The Nation Newspaper

Category: Foreign

  • AES states seeking to reconnect with ECOWAS, says Dare

    AES states seeking to reconnect with ECOWAS, says Dare

    One or two of the three West African nations that recently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are making efforts to reconnect with the regional bloc, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has revealed.

    Speaking to journalists at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Dare explained that these countries who have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) are attempting to take advantage of the six-month window provided by ECOWAS to reconsider their decision before the official exit process is concluded.

    Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the three military junta-led West African nations, which finally left ECOWAS membership at the expiration of six months window permitted by the regional body for the countries to reconsider their position on their plan to withdraw membership, left on account of their refusal to return to democratic ways.

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    “We know that the January 29 deadline has expired, and the process of their departure is almost concluded. But we also know for a fact that one or two of these countries are trying to reach back and take advantage of the six-month window,” he said.

    Dare emphasized that the upcoming African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, presents a strategic opportunity for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Chairman of ECOWAS, to engage in high-level discussions on the matter.

    “At the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, the Chairman of ECOWAS will have an opportunity to brief the continental body, and of course, some of these countries will also be there. So, there will be a lot of high-level and bilateral meetings,” he noted.

  • Palestinians, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UK, others reject Trump’s plan to ‘own Gaza Strip’

    Palestinians, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UK, others reject Trump’s plan to ‘own Gaza Strip’

    World leaders and Palestinian authorities have rejected United States President Donald Trump’s plan to elongate his takeover list as he shared his wish to ‘own’ war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

    The Arab countries, who are also U.S. allies, as well as United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Spain France, Germany and others have rejected the proposal of relocating the Gazans to other countries while the war-torn state is rebuilt.

    Trump made the remarks on Gaza during a joint press conference in the White House with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu standing beside him.

    He also suggested that the U.S. develop the land but gave no details on who would be allowed to live there.

    He proposed that all Palestinians currently living in Gaza — around 2 million people — should leave and be placed in other countries in the Middle East.

    But, the Palestinian Authority said it has categorically rejected Trump’s proposal to relocate the residents of the Gaza Strip.

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    Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, said the Palestinians will not relinquish their land, rights and sacred sites, and that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the land of the State of Palestine, along with the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

    “The Palestinian leadership affirms its firm position that the two-state solution, in accordance with international legitimacy and international law, is the guarantee of security, stability and peace,’’ Hussein al-Sheikh said.

    Al-Sheikh is the Secretary-General of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), wrote on X yesterday.

    Hamas, which sparked the war with its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, said Trump’s proposal was a “recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region.”

    Islamic Jihad declared that “Trump’s positions and plans are a dangerous escalation that threatens Arab and regional national security, especially in Egypt and Jordan, which the U.S. administration wants to put in confrontation with the Palestinian people and their rights.”

    The two-state solution provided for Israel and a Palestinian state to coexist as independent states.

    The Palestinian leadership “affirms its rejection of all calls for the displacement of the Palestinian people from their homeland.

  • Saudi Arabia rejects displacement of Palestinians from Gaza

    Saudi Arabia rejects displacement of Palestinians from Gaza

    The government of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said it is not shifting ground on its long-held position that Palestinians must have their independent state.

    This position, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in apparent reaction to Donald Trump’s statement, said was non-negotiable.

     Trump was quoted to have said he wants the US to be on the Gaza Strip after all Palestinians are displaced from there and sent to other countries, where settlements will be constructed for them.

    However, the Saudi Arabian government said its position on the two-state solution has not changed, stressing that any formal relations between the Kingdom and Israel would be based on the creation of a viable Palestinian state.

    The ministry statement also highlighted a speech by the crown prince at the Shura Council on September 18, 2024, where he stressed that Saudi Arabia will continue its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, adding the Kingdom will not normalize ties with Israel without it.

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    The crown prince also shared a similar sentiment during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh on Nov. 11, 2024, where he stressed the continuation of efforts to establish a Palestinian state and demanded an end to Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

    He also stressed the importance of mobilizing the international community to support the rights of Palestinians in accordance to the resolutions of the UN General Assembly by considering Palestine eligible for full membership of the world body.

     “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also stresses its previously announced categorical rejection of any violation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, annexation of Palestinian territories, or attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.

