The Congolese capital, Brazzaville, will host a mini-African summit on the Libyan crisis on January 30, before the AU summit scheduled for February 9th. It comes at a time when the Libyan capital is witnessing a state of security chaos, after the expansion of the presence of militias and foreign mercenaries in its various parts that are still under the authority of the government.
Category: Africa
Africa
Erdogan Urges More Pressure on Libya’s Haftar
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged higher international pressure on the military forces in eastern Libya to accept a provisional truce, and said that Turkey remains committed to supporting the Libyan government recognized by the UN. Erdogan made the comments after a meeting in Istanbul with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who last Sunday hosted a peace conference on Libya in Berlin. The conference resulted in a provisional ceasefire.
New Tunisian PM Excludes Saied’s Opponents from Government
Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Elyes Fakhfakh said during a press conference yesterday that he will work to form a mini-cabinet and harmonious government that brings together the parties that supported President Kais Saied in the second round of the presidential elections. Fakhfakh also announced the exclusion of the Heart of Tunisia and Free Destourian parties from government consultations.
Why Digital Marketing is Essential for Small Businesses
Digital marketing provides small business owners with the tools they need to promote their brands to their target audiences. Organizations have access to low-cost tools when they use digital marketing services to contact current and potential clients.
Entrepreneurs can use digital marketing to create opportunities to showcase their skills to a large audience that they may not have reached in their local area. Small business owners also have fewer obstacles when taking part in advertising their brands online as they might with more traditional forms of advertising.
Sudan Signs Agreement With Rebels, Trouble Continues in Khartoum
The Sudanese government and a major rebel movement signed a preliminary agreement on Friday, on political and security arrangements, paving the way for a comprehensive reconciliation agreement through ongoing talks between the two sides. The Sudanese government resumed peace talks with rebel movements last October to end years of conflict that has persisted.
Communal News Reaches a Milestone: Over 5,000 Posts!
Communal News recently posted its 5,000th article, capping off a stunning rate of contributor and reader growth. With over 1,000 contributors signed up so far, the site has also had over 20,000 unique visitors and over 84,000 visits in the last 7 days alone! CN is published on Communal News, Google News and Facebook News– in over 100 languages and on social media.
Why You Should Pay Employees a Competitive Salary?
The parameters to accept a job offer may be subjective but there is one thing that job seekers always keep tabs on- Remuneration. Vaguely scrolling through the post/ ad, the eyes of a prospect directly land and zoom in on the CTC offered. Everyone knows their competence level, they also know their worth and value in the market and that’s exactly where a competitive pay comes into play! One can overlook the recognition or brand value of the organization, ignore the company location and shift timings, even sideline the company’s environment and culture, but there is no compromise with a well-deserved salary package.
Libya Peace Conference Calls for Civil War Ceasefire
International allies of the Libyan government, supported by the United Nations, and rebel forces led by General Khalifa Haftar agreed on Sunday to respect a ceasefire initiated a week ago, and an arms embargo imposed by the UN Security Council. World leaders are hoping for a way out of the civil war that has plagued the country for five years.
Libyan Prime Minister Calls for Deployment of UN Peacekeepers
On the eve of the Libyan conference in Berlin, Libyan Prime Minister Faiz al-Saraj called for international support for the government. Meanwhile, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar is seizing on Libya’s important oil ports to step up his pressure on the government. The Libyan Prime Minister has formally called on the United Nations to support the country’s official government by calling for peacekeepers.
Egypt Finalizes Renaissance Dam Agreement, Sets Conditions
Egypt has identified the basic points and conditions that must be included in the final agreement for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is to be reached in the Washington meetings on January 28 and 29. Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly chaired the Supreme Committee for the Nile Water Saturday, to review the results of the Washington meeting on the Renaissance Dam. He valued the constructive and positive role played by the administration of the US President, Donald Trump, in facilitating negotiations and converging views between the three countries.
