Latest news with #Djibouti
New York Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Trump Wants to Make It OK to Disappear People
In May, the United States flew a group of eight migrants to Djibouti, a small state in the Horn of Africa. For weeks, the men — who are from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Vietnam and South Sudan — were detained in a converted shipping container on a U.S. military base. More than a month later, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the men, who had all been convicted of serious crimes, could be transferred to their final destination: South Sudan, a country on the brink of famine and civil war. Tom Homan, the border czar, acknowledged that he didn't know what happened to them once they were released from U.S. custody. 'As far as we're concerned,' he said, 'they're free.' Deporting foreign nationals to countries other than their homeland has quickly become a centerpiece of the Trump administration's immigration policy. Thousands of people have been sent to countries in the Western Hemisphere, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico and Panama. At a recent summit of West African leaders, President Trump pressed them to admit deportees from the United States, reportedly emphasizing that assisting in migration was essential to improving commercial ties with the United States. All told, administration officials have reached out to dozens of states to try to strike deals to accept deportees. The administration is making progress: Last week, it sent five men to the tiny, landlocked country of Eswatini in southern Africa after their home countries allegedly 'refused to take them back,' according to an assistant homeland security secretary, Tricia McLaughlin. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. In some ways, this is nothing new. It has become increasingly common for the world's most prosperous countries to relocate immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees to places with which they have little or no prior connection. Previous U.S. administrations from both parties have sought third-country detentions as easy fixes. In the 1990s, Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton both sent thousands of Haitian refugees to detention camps in Guantánamo Bay before forcibly repatriating most of them to Haiti. What is new about the Trump administration's deportation efforts, unlike previous European or even past U.S. attempts, is their breadth and scale, effectively transforming migrant expulsions into a tool for international leverage. By deporting foreign nationals to often unstable third countries, the Trump administration is not only creating a novel class of exiles with little hope of returning to either the United States or their country of origin, but also explicitly using these vulnerable populations as bargaining chips in a wider strategy of diplomatic and geopolitical deal-making. This strategy marks a significant evolution in a practice that has been gaining traction throughout the developed world. In the early 2000s, Australia devised the so-called Pacific Solution, an arrangement that diverted asylum seekers arriving by boat or intercepted at sea to holding centers in the island states of Nauru and Papua New Guinea in exchange for benefits, including development aid and financial support. In 2016, amid what was then the largest displacement of people in Europe since World War II, the European Union struck a deal that allowed it to send migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey through irregular means back to Turkey — to the tune of six billion euros. Some of these efforts have faced legal challenges. Starting in 2022, for example, the United Kingdom attempted to establish a program that would have automatically deported some asylum seekers and migrants entering the U.K. illegally to Rwanda, costing over half a billion pounds — more than 200 million of which were paid upfront. The British Supreme Court ruled that the policy was unlawful, and Britain's prime minister scrapped the plan last year. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat Discusses with World Bank Regional Director Advancing Multilateral Cooperation to Enhance Economic Development in Egypt
H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held a meeting with Mr. Stephane Guimbert, Regional Director of the World Bank for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti, to discuss avenues to strengthen joint cooperation to achieve economic development in Egypt. The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation discussed with the World Bank Regional Director the joint efforts to enhance economic development by leveraging the World Bank's international expertise and capabilities, emphasizing the importance of the partnership with the World Bank Group as a knowledge partner to the Egyptian government. Where joint work is underway to develop a comprehensive implementation plan to achieve economic development in cooperation with ministries and national entities, aiming to support macroeconomic stability, provide development financing, promote industrial development and trade, mobilize foreign direct investment (FDI), and increase investment in human capital. H.E. also highlighted the Ministry's efforts to implement the national narrative for economic development, which includes several pillars such as the preparation of the National Strategy for Industrial Development, which aims to increase exports, and enhance the value-added of manufacturing industries, and expand the contribution of the green economy to the GDP, as well as on enhancing integration and coherence between the FDI strategy and industrial development, supporting the labor market strategy focused on skills, and promote investment in human capital. She pointed out that this document comes within the framework of the effort to formulate a unified development discourse that reflects the state's priorities, enhances the consistency of macroeconomic policies, and serves as a common reference for the government, international institutions, and development partners. The meeting also discussed updates regarding the World Bank's portfolio, including the Universal Health Insurance Project, the Sustainable Rural Sanitation Services Program, and the Takaful and Karama Program. Discussions also covered the latest developments in the Upper Egypt Local Development Program and the Cairo-Alexandria Trade Logistics Development Project, which is being implemented in cooperation with the National Railways Authority of Egypt (NRA). For his part, Mr. Stephane Guimbert, Regional Director of the World Bank for Egypt, presented an overview of a new global health initiative led by the World Bank, which aims to expand basic health coverage to an additional 1.5 billion people worldwide, focusing on middle- and low-income countries. The idea of Egypt joining as a key participant in this initiative was raised in light of its significant progress in health sector reforms, particularly through the implementation of the Universal Health Insurance system, which is considered one of the largest social protection projects in the region. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation - Egypt.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Iran's multi-front war against the West is going badly – but not in this one theatre
And now the Houthis and their smuggler allies are complicating this further by fitting the wrong sort of AIS transponder. Vessels over 300 tons should have a full Class A transponder, but smuggling ships are fitting themselves with Class B transponders intended for yachts and small craft. These don't require as much data to be transmitted. Class B kit does transmit a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number which is supposed to be unique to each vessel but this also can be falsified. A Lloyds List investigation has shown that one vessel in particular, the Almas, had both Class A and Class B systems fitted and was toggling between the two. This is hardly sophisticated electronic warfare but it's definitely deceptive and, a lot of the time, effective given the sheer volume of ships at sea at any one time. Even calling in to Djibouti and being inspected prior by the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM) is no guarantee of righteousness. Vessels have done this and then met up with any one of a thousand non-AIS-fitted dhows between there and their destination port in Yemen and transferred systems at sea. It's a needle-in-a-haystack job that a small UNVIM team with no enforcement capability would struggle to keep up with even before the needles start making themselves look like hay. And this is only one route in. There are two solutions that will help with this. First is to reinvigorate an international inspection regime off the ports like the one Saudi Arabia had in place prior to 2022. As with dark fleet ships and those cutting cables, you still need something of a legal mechanism in place to board and detain them, but unless we get that in place, we will forever be playing catch up. The ships doing this will need to be defended and armed. I'm not talking about a US Arleigh Burke class destroyer level, but something with teeth. Of note, during the last two attacks, there were no warships in the area to either intercept the attacks or assist afterwards. All allied navies now, even the US Navy, cannot spare resources for 'just in case' tasks and the supposed ceasefire saw everyone move away from the area. Ultimately it comes down to international cooperation and funding and what's clear in this case, is that both are insufficient. The second solution is to stop trusting AIS as providing accurate records of where a ship has been. It can't do that. It was designed primarily as an anti-collision system, informing nearby vessels of a ship's presence and its course and speed, and for that it works pretty well. But twenty years ago its lack of accuracy made it inadmissible in UK courts even for fishery protection cases. Today it has shown itself as vulnerable to jamming, spoofing and general misuse as you'd expect from a system designed so long ago and never intended to be used for identification and tracking over entire journeys. What's frustrating is that there are many better sources of data, and sometimes these are used, but invariably, due to the diversity of sources they use, the end product is classified and cannot be publicly revealed. This needs to be rectified or weapons smugglers, sanctions busters and cable cutters will continue to exploit the holes in the current system. That brings us back to international cooperation and funding, which itself will be determined by priorities. You can cost what closing the Bab El Mandeb means for shippers and consumers, and for many classes of goods we are now paying that price and have been for a long time. You can't cost the principle of allowing a major chokepoint to remain closed. It's not all doom and gloom. Just this week, the Yemeni National Resistance Forces (NRF), led by General Tareq Saleh and loyal to the internationally recognised Yemeni government which continues to resist the Houthis, conducted what US Central Command described as 'the largest seizure of Iranian advanced conventional weapons in their history.' Some 750 tons of munitions and military hardware, much of which sat at the higher end of the capability spectrum outlined above, has now been impounded. Much will be learned from this haul, as well as denying its use to the Houthis. Ultimately, what is needed here is what has been needed all along – a comprehensive solution. I've outlined just two parts of this – more aggressive interdiction and more accurate vessel monitoring, but these need to be merged with ongoing intelligence gathering, diplomatic efforts with surrounding countries and an economic squeeze on the facilitators and beneficiaries, of which there are many. Only then will we be sure that a ceasefire isn't just an opportunity for one side to rearm.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
iib East Africa Celebrated with Top Global Sustainability Awards in 2025
