Nigeria ready to impose sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine: FG

By

-

March 1, 2022

The President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has said Nigeria is ready to sanction Russia for invading Ukraine in line with the United Nations’ resolution to “adopt and impose sanctions” on the country.

“On imposing (the) sanction, this is going to be a collective action. The United Nations has to act,” disclosed Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister Geoffrey Onyeama in an interview with Channels TV on Monday night.

Onyeama condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to wage war against Ukraine.

Thousands of Nigerians have been caught in the Russia-Ukraine war, with the federal government frantic to get them out of Ukraine.

It directed Nigerians fleeing Ukraine to head to Hungarian or Romanian borders for easy access.

Demand For VPN’s In Russia And Ukraine Leaps

By

Zoe Maven

-

February 28, 2022

0

FILE PHOTO: Ethernet cables used for internet connection are seen in Kiev, Ukraine July 26, 2017. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo

As Russian and Ukrainian websites fall victim to cyber-attacks and Moscow restricts access to some foreign social media, internet users across both countries have turned to online tools to help circumvent the blocks.

Demand for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that encrypt data and obscure where a user is located has soared, data from monitoring firm Top10VPN showed, peaking 354% higher in Russia on Sunday when compared to the daily average from Feb. 16-23.

Russia, which calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation”, invaded its neighbour on Feb. 24, attacking from land, sea and air.

At home, it is battling to control the narrative, threatening restrictions on foreign and local media that stray from its official version of events.

In Ukraine, Russian hackers were blamed for a spate of cyberattacks that briefly knocked Ukrainian banking and government websites offline, days before the invasion. Russia denied involvement.

VPN demand in Ukraine began noticeably increasing on Feb. 15 in light of cyberattacks, Top10VPN said, and skyrocketed after the invasion, with demand peaking 424% higher than the daily average in the first half of February.

On Monday, the websites of several Russian media outlets were hacked, with their regular sites replaced by an anti-war message and calls to stop President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

Ukrainian President Signs Formal Request To Join The EU

By

Zoe Maven

-

February 28, 2022

0

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said he has signed an official request for his country to join the European Union.

Zelenskyy posted photos of himself signing the application and his office said the paperwork was on its way to Brussels, where the 27-nation EU is headquartered.

The announcement came after the president urged the bloc to grant his country immediate membership under a special procedure, as Russia’s assault against the pro-Western country entered its fifth day.

During his video address, he also urged Russian soldiers to lay down their weapons and leave as Ukrainian and Russian delegations held talks on Moscow’s invasion.

The first round of talks between Ukrainian officials aimed at ending the fighting concluded with no deal but an agreement to keep talking.

The meeting came under the shadow of Putin’s nuclear threats and with Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine running into unexpectedly fierce resistance and Western sanctions beginning to wreak havoc on the economy at home.

A top Zelenskyy adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, said the talks, held near the Ukraine-Belarus border, were focused on a possible cease-fire and that a second round could take place “in the near future.”

A top Putin aide and head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, said that the discussions lasted nearly five hours and that the envoys “found certain points on which common positions could be foreseen.” He said they agreed to continue the talks in the coming days.

He claimed that more than 4,500 Russian soldiers had already lost their lives during the Kremlin’s assault.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy announced that he decided to release prisoners with real military experience from custody to make amends. He also seeks to boost troop numbers by inviting Ukrainian men to join resistance forces.

Dozens Wounded In Kharkiv As Russia Strikes Buildings

By

Zoe Maven

-

February 28, 2022

0

Ukrainian officials say at least 11 people were killed and more were wounded in the eastern city of Kharkiv on Monday morning after Russia launched rocket strikes.

Suspected cluster munitions struck buildings in residential parts of the city, raising fears that as Russia escalates attacks in urban areas it could use tactics similar to those it used in Chechnya and Syria, where it has been accused of widespread wartime abuses.

The bombardments came as Russian and Ukrainian delegations held talks Monday for the first time, by Ukraine’s border with Belarus, a key Russian ally.

