Africa Media Analysis Report

SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 2018

Tangaza Africa Media 20 Baker Street, Rosebank 2196 P O Box 1953, Houghton 2041 Tel: +27 11 447 4017 Fax: +27 86 545 7357 email: [email protected] Table of Contents

Table of Contents 2 Overall Scorecard 3 Analysis of daily issue coverage, April 2018 4 Eastern Africa & Great Lakes 5 Analysis of daily issue coverage 5 Politics 6 Economy, Trade & Development 7 Peace, Security & Terrorism 8 Health & Food issues 9 Tourism, Travel & Leisure 10 Business & Investments 11 Science, Technology & Innovation 12 Entertainment 13 Education, Arts & Culture 14 Southern Africa 15 Analysis of daily issue coverage 15 Politics 16 Economy, Trade & Development 17 Tourism, Travel & Leisure 18 Health & Food issues 19 Business & Investments 20 Science, Technology & Innovation 21 Peace, Security & Terrorism 22 Entertainment 23 West Africa 24 Analysis of daily issue coverage 24 Politics 25 Economy, Trade & Development 26 Peace, Security & Terrorism 27 Health & Food issues 27 Business & Investments 28 Science, Technology & Innovation 28 Education 29 Entertainment 29 North Africa 30 Analysis of News Categories 30 Peace, Security & Terrorism 31 Politics 51 Economy, Trade & Development 53

2 Overall Scorecard

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Core news frames in September, related to diplomatic rela- and animal-welfare groups urged Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke tions particularly on politics an Ipsos-funded survey showed and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to reconsider a federal that an increasing number of Kenyans perceive relations with decision to allow a Texas billionaire to import a critically US “most important” as approval for relations with China endangered black rhino shot as a trophy hunt in Namibia. dropped. The most popular story mentioned that Melania South Africa’s murder rate increased by 6.9%. In real numbers, Trump planned to visit Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt when this meant that 1 320 more people had been murdered in she travelled to Africa on her first major solo international trip South Africa in the past year. The US Department of State as first lady. President Cyril Ramaphosa had reassured the US issued a travel advisory to its citizens travelling to SA, following President Donald Trump that problems in the country would the release of the annual crime statistics by SA Police Service. be solved in typical South African fashion. The land reform Tanzania suspended broadcasting of family planning adver- issue would be dealt with in a democratic manner. tisements by a US-funded project, a health ministry letter For Western Africa, reports said the US government was showed, a fortnight after President John Magufuli said family considering helping Liberia track down more than $100 mil- planning was for those “too lazy to take care of their children”. lion in missing cash, an embassy spokesman said, in a case In Uganda, two US organisations acknowledged some of their that had triggered a political crisis in the impoverished country. HIV testing kits used in Kenya and other African countries In Trade & Development issues, the US granted $1.1 million were faulty and had ended up giving wrong results. CDC and to TM Geothermal Operations PLC (an Ethiopian company) prevention and USAID said the inaccuracies were minor and with a view to supporting the Tulu Moye Geothermal Project had minute effects on people they were used on. which was in Arsi zone, Oromiya Regional State and which Business & Investments had moderate coverage. In Kenya, was the nation’s second geothermal plant. In Libya, the US billionaire Bill Gates was seeking to link all Kenyan banks and Treasury Department had targeted the leader of a Libyan mili- mobile cash platforms through a single software platform. tia with sanctions for directing attacks on oil facilities. Other news coverage said Ghana’s President, Nana Addo In other news frames for Travel, tourism & Leisure, Kenya Dankwa Akufo-Addo would be receiving the 2018 US-Africa Airways launched the first-ever non-stop flight between Jomo Business Centre Outstanding Leaders Award in New York. Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi and John F. Kennedy In Education, Nigeria dominated media coverage. The US International Airport, New York. The inaugural flight would be restated its commitment to increase efforts in empowering on October 28, 2018 with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner slated to Nigerian youths through planning innovative and life chang- serve the route. Minor reports mentioned that Conservation ing programmes. The Counsellor for Public Affairs US

3 Overall Scorecard

Embassy, Aruna Amirthanayagam, made the assertion in Abuja at In Economy, Trade & Development trending stories said, US the opening ceremony of an annual workshop for American Ambassador to Ethiopia Michael Raynor was joined by Principal Spaces Coordinators. Director for African Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defence In Entertainment, reports mentioned that Six of Cape Town’s Michelle Lenihan. most talented magical teens had been chosen to represent South The Nation mentioned that Kenyan officials and business lead- Africa in the magic capitals of the world from 2 to 16 October ers moved quickly to capitalise on the daily non-stop service 2018. These lucky young magic enthusiasts would travel to the between New York and Nairobi that was inaugurated. They were bright cities of Las Vegas and New York in the US of America joined by a senior Trump administration official and dozens of US (USA) to put on an unforgettable show. In Nigeria, Ace Nigerian potential investors at a conference in Manhattan on “Doing and award-winning singer, David Adeleke a.k.a. Davido post- Business in Kenya” sponsored by the US-based Corporate poned his tour of the US to complete the mandatory National Council on Africa. Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. Science, Technology & Tourism, Travel & Leisure, the Cameroonian government sub- Innovation and Arts & Culture received minor coverage. mitted on November 13 to the Senate, the upper house of the par- Core news frames in October related to diplomatic relations liament, a bill related to the air transport agreement between the particularly on politics, mentioned that Melania Trump landed in country and the USA. Ghana as she began her first-ever visit to Africa. She would also The surprise announcement that Kenya Airways was cutting make stops in Malawi, Kenya and Egypt. The White House down the number of flights in the recently launched Nairobi-New described the trip as a journey to “four beautiful and very different York route stirred mixed reaction from Kenyans living in the US. countries in Africa.” Joseph Kimani, a Kenyan resident of Allentown, said blaming win- In Liberia, the US Embassy in Liberia said it had asked forensic ter for the decision just a few weeks after launch did not make investigators to carry out a preliminary probe into the possible dis- sense given the upcoming festive season. appearance of $100 million in newly printed notes in the country. South Africa was hosting the Global Citizen festival. US singer In Kenya, Economy, Trade & Development reports said US Beyoncé would be on stage alongside other magical artists, President Donald Trump in May reintroduced sanctions against including Black Coffee, at the festival which took place on 2 Iran in a bid to force the country to abandon its nuclear pro- December 2018 at the FNB Stadium. gramme, pulling out of a 2015 deal signed by the previous admin- Daily News indicated that US-based Chimurenga music icon istration of President Barack Obama. Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo had lined up concerts in several In other news frames for Tourism, Travel & Leisure, the minister parts of the country in December. Running under the banner for foreign affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, had stated that “Peace Tour”, the tour would see the Chauya Chauya singer Ghana was not in any agreement with the US to deport showcasing in places such as Bulawayo, Gweru, Kariba, Ghanaians from America. Beitbridge, Masvingo, Mutare, Victoria Falls and Harare. Mozambican reports said US multinational diversified hospitality In Science, Technology & Innovation, Kenya was set to receive company Marriott International announced expansion plans US $300m from Cyrq Energy, an American company specializing across Africa, saying strong demand for select-service brands and in renewable energy production, for the construction 330 MW conversion opportunities were driving the momentum of growth. geothermal power plant in Suswa, Narok County, in south-west- American Express said it decided to remove Nigeria from its ern Kenya. Nicholas Goodman, President and CEO of Cyrq blacklist and return its card services to Nigeria in recognition of Energy, confirmed the reports and said that a feasibility study had the huge number of honest Nigerians angling for its services. already been carried out on the site and regulatory approval The US Embassy in the DRC’s capital said it had received “cred- request had been sent to the competent authorities. ible and specific information of a possible terrorist threat” against New Vision stated that US firm was due to invest sh186b in East US facilities in Kinshasa. African data centres. First Brick Holdings announced plans for In Ethiopia, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, multiple investments to boost the digitalisation of East and Tibor Nagy was expected to arrive November 28, 2018 for a work- Southern Africa with the funding and development of several data ing visit according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. centres across the region.

4 Issue Coverage Analysis

Analysis of daily issue coverage, September - November 2018

East Africa North Africa Southern Africa West Africa 120

105

90

75

60

45

30

15

0 1-Sep 7-Sep 13-Sep 19-Sep 25-Sep 1-Oct 7-Oct 13-Oct 19-Oct 25-Oct 31-Oct 6-Nov 12-Nov 18-Nov 24-Nov 30-Nov

West Africa Cameroon election body to urgently release election results to The major spike seen on the 22-26 September came from avoid suspicion of cooking the outcome. reports that the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce The spike seen on the 21-26 October came from reports that announced plans to attract fresh long term Foreign Direct the US African Development Foundation (USADF) injected $24 Investments from the US into Nigeria’s agriculture and power million (about N8.7 billion) to boost local businesses and the sector. The official of the US Department of State said it was agriculture sector of Nigeria through cooperative societies. The imperative for young Nigerians to take advantage of the many US congratulated the people of Cameroon for largely peaceful educational development options that the institutions were cur- elections. rently offering. The spike seen on 1-3 November came from reports about the The major spike seen on the 1-6 October related to reports that killing of an American missionary in the northwest anglophone the US described Nigeria as an indisputable leader in Africa, a region of Cameroon when militants attacked security forces and friend and a key partner of the US The USAID announced addi- a university campus. In Nigeria, the US embassy called for an tional assistance of $65.5 million to achieve the development investigation after supporters of an imprisoned Shiite cleric were goals outlined in the bilateral US-Nigerian Development killed in clashes with security forces. Objectives Assistance Agreement signed in 2015. The spike seen on 11-18 November related to reports focusing Reports said the US First Lady, Melania Trump was expected in on the unveiling of a new trade policy by the US government to Ghana as she kick-started a four-nation African tour. Melania increase American corporate investment in Nigeria and other Trump was quoted saying that she would never forget her visit African countries. Other reports concentrated on the enduring to a former slave holding facility on Ghana’s coast. partnership between the US and Nigeria. Reports said a special United State Security expert completed The spike seen on 18-23 November came form coverage of training of 60 Gambia immigration officials on document securi- the US Consulate in Nigeria awarding $453, 568 to 45 individu- ty. als, non-government organizations (NGOs), and academic insti- The spike seen on the 6-13 October came from reports that tutions in Nigeria. Ghanaian minister for foreign affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, stated that Ghana was not in any agreement with the US. to East Africa deport Ghanaians from America. The US Consulate General in The spike seen on the 1-9 September related to reports that Lagos in collaboration with U-Live Africa co-hosted the Major the White House meeting between President Donald Trump and Lazer SoundSystem Concert at the Hard Rock Beach on Victoria President Uhuru Kenyatta raised US-Kenya bilateral relations to Island. new heights, advancing shared commitment to prosperity, secu- The spike seen on the 13-19 October stemmed from reports rity, and good governance. that the US government reaffirmed its commitment to promote The spike seen on the 9-14 September came from reports peace and unity in Nigeria through sports. The US called upon quoting Uganda’s President warning against foreign interference

5 Issue Coverage Analysis

Analysis of daily issue coverage, September - November 2018 in the country’s politics days after an opposition call for the US to demonstrated it was changing its ways. suspend military aid over the government’s human rights record. The Southern Africa’s spike seen on the 24-29 September came The spike seen on the 16-22 September related to reports that from reports that the death of an American diplomat in the US Embassy in Addis Ababa was suspending operations as a Madagascar was being investigated by US and local authorities. “caution” in connection with a planned demonstration in the capi- The spike seen on the 14-20 came from reports that a two-way tal. agricultural trade between the US and Southern Africa had grown The spike seen on the 25-29 Came from reports that a US mili- significantly in the past decade, reaching a record $1.5 billion in tary airstrike killed 18 al-Shabab extremists after US and local forc- 2017. es on the ground came under attack in southern Somalia. The spike seen on 1-3 November came from coverage of The spike seen on the 5-13 October derived from reports that it President Bill Clinton and former First Lady, US Senator, Secretary was a mix of business and leisure for US First Lady Melania Trump of State and presidential candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton as as she began Kenya’s visit in her first solo trip to Africa to promote keynote speakers at the 9th Discovery Leadership Summit held at health and education. the Sandton Convention Centre. Clinton advised the President of The spike seen on the 13-18 October came from reports that US South Africa not to screw the country up. rapper Kanye West met Uganda’s President, gave him a pair of signed sneakers. US firm Google said it would offer Motorbike North Africa Mode on Google Maps in Kenya, offering the voice navigation ser- The spike seen on the 1-5 September related to reports that the vice for bike riders in Africa for the first time. Numerous reports United States, France, Italy and Britain condemned what they said US Military strike killed 60 Shabab Fighters in Somalia. called an escalation of violence in and around the Libyan capital The spike seen on the 2-9 November related to reports that the Tripoli, warning that armed groups which undermined Libyan sta- US Drug Enforcement Administration brought down one of bility would be made accountable. Kenya’s biggest drug organisations and struck a blow against cor- The spike seen on the 10-18 stemmed from reports that ruption and the illegal ivory trade killing off African elephants. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo authorised the release of $1.2 bil- The US was quoted saying it was willing to remove Sudan from its lion in US military assistance to Egypt, despite human rights con- blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism if the country undertook fur- cerns that had held up previous funding. The US chief of the ther reforms. Central Command stressed that military-to-military exercises Between 11-15 November, reports focused on announcement strengthened relations between Cairo and Washington. of the appointment of Peter Pham as the US special envoy for Late September, a new report produced by the peace group Africa’s great lakes region by the US Secretary of State Mike Codepink covered how US military weapons, contractors, arm Pompeo. repressive regimes indicted the Egyptian military for using East Africa saw another spike on 18-24 November as a result of American-made arms to overthrow a fledgling effort at democracy reports that the US supported Ethiopia’s reform agenda and by the Egyptian people in 2011. US President Donald Trump believed that the changes Ethiopia was undertaking would praised Egypt’s successful efforts to deal firmly and strongly with strengthen country’s the US-Ethiopia partnership. the threat of terrorism. The last East Africa spike seen on 24-30 November came as a The spike seen on the 3-10 October related to reports that The result of coverage highlighting that the US Embassy in DRC US Department of State announced the opening of the registra- received credible and specific information of a possible terrorist tion period for the diversity visa lottery for US permanent resi- threat against US facilities in Kinshasa. dence in Morocco by 2020. The spike seen on 9-16 November was from coverage that the Southern Africa Egyptian American Enterprise Fund (EAEF) and Dawi clinics The spike seen on the 2-6 September came from reports that US announced that the EAEF would inject $3m into Dawi’s medical intelligence agencies were alerted to the Gupta’s activities within base and describing it as a strategic step to support the growth of South Africa’s government in 2009. The ANC was asking US Egypt’s health sector. President Donald Trump to let South Africans resolve their own The spike seen on 24-30 November was as a result of reports problems. saying a high-profile Libyan militia leader who was sanctioned by The spike seen on the 6-16 September related to reports that the the US Treasury compared himself to George Washington and US government would not lift sanctions against Zimbabwe until defended the fighting that triggered his listing. the new government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa

6 Eastern Africa

Summary of daily issue coverage 

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Politics The Nation reported that most Kenyans expressed confidence Various media reports made comparisons between Kenyan that US President Donald Trump would act positively in world President Uhuru Kenyatta and Donald Trump, stating that their affairs, according to a new international poll, which found the new found relationship could have adverse effects on the coun- opposite consensus among 25 nations surveyed. try’s governance. Reports said the challenge for Uhuru’s govern- The Sudanese government cleared the shipment of Bibles ment was leveraging its new-found relationship with this self- believed to have been held in Port Sudan for six years. This styled ’Dealmaker-in-Chief’ (Trump) to win bigger business while development came as Sudan pushed for the normalisation of Kenya acted as a regional security guarantor for the US. bilateral relations with the US and its removal from the US’ list of The Foreign Affairs ministry defended President Uhuru state sponsors of terrorism. Kenyatta’s foreign trips, especially ones to the US, saying they During a visit to the Atlantic Council in September 2016, South had helped project Kenya’s image globally and promoted the Sudan’s First Vice President Taban Deng Gai assured his interloc- country as an investment destination of choice. utors about efforts to bring about peace in the country. This pro- US senators expressed concern over what they described as nouncement fell against the backdrop of a study backed by the deterioration of democracy and human rights in Uganda. In a US State Department which concluded that at least 382 900 statement, Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Ben people had died since 2013; and millions being displaced due to Cardin (D-Md.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) political unrest. also condemned the Ugandan government for brutalising jour- A top US government official was due to visit different countries nalists and torturing opposition Members of Parliament in the in Africa as part of President Donald Trump administration’s bid Arua municipality chaos. to strengthen ties with the continent. One of the countries target- South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir signed a peace agreement ed was Kenya. Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African with rebel factions in the Ethiopian capital to end a civil war that Affairs Tibor P. Nagy planned to hold a chain of meetings with had killed at least 50,000 people, displaced two million and held Kenyan government officials in line with the four pillars of up the country’s progress since it gained independence seven Trump’s policy toward Africa which were; peace and security, years ago. The US, Britain and Norway, known as the Troika support for economic growth, development and strengthening which backed peace efforts, welcomed the signing of the deal. democratic institutions. Reports said East Africa was beginning to feel the impact of Other reports said the US sold military weapons worth Sh14.6 global politics as Kenya and Tanzania stopped importing oil and billion to Kenya in 2017. The data from the US government gas from Iran in the face of US sanctions against countries that exposed that this was highest arms purchase by Kenya in the last continued to trade with Tehran. 10 years.

7 Eastern Africa

Summary of daily issue coverage

The Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir expressed resentment Sudan’s parliamentary subcommittee on foreign affairs said the over the US’ policy towards Sudan, saying his country would not second phase of normalization talks with the US was proceeding link its fate to Washington. smoothly – expecting the country’s name would be lifted from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Economy, Trade and Development US Senators urged President Donald Trump to stop using a A survey by Ipsos Synovate revealed that more Kenyans national interest exemption to shield some countries from a law believed that China constituted the biggest threat to the coun- that banned military aid to nations using children as soldiers. try’s economic and political development than the US. The sur- Kenya was set to purchase 12 new military helicopters from the vey mentioned that 26% of Kenyans saw the Asian country as a US for its continued fight against Al-Shabaab militants. threat to the development of Kenya, more than double the per- ception towards the US which ranked at 12% up. Health & Food issues Hyatt Hotels entered into a management agreement with Multiple reports mentioned that US First Lady Melania Trump Kenya’s Kanha Ltd for the first Hyatt-branded hotels in Nairobi. planned a campaign to prevent drug addiction, hunger, bullying, Microsoft offered grants to three technology start-ups to extend poverty or disease in children through different parts of Africa. internet and electricity penetration in three African countries. US officials visited Ethiopia and other parts of Africa to discuss Reports said the launch of Kenya’s direct US route was expect- adoption of GMO products with African Union officials. ed to attract more US corporations into the Kenyan market, to Tanzania suspended advertisements on family planning spon- add to the more than 40 that had already set base in Nairobi as sored by USAID and other organisations. The Ministry of Health, their African headquarters. Kenyan exporters were urged to take told organizations carrying out family planning activities to recall advantage of the direct flights to the US to increase exports to advertising spots from local media. America. Export Promotion Council told a forum in Nairobi that USAID sent a disaster assistance response team to the DRC to direct flights to the US by Kenya Airways presented a key oppor- help contain the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. The US tunity into making the country a regional trade hub. Government maintained that this was done in an effort to contain Kenya launched its second largest wind firm, the Kipeto Wind and prevent ebola from spreading to neighbouring countries. Power project through a partnership with OPIC and Actis. Reports said the Ebola outbreak was the worst in the country’s Uganda planned to increase its exports to the US through recorded history, with 326 confirmed and probable cases, result- AGOA in the next five years. ing in 201 deaths.

