Latest news with #westAfrican
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First Post
18 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
How to grow a nation's GDP by 30% overnight? Nigeria knows the answer
Nigeria's 2024 GDP now stands at N372.82tn ($244bn) at current prices, up from the $187.76bn estimated by the World Bank. The magic lies in the statistics read more Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu looks on after his swearing-in ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 29, 2023. Reuters File Nigeria's economy is about 30 per cent larger than previously thought after the west African nation updated the method by which GDP is calculated, the first rejigging of its statistical model in more than a decade. Nigeria's 2024 GDP now stands at N372.82tn ($244bn) at current prices, up from the $187.76bn estimated by the World Bank, after the country's National Bureau of Statistics changed the base year from 2010 to 2019. This was done to account for previously excluded sectors such as a booming digital services industry, pension funds and the informal labour market, which employs most Nigerian residents. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Emerging market economies are encouraged by development experts to regularly rebase their economies to better capture the size of their national output and produce economic data reflective of their nascent economies, Financial Times reported. Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, last rebased its GDP in 2014. At the time, the change allowed it to surpass South Africa to become continent's largest economy, although it lost that crown in 2023. Following the latest rebasing, Nigeria's economy remains the fourth largest on the continent, behind South Africa, Egypt and Algeria. 'The rebasing exercise was timely,' said Michael Famoroti, an economist and head of research at Lagos-based data company Stears. 'It's usually good to do these every 10 years or so especially in developing countries when the economy can change quite a bit. Add the emergence in the digital economy in that period and we needed an updated picture of the economy.' Famoroti said the exercise had shown that a change in the composition of the Nigerian economy was well under way, with agriculture firmly cementing its place as the largest contributor to national output and crude oil 'barely' contributing, at 5 per cent. The rebasing makes certain metrics such as the country's debt-to-GDP ratio seem healthier. Nigeria's debt-to-GDP ratio was 52 per cent before the model change, but now stands at about 40 per cent. That is the same level as government's self-imposed 40 per cent mark and below the 55 per cent level encouraged by the World Bank and the IMF. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'My worry is that the higher GDP figure will embolden the government to be laxer with its debt sustainability,' added. 'The debt-to-GDP ratio has already declined on the back of this. But that's only masking the situation unfortunately.' Adeyemi Adeniran, head of the NBS, described the rebasing as the 'most comprehensive' ever carried out by the bureau at a press briefing in the capital Abuja. 'Digital activities, pension fund administrators and the informal sector activities, where more than 90 per cent of Nigerians are employed, are now being measured,' he said. Nigeria lost its status as Africa's biggest economy in 2023 after President Bola Tinubu devalued its currency to reflect its true value and attract foreign investment. The naira has lost more than 70 per cent against the US dollar since the measure was taken. Last week, Senegal's finance ministry said it would soon rebase its GDP for the first time since 2018, in the midst of a scandal over hidden borrowing that threatens to push its debt burden well over the current size of its economy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Rebasing could improve debt/GDP along with continued strong economic performance,' Bank of America analysts said. 'As such, the authorities may find this option appealing to resolve issues around the debt stock.' Senegal's dollar bonds have rallied since the announcement. The West African country's GDP currently uses 2014 as a base year. Last year, the IMF suspended a bailout for Senegal after billions of dollars in debt were misreported. The fund is waiting for the results of an investigation into the scandal.
