Musings From Abroad

Germany extends decade-long military presence in Mali

Published

1 year ago

May 27, 2023

Germany has extended the period of its military presence in Mali for a year with the decade-long mission now set to end in 2024.

Germany’s defence ties with Mali have endured some setbacks in the period of the mission. Last year, the country announced that it was suspending its participation in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali after the West African nation refused to grant a civilian aircraft carrying German troops permission to use its airspace.

The German parliament voted 375 to 263 to leave the German troops in the country for another year. There was one abstention.

The majority of the 1,000 German soldiers stationed in Mali’s northern town of Gao have been tasked with conducting reconnaissance for the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA.

Around 12,000 military men are stationed in the nation with MINUSMA. Chad, Bangladesh, and Egypt are the three countries that contribute the most.

Mali under the current Junta of Colonel Goita has been on a thread of breaking diplomatic relations with allies, particularly over the alleged government’s decision to engage the Wagner Group, a Kremlin-linked private military company, to support its fight against insurgents.

It started by breaking defence alliance with the French, the junta also quit the anti-jihadist force, the G-5 force, but has continued to enjoy good relations with Russia.

Musings From Abroad

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

Published

1 hour 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

2 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.