Ghana has inaugurated its first commercial gold refinery, the Royal Ghana Gold Refinery, on Friday, in Accra. The refinery, a collaboration between India’s Rosy Royal Minerals and Ghana’s central bank, can process 400 kg of gold daily, primarily sourced from small-scale and artisanal miners. Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia emphasized that this development would help curb gold smuggling, increase national earnings, and retain economic value within Ghana. The refinery is expected to create up to 120 direct jobs and 500 indirect ones. With Ghana retaining its position as Africa’s top gold producer and aiming to surpass its 2024 production target, the Bank of Ghana is keen on the refinery obtaining London Bullion Market Association certification to bolster its foreign exchange reserves and reduce reliance on external borrowing.
Somalia and Ethiopia’s foreign ministers are set to meet in Ankara next week to address tensions over a controversial port deal Ethiopia signed with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia. The agreement, signed in January, grants Ethiopia a 50-year lease on a naval base with access to Somaliland’s Berbera port, in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence. This agreement has escalated tensions, leading Somalia to expel Ethiopia’s ambassador and close its consulates in Somaliland and Puntland. Turkey is mediating the talks, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasizing the need for Ethiopia to respect Somalia’s territorial integrity to ease tensions. The conflict arises from Ethiopia’s need for sea access, a critical issue since losing its coastline after Eritrea’s secession in 1993. This is the first instance of a nation offering to assess Somaliland’s bid for independence, which Somalia deems a violation of its sovereignty.
A military court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Friday sentenced 26 individuals accused of involvement with armed groups, including the M23, to death following a high-profile trial that began in late July. Among those convicted is Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), who was found guilty of war crimes, insurrection, and treason. Nangaa and 20 others were sentenced in absentia, as they are currently fugitives. The trial, which started on July 24, saw the prosecutor calling for death sentences for 25 defendants, while one was recommended for a 20-year prison term. The five present defendants have five days to appeal the verdict. Nangaa, a former DRC electoral commission president, launched the AFC in December to unite armed groups and civil society against the government.
Mali severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of involvement in a July attack that resulted in significant losses for Russian Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers. Ukrainian spokesperson Andriy Yusov suggested Malian rebels had received vital information for the attack, which led to the deaths of at least 84 Wagner fighters and 47 Malian soldiers. Mali condemned Ukraine’s alleged role in foreign interference and terrorism, while Ukraine denied involvement and criticized the decision as hasty. Amid these tensions, Mali also ordered Sweden’s ambassador to leave within 72 hours after Sweden’s Johan Forssell announced plans to phase out aid due to Mali’s support for Russia.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened an emergency meeting to address a surge in mpox cases, primarily spreading from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the meeting following nearly 27,000 reported cases and approximately 1,100 deaths, many of them children, in the DRC. The outbreak, driven by a strain of the virus now spreading to neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, has raised concerns about further international transmission. The Emergency Committee will determine whether this outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the highest alert level the WHO can issue. Mpox cases in Africa have surged by 160% this year, with a significant impact on children under 15.
The Sudanese government announced on Friday that it will send a delegation to Jeddah for consultations with the United States regarding an invitation to attend ceasefire talks in Geneva on August 14. These talks aim to end the ongoing 15-month conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.
Ethiopia on Friday entered into an agreement for the design of a new four-runway airport near Bishoftu, approximately 45 km from Addis Ababa, slated to become Africa’s largest upon its completion in 2029. The airport is projected to handle 100 million passengers annually and accommodate parking for 270 aircraft. Dubai-based Sidara will spearhead the design efforts. This initiative arises as the current Bole Addis Ababa International Airport approaches its 25 million passenger capacity. The first phase of the project is estimated to cost at least $6 billion, with funding anticipated through loans, and several interested parties have already emerged. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, reported transporting 17 million passengers in the 2023/2024 fiscal year and aims to increase this number to 20 million in the current financial year. The new airport is poised to significantly bolster Ethiopia’s aviation infrastructure and capacity.
Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani on Wednesday and appointed Social Affairs Minister Kamel Maddouri as his replacement, according to a statement from the presidency. Hachani, who had been in office since August last year, had recently highlighted the government’s progress despite global challenges, including food and energy security. His removal comes amidst growing public discontent over recurring water and electricity shortages, which the government attributes to a severe drought and a quota system, while Saied views the shortages as a conspiracy related to the upcoming presidential elections. The agriculture ministry reports that dam levels are critically low at 25 percent. Saied, who has announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections, faces criticism from opposition groups and human rights organizations for allegedly suppressing political rivals and creating conditions favorable to his re-election bid.
Issa Hayatou, the influential figure in African soccer and former FIFA interim president, passed away on Thursday at 77 in Paris. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his sadness, praising Hayatou’s dedication to sports administration. Hayatou, who was also a 15-year member of the International Olympic Committee, was a prominent figure in soccer, leading the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from 1988 and serving as a FIFA vice president. Despite being a national champion runner, Hayatou’s impact was most notable in soccer, though he lost to Sepp Blatter in the 2002 FIFA presidential election. His death coincides with the city of Paris hosting the Olympics.
A top U.N. counterterrorism official warned the Security Council on Thursday that the Islamic State group and its affiliates are poised to expand significantly across Africa. Vladimir Voronkov, the U.N. Undersecretary for Counterterrorism, stated that IS affiliates have consolidated their control from Mali to northern Nigeria and are also active in Mozambique, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Voronkov noted a sharp increase in terrorist attacks in these regions, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. Additionally, the Islamic State group’s Afghanistan affiliate, ISIS-K, has enhanced its financial and logistical operations and stepped up recruitment efforts.
Writer and researcher at Alafarika for Studies and Consultancy.