August 23 Zimbabwe election: Jonathan-led AU, COMESA mission arrives Harare

By Chris Udochukwu Ahead of August 23 general election taking place in Zambabwe, former President Goodluck Jonathan-led African Union and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Mission have arrived Harare the State Capital. Jonathan and members of his delegations who arrived Harare Saturday evening for the monitoring of the election, thanked the Zimbabwean Government, the AU and COMESA as well as Ambassador Zachariah Ifu and other officials of Nigerian High Commission for their warm reception. Disclosing this via his Facebook page today, Jonathan said he is looking forward to a fulfilling experience with his team of observers. The statement reads in full: “Ahead of Zimbabwe’s August 23 general elections, I arrived in Harare this evening.” “Looking forward to a fulfilling experience as I lead members of the the Joint African Union (AU), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Mission to observe the polls.” “I thank the Zimbabwean Government, the AU and COMESA as well as Ambassador Zachariah Ifu and other officials of Nigerian High Commission for a warm reception.”-GEJ

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AU Chairman Macky Sall To Attend G20 Summit – Officials

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, – The African Union Chairman and President of Senegal,   Macky Sall plans to attend an upcoming G20 summit in Bali, two government officials said on Friday. Sall’s visit, first to a G20 summit, would follow his attendance at the COP27 UN climate meeting in Egypt,  where he was one of the leading advocates for rich countries to contribute more cash to help Africa adapt to climate change. The summit in Bali would hold  from  Nov. 15 to 16, overlapping the second week of the COP27 conference. Sall would have “two hats” at the meeting, representing both the African Union and Senegal, one of the officials said. Senegal is in discussions with G20 members about a deal to support its transition to low carbon energy. The so-called Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) were pioneered by South Africa’s deal last year with countries including the United States, Britain, Germany and France providing funding to speed up its transition away from coal power. The official, however,  said that one of the items he would want to discuss with G20 members …

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Jonathan mourns late Kenneth Kaunda who dies at age 97

…..says he was a specimen of the highest level of patriotism. By Chris Udochukwu Abuja (Precise Post) – Former President Goodluck Jonathan has mourned the death of former Zambian President and foremost Pan-Africanist Dr. Kenneth Kaunda who died on Thursday at the age of 97 years. Jonathan described Kaunda as a specimen of the highest level of patriotism. The former Nigerian President therefore condoled with the government and people of the Republic of Zambia on the passing of their foremost founding father and prayed for fortitude to his immediate family. Jonathan who eulogised the lives and roles of late Kaunda via his Facebook page said: “I am deeply saddened by the passing on of former Zambian President and foremost Pan-Africanist Dr. Kenneth Kaunda who died today at the age of 97 years. “Not only was he of very great significance to Africa’s struggle for liberation he was also quite significant to me. I met him as a much younger politician and I am glad to have maintained a close relationship with the great sage. “Kaunda was a specimen of the …

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Jonathan Emerges Africa Peace and Security Leader of 2020

By Kazeem Ugbodaga ABUJA – Former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has emerged as the African Leadership Magazine Africa Peace and Security Leader of the Year 2020, ahead of many other distinguished nominees across the continent. Publisher of the United Kingdom-based magazine, Dr Ken Giami who announced the award at the U.K. Head Office of the group stated that Dr. Jonathan was overwhelmingly chosen by poll respondents because of his “commitment to deepening democracy, peace and security across the continent.” According to him, the former President “who has led several African Union (AU) and ECOWAS missions across the continent, emerged winner after scoring over 80% of the total votes cast in the category, in a keenly contested poll.” Dr. Jonathan was announced as the winner in the 9th edition of the annual African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Award, alongside 12 other distinguished Africans, including: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organization, WHO, as African of the Year 2020; Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, as African Political Leader of the Year; Mo Ibrahim, founder, Mo Ibrahim foundation, as …

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‘Peace Corps Bill’ Passes Second Reading in Senate Again