Peace, Security & Terrorism Business & Investments The US military said it had killed two militants in an air strike in Reports said the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was seek- Somalia during a battle between the US and Somali government ing to engage the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) on the rollout of a troops and al Shabaab Islamist fighters. “The US airstrike was free software that would enable Kenyans to transact money conducted against an enemy fighting position in self-defence across different banks and telcos. Further reports mentioned that after US and partner forces came under attack,” Africom said in a US engineering firm Bechtel was due to build a Sh300 billion statement. state-of-the-art expressway in Nairobi and Mombasa as part of a Reports from Ethiopian state media said that an airstrike against deal struck between Presidents Trump and Uhuru Kenyatta at vehicles they believed to have belonged to al-Shabaab killed 70 the White House in Washington. militants inside Somalia. In Uganda, US-based Google was working on new solutions to A newly published study funded through the US State connect more Africans to the internet. Representatives from Department estimated that at least 383,000 South Sudanese had Google West Africa, said they had the Google Station to Project died as a result of the country’s five-year civil war. Link in Uganda and through access-related projects like Google US military in Somalia was accused of carrying out drone strike Station; their aim was to help more people get a reliable and con- targeting residential areas in south of the country, leaving sistent web experience during their daily routines. women and children injured. The airstrike was conducted in US based Marriot Hotels announced its plans to expand across small residential areas near El Adde town in Somalia’s Gedo Africa in a bid to increase its portfolio by 50% in 2023. The com- region, causing mass destruction of houses and shops. The vic- pany had set up shop in Kenya and other African regions, and tims were taken into hospital for medical treatment, according to said the new projects signed would drive investment of over sources, who asked to be anonymous. $250 million by the property owners and generate substantial

8 economic activity. type solutions to challenges in Ethiopia. Conservationists in Tanzania collaborated with US philanthropist US training and recruitment company, Andela, started the process and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and technologists from his of training and developing the next generation of outstanding soft- company Vulcan to develop a tech platform named the Domain ware developers in Rwanda where its Pan-African hub would be Awareness System, to protect endangered species. based, Clément Uwajeneza Country Director said. Uwajeneza said US firm Starkey Hearing Technologies opened offices in Nairobi to the programme intended to develop a minimum of 500 Rwandan serve as the continent’s hub. The purpose of the firm was providing developers in five years and was already conducting the third a hearing care service centre with a 3D ear-mold laboratory. phase of its application process. CTI Africa opened shop with the purpose to assemble smart mobile phones in the country. Education US First lady Melania Trump planned to emphasise child welfare Tourism, Travel & Leisure in Malawi, Kenya and Egypt in October on her first extended solo A fortnight after Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) international mission. She said she looked forward to spreading the received the green light for direct flights to America, Kenya Airways message of her “Be Best” child-welfare initiative. received formal approval for direct flights between Nairobi and New The US government provided new school materials for 147,000 York. The airline was issued the Last Point of Departure confirma- displaced children in certain regions of Africa as part of efforts tion by the US Transportation Security Admission, effectively grant- aimed at protecting vulnerable children’s rights to education follow- ing it permission to land in New York. ing internal conflicts that had displaced approximately 2 million The Rwanda Development Board appointed Myriad Marketing, an people in Ethiopia. MMGY Global company as their North American representative. US TV show host, Ellen DeGeneres, awarded a Kenyan living in Myriad would manage the marketing, travel trade relations and the US a scholarship worth KSh 2.5 million for college fees among public relations efforts in the US and Canada. other uses. This was after the lucky fan, identified as Lawrence, took the initiative to send Ellen a short appreciation video recognis- Science, Tech and Innovation ing her enormous spirit of giving back. Taz Technologies, the Kenyan startup behind M-Post innovation, was set to represent Africa at the global stage after winning at South Arts & Culture Africa Innovation Summit in San Francisco, US, in May 2019. The US rapper, Kanye West handed Uganda’s president a pair of his summit, which was a competition for startups featured 25 finalists autographed sneakers during his visit to the country. President that showcased their innovation and ideas before a selected panel. Yoweri Museveni said he and West held “fruitful discussions” about Twenty-three creative global professionals from countries includ- promoting tourism and arts. ing Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda were selected as the 2018 Eisenhower Innovation Fellows. Entertainment Kenyan scientist Kariuki Njenga was set to be inducted into the Kenya would be the setting for one of the final episodes in the world’s most elite science bodies by the National Academy of CNN series “Parts Unknown” in which US celebrity chef Anthony Sciences in the US — for his contribution to human medicine. Bourdain travelled the world sampling cuisines and cultures. Kenyan entrepreneurs were among dozens of African merchants US rapper Jay Z revealed why he chose to invest in Uganda and seeking US trading partners at a business exposition in New York. Nigeria after he was accused of snubbing Kenya, among other The Tanzania Meteorological Agency signed a contract worth US African countries. 2.5 million dollars with the US’ Enterprise Electronics Corporation Kenyan popular children’s show “Tinga Tinga Tales” was report- for installation of a weather radar at Mikindani area in Mtwara edly headed to New York for an off-Broadway premier. The cartoon region. adaptation by multiple BAFTA award-winner Claudia Lloyd and OPIC invested 600 million shillings to provide affordable solar Kenyan singer-songwriter Eric Wainaina featured children’s fables power in Kenya. The investment was received by CrossBoundary explaining questions from the animal kingdom. Energy, a Nairobi-based firm that funded industrial and commercial US Rapper French Montana gifted talented Ugandan kids a new solar installation ventures across East Africa multi-million mansion. The children were featured in Montana’s At the Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrations held November music video for his “Unforgettable” single. The children vehemently 12 – 19, the US Embassy in Addis Ababa launched the first in a thanked the rapper and their management, expressing that “2018 series of 12 hackathons under its Ethiopia Hacks! Program. Ethiopia had been a great year” for them. Hacks! aimed to challenge young tech developers to identify proto-

9 Eastern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Politics

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0 Kenya Sudan Uganda DRC Somalia Tanzania South Ethiopia Rwanda Burundi Sudan

In September, numerous reports stated that the US-Kenya Addis Ababa. friendship extended beyond 55 years of diplomatic relations The Chairperson of the African Union and President of and each day thousands of Kenyans study, work, tour and do Rwanda, Paul Kagame said the main lines of US policy business in America. Other reports stated that Mark Green, towards Africa had hardly changed since the end of the Cold chief of the international development agency was a volun- War. teer teacher in Kenya before he was elected to represent Media reports in October said that US First Lady Melania Wisconsin in the House and served as US ambassador. Trump had begun her tour to Africa, marking her first solo Numerous reports stated that Ugandan Police had arrested international trip since Donald Trump assumed office in 2017. Bobi Wine yet again moments after he arrived back in the Melania would be in Kenya and conclude her five-day tour in country from the US Egypt. US Africa Command stated that American forces in coordi- Other reports said that US-Africa relations had not been at nation with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted a their very best under President Trump. However, there had military air strike in self-defence against al-Shabab militants. been some change of heart as evidenced by the recent visit Global Times reported that the government of Somalia would by President Kenyatta to US and now the visit by the US First pay the Arizona-based lobbying firm Sonoran Policy Group Lady to Kenya. US Ambassador to Kenya, Robert Godec $400,000 through the end of 2018 to help it regain military urged Kenyans to reject corruption as Sh.4.5 billion funding from the US. US-funded programmes were launched. President Uhuru Numerous reports stated that the US ambassador to South Kenyatta’s war on corruption received a major boost from the Sudan called on the government to release a prominent US Ambassador to Kenya, Godec. activist and economist who had been held without charge Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta supervised over a historic for five days. Other reports stated that two US Democratic milestone for Kenya’s aviation sector when he flagged off the senators and members of the Senate Foreign Relations inaugural Kenya Airways (KQ) direct flight from Nairobi to Committee, Cory Booker and Chris Coons called on the New York. President Kenyatta led top government officials South Sudanese government to release Ajak along with other and dignitaries in the short but highly significant ceremony to political prisoners. mark the start of a new journey for Kenya’s national carrier. Africa News Desk reported that the US embassy in Ethiopia US President Donald Trump was expected to approve an had closed its doors over what it said was an abundance of initiative to overhaul the US investment strategy in Africa. caution in the light of large-scale demonstrations expected in Kenya benefited from the plan designed by key figures in the

10 US Congress in response to China’s enhanced economic and politi- face of US sanctions against countries that continued to trade with cal influence in the sub-Saharan region. Tehran. US and its partners offered to mediate a rift between Somali gov- Anti-gay Ssenfuka “Biggie” Joanita Warry executive director of ernment and its state-members after regional leaders announced Freedom and Roam Uganda, an LGBT and women’s rights organi- they had cut all ties with the central government last month in a like- zation in the East African country felt emboldened since US ly setback to efforts to pacify the Horn of Africa country as it emerg- President Donald Trump’s administration came into power. es from two decades of conflict. The US, Swedish and Germany In November, the Nation reported that US ambassador to Kenya, ambassadors to Somalia held talks with the leader of Somalia, Robert Godec was given a generally positive job evaluation in a Ahmed Mohamed Islam in Nairobi, Kenya. review carried out by state monitors. US Congressman Mike Coffman pushed major sanctions against Numerous reports stated that Sudan suffered from a lack of for- Ethiopia’s main governing party. The US congressman demanded eign currency since losing three-quarters of its oil output when the that the Trump administration impose the Global Magnitsky Act on south of the country seceded and the lifting of two decades of US Getachew Assefa. Getachew was hiding in ethnic Tigray state of sanctions in October 2017 had not brought hope for reprieve. Ethiopia since the arrival of the new ethnic Oromo Prime Minister Significant frames stated that the US closed its embassy in the Abiy Ahmed. DRC, because of what it said was “credible and specific” informa- The Embassies of the United Kingdom and US in Addis Ababa tion about a terror threat. However, reports mentioned that the had launched a joint capacity-building project for government com- embassy in Kinshasa would remain closed and all US citizens in the municators and journalists. The Supporting Communication DRC were strongly encouraged to keep a low profile. The between Government and Journalists program was part of ongoing Congolese government was accusing the US of creating “needless efforts to support Ethiopia’s political reform process, according to a fear and uncertainty” by closing the embassy. statement from the US embassy. Numerous reports focused on the appointment of Peter Pham as DRC President Joseph Kabila ended speculation by saying that the US special envoy for Africa’s great lakes region. US Secretary of he would not seek re-election, He warned outsiders against using State Mike Pompeo announced the appointment of Peter Pham as blackmail in DRC ’s politics. Financial Times reported that the US the US special envoy for Africa’s great lakes region including was ready to impose further sanctions on the DRC to “squeeze” Tanzania. Other reports revealed that the US had spoken out Kabila’s family and his finances. UN Secretary-General Antonio against Tanzanian moves to cut back human rights and civil liber- Guterres informed the Security Council in June 2018 that progress ties, including arrests and harassment of “marginalised” people towards elections has been made in the DRC. such as homosexuals. Three aid workers were arrested in Burundi for disobeying a gov- The US Department of State mentioned that US Assistant ernment ban on foreign relief agencies. A Burundian and two Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs Tibor P.Nagy would travel Congolese, reportedly employed by the US-based International to Ethiopia from November to December 2018.The purpose of his Rescue Committee (IRC), were arrested in the west of the country trip was to focus on promoting stronger trade and commercial ties for violating a ban imposed. between US and Africa. US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley ticked off a list Significant frames stated that the US and others were urging of her accomplishments, one of which was aimed directly at stop- Ugandan authorities to fully investigate a military attack on a tribal ping Central Africa’s bloodiest conflict. Haley said that South Sudan, king’s palace two years ago that killed over 100 civilians and was got an arms embargo, which was a long time coming. The U.N. widely condemned. Security Council in US approved the embargo, largely at the push- Significant frames stated that the US played an influential role in ing of Haley, who visited South Sudan in 2017 and saw the devas- South Sudan, because before the war began the Bush administra- tation caused by the five-year civil war. tion helped South Sudanese leaders with the negotiations that led South Sudanese President Taban Deng Gai was at the US White to the country’s independence in 2011. Other reports mentioned House to plead for the support of peace and lift of sanctions in his that since 2005, the US provided South Sudan with more than $11 country. After meetings with several high-level officials in US, Taban billion in assistance. discussed the issues of peace implementation and US support for Significant frames noted that US congressional lawmakers were his government. pressing Rwanda’s government against incarcerating dissident pol- East Africa had begun to feel the impact of global politics as itician Diane Rwigara, who served 22 years in prison for inciting Kenya and Tanzania stopped importing oil and gas from Iran in the insurrection and forgery.

11 Eastern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Economy, Trade & Development

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0 Kenya Sudan Uganda Rwanda Ethiopia DRC Tanzania Burundi South Somalia Sudan

In September, Kenya Airways affirmed along with 14 other oil-industry entities. with implementing import taxes and its technical capacity to maintain opera- In October, numerous reports said US eventually banning used clothes, they tions on its new Nairobi-New York route tax advisory firm Andersen Global started would lose the benefits of the African set to commence next month. its Kenya operations as it targets the Growth and Opportunity Act. President Trump met Kenyan President growing list of transactional firms with The Exchange reported that oil was Uhuru Kenyatta whose nation’s external local subsidiaries and FDI in East Africa. South Sudan’s conflict, to pressure the debt was largely owed to Beijing and Significant frames stated that East Africa government, the American administration where Chinese firms were building many was beginning to feel the impact of glob- earlier in 2018 placed restrictions on 15 large infrastructure projects. al politics as Tanzania stopped importing of South Sudan’s oil-related companies Minor internet news stated that the oil and gas from Iran in the face of US including the national oil company USAID (USAID) launched a 5-year project sanctions against countries that continue Nilepet and the Ministry of Petroleum. to help grow small and medium business- to trade with Tehran. In November, Sudan experienced hard- es in the agricultural sector and create Business Live reported that the US ships, first from a decade-long imposition non-farm jobs in Rwanda. department of justice was probing of US sanctions then the secession in Glencore’s conduct in the DRC had Glencore’s dealings in the DRC, one of 2011, which took the bulk of the oil out- come under investigation following its the poorest and most corrupt countries in put with it. involvement with Israeli billionaire Dan the world. The source added that Significant frames stated that US invest- Gertler, the cases were initially launched Glencore’s links with Dan Gertler, an ment in Ethiopia would create jobs and in the US. Israeli who was under US sanctions for would also create business opportunities. Minor reports said Tanzania used the allegedly corrupt deals in the DRC, had Nasdaq reported that the central bank ban on importation of poultry from neigh- long been a cause of concern. of Burundi had initiated talks with US bouring countries to protect its poultry The Exchange reported that Ethiopian based funds interested in investing in farmers from what it saw as unfair compe- clothes manufacturer and leading com- developing countries. tition posed by cheap imports of chicken panies in Ethiopia’s Hawassa Industrial According to the latest bulletin from the from the US, whose farmers were sup- Park PVH Corp received recognition from US Bureau of Economic and Business ported by the government through subsi- the US Department of State for promoting Affairs the trade and investment condi- dies. corporate excellence. tions in South Sudan were not favourable Numerous reports stated that the vola- Daily Trust reported that the US had to US companies. tile South Sudan’s Nilepet remained repeatedly warned that should the East under sanctions imposed by the US, African community-Rwanda go ahead

12 Eastern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Peace, Security & Terrorism

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In Kenya, MD Helicopters announced carried out their 21st confirmed air an agreement in Addis Ababa in receipt of the second Delivery Order strike in Somalia. US Africa Command attempt to end the country’s five-year issued against its 5-year, $1.4 billion (Africom) announced the strike on civil war. light scout attack helicopter IDIQ con- al-Shabaab. The number of US air Ugandan Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana tract. The firm, fixed-price award was for strikes in Somalia had increased. Rugunda attended the UN General six-armed MD 530F Cayuse Warrior heli- US official Deputy Chief of Mission in Assembly in US. Rugunda said Uganda copters for Kenya Defence Forces Ethiopia said that Ethiopians need to considers the UN assembly as an (KDF), included logistics support for the collaborate with the new Ethiopian gov- important milestone in the consolida- aircraft, aircraft systems and ground ernment so that the reform underway tion of international efforts to promote support equipment. could achieve its goals. equitable and sustainable development President Uhuru Kenyata was in the US Congressman Mike Coffman asked as well as addressing peace and securi- US after an invitation by President for an independent investigation of the ty challenges across the globe. Donald Trump. Kenyatta witnessed the ethnic violence in Southern Ethiopia In October, US military said it had signing of two agreements that would that had killed dozens of Wolaitas in killed nine militants in an air strike in see two US companies invest $238 mil- Hawassa and other southern towns. southern Somalia during a battle lion (Sh24 billion) in projects in Kenya. National Police received equipment between US, Somali government troops The meeting between Presidents from the US through its embassy in and al Shabaab Islamist fighters. The Donald Trump and Uhuru Kenyatta Rwanda, to support the police peace- military’s Africa Command (Africom) raised US-Kenya bilateral relations to keeping training programmes. said the strike was carried out on Oct. 1 new heights, advancing shared commit- South Sudan’s two political rivals approximately 40 km (25 miles) north- ment to prosperity, security and good signed a peace deal backed by the US. east of the city of Kismayo, which was in governance. Uhuru and Trump pledged The deal was said to be “desperate the south of the country. to build on acquisition of military equip- play” by the country’s two main political Numerous reports stated that US poli- ment made in the US as a way of actors to fend off international sanctions cymakers expressed scepticism that enhancing the war against terror in the and extend their hold on power. South South Sudan’s leaders would imple- region. Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, and his ment the peace agreement in a mean- Numerous reports said that US forces main political rival, Riek Machar, signed ing. Other reports said the latest devel-

