International
Foreign cash fuelling illegal mining, terrorism in Africa, says Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has highlighted the issue of foreign funding for illegal mining and terrorism in Africa, stating that it poses a significant threat to peace, security, and development on the continent. He made these remarks at the opening ceremony of a two-day African High-Level Meeting on Counter-Terrorism organized by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the UN Office for Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) in Abuja.
Tinubu emphasized that terrorism is evolving, continuously finding ways to finance, re-equip, and re-supply itself for its sinister missions. He pointed out that billions of dollars, which could have been used by legitimate governments for societal development, are instead being diverted to fund terrorism. He particularly highlighted the connection between illegal mining and terrorism, stating that international intervention is necessary as it is outside money, not African money, that fuels illegal operations.
In combating terrorism, Tinubu stressed the need to address its root causes, such as poverty, marginalization, and social injustice. He called for concrete actions rather than empty rhetoric. Additionally, he advocated for the strengthening of existing counter-terrorism structures, such as the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit (RIFU), the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), and the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA). He also emphasized the importance of a Regional Standby Force with a mandate to tackle terrorism.
Furthermore, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, emphasized the need for integrated security strategies to combat terrorism in Africa. He highlighted various factors driving terrorism, including organized crime, foreign terrorism financing, poverty, inequality, and prolonged conflicts. Ribadu mentioned Nigeria’s efforts in addressing the drivers of violent extremism and enhancing intelligence gathering.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, underscored the unprecedented threats faced by Africa due to terrorism. He mentioned Nigeria’s push for greater cooperation on counter-terrorism and efforts to tackle the proliferation of small arms in Africa.
UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, called for addressing the underlying causes of terrorism and rebuilding affected communities. She emphasized the role of social exclusion, inequality, and human rights violations in creating terrorists.
UNOCT Under-Secretary-General, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, praised Africa’s efforts in countering terrorism and emphasized the importance of international support for African-led solutions. He stressed that no single actor could resolve the continent’s challenges alone.
International
Mum rescued from Venezuela rubble with newborn baby tells BBC how he helped her survive
Tens of thousands more are missing in what the country’s interim president has described as the “most brutal natural catastrophe” in Venezuela’s history.
A mother who was pulled from the rubble of her wrecked home in Venezuela with her 18-day-old baby has told the BBC of how her son helped keep her alive.
Dayana Patino said her son Juan David gave her “motivation to be awake and alert”.
“As long as he was alive, I was going to be alive. Every now and then I was touching his nose for proof that he was still breathing,” she said.
Footage of the rescue has been shared around the world, with Juan David becoming a symbol of hope in Venezuela, which has been devastated by the twin earthquakes that hit the country on Wednesday – killing at least 1,450 people.
Tens of thousands more are missing in what the country’s interim president has described as the “most brutal natural catastrophe” in Venezuela’s history.
A civilian aircraft carrying skydivers plummeted from the sky and crashed near the eastern French town of Tomblaine on Sunday, killing everyone on board in one of the country’s deadliest light aircraft disasters in years, authorities said.
All 11 people aboard — believed to include the pilot and 10 skydivers — died in the crash, local officials confirmed. Emergency services rushed to the scene after reports of the downed aircraft, but found no survivors.
The aircraft went down in a rural area close to Tomblaine, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, shortly after takeoff on what was reportedly a routine skydiving excursion. Debris was scattered across the crash site, and a large emergency operation involving firefighters, police, and medical teams is underway.
French authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the tragedy. The National Bureau of Investigation and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) has been notified and is expected to lead the probe, examining factors such as mechanical failure, weather conditions, or human error.
“This is a terrible tragedy that has shocked the entire community,” a local official told reporters at the scene. “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives today.”
Skydiving operations are popular in the region, but light aircraft accidents remain rare. Sunday’s crash ranks among France’s worst involving small planes in the past decade.
More details are expected as the investigation progresses. This is a developing story.
International
Zimbabwe’s Parliament Approves Bill to Extend Presidential Terms To Seven Years
Critics say the bill is a ruse for Mnangagwa to stay in power for longer, though its backers say it will strengthen accountability and foster political stability.
• Current President Emmerson Mnangagwa
Zimbabwe’s upper house of parliament has approved a bill to extend presidential terms from five to seven years, which will allow current President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
75 senators voted in favour of the draft legislation while four voted against it, above a threshold needed for a two-thirds majority.
The bill, which also includes a provision for the president to be elected by parliament rather than by direct popular vote, will become law when Mnangagwa signs it.
Evidence that 83 years old Mnangagwa wanted to stay in power beyond the end of his second term in 2028 emerged about two years ago, when his supporters started chanting slogans at ZANU-PF rallies that he needed more time to complete his agenda.The ruling party last year resolved to change the constitution to prolong presidential terms, and the plan received cabinet backing in February.President Mnangagwa came to power after a 2017 military coup ousted longtime leader Robert Mugabe, who had been in power since independence in 1980.
Critics say the bill is a ruse for Mnangagwa to stay in power for longer, though its backers say it will strengthen accountability and foster political stability.
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