African powerhouse and key Indian Ocean Region state – South Africa is heading for a showdown with the USA following the differences that have surfaced over the last two years on the Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas conflict. A bill would call on the US government to comprehensively review US relations with South Africa has been passed by the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. Reacting to this President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that South Africa’s relationship with the United States is not in jeopardy and that misinformation around the recent genocide case against Israel won’t stop the countries from working together. Kenya, bordering Indian Ocean Region, has defied a global funding drought for budding companies to post a 17 percent increase in new start-up investments, toppling Nigeria and Egypt as the continent’s largest destination for start-up financing. Meanwhile Tanzania with its vibrant ports is emerging as the gateway for landlocked African states of Rwanda and Burundi. The USA has come forward to assist Mozambique’s terror hit region through a proposed financial package. Seychelles is creating a new body to boost its Blue economy.
AllAfrica.com | 21st March 2024
A bill that would call on the US government to comprehensively review US relations with South Africa crossed its first legislative hurdle on Wednesday (March 20) when it passed the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on a voice vote. The “U.S.- South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act” is expected also to pass a more formal roll call vote in the committee on Wednesday and then to move to the full House of Representatives. The bill would also require the Administration to report to Congress “explicitly stating whether South Africa has engaged in activities that undermine United States national security or foreign policy interests.” Republican John James and Democrat Jared Moscowitz introduced the bill in February. It says that in contrast to its stated non-alignment, the ANC government has been siding with “malign actors”, building military and political ties with Russia and China and supporting Hamas, designated by the US as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and a known proxy of Iran.
Ramaphosa responds to latest tensions between South Africa and the United States
Businesstech | 25th March 2024
President Cyril Ramaphosa says that South Africa’s relationship with the United States is not in jeopardy and that misinformation around the recent genocide case against Israel won’t stop the countries from working together. Writing in his weekly letter to the public, Ramaphosa noted reports in the last week that a committee of the US House of Representatives discussed a proposed bill that would require a full review of the bilateral relationship between the United States and South Africa.
Kenya is Africa’s start-up funding top destination
The East African | 24th March 2024
Kenya has defied a global funding drought for budding companies to post a 17 percent increase in new start-up investments, toppling Nigeria and Egypt as the continent’s largest destination for start-up financing. In 2023, 62 Kenyan start-ups raised an estimated $673.78 million from local and international investors, a rise from the $574.8 million raised in 2022, even as the rest of the continent saw a drop in funding, data by start-up research organisation, Disrupt Africa shows
Tanzania and Rwanda to open new border point
The East African | 24th March 2024
Rwanda and Tanzania are moving to open a new border post, as the two countries deepen trade ties at a time trade and political forces pull regional partners in different directions. The new post will be opened at Tanzania’s Kyerwa district in Kagera Region to provide a second passage for people and goods and reduce pressure on the Rusumo border post.
Tanzania, Burundi in talks about SGR link
The East African | 24th March 2024
Tanzania and Burundi have begun formal talks on the technical aspects of building a standard railway gauge railway (SGR) link after securing funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB). Tanzania’s Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba held back-to-back meetings with representatives from the AfDB and the Burundi government last week, the first high-level discussions since Tanzania signed a $91.76 million agreement with the pan-African lender on February 23 to fast-track the project, whose launch has been delayed for over two years due to lack of financing.
Mozambique: US intends to support Cabo Delgado with extra $22 million
Club of Mozambique | 22nd March 2024
The US Government intends to make available US$22 million (€20.3 million) in new funds this year to support “stabilisation efforts” in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, the US Embassy in Maputo has announced. In a statement on the conclusion of a visit from March 17 to 21 to Mozambique by the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Anne A. Witkowsky, notes that the provision of these funds still depends on approval in Congress.
Seychelles Hydrospatial Observatory for Research and Exploration created
Seychelles News Agency | 25th March 2024
The Seychelles Hydrospatial Observatory for Research and Exploration Institute (SHORE) is a newly registered non-governmental organisation founded by young Seychellois experts. The Institute, known by its acronym SHORE, aims to contribute and advance the understanding and management of Seychelles’ marine environment towards the sustainable development of the Blue Economy.