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First Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
France withdraws from Senegal after 65 years, ends military presence in Central, West Africa
France has handed over the last military base in Senegal to the country's government. Now France does not have any permanent military presence in central and western Africa. The pushback against French presence has come in recent years even as jihadist insurgency has gained traction lately. read more Advertisement Senegal's Chief of General Staff, General Mbaye Cisse (R), and France's General Pascal Ianni, who commands France's troops in Africa, salute as the Senegalese flag is raised during a ceremony where France will return Camp Geille, its largest base in the country, and its airfield at Dakar airport, in Dakar on July 17, 2025. (Photo: Patrick Meinhardt/AFP) France on Thursday formally handed back its last two military bases in Senegal, leaving Paris with no permanent army camps in either west or central Africa. Ending the French army's 65 years in independent Senegal, the pull-out comes after similar withdrawals across the continent, with former colonies increasingly turning their backs on their former ruler. The move comes as the Sahel region faces a growing jihadist conflict across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger that is threatening the wider west African region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A recent string of attacks this month in Mali included an assault on a town on the border with Senegal. France returned Camp Geille, its largest base in the west African country, and its airfield at Dakar airport, in a ceremony attended by top French and Senegalese officials. They included Senegalese chief of staff General Mbaye Cisse and General Pascal Ianni, the head of the French forces in Africa. Cisse said the handover marked 'an important turning point in the rich and long military journey of our two countries'. He said the 'new objectives' were aimed at 'giving new content to the security partnership'. Senegalese troops were working 'to consolidate the numerous skills gained it its quest for strategic autonomy', he added. The general ended his speech with a quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupery, the French author of 'The Little Prince', who spent several months in Dakar: 'For each ending there is always a new departure.' Ianni said Paris was 'reinventing partnerships in a dynamic Africa'. 'We have to do things differently, and we don't need permanent bases to do so,' he said. The French general however insisted that the pull-out 'takes nothing away from the sacrifices made yesterday by our brothers-in-arms in Africa for our respective interests'. Around 350 French soldiers, primarily tasked with conducting joint operations with the Senegalese army, are now leaving, marking the end of a three-month departure process that began in March. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After storming to victory in 2024 elections promising radical change, Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye demanded France withdraw troops from the country by 2025. Unlike the leaders of other former colonies such as junta-run Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, however, Faye has insisted that Senegal will keep working with Paris. 'Sovereignty' Senegal was one of France's first colonies in Africa. After gaining independence in 1960, Senegal became one of France's staunchest African allies, playing host to French troops throughout its modern history. Faye's predecessor, Macky Sall, continued that tradition. However Faye, who ran on a ticket promising a clean break with the Sall era, has said that Senegal will treat France like any other foreign partner. Pledging to make his country more self-sufficient, the president gave a deadline of the end of 2025 for all foreign armies to withdraw. 'Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country, and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country,' Faye said at the end of 2024. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He maintained nonetheless that France remained 'an important partner for Senegal'. Faye has also urged Paris to apologise for colonial atrocities, including the massacre on December 1, 1944, of dozens of African soldiers who had fought for France in World War II. Continent-wide pull-out With governments across Africa increasingly questioning the presence of French soldiers, Paris has closed or reduced numbers at bases across its former empire. In February, Paris handed back its sole remaining base in Ivory Coast, ending decades of French presence at the site. The month before, France turned over the Kossei base in Chad, its last military foothold in the unrest-hit Sahel region. Coups in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali between 2020 and 2023 have swept military strongmen to power. All have cut ties with France and turned to Russia instead for help in fighting the Sahel's decade-long jihadist insurgency. The Central African Republic, also a former French colony to which the Kremlin has sent mercenaries, has likewise demanded a French pull-out. Meanwhile the army has turned its base in Gabon into a camp shared with the central African nation focused on training. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Only the tiny Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti will play host to a permanent French army base following Thursday's withdrawal. France intends to make its base in Djibouti, home to some 1,500 people, its military headquarters for Africa. (This is an agency copy. Except for the headline, the copy has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
eNCA
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Fake AI videos of R. Kelly, pope spread cult of Burkina junta chief
