Tanzania : opposition leader stands trial
Africa
15:12
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu attempted to reassure his cheering supporters who had gathered to show their support as he appeared in court on treason charges on Monday. His Chadema party accuses the ruling CCM of repression. It has governed the country since 1977 and now looks set to face little serious opposition in October's elections, as Chadema has been disqualified from the race. Several Kenyan politicians were deported while trying to attend Lissu's trial.
Also, amidst its biggest funding crisis to date, the World Health Organization is asking its members for an additional $2 billion in annual funding. I spoke to an African health chief who sees turbulent times as an opportunity to improve aid models.
Finally, in a historic first for Nigeria, the family film In My Father's Shadow steps into the bright lights of the Cannes Film Festival. The touching tribute to the scant memories of an absent parent by brothers Akinola and Wale Davies Jr is their country's first to make it into the official selection.
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France 24
6 hours ago
- France 24
China lead mine plan weighs heavily on Myanmar tribe
Demand for the heavy metal is forecast to rise, driven by its use in the batteries needed for the global energy transition. But its extraction can pollute the environment and the Pradawng tribespeople carry banners reading: "No transparency, no responsibility". "We don't have any plan to exchange this inheritance from our ancestors for money or riches," said 24-year-old protest leader Khun Khine Min Naing. "This land is the dignity of our tribe." Since a 2021 coup, Myanmar has been riven by civil war and shattered into a patchwork of loosely governed territories ripe for exploitation by unregulated miners. And neighbouring China is keen to scoop up the minerals and metals Myanmar can supply. The Pradawng -- a little-known subtribe of the Kayan ethnic group -- claim around 3,000 members and a 381-year lineage in Shan state, in Myanmar's east. They say Myanmar firm Four Star Company and a Chinese partner have planned a mega-project mining lead upriver from their village, Thi Kyeik, in Pekon township. Heavy machinery began to be installed in February, but the tribe say they were not consulted on the scheme and fear it will taint the area with hazardous chemicals. Locals have blockaded roads to turn back vehicles, and threatened to seize mining equipment, defying possible violent backlash in a country where the right to assemble often depends on the whims of armed guards. "We are only asking for Indigenous rights that we should own," Khun Khine Min Naing told AFP, demanding mine plans are rolled back until the war is over and they can be scrutinised by a civilian government. Natural resources Lead is a toxic metal, most commonly mined for use in lead-acid batteries. Extracting it can pollute local soil and water supplies, with children particularly vulnerable to exposure, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). "We don't want to leave this land environmentally damaged for the next generation," said Khun Khine Min Naing. "We don't want to be regarded as historical criminals." The Pradawng say Four Star Company has been active locally for two decades and is linked to the local ruling Kayan New Land Party, whose armed wing maintains a ceasefire with Myanmar's military. The firm could not be reached for comment. Their Chinese partner company is harder to identify, and locals say its involvement was only revealed when its representatives attended a joint event with Four Star Company intended to address community backlash. China shares a 2,100-kilometre (1,300-mile) border with Myanmar and has long been a lucrative market for the country's natural resources, including jade, gemstones, teak logs and metal ores. It accounts for nearly 98 percent of Myanmar's lead ore and concentrate exports, according to 2023 World Bank data. The figures say 49,000 tonnes worth $20 million were exported to China that year, but that is likely far short of the true amount. The lack of a central authority means tracking the real scale of mining operations across Myanmar is difficult. But satellite imagery analysis of one hotspot on the Myanmar-China border by the Britain-based Centre for Information Resilience showed the expanse of mining operations there nearly doubled in size between 2018 and 2024. 'Only stones for our children' Rechargeable lead-acid batteries are widely used in vehicles, including EVs where they provide auxiliary power, as well as for storing power generated by renewable technologies such as wind and solar. The metal -- identified by the WHO as "one of 10 chemicals of major public health concern" -- sells for around $2,000 per refined tonne on the global market. But the Pradawng people suspect they will see none of the profits. Along with health risks, locals fear environmental damage, with villagers saying increased mining in recent years has led to more flooding and mudslides that carried off entire homes. Mu Ju July, 19, ekes out a living picking through mine slag heaps for scraps of lead to sell. A flurry of prospecting could be a windfall for her, but she worries it will squander the livelihoods and homes of future generations. "If we allow them, we will be okay for only one or two years," she said.
