Senegal police clamp down on protesters as opposition rejects election delay

By Babacar Dione, DAKAR Senegal

Police made arrests and fired tear gas at opposition supporters during protests Sunday against the decision by President Macky Sall to postpone Senegal’s Feb. 25 elections as federal lawmakers prepared to debate a bill to formalize the postponement.

Demonstrators rallied in the capital of Dakar after leading opposition figures and candidates in the presidential election rejected Saturday’s announcement of the election postponement.

Opposition leaders had called on citizens to defend democracy amid a push for dialogue by West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS.

Among those arrested as the protests spread in the capital included former Prime Minister Aminata Touré and Anta Babacar Ngom, one of the presidential candidates in the election.

The government cut off the signal of the private Walf television channel as it broadcast the protest live.

The global Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the signal cutoff in a post on the social media platform X, urging Senegalese authorities to ensure that “journalists can work without hindrance.”

Analysts say the crisis in Senegal is putting one of Africa’s most stable democracies to the test at a time when the region is struggling with a recent surge in coups. Senegal has been embroiled in political tensions as a result of deadly clashes involving opposition supporters and the disqualification of two opposition leaders ahead of the now-cancelled presidential ballot.

Several opposition figures rejected Sall’s decision to postpone the presidential election citing a dispute between the judiciary and parliament over the final list of candidates and those disqualified. At least two of the 20 candidates said they would proceed with their campaign scheduled to kick off Sunday.

Sall’s tenure is scheduled to end April 2. Senegal’s electoral code requires 80 days’ notice of an election, meaning the earliest a new vote could take place is the last week of April.

“I am launching my electoral campaign tomorrow, in Dakar, with the candidates who have chosen to defend the Constitution,” former minister and opposition candidate Thierno Alassane Sall said Saturday in a post on social media platform X.

Former mayor of the capital of Dakar Khalifa Sall also asked the citizens to “come together to save our democracy” while another opposition candidate, Déthié Fall, said, “We will start our campaign and we call on all candidates to do the same.”

The U.S. Department of State noted Senegal’s “strong tradition of democracy and peaceful transitions of power” in a post on X, which urged “all participants in (the) electoral process to engage peacefully to swiftly set a new date and the conditions for a timely, free and fair election.”

In postponing the election by repealing a decree that set the electoral process in motion, Sall cited a dispute between the judiciary and federal lawmakers over the disqualification process and the reported dual nationality of some qualified candidates.

But opposition leaders have argued the Senegalese leader lacks the power to delay the vote. Senegal’s constitution empowers the Constitutional Council, Senegal’s highest election authority, to reschedule the election in certain circumstances including in the case of “the death, permanent incapacity or withdrawal” of candidates.

His announcement followed a request to postpone the vote made by the opposition Senegalese Democratic Party, whose candidate Karim Wade was among those disqualified.

Wade had accused two judges of corruption in the disqualification process and said that postponing the vote would “make it possible to repair the damage suffered” by those disqualified.

Namibia's President Hage Geingob, 82, dies after cancer diagnosis

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa 

Namibia's President Hage Geingob, 82, died in hospital early on Sunday, the presidency said, weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Geingob had been in charge of the thinly populated and mostly arid southern African country since 2015, the year he announced he had survived prostate cancer.

Vice President Nangolo Mbumba takes the helm in Namibia - a mining hotspot with significant deposits of diamonds and the electric car battery ingredient lithium - until presidential and parliamentary elections at the end of the year.

A presidency post on social media platform X did not give a cause of death, but late last month the presidency said he had travelled to the United States for "a two-day novel treatment for cancerous cells", after being diagnosed following a regular medical check-up.

Born in 1941, Geingob was a prominent politician since before Namibia achieved independence from white minority-ruled South Africa in 1990.

He chaired the body that drafted Namibia's constitution, then became its first prime minister at independence on March 21 of that year, a position he retained until 2002.

In 2007, Geingob became vice president of the governing South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), which he had joined as an agitator for independence when Namibia was still known as South West Africa.

SWAPO has remained in power in Namibia unchallenged since independence. The former German colony is technically an upper middle-income country but one with huge disparities in wealth.

"There were no textbooks to prepare us for accomplishing the task of development and shared prosperity after independence," he said in a speech to mark the day in 2018. "We needed to build a Namibia in which the chains of the injustices of the past would be broken."

Geingob served as trade and industry minister before becoming prime minister again in 2012.