13 Peace, Security & Terrorism opments came as Sudan pushed for the normalisation of along the porous border between Kenya and Somalia. bilateral relations with the US and its removal from the US’s The US sold military weapons worth Sh14.6 billion to Kenya list of state sponsors of terrorism. in 2017. Latest data from the US government indicated that Significant frames stated that Islamist militants thought to be this was the highest arms purchase by Kenya in the last 10 from the Al-Shabaab terror group had murdered a pair of years. The purchase also placed Kenya second among Christian teachers using an improvised explosive device (IED) African countries in weapons trade with President Donald in Kenya. Trump’s administration. Media reports stated that Al-Qaida launched near-simultane- Other reports said that data from the US government’s ous truck bombings on August 7, 1998, targeting US embas- Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) revealed that sies in Tanzania, killing 224 people. Kenya ranks second among African Nations that purchased Significant frames stated that the US Ambassador to the UN military equipment. According to the study, Kenya spent Haley completed an important trip to Africa to visit DRC. Kshs14.6 billion after Egypt, which topped the list after spend- Media reports stated that rebellious soldiers were a rare ing Kshs57 billion. sight in Ethiopia, a key US security ally in the Horn of Africa A US military airstrike in Somalia killed three al-Shabab mili- region. tants, according to the US Africa Command (AFRICOM). Significant frames reported that US Army Maj. James Craig However, other reports stated that AFRICOM said that the air- commanded general of Combined Joined Task Force-Horn of strike in Somalia was not conducted by the US military. Africa, visited Rwanda to conduct country familiarization and US Marine Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of US key leader engagements. Africa Command (AFRICOM), met with senior government In December, the US Embassy in Kinshasa remained closed officials during a visit to Somalia. Walhauser said that after the US warned of a “possible terrorist threat” against its AFRICOM and the US government supported the Federal facilities. US citizens in Kinshasa and throughout the DRC Government of Somalia, the people of Somalia and the were strongly encouraged to maintain a heightened level of African Union and its mission to Somalia in their efforts to vigilance and practise good situational awareness. achieve sustained progress in governance, development and Other reports said that DRC accused the US of causing fear security. after the US embassy in Kinshasa warned of a “possible terror- The Sudanese government welcomed the US State ist threat” against its mission in the country as it headed Department announcement that Sudan could be taken off towards key elections. the US State Sponsor of Terrorism list. US Ambassador to Ethiopia Michael Raynor was joined by Other minor reports said that US voiced its commitment “to Principal Director for African Affairs in the Office of the strengthening cooperation and meaningful reforms” with Secretary of Defense Michelle Lenihan. In acknowledgement Sudan and initiated the process of rescinding Sudan’s desig- of Ethiopia’s commitment to lasting reforms, Ambassador nation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Raynor stressed that the US viewed the meetings in a differ- US State Department agreed to a second phase of rap- ent context than previous iterations. prochement with Sudan laying out six priorities that if filled by US Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs Tibor Khartoum would remove one of the last remaining barriers Nagy started an official visit to Africa. His first stop was in between two nations that had been at odds for nearly three Ethiopia. The Foreign Affairs Ministry said he was scheduled decades. to meet FM Workneh Gebeyehu and other top government The US Supreme Court debated whether to overturn a near- officials during his trip. ly $315 million judgment against Sudan stemming from the Numerous reports said that US gave 12 Bastion Armoured bombing of the USS Cole. Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the Kenya Defence Forces in a US urged Ugandan authorities to fully investigate a military move that had been meant to improve border surveillance. attack on a tribal King’s palace that happened two years ago The APCs were set to support KDF’s efforts in the fight against in which more than a hundred civilians were killed. terrorists, including the use of Improvised Explosive Devices

14 Eastern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Health & Food issues

Enabling Environment for Agriculture

90 Activity. In October, Reports highlighted that girls 80 held the US and Kenyan flags as they

70 waited to greet US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec as he visited a President’s 60 Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief project for

50 girls’ empowerment in Nairobi, Kenya. US First Lady Melania Trump was in 40 Kenya and child health and well-being was at the top of her agenda during a 30 four-country tour. Other reports said 20 Melania Trump would spend two days in the country to highlight US support in 10 early childhood education, wildlife con- 0 servation and HIV protection. Kenya DRC Uganda Rwanda Tanzania Ethiopia Burundi Kenyan scientist Kariuki Njenga was set to be welcomed into the world’s most In September, Kenya Union of Savings Ethiopia and discussed about the adop- elite science bodies, the National and Credit Co-operatives observed close- tion of GMO products with African Union Academy of Sciences in the US for his ly distribution of more loans to Kenyan officials at AU headquarters in Addis contribution to human medicine. farmers after securing funds from the Ababa. Several reports said personnel from the USAID. The deal would enable farmers to US Army, Anthony Triolo, was allocated US Centres for Disease Control and access loans to improve their incomes by to the 28th Combat Support Hospital, pre- Prevention who had been stationed in the increasing access to markets and finance. pared surgical utensils during MEDRETE DRC to help control the ongoing Ebola US First Lady Melania Trump said that 18-5 at the Rwanda Military Hospital in outbreak had been pulled back from the she would visit Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, Kigali, Rwanda. MEDRETE 18-5, the first worst impacted areas due to safety con- and Egypt on her first major international combined effort for a medical readiness cerns. Other reports said Health officials in solo trip to promote child welfare and training exercise between the Rwandan the DRC reported two more cases of the education. government and US Army Africa. Ebola virus, a fatal case of a patient DRC dealt with 5 outbreaks of infectious A 5-year-old girl travelled 7,500 miles whose family refused vaccination and an diseases at the same time. To increase with her family from South Sudan to the illness in a patient from a community international traveller awareness of these US to receive a surgery pro bono by cen- marked by resistance to outbreak disease outbreaks, the US Centres for tral Iowa doctor. response efforts. Disease Control and Prevention had Tanzania suspended distribution of fam- Heavy rainfall resulted in severe flooding issued separate 3 Travel Alerts for Ebola, ily planning advertisements by a US fund- across parts of southern and western Measles, and Polio. The Disease Control ed project, President John Magufuli said Burundi. The floods affected an estimated and Prevention warned DRC visitors to family planning was for those who are 23,000 people, damaged or destroyed ongoing Yellow Fever and Zika viruses. “too lazy” to take care of their children. more than 2,000 houses, and disrupted Ethiopia joined Rwanda and Malawi to Uganda developed and launched livelihoods for many vulnerable house- become the third African country to suc- revised agricultural manuals to help maize holds. In response to damage caused by cessfully launch a drone that would dis- and beans farmers shift from subsistence heavy rainfall and flooding, USAID’s Office tribute medical equipment and supplies farming to commercial agriculture. The of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/ to remote areas of the country. educational and informational materials OFDA) provided $50,000 to the US promoted government acceptance were created with support from the International Organization for Migration of genetically engineered crops in USAID through Feed the Future’s Uganda (IOM) to address unmet humanitarian needs of flood-affected households in

15 Health & Food issues

Burundi. Kenya and Tanzania would benefit from a USAID funded US-based company, Tyson Foods had expanded its hun- project that sought to improve sanitation facilities and water ger relief donations to Nepal, Honduras and Ethiopia as part service in 14 schools located near Mara River. of a non-profit’s efforts to feed children. The US government vowed to sustain efforts in the fight US-based company, Zipline that operates the world’s only against HIV/AIDS in Kenya through the provision of lifesav- drone delivery system for urgent medicines such as blood ing treatment. US Ambassador Robert Godec said that over and vaccine was set to unveil a drone assembling plant in one million people had been put under treatment through Rwanda. the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief initiative up Reports noted that pregnant girls had been expelled from from 8000 when the program was launched 15 years ago. Tanzanian schools. The US-based Centre for Reproductive USAID and Women for Women International launched Rights, an international advocacy group, estimated in 2013 $620 million worth of projects to raise awareness about that over 8,000 pregnant girls were being expelled or gender-based violence and to aid gender-based violence dropped out from Tanzanian schools every year. prevention in Rwanda. The US government was set to donate $83 million in addi- The government of Tanzania had been set to receive sup- tion to humanitarian assistance offered to refugee communi- port from USAID for a water supply project scheme aimed at ties in Uganda. providing access to safe and clean drinking water. In November, DRC reported two new Ebola cases as Dallas News said that US initiative “Serving Mothers” Uganda announced plans to vaccinate health workers. In assisted in serving mothers and babies in Uganda. In another development, two global health experts said urgent Uganda, according to the program’s website, Saving high-level support was needed to update the outbreak bat- Mothers, Giving Life delivered a 97% increase in new-borns tle plan and quick action was needed to shore up US leader- receiving HIV preventative medications and 44% decrease ship. in the maternal mortality rate. An FBC report said that USAID built three health centres in the Amhara regional state of Ethiopia. Kenyan medical authorities banned Marie Stopes, the international abortion provider from offering any kind of abortion services. US and UK press reports about the deci- sion anticipated that it was a move that was as wholly arbi- trary as it was unexpected.

16 Eastern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Business & Investments

Communications Commission, according to joint statement

90 by both companies. American rapper Jay Z revealed why he snubbed Kenya, 80 among other African countries, and settled for Uganda and

70 Nigeria as he sought to expand his music empire in Africa. Jay Z whose net worth stands at $900 million (Sh90 billion) 60 according to Forbes, expanded his Tidal Music Company business, opening the second branch in Africa in the capital of 50 Uganda, Kampala. 40 In October, Numerous reports stated that following Kenya’s approval for Category One status by the US Federal Aviation 30 Administration in April 2017 and Jomo Kenyatta International 20 Airport’s elevation to the status of Last Point of Departure, the stage was now set for Kenya Airways (KQ) to launch its inau- 10 gural direct flight to the US on October 28. Business Daily 0 reported that Kenya’s Airways’ direct flight to the US, therefore Kenya Uganda Tanzania Ethiopia Rwanda DRCCEgyptcame as a welcome development as it was expected to accel- erate the growth of the tourism industry by contributing to In September in Kenya and other countries, Google’s Art increased arrivals. Selfie feature had gone live. The new tool that connects art The Exchange reported that the newly elected chairman of lovers with thousands of art pieces that resemble their face the American Chamber of Commerce in Tanzania Garry Friend from art galleries across the world went live. Experiments for vowed to lure more USA traders to the country. Friend high- the tool started in the before it was rolled out to other global lighted the objective as his top priority after his election as an markets. initiative to support the government of Tanzania. Friend In Kenya, US based global hospitality firm Hyatt Hotels added that his priority in office after being elected chairman of Corporation entered into a management agreement with a AMCHAM-Tanzania was to convince and encourage US trad- Kenyan real estate and construction company Kanha Ltd for ers to screen all opportunities available in Dodoma City and introduction of the first Hyatt-branded hotels in Nairobi. made multi-investment to support Tanzanian government and Also, in Ethiopia Hyatt Hotels Corp planned to open its first foster economy. hotel as it seeks to double its African portfolio to tap growing Significant reports stated that Ugandan President Yoweri visits by both African and Chinese travellers. Museveni urged American Senator James F. Clayborn and US Department of Defense awarded a USD12.3 million con- other American entrepreneurs to come and invest in the eco- tracts to the North Carolina-based company URS Group to nomic development of Uganda and Africa in general. carry out emergency runway repairs at Camp Baledogle Media reports stated that several multinationals operating in (Bahle Dogli) in central Somalia. the soft drinks sector were targeted by authorities in several Unga Group posted a net profit of Sh783 million for the peri- countries in East Africa, including Rwanda; It was the case of od ended from a net loss of Sh7 million same period 2017. the American firm Coca-Cola forced to recycle to avoid legisla- The performance was boosted by the discontinuation of oper- tion on plastic waste management. ations at the Ugandan subsidiary as well as growth in feed vol- Significant frames stated that the US State Department in umes in the animal nutrition and health business. Washington hosted the ceremony to two honoured compa- US completed the acquisition of Datanet.Com, LLC in nies for upholding high standards of responsible business Uganda after receiving final approval from the Uganda conduct. PVH accepted the Sustainable Operations award as lead investor of a best-in-class apparel manufacturing facility

17 Business & Investments in Hawassa, Ethiopia. The New Times said that US Company Uber cancelled its Media reports stated that the US Securities and Exchange plans to begin operations in Rwanda after it emerged the Commission issued a final rule, which required companies to app-based ride-hailing services firm faced obstacles in secur- determine if the gold, tin, tungsten and tantalum they used ing an operating licence. Officials from Rwanda Utilities came from the DRC or an adjoining country. Regulatory Authority (RURA) said that Uber failed to meet In November, OPIC agreed to provide Africell with $100 mil- some regulatory requirements. lion to expand access to telecommunications in Africa. The Shawn Robert Duthie, senior policy analyst with the project would expand the availability and quality of afford- US-based Africa-Focus Risk Consulting Agency, told The able mobile telephone and internet services in Uganda and Globe Post that companies interested in investing into South DRC. Sudan’s oil would need to take caution before putting their The Responsible Artisanal Gold Solutions Forum said that resources into the industry. The latest bulletin from the US the first shipment of certified conflict-free artisanal gold Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs said that trade and would be from the DRC distributed to US. investment conditions in South Sudan were not favourable to Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the US Kassa Tekleberhan met US companies. The agency named the tight control of hard senior executives of the Greater Seattle Partners (GSP) and currency by the government, an ineffective legal system, lim- Boeing Company to discuss on the potential avenues to be ited physical infrastructure and high political risk despite this created to strengthen the bilateral trade relations between the US used millions of dollars in foreign aid to South Sudan. Ethiopia and US. Financial Times reported that Sudan was preparing to San Francisco based company Airbnb began its operations launch over 30 oil exploration bids to lure western companies in Africa, Kenya became one of the core markets of the com- to reinvest in its petroleum industry after the disposal of eco- pany as Africa increasingly continued to become a corner- nomic sanctions. Relations between Sudan and the US stone of the US company’s sustainable tourism strategy. improved, the ministry of petroleum planned to tender 30 to Airbnb said that its hosts across Africa earned more than 35 new oil blocks in the second half of 2019 to revive explo- $400 million in direct income from renting out their properties ration activity in the country. via the service. Government unveiled an US company, CTI Africa, to start OPIC injected Sh600 million into Nairobi-based Cross assembling smart mobile phones in Uganda. The CTI Africa Boundary Energy, a firm that funds industrial and commercial arm, Life Mobile, which assembled the phones, was unveiled solar installation ventures across East Africa. by the Minister of State for Investment and Privatisation, US firm Starkey Hearing Technologies opened offices in Evelyn Anite, at the National Enterprises Corporation (NEC) Nairobi, Kenya to serve as the continent’s hub. offices in Uganda.

18 Eastern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Tourism, Travel & Leisure

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0 Kenya Uganda Tanzania Rwanda Ethiopia Sudan Somalia Egypt DRC South Sudan

In September, Numerous reports stated that Kenya open its first hotel in Ethiopia, Hyatt said it would invest Airways announced it would launch direct cargo flights an estimated US$200 million in new hotels on the conti- to the US in December. Kenya Airways Chief Executive nent. Officer Sebastian Mikosz said the airline was still waiting Reports indicated that RwandAir planned to launch for further approvals from customs, agriculture and medi- daily Kigali-New York services from early 2019. CEO, cal authorities for it to commence direct cargo transporta- Yvonne Manzi Makolo said RwandAir was prioritizing tion to the US. Mikosz further indicated that there was a adding new routes and overhauling its existing fleet over need to test on the aircraft’s temperature-controlled envi- short-term profitability as the state-owned airline focuses ronment during flight and storage as they couldn’t take on supporting the country’s growth tourism industry. risks, for example, in transportation of livestock products. Media reports stated that Hassan, Somalian citizen and Other reports stated that the recent White House meeting his family were assigned to the US for settlement, family between President Donald Trump and President Uhuru members were interviewed by US refugee officers to Kenyatta raised US-Kenya bilateral relations to new establish whether they faced a serious threat if they heights, advancing shared commitment to prosperity, returned to Somalia. security, and good governance. Reports further stated Media reports stated that a Rhino named Eric was born that the relationship between the US and Kenya was built in Tanzania and he wouldn’t had been allowed to breed on shared values and a commitment to true partnership. in North America, because his genes were so common in Numerous reports stated that a 21-year-old American black rhinos in zoos that it would impair genetic diversity. national had been found dead at the Uganda Wildlife Media frames stated that the International Organization Education Centre (UWEC) formerly The Zoo in Entebbe. for Migration reported that two-thirds of the world’s refu- Media reports stated that Hyatt Hotels Corp planned to gees came from South Sudan, while the US admitted a

19 significant number of refugees from other African countries. Chobe Safari Lodge. Minor internet news stated that the US State Department Standard media reported that the office of Uganda’s Yoweri issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory for visitors to the DRC due to Museveni said that the president gave US rapper Kanye West crime and civil unrest. and his wife, reality TV star Kim Kardashian Ugandan names, In October, Ethiopian Maintenance & Engineering Services, Ugandan name Kanyesigye, which meant “Ï trust”. the largest and oldest aircraft maintenance centre in Africa In November, reports stated that Kenya Airways inaugural became the first in Africa with capability to repair the GEnx direct flight to the US finally took off on the period under Engine, which powers the US Boeing 787 aircraft. The first review, the fanfare around the historic moment masked the GEnx engine repaired at Ethiopian Maintenance & turbulence of how long it had taken to get the rights to fly Engineering Services facility makes the airline among one of non-stop to American airports. The Nation reported that the very few GEnx Repair shops in the GE MRO global network. direct flight cut travel time between Kenya and the US by over Kenyans seeking asylum prefer going to the US and 10 hours, aiming at improving prospects for increased earn- Ethiopia, with both countries accounting for 70% of Kenyans ings from tourists and business travellers from the American who fled the country in the last 10 years. UNHCR database as market. of 2018 showed that 4,068 Kenyans (37%) sought safety in The Rwanda Development Board appointed Myriad the US. Marketing, an MMGY Global company as their North Twitter was conflicted after CNN business journalist Richard American representative. Myriad would manage the market- Quest attended a church service at Jubilee Christian Church ing, travel trade relations and public efforts in US. while in Nairobi. Quest was in Kenya on an assignment to Media reports stated that the US Embassy in Tanzania cover Kenya Airways’ maiden direct flight to the US. issued a travel alert warning all LGBT people of a crackdown Transport CS James Macharia said that Kenya Airways maid- on gay activities in the African country. The alert warned visi- en direct flight to the US would take off as planned after tors to review their social media posts for anything that can threats by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union to boycott ser- be perceived as a violation of the country’s anti-LGBT laws. vices on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner set to leave for New York. The embassy further stated that people should remove or US first lady Melania Trump caused anxiety, some anger and protect images and language that might run afoul of much derision by choosing a pith helmet a symbol of colonial Tanzanian laws regarding homosexual practices and explicit rule across Africa as headwear for a brief safari in Kenya. sexual activity. US federal judge in California barred the Trump administra- The Minister of State for Tourism, Godfrey Kiwanda revealed tion from implementing a plan to end temporary protections that Grammy Award-winning rapper Kanye Omari West and for more than 300,000 immigrants in the US from Sudan. his wife Kimberly Noel Kardashian West would visit Uganda Tanzanian game reserve ivory poachers had been put on again next February. He said government planned to name notice, thanks to new technology designed to protect one of them Goodwill Tourism Ambassadors as a marketing strategy the world’s most endangered species. Earth Ranger was for the country as a preferred global tourist destination. developed by US philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Significant frames stated that Los Angeles World Airports Paul Allen and technologists from his company Vulcan Inc. (LAWA) announced that Ethiopian Airlines, the largest avia- Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were making the most out tion group in Africa and a SKYTRAX certified Four Star Airline. of their stay in Uganda. The KKW Beauty founder, 37, and the Grammy winner, 41, brought their eldest daughter, North West, along for the trip. The Ugandan tourist board confirmed to US Weekly that the family was staying in the luxurious

