The Nation Newspaper

Category: Foreign

  • How Trump made the decision to kill Soleimani

    WHEN President Donald Trump’s national security team went to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday, they weren’t expecting him to approve an operation to kill General Qassem Soleimani.

    Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defence Secretary Mark Esper, and General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had gone to Palm Beach, Florida, to brief Trump on airstrikes the Pentagon had just carried out in Iraq and Syria against Iranian-sponsored Shiite militia groups.

    One briefing slide shown to Trump listed several follow-up steps the U.S. could take, among them targeting Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force, according to a senior U.S. official familiar with the discussions who was not authorised to talk about the meeting on the record.

    Unexpectedly, Trump chose that option, the official said, adding that the president’s decision was spurred on in part by Iran hawks among his advisers.

    That meant the Pentagon suddenly faced the daunting task of carrying out Trump’s orders.

    The first hint that further U.S. action was possible came only minutes after the end of the meeting with Trump.

    “In our discussion today with the president, we discussed with him other options that are available.

    Read Also: Trump: Takeaways for Nigerians

    “And I would note also that we will take additional actions as necessary,” Esper told reporters.

    Soleimani wasn’t mentioned publicly as a possible target.

    But behind the scenes, Trump’s decision set off a furious effort by the Pentagon, CIA and others to locate the Iranian general and put in place military assets to kill him.

    U.S. intelligence agencies, which had been tracking Soleimani for years, knew he was on an extended Middle East trip that had taken him to Lebanon and Syria.

    They learned that he would be flying from Damascus to Baghdad within days.

    He seemed unusually unconcerned about covering his tracks, officials noted.

    He was traveling from Syria to Baghdad on a flight that was not secret, Iranian officials said on Friday, ostensibly for meetings with Iraqi officials.

    But U.S. officials claimed on Friday that Soleimani’s trip had a more nefarious purpose: He was in the final stages of planning major attacks against U.S. facilities in several Middle East countries, they said.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Threat of war as Iran vows ‘harsh revenge’ on US after killing of top general

    Our Reporter

    • ’Why we struck’
    • Russia, China urge restraint

    Tension swept across the world on Friday after the United States killed Iran’s highest ranking general, Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad, Iraq.

    US drone missiles obliterated vehicles carrying Soleimani and his entourage of Iraqi Shiite militiamen.

    Killed with him were two Iranian Revolutionary Guard generals, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who helped besiege the US embassy Tuesday, a colonel and five others.

    Iran branded the action of the US an act of “international terrorism” while the country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed ‘harsh revenge’.

    The ”Jihad of Resistance will continue with more motivation,” he said.

    President Hassan Rouhani of Iran said that Soleimani would be avenged by Teheran and the “free nations of the region”.

    Moscow warned that Soleimani’s death would escalate  tensions across the Middle East, while China urged restraint from all sides, especially the United States.

    India also appealed for restraint.

    Britain, France and Germany called for  “stability” and “calm” in the region, but did not vilify the assassination.

    The Pentagon claimed that the strike was to save American lives and check future attacks.

    Read Also: WWIII: Why US cannot defeat Iran, by pundit

    Soleimani’s plane had landed at the Baghdad International Airport at about  12.30am local time and was received on the tarmac by al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)  in Iraq.

    Muhandis pulled up to the aircraft steps in two cars before Soleimani and Mohammed Ridha Jabri, public relations chief for the PMF who had been travelling with him, got inside and were driven away.

    Soon afterwards , as the convoy headed for an access road leading out of the airport, an MQ-9 Reaper drone fired  four missiles at the cars.

    Within seconds, the vehicles were reduced to smoldering wrecks – killing all the occupants.

    Two PMF officials said Soleimani’s body was torn to pieces in the attack.

    A senior politician said Soleimani’s body was identified by the ring he wore.

    Thousands of mourners flooded the streets of Soleimani’s hometown in Kerman, while tens of thousands poured onto the streets of Tehran, chanting “Death to America” and torching the Stars and Stripes.

    US: ‘Why we struck’

    The U.S. said its action was defensive and asked all its citizens in Iraq to leave immediately.