Greece Urges Haftar to Take Constructive Stance at Berlin Conference
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said today that, after his meeting with the leader of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar, Athens expects European countries to reject the two memoranda that Turkey signed with the Libyan Government of National Accord led by Fayez Al-Sarraj. Dendias added that Athens encouraged Haftar to “constructively act” at the Berlin conference on Sunday, which aims to try to end the fighting in Libya.
Aid Workers Held Hostage Released in Nigeria
Three aid workers and other civilians who had been held hostage by an armed group have been released, a United Nations official has said. They had been held hostage in northeast Nigeria since late December. The hostages were kidnapped on December 22 by fighters posing as soldiers who stopped a convoy of commercial vehicles travelling towards the city of Maiduguri, state capital of the northeast state of Borno.
German Foreign Minister Heads to Libya to Meet Khalifa Haftar
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas headed to Libya today to hold talks with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, commander of the so-called Libyan National Army. Maas’ visit takes place just three days before the planned Libyan summit in the German capital, Berlin.
Libyan Conflict – What is the Turkish and Russian Agenda?
Russia will host Fayez al-Serraj and Khalifa Haftar in Moscow in an attempt to achieve peace in Libya. According to Russian news, Haftar is already in Russia. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, who is a Turkish politician and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey since 24 November 2015, is expected to join them. Hakan Fidan is a retired Turkish army sergeant, teacher, diplomat and the head of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization. he is expected to attend as well. Hulusi Akar is the current Turkish Minister of Defense and a former four-star Turkish Armed Forces general who served as the 29th Chief of the General Staff. He will be arriving with al Serraj for the talks. Observers from Egypt and United Arab Emirates will be in attendance. The latest development is that Haftar left without signing any type peace resolution.
Haftar Rejects Ceasefire, Perplexing Adversaries, Allies
In a new step, the Libyan National Army commander, Khalifa Haftar, decided to postpone the signing of a ceasefire agreement, leaving Russia and his delegation. Russia hosted international talks in cooperation with the Prime Minister of the Libyan government, Fayez al-Sarraj, and the Turkish side. This opened speculation about the factors that may have prompted Haftar to take this position, despite allegations raised about the imminent signing of a binding ceasefire agreement in Libya once the negotiations in Moscow ended.
Twenty-One Ethiopian Students Released from Captivity
At least 21 Ethiopian students have been released from captivity after being abducted early December, the government has said. However, six others are still in captivity. These students are said to be from Amhara region. The Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, told the state television that thirteen female students and eight male students had “been released in a peaceful manner.”
Merkel and Putin Call for Solution to Conflict in Libya
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, called for a solution to the crisis in Libya Saturday. After a meeting in Moscow, which also discussed the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, both leaders urged the parties to negotiate. Earlier this week, Russia and Turkey— which support opposing sides— called for a cease fire.
Communal News Now Writes, Submits and Publishes Articles and News for Facebook News
Communal News (CN) has notched another milestone achievement. It is now being published on Facebook News. For the thousands of CN contributors, this is another venue in which your contributions to CN can be read. For Facebook readers, we have our new service at your Facebook News fingertips. Facebook News joins Communal News and Google News in delivering CN’s global fact-based news, often written by you the public. Along with the news service, CN is being published in over 100 global languages, on social media, and often finds advanced placement in organic search engines such as Google, Bing, Baidu, Yahoo and DuckDuckGo.
Niger Army Base Attack Kills Twenty-Five
Twenty-five soldiers have been killed in a suspected jihadist attack on a military camp in Niger along the western border with Mali, Niger’s army has confirmed. The army has said that more than 60 militants were also killed when the army responded backed up French air strikes.
Four Killed in Car Bomb Attack in Mogadishu
Four people were killed and ten others injured when a car bomb exploded close to a checkpoint near Somalia’s parliament in the capital Mogadishu, police have said. “Explosives were packed in a vehicle which the security forces think was trying to pass through the checkpoint but because he could not do that, the suicide bomber detonated it,” said a police officer, Adan Abdullahi. “Initial reports we have received indicate four people were killed and more than ten others wounded in the blast,” he added.