20 Eastern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Science, Technology & Innovation

been a proud partner of the US Trade and Development 35 Agency’s (USTDA) Power Africa initiative for many years. Iol reported that Google part of the US firm Alphabet Inc 30 would offer Motorbike Mode on Google Maps in Kenya, offer- ing the voice navigation service for bike riders in Africa for the 25 first time. US-based renewable energy tech firm CYRQ Energy would 20 spend Sh30 billion in putting up a 330MW geothermal power plant in Kenya. Chief executive Nicholas Goodman said appli- 15 cations for approval had been sent out to regulatory agencies in Kenya after feasibility studies conducted at the site con- 10 firmed availability of adequate thermal energy to power the project. 5 Tanzanian game reserve ivory poachers had been put on notice, thanks to new technology designed to protect one of 0 the world’s most endangered species. Earth Ranger was devel- Kenya Rwanda Uganda Tanzania Ethiopia oped by US philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and technologists from his company Vulcan Inc. In September, Elizabeth Sellwood, an expert at the U.N. Tanzania Meteorological Agency signed a contract worth Environment Program said in a telephone interview from $2.5 million with Enterprise Electronics for installation of a Nairobi, Kenya there was growing realization that climate weather radar at Mikindani area in Mtwara region. change was not just an environmental issue, but security issue US Government-led initiative announced the launch of the even in the US where families displaced by disasters were not Power Africa Uganda Electricity Supply Accelerator, a $11 mil- considered refugees. lion activity that would support the Government of Uganda’s Google, a US based multinational technology company said electrification goals. it had a Google Station to Project Link in Uganda and through In November, Numerous reports stated that the African Trade access-related projects like Google Station, aimed to help more Insurance Agency and OPIC a company controlled by US exec- people get a reliable and consistent web experience during utive, which raised private capital to finance development their daily routines. assistance through the strengthening of the private sector IT Web reported that Rwanda would benefit from the grants would finance the launch of the Kipeto wind project in south- to enable it to push internet and energy coverage in rural west Kenya. areas, under the Microsoft Airband Initiative. Other reports stat- New Vision reported that US firm First Brick Holdings’ initial ed that Rwanda’s government became one of the first adopt- investment was in Uganda, where it was setting up a state-of- ers of performance-based regulations for all drones, the coun- the-art Tier III, carrier-neutral data centre in the Namanve try’s progressive UAV programs drew special attention from the Industrial and Business Park. The centre was due to open mid- US Secretaries of Transportation. 2019 with up to 400 racks, delivering 1.5MW of IT power. The US granted $1.1 million to TM Geothermal, an Ethiopia Numerous reports stated that Andela, which was a US train- company, concluding a power purchasing contract with the ing and recruitment company, wanted to produce between Ethiopian government. 500 and 1000 world-class software developers in Rwanda Tanzania was one of the 23 creative global professionals from within the first five years of their operations. five distinct fields which would embark on a seven-week jour- US Ambassador Michael Raynor noted that the US was ney across US to engage in transformative exchanges of ideas investing in the capacity of Ethiopians to shape their future, by with leading innovators in their fields. supporting and developing an eco-system that promote entre- In October, Renewvia Energy opens solar microgrid facilities preneurship, innovation and technology. in Kenya’s Lake Victoria region, bringing safe, renewable ener- gy to nearly 10,000 residents and businesses. Renewvia had

21 Eastern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Education

30 international advocacy group, estimated in 2013 that over 8,000 pregnant girls were being expelled or dropped out from Tanzanian schools every year. 25 Top officials from Minnesota State University’s International Student Services centre were traveling to Sudan late this 20 month, part of a delegation looking to develop partnerships between US and Sudanese institutions of higher education.

15 Prof. Bhagavatula, lecture at CMU said that the master’s degree certificates offered at Carnegie Mellon University- Africa were at the same standards as those offered at the varsi- 10 ty’s headquarters at Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania in the US. Students pursuing his master’s degree programme at 5 Carnegie Mellon University in US paid a total of US$48,000 for tuition fees while students at Kigali Campus paid US$16,000. Rwandan students were required to pay US$8,000, which was 0 Kenya Ethiopia Rwanda Tanzania Sudan DRC sponsored by the government. US Ambassador Michael Raynor welcomed a group of over In October, several reports said that US Melania Trump 35 American scholars to Ethiopia. announced that she would visit Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and In November, Ethiopia Hacks launched the first in a series of Egypt, to promote child welfare and education. 12 hackathons as part of its annual Global Entrepreneurship Garissa in collaboration with US Aid’s Kenya Youth Week celebration. The programme was organised by the US Employment and Skills Programme unveiled an initiative to Embassy in Addis Ababa, in partnership with the Google curb high rates of employment in the county. Developers Group (GDG- Addis) and the Centre for The US Government provided new school materials for Accelerated Women’s Economic Empowerment (CAWEE). 147,000 displaced children in Oromia, Somali, and SNNPR The US Embassy in Addis Abeba launched the English regional states. Through USAID, it was aimed at protecting vul- Access Micro scholarship program, known as Access, in nerable children’s rights to education following internal con- Jimma. The Access program was funded by the US govern- flicts that had displaced approximately 2 million people in ment to provide a foundation of English language skills to tal- Ethiopia. ented youth over two years, through targeted after-school An American 5-year-old girl was learning social skills and her classes, community service and intensive summer sessions. ABCs at a new preschool instead of playing at home or amid A Kenyan man in the US received a $25,000 gift from popular the maize and beans that her parents grow in Rwanda’s east- American TV show host Ellen Degeneres to cater for his col- ern Bugesera district. lege fees. Researchers at the University of Rwanda and Louisiana State University was leveraging its knowledge to Colorado State University’s (CSU) Energy Institute had joined improve coastal and environmental conditions in communities forces to create microgrids that would provide energy access around the world. Experts were working to identify how small, to rural, off-grid communities and across Sub-Saharan Africa. coastal villages in the East African nation of Tanzania get The 2018 Open Doors Report on International Educational caught in poverty traps, or mechanisms that cause poverty to Exchange data released by IIE and US Department of State persist in low-income communities. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs noted that Rwanda In October, Standard media reported that Melania Trump, US was among the top 5 countries in the East and Southern First Lady arrived in Kenya aboard Air force one plane. Trump African to send the highest number of students to US. would be in Kenya for two days with eyes set on health, edu- St Mary’s College Kisubi was set to represent Uganda in the cation and environmental conservation. US in academic mentorship after they emerged winners of the Several pregnant girls had been expelled from Tanzanian World Scholar’s cup Kampala round. schools. The US-based Centre for Reproductive Rights, an

22 Eastern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Arts & Culture

In October, Numerous reports focused on Kanye West, an 14 American rapper and his wife Kim Kardashian paying a visit to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, gifting the 74-year- 12 old leader with a pair of white sneakers. West announced that he was changing his name to Ye when he arrived in 10 Uganda. Museveni commented on his Twitter account that he held fruitful discussions with the duo on how to pro- 8 mote Uganda’s tourism and the arts. Significant frames stated that the US Embassy in collabo- 6 ration with the Ethiopian Fashion Designers Association, Hub of Africa Addis Fashion Week and people with disabili- 4 ties organizations were hosting the second “Inclusive Fashion Show” on October 5, 2018 at the Hilton Hotel. 2 Media reports indicated that Tanzanian musician Msafiri Zawose would stage concerts and conduct workshops in 0 Texas, US between the 27 October and 3 November 2018. Uganda Ethiopia Tanzania Kenya

Entertainment

In October, the Nation reported that Kenya would be setting for one of the final episodes in the CNN series, “Parts Unknown” 25 in which US celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain travelled the world sampling cuisines and cultures. Ghafla reported that rap- per King Kaka made history as the first Kenyan to be inter- 20 viewed by top radio station Hot 97 FM in New York. Kampala Post reported that Jay Z, with a net worth of $900 million according to Forbes expanded his Tidal Music 15 Company business by opening the second branch in Africa in Kampala. The US mission stated that the US was disappointed with reports that the Ugandan government forced the cancella-

10 tion of LGBTI pride week events. In November, reports stated that celebrated American TV show host Ellen DeGeneres surprised a young Kenyan man liv- ing in the US with a handsome cash for being kind. AllAfrica 5 identified the young man, who got a pleasant surprise of Sh2.5 million to go towards his college education plus other supplies to help him through college. 0 Media reports stated that the choir of 18 orphans from Uganda Kenya Rwanda Tanzania Uganda would be going on its six months US tour in Virginia, Washington DC.

23 Southern Africa

Analysis of daily issue coverage

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Major frames on Politics; Peace, Security & Terrorism; Tourism, the US State department warned its citizens to “exercise Travel & Leisure and Economy, Trade & Development were increased caution” in SA due to crime’ civil unrest and drought – dominated in the Southern Africa region coverage by South a day after police revealed the latest crime statistics. The US Africa and Zimbabwe. advisory continued: “Violent crime’ such as armed robbery’ rape’ In politics, Zimbabwe led significantly on mentions. car-jacking’ mugging’ and ’smash-and-grab’ attacks on vehicles’ Zimbabwe’s foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo said he is common. There is a higher risk of violent crime in the central expected Zimbabwe’s relations with the US to improve under business districts of major cities after dark. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration, despite the Minor reports mentioned that American First Lady Melania latter extending sanctions against the southern African nation. Trump planned to visit Malawi, Ghana, Kenya and Egypt when The US re-imposed limited economic sanctions against she travelled to Africa on her first major solo international trip as Zimbabwe under its Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic first lady. Recovery Act (Zidera), highlighting the serious political obsta- In Economy, Trade & Development, the South African Poultry cles Zimbabwe faced to re-engage with the international com- Association (SAPA) wanted government to review the quota of munity. Tibor Nagy, who was recently sworn in as US assistant US poultry imports, following the imposition of tariffs on local alu- secretary of state for Africa revealed that the US was pressing minium and steel products. Zimbabwe to change laws restricting media freedom and Other reports said the US embassy would host an AGOA semi- anti-government protests, amid calls by the country’s new leader nar at the Mavuso Trade Centre in Eswatini The seminar was for US sanctions to be lifted. part of the activities that would be carried out by the embassy South Africa’s first lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe was embarking on during the Eswatini InternationalTradeFair. an officially sanctioned state visit to the US. Reports said Business & Investments frames noted that a US-based contrac- Motsepe would speak at Harvard University which was her alma tor HDR International, had been selected to conduct a feasibility mater, where she would deliver a speech at the Open Summit study for a solar energy project in Mozambique. The study on early childhood health and development in South Africa. would assess the viability of a photovoltaic plant of up to 100 Peace, Security & Terrorism mentions highlighted that US intel- MW, to be developed in increments of 20 MW to 40 MW. ligence flagged the Guptas’ dubious activities as far back as In Entertainment, South African photographers including the 2009, resulting in an investigation by South African intelligence legendary Peter Magubane have had their images ’remixed’ by a agencies that concluded that the family was a threat to national US artist without permission. Works including Peter Magubane’s security. Other reports said the US said it felt honoured to be part iconic photo of a Sophiatown resident being forcefully removed of the massive Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition from her home during apartheid was one of several South (AAD2018) which kicked off in South Africa with several African images that had been “remixed” by a US artist who was American companies joining other entities and nations show- now facing accusations of plagiarism. Hank Willis Thomas’s casing their military products, capabilities and weaponry. works were displayed at the FNB Joburg Art Fair held at the Numerous reports on Tourism, Travel & Leisure indicated that Goodman gallery. Thomas sold his works, which were based on

24 Southern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

the work of photographers, whose pics he altered without ask- On the entertainment front, American music industry legend ing for permission, for around half a million rand. and author Mathew Knowles was in Cape Town to launch his In October, South Africa and Zimbabwe both had significant latest book in addition to shooting a documentary. Eye Witness coverage of most news frames in the period under review. News revealed that renowned US stand-up comedian and actor Politics and Economy, Trade & Development segments were Dave Chappelle was coming to South Africa in November and the issues that were highlighted the most. December. In politics, US President Donald Trump nominated handbag Mozambique reports on Business & Investments said US multi- designer Lana Marks as the next ambassador to SA. President national diversified hospitality company Marriott International Cyril Ramaphosa was considering her credentials after which, announced expansion plans across Africa and said expansion assuming he consented, it would become official. would be amplified by five new hotel signings, which would fur- The South African government announced that it would start a ther consolidate its presence in South Africa and mark the com- process of briefing South African-based US companies on the pany’s entry into Mozambique as well as Ghana, Kenya and land reform programme. This was one of the resolutions Morocco. reached following a bilateral meeting between the Department In November, land reform narratives dominated coverage in of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) minister Southern African. Reports noted that as South Africa and Lindiwe Sisulu and the US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo. Namibia were currently debating how to address historical injus- Minor news noted that US President Trump roiled South Africa tices around land, Zimbabwe’s “harsh treatment” by the US when he recently claimed on Twitter that the country was seiz- through sanctions under the Zimbabwe Democracy and ing farms and that high numbers of farmers were being killed. Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA) which imposed heavy condi- Angola’s National Assembly requested the cooperation of the tions on Zimbabwe’s Government and how this could be a US Congress for repatriation of funds, illegally held abroad. This threat for what not to do. Adding weight to these suspicions, was during a meeting with US Congressmen, who had been in President Trump tweeted his concerns about South Africa’s land Luanda as part of a 24-hour visit to Angola. reform process shortly after signing ZIDERA into law. In Malawi, US First Lady Melania Trump went to Chipala Numerous reports continued to mention that US President Primary School in Lilongwe, where students sang their welcome Donald Trump nominated Lana Marks to become the next to the first lady. She toured indoor and outdoor classrooms, Ambassador to South Africa. Marks, a handbag designer, was observed lessons and watched some students play soccer with born and raised in South Africa, where she attended the balls she donated. University of the Witwatersrand and the Institute of Personnel Other focus issues on Economy, Trade & Development noted Management in Johannesburg, the White House said in a state- Ted McKinney, USDA’s undersecretary for trade and foreign agri- ment. According to the White House, Marks speaks Afrikaans cultural affairs, saying the Trump administration was committed and Xhosa, two of South Africa’s languages. to opening new markets for farmers around the world. His office The US Treasury Department accused a Russian-born citizen was leading a trip to engage with potential customers from of South Africa of taking part in a scheme to help North Korea South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, evade sanctions aimed at curbing its nuclear weapons program. Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and A US-based Zimbabwean foreign affairs expert, Pearl Matibe Zimbabwe. was of the opinion that Zimbabwe could draw lessons from the In South Africa, the Johannesburg Inner City Partnership (JICP) country’s mid-term elections. Matibe said she hoped to get had been awarded a R2.1 million grant by the US Consulate- Democratic candidates into office and engage them once they General to implement its “Makers Way” project in the Bertrams are elected to improve relations between Zimbabwe and the US and Lorentzville suburbs of the city. The US Ambassador to eSwatini, Lisa Peterson, renewed her Frames on Tourism, Travel & Leisure indicated that Friends of call for political parties to be allowed to operate in kingdom. She Animals had sued the US Fish and Wildlife Service in its quest to also called for the 1973 Decree that turned Swaziland from a learn how many permits the agency granted to hunters import- parliamentary democracy into an absolute monarchy to be ing African elephant sport-¬hunted trophies from Zimbabwe repealed. It banned political parties and put all powers in the and Zambia. More reports said an American wildlife official from hands of the King. the state of Idaho had resigned amid outrage after sharing Zambia’s Ambassador to the US Ngosa Simbyakula said graphic pictures of his hunting trip to Namibia. Government would soon roll out the Diaspora Policy to encour-

25 Southern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Politics

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0 South Africa Zimbabwe Zambia Angola Namibia Mozambique Madagascar Lesotho Malawi

In September, SA and Zimbabwe dominated coverage on politi- Congress in a precarious position as he pushed a particular line cal issues in the Southern African region. In Zimbabwe, reports said which often was in contrast to theirs. Fast-forward 2018, President the Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute Donald Trump’s interaction with South Africa came under scrutiny, (NDI), operating as the Zimbabwe International Election through his comments about what he thought of African countries Observation Mission (ZIEOM), reiterated that Zimbabwe’s recent as well as his tweet about South Africa’s land reform process. poll, while a significant improvement from past elections, fell short Mail & Guardian said AfriForum’s farm murder propaganda tour of reaching an acceptable level. This post-election delegation was arrived in Australia where Ian Cameron, AfriForum’s head of com- co-led by Ambassador Johnnie Carson and Constance Newman munity safety, told Sky News Australia that the group was travelling both former US Assistant Secretaries of State for African Affairs. In to various countries in an effort to dispel the “myth” that farm mur- South Africa, Timeslive reported that US authorities requested ders do not exist. access to the GuptaLeaks e-mail evidence – and made a copy of a Controversial anti-gay U.S pastor, who was banned from South clone of an original hard drive containing those e-mails’ the state Africa in 2016 for his homophobic behaviour was gearing up for a capture inquiry heard. This was according to the testimony by law- return. Pastor Steven Lee Anderson, of the Faithful Word Baptist yer Brian Currin’ who was integrally involved in protecting the Church in Arizona, had been invited by the People’s Revolutionary GuptaLeaks hard drives. He said Zondo Commission officials were Movement (PRM) in South Africa to address a gathering in Durban present when the cloned copy was handed over to American on 10 November 2018. authorities. Other reports said SA was left out of countries to receive Michelle Obama was stated as having made a solo trip to the con- relief from steel and aluminium tariffs from US President Donald tinent when her husband Barack Hussein Obama was president, Trump’s administration. visiting South Africa and Botswana. in October, Numerous reports highlighted that luxury handbag News frames reported that U.S said it was “closely monitoring” designer Lana Marks, whose gem-studded accessories were cov- Zimbabwe’s economic situation and hoped the country “returned eted by royalty and film stars, was said to had been nominated by to being a responsible international citizen” .Matthew Harrington, President Trump as the U.S ambassador to South Africa. the deputy assistant secretary in the U.S Bureau of African Affairs, Cape Times reported that the U.S was not trying to thaw relations said “Harare had gotten a lot of attention around the world, and cer- with South Africa, with Nelson Mandela said to had often annoyed tainly in the U.S, in the aftermath of the political changes they saw the US. As revered as the elder statesman was, he would often land over the last year”. the former U.S president Bill Clinton, or certain members of The top U.S diplomat for Africa voiced optimism over economic

26 Politics reforms by the new government in Zimbabwe, which remained Melania Trump went to Chipala Primary School in Lilongwe, under sanctions dating from Robert Mugabe’s 37-year reign. where students sang their welcome to the first lady. Tibor Nagy, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs said In November, President Donald Trump nominated Lana Marks, Zimbabwe was another country that the American business a South Florida-based luxury fashion and handbag designer, to community could be very excited by based on concrete be the new US ambassador to SA. Marks was born and raised in achievements. SA and was now the CEO of the Lana Marks Collections design The hatched plan by the MDC Alliance supporters in the U.S to firm which catered to celebrities. humiliate President Emmerson Mnangagwa, through demon- In other reports, the US Treasury placed a Russian-born South strations during the 73rd Ordinary Session of the United Nations African man on its sanctions blacklist for allegedly helping North General Assembly in the U.S, miserably flopped. The MDC Korea avoid an international embargo on its energy purchases. Alliance’s U.S branch had slated their demonstrations three days The Treasury said Vladlen Amtchentsev worked with Velmur after President Mnangagwa had delivered his maiden blast of a Management Pte and Transatlantic Partners Pte to buy fuel oil speech that attracted foe and friend alike. and gasoil to ship to North Korea even though that was forbid- A U.S organisation, MATTERS, which had awarded First Lady den by US sanctions. Auxillia Mnangagwa for her humanitarian work was eyeing to Almost a year since Robert Mugabe was removed and months expand into Zimbabwe as part of its three-year strategic plan since elections, Zimbabwe’s economic crisis continued to deep- starting next year. en. The new government had repeatedly declared the country The U.S congratulated the people of Zambia on the 54th anni- “open for business”. versary of the country’s independence. The U.S mentioned that US Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote called on government it had a deep friendship and looked forward to a continued part- and communities to support the mining sector and ensure the nership in promoting health, economic prosperity, good gover- country’s economic backbone continued to provide jobs, tax nance, and environmental conservation in Zambia. revenue, and export earnings. Former broadcaster at the Zambia National Broadcasting The Angolan government asked the United Nations to help it Corporation (ZNBC), and diplomat to the U.S Ben Kangwa died fight corruption. The state-owned Jornal de Angola quoted on October 17, 2018 at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH). Paolo Balladelli, confirming the request by Luanda. Balladelli He died of kidney failure at the age of 63. was quoted saying the UN was helping the southern African Other reports said African First Ladies shared their thoughts country’s Attorney-General’s Office deal with the corruption ahead of Melania Trump’s Trip. The first ladies of Mozambique issues transcending its borders. and Namibia spoke to Voice of America in New York during the The ongoing review of the proposed Electricity Law to acceler- 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly and ate universal access to energy by 2030 in Mozambique was shared advice for US First Lady Melania Trump. completed. The purpose of the review was to bring the Angola’s National Assembly requested the cooperation of the Electricity Law into line with the dynamics of the energy sector, U.S Congress for repatriation of funds, illegally held abroad. The including technological developments, the need to stimulate request came from the leader of the Commission on Foreign competitiveness, efficiency, sustainability and investment in the Affairs, International Cooperation and Communities Abroad, sector, with the ultimate goal of accelerating universal access to Josefina Diakite and it was during a meeting with U.S energy by 2030, in compliance with Sustainable Development Congressmen, who had been in Luanda as part of a 24-hour Goals. visit to Angola. Candidates vying for Presidency in Madagascar expressed The U.S sent its best wishes to the people of the Kingdom of concerns over what they termed very weak campaign finance Lesotho on its Independence Day. The U.S and Lesotho share a laws. The candidates said they were disappointed with the par- long history of partnership, including a focus on issues of health. ticipation of former Presidents and ministers who had substantial The U.S mentioned that it valued its friendship with Lesotho and means in the November 7 polls which placed other candidates remained committed to working together to build a healthy and at a disadvantage. prosperous Basotho nation.