    “At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani,” the Pentagon said in a statement

    It accused  Soleimani of  “actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.”

    It added: ”General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week.”

    The U.S. also held Soleimani and his Quds Force responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members.

    It also said he “orchestrated” a rocket attack on December 27 which killed an American.

    President Donald Trump, in a series of tweets after the airstrike, said: “General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time and was plotting to kill many more, but got caught! He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of protesters killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago.

    There were  mixed reactions in the US itself to the attack with Republican senators such as Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham, commending it while influential Democrats such as Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, condemning it as not well thought out and putting U.S. interests in the Middle East at risk.

    After the attack, Israel, a major U.S. ally, said it was increasing its defences in its borders with Lebanon and Syria.

    China, Russia urge restraint

    China and Russia warned both sides to cease an escalation of the crisis in the Middle East.

    The Chinese Foreign Secretary said: “China has always opposed the use of force in international relations.

    “We urge the relevant sides, especially the United States, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions.”

    Russia’s Foreign Ministry said: “The killing of Soleimani was an adventurist step that will increase tensions throughout the region”.

    “Soleimani served the cause of protecting Iran’s national interests with devotion. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people.” Russia and Iran are key allies in the Middle East, with the militaries of both countries backing President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.

    India said that the heightened tension had “alarmed the world.”

    The Foreign Ministry said: “We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the U.S.

    “The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in the region are of utmost importance to India. It is vital that the situation does not escalate further.

    “India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so.”

    Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister, Adel Abdel Mahdi, said the strike which also killed an Iraqi commander, was an “aggression” that would “spark a devastating war”.

    “The assassination of an Iraqi military commander in an official post is an aggression against the country of Iraq, its state, its government and its people,” he said in a statement.

    Abdel Mahdi said the strike was a “flagrant violation of the conditions authorising the presence of US troops” on Iraqi soil.

    Similarly, the Syrian government accused Washington of trying to fuel conflict in the Middle East.

    Oil price surges after US airstrike

    The prices of oil and gold spiked and stocks sold off yesterday after news of the US airstrike hit the airwaves.

    Oil prices spiked in response to the news, as traders weighed the possibility of disruption to supply from the region. Crude (CL=Z) was up 4.5% to $63.99 per barrel and Brent (BZ=F) was up 4.5% to $69.29 per barrel.

    Iran sits on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial water pathway in the global oil trade. Capital Economics said that Brent oil could climb as high as $150 per barrel, if Iran tried to blockade the passage.

    Gold also jumped. The “safe haven” asset rose 1.4% to $1,550.70 per ounce, the highest price since September.

  • WWIII: Why US cannot defeat Iran, by pundit

    By Gabriel Ogunjobi 

    A US-born prolific author and mobile pundit, Tomi Ahonen, has said it will be impossible for the United States to defeat Iran if the two nations engage in what is now predicted to be deadliest after World War 2 of 1942.

    Ahonen, also a consultant, known to be critical of the President Donald Trump’s  administration, said World War 3 will be as bloody as North Korea and elongating as that of Afghanistan, which the Americans will regret and may never win.
    His analysis came on the heels of the death of Iran’s most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani.
    The US has claimed responsibility for his death during an air strike in Iraq.

    Ordered by Trump, the Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also said “severe revenge awaits the criminals” behind the Friday’s attack.

    Ahonen, in his comments via Twitter, said Trump made the risky move to distract Americans from his impeachment.

    “Trump is risking a war with Iran & #WWIII. Pompeo wants this war. Trump NEEDS a war to distract from his impeachment & ever worse details leaking. So there is a big push for war in Iran. This is a VERY VERY incredibly BIGLY bad idea.

    “The obvious comparison with Iran is Iraq (they are neighbors) hoping it could be fast and ‘easy’. Some see parallels to Afghanistan (also neighbor of Iran) the longest war of USA. Others fear Iran could be another Vietnam. Or as bloody as the Korean War.”

    In his elaborate analysis backed with histories, he said United States does not wield such war-like strength and experiences as Iran even with alliance from some external forces.