    “The Kingdom said that it’s the international community’s duty to work to alleviate the severe human suffering of the Palestinian people, who will remain in their land.

    “Lasting and just peace cannot be achieved without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, and this is what was previously explained to the previous and current American administrations,” the ministry statement said.

    Trump, standing next to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, said the Palestinians would be better off living outside of Gaza which has been bombed to rubble during Israel’s brutal 15-month attack.

    “I don’t think people should be going back,” Trump said. “You can’t live in Gaza right now. I think we need another location. I think it should be a location that’s going to make people happy.”

    The president insists Egypt and Jordan would have to take the Gazans he plans to displace. Both countries have rejected the idea outright.

  • PeacePro boss Hamzat receives José Martí Ring of Honor in Cuba

    PeacePro boss Hamzat receives José Martí Ring of Honor in Cuba

    Executive Director of Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro), Abdulrazaq Hamzat, has been honored with the José Martí Ring of Honor at the Sixth International Conference for the Balance of the World in Havana, Cuba.

    The distinguished honor was conferred on Hamzat at the just concluded International conference on global balance, held in Havana, Cuba.

    Hamzat received the ring of honor at the conclusion of a “Coalición Internacional de la Humanidad”, recognising his exceptional contributions to global peace, human dignity, and advocacy for the demilitarisation of Africa.

    The award was presented to Hamzat by Martina Puc, Ecocivilizacion from Eslovenia.

    The award, named after Cuba’s national hero José Martí, symbolises freedom, justice, and resistance against oppression, values that align with Hamzat’s lifelong commitment to peacebuilding and governance reforms.

    Expressing his gratitude, Hamzat emphasized the collective nature of peace advocacy, dedicating the recognition to all those striving for a more just and equitable world.

    “This ring is more than a personal honor; it represents our shared struggle for peace, justice, and human dignity. The legacy of José Martí reminds us that true freedom is a collective responsibility, and I am humbled to receive this recognition in his name,” he stated.

    The José Martí Ring of Honor is a rare and prestigious tribute awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to human rights, self-determination, and social justice.

    Through PeacePro’s advocacy for the demilitarization of Africa, Hamzat has emerged as a leading voice in international peacebuilding.

    The Sixth International Conference for the Balance of the World serves as a global platform for intellectuals, political leaders, and human rights advocates to discuss strategies for peace, sustainable development, and international cooperation, all inspired by the principles of José Martí.

    Beyond his advocacy, Hamzat made a notable cultural impact at the conference, captivating delegates with his traditional Nigerian attire.

    His striking display of African heritage became a major talking point, with participants from Canada, Colombia, India, Argentina, Mexico, Slovakia, Ecuador, and Timor-Leste eager to take photos and learn more about Nigerian culture.

    “It was unexpected, but I am delighted to share a piece of Nigeria with the world,” Hamzat said, reflecting on the warm reception.

    Delegates praised the cultural significance of his outfit, with Dr. Pedro Pablo, a Cuban delegate, stating, “It’s a beautiful way to showcase Nigerian tradition.”

    Lucila, a delegate from Argentina, remarked: “His outfit is amazing.”

    Similarly, Xavier from Timor-Leste noted, It’s a beautiful representation of Nigerian culture.”

    As the conference concluded, Hamzat’s presence continued to inspire discussions on cultural exchange, diplomacy, and international solidarity, reinforcing the importance of African voices in global peace efforts.

    The José Martí Ring of Honor serves as a testament to his commitment to global peacebuilding, further solidifying his role as a key advocate for justice and human dignity worldwide.

  • TAC’s boss reiterates agency’s commitment to boost Nigeria’s image abroad

    TAC’s boss reiterates agency’s commitment to boost Nigeria’s image abroad

    The director general, Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Yusuf Buba Yakub said that the agency has the mandate to boost the nation’s image internationally through its export of technical expertise especially to 35 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

    He also said the country is gaining mileage through training of government  officers who have risen to the position of cabinet Ministers in some of those countries, while impacting millions of lives indirectly.

    TAC boss spoke during an audience with the leaderhip of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association (DICAN) in Abuja.

