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On Tuesday, 16 December, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels announced plans to withdraw from Uvira, a strategic city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo seized last week, describing the move as a unilateral confidence-building gesture requested by the United States to support the peace process.
The rebels called for Uvira’s demilitarisation, civilian protection and neutral monitoring of the ceasefire, though they did not clarify whether their withdrawal depends on these conditions being met.
Residents reported on Tuesday that M23 fighters remained in the city, taken during a rapid offensive launched at the start of the month that has killed more than 400 people and displaced about 200,000.
The escalation has unfolded despite a U.S.-mediated peace agreement signed earlier this month by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Washington. Last week, the United States accused Rwanda of violating the accord by backing the rebel advance and warned of action against those undermining the deal. The agreement excludes M23 but obliges Rwanda to halt support for armed groups and work towards ending hostilities.
The capture of Uvira has heightened fears of regional spillover, particularly into Burundi, which has troops in eastern Congo. Since the start of the month, around 64,000 Congolese refugees have fled to Burundi, with reports of cross-border shelling. The conflict, involving more than 100 armed groups in mineral-rich eastern Congo, continues to fuel one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises, with over seven million people displaced.
Source :
https://apnews.com/article/congo-m23-withdrawal-uvira-83da1ecce41d3b3c32d26410d8d77189
Bamburi Cement Signs $250m Deal to Build Low-Emission Clinker Plant in Kenya’s Kwale County
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On Tuesday, 16 December, Kenya’s Bamburi Cement signed a 250-million-U.S.-dollar engineering, procurement and construction contract with China’s CBMI Construction Co., Ltd. to develop a new clinker grinding plant in Kwale County.
The agreement was formalised at a ceremony in Nairobi attended by President William Ruto. President Ruto described the project as a catalytic investment aligned with Kenya’s national development agenda, noting its importance in strengthening industrial capacity and supporting key infrastructure programmes, including the Affordable Housing Programme. He added that the plant would generate employment for young people, boost local supply chains and promote balanced regional industrialisation, particularly along the coast.
The facility will incorporate a six-stage precalciner system and emissions-reduction technologies, including the use of alternative fuels such as coconut husks, cashew shells and municipal solid waste.
Bamburi Cement Chief Executive Officer Mohit Kapoor said the 1.6-million-tonne-per-year clinkerisation plant would significantly cut Kenya’s dependence on imported clinker, enhance production consistency and secure domestic supply, while leveraging advanced, carbon-neutral technologies to support sustainable economic transformation.
Source :
https://english.news.cn/africa/20251217/9258d2ca8b57483a803533eed05c870e/c.html
Modi Makes First-Ever Ethiopia Visit to Deepen India–Africa Strategic Partnership
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, December 16 for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and advancing India’s strategic engagement with Africa.
The visit, Modi’s first to Ethiopia, includes high-level talks with Ethiopian leaders and an address to a joint session of Parliament, reflecting a shared intent to elevate political dialogue and institutional cooperation.
Ethiopia’s Government Communications Office said the engagement is expected to take Africa–India relations to a higher level, while reaffirming Ethiopia’s role as a major diplomatic hub on the continent. Talks are expected to focus on enhancing cooperation and jointly amplifying the voice of the Global South.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed Modi’s visit, describing it as a demonstration of the growing ties between the two countries and expressing optimism for meaningful engagements across shared priorities. Modi, highlighting long-standing historical links, said in a post on X, written in Ethiopia’s local language, that Ethiopia–India relations are deep and poised for further strengthening.
The Addis Ababa visit is Modi’s fifth stop in Africa this year, following trips to Mauritius, Ghana, Namibia and South Africa. It aligns with the “Ten Principles of India–Africa Cooperation” outlined during his 2018 visit to Uganda, which underpin India’s expanding economic and strategic partnership with the continent.
Source :
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/modi-arrives-in-addis-ababa-for-first-ever-visit-to-ethiopia-signaling-deeper-ties/3773144
Wife of Guinea-Bissau’s Ousted President Charged in Portugal Amid Smuggling Investigation
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Portuguese authorities have charged Dinisia Reis Embalo, wife of Guinea-Bissau’s ousted President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, in connection with an investigation into suspected smuggling and money laundering, the judicial Police said on Tuesday, 16 December.
Dinisia Reis Embalo arrived in Lisbon on the same flight from Guinea-Bissau as another passenger, arrested on Sunday after an anonymous tip-off while carrying nearly five million euros ($5.9 million) in cash. Portuguese police said her charge is “linked” to that investigation, though no further details were provided.
The flight, initially classified as military and scheduled to continue to Beja in southern Portugal, was later confirmed to have a different nature and destination.
Portuguese media reported that the arrested passenger is Tito Gomes Fernandes, a businessman close to the overthrown president, who fled after the November 26 coup. Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel stated he is in contact with Guinea-Bissau authorities to support efforts toward restoring constitutional order.
Source :
https://www.trtafrika.com/english/article/55a74f401023
Nigeria’s House of Representatives Launches Probe into Dangote Refinery Fuel Dispute
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On Tuesday, 16 December, Nigeria’s House of Representatives voted to investigate a dispute between the downstream oil regulator, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Dangote Refinery over allegations of arbitrary fuel-import licences and petrol pricing benchmarks.
Aliko Dangote, Nigeria’s wealthiest individual, has criticised NMDPRA for allowing low-cost fuel imports that undermine domestic refineries, including his 650,000-barrel-per-day Lagos plant, Africa’s largest. He has called for a formal probe into NMDPRA chief Farouk Ahmed, citing governance concerns and claims of spending beyond declared income.
Lawmakers stressed that the dispute could disrupt fuel supply during the holiday season, posing risks to energy security and investor confidence.
House member Francis Waive’s motion mandates the petroleum committees to investigate and report back within four weeks, highlighting Dangote Refinery as a “strategic national investment” capable of reducing Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports and generating foreign exchange. Hearing dates for the probe have not yet been announced.
Source :
https://www.trtafrika.com/english/article/67cdff694552