LONDON, United Kingdom, July 19, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- iib East Africa, opens new tab has earned international recognition for its leadership in sustainable banking, securing three prestigious awards in 2025 from Euromoney, Global Finance and World Finance. These accolades underscore iib East Africa's unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility, ethical banking practices, and inclusive economic development in the Horn of Africa. On July 18, 2025, Euromoney, opens new tab named iib East Africa Djibouti's Best Bank for ESG, opens new tab in its 2025 Awards for Excellence, reinforcing the bank's role as a catalyst for impact-driven finance in one of Africa's fastest-growing trade corridors. On January 20, 2025, Global Finance, opens new tab named iib East Africa as the Best Sustainable Bank in its 2025 Sustainable Finance Awards, opens new tab, recognizing the bank's integration of ESG principles into core operations, innovative green financing frameworks, and community-led climate initiatives. On June 23, 2025, World Finance, opens new tab awarded iib East Africa the title of Most Sustainable Bank in Djibouti, opens new tab, commending its efforts to decarbonize lending portfolios, champion SME access to sustainable finance, and fund renewable infrastructure across the region. After receiving the award, Papa Demba Diop, opens new tab, CEO iib East Africa stated, "These awards reflect our enduring commitment to creating long-term value not just for our shareholders, but for our communities and the planet. Sustainability is not a siloed function at iib - it is embedded in everything we do." Sohail Sultan, chairman of iibGroup, opens new tab, stated, 'These recognitions affirm our conviction that sustainable finance is not just responsible - it is resilient, strategic, and essential to long-term prosperity. At iibGroup, we view ESG as a fundamental pillar of stability, growth, and legacy across our markets.' Operating at the intersection of sustainable finance and responsible development, iib East Africa continues to lead the market with bold initiatives including: As the region navigates climate and development challenges, iib East Africa is redefining the role of banking in shaping a greener, more inclusive future. About iib East Africa , opens new tabiib East Africa is headquartered in Djibouti and is part of the Intercontinental Investment Bank, a purpose-driven banking group operating across key frontier markets. With a strong commitment to sustainability, ethical finance, and regional growth, iib delivers high-impact financial solutions that empower businesses, uplift communities, and preserve environmental capital. For more information, visit opens new tab. About iibGroup iibGroup is a financial holding company with operations across the GCC, South Asia, East Africa (Ethiopia–Djibouti trade corridor and surrounding regions), West Africa (based in Cape Verde and primarily serving Portuguese-speaking African countries), and the Caribbean. For more information, visit Media Contact Farah Sayeed+973 1711 ### SOURCE: iibGroup Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire See release on EZ Newswire
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
US supreme court clears way for deportations of eight men to South Sudan
The supreme court has allowed the Trump administration to deport the eight men who have been held for weeks at an American military base in Djibouti to war-torn South Sudan, a country where almost none of them have ties. Most of the men are from countries including Vietnam, South Korea, Mexico, Laos, Cuba and Myanmar. Just one is from South Sudan. The supreme court's order on Thursday came after the court's conservative majority last month decided that immigration officials can quickly deport people to countries to which they have no connection. That order paused a district judge's earlier ruling that immigrants being sent to third countries must first be given an opportunity to prove they would face torture, persecution or death if they were sent there. Trina Realmuto, a lawyer for the eight men and executive director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, said the eight men could 'face perilous conditions, and potentially immediate detention, upon arrival'. Two liberal justices dissented – Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson – by saying the ruling gives the government special treatment. 'What the government wants to do, concretely, is send the eight noncitizens it illegally removed from the United States from Djibouti to South Sudan, where they will be turned over to the local authorities without regard for the likelihood that they will face torture or death,' Sotomayor wrote. 'Today's order clarifies only one thing: Other litigants must follow the rules, but the administration has the Supreme Court on speed dial,' she added. The Trump administration has been seeking deals with various countries to accept deportees that the US government cannot quickly send back to their homelands. The eight men awaiting deportation to South Sudan have all been convicted of serious crimes, which the Trump administration has emphasized in justifying their banishment. Many had either finished or were close to finishing serving sentences, and had 'orders of removal' directing them to leave the US. Some, like Tuan Thanh Phan – who came to the United States from Vietnam as a child and was convicted of killing someone in a gang altercation when he was 18 – had already planned to return to his home country after serving his sentence. Instead, the US government first told these men that they would be deported to South Africa, and they were asked to sign documents acknowledging their deportation. They refused, and their case came before judge Brian E Murphy of the district of Massachusetts, who ruled that the government must provide 'written notice' to any immigrant facing deportation to a third country, and give them an opportunity to voice a 'reasonable fear' of torture. The men were told instead that they were being deported to South Sudan. The government did not provide Murphy with immediate information about where the men were, and where they were being sent. Eventually, their flight landed in Camp Lemonnier, an American military base in Djibouti. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agents worked 12-hour shifts guarding the men. In a sworn court declaration, an official described illness among the detainees and government agents, inadequate medical care, risks of malaria and worry about attacks from militants in Yemen. In May, the Trump administration asked the supreme court to intervene and allow the government to deport the men to South Sudan. They sought agreements with several countries to house immigrants if authorities could not quickly send them back to their homelands. The White House and Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. The Associated Press contributed reporting Solve the daily Crossword