    He stated that Iran with a population near 90 million,  fought a decade-long war led by Saddam Hussein’s Iraq of 600,000 soldiers to stalemate.

    “The USA CANNOT DEFEAT an enemy like Iran, this strong, this big, this competent, this HEAVILY ARMED with ADVANCED weapons who is UNIFIED & experienced,” the pundit concluded.

    The full analysis is contained below:

    “Since WW2 USA has been involved in ‘big’ wars with 4 nations (excluding the smaller conflicts like Bosnia, Somalia or Syria). Korean war (fought to a draw), Vietnam war (USA lost), Afghanistan war (longest war, still ongoing, can’t be won) and Iraq (2 times).

    “So let’s start Iran with geography. Iran is a HUGE country. It is as big as North Korea… plus North Vietnam…. plus Afghanistan… and Iraq – COMBINED. Yes Iran is a giant country, not EASY to defeat a LARGE country. But lets look at its terrain. Iraq War was the tank war in the desert and the smart missiles, and heavy air power. Tanks work well in wars in the DESERT. USA had tanks in Vietnam and Afghanistan too. THEY DIDN’T HELP. America lost those wars. Russians tried tanks in Afghanistan too: lost.

    “A DRAMATIC difference between neighbors Iraq and Iran, is that Iraq is flatland desert sand. And Iran is MOUNTAINS like.. Afghanistan. Not suitable terrain for tank warfare (for much of the country, there are some plains yes).

    “So then air power. USA has the world’s biggest and most powerful air force. BY FAR the strongest in the world. And what is America’s favorite air power tool? The remotely piloted ‘drone’ like the Predator. Unmanned killer in the sky. Nearly unstoppable.

    “Who invented the modern remotely piloted drone? Not USA. It was invented by Israel (Tadiran Mastif and IAI Scout). Most Western Air Forces have deployed Israeli Drones. Most drones flying today include Israeli licenced tech. the Predator has Israeli tech. The unmanned remotedly-piloted warplane, the ‘drone’ is America’s favorite tool to fight wars today. And who used them first? Israel. Who used them SECOND? A DECADE before USA deployed drones in a war?… yeah… IRAN (against Iraq in its decade-long war).

    “The USA has never fought an adversary who HAD DRONES. Iran has LONGER MILITARY experience using drones IN BATTLE, than USA. and Iran was the first nation to deploy OFFENSIVE weapons onboard drones (when even Israel only used them for ‘spying’). Nasty enemy!

    “Lets skip airplanes and tanks. Lets go to the most expensive weapon system ever deployed – US Navy’s mighty aircraft carriers. USA used air power from carriers in most of its wars including Korea, Vietnam (John McCain was a NAVY pilot) and Iraq.

    “Iran does NOT have aircraft carriers. But they have the WORST enemy for carriers instead – SUBMARINES. North Korea did not have submarines during Korean war. North Vietnam didn’t have subs in Vietnam war. Iraq didn’t have subs in either of the Iraq wars.

    “Lets skip airplanes and tanks. Lets go to the most expensive weapon system ever deployed – US Navy’s mighty aircraft carriers. USA used air power from carriers in most of its wars including Korea, Vietnam (John McCain was a NAVY pilot) and Iraq.

    “Since World War 2, USA has not fought ANY war against ANY rival including the small wars Somalia, Syria and Bosnia – where the adversary operated submarines. Iran has submarines. They CHANGE the combat equation at sea – TOTALLY.

    “Iran does NOT have aircraft carriers. But they have the WORST enemy for carriers instead – SUBMARINES. North Korea did not have submarines during Korean war. North Vietnam didn’t have subs in Vietnam war. Iraq didn’t have subs in either of the Iraq wars.

    “Lets talk population. Iran’s population is near 90 million. That is about same as 3 out of the four rivals I mentioned: Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea and North Vietnam. Take THREE of those four, the population (when they had their war) is about 90 million.

    “Then lets talk about INDUSTRIALIZATION. Some idiots think ‘Iranians are beduins’ like ‘arabs’. Iranians are not arabic people. They are PERSIANS who are related to Europeans. Iran is an INDUSTRIALIZED country, similar to Southern European countries.