He won the 2014 election with 87% of the vote but only narrowly avoided a runoff with a little more than half the votes in a subsequent poll in November 2019.

That election followed a government bribery scandal, in which officials were alleged to have awarded horse mackerel quotas to Iceland's biggest fishing firm, Samherji, in exchange for kickbacks, according to local media reports. The resultant outcry led to the resignation of two ministers.

The following year, Geingob lamented that Namibia's wealth still remained concentrated in the hands of its white minority.

"Distribution is an issue, but how do we do it?" Geingob said in a virtual session at an event organised by international organisation Horasis.

"We have a racial issue here, a historical racial divide. Now you say we must grab from the whites and give it to the Blacks, it's not going to work," he said.

His comments came after the government rescinded as unworkable a policy that would have made it mandatory for white-owned businesses to sell a 25% stake to Black Namibians.

Geingob died at Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek, where he was receiving treatment from his medical team, the presidency said.

Bafana Bafana edge past Cape Verde on penalties

YAMOUSSOUKRO, Ivory Coast 

South Africa have advanced into the final four of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after they defeated Cape Verde 2-1 on penalties – following a 0-0 draw after extra time – at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Saturday night.

Both teams had chances to find the back of the net throughout an evenly-contested 120 minutes, but goalkeepers Ronwen Williams and Vozinha each made some critical saves to keep the score line blank and send the game to a shootout.

And Williams then firmly established himself as the hero of the day, turning away four of the Blue Sharks’ penalties to see his side advance into the semifinals.

Cape Verde started and ended the half as the stronger of the two teams, with promising opportunities for Kevin Pina, Kenny Rocha Santos and Ryan Mendes which they failed to take full advantage of – not even drawing South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into a save.

At the other end, Bafana Bafana fleetingly got their passing game going and had one long-range attempt from Teboho Mokoena which drew a comfortable stop from goalkeeper Vozinha, while the likes of Themba Zwane and Percy Tau struggled to get themselves into the game.

The best chance of the first half was created by the Blue Sharks in the 40th minute when an overload down the left resulted in a cutback and shooting chance for the dangerous Mendes, but his effort was blocked by Aubrey Modiba.

South Africa put together some promising attacks in the opening stages of the second half, but it was Cape Verde who had a clear opening on 56 minutes when Garry Rodrigues got in behind the defence, only to send a low shot straight at Williams.

Bafana opted for an attacking change just after the hour mark, as Thapelo Maseko replaced Thapelo Morena, while the Blue Sharks soon brought on Willy Semedo and Patrick Andrade – surprisingly withdrawing Mendes and Pina.

Cape Verde had the better chances in what remained of the regulation 90 and should have snatched victory two minutes into injury time when substitute Gilson Tavares went free in the penalty area, but his powerful effort was tipped onto the woodwork by Williams to send the game to an extra half hour.

Early in extra time Vozinha made two fine saves in quick succession to keep out efforts from Mihlali Mayambela and Evidence Makgopa, before Gilson whipped a shot across the face of goal at the other end.

The second half of extra time saw no clear chances at either end, though South Africa suffered a notable injury blow when potential penalty taker Maseko pulled up with a hamstring issue and was replaced by Terrence Mashego.

Yet the shootout was dominated by the brilliant Williams, who kept out kicks from Bebe, Semedo, Duarte and Andrade to see his side claim a 2-1 win and advance into the final four of an Afcon for the first time since 2000.

South Africa will next face Nigeria in the first semifinal, set for Stade de la Paix in Bouake on Wednesday 7 February.

CAPE VERDE: Vozinha, Moreira, Costa, Lopes, Joao Paulo, Pina (Andrade 65’), Monteiro (L. Duarte 87’), Rocha Santos (Teixieira 118’), Cabral (Gilson 87’), Rodrigues (Bebe 72’), Mendes (Semedo 65’)

SOUTH AFRICA: Williams, Mudau (Mobbie 103’), Kekana, Mvala, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Morena (Maseko 63’ [Mashego 114’]), Zwane (Adams 91’), Tau (Mayambela 85’), Makgopa (Lepasa 103’)

PENALTY SEQUENCE: (Cape Verde shoot first) Bebe misses (saved) 0-0, Mokoena scores 0-1; Semedo misses (saved) 0-1, Lepasa misses 0-1; Duarte misses (saved) 0-1, Modiba misses (saved) 0-1; Teixeira scores 1-1, Mvala scores 1-2; Andrade misses (saved) 1-2.