Cameroon Army Says Accidental Grenade Blast Killed Nine
Nine people have been killed after a grenade exploded Monday afternoon on a bridge over El Beid river in the Cameroonian frontier town of Fotokol. Cameroon army spokesperson, Colonel Cyrille Atonfack Nguemo said that the blast resulted from “reckless manipulation” of a grenade found in the sand in the locality by “two little boys.”
Al-Shabaab Attacks U.S. Military Base in Kenya, Three Killed
Security was heightened in Kenya after an attack by al-Shabaab at a military base in Lamu that is usually used by US and Kenyan military personnel. A US military service member and two US contractors were killed in the attack. Two other Department of Defense personnel were injured is Sunday’s attack on Manda Bay Airfield in Lamu County. “The wounded Americans are in stable condition and being evacuated,” African Command (AFRICOM) said in a statement.
Can the Low Cost Global Gig Revolution Improve the Egyptian and Arabic Language “Jobless Growth Economy”?
Egypt has a massive population of over 98 million people, with the current GDP per capital at just over $3,000. Egypt has invested in human capital but according to Professor Ragui Assaad, Egypt’s economic growth is “jobless growth,” and has “no impact on employment rates or the quality of jobs…but poverty and inequality have increased. Growth has essentially not been creating good jobs despite the apparent decline in unemployment.”
Five Soldiers Killed in Bomb Attack in Mali
Five Malian soldiers have been killed and four others wounded in a roadside bomb attack, a government spokesperson has said. The troops were travelling in the region of Alatona, near the border with Mauritania, when their convoy hit a bomb on Monday morning. Four vehicles were destroyed in the blast. “Reinforcements are already in place for the operation to neutralize the enemies,” government spokesman, Yaya Sangare said on Twitter.
Quantum Computing Market Making a Leap
Quantum computing is used in applications that demands performing complex calculations and tasks in shortest time with utmost safety and thus is gaining popularity in cloud computing, machine learning, molecular structure engineering, smart manufacturing, smart logistics, and smart retail applications.
Shirazz Mohamed, Abducted South African Journalist, Returns Home from Syria
A South African photo-journalist, Shiraaz Mohamed, who was abducted three years ago in Syria, has returned to his home country after being set free. His family has confirmed this, adding that they would give more details later. “Shiraaz Mohamed is back in the country,” his ex-wife, Shaaziya Brijlal told AFP. “Owing to his recent circumstances, he and our family are requesting that we be given some space,” said Brijlal adding that a statement will be given in due course.
Sudan Plane Crash Kills 18
A Sudanese military plane crashed in the Western Darfur region, killing all eighteen people on board, including four children, the military said. A Sudanese employee of the World Food Program (WFP) and his family were among the casualties. Several officers were among those who perished as the plane went down in an area that has recently experienced deadly ethnic clashes.
Low Cost Global Freelance Gigs Opens to French Language in 29 Countries
The French language is the fifth largest language in the world behind English, Mandarin, Hindi and Spanish. France itself is the second largest French speaking county in the world behind DR Congo. Today, French language Gigs can be translated into over 100 different languages– not just English– allowing the French gig poster to greatly increase their markets.
Turkey’s Parliament Approves Plan to Send Troops to Libya
Turkey’s parliament has approved the deployment of soldiers to Libya for one year. The Turkish soldiers are to support Libya’s internationally-recognized government, currently under pressure from General Khalifa Haftar’s forces. During Thursday’s vote, 325 MPs voted in favor and 184 against the move by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.
Al-Shabaab Claims Responsibility for Saturday’s Blast in Somalia
The al-Shabbab militant group has claimed responsibility for Saturday’s blast in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, a tragedy that claimed 80 people and injured dozens. The official spokesperson of the group, Ali Mohamud Rageh, also known as Ali Dhere, made the statement through the group’s official station, Radio Andalus. Ali Dhere added that the attack targeted a Turkish convoy and security officers at the city’s busy Ex-Control junction.
Can the Russian Low Cost Global Freelance Market Grow Its Population and Wealth?
