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Mali: Financial staff union extends strike over chieftain’s arrest

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Employees of banks, insurance firms, microfinance institutions, and gas stations were urged to continue their strike by the financial worker’s union in Mali on Saturday until their secretary-general was freed from custody.

Following the arrest of its secretary-general, Hamadoun Bah, on Wednesday, the National Union of Banks, Insurance Companies, Financial Institutions and Businesses of Mali (SYNABEF) went on strike from Thursday to Saturday.

 

The union demanded in a fresh statement that workers go on strike starting on Sunday.

SYNABEF “decides to continue the work stoppage from June 9 2024 until the full release of our comrade,” it said. SYNABEF’s former secretary-general, Aguibou Bouare, told journalists on Wednesday he had visited Bah in prison.

 

According to him, Bah was taken into custody following the filing of a complaint by a union committee member of a bank, who claimed that the secretary-general had forged a document about an internal union issue.

Separately, demonstrations against the high cost of living and continuous power outages have been scheduled by the Synergy of Action for Mali, a collection of political parties and associations.

Following a coup in 2020, military control has been in place in the West African nation. The inability of the authorities to hold promised elections and their efforts to limit political and civic space has escalated tensions in recent months.

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Zambian revenue agency warns businesses to pay tax arrears or face sanctions

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The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has warned businesses and taxpayers to settle their outstanding tax arrears on or before December 31, 2024, or stand the risk of facing stiff sanctions, including interest charges.

Oliver Nzala, ZRA Corporate Communications Manager, who gave the warning, advised taxpayers experiencing cash flow challenges to consider entering a Time to Pay Agreement (TPA) with the Commission to avoid penalties.

He noted that the flexible arrangement would allow them to spread their tax payments over monthly installments, easing the burden of settling the arrears in one lump sum.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, Nzala reminded businesses that tax compliance was mandatory for renewing trading licenses and permits with local councils in 2025.

“As the financial year draws to a close, taxpayers must fulfill obligations such as submitting tax returns and paying outstanding taxes to avoid penalties,” Nzala said.

He added that support would be available for taxpayers approaching the December 31 deadline while encouraging taxpayers to act promptly to avoid the end-of-year rush, emphasizing that failing to meet the deadline could lead to accumulating interest on any unpaid amounts.

“To provide extra support, ZRA service centers and contact lines are open, ready to assist taxpayers,” he said, while extending appreciation to those who contribute to national development through their tax payments.

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President Tinubu congratulates Trump on US election victory

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Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has congratulated USA president-elect, Donald Trump, on his electoral victory after defeating vice president Kamala Harris to stage a return to the White House.

Tinubu, who conveyed the congratulatory message in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said he looked forward to working with him and further strengthening the ties between Nigeria and the United States.

The statement reads:

“President Bola Tinubu extends his heartfelt congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.

“President Tinubu looks forward to strengthening the ties between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.

“President Tinubu says, ‘Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.’

“According to President Tinubu, Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership. He congratulates them on their commitment to democracy.

“President Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.

“Acknowledging the United States’ influence, power, and position in determining the trend and course of global events, the Nigerian leader trusts that President Trump will bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.”

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