The Nation Newspaper

Category: Foreign

  • Pan African Forum petitions ICC to probe alleged war crimes in Cameroon

    Pan African Forum petitions ICC to probe alleged war crimes in Cameroon

    The Pan African Forum Ltd, an African lobby group, has submitted a formal application to the International Criminal Court (ICC), seeking an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes linked to President Paul Biya. 

    The allegations are tied to the ongoing conflict in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon.

    Filed on Friday, November 22, 2024, the 142-page petition is supported by extensive evidence of widespread atrocities. 

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    The group urged the ICC prosecutor to examine alleged violations, including the targeting of civilians, forced displacements, and other abuses during the conflict between government forces and separatist movements.

    The application follows years of escalating violence in Ambazonia, where English-speaking communities’ calls for independence have been met with harsh military crackdowns.

    Several activists and human rights organisations have accused the government of committing grave human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and destruction of property.

    The Pan African Forum Ltd’s petition, it was learnt, is intended to amplify international scrutiny of the crisis and encourage accountability at the global level. 

    The ICC’s response to the application remains pending. But, critics argued that the situation in Cameroon requires urgent intervention to prevent further suffering.

    The petition alleged that the conflict is spilling over to Nigeria with dire consequences for the countries.

    The application on the heels of President Biya’s long tenure and management of the Anglophone crisis drawing international criticism.

    The Pan African Forum Ltd is a forum for defence of Africa and African people on the continent. It was established on September 2012, in Kenya .

    The organisation constitutes an informal network of African scholars and university student leaders both current and past. 

    It was formed as a lobby group to support the African Union objectives on international aspects and other initiatives, at national, sub regional, regional and international levels.

  • Lagos, Paris accelerator programme: 10 Nigerian designers to receive training, funding

    Lagos, Paris accelerator programme: 10 Nigerian designers to receive training, funding

    The Lagos x Paris Accelerator Programme has selected 10 exceptional Nigerian designers for its 2024-2025 cohort, providing them with an unparalleled opportunity to expand their horizons in France.

    This groundbreaking initiative, a collaboration between the French Embassy in Nigeria and local partners, aims to equip Nigerian designers with the skills, networks, and exposure needed to penetrate international markets while highlighting Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and creativity.

    Following the success of last year’s edition, which also saw 10 designers take part, this year’s programme continues to position Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s creative economy. By fostering global partnerships, the initiative not only spotlights Nigerian fashion on the world stage but also contributes to economic growth and job creation within the country.

    Speaking on the initiative, H.E. Marc Fonbaustier, Ambassador of France to Nigeria, emphasized the synergy between Nigeria’s vibrant creativity and France’s established reputation in the fashion industry. He stated, “This partnership matches perfectly. France is a well-known country for this sector, and Nigeria is full of talent and energy in fashion. It’s a crossroad of art, creation, and economy. Employment, the takeoff of industries, transfer of competencies, and reinforcement of capabilities are key aspects we have in mind for the Lagos x Paris programme.

    “This year again, 10 designers have been selected and accompanied intensively. We tailored the assistance of France for each participant through a comprehensive assessment process to meet their specific needs.”

    The programme is part of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Création Africa” initiative, which supports creative industries worldwide, including design, fashion, video games, audiovisuals, and performing arts. In Nigeria, this focus has yielded a strong platform for designers to gain global visibility while strengthening the local creative economy.

    For the 2024-2025 cohort, the selected brands include Babayo, Y’Wandelag, Pepper Row, PITH, NYA, HUE by Idera, Aminda, Shem Paronelli (shoes), AABOUX (bags), and Refine (jewelry). These designers were chosen from a pool of over 100 applicants by a professional jury. The brand Aminda, based in Abuja, will travel to Lagos monthly for in-person training sessions.

    Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, expressed her enthusiasm for the programme’s impact on Nigeria’s fashion ecosystem. She noted, “We’re trying to aggregate all the people in the fashion industry—from clothing to accessories to jewelry—and put them on a global platform. It’s very important that we create a Fashion Council of Nigeria to ensure our designers gain worldwide recognition.”

    The Lagos x Paris Accelerator Programme includes a 360-degree audit and tailored training phases covering brand structuring, development, and operational strategies. The programme’s ultimate goal is to prepare Nigerian designers for global success, ensuring they not only compete but thrive in international markets.

  • Zhuzhou City delegation visits Nigeria to strengthen bilateral cooperation

    Zhuzhou City delegation visits Nigeria to strengthen bilateral cooperation

    In line with the comprehensive strategic partnership between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China, a delegation from Zhuzhou City in China’s Hunan Province is visiting Nigeria to explore new areas of cooperation.