The Russian population peaked 28 years ago at over 48 million, just after the USSR collapsed in 1991. Today the Russian population is about 144 million (the current population dos not include the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol). Domestic GDP per capita is under $12,000 per year. The Russian GDP per capita is equivalent to only 93% of the world average.
Russian computer usage is remarkably high at 71% (in 2016) and the Russian Global Gig Economy Index is 8th in growth at a strong 20%.
2019: A Year in Review of Events that Influenced the Geopolitical Balance and Defense Around the Globe
There has been a tug of war for geopolitical influence and attempts to disrupt the already established balance throughout 2019. We also saw the formation of interesting and very invasive social media polices around the globe. Hence, there were ramifications and changes to the social media landscape:
- France implementing new measures to track and monitor the social media of its citizens.
- Russia is working to complete their digital iron curtain.
- China implementing draconian verification process impacting social credit and privacy.
- UK to ruthlessly start collecting DNA.
- We’ve also seen the rise of deep fake technology that could have a great impact on the US 2020 Presidential elections as well as on the global scale.
Let’s look at the world’s main players and regions:
U.S. Airstrikes Against al-Shabaab Kill Four Terrorists
A United States airstrike against the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabaab militant group killed at least four terrorists, US Command said in a statement. “In coordination with the federal government of Somalia, US Africa Command conducted three airstrikes in two locations targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow and Caliyoow Barrow, Somalia, respectively, December 29,” AFRICOM said.
Sudanese Court Sentences 29 Intelligence Officers to Death for Murder of Protester
Twenty-nine members of the national intelligence service have been sentenced to death by a court in Sudan, having found them guilty of murdering a teacher in detention. The defendants were found guilty of deadly abuse of Ahmed al-Kheir at an intelligence services facility and sentenced to be hanged, judge Sadok Abdelrahman said.
Can a Global Freelance Gig Revolution Save the Expected Nigeria Extreme Poverty Explosion ?
Nigeria is working hard to transform itself from one of the world’s poorest commodity-based economies, where the per capita GDP is just above $2,000 per year, into a high skilled information-based economy. Nigeria, unlike Ukraine and other Asia countries, does not have a bordering country where the young and highly educated can easily migrate and dramatically improve their financial situation. Nigeria has more of its population in poverty (by definition under $1.90 a day) than even India. It is estimated that over 87 million people, about half of Nigeria, currently live in poverty.
Russia Wants to Sever Ties with OPEC – Does Putin Want His Own Alternative?
Russia’s head of the Minenergo, Alexander Novak, recently stated the nation’s interest is to gradually severe ties with OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries comprised of 14 nations. Founded in 1960 in Baghdad by the first five members, OPEC moved its headquartered in 1965 to Vienna, Austria. The countries that joined later were:
Blast in Somalia Kills Dozens
At least 76 people have died, and many others have been injured, after a massive car blast in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. However, the death toll is toll expected to rise. “The number of casualties we have confirmed is 76 dead and 70 wounded, it could still be higher,” the director of the private Aamin Ambulance Service, Abdulkadir Abdirahman, told AFP.
Abuja Bank Robbery Foiled, Leaves One Killed, Four Arrested
An attempted robbery at a bank in Mpape area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has been foiled by policemen and soldiers from the Guards Brigade. Four members of an armed gang have been arrested as one is confirmed dead, he was shot dead while trying to escape. Some of the bank’s staff and security officers suspected to have aided the robbers are also held by police from Mpape Division for questioning.
Somalia Truck Bomb Blast Kills at Least 76
A car bomb blast on Saturday in a busy area of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, left dozens dead and injured in one of the worst attacks in the country in years. Saturday is a working day in the Muslim-dominated country, and the blast occurred during rush hour in the morning, leaving the site full of debris and burned and bloody vehicles. There is a discrepancy in the death toll, which has not yet been confirmed by the local authorities.