27 Southern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Economy, Trade & Development 120

105

90

75

60

45

30

15

0 South Africa Zimbabwe Zambia Angola Swaziland Namibia Mauritius Mozambique Lesotho

In September, reports said the East reached following a bilateral meeting cantly in the past decade, reaching a Africa Trade and Investment Hub of the between the Department of International record $1.5 billion in 2017. The region USAID conducted a buyer mission to Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) min- imported $14 billion in agricultural and Antananarivo in Madagascar for a large ister Lindiwe Sisulu and the US Secretary related products last year. US apparel firm. The US buyer identified of State, Michael Pompeo. The Minister President Donald Trump’s tariffs on several sourcing opportunities in emphasised that the land reform and steel, aluminum and other imported Madagascar that could support its pro- agrarian reform process would be under- goods were threatening a trade deal duction of apparel and related fashion taken within the framework of the with SA that had given US chicken pro- goods across several top brands. Constitution and implemented in a man- ducers duty-free access to a market that The Sunday News reported that there ner that did not affect economic stability had effectively been shut to them for was a need for the US to review AGOA so and food stability. years. Sens. Chris Coons of Delaware, as to open up markets for Zimbabwean US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Johnny Isakson of Georgia and Roger companies in that country. Zim firm, was leading a trip to engage with poten- Wicker of Mississippi had outlined their Paramount Garments was restricted to tial customers from South Africa, Angola, concerns in a recent letter to Commerce supply the US market due to lack of Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Secretary Wilbur Ross where they cited a access to duty free quota free supply Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, lawsuit in SA that aimed to end duty-free since Zimbabwe was not a member of Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ted imports of American chicken unless SA the AGOA. McKinney, USDA’s undersecretary for was exempted from Trump’s metal tariffs. Reports from Angola highlighted that trade and foreign agricultural affairs, said In November, U.S undersecretary for as part of Angola’s reconstruction and the Trump administration was commit- trade and foreign agricultural affairs at modernisation process, the government ted to opening new markets for farmers the Department of Agriculture Ted had since acquired 102 new locomo- around the world. Speaking at the global McKinney led an agriculture trade mis- tives, including 23 from China and 79 trade forum during the recent sion to Southern Africa and was joined from General Electric, in the US. Washington Conference of the United by American businesses and govern- In October, The South African govern- Fresh Produce Association, McKinney ment officials on the journey. Their goal ment announced that it would start a said that there were many untapped was to expand agricultural export oppor- process of briefing South African-based markets for US agricultural products. tunities in the region. McKinney high- US companies on the land reform pro- Two-way agricultural trade between lighted that the Southern Africa region gramme. This was one of the resolutions Southern Africa and the US grew signifi- was typically a net importer of agricultur-

28 Economy, Trade & Development

al goods, but most of those imports currently came from and China could have. Davies reminded members that SA Europe, Asia and elsewhere in Africa. The Foreign had a partial exemption of 36 steel tariff lines and that the U.S Agricultural Service defined the Southern Africa region as government had committed to listen to SA’s representations. the countries of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, U.S government donated $370,900 in small grants to 17 Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, eSwatini, community-based organizations from nine provinces Zambia and Zimbabwe. For the last five years, poultry meat through its small grants program. U.S Ambassador to and products, excluding eggs, had topped the list of U.S Zimbabwe, Brian Nichols said the community grants pro- agricultural exports to Southern Africa. gram focused on providing targeted grants to assist small- U.S businesses and investors made more Foreign Direct scale, short-term, community-driven development projects Investments (FDI) in Africa than counterparts in 2017. that brought about tangible and immediate improvements in According to EY Global’s 2018 Africa Attractiveness report people’s lives. the U.S entities increased the number of American FDI proj- U.S Deere & Co said it expected to see demand for its farm ects in Africa by 43%. The report noted that South Africa equipment in Africa grow 8 to 10% annually in the next years, remained the continent’s leading FDI destination when mea- driven by expansion in key markets like Zimbabwe and sured by project numbers and Zimbabwe experienced a Ethiopia. A local company executive said that they had high major uptick in FDI in 2017. hopes for Zimbabwe because it used to be the food basket Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA) celebrated 20 for Southern Africa. He added that Zimbabwe could easily years of success for providing fresh citrus to the U.S market recover and get back to the levels of production they had in 2019. SCSA had a demand driven business model that seen in the past. they said assured a sustainable amount of quality fruit. Their U.S ambassador Nichols said, during the signing ceremony mission was to support the U.S market during off-harvest of the Great Zimbabwe Preservation Project, that the project months to meet the demand of consumers by having contin- had injected more than $14 million into the Zimbabwean ual fruit available domestically. economy and employed 1 200 locals. They had an unwaver- During an agriculture trade mission, McKinney noted that ing commitment to the people and culture of Zimbabwe and South Africa was sort of the entry point and an anchor, for a the friendship between the two countries. lot of Africa and believed that reforms to minimize, reduce or U.S ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote expressed that eliminate corruption would play a key role in future trade governments continued support to the mining industry was deals. He added that it was not easy to do business in South critical in ensuring that the sector remained the country’s Africa with many of their products and the purpose of com- economic backbone. Foote said there was need for govern- ing to SA was to seek free, fair, reciprocal trade. ment to continue creating an enabling environment if the According to Pioneer Foods 2018 financial year results, mining sector was to provide more jobs, tax revenue and South African fruit exports benefited from poor U.S crops and export earnings. a weak Rand. Pioneer’s international division more than dou- According to data released by the U.S Department of bled its operating profit to R285m in the year to end-Septem- Agriculture and compiled by the U.S Meat Export Federation ber from R121.5m, helping the group’s overall operating (USMEF) U.S beef exports remained very strong in profit grow 26% to R1.6bn. September, while pork exports continued to be affected by SA Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni retaliatory duties in China and Mexico. The report highlight- Zokwana, recently signed the World Wine Trade Group’s ed that exports to South Africa were 8% higher year over year (WWTG) protocol to the 2007 World Wine Trade Agreement in volume at 11,508 mt, while value jumped 28% to $11.7 in Washington DC in the US The WWTG was an informal million and exports to Angola also increased significantly in group of wine-producing countries including South Africa both volumes, up 15% to 2,643 mt, and value, up 45% to $3.6 and the U.S among others and its objective was to facilitate million. international trade in wine through information sharing, dis- The U.S Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural cussion of regulatory issues in wine markets and joint Service (FAS) reported agricultural exports to Southern actions to remove trade barriers. Africa totaled R9 billion in 2017, accounting for only 4% of Responding to Parliament, Minister of Trade and Industry the U.S’s R205 billion in total exports. According to the Rob Davies said SA would not throw in the “waslap” in its report, South Africa and Angola were the largest importers of ongoing discussions with the U.S for fairer tariffs on local U.S agricultural products in the region, accounting for 90% of exports and that the department was at an advanced stage U.S origin imports in 2017. of discussions with U.S Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross about the impact the so-called trade war between the U.S

29 Southern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Health & Food issues 30 ambassador to Namibia Lisa Johnson. Johnson, who spoke at the event said 25 the site would make for the easier provi- sion of HIV and other healthcare services to communities. Health minister Bernard 20 Haufiku thanked the U.S government for its contribution towards fighting HIV- 15 AIDS in Namibia through its Pepfar pro- gramme. The launch of the National Cervical 10 Cancer Prevention Guidelines by the Ministry of Health and Social Services in 5 collaboration with U.S Embassy in Windhoek was held recently. U.S ambassador to Zambia Daniel 0 Foote said the Millennium Challenge Zambia Zimbabwe South Africa Namibia Lesotho Mozambique Madagascar Account (MCA) board would meet in December to discuss the possibilities of In Zambia, reports said over $600, 000 Johnson reportedly discussed US efforts funding future projects. had been set aside to support refugee to help Namibia reach HIV epidemic con- Other reports noted that Foote dis- food needs in Zambia’s Luapula trol, highlighting the DREAMS partner- closed that the U.S government had over Province by the USAID Food for Peace ship, which aimed to reduce HIV infec- the past decade provided more than 23 Office (FFP), in partnership with the tions among adolescent girls and young million US dollars to Lusaka Province World Food Programme (WFP). The US women. Health Office in support of providing HIV Embassy said that most of the donation In October, Other reports said Thabo programmes aimed at halting the further would consist of locally-purchased cere- Mbeki pointed out that while Bush had spread of the disease. als, beans, and peas. Adding that the initiated U.S President’s Emergency Plan Madagascar was one of dozens of procurement would come from small- for Aids Relief (Pepfar), his secretary for countries where health providers faced holder farmers and local aggregators to health and human services at the time, cutbacks or other disruptions after a dra- help benefit local wholesalers and stimu- Tommy Thompson came to South Africa matic change to foreign aid by President late the economy, while also being in 2002 and worked with Dr Manto Donald Trump administration. cost-effective for reaching nearby refu- Tshabalala-Msimang, minister of health More than 1,400 Mozambican health gee settlements. at the time, in order to agree to and units would benefit from medical and The Lusaka Times reported that USAID implement “a comprehensive joint pro- surgical equipment for mother and child pledged to construct a prefabricated gramme against HIV and Aids”. care donated by the U.S government. health post in Kanyama constituency The U.S government believed Health Minister Nazira Abdula said the ward 11 located in John Laing Township Zimbabwe made steady progress in the donated material would help reduce the at a cost of US$60,000. USAID indicated fight against cholera. The Herald report- levels of neonatal and maternal mortality that the construction works for the proj- ed that U.S Ambassador to Zimbabwe in Mozambique. U.S Ambassador Dean ect would commence in the next two Brian Nichols said his country was work- Pittman praised the work the govern- months and were expected to be com- ing with the government to aid in the ment undertook to provide good quality pleted before the end of 2018. USAID fight against cholera, after he toured care for pregnant women and new born stated that the health post would pro- Glen View, one of the epicentres of the infants, but emphasized that many vide among other services, the Out disease in Harare. women, infants and children were still Patient Department, Voluntary Testing The Namibian reported that an antiret- dying from illnesses that could be avoid- and Counselling for HIV and AIDS as roviral therapy (ART) outreach centre at ed or treated. well as provide antenatal services. Akutsima in the Omusati region was Zambia’s president Edgar Lungu said The US ambassador to Namibia, Lisa handed over to the government by U.S water supply and sanitation was critical

30 Health & Food issues for all sectors in the economy to enhance productivity. He International Development (USAID), had provided $500,000 was speaking at the handover ceremony of the Smart Water to Mozambique’s National AIDS Council (CNCS) for the Supply project in Jack Compound under the auspices of strengthening of HIV and AIDS response in the country. Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Zambia Compact CNCS executive secretary Francisco Mbofana said the which would cater for over 30,000 households. President USAID support would be used to strengthen the technical Lungu expressed happiness and noted that MCA Zambia capacity of HIV and AIDS focal points in Mozambique’s gov- had delivered on its commitment to implement the project ernment ministries and 15 district councils in planning, mon- and give residents of Jack compound reliable water supply itoring and evaluation of the council’s response to the AIDS with support from the $355 million grant funding provided pandemic. by the US government. Namibia was making progress with concerns to HIV/AIDS, The World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with the as shown by this year’s NAMPHIA survey results. The USAID (USAID) started rolling out a $22 million Lean Season NAMPHIA survey also showed where the remaining gaps Assistance programme for the 2018 /19 season which was were: specifically, more men needed to get tested for HIV. aimed at supporting over 430 000 food insecure Many men were unaware that they were living with HIV, put- Zimbabweans. WFP country director Eddie Rowe said the ting their health at risk while also leading to more infections programme wished to contribute to supporting the most vul- in adolescent girls and young women, allowing the virus to nerable people in food insecure areas in Zimbabwe. spread. Relationships and sexual aggression by older men The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) sponsored the against younger women was driving much of the ongoing trial and the NIH-funded HIV Prevention Trials Network HIV transmission in Namibia. (HPTN) and was conducting the study, called HPTN 084. Over the past three decades, the world has seen a steady Swaziland was part of six other countries, which included decline in the number of women dying from childbirth. The Zimbabwe and SA, and participated in a trial of a long-acting US has been a notable outlier. Here the maternal mortality injectable medication given to prevent HIV infection among rate has been climbing, putting the US in the unenviable sexually active women. 147 women volunteers were company of Lesotho, Swaziland and Afghanistan as coun- required to be HIV-negative, sexually active, not pregnant tries with rising rates. and not breastfeeding. The women were additionally not meant to be volunteering in other trials, have no chronic dis- eases, no skin infection and no soya allergies. Additionally, the US Government, through its Agency for

31 Southern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Tourism, Travel & Leisure

to learn how many permits the agency 50 granted to hunters importing African ele- 45 phant sport¬hunted trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia. 40 U.S Ambassador to Zambia Daniel 35 Foote said the move by the Zambian government to start hippo culling with- 30 out any published scientific analysis to 25 justify the decision, made it difficult, if 20 not impossible, for him to attract invest- ment that could help the country’s con- 15 servation sector. Foote said the U.S gov- 10 ernment would welcome any informa- tion from government of Zambia, that 5 would help them better understand and 0 the transparent publishing of the scien- South Africa Zimbabwe Namibia Zambia Mozambique Swaziland tific analysis and the justifications behind carrying out this cull. Pacific Hearing Service in Los Altos In September in Namibia, reports said the South African economy entered its was lending a hand and an ear, as it conservation and animal-welfare groups first recession since 2009 and the value trained a Zambian man set to become urged Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and of the Rand falling 20% in 2018, more only the second audiologist in the the US Fish and Wildlife Service to South Africans were seeking alternate African nation. Sammy Fundiwa was the reconsider a federal decision to allow a permanent residency in foreign coun- first person from one of the Entheos Texas billionaire to import a critically tries like the U.S Industry data revealed humanitarian trip countries to travel to endangered black rhino shot as a trophy that demand for a U.S Green Card the U.S for audiology training. hunt in Namibia. Black rhinos were listed through an EB-5 investment of $500,000 HSUS News reported that each year as endangered under the Endangered was the highest it hadever been, with a U.S trophy hunters imported a stagger- Species Act, but the government unlaw- 486% increase in the number of EB-5 ing 126,000 hunting trophies into the fully approved trophy imports in a “pay- petitions filed by South Africans over the U.S and in September, Americans were to-play” scheme. Black rhinos were past three years. outraged to hear that a Texas billionaire highly imperilled with roughly only Timbuktu, a travel planning startup received approval to import the trophy 5,500 existing worldwide by 2015, of based in Cape Town officially launched of a critically endangered black rhinoc- which 1,946 were in Namibia. in the US The startup was an interactive eros from Namibia. The Chronicle reported that Australian experience where travelers could fully NBC said that a U.S wildlife official from and United States’ consuls met tour customize their once-in-a-lifetime safari the state of Idaho had resigned amid operators in Hwange and Victoria Falls trips. outrage after sharing graphic pictures of to reaffirm their countries’ renewed sup- Other reports said racism, gang vio- his hunting trip to Namibia. port for Zimbabwe as a safe destination. lence and restricted women’s rights In November, American trophy hunters The US led the arrivals pack in Victoria were among the list of similarities that a were reportedly killing more than 800 Falls and Hwange, commanding 35 % teenage member of BRAVE, a South monkeys every year. According to ani- while Australia was third after Japan. Africa-based organization visiting mal rights group Humane Society Australia and the US had an influence Montgomery in the U.S noticed between International, more than 11,000 primate on other countries’ travellers as they had their country and the American South. hunting trophies were traded between the world’s travel agents who literally International nonprofit animal advoca- countries from 2007 to 2016 control tourism. cy group, Friends of Animals sued the In October, Biznews reported that as U.S Fish and Wildlife Service in its quest

32 Southern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Business & Investments

18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Mozambique South Zimbabwe Zambia Namibia Mauritius Africa

