Musings From Abroad

KenyaDecides: Commonwealth Sec-Gen, Patricia Scotland, commends President Kenyatta, Ruto, Odinga

Published

2 years ago

August 20, 2022

Reactions are still trailing the recent Kenyan presidential elections, Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland has commended top candidates.

Scotland lauded their commitment to uphold peace despite a dispute over the electoral results.

The Secretary-General in a statement Thursday said she has personally spoken to Wafula Chebukati, the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Mr Ruto and Mr Odinga.

“I am reassured that the rule of law will be respected and pleased to hear that all sides are committed to ensuring peace and letting the process play out in the court of law,” she said.

General elections held in Kenya on 9 August 2022. Voters elected William Ruto as the East African country’s fifth president after a close contest with veteran contender, Raila Odinga.

Kenya’s Deputy President, William Ruto was declared the winner of a close presidential elections after defeating veteran contester, Raila Odinga.

However, four commissioners of the electoral body, including the Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera, have disputed the results, saying the last phase of the tallying process was done without transparency, causing a split in the commission.

“Whatever the outcomes of that process, I trust and know that democracy will win the day and this is something all Kenyans should indeed be proud of,” Ms Scotland said.

A delegation from the United States led by Senator Chris Coons also recently visited Kenya to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta, the president-elect William Ruto and main opposition, Raila Odinga.

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Musings From Abroad

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

Published

11 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

11 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.