ISWAP Brutally Executes 11 Christians in Nigeria
The Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) brutally executed a group of its hostages, most of whom were Christians. ISWAP released a 56-second video produced by “news agency” Telegram, claiming to show the killing of eleven Christians in Nigeria. In the footage, a captive in the middle is shot dead while the rest are pushed to the ground and beheaded. ISWAP said that it spared two of its captives. The video was released on December 26, and analysts say it was appropriately timed to coincide with Christmas celebrations. Another video circulated early this month that showed the group pleading for help.
Terrorist Ambush in Western Niger Kills 14 Troops
Fourteen troops have been killed when heavily-armed terrorists ambushed a convoy in the western region of Tillaberi, Niger, the interior ministry said. “After a fierce battle . . . seven police and seven national guards were killed . . . a guard has been listed as missing.” The ministry added in a statement that “the enemy” suffered many losses, although it did not give details.
Erdogan: Turkey to Send Troops to Libya
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Thursday that the country’s national Parliament would vote in January to allow troops to be sent to Libya. Turkey is backing the interim government of the Libyan National Agreement (GAN), against the forces of Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who is backed by Russia and Egypt.
Pirates Kill Captain, Abduct Four Chinese Sailors, in Gabon
An attack by pirates in Libreville harbor in Gabon has left a captain dead and four Chinese sailors abducted. The Gabonese captain was a commander of a vessel operated by Satram company, while the four Chinese were working for Sigapeche company. “Pirates attacks were perpetrated . . . against four ships,” said Edgar Anicet Mboumbou Miyakou, the government spokesperson.
Ahmed Gaid Salah, Algeria’s Powerful Army Chief, Dies
Algeria’s powerful army chief, Ahmed Gaid Salah, has died. The Algerian government radio announced that he died Monday morning in an Algiers military hospital after a heart attack. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced a three-day mourning period. The President announced that the head of land forces, General Said Chengriha, would take over as acting Chief of staff of the armed forces.
Macron Vows to Defend Sahel States Against Jihad
A rise in the attacks by terrorists in West Africa has raised concerns over French military involvement in the region. The current French operation has been on-going since 2014, coordinating security related issues with Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Chad. Currently, over 4,500 French troops are in the region. Despite the challenge, the French President, Emmanuel Macron vows to give a new force to the fight armed groups in the Sahel states in West Africa.
South Sudan’s Warring Leaders Agree (Again) to Form Unity Government
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and the opposition leader, Riek Machar, have agreed to form a Unity government by end of February next year, whether their expectations are met or not. The decision was reached upon after the duo had talks in the capital city, Juba, for the last three days so as to iron out the outstanding disputes that have prevented the establishment of a power-sharing government.
African Migrant to the US Held in Louisiana Hospital with Possible Ebola Infection
(Monroe, LA.) — An emergency room at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport-Monroe Medical Center was shutdown out of an abundance of caution. A patient, who had recently arrived from Africa showed up sick with EBOLA symptoms. The hospital tells us they informed the Louisiana Office of Public Health, and the hospital quickly sounded the EBOLA alarm throughout the hospital.
Pirates Attack Indian Oil Tanker, Take Hostages in Gulf of Guinea
Twenty Indians aboard an oil tanker, MV Duke, have been kidnapped by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, in West Africa, where piracy has been on the rise. One crew member on board, who is believed to be a Nigerian, was not kidnapped. The Indian Foreign Ministry has said that the issue is being handled by the relevant authorities. “Our mission in Abuja has taken up the matter with the Nigerian authorities, as well as authorities of the neighboring countries,” the Ministry said in a statement.
ISIS-Linked Group Kills 43 in DRC
At least 43 people were killed in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after a series of attacks over the weekend. The attacks were carried out by rebels with links to the Islamic State group and were in response to a new military offensive in the area, a human rights group said. The president of a Congolese human rights group known by its French acronym CEPADHO, Omar Kavotha, said that the rebels were trying to force the people against the military so that they demand the military action to be stopped.
Five Killed by Floods in Uganda
Five people were killed by floods in Kampala, Uganda over the weekend, among them a marine officer on a rescue mission. Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said that the body of the marine police officer, Sgt Godfrey Mwondha an officer with Uganda Police Force, was found in Mbuuya Katoongo swamp which is often used as a washing bay.
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