Ivory Coast record late dramatic comeback victory over Mali

BOUAKE, Ivory Coast 

In what was one of the most drama-filled matches at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations so far, Ivory Coast booked their spot in the semifinal of the tournament following a comeback 2-1 victory against Mali at Stade Bouake on Saturday night.

The host nation will now face DR Congo in the semifinals on Wednesday 7 February in Abidjan.

Mali put the home team under immense pressure during the opening exchanges of the game and created a couple of scoring chances in the process. 

Then, after spotting a potential handball inside the Ivory Coast box in the 8th minute, the referee was summoned to review the incident on the touchline monitor. 

However, the incident was chalked off after the referee recognised a Mali player in an offside position.

Mali were then awarded a penalty in the 16th minute after Lassine Sinayoko drew a foul inside the Elephants bos. 

After stepping up to the spot, Adama Traore’s left-footed shot was saved by Yahia Fofana in goal. Nonetheless, the game opened up to be an end-to-end affair leading up to the cooling break.

Les Aigles looked comfortable on the ball toward the end of the half and often put the Ivorians under pressure with their pressing tactics in the middle of the park. 

In what was another major talking point of the game, Ivory Coast were reduced to 10-men in the 44th minute after Sinayoko’s twisting run on the edge of the area caused Odilon Kossounou to commit his second yellow card offense of the game.

Eric Chelle’s outfit commenced the second-half on the front foot while Ivory Coast struggled to assert themselves on the tie as a result of being a man light. 

While a few goal scoring chances were created leading up to the hour-mark, Mali continued to ask questions going forward.

Mali’s pressure paid off in the 71st minute after Nene Dorgeles produced one of the goals of the tournament so far. 

After incisive interplay on the edge of the Ivory Coast area, Nene collected the ball on the left flank before unleashing a powerful shot from range that left Fofana soundly beaten between the sticks.

Ivory Coast levelled matters with 90 seconds left on the clock as Simon Adingra got his name on the scoreboard. 

With goalkeeper Fofana going long with a lobbed effort into the Mali box, Adingra latched onto a ricocheted shot inside the area before guiding the ball from close range.

As the game was forced into extra-time, Sebastien Haller produced one of the chances of the game for Ivory Coast after his header in the 96th minute struck the Mali upright. 

With seconds left on the clock, the Elephants took the lead in the 120th minute with Oumar Diakite producing a delightful flick inside the small box following a shot on the edge of the area.

MALI: Diarra, H.Traore, Kouyate, Niakate, Sacko, Coulibaly (B. Traore 89’), Samassekou (Sissoko 102’), Haidara (Diabate 62’), Doumbia (Bissouma 97’), Sinayoko (M. Fofana 89’), A.Traore (Dorgeles 63’)

IVORY COAST: Fofana, Konan, Ndicka, Kossounou, Aurier (Boly 46’), Kessie, Seri (Adingra 86’), Gradel (O.Diakate 73’), Fofana, Pepe (Singo 45’), Kouame (Haller 46’)

DR Congo power past Guinea to reach AFCON semi-finals

EBIMPE, Cote d'Ivoire

DR Congo are through to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals after a dominant 3-1 victory over Guinea in Friday's quarter-final.

The Leopards came from behind to book a ticket in the last four after defeating their opponents at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara.

The Congolese weathered early pressure from the Syli Nationale before taking control of the tie.

Guinea led through Mohamed Bayo's 20th minute penalty after he was fouled in the box.

The Guineans were awarded a penalty after Mohamed Bayo fell in the penalty box following a touch from Chancel Mbemba. 

A penalty was overlooked initially but after a VAR review, it was awarded. Mohamed Bayo converted calmly to put Guinea into the lead.

But DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba rose highest to power home an equaliser from a corner just seven minutes later.

After the break, the Leopards turned the screw. Cedric Bakambu should have put them ahead when he missed a golden chance before Sekou Sylla fired off target for Guinea.

The decisive moment came midway through the second half when lively substitute Silas was brought down in the area allowing Yoane Wissa to slot home from the penalty spot.

Guinea were deflated and DR Congo sealed the win late on when Arthur Masuaku fired in a stunning third goal.

It was a commanding performance from the two-time champions who will face either hosts Cote d'Ivoire or Mali in the semi-finals.

Despite defeat, Guinea can take pride from a run that saw them reach the last eight for only the third time in their history.

