Accusations in Addis

Hello readers ????

The African Union’s 37th summit demonstrated the extent of divisions on the continent. AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat acknowledged these rifts, lamenting the “decline in the beautiful spirit of African solidarity and pan-Africanism – the soul of our renaissance”. Six African juntas were banned from attending, while the tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia escalated with an early summit departure by the latter after a security scuffle. The elephant in the room was Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the ongoing conflict in the DRC, which formed the subject of a dedicated meeting, convened by Angola’s President Jo?o Louren?o. But it wasn’t all doom-and-gloom – there were also outcomes to celebrate. Delegates adopted the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, heralding a significant step in Africa’s efforts towards digital transformation and regional integration. African multilateral financial institutions also came together to launch the “Africa Club”, indicating a common interest in promoting greater coordination among development banks headquartered on the continent.

Yours, in continental (dis)unity,

AP editorial team

?? 2.7 BILLION

USD 2.7 billion is needed to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. However, only a paltry 3.5% of the needed funds has been raised. Nearly 700,000 people have been forced to flee the Darfur region since the conflict broke out.?

?? KENYA’S HEALTH REFORMS RAISE FUNDING CONUNDRUM

Last year, Kenya embarked on a transformative journey towards universal health coverage, spearheaded by four landmark legislative acts. These reforms, while promising to revolutionise the healthcare landscape, also raise critical questions about their implementation and impact, as explored by Consultant Selina Onyando and Associate Consultant Anjola Folarin.

???? IT’S-ALL GOOD?

A week is a long time in politics – especially in Senegal. On 15 February, Macky Sall, who had sought to postpone presidential elections from 25 February to 15 December 2024, found his plans overturned by the constitutional council, which declared that it alone has the power to postpone elections. Sall’s acceptance of the decision has averted a constitutional crisis and will see elections held as soon as possible – taking into account the lost campaign days. The postponement had been met with disapproval from domestic and international actors, but the council’s ruling has been welcomed . Senegal's constitution mandates that elections must occur at least 30 days before the president's term ends. With President Sall's term concluding on 2 April, this would indicate that the election should be held by 2 March. However, the electoral law also requires 20 days for campaigning, meaning that there is currently no date that can fulfil both legal obligations.

???? GOING PUBLIC

Ethiopia is progressing efforts to establish its stock market. This week, the board of Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) convened to evaluate Ethio Telecom's preparedness for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX). The ESX forms a key component of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's economic reform agenda, and counts EIH as a key shareholder. The exchange will supposedly commence operations in the first half of 2024, with the ultimate aim of trading securities listed by a minimum of 50 companies, including banks and insurance firms, in line with Ethiopia’s long-standing objective of liberalising the economy and attracting private sector investment. As part of this process, approximately 10% of state-owned Ethio Telecom could be up for sale through an IPO.

???? MAY-NOTTE

France has announced a proposal to end birthright citizenship in Mayotte, a French territory in the Mozambique channel. The move is aimed at curbing immigration to Mayotte from neighbouring Comoros, Madagascar and mainland Africa. French citizens in Mayotte have been protesting the arrival of migrants, blaming them for deteriorating living standards and calling on Paris to take stronger action to deter crossings. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin described the decision as a “radical measure” that would be “limited to the Mayotte archipelago”. Formalising the move requires amending the French constitution, which would need to be approved by a three-fifths majority in Congress – a major challenge for the minority government led by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. Should the amendment pass, it would strain France’s relationship with Madagascar and Comoros, as the initiative seeks to actively deter migrants from these nations.

???? OIL RUSH

On 15 February, the Gabon Oil Company (GOC) finalised the acquisition of energy company Assala Gabon, exercising its pre-emption rights to override a previous agreement with French operator Maurel & Prom. The USD 1.3 billion deal makes GOC the sole shareholder of Assala Gabon, by acquiring the 75% stake previously held by US-based investment firm Carlyle. The signing ceremony, held at the presidential palace, involved key figures such as the head of Gabon’s transitional government General Oligui and Hydrocarbons Minister Marcel Abéké, who both emphasised the acquisition's significance in asserting Gabon's economic sovereignty and promoting local participation in the petroleum industry.?

??? JUDGE LUPITA

Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o is heading up the jury of this month’s Berlin International Film Festival, becoming the first African to do so. The annual festival – now in its 74 edition – is currently underway, running from 15-25 February. Nyong'o was announced as President of the International Jury in December 2023, and has been lauded by the festival directors for her acting consistency, complemented by the versatility of projects she has been involved in and her ability to address different audiences. There are three African contenders among the 20 films vying for the top prize: Dahomey, a documentary French-Senegalese filmmaker Mati Diop, Black Tea by Mauritanian-born Malian director Abderrahmane Sissako, and Who Do I Belong To by Tunisian-Canadian director Meryam Joobeur.?

??? AFRICA’S GREEN ECONOMY SUMMIT 2024

Africa's Green Economy Summit , scheduled for 21-23 February 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa, serves as a pivotal platform for global investors, project owners, business executives, and African governments and their policymakers to collaborate towards a sustainable future. Themed “Mobilising Investments for Green Growth,” the summit focuses on enhancing investments in green initiatives across four pillars of the green economy – green transport, renewable energy, waste management, and water services.

?? BBC NEWS KOMLA DUMOR AWARD?

Journalists from across Africa are invited to apply for the Komla Dumor Award – now in its ninth year – which aims to uncover and promote fresh talent from the continent. The winner ?will receive a training and development opportunity with the BBC in London, starting in early September 2024 ?and running for three months.? Deadline for applications is 15 March.

?? AYA – MARGUERITE ABOUET

One of the continent’s most successful graphic novel series, Aya follows its youthful heroine as she navigates middle-class life and meddling neighbours in the bustling “Yop City” (Yopougon) in C?te d'Ivoire. The first instalment won the award for best debut at the Angouleme International Comics Festival in 2006, and has since gone on to enjoy a revival among a new generation of readers. After a 12-year hiatus, the English volume Aya: Claws Come Out was released this month, featuring Aya and friends greeting the bigger, bolder world of the 80s in true Abidjan style.

?? KOKOROKO – DIDE O (ASH LAURYN & STEFAN RINGER REMIX)

This week's pick features a collaboration between American producers Ash Lauryn and Stefan Ringer. The duo joins forces to reimagine "Dide O" by London-based jazz band Kokoroko from their debut album "Could We Be More."

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