sanctions

U.S. bill to lift Zimbabwe sanctions opens a fraught debate over land, justice and global finance In Washington, a seemingly technical change to U.S. law has the potential to reopen some of the oldest wounds in southern Africa. A new bill in the House of Representatives would repeal a cornerstone of American policy toward Zimbabwe — the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA) of 2001 — removing a U.S. veto over loans, debt relief and funding from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. But the repeal…

The Dark Veins of Prosperity: The U.S. Sanctions on Conflict Minerals from the DR Congo In a world increasingly aware of the ethical complexities surrounding global supply chains, the U.S. Department of Treasury has drawn a line in the sand. Recent sanctions targeting four entities linked to the murky world of conflict minerals have reignited discussions about the intersection of commerce, human rights, and conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The DRC is a nation rich in natural resources—specifically…

Ay up, ever read a headline and thought, "Well, what’s the craic here?" Let me fill you in on the insider juice. Over in Mogadishu, it's not just the Somali tea brewing hot; their parliament's just given the green light to a law that’s set to shake up the election scene. They're gearing up for a voting system that'll finally hand over the ballot keys to every dude and dudette in the country. Now that’s what we call democracy getting its groove back! Gather 'round for espresso shots of democracy—173 lawmakers, snug in their…

KHARTOUM - The United States Treasury Department recently slapped sanctions on a Sudanese paramilitary leader for allegedly perpetrating egregious human rights violations in West Darfur. Abdel Rahman Juma Barkalla, commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is pointed out in a Treasury statement for spearheading activities rooted in ethnic violence, reportedly involving civilian targeting and conflict-related sexual assault. Just days prior, the United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions on Barkalla amid the…

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed grave concerns about the plight of everyday Zimbabweans, who bear the brunt of economic sanctions levied against the nation. Although these sanctions target specific individuals, the ripple effects reach far wider, impacting the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. Mnangagwa argues that these punitive measures hinder efforts toward regional cooperation and stifle sustainable development initiatives. In a significant turn of events, U.S. President Joe Biden took steps to forge a new…

A glimpse of the International Monetary Fund's HQ in D.C., U.S., captured on April 8, 2019. Photo credits © REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo. Inquiries for rights, contact us. Good news from the IMF! The Ethiopian government gets a green light for the $3.4 billion aid package, with $340.7 million unlocked. The folks at the IMF board gave a thumbs-up last Friday for the initial review of the deal. This backing stems from Ethiopia's summer deal, culminating in a four-year financial arrangement. The country's journey towards…

Gen Muhoozi happens to be the son of the President. The word on the grapevine from the US embassy is their staff were caught flat-footed, clueless about the CDF's cryptic statements, which demanded immediate action in less than 72 hours. By press time, Mr. Popp had zipped lips on the whole drama, and no peep came from the officials in Kampala either. “We're trying to untangle the mess,” shared a source from the scene. The mission apparently fired a concerned missive to the Foreign Affairs ministry, but as Friday bid…

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has greenlit a $6.6 million grant to assist Somalia’s Federal Government (FGS) in bolstering state capacity, aiming to construct a robust financial framework to foster inclusive and fair growth. The Somalia Financial Sector Development Project is set to hone the capabilities of financial entities, such as the Central Bank of Somalia, the Somalia Development and Reconstruction Bank, and the Financial Reporting Center (FRC). The project focuses on efficient credit delivery,…

Biden Extends Sanctions on Ethiopia Amid Ongoing Instability Mogadishu (AX) — U.S. President Joe Biden has chosen to prolong sanctions aimed at specific individuals and groups entangled in Ethiopia's persistent conflict. This decision sustains a national emergency declaration originally set to lapse on September 17, 2024. The sanctions, established under Executive Order 14046, will stay in place for an additional year, as Biden seeks to confront what he deems a sustained threat to American national security and…

Why we welcome sanctions on ballot spoilers EDITORIAL | The US authorities cracked the remaining whip on ballot spoilers on Wednesday, imposing extra US floor visa restrictions as punishment for rigging the election course of. This step, which we even consider is lengthy overdue, is welcome. Yes, the United States doesn't vote in Somalia and mustn't be seen as interfering. But Americans have…