But DR Congo's power and quality shone through as they edged closer to a first African crown since 1974.

Nigeria beat Angola to advance to AFCON 2023 semi-final

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast 

Nigeria secured a narrow 1-0 win over Angola in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal encounter played at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Friday night.

The hard-fought victory saw the Super Eagles progress to the semifinals where they will face either South Africa or Cape Verde on 7 February. Bafana Bafana and the Blue Sharks are set to meet on Saturday in a quarterfinal match.

Angola, on the other hand, bowed out of the tournament having reached the quarterfinals for the third time. The Black Sable Antelopes will now travel back home with their heads held high after matching their best performance in the Afcon finals.

The two teams attacked each other with speed from the first minute with the Black Sable Antelopes threatening first as Mabululu forced goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali into making a decent save. At the other end, Victor Osimhen's header was well saved by keeper Antonio in the 24th minute.

The deadlock was broken in the 41st minute after some good work by Moses Simon down the left before setting up Ademola Lookman who netted to hand the Super Eagles the lead. Nigeria were 1-0 up at the interval thanks to Lookman's third goal in his last two matches for his nation.

A lively second half followed with Zini unlucky not to level matters in the 59th minute as the substitute's effort hit the upright with Nwabali well beaten. The Super Eagles were awarded a free-kick in a promising area in the 63rd minute and Zaidu Sanusi was superbly denied by Antonio at the near post.

Osimhen, who was hungry for goals on the night, thought he had killed off the match for the Super Eagles when the SSC Napoli star scored in the 75th minute. However, the goal was disallowed for offside, but Nigeria held on to their slender lead, and ultimately, they emerged as 1-0 winners.

Nigeria: Nwabali, Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey, Zaidu, Onyeka (Aribo 87'), Iwobi (Yusuf 80'), Ola Aina, Lookman (Omeruo 90'+5), Osimhen (Onuachu 90'5'), Simon.

Angola: Antonio, Afonso (Jeremie Bela 78'), Gaspar, Buatu, Carneiro, Fredy (Bruno Paz 66'), Show, Estrela (Zini 46'), Gilberto (Zito 66'), Mabululu, Gelson Dala (Milson 86').

African nation criticizes move by neighbors to leave regional bloc

ABUJA, Nigeria

Nigeria has spoken out against a decision by the military governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In a statement early this week, the Nigerian Foreign Ministry warned that the “unelected” leaders of the three West African countries, who took power in coups, were engaging in actions that will undermine the freedom of their people.

“Nigeria has worked sincerely and in good faith to reach out to all members of the ECOWAS family to resolve the difficulties being faced. It is now clear that those seeking to quit the community do not share that same good faith,” the ministry said.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which recently formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) with a commitment to defend each other from security threats, announced plans to leave ECOWAS on Sunday.

The three military governments accused the West African political and economic bloc of posing a threat to their sovereignty by serving as a tool for foreign powers.

The 15-nation authority has declared that it does not recognize the military-led regimes in Ouagadougou, Bamako, and Niamey, and has imposed sanctions in an effort to force the coup leaders to transition to democratic rule.

On Sunday, the three former French colonies, which have all severed military ties with Paris, said they were disappointed with ECOWAS for imposing “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible” measures against them.

The military rulers have repeatedly justified their seizure of power by citing the civilian governments’ failures to fight jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel region.

The coup leaders have also accused ECOWAS of failing to support them in combating the region’s decade-long jihadist violence, instead punishing them when they chose to take control of “their own destiny.”

While ECOWAS has not provided a detailed response to the withdrawal decision, Nigeria, the current chair of the political and economic bloc, has defended the alliance, claiming that it has “worked to promote peace, prosperity, and democracy” in the region for nearly 50 years.

“Nigeria remains open for engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger so that all the people of the region can continue to enjoy the economic benefits and democratic values that ECOWAS embraces,” the Foreign Ministry stated.

ECOWAS announced earlier on Sunday that it had yet to receive “formal notification” from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger regarding their membership withdrawal. On Monday, Ouagadougou and Bamako said they had sent a formal notice to the regional authority about their decision.

Rwanda discovers more mass graves 30 years after genocide

KIGALI, Rwanda

The remains of dozens of victims of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide have been discovered in mass graves in the country’s southern Huye district, authorities and an organization representing survivors of the massacre announced Wednesday.

