Latest news with #AfricanUnion
Al Etihad
an hour ago
- Politics
- Al Etihad
UN welcomes Democratic Republic of Congo-Republic of Rwanda peace agreement signing
28 June 2025 16:01 NEW YORK (AGENCIES)THE UN Chief welcomed the signing of a peace agreement on June 27 in Washington, DC, by the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, facilitated by the United States.'This Agreement is a significant step towards de-escalation, peace and stability in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region. I commend the United States for its leadership in facilitating this process, in coordination with the State of Qatar and the African Union Mediator, his Excellency, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo. "I acknowledge the contributions of the five co-facilitators designated by the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community,' he said in a statement.'I urge the parties to honour in full the commitments they have undertaken in the Peace Agreement and pursuant to Security Council resolution 2773 (2025), including the cessation of hostilities and all other agreed measures,' he added. 'The United Nations, including through the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, remains fully committed to supporting the implementation of the agreement, in close coordination with the African Union, regional and international partners.'
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
African Union hails DR Congo-Rwanda peace deal as milestone
NAIROBI: The African Union said on Saturday a peace deal signed between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda was a 'significant milestone' in bringing peace to the deeply troubled region. For more than 30 years the eastern DRC has been riven by conflict, which has intensified in recent years with the advance of an armed militia backed by Rwanda. A statement said AU Commission head Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who witnessed the signing of the deal in Washington on Friday, 'welcomed this significant milestone and commended all efforts aimed at advancing peace, stability, & reconciliation in the region'. It said he 'appreciated the constructive & supportive role played by the US & the State of Qatar in facilitating dialogue & consensus that led to this development'. The agreement comes after the M23, an ethnic Tutsi rebel force supported by Rwanda, sprinted across the mineral-rich east of the DRC this year, seizing vast territory including the key city of Goma. The deal does not explicitly address the gains of the M23 in the area torn by decades of on-off war but calls for Rwanda to end 'defensive measures' it has taken. Rwanda has denied offering the M23 military support but has demanded an end to another armed group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which was established by ethnic Hutus involved in the massacres of Tutsis in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The agreement calls for the 'neutralization' of the FDLR.
News24
6 hours ago
- Business
- News24
US envoy plays down AGOA, African visa concerns
The top US diplomat for Africa on Tuesday dismissed allegations of unfair US trade practices and said that funding delays would not derail a key railway project connecting Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. African Union officials on Monday questioned how Africa could deepen trade ties with the United States under what they called "abusive" tariff proposals and tightening visa conditions, largely targeting travellers from Africa. "There is no visitation ban," Ambassador Troy Fitrell said during a press conference at the US-Africa Business Summit in Luanda. He said that US consulates continue issuing visas regularly, although some now come with shorter validity periods due to concerns over overstays. Several African business and political leaders have raised concerns about a sharp drop in visa approvals, particularly for travellers from West Africa, since late 2023. Washington's tariff plans have also added to cooling diplomatic ties with African countries, as some economies — including Lesotho and Madagascar — warned that even a baseline 10% levy could threaten critical exports such as apparel and minerals. But Fitrell said that the proposed US import tariffs were not yet implemented, and negotiations were ongoing to create a more reciprocal trading environment, including through the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The initiative grants qualifying African nations duty-free access to the US market and is due to expire in September. Fitrell also reaffirmed his country's commitment to the Lobito Corridor railway project, which links Angola's coast to copper-rich Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. "It's not at risk," he said of the initiative. The US International Development Finance Corporation's Head of Investments, Conor Coleman, described it as a "win-win" for US investors and African economies, and underscoring its significance for regional integration. The Trump administration has axed swaths of US foreign aid for Africa, as part of a plan to curb spending it considers wasteful. Angolan President João Lourenço, addressing more than 2 000 government and business leaders at the summit, said US companies should shift from aid to investment-driven partnerships. "It is time to replace the logic of aid with the logic of investment and trade," Lourenço said, urging diversification into sectors such as automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding, tourism, cement, and steel production.