    The delegation, led by the Mayor of Zhuzhou City, Chen Huiqing was received by the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Mr. Joseph Tegbe.

    Expressing his excitement at the partnership between both countries, Mayor Huiqing gave an overview of Zhuzhou City, highlighting its industrial and technological advancements.

    According to him, the city is a major hub for production, commodity export, ceramics, fireworks, electricity generation, and high-speed rail, among others.

    The Mayor used the opportunity to formally inform the Global Liaison of the Strategic Partnership of Zhuzhou City’s interest in increasing cooperation with Nigeria in these areas, with a focus on commodity export, industrial production, and infrastructure development. He also discussed potential collaborations in science and technology, education, and culture.

    While welcoming the delegation, the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening ties with China. The Director-General led a promising conversation on various ways to enhance cooperation, including the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), the establishment of joint working groups, and exchange programs.

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    According to Tegbe, enhanced cooperation between Nigeria and Zhuzhou City, as well as other Chinese entities, would bring numerous benefits, including increased trade and investment, job creation, improved infrastructure, knowledge transfer, and cultural exchange.

    As the relationship between Nigeria and China continues to evolve, it is clear that this partnership will play a significant role in shaping the future of both nations. The visit marks another significant step in deepening the Nigeria-China strategic partnership, which aims to promote economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and people-to-people diplomacy.

    As Nigeria and China continue to explore new areas of cooperation, this partnership is expected to drive growth, development, and cultural understanding between the two nations.

  • New Russian multi-drone attack on Ukraine

    New Russian multi-drone attack on Ukraine

    Russia attacked Ukraine again with numerous drones during the night, following the largest-scale drone attack of the war so far the previous night.

    The Ukrainian Air Force reported on Wednesday morning that property had been damaged but there had been no deaths or injuries.

    However, Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko posted on Telegram during the night that two people had been injured in the capital.

    “Falling debris had hit a houseboat in which one of the victims had been staying,” he wrote.

    Ukraine’s air defence said that Moscow had attacked the country with 89 drones during the night. The air force reported shooting down 36 drones.

    Read Also: Russia warns of response as Ukraine strikes with U.S. missiles

    The flights of 48 drones were aborted, presumably due to electronic countermeasures. Five drones are said to have flown to Russia, Belarus and the occupied territories of Ukraine.

    Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than two and a half years.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • Trump vows big tariffs on Mexico, Canada, China

    Trump vows big tariffs on Mexico, Canada, China

    United States (U.S.) President-elect Donald Trump has said he intends to impose sweeping tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China, prompting a swift warning from Beijing that “no one will win a trade war”.

    In a series of posts to his Truth Social account, Trump vowed to hit some of the United States’ largest trading partners with duties on all goods entering the country.

    “On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25 percent tariff on ALL products coming into the United States,” he wrote.

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    In another post, Trump said he would also be slapping China with a 10 percent tariff, “above any additional tariffs,” in response to what he said was its failure to tackle fentanyl smuggling.

    Tariffs are a key part of Trump’s economic agenda, with the Republican vowing wide-ranging duties on allies and adversaries alike while he was on the campaign trail.

    Both China and Canada issued swift responses, each calling their trade relationships with the United States “mutually beneficial.”

    “No one will win a trade war,” Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for China’s embassy in the United States, told AFP by email, defending Beijing’s efforts to curb fentanyl smuggling.

  • Russia warns of response as Ukraine strikes with U.S. missiles

    Russia warns of response as Ukraine strikes with U.S. missiles

    Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces were preparing a response to Ukraine’s recent attacks using U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles on air defence units in the Kursk border region.

    “In the last three days, the AFU carried out two strikes at objects in the Kursk region by long-range Western-made weaponry,” the ministry said in a statement on Telegram, referring to Ukraine’s armed forces.

    “Retaliatory measures are being prepared.”

    Ukraine fired five of the U.S.-made long-range missiles on Saturday, targeting a S-400 battalion near Lotarevka, northwest of Kursk, Russia’s Defence Ministry said.

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    Two of projectiles hit their targets, damaging a radar and resulting in casualties, according to the statement.

    On Monday, Ukraine launched eight ATACMS missiles at the Kursk-Vostochny airfield, less than 10 kilometres (6 miles) east of the regional capital.

    Seven were shot down by air defences while one hit its target, the ministry said.

    Last week, Moscow’s forces launched an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile known as Oreshnik at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro in retaliation for Kyiv’s first known use of western-supplied long-range weapons to strike Russian territory.

