Metro

Burkina Faso: Terrorist activities cut food supply to thousands in Djibo

Published

2 years ago

May 28, 2022

The lingering terrorists activities in Burkina Faso has cut out the northern part of the country, particularly the town of Djibo from receiving food aid, medicals and other necessities.

The extent of the blockage is much that help can’t come for the people in the north town who are faced with all the challenges: extremism, drought, and coups.

The activities have also restricted movement in and out of the city and cut water supplies. Few truckers want to run the jihadist gauntlet.

A UN team flew in to assess the situation but stayed for just a few hours due to the threat level.

One of the residents in the community, Mamoudou Oumarou, a 53-year-old father of 13 who fled his village in February told newsmen that they had no food or water, while the few grains available in the market had spiked in price and their animals were dying.

“We have been living here for three months. Animals are not being bought. Most of the animals I came with here died of hunger. When you sell five animals and go to the market you can’t get a bag of food to eat. You can’t even see food. You can look for food in vain,” said Oumarou.

The Director of Seracom, a local aid group in Djibo, Alpha Ousmane Dao, also commented that some 600 trucks used to enter Djibo monthly, now it’s less than 50 a week, said

Adding his voice to the situation, the country director for the World Food Programme in Burkina Faso, Antoine Renard also said as a result of Djibo’s blockade, the World Food Program has been unable to deliver food to the town since December and stocks are running out.

“We are in clear need of access to the area. All we do now is actually to sustain a quarter of the population for any goods that manage to come into the city,” he said.

Terrorist activity in Burkina Faso has involved religious terrorism conducted by foreign-based organizations, although some activity occurs because of communal frustration over the lack of economic development. Recent attacks are concentrated in the Hauts-Bassins, Boucle du Mouhoun, Nord, Sahel, and East regions, along the border with Mali and Niger.

A series of attacks in Ouagadougou in 2016, 2017, and 2018 by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its affiliates was particularly deadly, garnering international attention.

Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

34 minutes ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

23 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.