Musings From Abroad

French president, Macron, visits Cameroon, says global food crisis is Russia’s ‘weapon of war’

Published

2 years ago

July 26, 2022

In his ongoing tour of Central African country, Cameroun, French President Emmanuel Macron has described the global food crisis as one of Russia’s “weapons of war”.

President Macron made the claim in Cameroon on Tuesday. He also dismissed suggestions Western sanctions were to blame.

Macron, who was recently elected as president for a second term is on a three-leg tour of Africa in the bid to strengthen political ties with the continent and help boost agricultural production amid the growing food insecurity linked to the war in Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Macron at the eve of Bastille Day and its traditional military parade down the Champs-Elysées, announced plans to implement an operational overhaul of the country’s army, a decision that is likely to affect its relations in the Sahel region.

Macron heads to Benin on Wednesday and Guinea-Bissau on Thursday.

He remarked during a meeting with the French community in Cameroon that France is ” …is blamed by some who say that European sanctions (on Russia) is the cause of the world food crisis, including in Africa. It is totally false.

“Food, like energy have become Russian weapons of war … We must help the African continent to produce more for itself,” Macron said.

France and Cameroon have long-standing, intense relations. Our civil cooperation is considerable and covers many sectors: governance, health, education, infrastructure, rural development, the environment, higher education, research and culture.

Related Topics:Cameroon Emmanuel Macron Featured

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Musings From Abroad

Brazilian meatpacker JBS invests $2.5 billion in Nigeria, builds six facilities

Published

6 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Brazilian meatpacker JBS says it has inked a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government for a $2.5 billion investment plan that will include the construction of six new plants in the African nation.

Three of the plants would deal in poultry, two in beef, and one in pork, according to a statement from JBS.

In accordance with the memorandum of understanding, JBS stated that it would develop a five-year investment plan in Nigeria, which would include budget estimates, feasibility studies, and an action plan for the development of the local supply chain.

The Nigerian government would then guarantee the sanitary, regulatory, and economic conditions required for the project’s viability, JBS continued.

Musings From Abroad

China’s Xi meets with Morocco’s Crown Prince

Published

6 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco’s official media reports that Chinese President, Xi Jinping, visited Morocco briefly on Thursday.

According to Morocco’s MAP, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan welcomed Xi in Casablanca. The visit demonstrated the close ties of camaraderie, collaboration, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, it said.

China’s official broadcaster, CCTV, said that Xi and Hassan had a “cordial conversation” at the airport after being received by the Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

After attending the G20 Summit in Brazil, Xi paid the visit.

In recent years, China has increased its investments in Morocco’s rail and infrastructure. Morocco is desirable for Chinese electric car battery manufacturers because of its proximity to Europe, free trade agreements with important EU and US markets, and an established automotive sector.

Morocco was chosen by Chinese EV battery company Gotion High Tech in June to establish Africa’s first gigafactory, which will cost $1.3 billion in total.