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Business Standard
20 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
PM Modi to visit five nations from July 2, attend Brics Summit in Brazil
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-nation visit from July 2, during which he will attend the Brics Summit and hold meetings with leaders of Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Namibia to strengthen bilateral ties. During the visit, PM Modi is expected to address the parliaments of Trinidad and Tobago and Namibia. The Prime Minister will start his five-nation visit with Ghana. This will be the Prime Minister's first bilateral visit to the African country. During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold talks with the President of Ghana to review the strong bilateral partnership and discuss further avenues to enhance it through economic, energy, and defence collaboration, and development cooperation partnership. This visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India's engagement with the ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] and the African Union, a Ministry of External Affairs release said. Visit of Indian Prime Minister to Ghana is taking place after three decades. PM Modi will travel to Brazil, during the fourth leg of his visit, from July 5 to 8 to attend the 17th Brics Summit 2025 followed by a state visit to the South American country. This will be PM Modi's fourth visit to Brazil. The 17th Brics Leaders' Summit will be held in Rio de Janeiro. During the Summit, PM Modi will exchange views on key global issues, including reform of global governance, peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, responsible use of artificial intelligence, climate action, global health, and economic and financial matters. The Prime Minister is also likely to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit. For the State Visit to Brazil, Prime Minister will travel to Brasilia where he will hold bilateral discussions with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the broadening of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, including trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health and people to people linkages. In the second leg of his visit, PM Modi will pay an official visit to Trinidad & Tobago (T & T) from July 3-4. This will be his first visit to the country as Prime Minister and the first bilateral visit at the Prime Ministerial level to T & T since 1999. During the visit, PM Modi will hold talks with the President of Trinidad & Tobago Christine Carla Kangaloo, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and discuss further strengthening bilateral ties. PM Modi is also expected to address a Joint Session of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. The visit of the Prime Minister to Trinidad and Tobago will impart fresh impetus to the deep-rooted and historical ties between the two countries, the MEA release said. PM Modi will visit Argentina in the third leg of his visit on July 4-5. Prime Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Argentine President Javier Milei to review ongoing cooperation and discuss ways to enhance further bilateral partnership in key areas, including defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties. The bilateral visit of Prime Minister will further deepen the multifaceted Strategic Partnership between India and Argentina, the release said. In the final leg of his visit, PM Modi will embark on a State Visit to Namibia on July 9. This will be the first visit of the Prime Minister to Namibia, and the third ever Prime Ministerial visit from India to Namibia. During his visit, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, PM Modi will also pay homage to the Founding Father and first President of Namibia, Late Dr. Sam Nujoma. He is also expected to deliver an address at the Parliament of Namibia, the MEA release said. The visit of Prime Minister is a reiteration of India's multi-faceted and deep-rooted historical ties with Namibia,it added.
India.com
20 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
PM Modi To Embark On Five-Nation Visit From July 2, Attend BRICS Summit In Brazil
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-nation visit from July 2, during which he will attend the BRICS Summit and hold meetings with leaders of Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Namibia to strengthen bilateral ties. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to address the parliaments of Trinidad and Tobago and Namibia. The Prime Minister will start his five-nation visit with Ghana. This will be the Prime Minister's first bilateral visit to the African country. During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold talks with the President of Ghana to review the strong bilateral partnership and discuss further avenues to enhance it through economic, energy, and defence collaboration, and development cooperation partnership. This visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India's engagement with the ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] and the African Union, a Ministry of External Affairs release said. Visit of Indian Prime Minister to Ghana is taking place after three decades. PM Modi will travel to Brazil, during the fourth leg of his visit, from July 5 to 8 to attend the 17th BRICS Summit 2025 followed by a state visit to the South American country. This will be PM Modi's fourth visit to Brazil. The 17th BRICS Leaders' Summit will be held in Rio de Janeiro. During the Summit, PM Modi will exchange views on key global issues, including reform of global governance, peace and security, strengthening multilateralism, responsible use of artificial intelligence, climate action, global health, and economic and financial matters. The Prime Minister is also likely to hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Summit. For the State Visit to Brazil, Prime Minister will travel to Brasilia where he will hold bilateral discussions with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the broadening of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, including trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health and people to people linkages. In the second leg of his visit, PM Modi will pay an official visit to Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) from July 3-4. This will be his first visit to the country as Prime Minister and the first bilateral visit at the Prime Ministerial level to T&T since 1999. During the visit, PM Modi will hold talks with the President of Trinidad & Tobago Christine Carla Kangaloo, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and discuss further strengthening bilateral ties. PM Modi is also expected to address a Joint Session of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. The visit of the Prime Minister to Trinidad and Tobago will impart fresh impetus to the deep-rooted and historical ties between the two countries, the MEA release said. PM Modi will visit Argentina in the third leg of his visit on July 4-5. Prime Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Argentine President Javier Milei to review ongoing cooperation and discuss ways to enhance further bilateral partnership in key areas, including defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties. The bilateral visit of Prime Minister will further deepen the multifaceted Strategic Partnership between India and Argentina, the release said. In the final leg of his visit, PM Modi will embark on a State Visit to Namibia on July 9. This will be the first visit of the Prime Minister to Namibia, and the third ever Prime Ministerial visit from India to Namibia. During his visit, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, PM Modi will also pay homage to the Founding Father and first President of Namibia, Late Dr. Sam Nujoma. He is also expected to deliver an address at the Parliament of Namibia, the MEA release said. The visit of Prime Minister is a reiteration of India's multi-faceted and deep-rooted historical ties with Namibia,it added.
