Metro

21 killed as Al-Shabaab militants attack two key bridges in Somalia

Published

2 years ago

October 20, 2022

Not less than 21 people were killed and several others wounded on Wednesday, following separate bombings on two key bridges in the Hirshabelle state of Somalia by the Al-Shabaab militants, government officials said.

The Deputy District Commissioner in charge of Jalalaqsi in the state, Mire Hussein Siyad, who confirmed the attacks, said a powerful car bomb exploded on a bridge in Jalalaqsi town when soldiers operating a security checkpoint intercepted a vehicle.

“The checkpoint is near the local government buildings and a military base belonging to African Union peacekeepers from Djibouti.

“At around 2:30 p.m., a vehicle arrived at the checkpoint, one of the soldiers collecting taxation pointed a gun and stopped it. When the gun was pointed at it, the vehicle exploded,” Siyad told journalists.

He said that particular explosion accounted for the death of at least 15 people, including the town’s two civilian leaders, Mayor Adan Mohamed Isse and Mohamed Nur Agajof Dabaashe, the district commissioner who was recently replaced as Jalalaqsi commissioner by Siyad.

“Other victims included soldiers at the checkpoints and civilians including street vendors. The explosion also destroyed a building near the checkpoint where the local officials were based. Two AU peacekeepers were also injured in the attack.”

The second attack later in the day saw the death of six people including four civilians, when a three-wheeled motorcycle with explosives attached, struck the Bulobarde town bridge which links Somalia’s south and central regions.

The Bulobarde District Commissioner, Ahmed Mahad Nur, said two men riding the motorcycle drove it onto the bridge and while one of the men jumped off before the explosion, the second one detonated the explosive-laden motorcycle and died in the blast.

“The man who jumped was shot and killed by security forces. The two explosions were coordinated and intended to destroy the two bridges.

“They wanted to bring down the two bridges at the same time. They are the most crucial bridges between the central and southern regions,” Nur said.

Related Topics:Al-Shabaab Bombings Bridges Featured militants Somalia

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Metro

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

Published

17 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

2 days 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.