Biden's historic visit to Angola
Outgoing United States President Joe Biden arrived in Angola late on Monday for a two-day visit. This marks Biden's first trip to Africa as president since his inauguration four years ago.
Biden's visit to the oil-rich, Portuguese-speaking country focuses on a multinational project to rehabilitate a railway line that ferries minerals from inland countries to the Angolan port of Lobito for export.
As part of the preparations for the high-profile visit by a U.S. head of state, the Angolan government declared Tuesday, December 3, and Wednesday, December 4, 2024, as public holidays. The visit has also been greeted with heavy security deployment across the Angolan capital, Luanda.
Biden's tour will officially kick off with talks with President Joao Lourenco, followed by remarks at the National Slavery Museum on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Biden is scheduled to travel to Lobito, an Atlantic port city about 500 kilometres south of Luanda.
The port, central to the Lobito Corridor project, has benefited from loans from the United States, the European Union, and other partners to rehabilitate a key railway connecting the mineral-rich inland countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia with Lobito, from where their minerals can be exported.
The Lobito Corridor project is seen as a direct challenge by the U.S. to China's extensive investment and increasing influence in the region.
China Bans Critical Mineral Exports to the US
China has announced a ban on the export of certain "dual-use items" associated with gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the United States, effective Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, the country will also enforce stricter scrutiny on end-users and end-uses for graphite dual-use items being shipped to the U.S.
This move follows the U.S. announcement on Monday of its third major crackdown in three years on China's semiconductor sector, targeting 140 companies, including the chip equipment manufacturer Naura Technology Group.
US, Germany Announce Additional Military Assistance to Ukraine
The United States and Germany on Monday announced additional military assistance to Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.
The U.S. Department of Defense said the military aid package, worth $725 million, includes weapons such as air defence capabilities, munitions for rocket systems and artillery, and anti-tank weapons, among others.
Biden's move is seen by critics as an 11th-hour scramble to support Ukraine with weapons aid, fearing that incoming President Donald Trump will halt such donations. Trump is set to take office in January following his resounding victory last month.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also pledged $680 million in military aid for Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv.
Scholz stated that Ukraine can rely on Germany and that his visit was meant to reinforce that commitment. The military equipment is expected to be delivered to Ukraine before the end of the year.
Besigye to Stay Longer in Custody
Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was remanded for an additional eight days on Monday, December 2, 2024, in a case where he is charged alongside his close ally, Obeid Lutale.
The two suspects were arraigned at the General Court Martial in Makindye, where they face four charges related to engaging in activities that undermine Uganda's security and the illegal possession of two pistols.
The court's decision followed a request by Besigye's lawyers for an adjournment to allow time to process a temporary practising certificate for Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua from the Uganda Law Council.
Court Martial Chairperson Brigadier Robert Freeman Mugabe declined to adjourn the matter to the following day, Tuesday, December 3, 2024, citing a clash with other scheduled cases.
He instead proposed December 10 as the next court date and ordered the suspects to continue being remanded at Luzira Prison.
Besigye has protested his trial in the military court, arguing that he should be tried in a civilian court.
Equity Bank's James Mwangi Appointed to World Bank Group's High-Level Advisory Council
Dr. James Mwangi, Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings, was appointed on Monday to the World Bank Group's newly established High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs.
The council, launched during the 2024 World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., will focus on providing actionable, scalable policy recommendations to address the global jobs challenge.
This initiative is part of the World Bank's broader strategy to combat poverty and foster prosperity by prioritizing job creation, particularly for youth and women in emerging and developing economies.
The council's members, a diverse group of global leaders, will offer insights on how to turn the challenge of job creation into an opportunity for growth, innovation, and social stability.
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