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Central African Republic: Is it time to lift the arms embargo?

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The end of July 2021 is marked by several important UN meetings concerning the fate of the Central African Republic. The sanctions measures imposed by the UN resolution 2127, which also established an arms embargo, sanctions committee and panel of experts, are expiring at the end of the month. The mandate of the Panel of Experts supporting the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee, which expires on 31 August, is also have to be renewed in July.

This meeting of the UN Security Counsel is an opportunity for the Central African authorities to try to persuade the UN once again to lift the arms embargo, that keeps the national army underequipped.

The UNSC has imposed an arms embargo on the Central African Republic (CAR) since 2013. It bans all supplies of arms and related materiel to the country except to the CAR security forces if approved in advance by the relevant UN Sanctions Committee. The armed conflict of 2013 led to increasing violence and widespread human rights abuses in the Republic, so the embargo seemed to be an appropriate step back then. But is it still working to ameliorate situation in the country?

The recent events in the CAR has shown that the national defense and security structures has evolved greatly since the times when arms embargo was introduced. The reformation of the national army led to strengthening the force: when the coalition of armed groups known as CPC tried to disrupt the electoral process in the Republic in 2020-2021, the swift and professional response from the national forces (the FACA), supported by Russian and Rwandan allies, allowed not only to shatter this assault, but to launch a successful counterattack that resulted in liberation of the territories that had been under control of the armed groups for years.

The biggest challenge for the FACA, as cited by many military researchers, is dire underequipment of the regular defense forces, compared to the CPC fighters. The core of the problem is that the government, bound by the UN’s resolutions, cannot provide enough weaponry and ammunition to its soldiers, while the armed groups get their supplies via shadow arms trafficking routs, that use the porous African borders with less stable countries, like Chad or Sudan.

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The CAR Government argued for year that the requirement for advanced approval by the relevant UN sanctions committee for arms supplies to government forces posed a barrier to solving the country’s security crisis. On January 31, 2021, despite the growing violence from CPC armed groups in the CAR, the Security Council decided to renew its Central African Republic sanctions regime for six months — including an arms and ammunition embargo, — while renewing the mandate its related Panel of Experts for seven months. However, there was a range of exemptions to the arms embargo: supplies intended solely to support the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and training missions deployed by the European Union and France.

The representatives of the Russian Federation and China have always been the only ones to urge UN Security Council to respect the CAR’s vison of the situation, but recently Angola has joined their position. Angolan President Joao Lourenco, speaking as the acting president of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, argued for the lifting of an arms embargo, pointing out that “it is now while the country counts on the presence of MINUSCA troops and other foreign forces on the ground, the appropriate time to help the Central African Republic to train its troops so as to guarantee its own defense and security, when the foreign forces finish their mission and withdraw”.

The mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), which will on be on the agenda for the recent meetings, expires on 15 November 2021. The Mission has been constantly losing popularity with the locals, who consider MINUSCA to be rather inefficient. Their opinion is supported by human right experts, who argue that the mandate of the Mission should be thoroughly revised taking into account how pricy is the deployment of the UN force in the CAR.

The security situation in the Central African Republic has change greatly since the last UN Security Council meeting in January. CAR’s authorities have worked hard to attain the revision of sanction measures, ideally with the total lift of the embargo. But the is for the Security Council to make and it will tell a lot about their vision of the present and the future of the Central African Republic.

Source: Foundation for African Prosperity 

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Caradise Ghana Car Rental Facilitates Transportation for Global Christian Forum held in Accra

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Caradise Ghana Car Rental has once again successfully facilitated the transportation of over 240 participants from 60 countries across the globe for the recently ended Global Christian Forum in Accra, Ghana.

Numerous buses hauled the various participants from the Airport to their designated hotels from the 12th to 15th of April, 2024. Participants were then transported from their hotels to the conference grounds daily for the gathering of devoted Christians from the 16th to the 19th of April, 2024.

The forum began with a vibrant, joyful worship service held at Accra Ridge Church. The Rev. Dr. Casely Essamuah welcomed participants to Ghana and to the Fourth Global Gathering, and participants spent the day sharing their faith stories with one another across the litany of differences represented. 

The forum was climaxed with a dinner and 25th anniversary celebration at the Action Chapel Internation Church hosted by Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams.

After the forum, the participants took the opportunity to visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum where they learnt about the great Pan-Africanist, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Ghana’s journey to inpendence.