    The former member of the House of Representatives promised to work with DICAN in order to promote the 4Ds foreign policy doctrine of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which is anchored on Democracy, Developments, Demography and Diaspora.

    The 4Ds policy birthed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the leadership of the Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has the core vision to effectively position the Ministry as Nigeria’s key link to the international community.

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    In his earlier remarks, Chairman, DICAN, Mr. Idehai Frederick 

    He informed the DG of the strategic nature of the association to the stability, overall growth and development of the country.

    The Chairman, DICAN said, Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association, DICAN, is fully prepared to support the agency actualise its mandate. 

  • UK announces £100m for delivery of SDGs 

    UK announces £100m for delivery of SDGs 

    The United Kingdom has announced about £100 million investment, which will provide support for businesses focused on delivering the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.

    The support is under a flagship UK government programme, MOBILIST (Mobilising Institutional Capital Through Listed Product Structures) identifies and invests in scalable, replicable transactions on public markets that help deliver the climate transition and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

    The latest investment is part of the ongoing efforts to address the climate crisis and boost growth in the Global South, a statement, by Ndidiamaka Eze, Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer | Comms Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated. 

    The statement also quoted the UK’s Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds, saying that the programme will be enhanced under a partnership approach between the government and the UK financial sector. 

    The statement reads in part: “The Minister announced up to £100 million for the UK’s flagship public markets programme MOBILIST which will provide businesses focused on delivering the SDGs with the anchor funding and expert advice they need to list on stock exchanges around the world, allowing them to attract significant sums of additional private investment. 

    “She also celebrated the issuance of the first Climate Investment Fund (CIF) Capital Markets Mechanism (CCMM) bond last month, which raised $500 million (approximately £400 million) for energy and clean technology projects in low- and middle-income countries.

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    “The CCMM, launched by the Prime Minister at COP29, is a new financial mechanism to leverage future loan repayments by issuing bonds on capital markets.

    “Speaking at the London Stock Exchange, Minister Dodds praised the “expertise, experience and dynamism” of the UK’s financial services sector, and pledged to put this expertise “at the heart of how we meet the opportunities and challenges of our time”, including accelerating delivery of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These seek to address global challenges, including poverty, inequality, and climate change, to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, by 2030.

    “Minister Dodds set out how investment in the Global South is an opportunity for UK financial services “to marry investment in the economies and technologies of the future, with the experience and expertise of the City of London”, adding that the government will hold up its end of the bargain by working internationally to reform the global financial system to provide greater opportunity and stability.

    Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds said: “With businesses and the government working hand in hand to drive investment in the Global South, we can unlock growth, jobs, trade, investment, and pride in our economy overseas and here at home.

    “This government is enabling the financial services sector to flourish and use its expertise and depth of capital to invest in the markets and technologies of the future.

     “Through partnerships like this, we will deliver on the Plan for Change, drive domestic growth, and create a world free from poverty on a liveable planet.”

    The MOBILIST funding is expected to generate between £400 million and £600 million of new investments in businesses across emerging markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These investments will support economic growth, sustainable development, and climate action in local markets.

    “As today’s announcements demonstrate, this government’s modern approach to development focuses on harnessing the power of the private sector in mobilising the finance emerging markets need to grow. This will create future export markets for the UK and new overseas investment opportunities, supporting domestic growth and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change. It will also make the UK safer and more stable by tackling the drivers of conflict, climate crises and economic decline in partner countries.

    UK Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy said: “This is a historic moment for tackling the climate crisis, with the first bond raising $500 million to accelerate the global clean energy transition and support the flow of climate finance to developing countries.

    “Public finance alone cannot tackle the scale of this challenge, and this mechanism will help leverage the private finance needed to support those on the frontline of a changing climate.

    “Its listing in the UK positions London as a green finance capital. By working with partners such as the World Bank the UK can drive the action needed to grow the economy and reap the rewards of net zero.”

    Minister Dodds made the announcements during a speech to the UK financial sector, including pension funds, insurers, banks, and development finance organisations, after joining a market opening ceremony at the London Stock Exchange.

    Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange, added: “Flows of investment are vital to generating sustainable growth both in the UK and around the world. London’s capital markets have long played a leading role in driving flows of capital to where they need to go, and we welcome the focus on fuelling growth and supporting the just transition to net zero.