Oleh Synehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, said Monday that “dozens are dying” and that at least 11 people were confirmed dead.

He called the attacks, in three areas of the predominantly Russian-speaking city that had been considered more friendly to Russia, “a war crime.”

Dozens wounded in shelling of Kharkiv as Russia strikes buildings with suspected cluster munitions

As the shelling began, many Kharkiv residents were lining up at grocery stores and other shops to replenish supplies after being shut in for several days. In the aftermath, images circulated online of damaged buildings and streets dotted with blood and hastily discarded groceries.

One video showed a still-smoldering children’s clothing factory entirely destroyed.

Sudanese Protesters Against Military Rule Defy Tear Gas

By

Zoe Maven

-

February 28, 2022

0

Huge crowds of Sudanese protesters demonstrating against military rule advanced up to the gates of the presidential palace in central Khartoum on Monday, despite facing heavy tear gas and stun grenades.

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors one protester was killed by a gunshot to the head during parallel protests in neighbouring Omdurman, and dozens were injured in Khartoum,.

Reports say Protesters have been marching on the presidential palace frequently since an Oct. 25 coup that ended a civilian-military power-sharing arrangement that was meant to lead to democratic elections.

At least 84 people have been killed in security crackdowns but there was no immediate comment from the military or the police.

Monday represents only the second time since the coup that protesters had been able to reach the palace gates, a site that demonstrations in Sudan have historically targeted.

On Sunday, resistance committees organising the protests announced a political charter aimed at unifying civilian political forces. Protesters could be seen carrying banners in support of the charter and distributing copies.

Security forces had fired tear gas, some coloured red or yellow, as well as stun grenades and red-coloured liquid, as they attempted to stop protesters more than a kilometre away from the palace, a Reuters witness said. Several unconscious protesters were driven away on motorcycles.

About an hour after reaching the palace, protesters faced a new round of tear gas and stun grenades and the sound of gunshots could be heard.

OPEC Chief, African Ministers Defend Oil And Gas Investments

By

Zoe Maven

-

February 28, 2022

0

Egypt's annual EGYPS 2022 petroleum show begins at the capital city of Cairo — OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo attends a session during Egypt's 5th Petroleum Show "EGYPS 2022" at the capital city of Cairo, Egypt, February 14, 2022. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

The OPEC chief and ministers from major African oil producing countries are defending investments in fossil fuels, saying Africa’s development needs were being overlooked in the global drive towards decarbonisation.

Africa accounts for less than 3% of global carbon emissions while some 600 million Africans have no access to electricity, they said, arguing that investments in the continent’s natural resources should go forward.

OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo told an energy conference in Nigeria that it would be a tragedy of unimaginable proportions if despite billions of dollars being poured into investments for these resources, these went west as stranded assets.

His comments came as the latest report from the United Nations climate science panel warned that half the world’s population was vulnerable to dangerous climate impacts and drastic action was necessary.

But resource-rich developing nations have often pushed back against calls for a rapid move away from fossil fuels, arguing that they have not had the time to benefit economically from the fuels and that they are not to blame for the bulk of emissions.

Timipre Sylva, oil minister of Nigeria, the continent’s top oil producer, said the wider world should support a drive to develop African natural gas production, which he described as green energy and the only way to ramp up electricity output.

While drillers and some governments argue that gas burns much cleaner than oil or coal, climate scientists disagree, citing mounting research that the gas industry is responsible for significant emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Sylva’s counterpart from Equatorial Guinea, a big oil exporter, suggested that if any oil majors were to pull out of any hydrocarbon projects, they should hand them over to local authorities.

In Kenya, Urgent Calls For A Global Plastics Treaty

By

Zoe Maven

-

February 28, 2022

0

Kenya’s biggest landfill is but a short distance from the United Nations complex in Nairobi where talks on a global plastics treaty are taking place this week.

According to official data, the equivalent of 30 trucks of throwaway plastic packaging, bags and containers are tipped on to Dandora dump on a daily basis.