    “When USA fought North Korea, it was a peasant nation. North Vietnam was a farming peasant nation. Afghanistan was and still is one of the poorest and least literate countries on planet. Iraq was an oil-only economy. Iranians are EDUCATED and DIVERSE economy.

    Read Also; Trump warns Iran over violent protest at U.S. Embassy in Baghdad

    “I do not mean that Iran could ‘win’ a war it STARTED against USA (like say a Pearl Harbor style sneak attack). I mean Iran is FAR worse rival than Vietnam or Afghanistan, a war USA cannot – CANNOT win. It would be a DECADES long quagmire of death and blood.

    “When USA fought Iraq (twice) that ‘nation’ was ineffective civil war, among THREE factions (Sunnis closely aligned with Syria, Shias aligned with Kuwait and Iran, and the Kurds). Iran is a HOMOGENOUS nation, essentially all Persians. Not DIVIDED

    “I do not mean that Iran could ‘win’ a war it STARTED against USA (like say a Pearl Harbor style sneak attack). I mean Iran is FAR worse rival than Vietnam or Afghanistan, a war USA cannot – CANNOT win. It would be a DECADES long quagmire of death and blood.

    “Earlier in 2019 Trump talked of 120,000 troops for Iran War. HAHAHA. Iran fought a DECADE-LONG war, when Saddam Hussein yes Iraq attacked. With 600,000 soldiers! When France & Soviets FULLY supported Iraq, & UK & USA supported modestly Iraq & nobody Iran.

    “Saddam had superiority in tanks, airplanes, soldiers, plus Saddam had MILITARY support of essentially all major weapons-providers. And IRAN HAD NO SUPPORT (in fact, Israel secretly helped Iran a little bit). Yet Iran pushed Iraq back, to stalemate.

    “Iran has what Vietnam had – Vietnam had ALREADY defeated Japan & France, by the time US went in. Iran has what Afghanistan had – Afghanistan had ALREADY defeated Britain & Soviets (Russians) before the US went in. And USA could not win its OWN wars vs VN & Afghanistan.

    “I do not mean, that Iran could in any way ‘win’ against the USA (like invade Texas or Alaska haha). But the USA CANNOT DEFEAT an enemy like Iran, this strong, this big, this competent, this HEAVILY ARMED with ADVANCED weapons who is UNIFIED & experienced.

    “Trump & Pompeo are pushing for a war against Iran. Trump wants ANY war to distract from his problems. A war in Iran would be NOTHING like the ‘easy’ wars in Iraq. War in Iran would be like the mess in Vietnam & the unending war in Afghanistan – only WORSE.

    “If Iran had done something HORRIBLE – like how Saddam Hussein INVADED and took over Kuwait – then maybe it might make sense to build a coalition for war. What we should know is that TRUMP’s lender – SAUDI ARABIA – want American soldiers to go die in Iran.

    “Saudi Arabia sees Iran as its regional rival. While both are Muslim nations, they have differing religious views (Iran is Shia, Saudi is Sunni). Saudis would love nothing more, than to see Iranian blood spilled – by AMERICAN soldiers dying there. Wrong war!”

  • Egyptian President honours Nigerian duo for developing medical application

    Justina Asishana and Adeola Ogunlade

     

    Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has honoured two Nigerians and 12 others for excelling in different fields of life.

    Stephen Osawaru and Anthony Osawere were given award of recognition by President El-Sisi at the closing ceremony of the 2019 World Youth Forum in Egypt.

    The duo developed a medical mobile application called 24/7 medic to provide easy access for healthcare services to people in the rural areas in Nigeria.

    They were part of the team that won the African Application launchpad, which was part of the recommendations of the 2018 World Youth Forum.

    Osawaru said the idea to develop the mobile application came four years ago after he had an accident without getting adequate medical attention.

    He explained the application is designed to enable the people to connect with medicals within ten minutes.

    “Four years ago, I had an accident and was unconscious for three days and did not get any medical attention. That was when I realized how big the health problem in Nigeria is.