    “As part of these efforts, we are proud to celebrate the listing of the Climate Investment Funds’ Capital Markets Mechanism on the London Stock Exchange. This pioneering bond issuance programme not only brings a new financing tool to our market but is facilitating critical investment in sustainable and clean assets.”

    MOBILIST invests capital on commercial terms, delivers technical assistance, conducts research, and builds partnerships to catalyse investment in newly listed products. 

    Since its inception, MOBILIST has invested £87 million in equity and equity commitments, directly mobilising £247.5 million in private capital.

    The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) were launched in 2008 to invest in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs) climate projects. 

    To date, the CIF has leveraged over $64bn from $12.3bn of donor contributions, supporting over 400 projects in over 80 countries. The UK (led by DESNZ) is a leading donor and chairs its Joint Trust Fund Committee.

     The CIF Capital Markets Mechanism (CCMM) was launched by the Prime Minister at COP29, and the bonds were issued on the London Stock Exchange in January 2025. 

    It is a new financial mechanism to leverage future loan repayments (reflows) from previous investments made under the CIF’s Clean Technology Fund (CTF), by issuing bonds on capital markets.

  • Ramaphosa denies ‘confiscating land’ after Trump threatens to cut off aid

    Ramaphosa denies ‘confiscating land’ after Trump threatens to cut off aid

    South African President Cyril Ramaphosa responded on Monday to US President Donald Trump’s threat to cut off aid over the alleged mistreatment of white farmers, denying Trump’s claim that authorities were “confiscating land.”

    “South Africa is a constitutional democracy that is deeply rooted in the rule of law, justice and equality. The South African government has not confiscated any land,” Ramaphosa wrote on X.

    “We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest,” he wrote. He added that, while the US was a key strategic political and trade partner, it did not provide significant funding to South Africa besides a major HIV/AIDS relief program.

    His statement comes after Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday that he would cut off all future funding to the country until there was a full investigation into allegations that “South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.”

    Trump’s long-held complaint, which he’d also made in 2018 during his first term, goes back to the complex land reform in South Africa.

    Racist policies of the past forcefully removed Black and non-White South Africans from the land for White use. There has been a land redistribution and restitution provision in the country’s constitution since South Africa emerged from its apartheid era and held its first democratic elections in 1994.

    However, unemployment and poverty remain acute among Black South Africans, who make up around 80% of the population, yet own a fraction of the land.

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    In January, Ramaphosa signed a bill into law that sets forth new guidelines for land expropriation, including enabling the government to expropriate land without compensation in some cases.

    In his X post Monday, Ramaphosa said the law was “not a confiscation instrument,” but a legal process that “ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution.”

    However, constitutional protections against expropriation without compensation still remain in place, and experts believe South Africa’s ruling party will face legal challenges if it seeks to implement the policy.

  • Nigeria condoles with Germany over demise of ex-president Kohler

    Nigeria condoles with Germany over demise of ex-president Kohler

    Nigeria has condoled with the people and government of Germany over the death of their former President, Horst Köhler.

    Kohler, the German president from 2004 to 2010, was 81.

    He died Saturday morning in Berlin after a short illness, surrounded by his family, the office of current German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement.

    He also served at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as the Managing Director.

    In a statement issued by Acting Spokesperson, Ministry Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Kohler’s demise was a great loss to the global community.

    The statement said Nigeria stands in solidarity with the people of Germany.

    The statement reads: “The Federal Government of Nigeria expresses its sincere condolences to the government and people of the Federal Republic of Germany, and especially to family, friends, and political associates following the death of former President Horst Köhler.

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    “The demise of Horst Köhler is a great loss not only to Germany but to the global community, which benefited immensely from his leadership, vision, and dedication to international cooperation and development.

    “The departed German leader, during his tenure as President from 2004 to 2010, and also in his previous role as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering global economic stability, sustainable development, and multilateralism.

    “Moreso, his contributions to strengthening Germany’s relations with Africa, including Nigeria, were particularly noteworthy, as he championed initiatives to promote peace, economic growth, and mutual understanding. His legacy of service, integrity, and dedication to the common good will continue to inspire future generations.