In September, substantial frames said US-based contractor preparing to sign similar agreements with SA’s Sasol and HDR International was selected to conduct a feasibility study Italy’s Eni. for a solar energy project in Mozambique. The study would US multinational diversified hospitality company Marriott assess the viability of a photovoltaic plant of up to 100 MW, to International announced expansion plans across Africa, saying be developed in increments of 20 MW to 40 MW. The plant strong demand for select-service brands and conversion located at the Nacala International Airport in Nampula would opportunities were driving the momentum of growth. Marriott be Mozambique’s largest when it reaches full scale. A key fea- said the expansion would be amplified by five new hotel sign- ture was an energy storage facility with up to 50 MW capacity, ings, which would further consolidate its presence in South which would be located adjacent to the plant. The US Trade Africa, Ghana and Kenya and mark the company’s entry into and Development Agency (USTDA) had granted Mozambican Mozambique. company WHN Solar $1.2-million to develop the project. JSE AltX-listed broadband antenna manufacturer Alaris In Zimbabwe, a business delegation from the US was set for Holdings (which consists of Alaris Antennas, South Africa and Harare from the 10th to the 20th October to explore prospects COJOT, Finland) announced its acquisition of US based com- for cooperation in realising Zimbabwe’s vision of at middle pany mWave Industries. Alaris said it has applied for and income economy by 2030. Addressing delegates during the received unconditional CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Zimbabwe Investor Forum in New York, President Mnangagwa Investment in the US) approval from the US Government to go said the forum provided an opportunity for his administration ahead with the acquisition. to interact with business people from the US to explain invest- Tafara Makaza, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur, based in ment prospects and opportunities in the country. Massachusetts, launched a ZimTaxi application to solve the In October, Mozambique signed oil and gas exploration southern African nation’s “disorganized” public transport sec- agreements as the country sought to become a major export- tor. Makaza described ZimTaxi as a carpooling mobile applica- er. The government signed the deals with US energy firm tion which allowed people to summon taxi drivers at a more Exxon Mobil and Russia’s Rosneft. affordable and reliable rate. Makaza said the ZimTaxi app, just The agreements had the potential to lead to as much as 700 like Uber or Lyft, allowed consumers to confirm a fixed price million US dollars of investment in Mozambique as the energy for a ride with the company and driver. firms were expected to drill a minimum of 10 wells. According Sonic Ventures, a Cape Town based investment company to the country’s petroleum institute the government was also which planned to target early-stage tech companies,

33 Business & Investments launched a R1.5 billion fund that planned to back high- AWS for years, they had been able to witness first-hand the growth tech ventures — largely in SA, US and UK. Sonic technical talent and potential in Africa. Ventures’ US-born CEO Joseph Gough said the firm aimed to Forbes Africa said Gar Lippincott and Daniel Ryan of list 35-million shares at R45-per share on SA online share- Atlantic American Partners were in South Africa looking for holder administration platform Equity Express Securities high-net-worth individuals wanting to invest in the U.S Exchange. Atlantic American Partners would then invest the money in In November, reports said one of the Boeing aircraft bought real estate developments like hotels, apartments and student by Zimbabwe for a new state airline had been sold to a U.S accommodation. firm for spare parts. Former transport minister Joram Gumbo Royal Dutch Shell had accused U.S Anadarko Petroleum of confirmed that one of Zimbabwe Airways’ planes was in the holding it and the Mozambican government hostage by U.S but would not state the reason. refusing to supply enough domestic gas in the first phase of Zimbabwe’s first black billionaire Strive Masiyiwa who a giant liquefied natural gas project. Anadarko of the U.S and founded Econet Wireless, Zimbabwe’s top performing blue Eni of Italy had discovered about 150tn cubic feet (4.5tn chip company with interests throughout the continent as cubic metres) of gas in deep waters off the coast of well as in the U.S, was concerned that with the U.S sanctions Mozambique and had made initial investments in parallel regime in place, it was difficult for Zimbabwean companies projects expected to cost up to $40bn in total to develop. to trade internationally and investors to come to Zimbabwe Lusaka Times noted that Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S without inviting the wrath of the hawks in Washington. Embassy in Zambia (1b) Christopher Krafft, applauded gov- U.S-based technology giant, Amazon announced that its ernment for allowing many U.S companies to partner with Amazon Web Services (AWS) unit would launch an infra- Zambian firms like National Association of Savings and Credit structure region in South Africa. Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon Unions in improving the lives of the people. Krafft added that Web Services, Inc said having built the original version of such collaborations would go a long way in strengthening Amazon EC2 in their Cape Town development center 14 the mutual understanding between U.S and Zambia. years ago, and with thousands of African companies using

34 Southern Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Entertainment, Arts & Culture

by producing some gqom music herself. 60 Other news frames highlighted South Africans making it big overseas. Artist such as DJ Black Coffee who had traversed 50 the globe, with regular shows in Sydney, New York, Sao Paulo, Luanda, Maputo, Los Angeles, Nairobi and Athens. 40 Comedian and U.S TV show host, Trevor Noah. Comedian Tumi Morake who racked up a few “firsts” in her career, in 30 2016, she made history by becoming the first SA female Comedian to win Comic of the Year at the Savanna Comics 20 Choice Awards. An American artist was accused of stealing works by South African photographers, who captured the atrocities of apart- 10 heid. CBS News foreign correspondent Debora Patta report- ed that one of South Africa’s most revered photographers 0 was Peter Magubane, who documented life in South Africa South Zimbabwe Zambia Mauritius Africa for six decades. His daughter, Fikile Magubane, said her father was appalled when he discovered Hank Willis Thomas had used his images without permission and altered them. In September, Dawn’s Early Light, a group of highly-ac- American singer Joe Thomas, would, while performing on claimed American performers and musicians, were in the stage, prove to Zambia audiences why his lyrics dominated Seychelles touring and empowering women and girls the letters exchanged between the 90s teenager lovers. through song and music. In November, US-based Chimurenga music icon, Dr Thomas American Pie and Scary Movie actress Shannon Elizabeth ’Mukanya’ Mapfumo, was set to return to Zimbabwe for a was in Cape Town for the launch of her new foundation Peace Tour where he would encourage the country’s citizens focused on conservation in South Africa. Shannon started to put their differences aside and work together. The Peace Animal Avengers - a dog and cat rescue charity in Los Tour would follow the harmonised elections in July. Angeles in 2001. Zimbabwean born Hollywood sensation, Danai Gurira’s star In October, U.S singer Beyoncé’s father Mathew Knowles on won the Best Action Movie Star of 2018 at the recently held, the was on the Mzansi’s Idols SA as a guest judge. Knowles E! People’s Choice Awards show in Santa Monica. was in South Africa to promote his latest book, “The Danai Gurira was also added to the Global Citizen Festival’s Emancipation of Slaves through Music”. host committee. The festival was celebration of Nelson Reports noted that the popular ABC comedy drama Ugly Mandela’s centennial. The actress joined a lineup of co-hosts/ Betty was getting a South African remake. members including Naomi Campbell, Dave Chappelle, Sir Eyewitness News reported that renowned U.S stand-up Bob Geldof, Tyler Perry and The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah. comedian and actor Dave Chappelle was coming to South Among the event’s headliners were Beyonce and Jay-Z, Ed Africa in November and December. Big Concerts announced Sheeran, Eddie Vedder, Kacey Musgraves, Pharrell Williams, that Chappelle would be performing in Durban, Usher and Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Johannesburg and Cape Town. In other tributes to Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey deliv- Kadijah Bah, a young, female DJ was a flag bearer of ered a rousing tribute to Mandela, a century after he was Mzansi’s gqom music in the States. New York-based Bah, born, and urged the youth of SA and beyond to overcome who calls herself DJ Afrikan Queen or simply DJ AQ on stage, failure and trauma on the road to accomplishing their goals. was born in the U.S to a mother from Durban. DJ AQ did not only introduce the uniquely South African sound to the dance floors of NY clubs but had also taken it a step further

35 West Africa

Analysis of daily issue coverage

Politics on the ease of doing business, which was presented recently Media reports said that the USAID (USAID) announced to the Minister for Industry Trade and Investment, additional development assistance to support achieving the Okechukwu Enelemah. The report was the outcome of a development goals outlined in the bilateral Development business workshop and open forum with technical experts Objectives Assistance Agreement between the US and from the Manufacturing, SME, ICT, Energy, Agriculture, Real Nigerian governments signed in 2015. Estate, Courier and HealthCare sectors. The U.S scored the President Muhammadu Buhari adminis- US Government and Business visited four African nations tration low, saying corruption was evident across all levels of including Ghana and Ivory Coast. This visit was aimed at government. The observation was stated in the US 2017 finding ways to that could improve investment and business Human Rights Report. It said the Federal Government led by relations between the US and Africa. At the completion of Buhari failed to implement laws against corrupt practices. the trip, Secretary Ross announced that over $1 billion in pri- The US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Christopher J. Lamora, vate-sector deals had been concluded during the mission, called on the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu and it was expected that more than $2 billion in additional Sharubutu at his Fadama residence to renew the bond of deals would be announced shortly thereafter by PAC-DBIA friendship between their two offices as Muslims commemo- members. rated Eid Ul Adha across the world. Lamora said Ghana’s reli- gious diversity, peace, harmony, and the immense talents Economy, Trade & Development and contributions of Muslims, had been essential to the Nine African nations were set to benefit from a $175bn US nation’s development. Government project to invest in sub-Saharan power plants The Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon to the US, and support African gas production. These countries includ- Etoundi Essomba, hosted a special Cameroon Press ed Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. The initiative Luncheon exclusively for the US media. sought to add 16,000MW of gas-fired power across sub-Sa- haran Africa by 2030. The USAID’s Power Africa coordinator Business & Investments announced the ’Gas Roadmap for sub-Saharan Africa’ proj- The American Business Council (ABC) raised hope on the ect last month, identifying known reserves that held a poten- ability and commitment of US companies in Nigeria to tial of 400GW in total. US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said impact the economy through sustainable programmes. Its a key ingredient in Africa’s energy mix was, and would con- Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary, Margaret tinue to be clean natural gas. Perry added that natural gas Olele, said that US companies in Nigeria would see corpo- and that LNG projects had the potential to generate essential rate social responsibility (CSR) as a strategic plan to make electricity quickly and at reasonable prices. impact in the country, adding that the projects are also sus- Peace, Security & Terrorism tainable. One of the chamber’s recent activities was its report The US provided $220 million military aid to Cameroon

36 Analysis of daily issue coverage between 2012 and 2016 to help the country combat threats as part of its effort to increase its presence in Africa’s most of terrorism from Boko Haram in the North of Cameroon. Much populous nation. The US technology firm, owned by Alphabet of these funds went into training and equipping Cameroon’s Inc partnered with Nigerian fiber cable network provider 21st military and police ($83 million), peacekeeping operations Century to provide its public Wi-Fi service, Google Station, in ($74 million), Building Partner Capacity ($24 million), and six places in the commercial capital Lagos, including the air- Counter-Drug Assistance ($11 million), according to the port. Mail & Guardian reported that Five Nigerian teenagers Monitor. However, several international NGOs had pressured won a major tech innovation award in California for their app the US to withdraw its troops from Cameroon since the crisis that spots fake drugs. in the North West and South West regions started, accusing Ghana and the US were facilitating stronger bilateral cooper- the Cameroon army of using military equipment donated by ation on cyber issues. the US to kill unarmed civilians. The cooperation included building government capacity to Ghana, US armies participated in multinational military exer- address emerging challenges and shared threats. Senior rep- cise. Known as United Accord 2018, the exercise would help resentatives from both countries participated in a US Ghana to provide the various military forces the skills required to Cyber Study visit, covered key cyber and internet policy top- enable readiness in support of peace keeping operations in ics, such as improving cybersecurity, including the protection the region. As part of the exercise, participants were taken of critical infrastructure and combating cybercrime. through lectures and field work such as Command Post, Field Training, Live Exercises and Jungle Warfare Training taught Education and supervised by troops of the Ghanaian Armed Forces and According to the Bloomberg report, Nigeria and Ghana had their US counterparts. The participating countries included the highest number of citizens pursuing higher education in Liberia, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Nigeria. Reports the US after Saudi Arabia. Reports said that as part of the stated that the U.S had started manufacturing the Super United Accord 2018 activities, some soldiers of the US donat- Tucano aircraft for Nigeria. ed set of school desks to some basic schools in Accra. The U.S government pledged to increase access to education and Health & Food improve learning in Nigeria to ensure cohesive and resilient As part of efforts to fight cancer in Nigeria, project PINK communities for a brighter future. At a screening of some new BLUE, a cancer awareness foundation in collaboration with films produced under USAID’s Northern Education Initiative US mission in Nigeria, commenced training of 44 selected Plus. oncologists across the country on effective cancer treatment. The two weeks medical oncology training was part of the Entertainment Upgrade Oncology initiative focused on strengthening oncol- Nigerian youths would compete in an international invita- ogy education, medical oncology curriculum, oncology infra- tional U-15 baseball tournament in Palm Beach, Florida, USA structures and cancer treatment in Nigeria. between October and November this year. The invitation was U.S partnered with Ghana to promote agricultural sector sequel to the hugely successful U-15 National Youth Baseball growth in support of its vision of ’Ghana beyond Aid’. Through Tournament, which was graced by the US Ambassador to the USAID. Nigeria, W. Stuart Symington. A Liberian youth coach based in the United States, Doco Tourism, travel & leisure Wesseh, was nominated for the Major League Soccer Work Ghana Web reported that outgoing U.S Ambassador to Community MVP. Ghana, Robert P. Jackson called on the Ghanaian govern- ment to prioritize the issuance of travel documents to strand- Arts & culture ed Ghanaians in the US awaiting deportation. Jackson said U.S -based non-governmental organisation (NGO), the U.s government would halt its resort to charter flights in DuniaFore Foundation, screened the popular Afrocentric returning deportees if the Ghanaian government would com- movie, Black Panther, to children of traditionalists in Osogbo, mit to facilitating the process. Osun State capital. The screening was part of the grand finale The US Embassy announced a temporary shutdown of its of the NGO’s annual month-long programme, tagged: Asalaye Abuja Consulate for visa and American Citizen Service. The Academy, an initiative that enriched traditionalist children embassy said visa applicants would be contacted for resched- with academics while emphasising Pan-African awareness uling. and pride in African culture.

Science & Technology Google launched a network of free Wi-Fi hotspots in Nigeria

37 West Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Politics

New York Times stated that Federal 350 prosecutors quietly dismissed charges against a former Senegalese government 300 official who had been accused of con- 250 spiring with a representative of a large Chinese energy company in a bribery 200 case. US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Maria 150 Brewer and team visited the office of the Anti-Corruption Commission in Freetown. 100 The purpose of the Ambassador’s visit 50 was to show recognition from their part, of the many good works of the 0 Commission and to help consolidate the Nigeria Ghana Liberia Cameroon Cote Senegal already established ties between the d'Ivoire Embassy and the Commission. In October, reports said US First Lady A US-based analysis firm Teneo Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Melania Trump kicked off her first major Intelligence predicted that Nigeria’s Akufo-Addo would be receiving the 2018 solo trip in Ghana’s capital Accra, aiming President Muhammadu Buhari could lose US-Africa Business Center Outstanding to cast a positive light on her embattled the 2019 election if the opposition Leaders Award in New York. The award husband’s administration. She was People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was which would be presented by the US scheduled to visit a hospital in Accra to united. The company’s vice president, Chamber of Commerce’s US-Africa learn about newborn health and have tea Malte Liewerscheidt, who also covered Business Center to President Akufo- with Mrs Akufoaddo at the presidential political risks in West Africa, while analys- Addo, was on his good leadership and residence, Jubilee House. ing the outcome of the recent Osun state commitment to championing trade and The Ambassador of the US to Nigeria, gubernatorial election said it was a bad investment in order to help grow Ghana’s William Stuart Symington, said disregard signal for the ruling party and signals its economy. for justice and rule of law was more dan- waning popularity. This Day reported that The Director for Democracy and gerous than stealing of public funds. The the US Government called for a peaceful Governance at the USAIDpledged the US envoy stated this while responding to conclusion of the Osun State governor- American government’s commitment to a question on the side-line of the convo- ship election. This was coming as the support the decentralization policies of cation lecture of the University of Ilorin in World Bank had committed $3.5 million Liberia. Director Emiliy Krunic stated that Ilorin. for the conduct of standard of living sur- carving inclusive policies in the future In a statement issued by the Secretary vey across the states in Nigeria. Deputy would support a more developed, pros- of State, Michael Pompeo, on Nigeria’s Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, perous and democratic Liberia. National Day, the government congratu- David Young, who made the appeal, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, lated Nigeria and its people on the called on candidates of political parties Richard Albright assessed the humanitar- nation’s independence anniversary. The and their supporters to be peaceful and ian situation in Cameroon. Richard US described Nigeria as an indisputable respect the results of the Osun State gov- Albright said that they very pleased with leader in Africa, a friend and a key partner ernorship elections that would be the cooperation between those agencies of the US announced by the Independent National and the government of Cameroon to The US Mission in Nigeria joined the Electoral Commission (INEC). address the needs of these populations. rest of the world to celebrate the

38 Politics International Day of the Girl-Child. The embassy’s Public of African Affairs. Other reports noted that an American mis- Affairs Section held a programme to commemorate the day. sionary also died in the northwest region around Bamenda The US Congress gave its support for the complete imple- after he was shot in the head amid fighting between armed mentation of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s separatists and soldiers. The death of the American mission- (TRC) recommendation for the creation of a tribunal to try sus- ary had for the first time publicly pulled the US into pected war crimes and other atrocities committed during the Cameroon’s long-drawn conflict raging in the English- nation’s 14-year civil war, which ended in 2003. Front Page speaking parts of the country. In May, US ambassador Peter Africa Online the US Federal Reserve System had reportedly Barlerin accused government forces of ’targeted killings’ and put a freeze on transaction with the Central Bank of Liberia abuses in the fight against Anglophone separatists. But in the owing to the high-level of uncertainty surrounding the ongo- missionary’s killing, the US State Department said the Wesco ing investigation into the missing billions controversy. was caught in crossfire and was not deliberately targeted. Cameroon’s national election commission, (ELECAM), sub- The turmoil in Cameroon continued as President Paul Biya, mitted its final report on the October 7 presidential election sub-Saharan Africa’s oldest leader, was inaugurated for his vote to the country’s constitutional council, but there were seventh term in office amid rising separatist unrest. The con- still no official results released. flict posed a serious challenge for Cameroon, a close US Media coverage on politics in the West African region security ally in combating extremism and a new member of focused on the upcoming Nigerian election and the unrest in the U.N. Human Rights Council. Cameroon among other issues. Reports from Nigeria said the Minor reports said six US senators had issued a letter to The US shed light on why Nigeria must get it right in the 2019 Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission general election, stating categorically that if the country fails urging it to investigate the case of journalist Chief Ebrima to conduct credible polls, the democratic process in Africa Manneh. The letter highlights the disappearance of Manneh, might fail. who had been incommunicado since July 2006 and was now Lagos Television reported that the US Institute of Peace presumed dead. (USIP) predicted that President Muhammadu Buhari would Reports on the Ivory Coast said during a debate US Senator win the 2019 election. USIP said though many Nigerians felt from Mississippi Cindy Hyde-Smith questioned a $750,000 that the current administration had not met their expecta- lobbying contract Democrat Mike Espy had in 2011 with the tions, this was not likely to cost the All Progressives Congress Cocoa and Coffee Board of the Ivory Coast. (APC) government its hold on power. Minor reports said the US embassy organised a workshop for political journalist on reporting on elections. In Cameroon, significant reports said 79 students kid- napped by unidentified gunmen from a school had been released, but two of the three staff members abducted with them were still being held. The US called for the immediate and safe return of the remaining hostages, according to Tibor Nagy, Assistant Secretary for US Department of State’s Bureau

39 West Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Economy, Trade & Development

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0 Nigeria Ghana Liberia Cote The Senegal Sierra d'Ivoire Gambia Leone