Goretti Uwonkunda, a member of the excavation committee, told reporters that since the beginning of this week, the body parts of over 180 people have been dug out of burial pits at a banana plantation in Ngoma village.

This latest discovery adds to the 119 bodies unearthed over three days last week in the same village, as reported last Thursday by Napthali Ahishakiye, executive secretary of the genocide survivors’ group IBUKA.

An estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by extremist Hutu factions during Rwanda’s 100-day bloodbath between April and July 1994. Roadblocks were reportedly erected, and Tutsis were dragged from their vehicles and murdered in Ngoma, where mass graves have been discovered.

Several Rwandan nationals implicated in the genocide are currently on trial outside of their home country after allegedly fleeing justice for years. Former gynecologist Sosthene Munyemana was found guilty of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity in December and sentenced to 24 years in prison. A Brussels court also handed down a life sentence to Seraphin Twahirwa, a former Rwandan militia leader, for directly participating in the atrocities committed by Hutu militiamen in Kigali during the mass murders.

According to IBUKA, over 100,000 bodies have been exhumed in Rwanda over the last five years. Last year, the remains of more than 1,000 people believed to have been victims of the genocide were discovered in mass graves on a Catholic parish plantation in Rusizi. IBUKA leader Ahishakiye said authorities in the landlocked county initially found six bodies under a house being built in Huye district last October.

“We suspect that similar mass graves remain undiscovered across the country, because there are survivors looking for their loved ones, 30 years after the genocide,” Ahishakiye told reporters last Thursday.

Huye district mayor Ange Sebutege has asked locals to volunteer information on where the bodies of victims can be found, as the digging continues to ensure they are properly buried.

Biden to witness return of remains of US soldiers killed in Jordan

WILMINGTON, Delaware – US

With U.S. President Joe Biden bearing witness, the remains of three American soldiers killed in an attack by an Iranian-made drone in Jordan will arrive back in the United States on Friday.

The three Army Reserve soldiers killed last Sunday were Sergeant William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia; Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia, and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia.

Biden will join the families of those killed at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, for what the U.S. Air Force calls a "dignified transfer" of remains.

First lady Jill Biden will join the president along with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Air Force General Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The White House said the Bidens will meet at the base with family members of the fallen before the transfer. He offered his condolences to the families in a phone call on Tuesday.

The remains are typically flown to Dover aboard a C-17 cargo plane. Working with solemn precision, a team of soldiers will carry the caskets from the open bay of the plane to gray mortuary vans, as the families and the presidential entourage watch.

The parents of Specialist Sanders, 23, shared a video of Biden's call with local media outlets. "I know there is nothing anybody can say or do to ease the pain, I've been there," Biden said, recounting the death of his first wife, infant daughter and grown son, Beau.

The drone attack by Iran-backed militants against the American outpost in Jordan, known as Tower 22, also injured more than 40.

Biden said on Tuesday he has made up his mind on how to respond. The expectation has been that there will be retaliatory strikes, but the timing of the response has been unclear.

A strike into Iranian territory itself did not appear likely after the White House said Biden does not want a war with Iran.

The United States has assessed that Iran manufactured the drone used in the attack, four U.S. officials told Reuters.

"Occupied Ukrainian regions to be integrated with Russia by 2030" - Putin

MOSCOW, Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Ukrainian territories currently under occupation must be fully integrated with the Russian Federation by the year 2030.

Ukraine's eastern Donbas region has been illegally occupied by Russian forces since 2014, the same year Russia illegally annexed Crimea. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, parts of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv oblasts remain under Russian occupation.

Putin said that over the next six years, the occupied regions "must reach the all-Russia level" by developing in certain "key areas."

The speech painted a rosy picture of the so-called "integration" process, with Putin claiming "good momentum" on socio-economic development in the occupied territories.

He also urged Russian banks not to worry about Western sanctions.

"What is there to be afraid of? We need to enter these (Ukrainian) territories more actively and work there," Putin said, addressing his remarks to financial institutions.

Russian media reported on Feb. 1 that Turkish banks were closing accounts with Russian businesses due to the threat of U.S. sanctions.

U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Dec. 22, 2023 sanctioning foreign financial institutions that contribute to Russia's war effort.

According to analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Putin's remarks indicate that he is preparing to remain at war with Ukraine over the long term.

"Russia is commencing long-term plans and does not foresee any territorial concessions," the ISW said on Feb. 1.

