Africa Business News

The African Union has called for a democratic transition in Chad within 18 months following last month's military takeover.The AU says it categorically rejected any extension of the transition period.Chad's military council has promised to hold elections within 18 months.It is headed by the son of the former president, Idriss Déby, who died last month after being injured fighting rebels.There have been regular opposition protests since the military took over, with dozens of activists arrested.

Former Ghanaian President John Mahama has withdrawn his acceptance as a special African Union envoy to mediate talks over the political crisis in Somalia.Mr Mahama noted the lack of support by the Somali federal government.He says the proposed assignment required that he enjoy the unalloyed support and co-operation of all political stakeholders.The AU appointed Mr Mahama as its special representative to Somalia on 7 May, but the Horn of Africa country questioned his impartiality.A long-running maritime border dispute has also contributed to stormy relations.

The Federal Government on Thursday convened a conciliatory meeting with the Kaduna State government and the Nigeria Labour Congress to resolve the impasse that has grounded labour activities in the state.The minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige says that the state government delegation disagrees with the labour leaders.He noted that the meeting, thereafter, resolved to constitute a 10-man committee comprising six state government officials and three NLC representatives to discuss and resolve the impasse.The minister stated that the committee chaired by the Head of Service in Kaduna State was given a mandate of up to Tuesday next week to report to him.

The French President, Emmanuel Macron, has called for major reforms in the way African countries are given financial assistance.The African Development Bank estimates that tens of millions of people could fall below the poverty line this year with many African countries at risk of debt distress because of the pandemic.Mr Macron drew a link between the continent’s economic troubles and the spread of Islamist militancy as he called for the financial rules to be changed.

Health authorities in Malawi are expected to destroy more than 19,000 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines later on Wednesday.They say the vaccines have expired and there is no sufficient data to know if they are safe for use, following guidance from the World Health Organization.The authorities say the move seeks to give confidence to Malawians to get the jab when available.Officials fear that using vaccines past their expiry date will further reduce public trust.

The Algerian authorities have tagged a separatist group and an opposition movement as terrorist organisations.The High Council for National Security announced that the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylie and the Rachad opposition movement were illegal and terrorist entities.Both groups are based abroad but have supporters in the country.They could be jailed for life if convicted of membership in these organisations under a new law that punishes any Algerian joining an organisation abroad that damages the interests of the country.

The Lagos State Government launched 300 first and last-mile buses, as well as 100 high-capacity buses to enhance the mode of transportation in the state.Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says the buses will promote the state’s vision of an intermodal, integrated transport system, and enhance passengers’ connectivity to major routes in the state.He says they launched 500 units of First and Last Mile buses and 100 high and medium capacity buses for standard routes.He says the buses will serve 286 identified routes within the communities as an alternative to addressing the menace and security threat constituted by Okada riders.

Germany has agreed to return all Benin artefacts by 2022. The artefacts are those taken from the Benin Royal Court following the British incursion in 1849.This was announced on Tuesday at a press briefing in Abuja, the nation’s capital.The German Director-General Culture and Communication, Dr Andreas Gorgen says Germany acknowledges that Nigeria has suffered a loss.He says Germany is on a restitution mission to Nigeria, to return all artefacts taken from the Benin Empire.He also announced that Germany will partner with Nigeria in the area of culture promotion and preservation.

The Kaduna State Government ordered the sack of nurses below level 14 for joining a strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress.The government has also directed the state’s Ministry of Health to place advertisements for immediate recruitment of new nurses to replace those dismissed.The government says the sack of public servants has become imperative due to dwindling financial resources and higher wage bills which have become unsustainable.

President Muhammadu Buhari says France and Nigeria should deepen anti-terror cooperation to fight groups such as Boko Haram.The President is currently in Paris to attend the African Finance Summit hosted by French President, Emmanuel Macron.He says Nigeria and France should deepen its anti-terror cooperations if they are to overcome the scourge.He added that they must be agile and flexible, cooperating across borders to cut the head off their groups.