GLIC DAILY REPORT 1.29
West and Central Africa
Putin Sends Russian Soldiers To Niger Republic
Russia has sent an air defence system and 100 military trainers to the Niger Republic. The military personnel from the Russian Ministry of Defence are expected to install the system and train Niger’s soldiers in its use, the Nigerien state broadcaster RTN reported. Until the military coup last July, Niger was the last democratic ally of the U.S., France and other European countries in the fight against Islamist militias in the Sahel region, where jihadists are continuing to gain influence. The junta ended its military cooperation with the U.S. in the fight against terrorism and also sent the French government and their forces packing. Although the US still has about 1000 troops in Niger, their movement is heavily restricted. The German Armed Forces operate an air base in Niamey, the future of which is still unclear. The state television showed images of a Russian Ilyushin-76 aircraft that had landed at Niamey airport.
Al Jazeera: Putin Sends Russian Soldiers To Niger Republic
Nearly 55 million people face hunger in West and Central Africa
Soaring prices have helped fuel a food crisis in West and Central Africa, where nearly 55 million people will struggle to feed themselves in the coming months, U.N. humanitarian agencies warned. economic challenges such as double-digit inflation and stagnating local production had become major drivers of the crisis, beyond recurrent conflicts in the region. Among the worst-affected countries are Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Mali, where around 2,600 people in northern areas are likely to experience catastrophic hunger, said the World Food Programme, U.N. children’s agency UNICEF, and the Food and Agriculture Organization in a joint statement.
Reuters: Nearly 55 million people face hunger in West and Central Africa
African Union
Mali’s junta bans the media from reporting on political activities in a deepening crackdown
In a deepening crackdown, Mali’s ruling junta on Thursday banned the media from reporting on activities of political parties and associations, a day after suspending all political activities in the country until further notice.
Associated Press: Mali’s junta bans the media from reporting on political activities in a deepening crackdown
Sexual assaults rise in Central African Republic. Wagner, bandits and even peacekeepers are blamed
Gender-based violence is rising in Central African Republic amid ongoing conflict, weak legal and healthcare systems. There is also the stigma of speaking up according to locals and aid groups.
Associated Press: Sexual assaults rise in Central African Republic
Sudan’s war began a year ago. Children are among its most fragile survivors
The war in Sudan began a year ago. Here in a remote camp for tens of thousands of people who have fled into neighboring Chad, the anniversary is marked by near starvation.
Associated Press: Sudan’s war began a year ago. Children are among its most fragile survivors
Asia
China summons Japanese, Philippine diplomats over negative comments
According to the foreign ministry, China summoned Japanese and Philippine diplomats to express dissatisfaction over negative comments about China aired during a summit of the leaders of the United States, Japan and Philippines. The United States and its allies, including Japan, have been building up their militaries to counter what they see as a growing threat from China in areas such as the busy waterway of the South China Sea and around Taiwan. China strongly opposes these countries’ small-group politics and any acts that instigate and drive up tension.
Reuters: China summons Japanese, Philippine diplomats over negative comments
South Korea, Japan, US hold naval drills amid North Korea threats
South Korea, Japan and the United States staged long-planned joint naval exercises involving an American aircraft carrier to ensure readiness against nuclear and missile threats from North Korea, Seoul’s navy said. North Korea has been accelerating weapons development, testing solid-fuel hypersonic missiles last week, and leader Kim Jong Un said on Wednesday now was the time to be more prepared for war than ever, citing an unstable geopolitical situation.
Reuters: South Korea, Japan, US hold naval drills amid N.Korea threats
China sanctions two US defence firms for selling Taiwan weapons
China has banned the senior executives of two U.S. defence companies from entering the country and frozen their property in response to their arms sales to Taiwan, the foreign ministry said. The measures effective from Thursday were against General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, which manufactures unmanned aerial systems, and military vehicle maker General Dynamics Land Systems, a unit of General Dynamics. China said the arms sales “seriously interferes” in its internal affairs and “damages” China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Last year, China imposed sanctions against U.S. aerospace and defence firms Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin also for providing weapons to Taiwan.
Reuters: China sanctions two US defence firms for selling Taiwan weapons
China says it is ready to work closely with North Korea to help relations reach higher level
China is willing to work closely with the North Korean legislature to help relations reach a “higher level,” China’s top legislator Zhao Leji was quoted to have said so by the foreign ministry.
Reuters: China says it is ready to work closely with North Korea to help relations reach higher level