  • Berlin hosts Europe’s defence ministers after Putin hails new missile

    Berlin hosts Europe’s defence ministers after Putin hails new missile

    Defence ministers from Germany, France, Poland, Italy and the UK are set to meet in Berlin on Monday to discuss measures to strengthen security and defence in Europe.

    Russia’s targeting of Ukraine with a new medium-range missile, thought to have implications for all of Europe, is likely to play a major role during discussions.

    Germany’s Boris Pistorius, France’s Sébastien Lecornu, the UK’s John Healey, Poland’s Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Italy’s Guido Crosetto are also meeting ahead of the looming presidency of NATO critic Donald Trump.

    Trump, set to be inaugurated on January 20, has demanded that Europe invest significantly more money in its own security and is expected to cut military aid to Ukraine.

    Following recent approval from Washington, Ukraine has begun using U.S.-made ATACMS missiles and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles to target military sites in Russia.

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    Russian President Vladimir Putin then ordered its missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, which has a population of over a million, with a new medium-range missile on Thursday morning.

    He hailed the “Oreshnik” (hazel tree) missile as unique and said it would go into mass production.

    Moscow says the rocket flies at hypersonic speed, making it impossible for anti-aircraft systems to intercept it.

    Experts assume that the rocket could technically also be equipped with nuclear warheads.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • Developing nations blast ‘paltry’ $300b deal approved at COP29 UN climate summit

    Developing nations blast ‘paltry’ $300b deal approved at COP29 UN climate summit

    The contentious deal reached at the United Nations (UN) climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, commits developed nations to paying at least $300 billion a year by 2035 to help developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for disasters related to global warming.

    The world approved a bitterly negotiated climate deal yesterday but poorer nations, most at the mercy of worsening disasters, dismissed a $300 billion a year pledge from wealthy historic polluters as insultingly low.

    Read Also: Creative Economy central to our diversification agenda, says Tinubu

    After two exhausting weeks of chaotic bargaining and sleepless nights, nearly 200 nations banged through the contentious finance pact in the early hours in a sports stadium in Azerbaijan.

    But the applause had barely subsided when India delivered a full-throated rejection of the “abysmally poor” dollar-figure just agreed.

     “It’s a paltry sum,” thundered India’s delegate Chandni Raina.

    “This document is little more than an optical illusion. This, in our opinion, will not address the enormity of the challenge we all face.”

    Sierra Leone’s climate minister Jiwoh Abdulai, whose country is among the world’s poorest, said it showed a “lack of goodwill” by developed nations, whose ranks include the United States, Japan and members of the European Union.

  • Death toll rises to 82 after three days of violence in northwest Pakistan

    Death toll rises to 82 after three days of violence in northwest Pakistan

    Three days of bitter sectarian gunfights in northwestern Pakistan have killed no fewer than 82 people and wounded 156 more, a local official said yesterday.

    Communities in Pakistan’s Kurram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province — near the border with Afghanistan — have clashed for decades.

    The latest bout of violence began on Thursday when two separate convoys travelling under police escort were ambushed, killing at least 43 and sparking two days of gun battles.

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    “The clashes and convoy attacks on November 21, 22, and 23 have resulted in 82 fatalities and 156 injuries,” said a local administration official speaking on condition of anonymity.

    Around 300 families fled on Saturday as the gunfights with both light and heavy weapons continued into the night, however no fresh casualties were reported yesterday morning.

    “The mobile network across Kurram remains suspended and traffic on the main highway is halted,” said the local administration official.

  • Philippines VP publicly threatens to have president assassinated

    Philippines VP publicly threatens to have president assassinated

    The Philippines’ Security Council will verify an alleged assassination threat by Vice-President Sara Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, a top official said yesterday, describing it as a “matter of national security”.

     Ms Duterte, in a strongly worded morning briefing on Nov 23, said she spoke with an assassin and instructed him to kill Marcos, his wife and the Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, if she were to be killed.

    National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said the government considers all threats to the President as “serious”, vowing to closely work with law enforcement and intelligence communities to investigate the threat and possible perpetrators.

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     “Any and all threats against the life of the President shall be validated and considered a matter of national security,” Ano said in a statement.

    The Presidential Communications Office, citing the Justice Ministry, said Ms Duterte’s threats are now under investigation and may lead to charges.

     “If the evidence warrants, this could lead to eventual prosecution,” Marcos’ office said in a statement.

    Ms Duterte’s threat stemmed from an order by lawmakers to transfer her chief-of-staff to a jail for allegedly impeding a probe over the Vice-President’s alleged misuse of public funds.