Crocodile distribution could reveal secrets of the Earth’s past climate • Earth.com
According to a recent study, ancient crocodiles are shedding new light on Earth’s past climate. Experts have discovered that some crocodile species were tolerant of changes in climate conditions, while others were fatally sensitive to these changes. Based on the distribution of the fossil remains of various species, researchers can gain a better understanding of the global climate millions of years ago. These eras were distinctly divided by a climate crisis which involved plummeting temperatures and drastically lower sea levels. The study also suggests that Morocco could have been the platform for marine species in the gavialoid family to migrate to South America.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 15:22 UTC
Morocco’s Managem expands stake to 85% in a gold project in Guinea Conakry
Moroccan mining firm, Managem, announced, Tuesday, that it acquired the remaining 30% stake in the joint venture with West African-focused gold mining and exploration company Avocet Mining, for $21 million. With this new acquisition, the Moroccan company expands to 85% its stake in the capital of SMM (Mandiana Mining Companies), which holds the Tri-K gold operating license. The remaining 15% stake in the joint venture that runs the gold project remains in the hands of Soguipami (Guinean mining heritage company). In a statement relayed by Reuters news agency, Managem indicates that this new acquisition is part of its plan to strengthen gold production in Africa and in Guinea. The Tri-K project, one of the largest in the group, has an estimated reserve of more than 1 million ounces of gold.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 15:11 UTC
EU Trust Fund Bêkou for Central African Republic extended until 2020
The European Commission announced this Wednesday the extension of the Bêkou Trust Fund for the Central African Republic (CAR) until the end of 2020. The trust fund extension comes a few months after the signature of the Peace Agreement between the Government and armed groups in Bangui in February 2019. According to an EU press release, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, said: “We are extending the Bêkou Trust Fund for 18 months as it brings real results. The first ever EU Trust Fund has so far already reached over 2.5 million beneficiaries, over half of the population of the Central African Republic,”. In the health sector, which currently represents the main sector of intervention with 42% of the funds, the Bêkou Trust Fund actions restored health services for over 30% of the population.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 14:26 UTC
Egypt: Fallout of President Morsi’s death
Since Morsi’s death was announced, some channels have hosted “experts” denouncing the “violence” and “lies” perpetrated by the group. On Tuesday morning, pro-government newspapers only briefly mentioned Morsi’s death, without referencing his status as a former president. But for Zack Gold, an analyst at the CNA research centre in the United States, it is “unlikely Morsi’s death will result in any immediate rise in the security threat to Egypt”. “In the long term, it would be concerning if the government pre-emptively arrested large numbers out of concern for street protests or other outbursts in the wake of Morsi’s death,” Gold said. On Wednesday, he said he would follow up on the process related to Morsi’s death.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 14:15 UTC
Azuri Technologies raises $26 million to expand solar kit business in Africa
UK-based Azuri Technologies said it has raised $26 million to expand its individual solar kit business to cater to African households. IP group, a British technology-focused investment fund, and Fortune 500, a major shareholder of Azuri Technologies, have also contributed. Azuri Technologies aims to expand its footprint in East Africa, in countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Nigeria. Through the input of Marubeni, Azuri will accelerate its expansion strategy, which will also include TV and additional services into new markets. IIn Nigeria, Azuri signed with First Bank of Nigeria, thus benefitting from the banks Firstmonie service, triggering mobile phone payments.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 14:03 UTC
Libya: Three wounded in air raid on site operated by Mellitah Oil & Gas Company
Tripoli, June 19, 2019 – Libya’s National Oil Company deplored an air raid that on Tuesday evening destroyed a warehouse operated by a subsidiary and wounded three personnel near Tripoli. “A warehouse owned by subsidiary Mellitah Oil & Gas Company (MOG) was destroyed by aerial bombardment,” the NOC said in a statement on its website. The air raid poses a risk to oil production, Sanalla said, vowing to work with local authorities to “ascertain the origin of this unprovoked attack”. The raid is the fourth attack against installations supported by the NOC since Haftar launched his offensive. Counter-attacks against the LNA by forces loyal to the GNA have resulted in stalemate on the capital’s southern outskirts.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 14:03 UTC
