Musings From Abroad

African, world leaders congratulate France President Emmanuel Macron on his re-election

Published

3 years ago

April 25, 2022

African and several leaders around the world have been sending congratulatory messages to France President Emmanuel Macron, after his re-election victory where he defeated his of opponent and far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, in runoff elections Sunday.

The African leaders including Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, Senegal’s Macky Sall, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba, were the early birds to congratulate Macron on the election win.

African leaders are lining up to congratulate @EmmanuelMacron, all while massive graves have been discovered in French bases in Mali.

No Asian leader is wasting their time sending BS msg to Macron.

— African Index (@africanindex_) April 25, 2022

While Sall who is the current African Union (AU) Chairman, on behalf of the Union, sent his best wishes to Macron’s on the win which made him the first French President to win a re-election since 2002.

On his part, Ethiopia’s Ahmed said he looked forward to working with Mr Macron to strengthen ties between the two countries, while Kagame hailed Macron’s leadership that “seeks to unite and not divide.”

Ondimba whose country is a former French colony, hailed Macron’s “brilliant re-election,” saying the two two countries “more than a shared past, as our two countries have a future to build,” he said in online comments.

Some world leaders were also not left out of the accolades on Macron’s victory with the likes of US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, embattled Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and a host of others congratulating Macron.

Here are some of their reactions:

Joe Biden: “France is our oldest ally and a key partner in addressing global challenges. I look forward to our continued close cooperation including on supporting Ukraine, defending democracy, and countering climate change.”

Congratulations to @EmmanuelMacron on his re-election. France is our oldest ally and a key partner in addressing global challenges. I look forward to our continued close cooperation — including on supporting Ukraine, defending democracy, and countering climate change.

— President Biden (@POTUS) April 24, 2022

Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz: “French voters have sent a strong vote of confidence in Europe today. I am happy that we will continue our good cooperation.”

Boris Johnson: “I congratulate France President Emmanuel Macron on his victory. France is one of our closest and most important allies,” Johnson wrote in a tweet, adding that he looked forward “to continuing to work together on the issues which matter most to our two countries and to the world”.

Congratulations to @EmmanuelMacron on your re-election as President of France. France is one of our closest and most important allies. I look forward to continuing to work together on the issues which matter most to our two countries and to the world.

🇬🇧🇫🇷

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 24, 2022

Volodymyr Zelensky: “I wish him further success for the sake of the (French) people. I appreciate his support and I am convinced that we are moving together towards new common victories,” he wrote on Twitter in both Ukrainian and French.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Macron’s victory was a “great expression of liberal democracy in action in uncertain times”.

“We wish you and France every success, in particular your leadership in Europe and as an important partner to Australia in the Indo-Pacific,” he tweeted.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “I am looking forward to continuing our work together on the issues that matter most to people in Canada and France, from defending democracy, to fighting climate change, to creating good jobs and economic growth for the middle class”.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his “friend” on being re-elected.

“I look forward to continue working together to deepen the India-France Strategic Partnership,” Modi wrote.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi described Macron’s victory as “great news for all of Europe”.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez: “The citizens have chosen a France committed to a free, strong and fair EU. Democracy wins. Europe wins. Congratulations Emmanuel Macron.”

Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said French voters had made a “strong choice”, opting for “certainty and Enlightenment values”.

Ireland Prime Minister Micheal Martin hailed Macron’s “principled and dynamic leadership” as “important not only for France, but for Europe”.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson also sent her “warmest congratulations”, adding,”Let’s continue our close cooperation – bilaterally and for a competitive, green and resilient European Union,” she tweeted.

Related Topics:Elections Emmanuel Macron Featured France

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Musings From Abroad

Swiss company Mercuria partners Zambia’s IDC in new metals trading firm

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by Swiss commodities trader, Mercuria, on Thursday, it has established a metals trading arm with Zambia, the second-largest producer of copper in Africa.

The trading unit is jointly owned by Mercuria and an arm of Zambia’s Industrial Development Company (IDC), and its purpose is to allow Zambia to engage directly in the minerals trading market.

The joint venture “envisages the establishment of a vehicle to market and trade Zambian copper by mutual leverage,” according to a statement from Cornwell Muleya, the CEO of IDC.

The southern African nation wants to increase copper output to roughly 3 million metric tonnes within the next ten years, and in 2023, it produced roughly 698,000 tonnes of copper, down from 763,000 metric tonnes the year before.

In June, the Zambian government announced that it would establish a minerals trading unit.

Investors including First Quantum Minerals and Barrick Gold are ramping up production, with output set to receive a further boost once Vedanta Resources’ Konkola Copper Mines restart activity.

“Our joint venture with IDC marks a significant milestone for Zambia as it positions itself more strategically in the global minerals market,” Kostas Bintas, Mercuria’s global head of metals and minerals, said in the statement.

Musings From Abroad

Blinken to reveal UN Sudan funding additions

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Additional financing for humanitarian aid to Sudan and initiatives to strengthen civil society in the nation, where a conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, will be announced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the United Nations on Thursday.

Blinken will make many announcements when he leads a UN Security Council meeting on Sudan on Thursday, which will centre on humanitarian aid and civilian protection, Deputy U.S. Representative to the UN Ned Price told reporters on Wednesday.

According to Price, the announcements would include more money for humanitarian help, initiatives to strengthen civil society, and the return of democracy.

“Sudan, unfortunately, has risked becoming a forgotten conflict,” Price said.

“So part of the reason the secretary … opted to convene a signature event on this very topic is to make sure it remains in the spotlight,” Price said.

For almost 18 months, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and Sudan’s army have been engaged in combat, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis that has forced over 12 million people from their homes and made it difficult for U.N. organisations to provide aid.

A power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces preceded a planned shift to civilian administration, which sparked the conflict in April 2023.

Although the army declined to join this year’s U.S.-mediated peace negotiations in Geneva, the warring parties did pledge to increase assistance access, which prevented any movement towards a ceasefire.

Price stated that before President Joe Biden’s term ends next month, the United States would keep collaborating with allies to enhance humanitarian access in Sudan and eventually end hostilities.

“We are going to leave nothing on the field in our efforts to work with allies, with partners, with the Sudanese stakeholders themselves, on the issues that matter most – humanitarian access, the provision of humanitarian assistance, ultimately, the process by which we can work to get to a cessation of hostilities, which is most urgently needed,” he said.