    “In this moment of grief, Nigeria stands in solidarity with the people of Germany and honours the memory of a distinguished statesman whose life was devoted to the pursuit of a better world.”

    Köhler was little known to most Germans and a stranger to front-line politics before he won the presidency. His nomination was greeted by the mass circulation daily Bild with the headline “Horst Who?”

    However, he built up high popularity ratings once in the job, something that he achieved in part by positioning himself as an outsider to the country’s political elite.

    He occasionally refused to sign bills into law due to constitutional concerns and didn’t always make himself popular with the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose choice he was for the presidency – a largely ceremonial job but often seen as a source of moral authority.

  • 773 killed in DR Congo war

    773 killed in DR Congo war

    No fewer than 773 people were killed in Goma last week, according to Congolese authorities, as Rwanda-backed rebels captured the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in a major escalation of the region’s decade-long conflict.

    There were 773 bodies and 2,880 injured people in Goma’s morgues and hospitals, government spokesman Patrick Muyaya told a briefing in the capital Kinshasa.

    “These figures remain provisional because the rebels asked the population to clean the streets of Goma,” said Mr Muyaya. “There should be mass graves and the Rwandans took care to evacuate theirs.”

    Hundreds of Goma residents were returning to the city on Saturday after the rebels promised to restore basic services, including water and electricity.

    M23 is the strongest of more than 100 armed groups vying for control in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mineral-rich east, which contains vast deposits critical to much of the world’s technology.

    They are backed by around 4,000 troops from neighbouring Rwanda, according to United Nations experts.

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    As the fighting with M23 continued on Saturday, the Congolese army recaptured the villages of Sanzi, Muganzo and Mukwidja in South Kivu’s Kalehe territory, which had fallen to the rebels earlier this week, according to two civil society officials.

    UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said on Friday that the M23 and Rwandan forces were about 37 miles north of South Kivu’s provincial capital Bukavu, covering almost the same distance in the previous two days since they started advancing along Lake Kivu, on the border with Rwanda.

    The seizure of Goma has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, the UN and aid groups say, as the city is a humanitarian hub for many of the six million people displaced by the conflict.

    The rebel advance has left extrajudicial killings and forced conscription of civilians in its wake, UN human rights office spokesman Jeremy Laurence said on Friday, adding that Congolese troops have also been accused of sexual violence.

  • Trump tariffs spark retaliation from Canada, Mexico, China

    Trump tariffs spark retaliation from Canada, Mexico, China

    President Trump’s tariffs are meeting stiff retaliation from the nation’s largest trading partners, who are imposing their own tariffs on U.S. goods in a trade war that threatens to raise prices on both sides.

    Canada and Mexico, the United States’ biggest trading partners, announced plans to hit back against their 25% tariff.

    Meanwhile, China vowed to file a legal case against the U.S. at the World Trade Organisation and threatened counter-measures to the 10% tariff Mr. Trump imposed on all Chinese imports.

    The tit-for-tat raised concerns that a trade war would force American families to pay high prices for everything from gasoline to groceries, automobiles, electronics and toys. The fallout could also lead to higher inflation, further undermining the president’s campaign promise to lower prices.

    Mr. Trump said there could be some short-term pain from the tariffs, which are scheduled to go into effect Tuesday.

    He said it was a necessary step because of U.S. trade deficits with Mexico, Canada and China and to force the three nations to do more to address illegal immigration and illicit drugs, especially fentanyl, flowing into the U.S.

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    He continued: “Will there be some pain? Yes, maybe (and maybe not!). But we will Make America Great Again, and it will all be worth the price that must be paid.”

    Trump’s three targets for tariffs accounted for 41% of U.S. foreign trade as of November 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Mexico was the top trading partner at $776 billion or 15.9%, followed by Canada at $699 billion or 14.3% and China at $532 billion or 10.9%.

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the tariffs violated the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that Mr. Trump negotiated in 2000 to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement of 1992.

    Trudeau also announced over $100 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. He said it would hurt Canadians but also “have real consequences for you, the American people … at the grocery store, gas at the pump.”

    On Sunday, he urged Canadians to “choose products made right here in Canada.”

    Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman said Canadians are “confused” about why Trump is going after them when they have invested over $1 billion in border security.