In September, The US Trade and Development Agency the advent of the Barrow government. She disclosed that signed a grant for a feasibility study to evaluate the viability the Gambia stood to benefit greatly from US development of converting associated gas to compressed natural gas assistance through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (CNG) and delivering CNG to customers via a virtual pipe- (MCC) programme, which supported developing countries line operation in Nigeria. The grantee was Tombia River to reduce poverty and promote economic growth. Energy Company Limited (TREC), a Nigerian commercial In October, The US Government, through the USAID gas company specializing in the commercialization and (USAID), provided an opportunity for stakeholders to learn marketing of flared gas to businesses and industries in the about the new tools, manuals and on-line portals that were Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The feasibility study would boosting the exports of Ghanaian products, generating be conducted by Texas-based firm Nearshore Natural Gas, more income for citizens, and helping Ghana diversify its LLC. Other reports said Marshall Billingslea, the US export base to high-value markets. Treasury Department’s assistant secretary for terrorist When Kosmos Energy of the US discovered the Jubilee financing, told a congressional hearing that while there oilfield off the coast of Ghana in 2007, the West African was greater interest in using the yuan, most African coun- country had already been harvesting cocoa for 60 years tries still found it necessary to ultimately clear trade in US and mining gold for a century. Charles Adu Boahen, depu- dollars. He was responding to questions by Republican ty finance minister, said his country was lucky. By finding Representative Chris Smith, who cited a $2.5 billion curren- oil reasonably late in its development cycle, it stood a bet- cy swap agreement between China and Nigeria to facilitate ter chance of avoiding the resource curse that had befallen trade between the two countries, and a meeting of African other nations. The US African Development Foundation finance leaders in June that sought to discuss using (USADF) injected $24 million to boost local business and China’s yuan as a reserve currency for the region. agriculture through cooperative societies. The Energy Ministry and USAID through Power Africa The US Government, through the USAID, launched a launched a 3-day capacity building workshop. This was to $60.4 million new urban water and sanitation activity that discuss the competitive procurement of liquefied natural would support the efforts of six states in Nigeria. USAID- gas (LNG) and infrastructure. The workshop brought Nigeria Mission Director, Stephen Haykin, said this at the together decision-makers from Ghana’s key ministries, reg- launch of the scheme in Abuja. Numerous reports men- ulators, and commercial entities from the power sector. tioned that the US Embassy in Liberia, through USAID, said The US Ambassador to The Gambia, Her Excellency it had reached out to independent, internationally recog- Patricia Alsup, described as ’’excellent’’ the relationship nized firms with specialization in forensic investigations to between The Gambia and the United States. According to conduct a scoping mission in a bid to ascertain the basic her, the ties between the two allies improved tenfold since facts of the alleged missing currency matter and determine

40 Economy, Trade & Development to what extent a broader mission would be needed. New issues as major challenges American investors in Nigeria York Times noted that a US federal appeals court reinstated a were facing. lawsuit by a group of former child slaves accusing the US In Cote d’Ivoire, US Embassy mentioned that US Assistant unit of Nestle SA, the world’s largest food maker, and Cargill Secretary for Africa, Ambassador Tibor Nagy, travelled to Co of perpetuating child slavery at Ivory Coast cocoa farms. Lomé, Togo November 1-2 to preside over a meeting of In November, the US Department of Agriculture hinted that American Ambassadors and Chargés d’Affaires from 16 Nigeria would become the world’s second-largest rice countries in the region. The Chiefs of Mission Conference importer after China, as importation of the commodity was was held at the US Embassy and included the heads of the projected to experience 13% jump next year to 3.4 million US diplomatic missions of Code d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, metric tons. Silicon Valley-Nigeria Economic Development, a Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, US-based tech start-up company, and the Small and Medium Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Chad and Sierra Leone. Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) partnered to Reuters highlighted that Ghana had approved state-owned assist Nigerian start-ups with funding and digital skills. company GOIL as minority local partner for Exxon Mobil’s Chairman of SV-NED, Chief Temitope Ajayi, said this on the deepwater offshore oilfield, Energy Minister Peter Amewu side-lines of the ’21st Century Women and Youth in said on Wednesday. The US oil major was lead operator with Innovation Technology conference at the UN headquarters 80% interest in the field, while state-run Ghana National in New York.Naira Metrics reported that US High Commission Petroleum Corporation held 15%. The deal required a local Consul-General, F. John Bray raised an alarm over threat to partner to own the remaining 5%. American businesses in Nigeria worth $1.3 billion. The Consul-General who was speaking at a forum organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), listed instability in the exchange rate, policy inconsistency, poor electricity, dearth of infrastructure, regulatory and security

41 West Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Peace, Security & Terrorism

on the run-up to the general elections. 140 Reports said what began as protests two years ago by teachers and lawyers in the 120 English-speaking regions against what they charged was their marginalization 100 by majority French speakers turned 80 deadly after a government crackdown. The separatists emerged, cheered on by 60 some in Cameroon’s diaspora, including the United States. Then fringe groups 40 became violent, clashing with

20 Cameroon’s security forces that have been a close ally of the US in regional 0 counterterror efforts but face accusations Nigeria Cameroon Liberia Senegal Ghana Sierra of human rights abuses. Leone In November, reports focused on the twitter debacle of the Nigerian army after In September, The Punch reported that Africa, the Department of State said. quoting US President Donald Trump Officers at the National Defence College, In October, Sun News reported that the Reports said the Nigerian Army appeared Abuja, were trained by experts from the US described Nigeria as an indisputable to adopt words used by President Trump College of International Security Affairs, leader in Africa, a friend and a key partner to justify their own use of deadly force in National Defence University, Washington, of the US In a statement issued by the a crackdown against Muslim protesters. USA, on the need to “develop a strategic Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, on US Assistant Secretary for Africa, mechanism” to tackle the Boko Haram the occasion of Nigeria’s National Day, Ambassador Tibor Nagy, traveled to insurgency. The five-day training focused the government congratulated Nigeria Lomé, Togo to preside over a meeting of on combating terrorism and irregular and its people on the nation’s indepen- American Ambassadors and Chargés threats in the country and was conduct- dence anniversary. The US said it offered d’Affaires from 16 countries in the region. ed for the NDC’s faculty members. continuous support to Nigeria in its The Chiefs of Mission Conference was As Cameroonian authorities investigat- efforts to expand trade and investment, held at the US Embassy and included the ed horrific crimes that appeared to had counter-terrorism, ensure regional stabili- heads of the US diplomatic missions of been committed by government soldiers ty and tackle corruption. Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Chad, in the Far North Region, the US military The Point reported that Justin Diaz, a Code d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, was calling for accountability while it special agent at the Regional Security Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, continued to provide training to its Office of the US Embassy in Dakar, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. Cameroonian counterparts. Senegal, had affirmed that the US gov- The Pentagon was reducing its counter- The US Department of State and the ernment was committed to building the terrorism forces in Africa and studying Government of Senegal on 6 September capacity of Gambians security officers in whether to make similar moves else- inaugurated a new regional counterter- all aspect so that they could confront where in the world as part of a broad rorism training facility in Thiès, Senegal. security challenges and threats in the effort to shift American military focus US and Senegalese officials formally ded- country. The US special agent was speak- toward what it called threats from Russia icated the new Regional Tactical Training ing at the closing ceremony of a two-day and China. Centre, which was funded, constructed, capacity building training for 60 officers and equipped through the Department of The Gambia Immigration Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) (GID) held at the Immigration programme. The new centre was ATA’s Headquarters in Banjul. first regional training facility in West Media reports from Cameroun focused

42 West Africa

Business & Investments

local industries and integrate Small and 120 Medium Enterprises into the mainstream business circle as a way of speeding up 100 economic development and stemming unemployment in the country. Other 80 reports mentioned that the US and Britain said the streak of fines imposed 60 on telecom giant, MTN Nigeria was enough to discourage most investors in 40 Nigeria. However, a senior lawyer, Femi Falana said both countries were wrong 20 on the position. Daily Trust indicated that the US government had unveiled a new 0 trade policy to increase American corpo- Nigeria Ghana Cote Liberia Senegal The rate investment in Nigeria and other d'Ivoire Gambia African countries. This was coming as concerns grew in the West over China’s In September, Coca-Cola moved ahead ment, the Mr Nagi’s final stop on the trip increasing influence in Africa. In the first with plans to take over Nigeria’s leading would be in Nigeria, where he would half of 2018, China-Africa trade volume juice company Chi Ltd and aims to com- deliver a speech at Baze University on exceeded $98.8bn, according to the plete the deal early next year, a senior US-Africa relations. Foreign Affairs country’s ministry of commerce. executive told Reuters. The acquisition Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama said some Ghanaian agritech start-up CowTribe for an undisclosed price was one of sev- US investors and business men indicated had secured a $300 000 investment from eral steps the US company was taking in interest to invest in some sectors of the the US-based Draper Richards Kaplan a global strategy to diversify from its core Nigerian economy. Foundation. The start-up made the business of sugary sodas. The US Department of Justice was announcement on Twitter. In a subse- Ghana was to receive the second allo- seeking documents from Glencore about quent phone call with Ventureburn, cation of Compact funds from the US intermediary companies that the com- CowTribe co-founder and CEO Awin through the Millennium Challenge modities firm had worked with in the Peter said the investment was in the form Corporation in the amount of $190 mil- Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo of a convertible note. US’s Overseas lion after the Ghanaian government met and Venezuela, sources familiar with the Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) all the required conditions to access the matter said. The investigation was not had injected Sh600 million into Nairobi- funds. directed at Glencore’s own activities or based Crossboundary Energy, a firm that The Liberian government renewed a its senior executives, two sources said, funded industrial and commercial solar new lobbying contract with American giving no further detail about the type of installation ventures across East Africa. lobbying firm KRL International. Liberian information sought. Several reports cited that a white minister of foreign affairs, Gbehzohngar Trade Africa, an initiative of the US Republican US senator from Mississippi Findley, extended the contract between Government, since 2016, had provided said during a debate with her African- Monrovia and the American lobbying $10 million to support Ghana’s WTO American Democratic opponent that she firm according to an article published by Trade Facilitation Agreement and apologizes to people who were offended Africa Intelligence. improved phytosanitary standards. It was when she complimented a supporter by In October, US Assistant Secretary for also to help Ghana overcome technical saying she would attend a “public hang- the Bureau of African Affairs, Tibor Nagy, barriers to trade, and support policies ing” if the supporter invited her. During was expected to visit Nigeria and five that promoted regional trade and invest- the debate, Hyde-Smith questioned a other countries on promoting stronger ments. $750,000 lobbying contract Espy had in trade and commercial ties between the In November, US firms operating in 2011 with the Cocoa and Coffee Board US and Africa. According to the state- Nigeria stressed the need to develop of the Ivory Coast.

43 West Africa

Tourism, Travel & Leisure

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0 Nigeria Ghana Cameroon Sierra Liberia The Leone Gambia

The governments of Ghana and the US came to a compro- jointly signed by the US Trust for African Rock Art (TARA), mise in their efforts to deport undocumented Ghanaian immi- National Commission for Monuments and Museums (NCMM), grants. This followed the US government’s concern that the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and Ahmadu Bello University government of Ghana was not complying with international (ABU), Zaria. obligations regarding the issuance of travel documents to The Senior Advisor for Africa at the US Mission to the United Ghanaians awaiting deportation. The US Embassy in Accra Nations said the US was ready to work to further solidify the said the US would be forced to begin implementing a visa excellent ties already subsisting between the US and Liberia, restrictions regime in accordance with their laws as a respon- particularly at the level of the United Nations. Ambassador sibility owed to the American people if the government of Terence P. McCulley made the pledge recently when he paid Ghana did not play ball. a courtesy call on Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, The director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights Sr., at the Permanent Mission of Liberia to the United Nations. called upon federal authorities not to deport Francis Anwana, Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the People’s a deaf and disabled immigrant in Detroit from Nigeria who’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria, had finally been issued a lived in the US for more than 30 years, saying that his rights as visa to the US, TheCable reported. A family source disclosed a disabled man must be protected. this to TheCable and confirmed that the former vice-president The minister for foreign affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, had left Nigeria for the UK, where he would spend some time had stated that Ghana was not in any agreement with the US Cameroon’s defence minister called on all foreign nationals to deport Ghanaians from America. So far, the US had in the country’s restive regions to be cautious after a US mis- expressed interest to deport 7,000 Ghanaians living there ille- sionary died after being shot in the head amid fighting gally but Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey had insisted that Ghana between armed separatists and soldiers in the northwest. would not facilitate the deportations despite bouts of diplo- Reports mentioned that the Cameroonian government sub- matic pressure from the US mitted on November 13 to the Senate, the upper house of the The Information Minister-designate had said the two-day parliament, a bill related to the air transport agreement visit of the US First Lady, Melania Trump, would boost the between the country and the US country’s tourism drive. Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah said the visit Adom Online highlighted that Ghana was working on a mar- from October 2-3 would as well help strengthen Ghana’s rela- keting strategy that had the potential to increase its estimated tionship with the US The ruling All Progressives Congress US market arrivals by 107,000 tourists next year. The strategy, APC had accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of including the recently launched ’Year of Return, Ghana 2019’ lobbying the US Government to lift the alleged travel ban programme to mark 400 years since the first slave ship landed placed on his former vice, Atiku Abubakar, now the presiden- in America with slaves from Africa, was expected to increase tial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP. inbound tourism from US to Ghana from 243,000 tourists to The project funded by the US Ambassadors Fund for about 350,000 within the year. Cultural Preservation sought to create awareness on impor- tance of rock arts and ensure proper documentation, provi- sion of basic infrastructure and its preservation. The MoU was

44 West Africa

Health & Food issues

Macintosh Johnson. Johnson eventual- 140 ly died of Aids and there were fears that he infected some of his victims - who 120 were aged as young as 10 - with the HIV virus which causes Aids, the investiga- 100 tive site ProPublica said in a lengthy investigative piece co-published with 80 time. Minor reports said through PEPFAR, 60 the US partnered with Senegal to make sure testing, treatment and counselling 40 was available for the Senegalese Armed 20 Forces. HIV prevention education was listed as part of basic training. 0 The US Embassy in Nigeria awarded Ghana Nigeria Liberia The Sierra $221,902 grants to local non-govern- Gambia Leone mental organisations covering 14 states for community-based projects under the 2018 Ambassador’s Small Grants The US Ambassador to Nigeria, reported that First Lady Melania Trump Programme. Ambassador Stuart Symington, urged began her four-nation tour of Africa with Ghanaian agritech start-up CowTribe the country to continue to invest in events in Ghana. secured a $300 000 investment from building resilient health systems. In Nigeria, USAID announced addition- the US-based Draper Richards Kaplan Symington made the call during a cour- al assistance of $65.5 million to achieve Foundation. CowTribe provided an tesy visit to the Nigeria Centre for the development goals outlined in the on-demand mobile (USSD-based) sub- Disease Control, in Abuja He said that bilateral US-Nigerian Development scription service which connects live- strengthening institutions would safe- Objectives Assistance Agreement stock farmers with veterinarians, and guard citizens and act as a strategy to signed in 2015. helped deliver animal vaccines and bolster economic transformation in the US Mission Director, Stephen Haykin other livestock healthcare services to nation. said that the assistance brought incre- farmers. America’s Michigan State University mental funding of the agreement with In Liberia, contrary to reports from received a $7.3 million grant that would Nigeria to $1.17 billion which represent- More than Me (MTM) that they received be channelled towards building the ed 48 % of the 2.45 billion dollars half a million dollars from the US gov- capacity of agricultural scientists in pledged by USAID under the five-year ernment to finance girls education in Africa as the continent struggles to plan. Haykin added that the US was Liberia, the US embassy told achieve food security. committed to strengthen human capital FrontPageAfrica that the said informa- Reports said that speaking through institutions and enhance health systems tion was untrue. The US embassy said her Senior Policy Specialist, Mr. Anthony in Nigeria. they had found no evidence of financial V. Kesselly, VP Taylor spoke of the initia- Significant reports said an acclaimed support from the US Department of tive being consistent with the George US charity operating in Liberia admitted State to MTM. Minor reports profiled Weah-led administration’s pro-poor ini- to major failings after girls at a school Josephine Garnem-Torbay as the head tiatives aimed at strengthening service set up to save them from a life of sexual of the US medical mission to Sierra delivery in maternal and new-born exploitation were systematically raped. Leone. heath. The charity “More Than Me” apolo- Media coverage on Health & Food gised on its website, after US investiga- Issues in West Africa were dominated tive media said girls at a pioneering by reports on the US First Lady Melania school in a slum had been repeatedly Trump’s visit to Ghana. Africa Times abused by the charity’s co-founder,

45 West Africa

Science, Technology & Innovation

nesses to operate in Nigeria. ^ĐŝĞŶĐĞΘdĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐLJ The Liberian Observer reported that the US Patent and ƌƚƐΘƵůƚƵƌĞ Trademark Office (USPTO) issued US Patent No. 10,072,309 20 to Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan for his invention of a rapid multi- plex pathogen diagnostic test that detects and identifies 18 many infections in less than an hour. Nyan was a Liberian 16 medical doctor and scientist with expertise in infectious dis- 14 eases and developing simple diagnostic tests for hard-to- reach settings and the global healthcare community. 12 Media coverage on science, technology and innovation was 10 relatively minimal in the period under review. The US 8 Consulate General concluded a week-long robotics work- shop for 303 teachers and 187 students in Nigeria. The work- 6 shop was organised in collaboration with RoboRave 4 International, a US-based tech academy. The robotics work- shop supported the US Mission’s goal of promoting STEM 2 education in Nigeria as a driver of sustainable economic 0 growth, the consulate said. A total of 29 public and private Nigeria Liberia schools across Lagos, Ogun, and Edo. Other reports said Dr Lazarus Angbazo, President of the The US Nigeria Council (USNC) disclosed that it was com- American Business Council (ABC), said that American compa- mitted to develop Nigeria’s technology and innovation eco- nies spent about N1.5 billion on Corporate Social system by bringing in influential entrepreneurs to combat Responsibility (CSR) projects in Nigeria in 2017. market challenges being experienced in the industry. The In Liberia, US Ambassador Christine Elder unveiled an USNC also stated that it was ready to connect investors with e-learning Laboratory at the Liberia National Police (LNP) potential investees to mobilise capital for Nigerian start-ups Headquarters. The donation included desktop computers, and companies in a bid to further develop the country’s tech- printers, projectors, desks and chairs among other items. The nology and innovation ecosystem. The Executive Director of e-learning lab would expand the LNP’s training capabilities USNC, Eliot Pence, stated that the council’s mission was to and would also allow the LNP to conduct training at head- promote bilateral business partnership and growth in Nigeria, quarters to augment training at the Liberia National Police especially focusing on entrepreneurial investment in the tech- Training Academy in Paynesville. The US Embassy would also nology and innovation ecosystem. Nigeria’s Minister of work with the LNP to provide the latest on-line courses and Industry, Trade, and Investment, Okey Enelamah, told the US training modules. investors about the crucial need to leverage technology to address local challenges as well as efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen the enabling environment for busi-

46 North Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Reuters reported that Egypt said a new Israeli law giving Jews The State Department announced that US decided to release the exclusive right to self-determination in the country under- $195 million in military aid to Egypt after withholding the assis- mined the chances for peace in the Middle East and the right of tance in 2017 over human-rights concerns. Palestinian refugees to return to their homes. US and Arab officials said the Trump administration was quiet- Egypt’s foreign minister made the rounds in Washington try- ly pushing ahead with a bid to create a new security and politi- ing to turn a page with the Trump administration. The State cal alliance with Gulf Arab states, Egypt and Jordan, in part to Department said that it was releasing nearly $200 million of mil- counter Iran’s expansion in the region. itary aid for Egypt. The money had been put on hold over Minor Internet Media indicated that two mistakes, committed human rights concerns. on President Barack Obama’s watch, were the triggers for the Minor Internet Media stated that UK Foreign Office issued an end of the long post-Cold War period of good relations with advisory warning to British holidaymakers visiting Egypt, to Russia. They were the attack on Libya by the US, France and avoid spreading “strongly negative opinions” about the the UK and the subsequent killing of its long-time dictator, Egyptian government and security forces and that “derogatory Muammar Gadhafi. comments on social media” had led to prison. Minor Internet Media reported that the US Navy with the 4-traders reported that Standard Chartered agreed to a further Egyptian Naval Forces commenced exercise Eagle Response extension of its US deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) until 18 at the Red Sea Naval Base, Egypt. Eagle Response 18 was the end of December 2018. StanChart entered the DPA with the an explosive ordnance disposal and diving exercise conducted US Department of Justice and New York County District with the Egyptian Naval Force and other participating nations Attorney’s Office in December 2012, accepting that it had bro- to enhance interoperability and warfighting readiness, fortify ken laws by processing payments for sanctions targets in coun- military-to-military relationships and advance operational capa- tries including Iran, Burma, Sudan and Libya. bilities of all participating units. Other reports said America’s fastest-growing city was becom- Other reports stated that Brig. Gen. Mohamed Laamiri, ing the key driver in reviving the fortunes of the Arab world’s armored squadron commander of the Royal Armed Forces was first representative democracy – Tunisia – through the nascent on a visit to the US to explore cooperation prospects on armor Sister City partnership between Baltimore, Maryland, and the capabilities and exchange of information concerning training ancient and strategic port city of Bizerte. and support.