Euronews
a day ago
- Euronews
Elon Musk calls Trump's flagship tax bill a 'disgusting abomination'
Elon Musk has slammed US President Donald Trump's plan to cut taxes and spending, marking a sharp break from the president he helped re-elect in 2024. The bill allows the US government to borrow more money and extends tax breaks approved during Trump's first term at the White House, along with new ones he campaigned on. The budget — which includes a massive buildup of $350 (€307) billion for border security, deportations and national security — was narrowly passed by the House of Representatives last month. "Shame on those who voted for it," Musk said of the bill. In a series of posts on his social media platform X, Musk said the "outrageous, pork-filled" spending bill will "massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America [sic] citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt". In its current form the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) exects that the bill's tax policies alone will add nearly $3.8tn (€3.3) to the federal deficit. The South-African born billionaire recently left his role in the Trump administration, where he oversaw Doge, the body responsible for reducing US government spending and cutting federal jobs. His comments are his strongest rebuke yet of Trump's policies. He previously called the bill "disapointing." The legislation — which Trump calls his "big, beautiful bill" — would slash funding for electric vehicles and related technologies, including Musk's Tesla and SpaceX, the latter of which holds major defence contracts. Musk followed his criticism by issuing a warning to Republicans. "In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people," he wrote on X. His threat is a sharp shift in tone for Musk, who previously pledged to help defeat Republicans deemed disloyal to Trump. Musk, the world's richest person, spent at least $250 million (€219) supporting Trump's campaign last year. When stepping back from Doge, Musk announced he would be spending "a lot less" on political campaigns, dedicating his time to his companies and his role as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. He left the door open to political involvement "if I see a reason." Some Republican lawmakers echoed Musk's concerns, with Kentucky Senator Rand Paul writing on X: 'We can and must do better." Utah Senator Mike Lee said, "federal spending has become excessive,' adding that it causes inflation and 'weaponises government.' Others suggested that Musk's endorsement had minimal impact on their decision to vote the legislation forward. 'No matter what Elon Musk or anybody else says — and I don't want to diminish him because I don't think that's fair — it's still going to be second fiddle to President Trump,' Republican West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed Musk's criticism. "The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill,' Leavitt said, and Musk's post 'doesn't change the president's opinion.' Democrats, meanwhile, welcomed Musk's criticism of the bill, which Trump in May called 'arguably the most significant piece of Legislation that will ever be signed in the History of our Country.' 'We're in complete agreement,' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said of Musk, standing alongside a poster-sized printout of Musk's post during a Capitol news conference. South Korea's liberal opposition candidate Lee Jae-myung was elected president early on Wednesday in a victory that would cap months of political turmoil triggered by the stunning but brief imposition of martial law by now-ousted conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol. With over 99% of votes counted, Jae-myung obtained 49.3% of the votes cast in Tuesday's early election, while main conservative contender Kim Moon Soo trailed with 41.3%. Nearly 80% of the country's 44.4 million eligible voters cast ballots, according to an interim tally. That's one of the highest turnouts for a presidential election in South Korea, reflecting public eagerness to move past the political turmoil. Preelection surveys have long suggested Lee appeared headed for an easy win, riding on deep public frustration over the conservatives in the wake of Yoon's martial law debacle. Even before Lee's win was formally declared, Kim conceded, telling journalists that he 'humbly accepts the people's choice,' and congratulated Lee. Lee Jae-myung delivered a speech to his supporters in the capital, Seoul, after exit polls projected his victory. "The first duty you have entrusted me with, I will overcome the rebellion (referring to former President Yoon declaring martial law) and I will make sure there is no more military coup d'état, in which the power entrusted by the people would never be used to intimidate people,' said Jae-myung. Lee, 60, will be taking office for a five-year term. The president-elect rose from childhood poverty to become South Korea's leading liberal politician. His campaign saw him pledge to fight against poverty and corruption. It's not immediately clear what Jae-myung's election would mean for Seoul's foreign policy. The new leader has previously been accused by critics of tilting towards China and North Korea, and distancing from the US and Japan. The president-elect has however stressed that South Korea's alliance with the United States will continue to be the foundation of foreign policy. The most formidable external challenges facing Jae-myung are US President Donald Trump's tariff policy and Pyongyang's advancing nuclear programme. However, experts have previously indicated that regardless of who assumes the presidency, securing major progress in favour of Seoul on these matters remains unlikely. He's vowed to pursue pragmatic diplomacy in his foreign policy approach. He's promised to develop the alliance with the US and solidify a trilateral Seoul-Washington-Tokyo alliance – a stance that isn't much different from the position held by South Korea's conservatives. Jae-myung also said that he'll work on pursuing better ties with North Korea, but acknowledged that it would be 'very difficult' to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un anytime soon, signalling that there likely won't be any drastic steps taken to improve ties with their neighbours on the Korean peninsula. Lee Jae-myung, who held the position of governor of Gyeonggi province and mayor of Seongnam city, has been a contentious figure in the political arena for many years. As a former child labourer, known for his inspirational 'rags-to-riches' story, he gained prominence by sharply criticising the conservative establishment of the nation and advocating for a more proactive South Korea in its foreign policy. This rhetoric has shaped his reputation as a reformer capable of implementing significant changes to address the country's deeply-rooted economic disparities and corruption. His critics view him as a dangerous populist who relies on political division and backpedals on promises too easily.
