Musings From Abroad

US Home Commissioner warns Niger coup could increase EU immigration

Published

1 month ago

April 11, 2024

Home Affairs Commissioner, Ylva Johansson, has said that the coup in Niger last year could lead to a rise in people coming to the European Union illegally. This was said just hours before a key vote on changing the EU’s migration rules in preparation for an election in June.

The coup in Niger last year could lead to a lot of people coming to the EU illegally, said Ylva Johansson, the commissioner for home affairs, on Tuesday, just before a key vote on changing the EU’s rules on immigration before an election in June. A military group took over Niamey in a coup in 2023. Since then, they have removed a law that has helped stop people from West Africa from going to Europe. The EU wants to work together more closely with African countries to cut down on illegal immigrants.

“The coup in Niger concerns me a lot … That could, of course, lead to a lot of new migrants coming in a very difficult and dangerous situation,” Johansson told reporters.

United Nations figures showed that so far this year, more than 45,500 people have come into the EU without going through a normal border crossing. Last year, more than a million people, mostly Syrian refugees, came to the group. This is a lot less than the high point in 2015.

Since then, the EU’s 27 member states have been trying to cut down on illegal immigration from the Middle East and Africa by making its borders stricter and limiting refugee laws. This is because, across the continent, people are becoming more against immigration.

The EU signed a new migrant pact at the end of last year as a way to better handle migration. This was done in response to pressure from far-right parties that are expected to do well in the European Parliament election in two months.

The European Parliament will hold a final vote on that package on Wednesday. It cuts down on the time it takes for screening and asylum processes, aims to make it easier for people to be sent back to their home countries, and spells out how member states that are under a lot of pressure can get help. If agreed upon, member states would give their seal of approval in the next few days. They would then have two years to put it into effect.

Johansson thought the vote would go through. The deal was called “a huge leap in the wrong direction” by 161 civil society organizations on Tuesday, who said it violated basic rights by letting children be detained.

“The decision will impact children fleeing conflict, hunger and death for decades. The EU must get it right,” said Federica Toscano from Save the Children Europe.

Related Topics:Featured US Ylva Johansson

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Musings From Abroad

China’s Hailiang, Shinzoom to establish vehicle battery installations in Morocco

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Hailiang and Shinzoom, Chinese car battery makers, will establish two separate operations in Morocco as the country strives to adapt its burgeoning automotive sector to rising demand for electric vehicles, Moroccan officials announced on Tuesday.

Tanger Tech, the Moroccan northern industrial zone’s development authority, said Hailiang intends to establish a $450 million copper facility on a 30-hectare plot of land. Shinzoom, a subsidiary of Hunan Zhongke, plans to invest $460 million in an anode plant spanning 20 hectares, according to a statement.

In April, the Moroccan government approved Chinese electric battery company BTR New Material Group (835185.BJE)’s plans to build a factory in Tangier to manufacture crucial component cathodes.

Another Chinese firm, CNGR Advanced Material (300919.SZ), plans to develop a cathode plant in Jorf Lasfar, 100 miles south of Casablanca, where the government has set aside 283 hectares for electric battery sectors.

Last year, the Moroccan government and China’s Gotion agreed to examine establishing an electric vehicle battery plant in the country, with a potential investment of up to $6.3 billion. Last month, Industry Minister Ryad Mezzour told Reuters that the Gotion project was moving forward, with conversations over its footprint and location.

Morocco’s strategic location on the Strait of Gibraltar, free trade agreements with important EU and US markets, and existing automotive sector cluster all attract Chinese enterprises.

In 2023, the automotive sector topped Morocco’s industrial exports with $14 billion, a 27% increase. Morocco is home to Stellantis (STLAM.MI) and Renault (RENA.PA) production factories with an annual combined capacity of 700,000 automobiles, as well as a network of local suppliers.

Musings From Abroad

Prince Harry, Meghan treated to street-style dances in Nigeria as their trip winds down

Published

6 days ago

May 13, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

On Sunday, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan were treated to street-style dances in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, where they announced a partnership between their Archewell Foundation and the non-profit Giants of Africa, which utilizes sports to empower young people.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are making their first visit to Nigeria, where they were welcomed by the country’s chief of defence staff. The couple watched basketball practice at Ilupeju Senior Grammar School on Lagos Mainland, where Harry participated in ball-bouncing drills and shot a hoop.

“What you guys are doing here at Giants of Africa is truly amazing,” he said. “The power of sport can change lives. It brings people together and creates community and there are no barriers, which is the most important thing.”

The couple watched basketball practice at Ilupeju Senior Grammar School on Lagos Mainland, and Harry stepped on the court for some ball-bouncing drills and to shoot a hoop.

Former Toronto Raptors star Masai Ujiri, president of Giants of Africa, wished Meghan a happy Mother’s Day and said his organization was uniting communities and uplifting young people through sport, especially. Archewell Foundation and Giants of Africa will construct a basketball court in Nigeria’s capital Abuja.

“Talk about full circle again – never did I think we would be able to be here all those years later supporting the expansion of this incredible organization,” she said.
Harry and Meghan were set to round off their Lagos trip by attending a reception for a local charity. The couple live in the United States with their two children after Harry gave up working as a member of the royal family in 2020.