Metro

Opposition leaders arrested in Chad for anti-French protests. Will that stop the wild fire?

Published

2 years ago

June 7, 2022

As anti-French protests continue to grow in parts of Africa, six opposition leaders have been arrested over violent anti-French protests in Chad.

The protest leaders were handed one-year suspended sentences on Monday for disturbing public order.

The spokesperson of the Wakit Tamma coalition which is one of the organizers of the protest, Soumaine Adoum, denounced the sentence.

Adoum claimed “the prosecutor at this time has not put any evidence on the table, none, but he has requested prison sentences and damages plus fines. To get to this point, and to force the issue, the trial is necessarily political”,

“It is therefore a trial of France against the leaders of civil society in Chad and the population that challenges their policies in this country and the consequences of their policy in Chad” added the Spokesperson.

Anti- France movements have continued to spread across Africa. There were protests in South Africa for a similar course last month, In Gabon, the government was forced to stop a protest last month that was also anti-French.

The lingering “Anti-France” protest has stretched beyond Gabon and taken to France. In March, protesters disrupted an auction right before a 19^th-century carved mask was sold for €4.2 million, despite accusations that it was “stolen goods” in Montpellier in the South of France.

Mali, another African country that until recently has been a strong ally with France has had a toxic relationship with the European so much that Bamako broke defence relations with Paris.

Related Topics:#CHAD Anti-French Featured

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Metro

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

Published

48 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.