Metro

US withdraws troops from peacekeeping monitoring groups in South Sudan

Published

2 years ago

July 16, 2022

The “lack of sustained progress” by the United Nations peacekeeping monitoring groups in South Sudan has forced the United States to pull out of the systems.

In a statement on Friday, the US Department of State said the systems that monitor the peace process in the war-torn country had failed to meet reform milestones set before it and therefore, the US would no longer be s part of the systems.

The US will be withdrawing from two key peacekeeping systems, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) and the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM).

The statement cited the failure of South Sudanese leaders’ failure to establish a “unified, professional military” as well as their lack of political will to protect members of the civil society members and journalists and to enact necessary financial reforms.

“South Sudan’s leaders have not fully availed themselves of the support these monitoring mechanisms provide and have demonstrated a lack of political will necessary to implement critical reforms,” the State Department said in the statement signed by its spokesman, Ned Price.

However, the US will continue to provide about $1 billion in humanitarian and development aid and offer support to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), among other financial backing, the statement added.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has been one of the most expensive in the world with billions of dollars pumped into it by the UN, the US and other donor agencies but so far, it has failed to sustain the peace due to the lack of cooperation by the warring factions in the country.

Despite a transition period set to end in February 2023, where President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar agreed to form a unity government more than two years ago, the country continues to face instability and sporadic violence that has left nearly one million people dead.

They have also been unable to agree on many key provisions of the peace deal including drafting a permanent constitution.

The UN has repeatedly criticized the leadership of the country over its role in the violence, violations of human rights, clamping down on political opponents, plundering public funds as well as committing war crimes.

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Metro

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

Published

13 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.