Metro

Sudanese security forces descend on anti-coup protesters after military leader, al-Burhan’s promise

Published

2 years ago

July 5, 2022

Eleven anti-coup protesters were seriously wounded when Sudanese security forces descended on a sit-in protest to disperse demonstrators in the capital, Khartoum, a medical pressure group, Sudan’s Doctors Committee (SDC), said in a statement.

The group, which tracks protest casualties across the country, said the security forces used tear gas and other objects on the demonstrators in the neighbourhoods of Burri and al-Jawda in the capital city late on Monday.

The medical group said some of those injured were hit by tear gas canisters and other solid objects in the head and elsewhere, causing severe injuries to them.

The crackdown came a few hours after Sudan’s military ruler, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, promised in a televised speech that the military will withdraw from political negotiations meant at solving the ongoing crisis in the country.

Al-Burhan also promised to step down and dissolve the military-led Ruling Sovereign Council after a new transitional government is formed later in the year.

Since the military staged a coup in October 2021 where it overthrew a military-civilian transition government put in place after the ouster of former dictator Omar al-Bashir and his Islamist-backed government, pro-democracy activists have been holding sit-ins in different parts of Khartoum demanding that the military step aside and hand over power to a democratically elected government.

The protesters have been having skirmishes with security forces which have been carrying out brutal clampdown on the anti-coup marches with over 100 people killed close to a thousand injured, 629 injured in a clampdown on Thursday last week, according to the according to the medical group.

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Metro

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

Published

5 hours 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

1 day 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.