If you believe the viral videos online, R. Kelly and Pope Leo XIV agree on one thing that Burkina Faso's junta chief, Captain Ibrahim Traore, is a fantastic leader. The images are AI-generated propaganda, part of what experts have called a vast disinformation campaign spreading the "personality cult" of the west African country's strongman. Beyonce and Justin Bieber are among the other celebrities to have their faces and voices altered through artificial intelligence to shower praise on Traore. In one video, attributed to disgraced R&B star R. Kelly, the lyrics praise Traore, who seized power in a 2022 coup: "for the love of his people, he risked it all... bullets fly but he don't fall... he's fighting for peace in his motherland." Kelly is serving a 30-year-prison sentence in the United States for crimes including the sex trafficking of minors, yet the song generated by artificial intelligence has been viewed more than two million times since it came out in May. The images have been widely shared on west African social media. It follows a wave of coups not only in Burkina Faso but also in Mali, Niger and Guinea, while the region is further destabilised by jihadist attacks. "These are influence and disinformation campaigns aimed at extending the personality cult surrounding Captain Traore to Burkina Faso's English-speaking neighbours," said an American researcher who spoke on condition of anonymity. - Restoring control - After seizing power in a coup in September 2022, Traore pledged to quickly restore control in Burkina Faso, which has been plagued by violence from jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Three years later, jihadist attacks have continued, causing thousands more deaths, and have even intensified in recent months. Several officers accused of attempting to stage a coup have been arrested and comments attributed to then head of US Africa Command General Michael Langley, accusing Traore of using the country's gold reserves for personal protection, sparked anger and protests. Around that time, a series of videos exalting Traore started mushrooming on social media. "Information manipulation has become a lever for retaining power and legitimising the junta's presence," said a Burkinabe specialist in strategic communication, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons. - 'Digital army' - Viral campaigns mixing propaganda and AI-generated content have been shared by activists and English-speaking influencers, notably to denounce Langley and glorify Traore. AFP | Lisa O'CONNOR While some are riding the wave for their own financial gain, others are working for the junta's cyber propaganda entity called Rapid Communication Intervention Battalions (BIR-C), the Burkinabe source said. "They truly operate like a digital army," the source said, adding it was led by US-based activist Ibrahima Maiga, ruling out any "direct links with foreign Russian influence." But the group's anti-imperialist narrative, "presenting Captain Traore as the one who will save Burkina and Africa from Western neocolonialism... suits Russia, which amplifies it in turn," the source said. - Russian connections - But the American researcher noted "some reports have established Russian connections in the recent surge of these disinformation operations", particularly in campaigns targeting Ghana and Nigeria. "Destabilising the Nigerian government would have significant regional effects," he warned. Nigerian journalist Philip Obaji, who specialises in Russian influence operations, agreed, adding that "media in Burkina and Togo have accepted money from agents linked to Russia to relay these campaigns". Meanwhile, Burkina's junta has expelled international press that had been working in the country, while local outlets self-censor in fear of arrest and deployment to the front lines against jihadists -- already a fate for some journalists. While the Burkinabe diaspora has attempted to fight back against the pro-junta narrative, including promoting jihadists' attack claims, commenting on or sharing posts is considered glorifying terrorism, punishable by one to five years imprisonment.
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Fake AI videos of R. Kelly, pope spread cult of Burkina junta chief
Nude photo leak meant to be 'distraction' from political goals, McGregor says Fake AI videos of R. Kelly, pope spread cult of Burkina junta chief Photo by Angelos Tzortzinis / AFP Article content Abidjan (AFP) — If you believe the viral videos online, R. Kelly and Pope Leo XIV agree on one thing — that Burkina Faso's junta chief, Captain Ibrahim Traore, is a fantastic leader. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account or Sign in without password View more offers Article content The images are AI-generated propaganda, part of what experts have called a vast disinformation campaign spreading the 'personality cult' of the west African country's strongman. Article content tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Fake AI videos of R. Kelly, pope spread cult of Burkina junta chief Back to video tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Play Video Article content Beyonce and Justin Bieber are among the other celebrities to have their faces and voices altered through artificial intelligence to shower praise on Traore. In one video, attributed to disgraced R&B star R. Kelly, the lyrics praise Traore, who seized power in a 2022 coup: 'for the love of his people, he risked it all… bullets fly but he don't fall… he's fighting for peace in his motherland.' Kelly is serving a 30-year-prison sentence in the United States for crimes including the sex trafficking of minors, yet the song generated by artificial intelligence has been viewed more than two million times since it came out in May. Your Midday Sun Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File The images have been widely shared on west African social media. It follows a wave of coups not only in Burkina Faso but also in Mali, Niger and Guinea, while the region is further destabilized by jihadist attacks. 'These are influence and disinformation campaigns aimed at extending the personality cult surrounding Captain Traore to Burkina Faso's English-speaking neighbours,' said an American researcher who spoke on condition of anonymity. Restoring control After seizing power in a coup in September 2022, Traore pledged to quickly restore control in Burkina Faso, which has been plagued by violence from jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Three years later, jihadist attacks have continued, causing thousands more deaths, and have even intensified in recent months. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Photo by Tiziana FABI / POOL/AFP Several officers accused of attempting to stage a coup have been arrested and comments attributed to then head of US Africa Command General Michael Langley, accusing Traore of using the country's gold reserves for personal protection, sparked anger and protests. Around that time, a series of videos exalting Traore started mushrooming on social media. 'Information manipulation has become a lever for retaining power and legitimizing the junta's presence,' said a Burkinabe specialist in strategic communication, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons. 