This global waste crisis has sparked calls for radical action in a treaty billed as the most important environmental pact since the Paris Agreement.

The equivalent of 30 trucks of throwaway plastic packaging, bags and containers are tipped on to Dandora dump daily, according to official data, a trend set to worsen with global plastic pollution forecast to double over the next decade.

This global waste crisis, which is destroying habitats, killing wildlife and contaminating the food chain, has sparked calls for radical action in a treaty billed as the most important environmental pact since the Paris Agreement.

Hibrahim Otieno, a local environmental official told Newsmen at the dump site, “Our expectation is that when the treaty is signed, countries commit to stop the production of such plastics,”

But how the treaty will tackle single-use plastic production and use is set to be one of the thorniest issues in the talks, according to officials involved, as well as what elements of it will be legally binding and how it will be financed.

Behind-the-scenes, powerful oil and chemical companies who manufacture plastics have been reportedly urging governments to reject provisions that could curb their business.

Cedi Now Worst Among Africa’s Top Currencies – Bloomberg

By

Zoe Maven

-

February 28, 2022

0

The Ghana cedi is now the worst-performing currency among Africa’s top currencies, according to Bloomberg which has pegged the depreciation of the cedi to the dollar at 8.86% between January 1, 2022, and February 25, 2022.

This is followed by the Zambian kwacha with a depreciation of 6.02%.

In 2020, the international media and research organization rated the Ghana cedi as the best performing currency in the world against the United States Dollar.

Ghana and the Zambian economies have been battling with fiscal slippages, whilst their rising debts have created fears among investors regarding their economic outlook.

Whereas Zambia agreed to an International Monetary Fund bailout of $1.4 billion in December 2021 for a crucial three-year programme to restructure its debt, Ghana is adamant about returning to the Bretton Wood institution for a similar programme to build investor credibility.

Crude oil has been selling above $100 per barrel, but the foreign inflows from the commodity have done little to help stabilise the cedi.

However, the five-year $4.5 billion Country Partnership Framework from the World Bank is expected to inject some dollar inflows into the economy and help shore up the value of the cedi.

The Gambian dalasi, New Sudanese pound and Ethiopian birr are among African Currencies with the “Worst Spot Returns” by Bloomberg.

Angola Kwanza, Namibian dollar and South Africa are however among African currencies with the “Best Spot Returns”.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: ECOWAS Condemns Russia’s Invasion

By

Zoe Maven

-

February 28, 2022

0

The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and called on the two countries to ensure the safety of Africans living in Ukraine.

In a statement dated Sunday, February 27, ECOWAS said it has been following with great concern events ongoing in the country.

It urged the parties to ensure the safety of the citizens of all its member-states living in Ukraine. “ECOWAS strongly condemns this action and calls for both parties to stop the fighting and to use dialogue to solve their differences in the interest of peace in this region,” the statement said.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has launched an unprecedented attack on Ukraine.

The move comes after Putin ordered troops into two pro-Russian, breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine last week.

There have been multiple reports of explosions, bombings, and Russian Military vehicles entering Ukraine from various parts of the border with Russia, with a growing number of casualties being counted on both sides.

Recent tensions have stemmed from Russia’s opposition to Ukraine’s moves towards European institutions like North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the European Union (EU).

Nigeria to begin evacuation of citizens in Ukraine Wednesday

By

Henry Williams

-

February 28, 2022

0

Nigeria will begin evacuation of its citizens in Ukraine from Wednesday 2nd March, Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the House of Representatives said on Monday.

The speaker made this known when he invited Godfrey Onyeama, the minister of Foreign Affairs to his office in Abuja for a meeting on the plight of Nigerians caught in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The speaker, while informing that the first batch of the air-lifting is now scheduled to take place on Wednesday, noted that the evacuation, which was earlier planned for Monday (yesterday), was rescheduled for Wednesday to give enough room for the ministry, the House and the Nigerian foreign missions in Ukraine, Poland and Russia to complete the formalities of moving Nigerians from inside Ukraine to safe borders with neighbouring countries.