Bloomberg reported on Jan. 26 that Putin has signaled willingness to enter into peace talks, and that he would drop opposition to Ukraine joining NATO in exchange for control over Ukraine's occupied territories.

Russian-occupied regions constitute about 18% of Ukraine's territory. Kyiv has said that a condition of any peace plan is Russia's complete withdrawal from Ukrainian lands.

Ukrainian and Western leaders have also repeatedly said that they do not believe Moscow is interested in good-faith peace negotiations.

The 20 billionaires on the 2024 Forbes list of Africa’s richest are worth a combined $82.4 billion.

JERSEY CITY, US

The fortunes of Africa’s wealthiest people have rebounded slightly in the past 12 months, reversing the decline in their fortunes from a year ago, though they are still off their all-time highs.

The 20 billionaires on the 2024 Forbes list of Africa’s Richest are worth a combined $82.4 billion. That’s up $900 million from last year’s $81.5 billion.

All of that gain can be attributed to the return of Nigeria’s Femi Otedola, who last appeared on the Forbes Africa list in 2017 when he held a controlling stake in fuel distributor Forte Oil.

Otedola phased out his oil investments during a government push to privatize the country’s energy business in 2013, using a Forte subsidiary to purchase Geregu, a public power generation plant.

He owned about 90% of Geregu when it was listed on the Nigerian exchange’s Main Board in 2022, but has since sold shares to institutional investors, which include Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Development in Africa and the State Grid Corporation of China.

His 73% stake in Geregu is worth more than $850 million, about three-quarters of his $1.1 billion fortune, which puts him at No. 20 on the list.

After taking Otedola’s comeback into account, Africa’s billionaires dipped slightly, but still fared better than the decline of 4% last year, when African markets faded in sync with equity values around the world.

This year, African equities joined a late-year global rally, with the S&P All Africa index rising 10% in the final two months of 2023 but still ended down more than 9% in the 12 months through January 8, 2024.

The continent remains one of the world’s toughest places to build – and hold onto – a billion-dollar fortune, as global investors remain leery of its stock exchanges, businesses struggle against strained economies, poor infrastructure and volatile exchange rates, while changing political winds can make, boost or bust private fortunes.

As a result, says Charles Robertson, head of macro strategy at asset manager FIM Partners, entrepreneurs often face limited access to capital and populations with little disposable income to invest in new companies or the stock market.

A turbulent 2023 also made African equities less attractive for foreign investors. "You've got two negatives for investors. Weakening domestic [currencies], which is pushing up inflation, and tax rises, which is hurting the companies they're investing in,” says Robertson.

“Central banks have been hiking rates as well, so you've had big rate hikes and currency weakness and tax rises all at once. And if there was any chance that mix wasn't going to deter all foreign investors, then throw in multiple coups happening, and it just created a very nasty storm."

That environment favors entrenched family fortunes or those with close ties to government that continue to dominate the ranks of Africa’s richest. Nigeria’s Alike Dangote, whose fortune rose $400 million to $13.9 billion, claimed the ranking’s No. 1 spot for the 13th year in a row, despite the political uncertainty following the February presidential election and a devaluation of the naira in 2023 that offset the rising share price of Dangote Cement.

 South African luxury goods magnate Johann Rupert held onto the No. 2 spot with $10.1 billion, down from $10.7 billion in 2023 as shares of his Compagnie Financiere Richemont–maker of Cartier watches and Montblanc pens – slid.

South African Nicky Oppenheimer, who formerly ran diamond mining firm DeBeers before selling it to mining firm Anglo American a decade ago, ranks No. 3, with $9.4 billion, up $1 billion from 2023.

Thirteen of the billionaires added to their fortunes this year, while seven saw their net worth decline.

South Africa’s Christoffel Wiese, who rejoined the ranking last year at No. 18 with $1.1 billion after rebounding from an accounting scandal, holds onto his no. 18 rank with a $1.2 billion net worth, thanks to rising shares of his largest holding, Shoprite, and the spinoff of food business Premiere Group from Brait PLC.

Wiese also cashed out on $50 million worth of Shoprite stock in October, reducing his stake in the supermarket chain.

The biggest decline on this year’s list belongs to Algerian industrial magnate Issad Rebrab, who was barred by a court in May from exercising any commercial or management duties at his conglomerate Cevital.

Rebrab, who denied any wrongdoing, had previously served 8 months in jail on corruption charges until his release in January 2020. Rebrab, who shares the wealth with his wife and five children – including his son, Malik, who took over as CEO in 2022 – saw his net worth fall by almost half to $2.5 billion.