    “I wanted to build an application that will solve the problem and help Nigerians save more lives. We built 24/7 Medic, an application that connects medicals within 10 minutes and delivers affordable care solutions through mobile platforms.”

    Osawere told our correspondents at the conference that as a software developer, he aimed to build a solution, adding that he had always wanted to make a difference positively.

    “I personally have always wanted to make a difference positively so when my Partner contacted me to talk about this project is that I had something similar in mind that I was working on, it made sense to do this.

    “I am a software developer, which means I build solutions. When I see a problem, I design a solution around it,” he explained.

    He appreciated the Egyptian government and President for recognizing their hard work, adding that they intend to make the application easily accessible by all Nigerians both in the rural and urban areas.

    “I am very grateful to God. I appreciate my team for the hard work we have put in. And we are very appreciative of the Egyptian Government and President for the Honor and Recognition. This award means we would continue to contribute our quota and scale across Africa.”

    Speaking about 24/7 Medic, Osawere said that it is an application that will deliver health services to the doorsteps of Nigerians and reduce stress and time wasted traveling to hospitals and waiting for doctors.

    “24/7Medic is an online (subscription-based) medical care consultation and advisory service; providing patients in cities and rural areas the ability to call or chat with a doctor, request on-site laboratory services at the comfort of their home and get drugs delivered to their doorsteps. 24/7 Medic also provides end-users with the ability to store their medical history and share it with their healthcare providers.

    “24/7Medic is a global advisory platform with doctors from all over the world. We are basically virtualizing hospitals and access to medical services. We have developed dispatch mobile application for our motorcycle team (pathologists and medical laboratory professionals) to deliver drugs to patients, get blood and urine samples for testing and do onsite laboratory investigation using rapid kits.”

    Other awardees include Joshua Beckford, who is the youngest Oxford University student, despite being autistic.

    He is raising funds to build a secondary school that will cater to the educational needs of 800 Nigerian students.

    Others include the first licensed armless pilot, Jessica Cox from the USA, Eric Morales from Spain who uses artificial intelligence to diagnose cancer; Raashi Anand, an Indian with an NGO working in the fields of child welfare, education, health and empowerment of women and Zein Youssef, a four- time cancer fighter and survivor amongst others.

  • Trump warns Iran over violent protest at U.S. Embassy in Baghdad

    Agency Report

     

    UNITED States (U.S.) President Donald Trump has threatened Iran after blaming it for an attack on its embassy in Iraq.

    The compound in Baghdad was attacked by demonstrators furious over the deaths of militia members in U.S. air strikes.

    Trump tweeted that Iran “will pay a very big price” for any damage or loss of life. “This is not a warning, it is a threat,” he said.

    But Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded by saying the U.S. “can’t do a damn thing”.

    Anti-American sentiment was widespread in Iraq, he added.

    Tehran has denied that it orchestrated the attack on the Baghdad embassy.

    Ayatollah Khamenei’s English-language Twitter account posted a translation of his remarks:

    “If the Islamic Republic decides to challenge & fight, it will do so unequivocally. We’re not after wars, but we strongly defend the Iranian nation’s interests, dignity, & glory. If anyone threatens that, we will unhesitatingly confront & strike them.”

    Read Also: Trump warns North Korea: ‘Do not try us’

    Demonstrators regrouped outside the U.S. embassy on Wednesday. Reports said at least one Iraqi militia had ordered its supporters to leave the area.

    The protests starkly illustrate the tenuous and difficult nature of the U.S. relationship with Iraq. The question now is whether this relationship is tenable and, if so, for how long?

    The struggle against the Islamic State (IS) group obscured the basic geometry of the Iraqi government’s position. It needed the U.S. military presence to train and assist its forces. But its Shia government was closely allied with Tehran.

    Iran, meanwhile, has built up its links to Shia militias in the country, one of which is judged by the Americans to have been responsible for the rocket attacks against its bases – hence the U.S. air strikes. The Americans see Tehran as behind the attacks and want the Iraqi authorities to ensure the safety of U.S. facilities.

    But with the Trump administration sending out conflicting signals about its future role in the region; in part a desire to limit its involvement and in part a message of deterrence against Tehran – it is easy to be confused. And amid this confusion the danger of a direct clash between Washington and Tehran only grows.

     

  • Death toll rises as blazes destroy 200 homes in Australia

    Agency Report

     

    BUSHFIRES have killed at least eight people in south-eastern Australia since Monday, with two others remaining unaccounted for.

    The latest fires, which raced towards the coast this week, have also destroyed more than 200 homes.

    Seven people have been confirmed dead in New South Wales and one in Victoria.

    Conditions have eased slightly, and a major road that was closed in Victoria was reopened for two hours yesterday to allow people to leave.

    But many people remain in fire-hit areas – in one town, police dropped off 1.6 tonnes of drinking water by boat.

    The seven deaths in New South Wales include two people found in separate cars yesterday morning; a father and son who stayed behind to defend their home and farm equipment, a 28-year-old volunteer firefighter who was killed when wind flipped his fire engine and family members of Mick Roberts, a 67-year-old Victorian missing since Monday, confirmed that he had been found dead in his home in Buchan, East Gippsland.

    “Very sad day for us to start the year, but we’re a bloody tight family and we will never forget our mate and my beautiful Uncle Mick,” his niece Leah Parson said on Facebook.

    The deaths bring the total fire-related fatalities across Australia this season to at least 18, with warnings this could rise further.

    Read Also: Fed Govt pledges to deepen economic ties with Saudi Arabia

    Of the homes destroyed in this week’s blazes, 43 were in East Gippsland, Victoria, while another 176 were in New South Wales.

    Earlier yesterday, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said 916 homes had been destroyed this season, with another 363 damaged, and 8,159 saved.

    In Mallacoota, Victoria – where thousands fled to the beach on Tuesday – police boats arrived with 1.6 tonnes of water for residents.

    They also brought food, a paramedic and medical supplies.

    At the same time, police warned people in Sunbury, Victoria – around 40km (25 miles) north-west of Melbourne – to leave the area, as an emergency fire warning was in place.

    Earlier, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said workers would take advantage of the milder weather yesterday to clear roads and restore power.

    But she said temperatures were expected to rise again on Saturday.

     

  • North Korea threatens to resume nuclear, ICBM testing

    Agency Report

     

    NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said he is ending the suspension of nuclear and long-range missile tests put in place during talks with the United States (U.S.).

    Kim also said his country would soon introduce “a new strategic weapon”.

    But he left a door open for dialogue, and said the scope of any testing would depend on the U.S.’s “attitude”.

    The momentum of the past few years has stalled, as Washington refuses to lift sanctions until Pyongyang fully abandons its nuclear programme.

    The North conducted several smaller weapons tests late in 2019, in what was seen as an attempt to pressure the U.S. into making concessions.

    But the self-declared moratorium on nuclear tests and tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that could reach the U.S. mainland had been one of the foundations of the negotiations with Washington.

    Pyongyang has not carried out such tests since 2017.

    Kim’s comments came at the end of a four-day gathering of party leaders in Pyongyang, an unusual event for this time of the year.

    Yesterday, state media reported him as saying North Korea was no longer bound by the self-declared moratorium, as the U.S. continued joint military drills with South Korea and had stepped up their sanctions.

    “Under such condition, there is no ground for us to get unilaterally bound to the commitment any longer, the commitment to which there is no opposite party, and this is chilling our efforts for worldwide nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation,” news agency KCNA quoted him as saying.

    He threatened that “the world will witness a new strategic weapon” from the North “in the near future”, while giving no further details.

    Kim’s comments to the party meeting also admitted that sanctions have hit the economy and were unlikely to be lifted soon, warning that North Koreans will have to “tighten our belts”.

    The North Korean leader did not, however, mention Donald Trump or South Korea by name, seen by observers as a toning-down of language compared to the aggressive rhetoric of recent months.

     

  • Fed Govt to replace retired career ambassadors

    By Bola Olajuwon, Assistant Editor and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

    THE Federal Government has begun the process for replacement of 25 career ambassadors, who retired from service on December 31, 2019.

    The envoys were recalled to the country at retirement.

    The letter of their recall was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.

    But, not all the 25 embassies affected would be replaced with substantive ambassadors since a few of the embassies have been downgraded to missions, consulates and chanceries.

    The ministry’s spokesperson Mr. Ferdinand Nwoye said the retired ambassadors were expected to have left the service in December 2018, following the attainment of the compulsory retirement age, but had their services extended by one year.

    The ambassadors, according to the minister’s letter, were asked to handover to the most senior diplomatic officer in their respective embassies.

    Nwoye confirmed to The Nation yesterday that the ministry has its rules and regulations for replacement of retired ambassadors or those recalled, adding that the process would run its full course.

    However, the appointment of a new head of mission or ambassador is a complex process.

    READ ALSO: Nigerian ambassador urges tie with Ghana institute

    To avoid embarrassment, his or her name will be informally sounded and if the host country does not object, formal application for agrément or consent is made.

    Agrément is a specialised term in the field of international affairs that refers to the agreement by a state to receive members of a diplomatic mission from a foreign country.

    Then the new ambassador is sent forth with a letter of credence addressed by his or her head of state or president to the head of the host state to introduce the ambassador as his or her representative.

    A copy of credentials is usually first provided privately to the foreign minister, after which the new ambassador can deal with the foreign ministry and begin to call on his diplomatic colleagues.

    The date of the formal presentation of credentials determines an ambassador’s order of precedence within the local diplomatic corps. Once it has been completed, an ambassador may proceed to do business with ministries other than the foreign ministry, regional or continental bodies to which he or she is sent to.

    Some of countries where the recalled Nigerian ambassadors were serving include Morocco, Cameroon, Cuba, Austria, Angola, Kenya, Belgium, Mali, Indonesia, Philippines, Senegal, Hungary and Czech Republic among others.

    It was learnt that the affected ambassadors and heads of missions had earlier in last month sought an extension of time from the Federal Government to enable them conclude formalities before returning home.

    However, on November 22, 2019, they received letters of recall from the minister directing them to return home on or before December 31, 2019.

    The recall letters was entitled: ‘Letter of Recall on Account of Retirement’.

    It reads: “I write to commend you for the exemplary leadership and excellent management of our mission which you have demonstrated since your assumption of duties.

    “You are no doubt aware, however, that as a career officer you are bound by extant rules and regulations which make it mandatory for civil servants to retire from service on account of age, length of service or tenure, whichever comes first.

    “From records available, you will retire from service in December 2018.

    “However, exigencies of service informed by certain realities have necessitated the extension of your stay at post. Mr. President has now approved your recall. In this regard, you are kindly requested to wind up your affairs and take a formal leave of your host authorities and depart post not later than December 31, 2019.”

    It was learnt that the affected ambassadors were not happy with the short notice given to them to return to Nigeria and, therefore, requested for a period of two to three months’ notice to do diplomatic round off before coming back.

    But, the ministry described as “selfishness,” the plea for an extension by the affected ambassadors.

    Nwonye, in a reaction to their plea, said one month was enough for them to pay farewell call on their host presidents.

     

     

  • Ivory Coast’s Ble Goude sentenced to 20 years

    Our Reporter

    A court in Ivory Coast has sentenced controversial political leader Charles Ble Goude to 20 years in prison over murder, rape and torture charges.

    Ble Goude was cleared of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in the Hague this year, along with his former boss, Ivory Coast ex-president Laurent Gbagbo.

    But following his acquittal, an Ivorian court brought a fresh trial against him over the 2010-2011 bloodshed which followed a disputed vote in the West African nation.

    The former aide to Gbagbo, who has remained in the Netherlands following his ICC trial pending a possible appeal by the prosecution, told AFP the Ivorian court had convicted him on Monday.

    Ble Goude who was sentenced in absentia said he was “surprised by the verdict”, adding that he had been sentenced to 20 years in prison, 10 years deprivation of his civil rights, and a fine of 200 million CFA francs ($340,000) to be paid to the victims.

    The court has issued an arrest warrant for him, he added.

    Read Also: ICC prosecutor appeals acquittal of Ivory Coast’s Gbagbo

    About 3,000 people died in the turmoil that swept Abidjan, once one of Africa’s most cosmopolitan cities — in the aftermath of the November 2010 presidential polls when Gbagbo refused to accept defeat to bitter rival Alassane Ouattara, who remains in power.

    Leonard Lebry, the prosecutor general at the Court of Appeal in Abidjan has previously said the case against Ble Goude, once dubbed the “general of the streets” for his ability to mobilise Gbagbo supporters during the conflict, was “wider” than the ICC prosecution and covered different events.

    “The court will try him (Ble Goude)” for allegations of “torture, murder, rape”, Lebry said last month.

    Gbagbo, the first former head of state to stand trial at the ICC, and Ble Goude were tried over responsibility for murder, attempted murder, rape, persecution and “other inhumane acts” during five months of violence, both pleading not guilty.

    They were released by the ICC to live in Belgium in February under conditions including that he would return to court for any prosecution appeal against his acquittal.

    Ble Goude is living in the Netherlands under similar conditions.

    Last month the Ivorian court rejected an appeal over the January 2018 sentencing of Gbagbo and three aides for the “robbery” of the Central Bank of West African States (Bceao) during the post-election crisis.

    The opposition has claimed Ouattara is attempting to prevent Gbagbo returning to the country ahead of 2020 elections expected to be a crucial test for Ivory Coast, which has long been west Africa’s top economic performer and is the world’s leading cocoa producer.

    The court conviction comes in the same month that an arrest warrant was issued for former rebel leader and would-be Ivory Coast presidential candidate Guillaume Soro, who aborted his planned return to the country at the last minute.

  • Australia military to be deployed to help in fighting fires

    Our Reporter

    Australian military aircraft and vessels will be deployed to help emergency services in the fire-ravaged states of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria.

    Thousands of people fled to beaches in the south-eastern states yesterday as emergency-level fires spread.

    In Mallacoota, Victoria, about 4,000 people sought shelter on the coast.

    Two more people have been confirmed dead in NSW, bringing the fire-linked death toll to 12.

    Authorities say four people are missing in Victoria and another in NSW.

    “We’ve got literally hundreds, thousands of people up and down the coast, taking refuge on the beaches,” said Shane Fitzsimmons, commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service.

    Fitzsimmons said it was “the worst fire season we have experienced here in NSW”.

    Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds have agreed to send military aircraft and vessels at the request of the Victorian government.

    The Australian Defence Force will send Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and navy vessels to Victoria and NSW, the two worst-affected regions.

    The military is expected to provide humanitarian assistance and carry out evacuations if needed in the coming days.

    READ ALSO: Australian firefighters spend Christmas Day containing bushfires

    The US and Canada have also been asked to provide “specialist aviation resources” to help the emergency effort.

    In his New Year message, Morrison hailed the “amazing spirit of Australians” but warned that the weeks and months ahead would “continue to be difficult”.

    The bodies of the latest victims – a 63-year-old man and his 29-year-old son – were found near the town of Corbargo in NSW.

    Police said the men, named as Robert Salway and his son Patrick by Australian media, had stayed behind to protect their family home, where their bodies were found on Tuesday.

    In Mallacoota, the local fire service said a change in wind direction had taken the worst of the fires away from the town.

    “I understand there was a public cheer down at the jetty when that was announced,” said chief officer Steve Warrington.

    About a dozen “emergency-level” blazes stretch across NSW and Victoria.

    Several holiday spots along the coast have been cut off and the main road in the region – the Princes Highway – has been closed.

    At midnight on Tuesday, Sydney’s A$6m (£3.1m; $4.2m) fireworks display, renowned worldwide, went ahead despite calls for it to be cancelled given the scale of the bushfire crisis.

    Temperatures exceeded 40C (104F) in every state and territory at the start of the week, with strong winds and lightning strikes bolstering the flames.