France 24
a day ago
- France 24
High-cost loans, Trump turmoil hurting Africa, says G20 panel chief
Seasoned politician and anti-apartheid activist Trevor Manuel chairs the panel of experts working on proposals to address issues affecting Africa, including high debt, to be presented at a summit of the Group of 20 leading economies in November. African nations are not necessarily more indebted than major economies but they face higher debt servicing costs, Manuel told AFP in an interview. The "unbelievably expensive and prohibitive" cost of capital for African nations has hobbled their development, said Manuel, who served as finance minister in post-apartheid South Africa for more than a decade. "We know that the risk premiums in general on Africa are much higher than they need to be, and that impacts them on the debt service costs," he added. More than half of Africa's 1.3 billion people live in countries with debt interest payments higher than social spending on health, education and infrastructure, according to the South African government. South Africa is the only African nation in the G20 and has made debt sustainability for developing countries one of the priorities of its presidency of the group of 19 countries, the African Union and European Union. African countries will pay close to $89 billion in external debt service alone this year, with 20 low-income countries at risk of debt distress, it says. Manuel said the panel will seek to persuade the entire G20 to engage with multilateral development banks, in particular the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, to address the issue of borrowing costs. 'Unbelievably difficult' Abrupt changes in global order since US President Donald Trump took office in January, such as sweeping aid cuts and trade tariffs, will have long-lasting ramifications for the continent, Manuel said. Trump's "capricious" announcement in April of major trade tariffs effectively did away with the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a major US-African trade deal that had helped to build some African economies, he said. He cited as examples the tiny kingdom of Lesotho, which faces 50 percent tariffs on exports to the United States, including jeans and golf shirts, and Madagascar, which sends vanilla pods and is threatened with 47 percent tariffs. "It becomes unbelievably difficult for small countries that try and develop export markets, for their products to be struck by these sudden announcements," Manuel said. "There's no time for adjustment." Adding to the pressure is the termination of USAID programmes and a push for NATO countries to increase defence spending, which restricts what they have available for overseas development assistance. "The impact on the African continent is going to be very severe," said Manuel. "We can't abstract Africa from the rest of the globe." "The realm of policymaking requires a greater degree of predictability and certainty than what we see at the moment," he said. "The fact that there are these occasional outbursts that aren't informed by reality as I see it... makes it even more complex." Intra-Africa Manuel said his panel's work on better understanding the African economy and developing solutions was likely to continue beyond this year's G20, for example, via the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union. This included looking at "intra-African dynamics" such as the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) launched in 2019. Conflicts also cost the continent, he said, citing the war in Sudan and unrest that has held back a major gas project in impoverished northern Mozambique. "When countries spend more on war than what they do on the upliftment of people, then we face profound consequences," Manuel said. He said a strong United Nations and African Union were important in "persuading countries to do the right things" in the long term, beyond the sometimes disruptive short electoral cycles that usher in new leadership and policy changes. "If you don't have those kinds of objectives, which frequently will not be completed within a particular electoral cycle, I think we run ourselves into the ground." © 2025 AFP