'Digital army' Viral campaigns mixing propaganda and AI-generated content have been shared by activists and English-speaking influencers, notably to denounce Langley and glorify Traore. Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Photo by Lisa O'CONNOR / AFP While some are riding the wave for their own financial gain, others are working for the junta's cyber propaganda entity called Rapid Communication Intervention Battalions (BIR-C), the Burkinabe source said. 'They truly operate like a digital army,' the source said, adding it was led by US-based activist Ibrahima Maiga, ruling out any 'direct links with foreign Russian influence.' But the group's anti-imperialist narrative, 'presenting Captain Traore as the one who will save Burkina and Africa from Western neocolonialism… suits Russia, which amplifies it in turn,' the source said. – Russian connections – But the American researcher noted 'some reports have established Russian connections in the recent surge of these disinformation operations', particularly in campaigns targeting Ghana and Nigeria. Advertisement 6 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content 'Destabilizing the Nigerian government would have significant regional effects,' he warned. Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP Nigerian journalist Philip Obaji, who specializes in Russian influence operations, agreed, adding that 'media in Burkina and Togo have accepted money from agents linked to Russia to relay these campaigns'. Meanwhile, Burkina's junta has expelled international press that had been working in the country, while local outlets self-censor in fear of arrest and deployment to the front lines against jihadists — already a fate for some journalists. While the Burkinabe diaspora has attempted to fight back against the pro-junta narrative, including promoting jihadists' attack claims, commenting on or sharing posts is considered glorifying terrorism, punishable by one to five years imprisonment. Article content Share this article in your social network Read Next
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
French army leaves Senegal after 65-year military presence
France has formally handed back its last two military bases in Senegal, leaving Paris with no permanent army camps in either west or central Africa. Ending the French army's 65 years in independent Senegal, the pull-out comes after similar withdrawals across the continent, with former colonies increasingly turning their backs on their former ruler. The move comes as the Sahel region faces a growing jihadist conflict across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger that is threatening the wider west African region. A recent string of attacks this month in Mali included an assault on a town on the border with Senegal. France returned Camp Geille, its largest base in the west African country, and its airfield at Dakar airport, in a ceremony attended by top French and Senegalese officials. They included Senegalese chief of staff General Mbaye Cisse and General Pascal Ianni, the head of the French forces in Africa. Cisse said the handover marked "an important turning point in the rich and long military journey of our two countries". He said the "new objectives" were aimed at "giving new content to the security partnership". Senegalese troops were working "to consolidate the numerous skills gained it its quest for strategic autonomy", he added. The general ended his speech with a quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupery, the French author of "The Little Prince", who spent several months in Dakar: "For each ending there is always a new departure." Ianni said Paris was "reinventing partnerships in a dynamic Africa". "We have to do things differently, and we don't need permanent bases to do so," he said. The French general however insisted that the pull-out "takes nothing away from the sacrifices made yesterday by our brothers-in-arms in Africa for our respective interests". Around 350 French soldiers, primarily tasked with conducting joint operations with the Senegalese army, are now leaving, marking the end of a three-month departure process that began in March. After storming to victory in 2024 elections promising radical change, Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye demanded France withdraw troops from the country by 2025. Unlike the leaders of other former colonies such as junta-run Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, however, Mr Faye has insisted that Senegal will keep working with Paris. Senegal was one of France's first colonies in Africa. After gaining independence in 1960, Senegal became one of France's staunchest African allies, playing host to French troops throughout its modern history. Mr Faye's predecessor, Macky Sall, continued that tradition. However Mr Faye, who ran on a ticket promising a clean break with the Sall era, has said that Senegal will treat France like any other foreign partner. Pledging to make his country more self-sufficient, the president gave a deadline of the end of 2025 for all foreign armies to withdraw. "Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country, and sovereignty does not accept the presence of military bases in a sovereign country," Mr Faye said at the end of 2024. He maintained nonetheless that France remained "an important partner for Senegal". Mr Faye has also urged Paris to apologise for colonial atrocities, including the massacre on 1 December 1944, of dozens of African soldiers who had fought for France in World War II. Continent-wide pull-out With governments across Africa increasingly questioning the presence of French soldiers, Paris has closed or reduced numbers at bases across its former empire. In February, Paris handed back its sole remaining base in Ivory Coast, ending decades of French presence at the site. The month before, France turned over the Kossei base in Chad, its last military foothold in the unrest-hit Sahel region. Coups in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali between 2020 and 2023 have swept military strongmen to power. All have cut ties with France and turned to Russia instead for help in fighting the Sahel's decade-long jihadist insurgency. The Central African Republic, also a former French colony to which the Kremlin has sent mercenaries, has likewise demanded a French pull-out. Meanwhile the army has turned its base in Gabon into a camp shared with the central African nation focused on training. Only the tiny Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti will play host to a permanent French army base following today's withdrawal.
