Metro

Jailed Egyptian activist, Alaa Abdel-Fattah, ends ‘total’ hunger strike

Published

2 years ago

November 15, 2022

The jailed British-Egyptian pro-democracy activist, Alaa Abdel-Fattah, has ended his total hunger striker which he embarked on November 6 when he stopped drinking any form of liquid as world leaders gathered in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for the UN Climate Summit (COP27), holding in the North African country, his sister, Mona Seif, announced on Tuesday.

The activist had commenced the “total hunger strike” where he stopped taking any food or liquid after years of “partial hunger strike” to protest his imprisonment.

After a few days of the strike, his family and activists raised concerns about his health and accused the government of not allowing his family to visit him in prison as well as feeding him through a medical process against his will.

While announcing the good news, Seif said her Abdel-Fattah had confirmed late on Monday that he had broken his hunger strike, telling his family that he would “explain everything on Thursday” when they are scheduled to visit him.

Seif said the family was informed on Monday that Abdel-Fattah had resumed drinking water while another sister, Sanaa Seif, said they were grateful that “Alaa is alive, he says he’s drinking water again as of November 12th,” adding that it was “proof of life, at last”.

“I feel both relieved and apprehensive, Thursday can’t come soon enough … keep him in your thoughts & prayers,” his sister posted on Twitter.

Also posting his letter to the family, Seif said Abdel-Fattah requested that the family should bring a cake to celebrate his birthday on Thursday.

“I haven’t celebrated for a long time, and want to celebrate with my cellmates, so bring a cake,” part of the letter reads.

The pro-democracy activist has spent most of the last decade behind bars with human rights advocates claiming the said case against him and his continued imprisonment was a “reprisal for being a leader of the 2011 uprising against then-President Hosni Mubarak.”

His case attracted worldwide attention at the summit with several international organisations including the United Nations calling for his release.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, also called on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to release the activist.

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Metro

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

Published

11 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.