India has close and longstanding relations with Mauritius, an island nation in the Western Indian Ocean, anchored in shared history, demography, culture and strategic partnership. Mauritius is in fact a key anchor for India’s Indian Ocean Region outreach. To underline strong ties, Indian President is visiting Mauritius this week where she is the Chief Guest at the country’s national day function. Meanwhile, Seychelles is debating about a mega tourism project in its Assumption Islands where India had once sought facilities. In Africa’s the most important nation and a key Indian Ocean Region state – South Africa – politics is in a flux as the African National Congress (ANC) is likely to lose its parliamentary majority in May, according to a survey. In South Africa’s neighbouring state of Mozambique UN will support the creation of “specialised teams” to combat terrorism in Cabo Delgado. Two key Indian Ocean Region states of Kenya and Tanzania may deepen their economic partnership with Kenyan investors, eyeing Tanzania’s fertile business landscape, are seeking to raise the number of their projects in the country by 100 per cent over the coming years.
The Economic Times | 10th March 2024
India has close and longstanding relations with Mauritius, an island nation in the Western Indian Ocean, anchored in shared history, demography, culture and strategic partnership. A key reason for the special ties is the fact that Indian origin people comprise nearly 70% of the island’s population of 1.2 million. In this backdrop President Droupadi Murmu, will undertake a State Visit to Mauritius from 11th to 13th March, to attend the National Day celebrations of Mauritius on 12th March as the Chief Guest. A contingent of the Indian Navy will participate in the celebrations along with two Ships of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron – INS Tir and CGS Sarathi. During the visit, Murmu and Mauritius Prime Minister Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate 14 India-assisted projects. Important bilateral agreements will be inked on the occasion that seek to further strengthen the robust bilateral institutional collaboration and capacity-building cooperation.
Seychelles News Agency | 10th March 2024
Conservationists and concerned citizens were given an in-depth presentation for a luxury tourism establishment due to be built on Assumption Island in the Seychelles archipelago. The presentation, held on Saturday at the Roche Caiman community centre, is part of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) exercise the Department of Environment is carrying out before the construction of the hotel begins.
South Africa’s ANC likely to lose parliamentary majority in May vote, survey shows
Reuters | 11th March 2024
South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) is likely to lose its parliamentary majority in May for the first time since Nelson Mandela led it to power at the fall of apartheid 30 years ago, a survey showed, opening up the prospect of coalition rule. South Africans go to polls on May 29 to elect a new National Assembly, which will then choose the next president. A survey of voter opinion in February by Johannesburg-based think tank The Brenthurst Foundation and the SABI Strategy Group estimated support for the ANC at 39%, down from 41% in October and 44% in November 2022.
Mozambique: UN agency will form specialised teams to combat terrorism
Club of Mozambique | 11th March 2024
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) will support Mozambique in the creation of “specialised teams” to combat terrorism in Cabo Delgado, it was announced on Friday (March 8). “Today marks a significant milestone in global efforts to combat terrorism and promote peace and stability, not just in Mozambique, but in southern Africa as a whole,” said Jane Marie Ongolo, UNODC Regional Representative for Southern Africa, after the signing in Maputo of a donation agreement worth US$6.5 million (€6 million) with the Government of Japan, to finance a 12-month project lasting through to March, 2025.
Kenyan investors out to profit from Tanzania’s pro-business policies
The Citizen | 11th March 2024
Kenyan investors, eyeing Tanzania’s fertile business landscape, are seeking to raise the number of their projects in the country by 100 per cent over the coming years.
ICC rules in favour of Tanzania
Daily News | 10th March 2024
The International Chamber of Commerce-(ICC) has ruled in favour of the Tanzanian government in a case filed by the Petroleum Bulk Procurement Agency (PBPA) and the Attorney General against United Arab Emirates based Alchemist Energy Trading DMCC for breaching contract. The ICC delivered the ruling on March 6, this year.
