Wednesday, 29 August 2018

News Digest: UK announces security assistance for Nigeria; Kenyatta: Even my own family can be investigated

The UK has signed a security and defence pact with Nigeria that would help President Muhammadu Buhari's adminstration fight Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
The announcement was made during Prime Minister Theresa May's visit.
A statement says the UK "will expand its provision of equipment and training for the Nigerian military to help them protect themselves from the threat of improvised explosive devices used by terrorists".
The Boko Haram insurgency, which started in 2009, has led to the deaths of over 20,000 people, with almost two million displaced from their homes in the north-east of the country.
Prime Minister May said:
“We are determined to work side-by-side with Nigeria to help them fight terrorism, reduce conflict, and lay the foundations for the future stability and prosperity that will benefit us all.”
The deal also involves a new $16m (£13m) programme to educate 100,000 children whose learning has been disrupted by the fighting.
The programme will provide school equipment, teacher training and safe places to learn.
The UK will also help with counter terrorism tactics that will help Nigeria disrupt the recruitment of militants.
2.Kenyatta: Even my own family can be investigated
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has tried to prove his corruption busting credentials by insisting that the current anti-graft drive could include members of his family.
"We have begun to tackle corruption regardless of who you are... even if you're my own family member," Mr Kenyatta told the BBC's HardTalk programme.
The president's family is one of the richest in the country with interests across the economy.
Mr Kenyatta said he welcomed public scrutiny of his wealth.
As I have always stated, what we own is open to the public
If there is an instance where somebody can say that what we have done is not legitimate say so. We are ready to face any court."
In June, the Kenyan government launched what are called lifestyle audits for every public servant where their wealth will have to be declared.
Mr Kenyatta said that he would be happy to take part in that process.
3.Germany returns Namibia genocide skulls
Germany has handed back the human remains of indigenous people killed during a genocide in colonial Namibia more than 100 years ago.
A Namibian government delegation received the remains at a church service in the German capital, Berlin.
There are thought to be hundreds of Namibian skulls in Germany and on Wednesday more than 25 remains were handed back.
The bones had been sent to Germany for now-discredited research to prove the racial superiority of white Europeans.
Tens of thousands of Herero and Nama people were murdered in response to an anti-colonial uprising. Their descendants are still waiting for an apology from the German government.
Skulls from Germany's other African colonies, including modern day Cameroon, Tanzania, Rwanda and Togo, were also used in the discredited studies.
The genocide began in 1904 after a Herero and Nama rebellion in response to the German expropriation of their land and cattle.
4. Trump hails Kim, sees no need to resume U.S.-South Korea war games
Days after canceling a planned visit to North Korea by his top diplomat citing insufficient progress in denuclearization talks, U.S. President Donald Trump hailed his personal relationship North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday and said there was no reason to resume war games with South Korea.
Trump’s statement came a day after his defense secretary hinted that the drills, which North Korea denounces as rehearsals for invasion, could resume.
Trump tweeted a White House statement in which he once again questioned China’s role in helping to resolve the crisis over North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons that threaten the United States.
5. Trump and Trudeau upbeat about prospects for NAFTA deal by Friday
The leaders of the United States and Canada expressed optimism on Wednesday that they could reach new NAFTA deal by a Friday deadline as negotiators prepared to talk through the night, although Canada warned that a number of tricky issues remained.
Under pressure, Canada rejoined the talks to modernize the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement after Mexico and the United States announced a bilateral deal on Monday.
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said late on Wednesday that talks were at “a very intense moment” but said there was “a lot of good will” between Canadian and U.S. negotiators.

No comments:

Post a Comment