UN-C 24: Petitioners Highlight Sahara Socioeconomic Progress, Decry Oppression in Tindouf Camps
The petitioners also denounced the continued abuse and oppression suffered by the Sahrawis sequestered in the Tindouf camps by the Polisario militias that are armed, sheltered and funded by the Algerian military regime. The region attracts decent investment in health and education under the 2016-2021 development program, he added, emphasizing that the Sahara population benefits from their own resources. She said 700 projects in the region are spurring new momentum for growth, adding that socioeconomic progress is giving the region greater autonomy. Touria Hmyene of the Association for the Freedom of Women Sequestered in the Tindouf Camps said the camp population are victims of oppression due to cruel and inhumane measures imposed by Polisario thugs. Zoubida Souad Kriska of the Organization for Ending Human Rights Violations in the Tindouf Camps said it is high time the international community recognized the ongoing human rights abuses in the Tindouf camps, which are under the military control of Polisario armed group.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 14:03 UTC
Sahel: Mali’s ethnic Dogon people under attack
June 18, 2019 – Thirty-eight people were killed and many others wounded in attacks on two ethnic Dogon villages in central Mali, the government said Tuesday, in the latest in a cycle of violence in the volatile Sahel country. No group immediately claimed responsibility for Monday’s attacks but Mali has seen a spate of massacres this year between ethnic Dogon and Fulani communities. Earlier this month, a massacre on another Dogon village, Sobane Da, killed 35 people, stirring fears of tit-for-tat attacks in a region with an ethnic patchwork. “This time is the same as Sobane Da: People and animals targetted,” said Adama Dionko, a spokesman for Mali’s Dogon association. Ethnic violence in central Mali surged after a predominantly Fulani jihadist group led by preacher Amadou Koufa emerged in 2015.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 14:03 UTC
Libya: Libyan National Parties Back Haftar at a Cairo Conference
A group of Libyan political parties, which attended a two-day conference in Cairo, has thrown support behind Khalifa Haftar, the east-based Field Marshall currently conducting a military offensive to take control of Tripoli. The gathering, called the Libyan National Parties conference, held in the Egyptian capital, June 17-18, released a multiple-point statement throwing weight behind Haftar, Egypttoday reports. The Field Marshall has launched early April an offensive to seize capital Tripoli, home of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). The statement took swipes at GNA leader Faiez Serraj, holding him responsible for the chaos in Libya. The conference also targeted head of the UN mission in Tripoli, Ghassan Salame for his alleged lack of objectivity and called for his replacement.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 13:52 UTC
Egypt: UN calls for independent, impartial probe into Morsi’s death
The United Nations Human Rights office Tuesday urged Egyptian authorities to conduct an independent investigation into the death of ex-President Mohamed Morsi who died Monday during a hearing in a court. Egyptian authorities buried Morsi Tuesday at the government’s cemetery in the Nasr City district, under tight security and behind closed doors. Tuesday the UN Human Rights office spokesman, Rupert Colville, called on Egypt to investigate the death of ex-President and throw light on Morsi’s years of incarceration. “Concerns have been raised regarding the conditions of Mr Morsi’s detention, including access to adequate medical care, as well as sufficient access to his lawyers and family, during his nearly six years in custody. “We believe it is clear there must be a thorough independent inquiry into the circumstances of Mr Morsi’s death, including the conditions of his detention,” he added.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 13:41 UTC
2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Chaotic buildup, mouthwatering tournament
Preparations for an Africa Cup of Nations have rarely been this problematic, despite a crowded field competing for that title. In any case, any replay won't take place before the end of the Cup of Nations.) Probably to the delight of European club managers, it's the first Africa Cup of Nations to take place in the summer. As in Euro 2016, this year's Africa Cup of Nations has been expanded from 16 to 24 teams. Watch video 01:42 Share Africa Cup debutant Madagascar is euphoric Send Facebook google+ Whatsapp Tumblr linkedin stumble Digg reddit Newsvine Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/3KgkZ Africa Cup debutant Madagascar is euphoricThe favorites: Egypt, Senegal and MoroccoFor many, the principal charm of the Africa Cup of Nations is its utter unpredictability.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 12:00 UTC
