Metro

Jailed British-Egyptian activist, Alaa Abdel-Fattah, to go on full hunger strike, family says

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2022

The family of jailed British-Egyptian activist, Alaa Abdel-Fattah, who has been in prison since 2014, says he will embark on a “full hunger strike” which will see him not eating or drinking any substance as the North African country gets set to host COP27 next week.

A statement by the family of the activist on Tuesday, said the 40-year-old Abdel-Fattah plans to stop eating or drinking water on the first day of the global climate summit.

Abdel-Fattah, an outspoken government, rose to prominence with the 2011 pro-democracy uprisings that swept the Middle East and in Egypt toppled long-time President Hosni Mubarak and has spent the past decade behind bars with his detention becoming a symbol of Egypt’s return to autocratic rule, according to opposition figures in the country.

His sister, Sanaa Seif, has been staging a sit-in at the headquarters of Britain’s foreign ministry to push the UK to take action in his case, said the family has exhausted every means to get him released to no avail, adding that the family was concerned over his health.

Mona-Seif in a tweet on Tuesday, said Abdel-Fattah who has been on a partial hunger strike consuming only 100 calories a day, will begin the full hunger strike on November 6, the first day of the COP27.

The family, which communicates with Abdel-Fattah through weekly letters and during rare visits, says it fears that if Abdel-Fattah is not released during the climate conference, he would die without water.

The activist was first sentenced in 2014 after being convicted of taking part in an unauthorized protest and allegedly assaulting a police officer.

He was released in 2019 after serving a five-year term but was immediately rearrested later that year in a crackdown that followed rare anti-government protests.

In December 2021, he was sentenced to another five-year term on charges of spreading false news.

He is also facing separate charges of misusing social medial and joining the banned Muslim Brotherhood, which the Egyptian authorities declared a terrorist organization in 2013.

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Metro

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

Published

15 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.