Connect with us

NEWS

Kenya, Somalia End Long Time Rift to Foster Trade Relations

Published

on

Kenya, Somalia End Long Time Rift to Foster Trade Relations
A map showing Kenya and Somalia

 

Kenya has recently taken a significant step by announcing the reopening of its border crossings with Somalia at Mandera, Lamu, and Garissa. This decision marks the end of a 12-year-long barricade that was established in 2011.

 

The move highlights the recognition by both nations of their mutual interests and the significance of upholding stability in the region. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on the need for exchanging cross-border intelligence and strengthening law enforcement at the borders.

 

To address these concerns and promote regional security, counter extremism, and facilitate trade, mobility, and human movement, a comprehensive initiative has been launched. With a budget of around Ksh1.7 billion ($12 million) and a three-year timeline, this endeavor aims to improve the state of border infrastructure, making it modern and secure.

 

On Monday, Kenya officially announced its plans to reestablish the border crossings with Somalia at Mandera, Lamu, and Garissa within the next ninety days. This decision follows extensive consultations between Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki and his Somali counterpart Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh in Nairobi.

 

“We have resolved that the border between Kenya and Somalia will be reopened in phases. First to open is Bula Hawa in Mandera in 30 days. Next is Liboi (Mandera) in 60 days and Ras Kamboni (Lamu) in 90 days,” CS Kindiki said. The cabinet secretary also added that the Kenyan government is also mulling adding a fourth border post in Wajir County.

 

“Border communities in both countries have so much in common. There is a need to strengthen cross-border communication,” CS Kindiki noted, adding that in order to maintain the stability of the two neighboring countries, Kenya and Somalia would continue to cooperate.

 

“Our two countries are in agreement on modalities. We will undertake internal consultation on strategies of securing gains made through our partnership,” he added.

 

The two ministers stated in a joint statement that their conversations focused on the necessity of sharing cross-border intelligence and improving law enforcement’s ability to man the borders.

 

They also talked about strategies for building modern, safe border infrastructure that would ease trade, mobility, and human movement.

 

The project, called “Deris Wanaag,” which is Somali for “Good Neighbourliness,” is supported by the UK and aims to find a long-term solution to the ongoing insecurity and instability caused by Al-Shabaab in the Horn of Africa area. With a budget of around Ksh1.7 billion ($12 million), the initiative will last for three years with the goal of enhancing regional security and battling extremism.

 

The Kenyan government increased border security when the Somali government declared an all-out assault on Al-Shabaab in August of last year in order to stop an influx of escaping terrorists into Kenya.

 

The Rwandan government also started a fresh initiative on Thursday of last week to reopen its border with Ethiopia, which had also been the target of strikes by Shabaab in June of last year.

 

Kenya plays a major role in the African Union’s military campaign against the Al-Shabaab group, an Al-Qaeda affiliate that has been carrying out a violent insurgency in Somalia for over 15 years.

 

Tensions between Kenya and Somalia have been exacerbated by various factors, including a maritime boundary dispute, Somalia’s accusations of Kenyan interference in its internal affairs, and Nairobi’s suspicions that Mogadishu is using Kenya as a scapegoat for its own political and security challenges.

 

In December 2020, Somalia severed diplomatic ties with Kenya after Nairobi hosted the political leadership of Somaliland, a self-declared independent region not recognized by the central government in Mogadishu. However, there has been a recent improvement in their relationship, with the two countries reestablishing diplomatic ties last year.

NEWS

N1.7trn Loan: Atiku Blames NASS For Worsening Nigeria’s Debt Burden

Published

on

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has criticized the federal government’s plan to secure an additional N1.7 trillion loan through Eurobonds to cover a shortfall in the 2024 budget, describing the borrowing as unsustainable and harmful to Nigeria’s economy.

In a statement shared on Thursday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku accused the Bola Tinubu-led administration of burdening Nigerians with debt while failing to provide clear answers about the country’s fiscal challenges.

READ ALSO: CSR: Dangote Cement Fuels Education With Support Projects At Lagos Schools

He also faulted the National Assembly for enabling what he called a “voracious appetite” for loans.

The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate expressed alarm over a recent World Bank report ranking Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), calling the development troubling.

“The recent report released by the World Bank, showing Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), is very concerning,” Atiku stated.

He raised further concerns about the government’s decision to benchmark the proposed loan at an exchange rate of 1 USD to N800, despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official rate being over N1,600.

“What makes this particular loan proposal even more concerning is that it is benchmarked at the exchange rate of 1 USD to N800, whereas the current exchange rate from the Central Bank of Nigeria stands at over N1,600 to 1 USD,” he said.

Atiku questioned the need for additional borrowing, given the government’s earlier claims of record-high revenue collection.

“In July this year, Tinubu boasted that the FIRS and Customs under his watch had collected all-time high revenues to finance the budget. Why are they still borrowing?” he said

He accused the government of a lack of transparency, describing the borrowing spree as detrimental to Nigerians already struggling under economic hardship.

“There is something that they are not telling Nigerians, even as they are being crushed by a combination of their failed trial-and-error policies and loan rackets.”

Atiku also referenced a report by BudgIT, a budget monitoring group, which criticized the 2024 budget for its inefficiencies.

He alleged that corruption, rather than infrastructure or development needs, was driving the government’s borrowing decisions.

“These loans are powered by corruption and not for infrastructure and development needs. This voracious appetite for humongous loans is deeply concerning,” he said.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s financial history, Atiku lamented the return to significant foreign indebtedness just years after former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration cleared the country’s debt.

“It is agonizing to see that just a few years after the Obasanjo administration took us out of foreign indebtedness, we are today back at the top spot in the same conundrum,” he stated.

He called for a more cautious approach to borrowing, urging the government to prioritize fiscal responsibility and transparency to avoid worsening Nigeria’s economic challenges.

 

 

Continue Reading

International News

ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Others

Published

on

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.

In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”

READ MORE: Osun Govt Decries Attempted Murder Of Park Mgt  Chairman By Police

The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.

Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.

The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.

With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Edo State Governor Sets Up Committee To Recover Missing Gov’t Vehicles

Published

on

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has inaugurated a 12-member committee tasked with recovering government vehicles reportedly in private hands.

The committee, led by Kelly Okungbowa, has been given a two-week mandate to retrieve the vehicles and ensure their return to the state government.

READ ALSO: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo emphasized the importance of accountability in the management of public resources.

He urged the committee to carry out its assignment thoroughly and within the bounds of the law.

In his response, Okungbowa expressed gratitude to the governor for entrusting the team with the assignment, vowing to deliver results within the stipulated timeframe.

“A lot of vehicles used by the past administration are missing, as those in custody of the vehicles have refused to return them,” Okungbowa said.

“The governor deemed it fit to inaugurate us today with a mandate to recover all government vehicles in private hands.”

The committee, which includes representatives from Edo’s three senatorial districts, is set to investigate and recover the vehicles based on credible intelligence already at their disposal.

“We already have vital information regarding some persons still holding government vehicles,” Okungbowa stated. “We will do the job according to the law, and both the government and the people will be satisfied with the outcome.”

He also called on members of the public to assist the committee by providing information about any government vehicles that may still be in private possession.

“We want to appeal to members of the public who might be aware of anyone still keeping government vehicles in their houses to please inform us to enable the committee to recover such for the Edo State Government,” Okungbowa said.

The committee’s vice chairman, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, will work alongside other members to ensure the success of the initiative. The public can reach the committee at 08110165121.

 

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.