Metro

Togo: Explosion kills 7 teenagers in Margba village

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2022

According to statement from official sources in Togo, says at least seven people were killed and two injured in an explosion in northern Togo on Saturday night.

A medical source at the regional hospital in Dapaong, who spoke on the ground of anonymity Sunday revealed that victims of the explosion were all between the ages of 14 and 18.

The statement by army chief Dadja Maganawe says “an investigation has been opened to clarify the circumstances of this explosion and identify the perpetrators.”

The explosion was said to have happened in the village of Margba, in the northern Savanes region that is under a state of emergency last month due to rising insecurity.

In May, eight soldiers were killed on and 13 wounded in a “terrorist attack” in northern Togo near the border with Burkina Faso, the government said, using a term typically designating jihadists.

At a meeting of West African defence chiefs earlier in 2022, Ghana’s Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul said that in three years the region had suffered more than 5,300 terror-related attacks claiming around 16,000 lives.

There is concern over how the threat is spreading from the Sahel to northern parts of coastal Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Togo.

Generally, the West Africa sub-region is plagued with insurgency and terror attacks, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea all have share in the war of terror.

Metro

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

Published

9 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.