By Chris Udochukwu Abuja (Precise Post) – Senate of the federal Republic of Nigeria again on Tuesday, passed for a second reading, the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps. The Bill, which was read the first time in the 9th Senate on Tuesday, 17th December, 2019 is being sponsored by former Senate Leader and Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume. Leading the debate on Tuesday, Senator Ndume reminded the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan how the Bill was introduced and passed in the 8th Senate when he (Lawan) was the Senate leader. “The Bill went through all legislative processes, including Public Hearing and was overwhelmingly passed. The Bill also passed through all the same necessary legislative crucibles in the House of Representatives and eventually passed”, Ndume narrated. He explained the core mandate of the Corps which seeks “to develop, empower, and provide gainful employment for the youth to facilitate peace, volunteerism, community services, neighbourhood watch, nation-building and for other related matters”. Ndume added that, the Bill would “give statutory backing to the …

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WTO DG: Okonjo-Iweala’s Nomination Violates AU Rules

By Our Reporter Abuja (Precise Post) – The candidature of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the World Trade Organisation’s director-general position is not in line with extant rules, the office of the Legal Counsel of the African Union has said. The legal opinion is contained in a letter dated June 15, in which the counsel presented its views to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Nigeria to the African Union in Addis Ababa. Referring to its Note verbal 150/2020 dated June 9, demanding the immediate review of the opinion of the Office of the Legal of the AUC, the counsel argued against the nomination of Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, adding that it was against extant rules. The letter, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, comes against the background of controversies trailing Mrs Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination for the top job. Controversial nomination Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister, was nominated for the position by President Muhammadu Buhari after Nigeria withdrew the candidacy of Yunov Agah, Nigeria’s permanent representative to WTO. Mr Agah’s candidacy, already approved by AU Executive Council, was withdrawn in a request letter dated …

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WTO DG Election: Buhari Nominates Okonjo-Iweala as Nigeria’s Candidate

By Ogechi Okorie Abuja (Precise Post) – President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated the two-time Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the country’s candidate for the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) election coming up next year. The President confirmed the nomination on Thursday in an official announcement through the Nigerian Embassy and Permanent Mission to the African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In the diplomatic note to inform all member countries’ embassies and permanent missions, President Buhari said he was communicating Nigeria’s decision to withdraw the candidacy of Yonov Frederick Agah for the election. He did not disclose the reasons for the withdrawal of Mr Agah’s candidature. Mr Agah is currently one of the four deputy directors-general of the WTO. He was first appointed deputy director-general October 1, 2013. He was reappointed for a second four-year term on October 1, 2017. His tenure runs out on October 1, 2021. The President said Mrs Okonjo-Iweala would serve as Nigeria’s Candidate for the term 2021 – 2025 at the elections scheduled in …

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What Africa Must Do To Mitigate the Damaging Effects of Coronavirus.

By Atiku Abubakar Before the novel coronavirus pandemic hit the globe, Nigeria spent 42% of her earnings on debt servicing. We have arrived at a new reality today: even if we devote 100% of our income to rebuilding our economy, it still will not be enough. COVID19 has wreaked such damage to the world’s economy, and this is now very evident in the West. But we should not take solace in any false sense of security that nations like Nigeria are either immune to the vagaries of this plague or that we would not be as hard hit. The reason countries in the Western Hemisphere are reporting more significant numbers than developing nations is primarily due to the availability of testing and real-time information. Ignorance is not bliss in this instance. We shall soon know the truth and, sadly, this truth will not set us free. It will shock us. Had we closed our ports of entry early, we would probably have had better reasons to be hopeful. However, the past is gone, but we must be proactive in going …

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AU Condemns Deadly Attack On Burundian Peacekeepers In Somalia

Addis Ababa, – The African Union (AU), on Tuesday condemned a recent deadly attack on a contingent from Burundi of its Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), that led to a number of casualties. The Chairperson of AMISOM, Moussa Mahamat, condemned the deadly attack which happened in the Hirshabelle region of Somalia. The attack on Burundian peacekeepers claimed by the militant group al-Shabab had reportedly killed and injured several soldiers who were travelling on a convoy. According to the Commissioner’s statement, the Chairperson wishes to extend his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and the government of the Republic of Burundi and wishing them a quick recovery. Mahamat affirmed the AU’s commitment to working with the government of Somalia to further consolidate peace and security in the country. The chairperson called on the international community to provide appropriate support to Somalia and AMISOM to consolidate security gains in the country. In spite of having been driven out of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, the al-Shabab group still staged guerrilla-style assaults and bomb attacks to drive out AU mission’s troops from Somalia. The al-Shabab’s ultimate …

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