Metro

AU Chairperson equates Africa to ‘collateral victim’ of Ukraine war

Published

3 years ago

May 25, 2022

Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has described the continent as the “collateral victim” of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Mahamat who disclosed in a message on Wednesday as the AU marks African Day, said the situation has further dented the continent’s ability to fulfil its “enormous promise and potential.”

The African Day is celebrated every year on May 25, which is the anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963, which later metamorphosed into the African Union in July 2002.

In the message as the AU begins a three-day summit in Equatorial Guinea, Mahamat said as a result of the Russian-Ukraine war, Africa has been thrown into an economic crisis as many countries in the continent depended heavily on Russia and Ukraine who both produce approximately a third of global wheat and barley, and two-thirds of the world’s exports of sunflower oil used for cooking.

Mahamat added that the conflict has damaged Ukraine’s maritime and agricultural infrastructure, and that could limit its agricultural production for years which would continue to have a telling effect on Africa.

“By profoundly upsetting the fragile global geopolitical and geostrategic balance, it has also cast a harsh light on the structural fragility of our economies.

“The war in Ukraine is creating a perfect storm for developing countries, especially in Africa.

“This crisis is resulting in soaring costs for food, energy and fertilizer with devastating consequences on nutrition and food systems, while making it even more difficult for the continent to mobilize the financial resources needed to invest in its people.

“The most emblematic sign of these fragilities is the food crisis following the climatic disorders, the health crisis of COVID-19, amplified today by the conflict in Ukraine.

“This crisis is characterised by a shrinking world supply of agricultural products and a soaring inflation of food prices.

“And now, the continent has been hit hard by rising food costs caused partly by disruptions linked to the war,” the AU chair said.

Related Topics:Africa African Union Featured Russian-Ukraine War

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

6 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

11 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.