma to wield enormous political influence. Police also raided the Guptas‘ Oakbay holding company in Johannesburg’s Sandton financial district, according to a security guard outside the building. Zuma’s links to the Guptas are just one of the reasons he is being forced to resign before the 2019 general election.
bbc.com, cnbc.com
EU wants to strengthen African agriculture: The EU wants to aid the agricultural sector in Africa in order to combat flight and migration effectively. EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan has presented concrete plans to the ministers in charge. A commission of experts from universities, companies and NGOs will be asked to find ways for more investments. The aim is to boost trade within African countries, as well as exports.
faz.net
Sudan releases activists: Sudan has released more than 80 political activists and students, who were imprisoned in the wake of deadly protests last month against rising bread prices and the government’s economic policies.
Among those released were several high-ranking members of the National Umma Party – one of the most prominent opposition parties in Sudan – including the movement’s vice president and secretary-general. The country witnessed widespread demonstrations, called „bread protests“, at the start of 2018, when the government decided to cut subsidies and stop importing wheat from overseas. The opposition had said more than 300 people were arrested in the wave of protests.
derstandard.at, aljazeera.com
Ibrahim Prize for African leadership goes to Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf nytimes.com
Thousands in Zimbabwe bid farewell to ‚People’s General‘ Tsvangirai reuters.com
Former vice-president of the FDLR militia fighting in Congo must leave Germany taz.de
– BACKGROUND –
How China is changing Africa: In her book „The Next Factory of the World“, Chinese economist Irene Sun compares the economic development in Africa with that of China 30 years ago and describes how Chinese investments are transforming Africa. In recent years, thousands of Chinese have settled in African countries and founded around 10,000 companies. About one third of them work in production. Africa is part of the global „One Belt, one Road“ initiative, the „New Silk Road“. As early as 2009, China overtook the US as Africa’s largest trading partner. Since then, US trade with Africa has halved, while trade between China and Africa doubled to nearly 200 billion dollars.
derstandard.at
More diversity in film and TV: 17 organizations from African and black communities in Germany have called for more diversity in film and television at the start of the Berlin International Film Festival, saying there was a lack of role models for children and young people in international cinema. There are not enough films that focus on the diversity, creativity, and challenges of Africa and the African Diaspora – and where black women play key roles. The groups call for the introduction of diversity standards for film and television promotion in Germany, more diversity in the selection of students at film and drama schools, and a new calculation of television ratings that reflects the diversity of society.
eto-archiv.de
Art that challenges: At the Cape Town Art Fair in Cape Town, a special exhibition presents works by female artists from different parts of Africa. The focus is on the role of women in African societies. For example, Ugandan artist Stacey Gillian Abe deals with the stereotypical view of the female body and the associated social norms. A courageous piece of work – because of the controversial pornography law in Uganda she could even face imprisonment.
deutschlandfunkkultur.de
– NUMBER –
The organic trading company Gepa has partners in 17 out of 54 African countries – with an upward tendency. The commitment to the continent stems from the fact that local markets are being destroyed by cheap agricultural imports from Europe.
nordbayern.de
– QUOTE –
„The Munich Security Conference completly underestimates the risks stemming from poverty in Africa. It is a complete misconception that the MSC sees Africa only at number 10 of the world’s greatest risks to world peace.“
Germany’s Development Minister Gerd Müller considers Africa to be a continent „with great war potential“ and demands more reconstruction aid from the US and Europe.
handelsblatt.com
– AT LAST –
Telecom firms giving Africans less digital rights than Europeans: A new report published by advocacy group Internet Without Borders says that telecoms companies operating in Europe and Africa are affording their users different digital rights. The study compares Orange and Vodafone’s subsidiaries to ask whether users in Senegal and Kenya are given the same right to access, use and create digital media as well as access and use devices and networks. The research provides a detailed assessment of respect for freedom of expression and privacy, concluding that users in Europe are treated differently to those in sub-Saharan Africa.
en.rfi.fr, internetwithoutborders.org