The biggest gain belongs to Egypt’s Nasseff Sawiris, who added $1.4 billion to $8.7 billion thanks to a rise in Addidas shares (he owns about 6%), as well as dividends from the German sneaker company and family conglomerate OCI.

This year South Africa claims six spots on the ranking, followed by Egypt with five and Nigeria with four. Algeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe each have one billionaire on the list, while Morocco has two.

Forbes used stock prices and currency exchange rates from Jan. 8, 2024 to measure the net worths.

Additional reporting by John Hyatt and Jemima McEvoy.

Our list tracks the wealth of African billionaires who reside in Africa or have their primary business there, thus excluding Sudanese-born billionaire Mo Ibrahim, who is a U.K. citizen and South African Nathan Kirsh, who operates out of London. Strive Masiyiwa, a citizen of Zimbabwe and a London resident, appears on the list due to his telecom holdings in Africa.

Net worths were calculated using stock prices and currency exchange rates from the close of business on Jan. 8, 2024.

To value privately held businesses, we start with estimates of revenues or profits and apply prevailing price-to-sale or price-to-earnings ratios for similar public companies.

Some list members grow richer or poorer within weeks-or days-of our measurement date. - Forbes

DR Congo and Guinea battle for semi-final spot

EBIMPÉ, Ivory Coast

DR Congo and Guinea will clash on Friday with a coveted TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations semi-final place on the line when they meet at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpé.

It will be the fourth TotalEnergies CAF AFCON encounter between the nations, with DR Congo yet to beat Guinea in three previous group stage meetings, including a 2-1 loss in their last meeting in 2004.

DR Congo have reached the quarter-finals without winning a single game in normal time.

But defender Gédéon Kalulu believes psychological victories can help them progress.

"Certainly we can note two victories on the psychological front. The first is having beaten a top 5 side on penalties, and the second is not conceding many goals," said Kalulu.

Guinea are expected to be boosted by the return of key players Naby Keita and Serhou Guirassy from injury.

"Naby and Serhou are getting better and better. They are two very important assets for our team. Their entries in previous matches were crucial for us," noted Guinea midfielder Amadou Diawara.

With a first AFCON semi-final since 2015 on the line, Guinea striker Sory Kaba stressed the need for efficiency.

"Against a compact Congolese team, we will have to be rigorous and efficient. The team that makes the least mistakes will go through," Kaba stated.

After scrappy Round of 16 wins, both sides know a clinical performance will be required to keep their AFCON dreams alive and reach the final four.

Nigeria face tough Angola test in TotalEnergies CAF AFCON quarter-final clash

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast

Nigeria will take on an unpredictable Angola side in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Friday as they bid to reach the last four for the first time since 2019.

The clash at the Felix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan is the opening fixture of the AFCON last eight.

the Super Eagles dispatched arch rivals Cameroon 2-0 at the same venue in the round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals.

As three-time AFCON winners, Nigeria are expected to have too much quality and experience for their opponents on paper.  

Victor Osimhen, recently crowned African Player of the Year, leads a Super Eagles attack along with the in-form Ademola Lookman. They also boast the meanest defence, having conceded just once.

However, Angola will be full of confidence after surprisingly topping Group D unbeaten. This is their first quarter-final since hosting the 2010 tournament.

Led by star striker Gelson Dala, who netted twice against Namibia, Angola have one of the most potent attacks at AFCON 2023 with nine goals in four games.

Dala has warned Nigeria: "We will fight and make life hard for them. With our fans, we believe we can win."

Angola coach Pedro Gonçalves added: "We respect Nigeria but fear nobody. The pressure is on them as favourites."

Nigeria boss Jose Peseiro expects a tough test: "Angola are unpredictable with some very dangerous players. We cannot underestimate them."  

This AFCON has been full of surprises, and another could be in store on Friday if revitalised Angola can defy the odds and giants Nigeria.

The kick-off for Nigeria vs. Angola is scheduled for 17:00 GMT.

"Israel ignoring UN court ruling on Gaza killings" - South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa 

Israel has ignored the ruling by the U.N.'s top court last week by killing hundreds more civilians in a matter of days in Gaza, South Africa’s foreign minister said Wednesday, adding that her country has asked why an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not been issued in a case South Africa filed at the separate International Criminal Court.

Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said South Africa would “look at proposing other measures to the global community” in a bid to stop Israel killing civilians during its war in Gaza against Hamas militants, but didn't go into details.

The preliminary ruling by the U.N.’s International Court of Justice in South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza ordered Israel to do all it can to prevent death, destruction and any acts of genocide against Palestinians in the territory. It stopped short of ordering a cease-fire. 

It also ruled Israel must urgently get basic humanitarian aid to Gaza and submit a report on steps taken to abide by the ruling within a month.

A top official in South Africa's foreign ministry has said the country hopes that Friday's ruling, and whether Israel is abiding by it, will be discussed on a wider level at the United Nations, possibly as early as Wednesday.

Since the ruling, Israel has continued its military offensive, which it says is aimed at Hamas, and hundreds more Palestinians have been killed, according to figures from the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. 

The ministry said Wednesday that 150 people were killed in the territory in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of Palestinian deaths in the war to more than 26,700.

The Health Ministry's count does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. It says the majority of the dead are women and children.

“I can’t be dishonest. I believe the rulings of the court have been ignored,” South Africa's foreign minister said. “Hundreds of people have been killed in the last three or four days. And clearly Israel believes it has license to do as it wishes.”

Pandor said there was a danger of the world doing nothing to stop the civilian casualties in Gaza and said similar inaction contributed to the horrific death toll in the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, when more than 800,000 people were slaughtered in the East African country.

“We are allowing this to happen again, right before our eyes, on our TV screens,” Pandor said.

The court's ruling is binding on Israel, and the country could face U.N. sanctions if it is found to be breaching its orders, although any sanctions may be vetoed by close ally the United States.

Netanyahu has said that Israel “will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people.” Israel says the offensive is aimed at destroying Hamas after its Oct. 7 attacks on Israel that killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

Israel says it has abided by international law and is doing its best to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza. It says it has killed more than 9,000 militants and accuses Hamas of embedding in civilian areas, making it difficult to avoid civilian casualties.

South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress, has long compared Israel’s policies in Gaza and the West Bank to its own history under the apartheid regime of white minority rule, which restricted most Black people to “homelands” before ending in 1994.

Pandor also said South Africa was eager to pursue the case it has lodged with the separate International Criminal Court, an indication the country will continue its legal pressure on Israel. In the ICC case, South Africa accuses Netanyahu of war crimes and asks the court to order his arrest.

The ICJ and ICC are both based in The Hague but deal with different cases. The ICJ is a U.N. court that decides disputes between countries. The ICC prosecutes individuals.

A South African delegation met with the ICC court president and prosecutor while in The Hague last week for the ICJ ruling, Pandor said, and stressed “our concern at the slow pace of action on matters that we referred to them as urgent matters.”

South Africa filed its case against Netanyahu at the ICC in November. The ICC is the same court that issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin last year over alleged war crimes relating to the removal of children from Ukraine.

“The (ICC) prosecutor assured us the matter is in hand and being looked at by his office,” Pandor said of South Africa's allegations against Netanyahu. “What I felt he didn’t answer me sufficiently on was, I asked him why he was able to issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Putin while he is unable to do so for the Prime Minister of Israel. He couldn't answer and didn’t answer that question."

Israel, like Russia, is not a signatory to the treaty that created the ICC and does not recognize the court's authority.

US sanctions Sudanese companies for funding conflict

WASHINGTON, US

The United States Treasury has imposed sanctions on three Sudanese companies allegedly financing the devastating war plaguing the nation.

Among the entities targeted are Alkhaleej Bank and Al-Fakher Advanced Works, both under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). 

Additionally, Zadna International, linked to the Sudanese army, faces sanctions, as stated by the US Treasury Department in a release on Wednesday.

The Treasury Department's statement asserted that all three companies have played a role in undermining the peace, security, and stability of Sudan by engaging in activities such as money laundering and fundraising through gold exports.

These sanctions are part of a broader strategy aimed at curbing the ongoing nine-month conflict, which has resulted in the tragic loss of over 12,000 lives and forced nearly eight million people to flee their homes, according to UN reports.

On Tuesday, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the commander of the Sudanese army, called for a full-scale offensive against the RSF, expressing disinterest in dialogue, deeming it a futile endeavor.

Both the Sudanese army and the RSF have faced allegations of war crimes from the US government and various civil rights groups, vehemently denied by both parties. 

The situation remains complex as international efforts intensify to address the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan.