Africa Business News

Ivory Coast's opposition has rejected the government's plan to reform the electoral commission ahead of next week's election
President Alassane Ouattara is vying for a controversial third term. His candidature has caused unrest in the country.
The UN has expressed concern over ongoing violence that has in recent days left at least seven people dead and more than 40 injured, according to the authorities.
The two main opposition candidates - former President Henri Konan Bédié and former Prime Minister Pascal Affi N'Guessan - announced the boycott earlier in the month.
They asked their supporters to block what they described as an electoral coup.

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The European Parliament has endorsed Nigeria’s candidate for the position of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation , Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The parliament said it screened the two remaining candidates in the WTO DG race, Okonjo-Iweala and Ms. Yoo Myung-hee of South Korea, and is convinced that the Nigerian candidate has the energy and is well-equipped for the job.
The EP, in a letter on Wednesday signed by the Co-chairs of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO Steering Group, Mr. Bernd Lange and Mr. Sven Simon, said the European Parliament was satisfied with Okonjo-Iweala’s level of requirements and skills.
They urged the European Union (EU) to express support for the candidacy of the former World Bank director.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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The International Monetary Fund on Thursday expressed concern about the civil unrest in Lagos and some other parts of Nigeria, following the shooting of some #EndSARS protesters Lekki Tollgate on Tuesday night.
The Director of IMF’s African Department, Mr. Abebe Aemro Selassie, said the civil unrest in Lagos, which contributes significantly to Nigeria’s overall Gross Domestic Product could have a negative consequence on the economy.
He called for timely resolution of the crisis to prevent the economy, which is still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, from slipping further into a tailspin.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has postponed bye-elections in eleven states billed to hold on October 31st, 2020.
It said the decision followed a meeting of the electoral body with the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to review preparations for the 15 bye-elections.
INEC, however, disclosed that it would continue to monitor the situation in the states where the elections are to be held and meet in two weeks to review the situation and also pick a feasible date for the polls.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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President Muhammadu Buhari says he has directed the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force.
President Buhari argued that progress is being made with regards to the welfare of police personnel.
The President also disclosed that the emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.
He further stated that in order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, his administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for teachers.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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President Muhammadu Buhari has broken his silence on the ongoing #EndSARS protests across the country.
The President in his 15-minute long address on Thursday assured the protesters that their voices have been heard and urged them to discontinue their demonstrations.
The President, however, did not address the shootings by soldiers in the Lekki Toll Gate area of Lagos State, an issue many had expected him to address.
He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to securing lives and property and enjoined security agencies to do so without harming those they are meant to protect.

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed 138 new cases of coronavirus in the country. This brings the total number of COVID-19 infections recorded in the country so far to 61,805.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in a tweet showed that the 138 new cases are reported from 13 states
A total of 56,985 persons have recovered from the virus while the death toll now stands at 1127.

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Thailand has lifted a ban on public gatherings, after an emergency decree failed to put a stop to mass anti-government protests in Bangkok.
A government statement said it was revoking the measures as the serious situation had eased.
Protesters have also been demanding for the release of activists who were arrested last week when the emergency decree came into force.
The decree allowed authorities to arrest protesters, seize electronic materials, and ban certain broadcasts or publications.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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The US has approved arms sales to Taiwan worth around $1.8bn (£1.4bn), in a move that is likely to increase tensions with China.
The Pentagon said the deal comprised three weapons systems including rocket launchers, sensors and artillery.
US national security adviser Robert O'Brien had earlier said that while he did not believe China was ready to invade Taiwan, the island needed to fortify itself for the future.
Taiwan's defence ministry said the weapons would help it build credible combat capabilities and strengthen the development of asymmetric warfare.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

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US national security officials say Iran was responsible for sending threatening emails to Democratic voters.
National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe said the emails appeared to come from a far-right pro-Trump group and were meant to incite unrest.
Mr Ratcliffe said US officials found Iran and Russia had obtained "some voter registration information.
The unusual intelligence briefing this close to the vote is seen as a testament to the government's concerns over voting interference and disinformation campaigns from foreign actors.
Mr Ratcliffe said Iran's spoof emails claimed to be sent by the far-right Proud Boys group in order to intimidate voters, incite unrest and damage President Donald Trump.

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This episode is sponsored by
· Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA

Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support