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The participants also spent a day in Cape Coast where they learnt about the millions of enslaved, dehumanised African men, women, and children at the Cape Coast Castle. Witnessing first hand how Africans were forcibly taken captive to the Americas, Caribbean, and Europe as objects of lucrative trade.

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DJ Khaled Announces Second Annual We The Best Foundation Golf Classic On June 12 & 13 in Miami Beach !

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GRAMMY® Award-winning, global megastar DJ Khaled proudly announces the return of his annual WE THE BEST FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC for the second year in a row.

For 2024, the mega-popular charity event expands to two days on Wednesday June 12 and Thursday June 13 in Miami, FL. Given the demand by countless superstar artists, A-list athletes, and entertainers to participate, he needed to stretch the proceedings over two days!

Once again, the event will be sponsored by Jordan Brand, and all proceeds support the We The Best Foundationand its numerous efforts to bolster education. Stay tuned for the multitude of exciting confirmed guests, and more.

Khaled created a cultural groundswell and personally appeared on ESPN’s SPORTSCENTER to break the news of the second installment of the WE THE BEST FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC today. Watch HERE.

Regarding the return of the WE THE BEST FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC, he commented, “Last year, the WE THE BEST FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC brought out so many friends and family to make a difference, play some great golf, and have an incredible day for a great cause. This year, we’re going even bigger, and we thank everyone for their continued support. TEE UP AND BLESS UP!”

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Last year, the inaugural WE THE BEST FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC hosted Serena Williams, pro golfers Michael Block and Bubba Watson, Odell Beckham, JR., Shannon Sharpe, Victor Cruz, Jalen Rose, Terrell Owens, Marcus Jordan, Jeezy, Quavo, The-Dream, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Fat Joe, Cedric The Entertainer, Joey Fatone, and more. The foundation raised over $500,000 which benefited the enrichment of children and youth through educational programming, scholarships, and extracurricular activities.

More guests and partners for 2024 will be unveiled soon.

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Ghanaian activist hugs over 1,100 trees in an hour to set record

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An environmental activist and forestry student from Ghana has set a new world record for the most trees hugged in one hour. (more…)

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BEING A JUDGE FOR THE MODEL INTERNATIONAL IS A BIG PORTFOLIO – EX MP BARBARA AYISI ASHER

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Honorable Barbara Asher Ayisi

Former Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North constituency in the Central Region, Barbara Ayisi Asher, took on the prestigious role of judging the Cape Coast Audition for The Model International, adding yet another feather to her cap of accomplishments. Not only did she oversee the audition, but she also secured her place as a guest judge on the show itself, solidifying her position as not just a politician but a prominent figure in the world of fashion and entertainment.

The Cape Coast Audition, which served as a gateway for aspiring models in the region, marked the beginning of an exciting journey towards discovering West Africa’s next top talents in modeling. However, the spotlight now shifts to the bustling city of Accra, where the next round of auditions is set to take place.

Scheduled for Saturday, the 4th of May 2024, the Accra audition will be hosted at the prestigious Gold Coast Restaurant, conveniently located near Rockstone’s Office, Cantonments. Doors will open at 10 am, welcoming female West Africans between the ages of 18-26, residing or schooling in Ghana, to showcase their flair and passion for the runway, the camera and the screens.

Registration for the audition comes at a nominal fee of GHS100.00, providing participants with a chance to compete for the coveted title of The Model International, mouth-watering contracts and $2000.00 cash prize. To secure a spot in the audition line-up, aspiring models can register online at www.themodelinternational.com/register or seek assistance by contacting Esther, via call or WhatsApp on +233 50 890 6222.

The Model International promises to be a spectacle of talent, elegance, and glamour, captivating audiences across the nation. Set to premiere on Metro TV from the 1st of June 2024, viewers can tune in every Saturday at 8 pm to witness the unfolding drama and excitement of the competition.

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As the anticipation mounts and the countdown to the grand premiere begins, the stage is set for an exhilarating journey towards declaring the next face of West African modelling and fashion. With Barbara Ayisi Asher involved, The Model International is poised to redefine standards of cat walking with grace, elegance in front of the camera and shaping the future of the fashion industry one runway at a time.

Watch Video below

 

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African Development Bank appoints Ambassador Jalel Trabelsi as Special Envoy for Middle East and North Africa and Gulf Region

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The President of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwumi Adesina  has appointed career diplomat Ambassador Jalel Trabelsi as his Special Envoy for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Region.

