Musings From Abroad

Burkina Faso suspends another French media, Jeune Afrique

Published

1 year ago

September 27, 2023

Burkina Faso has continued its war against French media with the suspension of news magazine, Jeune Afrique for publishing “untruthful” articles against the state.

The suspension of Jeune Afrique is the most recent escalation in a campaign against French media since the West African nation was placed under military rule last year.

After two articles appeared over the previous four days, the publication was charged with trying to undermine the military and with using misinformation to “spread chaos,” according to the statement. The ban, according to Jeune Afrique, is yet another assault on Burkina Faso’s right to information.

The magazine said in a statement on Tuesday that it hoped the government would reconsider the ban because “this decision… contributes a little more to making the region, and Burkina Faso in particular, a no-information zone.”

Since frustrations over the worsening insecurity caused by a jihadist insurgency led to two military takeovers last year, relations between Burkina Faso and its former coloniser, France have deteriorated. The French ambassador to the nation received an expulsion order as a result of these tensions, which also sparked a backlash against foreign media.

The wave of anti-French agitations in the West African sub-region has continued in recent times; notably, French relations with Burkina Faso’s neighbours, Mali, and Niger, which are also under military juntas and are both caught up in serious security crises.

Related Topics:Burkina Faso Featured Jeune Afrique

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Musings From Abroad

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

Published

15 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

15 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.