Africa feeling heat of Russia-Ukraine conflict has launched a peace mission headed by South Africa and in significant move leaders from South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville, Comoros, Zambia, and Uganda are meeting Presidents in Moscow and Kiev this weekend. Meanwhile, key Indian Ocean Region state of Oman have decided to launch space cooperation with India in the backdrop of Delhi’s strong track record in this sector. India’s neighbours in Southern Indian Ocean Maldives and Seychelles have entered into a strategic partnership during visit of Seychelles President to Male — a move that will complement India’s efforts in the region. Seychelles have also taken a significant step has decided to establish a law that will domesticate three codes set up under the Joint Management Area, which the island nation shares equal jurisdiction with Mauritius. Mozambique that has common Portuguese legacy with Brazil will witness visit by President Lula as part of his two African tours this year. Africa occupies a key position in Lula’s foreign policy approach. In Tanzania the government in a unique move decided to launch National gold reserves.Â
President Ruto spells out agenda for Africa
Why South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa is leading Ukraine peace mission
BBC | 16th June 2023
Seven African leaders are travelling to Ukraine and Russia on a peace mission, hoping to bring the war there closer to an end. The delegation from South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville, Comoros, Zambia, and Uganda is meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday and President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.
Oman, India discuss cooperation in space sector
Times of Oman | 15th June 2023
The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of India are discussing the strengthening of cooperation in the space sector. Nayef bin Ali Al Abri, President of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), received HE S. Sumanath, President of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Space Department, and the delegation accompanying him from the Indian government. The two sides discussed strengthening cooperation in the field of space and related aspects between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of India.
Maldives and Seychelles to cooperate on security issues
The Economic Times | 14th June 2023
Maldives and Seychelles have decided to collaborate in addressing shared security concerns in the Indian Ocean Region, a development that would complement India’s efforts to ensure peace and stability in the vast geographical area. The decision was announced in a joint statement delivered on Monday, as part of Seychelles’ President Wavel Ramkalawan’s ongoing official visit to the Maldives. India shares close security partnership with both Maldives and Seychelles and the two countries, along with Mauritius and Sri Lanka, are key pillars of India’s security architecture in the western and southern Indian Ocean Region. The Seychelles President arrived in the Maldives on a state visit on Sunday. The two presidents held talks with the aim of elevating their bilateral relations to “a strategic partnership”.
Seychelles to create law to domesticate 3 codes under JMA with Mauritius
Seychelles News Agency | 15th June 2023
Seychelles is seeking to establish a law that will domesticate three codes set up under the Joint Management Area, which the island nation shares equal jurisdiction with Mauritius, said a top government official. The statement was made by the Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Jean Francois Ferrari, on Tuesday, during his presentation on the Joint Management Area. The JMA is the mechanism of joint jurisdiction between Seychelles and Mauritius over an area of the seabed and its underlying subsoil in the Mascarene Plateau Region. It excludes the water and living organisms above the shelf.
Brazil’s Lula eyes trips to Africa, Mozambique included, to boost trade, diplomacy
Club of Mozambique | 15th June 2023
Brazil is seeking to mend ties with Africa, largely ignored by the Bolsonaro administration, as the government prepares for two rounds of official trips to the continent. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who in previous administrations sought to strengthen Brazil-Africa relations and visited 23 countries in the region over two terms, wants to visit at least eight African countries in the next months, local newspaper O Globo reported, citing government officials with knowledge of the preparations.
Besides repairing diplomatic relations, Brazil wants to widen its economic footprint in Africa as it sees trade and business potential in the region, in line with the Brazilian government’s South-South integration agenda. The first round of trips may happen as early as August, according to the report, as officials from the BRICS nations gather in Johannesburg. The government also sees the African Union meeting in February as a timely opportunity for the second round of visits. According to a Brazilian diplomat, the African countries to be visited by Lula include Angola, Mozambique, Senegal, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Sao-Tome and Principe. Brazil also plans to reopen its embassy in Sierra Leone and create additional representation in Rwanda.
Tanzania to establish national gold reserve
The Citizen | 15th June 2023
Tanzania government has announced completion of procedures for purchases of gold through the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) in order to establish National Gold Reserve. This was revealed by Finance Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba during the presentation of the national budget for the financial year 2023/24. According to Dr. Nchemba, the government is in the process of reviewing policies, laws, and tax administrative procedures in order to ensure that the gold extracted in the country gets purified prior to exportation.
