Connect with us

Musings From Abroad

European Parliament to punish Hungary for erosion of democracy

Published

on

The European Parliament on Wednesday voted to punish Hungary for cracking down on democratic institutions, setting off a process that could ultimately lead to the suspension of the country’s voting rights in the European Union.

It is the first time that the parliament has launched the EU disciplinary process against a member state, known as Article 7, and it exposes the deep unease in parts of Europe about the policies pursued by Hungary’s hardline prime minister, Viktor Orbán.

The vote comes nine months after the European Commission used its power to launch the same process against Poland. The rarely invoked process is designed to prevent member states from breaching the EU’s “core values.”

Wednesday’s vote in Strasbourg, France, followed a report from Dutch Green member of the European Parliament Judith Sargentini that raised concerns about Hungary’s erosion of democracy in recent years, including crackdowns on migrants, the media and academic institutions.

The vote was passed 448-197 with 48 abstentions, giving it the crucial two-thirds majority needed.

Read also: “I like acting like no one has me captured.” Why McCain fenced off Trump even in death

But in a text message sent to CNN, Hungary’s government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs called the results into question, “Clearly: less than two-thirds voted yes under the treaty. Pro-migration political representatives are so desperate to punish us for our stance that they even violate the rule of law.”

“The whol(e) procedure is not simply a witch hunt and shameful for the EP(P) — but a FRAUD,” he added.

Musings From Abroad

Uganda turns to China for $150 million loan after World Bank halts funding

Published

on

East African country, Uganda will now seek to borrow $150 million from China’s Export-Import Bank (Exim), following lending restrictions by the World Bank for its anti-homosexuality law.

The action highlights the country’s growing dependence on Chinese lenders after the World Bank’s decision earlier this year stopping all new loans to the country.

Uganda is negotiating a loan to finance the construction of a pipeline to help export its crude oil to foreign markets with the Chinese export credit organisations SINOSURE and Exim Bank.

The money, the finance ministry says, is “to finance the supply, installation, commissioning, and support of the national data transmission backbone infrastructure.”

A law prohibiting LGBTQ was passed by the Ugandan legislature in May. Several stringent regulations were incorporated into the legislation, which drew strong criticism from the international community, including the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, and major corporations like the World Bank.

Before lending to Uganda was suspended by the World Bank, it was the country’s largest development partner.

The Anti-Homosexuality Act imposes severe penalties, including death, for a variety of homosexual offences.

Continue Reading

Musings From Abroad

Russia’s free grain to hit 6 African countries this week

Published

on

Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s promise to send free grain to six African countries in July, Russian shipments of donated grain are due to begin landing in Africa within days.

The supply will give fresh impetus to Russia’s bid to bolster its influence on the continent after criticism over its invasion of Ukraine and withdrawal from a deal that facilitated the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea linked to pushing up global food and fertilizer prices.

The Russian Agriculture Ministry stated earlier this month that the shipments would amount to 200,000 metric tonnes by the end of the year, with Somalia and Burkina Faso scheduled to be the initial recipients. According to Putin’s July statement, Zimbabwe, Mali, Eritrea, and the Central African Republic are also expected to receive between 25,000 and 50,000 metric tonnes of grain each.

Two of the top exporters of grain and vegetable oil worldwide are Russia and Ukraine. Russia’s bombardment of Ukrainian ports and stores has affected the world’s supply of both commodities during the war. Russia in July also quit a year-old agreement that had allowed Ukraine to ship grain from its Black Sea ports, which, according to a study by a South African agency, helped feed about 95 million people but fell short in ensuring that fertilizer-originating from Russia could flow freely to global markets. Had that happened, food could have been produced to feed about 199 million people.

However, Putin, in order to fulfil what he claimed was Moscow’s crucial role in ensuring global food security, stated that Russia was prepared to replace Ukrainian grain exports to Africa on both a commercial and assistance basis.

While most African countries have adopted a non-aligned posture in the war, Russia’s influence in the continent has been on the rise lately, particularly with regard to defence relations.

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Metro50 mins ago

Nigeria set to begin passport automation 

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that the automation of the country’s passport application is in its final...

Metro2 hours ago

Nigeria: Former election commission boss calls for total unbundling of electoral body, political party reforms

The immediate past Chairman of Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has called for...

Musings From Abroad2 hours ago

Uganda turns to China for $150 million loan after World Bank halts funding

East African country, Uganda will now seek to borrow $150 million from China’s Export-Import Bank (Exim), following lending restrictions by...

Video17 hours ago

Video: Aviation Minister, Keyamo faults ‘suspicious’ deals with Ethiopian Airlines over Nigeria Air project

In this video, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, lamented “suspicious deals” the Nigerian government, under former...

Politics17 hours ago

Kenya: Senior ICC prosecutor drops probe into 2007 post-election violence

A senior official of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Nazhat Shameen Khan has announced an end to all further investigations...

Tech17 hours ago

US collaborates with AfDB to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation

The United States Commercial Service has announced a strategic collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to drive a massive...

Culture17 hours ago

South Africa announces inaugural Creative Arts Awards

The South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, has announced the inaugural South African Creative Arts Awards...

Sports18 hours ago

Namibia qualifies for 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup

Namibia has qualified for the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup which will hold in United States and the West Indies,...

Politics21 hours ago

Sierra Leonean govt finally labels weekend attack ‘failed coup’

The Sierra Leonean government has finally labelled attacks on several locations in the capital, Freetown, on Sunday as failed attempt...

Metro23 hours ago

South Korea sets date to re-open Zambian embassy

The South Korean government has announced its decision to re-open its embassy in Zambia after it had closed down operations....

Trending