Seamless North Africa 2019 concludes events with Fintech competition
Courtesy of Seamless Middle EastCAIRO - 19 June 2019: The second round of “Seamless North Africa 2019” conference has come to an end yesterday. “The Conference is a step further towards Egypt’s transformation into a regional FinTech hub, and fosters joint collaboration with Arab and African countries and International and Regional Institutions. This will benefit regional economies and help improve the standard of living.”.The startup awarded the third competition, sponsored by Emirates NBD-Egypt (ENBD), was also announced during today’s event, whereas five Startup companies, specialized in e-payment applications and cross-border transfers competed in this contest. The first day of the conference witnessed the announcement of winners of the competition sponsored by the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) in the field of Artificial Intelligence, while the second competition sponsored by Commercial International Bank (CIB) was in the field of digital financing.As part of the Fintech cooperation agreement signed with the Central Bank of Singapore Mr. Muhanti, Chief Fintech Officer, announced the winners of Fintech Galaxy Competition, who will be participating in the Singapore Financial Technology Competition.The opening speech of the second and final day of the Conference was delivered by H.E. The exhibition shed light on the latest Fintech applications presented by 50 leading companies and institutions in the field of innovation and financial technology.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 11:26 UTC
Morocco, Azerbaijan in same fight against foreign-backed separatists
Both Morocco and Azerbaijan have suffered from the remnants of separatists hosted and armed by hostile neighboring states. Nonetheless, the lack of international support for such separatist militias that act as proxies for neighboring states with a hegemonic agenda has set the course of events in favor of both Morocco and Azerbaijan. In an article published recently on Eurasia Diary, Azeri researcher Anastasia Lavrina drew a parallelism between the two Moroccan and Azeri territories that are contested by foreign-backed militias. Salvador joined the list of countries that consider Morocco’s autonomy plan as a solution for the Western Sahara conflict. Early this month, Brazil, Chile, Republic of Suriname, and the Dominican Republic also reaffirmed their interest in the development of bilateral cooperation with Morocco in various sectors and expressed their support of Moroccan position on Western Sahara, she said.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 11:15 UTC
In North Africa’s borderlands, smuggling has helped keep a fragile peace. Now it’s under threat.
As dramatic stories of drug trafficking dominate the coverage of smuggling in North Africa, the reality of the region’s border economies is increasingly misunderstood. But this misunderstands the role states play in the region’s smuggling economies. My research — based on over 200 interviews with smugglers, state representatives and civil society groups in North Africa’s borderlands — shows that most smuggling in North Africa is indirectly regulated by the region’s states. While narcotics and arms trafficking networks do pose a real risk of state subversion, they are a niche among a huge variety of goods smuggled in the region. As a result, unemployment in already marginalized border regions has risen and costs of living increased, while some of the most dangerous activities — such as narcotics trafficking — continue relatively undeterred.
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 10:52 UTC
2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Fit and firing Salah carries hopes of hosts Egypt
The bad news for Egypt's rival at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, as Salah looks to add to another history of success, is the same stinging motivation remains. READ: Gambia surprises highly-rated Morocco in Africa Cup warm-upStill feeling the effects of his shoulder injury, Salah was a shadow of the attacker that ransacked the best defences in Europe at the World Cup in Russia last year. "Egypt are one of the favourites but I would go for Nigeria," he told Omnisport. "I saw Nigeria in the World Cup, a very young team with a lot of quality and a young squad. "We will see them progress and they are one of the favourites together with Egypt, Cameroon and Senegal."
Source:The North Africa Journal
June 19, 2019 09:41 UTC