47 North Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Politics

Libyan ambassador to the US Wafa 250 Bughaighis told Sputnik that Tripoli wanted world powers to align their posi- tions in order to resolve the ongoing 200 conflict in Libya. Bughaighis said that it was so important that the international community unified its position on Libya. 150 Other reports said that President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame hosted a luncheon for a US Congressional delegation led by Robert 100 Goodlatte, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In November, reports said US policy- 50 makers shouldn’t be fooled by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s recent call to review Egypt’s draconian 2017 0 NGO law, which effectively criminalised Egypt Libya Morocco Sudan Tunisia non-governmental groups and set the path for “unprecedented” repression in Egypt offered its condolences to the Sudan removal from the list of countries the country. US people and government on the vic- supporting terrorism. Other reports said the Democratic tims of Hurricane Florence in a state- Other reports said Foreign Minister Party chalked up victories across the US ment by the Foreign Ministry. Melania Nasser Bourita held talks, in in the midterm elections on November Trump planned to visit Ghana, four Washington, with eminent senators Ted 6, gaining control of the House of African countries including Egypt when Cruz, Lindsey Graham and Todd Young, Representatives for the first time in eight she travelled to Africa on her first major in the presence of Morocco’s ambassa- years. solo international trip as first lady. dor to Washington Lalla Joumala Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait Tareq Libya’s UN-backed government Alaoui. In a statement to MAP, Bourita El-Qouni said that ’individual agendas’ announced a state of emergency in the said that these talks were part of main- would never succeed in denting ties capital and its outskirts as ongoing fight- taining contacts with influential mem- with Kuwait, after a recent smear cam- ing killed some 39 people including bers of the Senate concerning mainly paign targeting a Kuwaiti lawmaker. civilians in the past days. The fighting financial and military cooperation, in Libya was mired in chaos since the erupted between armed groups from addition to the national issue. ouster and killing of dictator Muammar Tripoli against others from a town to the Numerous media reports said that First Gaddafi in 2011, with two rival authori- south vying for power in Libya’s capital. Lady Melania Trump landed in Cairo, ties and a multitude of militias still vying The Health Ministry said the fighting Egypt. Entissar Amer, the First Lady of for control of the oil-rich country. had also wounded 96 others. The US the Arab Republic of Egypt and Thomas The US-based Freedom House report Treasury Department targeted the lead- Goldberger, the Chargé d’Affaires of the categorized internet use in Morocco as er of a Libyan militia with sanctions for US Embassy to Egypt, greeted Mrs. “partially” free. Morocco’s Ministry of directing attacks on oil facilities in the Trump. Culture and Communications respond- country. US representative Joe Wilson ed, “The ranking of Freedom House was US Charge d’Affaires in Khartoum met (Republican), alongside Carlos Curbelo devoid of accuracy and objectivity.” with the Sudanese opposition alliance from the same party and Democrat in London to discuss the peace process Gerry Connolly submitted a resolution before the resumption of dialogue pro- that supported Morocco in its dispute cess between the two countries on with Iran.

48 North Africa

Analysis of News Categories

Peace, Security & Terrorism

on “how to handle an explosive hazard 140 during Humanitarian Mine Action train- ing.” 120 The Standard reported that a General Service Unit officer held over the mur- der of 28-year-old Monica Kimani was 100 highly trained. Jennings Orlando, 31, belonged to the Recce Squad of GSU, 80 which was based at Ruiru in Kiambu County. Sources said Orlando was among 60 dozens of officers attached to the US embassy and a member of the Special 40 Programme for Embassy Augmentation and Response. Reports communicated that less than 20 two years after Libya with American forces regained control of its coast from 0 Islamic State fighters, the most potent Egypt Libya Tunisia Sudan Morocco affiliate outside of Iraq and Syria, law enforcement and US policymakers In September, Egypt’s armed forces Saudi Arabia concluded separate joint were worried about a resurgence. and the US began joint military exercis- military exercises with both the US and In November, US State Department es “Bright star – 2018” (Bright Star – Sudanese armed forces. According to adjusted the estimated cost for the sale 2018). The exercises would last until the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the joint of 60,500 tank rounds to Egypt to $201 September 20, would include the par- Saudi-US drills -- dubbed “Shield of million, more than double the $99 mil- ticipation of land forces, Navy and air Prevention 2” -- wrapped up at the lion value placed on the proposed sale force Great Britain, Greece, Jordan, Prince Sultan Airbase in the Saudi city in September. Italy, UAE, Saudi Arabia and France. of Al-Kharj. At a closing ceremony, Other reports stated that over 400 sol- The Pentagon was considering with- Major-General Mohamed bin diers in the Egyptian and Russian para- drawing nearly US commandos from Abdulkhaliq al-Ghamdi, Saudi chief of chute regiments finished the annual Niger in the wake of a deadly October military operations, said the drills were joint military exercises known as ambush that killed four US soldiers. aimed at “enhancing cooperation with “Protectors of Friendship”. The US, France, Italy and Britain con- friendly forces”. Reports said Libya’s eastern-based demned what they called an escalation According to former US National military court revealed names of indi- of violence in and around the Libyan Security Advisor Robert McFarlane, pol- viduals involved in the deadly 2012 capital Tripoli, warning that armed icies adopted by Egyptian President Benghazi attack that killed a US ambas- groups which undermined Libyan sta- Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to combat terror sador. bility would be made accountable. were very useful. McFarlane told Minor print media indicated that two The US Department of Defense Egyptian satellite channel DMC that his Libyan intelligence officers were announced that Morocco concluded a country should support Cairo in its fight accused of masterminding the new contract to supply its Royal Armed against terror. Lockerbie bombing. The US called on Forces with M4 carbine rifles and navy US Marines conducted a Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi to hand systems. Colt’s Manufacturing, an Humanitarian Mine Action level 2 train- over the two men, Abdel Basset Ali American firearms manufacturer, ing for Moroccan military officers to Al-Megrahi and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah. signed a US military procurement con- enhance Morocco’s demining capabili- tract to supply Morocco, Jordan, ties. US Marines with Special-Purpose Afghanistan, Senegal, Tunisia, and Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Pakistan with up to 10,000 additional Response-Africa trained officers of the M4 carbine rifles. Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR)

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Tourism, Travel & Leisure

the US planned to admit next year 35 would come from the Middle East, the White House said. In addition, the US 30 would admit 11,000 refugee applicants from Africa, which included Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Morocco. 25 In November, an unexpected develop- ment in the case of murdered Saudi 20 journalist Jamal Khashoggi came after an Egyptian woman claimed to have 15 married him at a secret wedding held in the US, a few months before his death at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. 10 Minor print media indicated that Tunisian unions and civil society groups 5 called for protests against a planned visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed 0 bin Salman, over the murder of journalist Egypt Morocco Libya Tunisia Jamal Khashoggi. ABC News reported that dozens of children from 22 different countries, Media reports communicated that an Moroccan culture and heritage. The ini- including Egypt were sworn in as US cit- elderly Catholic priest who had evaded tiative came from Bahia Benkhar, presi- izens, some while donning Halloween the law for almost three decades in dent of “Musk Strategies,” with the sup- costumes during a ceremony in Fairfax, Tangier, Morocco after allegedly com- port of the Moroccan community in the Va. Some of the children were dressed mitting a “long history of child sex US and the Moroccan embassy. in Halloween costumes and planned to abuse against vulnerable victims” was Business Insider reported that there go trick-or-treating following the cere- extradited and back on American soil. were 46 countries in the world that had mony. He was facing child molestation greater visa-free access to other coun- Hip-hop artist French Montana wanted charges. If found guilty, he could spend tries than SA does, and 41 of those people across the world to embrace the rest of his life in jail. countries were not even part of Africa immigration and give due importance to In October, reports said that Orlando, themselves. The US passport was top- health care. Montana left Morocco with Florida, was hosting a “Moroccan ranked for access to Africa, with 38 visa- his parents and younger brother for Village” for the first time to encourage free destinations. Countries where New York City when he was 13. This US tourism to Morocco. The “Moroccan Americans did not need prior visas but summer, he became a US citizen. village,” according to the state-owned South Africans included Morocco and news agency Maghreb Arab Press, dis- Egypt. played attractions, shows, culinary Other reports said that out of 30,000 stands, crafts, traditional products, art refugees US planned to take in next exhibitions, and conferences. The vil- year, only 9,000 would come from the lage was open October 4-7, promoting ’Near East’ region. Few of the refugees

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Economy, Trade & Development

owing to the political stability in the 25 country. Morocco would invest over $40 billion in the energy sector by 2030, including 20 in a liquefied natural gas project, according to Morocco’s energy minis- ter. Minister of Energy, Mines, and

15 Sustainable Development Aziz Rebbah said that $30 billion would be devoted to renewable energy projects, reported Maghreb Arab Press (MAP). The invest- 10 ment would create great opportunities for the national, regional, and interna- tional private sector, he added. The US 5 Trade and Development Agency announced on September 26 that it gave Morocco a grant supporting the LNG infrastructure development in 0 Sudan Egypt Libya Morocco Tunisia Morocco by funding “a feasibility study.” Maurice Obstfeld, the IMF’s chief Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir coordinates the energy policies of economist said that Egyptian authori- swore in a new prime minister in a bid industrialized nations. ties were required to double their efforts to ease an economic crisis, and lam- In October, Egypt’s Investment to keep the positive economic outlook, basted alleged efforts to “block” his Minister Sahar Nasr discussed ways to noting, “Egypt’ s growth was doing bet- country from foreign markets. Mr Bashir boost investment and economic coop- ter, but again there was a need for said the current economic situation eration between Egypt and the US with structural reforms,” resulted from an economic embargo US Department of the Treasury deputy Minor internet news stated that a US and a plan to block the country from assistant Eric Meyer in Bali on the side- $2.3bn 2300 MW gas-fired combined accessing foreign resources. He did not lines of the IMF-World Bank annual cycle plant was set for construction in say which country or countries he meetings. According to the statement Egypt following a deal signed between believed to be behind this alleged plan. issued by the investment and interna- Egypt and a Saudi Arabian utility devel- But there was resentment in Sudan that tional cooperation ministry about the oper, ACWA Power. the US kept the country on its list of meeting, Nasr and Meyer discussed The European Bank for state sponsors of terrorism, despite end- increasing cooperation between the Reconstruction and Development ing 21 years of sanctions in October. two countries, especially in the fields of reviewed the Egyptian economy in its Egyptian President Abdel Fattah development and investment, as well latest report “Transition Report El-Sisi and Donald Trump discussed as in supporting the development of 2018/2019”, stated that growth contin- bilateral cooperation between the two Sinai. ued to accelerate for the fifth consecu- countries and means of boosting Morocco’s ambassador to the US, tive quarter. American investments in Egypt. Lalla Joumala Alaoui, asserted Egypt Today reported that Egypt’s for- Libyan crude flows to the US resumed Morocco’s determination to preserve its eign trade recorded $78.4 billion from in September after falling to zero last centuries-old history in Florida. In a January to October 2018, compared month amid earlier port closures, debate hosted at the University of with $67.09 billion in the same period Thomson Reuters trade flows data Central Florida, the ambassador spoke of 2017. showed. Unrest that closed major about Morocco’s openness to the world The US government institution Libyan ports cut the chaotic OPEC at all levels. The debate, under the Millennium Challenge Corporation nation’s crude production in July, but theme “The Business Climate in approved a grant of 350 million US dol- output rebounded by 280,000 barrels Morocco and the Socio-Cultural lars to Tunisian government for devel- per day (bpd) in August to 950,000 Environment,” gave the ambassador an opment projects. bpd, and ports reopened, according to opportunity to explain Morocco’s com- the International Energy Agency, which mitment to progress and prosperity,

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Business & Investments

80 ing interest from US energy companies in developing its offshore oil and natu- 70 ral gas resources and expected them to participate in two bidding rounds due before year-end. 60 Minor print media stated that the US’ Assistant Secretary of State for Energy 50 Resources, Francis Fannon, expected the American energy companies to 40 boost their investments in Egypt. Mohsin El Beltagy, head of the Horticultural Export Improvement 30 Association said that the Egyptian com- panies that participated in the first 20 China International Import Expo, espe- cially in the field of agricultural crops 10 and food industries, succeeded in expanding new opportunities for export 0 to the Chinese market through success- Egypt Libya Morocco Tunisia ful new partners. The US Embassy in Cairo and INJAZ Egypt announced the launch of Startup The Ministries of Communication and statement. The signed agreement came Egypt, one of the largest entrepreneur- Military Production held a coordinative as part of Egypt’s 2030 Sustainable ship pipelines in the country. meeting with some American compa- Development plan, the statement Minor internet news stated that nies working in Egypt. It was attended added. “In support of the Government Chicago wheat futures rose for a sec- by the Minister of Military Production of Egypt’s strategic vision to reform ond session as Egypt’s purchase of US Mohamed Saeed El Assar, the minister water and wastewater utilities, USAID cargoes in a tender boosted expecta- of communications and information would provide technical assistance tions of higher demand for North technology, Amr Talaat, the Minister of with a focus on operational efficiency American supplies. Trade and Industry Amr Nassar, the and quality service,” The USAID Mission Libyan militia leader Salah Badi was chairperson of the Federation of Director to Egypt Sherry F. Carlin said in placed on the US sanctions blacklist, Industries Mohamed El Sewedy, the a statement. days after the United Nations Security chairperson of the US Egypt Business In October, US multinational diversi- Council placed global restrictions on Council, Omar Mehanna, and the chair- fied hospitality company Marriott doing business with the Islamist com- person of the American Chamber of International announced expansion mander. Commerce in Cairo, Tarek Tawfik. This plans across Africa, saying strong The U.N. Security Council authorized came within the framework of Prime demand for select-service brands and action against illicit oil exports from Minister Moustafa Madbouly’s prepara- conversion opportunities were driving Libya until February 2020, and it added tion for the visit of the delegation of the the momentum of growth. Marriott said planning and committing sexual and Chamber of Commerce and the the expansion would be amplified by gender-based violence as reasons for American Minister of Trade to Egypt in five new hotel signings, which would sanctions over objections from Russia October 2018. further consolidate its presence in and China. The US and Egyptian government Morocco. Marriott International was signed a $13.8 million to help improve present in 21 African countries, includ- the Holding Company for Water and ing Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia. Wastewater and its subsidiary compa- In November, Petroleum Minister nies, the US embassy in Cairo said in a Tarek El Molla said Egypt saw increas-

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Entertainment & Arts

Visual Actions, Inc, the Moroccan exhibit would be on display March 30-31, 2019. 14 Xinhua reported that the 17th edition of Morocco’s Marrakech International Film Festival, scheduled on Nov. 30 12 to Dec. 8, would pay tribute to the US actor Robert De Niro, organizers said in a statement. 10 In November, In an Egyptian schoolyard, hundreds of fans watched as amateur fighters with painted faces and dramatic 8 costumes recreated an American-style wrestling show. An insider revealed to Soap Dirt that Nicole Nafziger would 6 travel back to Morocco to be with Azan Tefou. Apparently, the TLC 90 Day Fiancé star planned about the trip since 4 September.

2 Arts The US Mission to Egypt believes strongly that Egypt’s 0 antiquities are not only part of its cultural heritage, but also Egypt Morocco represent an important economic asset that creates jobs and income, Cultural Affairs Officer at the US embassy, Ruth Anne Stevens-Klitz told Daily News Egypt. “We have invested over Entertainment $100m since 1995 to conserve monuments and masterpiec- Mohamed Abu Zekry and his band Karkade had been tour- es spanning the full range of Egypt’s long cultural heritage— ing the US for almost one month as part of the State from Pharaonic times to the late Ottoman period,” said Klitz, Department’s sponsored cultural exchange program “Center during an interview with DNE. Stage.” Karkade was one of three Egyptian bands selected to The Jerusalem Post reported that the decision of Morocco’s partake in the fourth edition of Center Stage, which marks King Mohammad VI to incorporate Holocaust education in debut Egyptian participation. The program brought to US soil the nation’s high-school curriculum drew praise from Israeli international bands and artists to expose Americans to differ- MK Michael Oren. Reports further said that two years ago, ent cultures, and expand the bands’ audience. Archives of Morocco and the Holocaust Memorial Center in Morocco World News reported that If Gad Elmaleh had France agreed to cooperate “on all topics related to the histo- learned something from his success, it was that dreams do ry of Jews and Judaism in countries of North Africa, in come true. The French-Moroccan comedian was living his research and exchange of archives and cultural and scientific American dream, touring the world to present his show events.” “Dream Tour.” Proud of his accomplishments, Elmaleh want- A statement by the White House said that during an official ed to give some motivation and hope to the children in the visit to Egypt, US first lady Melania Trump described the land of his birth, Morocco. Pyramids of Giza as a “historical treasure,” highlighting the In October, Morocco’s transcendental Gnawa music would importance of preserving historical sites. find an echo at a 2019 festival in Alexandria, Virginia, which A team of US researchers gave the world a chance to see would showcase Morocco’s cultural heritage. Sponsored by the faces of two Egyptian women who walked the earth the Moroccan American Network with the support of Audio about 2300 years ago.

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