Ambassador Trabelsi brings to the role over 30 years of experience as a highly accomplished and distinguished diplomat.

As Special Envoy for MENA and the Gulf Region, Ambassador Trabelsi will help to foster diplomatic and strategic engagements within the MENA and Gulf Region, focusing on the Bank’s strategic priorities, strengthening partnerships and mobilizing public and private sector resources at scale to deliver transformational projects in Africa.

A Tunisian citizen, Ambassador Trabelsi’s diplomatic career is marked by significant roles and contributions. He served as Minister Plenipotentiary for African Affairs, and was the Ambassador of Tunisia to Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Sierra Leone, and the Economic Community of West Africa (Ecowas). He also served as the Dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors and in other roles as an Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the National Commission for Tunisia’s candidacy to the Presidency of the African Development Bank.

He is also a specialist in international law and taught Diplomatic International Law at university level.

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Ambassador Trabelsi holds an Advanced Master in Maritime and Aviation Law from Belgium’s Université Libre de Bruxelles, where he undertook his undergraduate degree in political science and international relations and passed with the highest honors. He also holds a Master’s degree in political science from the University of Tunis. He is multilingual with fluency in English, French, and Arabic.

Commenting on his appointment, Ambassador Trabelsi said: “I am extremely honoured to be appointed by Dr. Adesina to this role. As an African, I am motivated to continue to serve our continent and to contribute to the African Development Bank’s transformational work under the visionary leadership of Dr. Adesina. I will work to ensure the Bank maintains and further strengthens its excellent and fruitful cooperation and partnership with Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Region.”

Dr. Adesina said: “I am delighted to have Ambassador Trabelsi as my Special Envoy for a region that holds a lot of promise for the Bank’s and Africa’s economic transformation. He has a strong track record and expertise in international relations and cooperation as well as international negotiation. He brings extensive knowledge in African, Arab, and European affairs and a deep understanding of the activities of the Bank, as well as other regional and international financial banking institutions.”

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KFC Ghana Introduces the “Streetwise Wings Meal” for ONLY GH¢30, KFC will also Embark on Donating 500 Streetwise Wing Meals Every Month to Basic Schools!

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Streetwise Wings Meal

KFC Ghana is excited to announce the latest addition to their Streetwise menu: the “Streetwise Wings Meal.” This new offering is a perfect blend of KFC’s signature crispy wings paired with a side of delightfully spicy rice, all for an affordable price of GH¢ 30.

The “Streetwise Wings Meal” is a flavorful adventure meant to satisfy your cravings without breaking the bank. The meal consists of three juicy and perfectly fried chicken wings, coated in KFC’s famous blend of herbs and spices. To complement the crispy wings, the meal includes a generous serving of spicy rice—a hearty side that packs a punch and ensures a fulfilling dining experience.

“KFC Ghana is always looking for ways to deliver value and satisfaction to our customers,” said the Digital and E-commerce Manager of KFC Ghana. “We believe that the Streetwise Wings Meal does just that, providing a balanced and flavorful meal at a price point that is accessible for everyone. It’s a perfect choice for a quick lunch or a delicious dinner on the go.”

The Streetwise Wings Meal is now available for order through the KFC Ghana App, with options for delivery, in-store pickup, or dine-in. The App is designed to provide the utmost convenience for customers, allowing for seamless ordering and payment. You can download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and get your meal with just a few taps on your smartphone.500 Donation of Streetwise Wings Meal

KFC assures that all meals are prepared following the highest standards of quality and hygiene, ensuring that customers not only get a delicious meal but also a safe one.

So, whether you’re in the mood for a quick snack or a full meal, the new Streetwise Wings Meal is here to make your day a little more flavorful. Head to the nearest KFC or get the app now to enjoy this spicy new treat!

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In addition to offering the delectable “Streetwise Wings Meal,” KFC Ghana is expanding its community support by announcing a generous donation campaign and will be donating 500 Streetwise Wing Meals at selected basic schools every month across the country. This initiative invites customers or social media users to nominate a school for a chance to enjoy this amazing offer, illustrating KFC Ghana’s commitment to giving back to the community. With the addition of this charitable action, KFC Ghana reinforces its reputation as a brand that not only provides value through its meals but also invests in the welfare of its community and its employees. Updates will be communicated via KFC Ghana’s social media platforms. Don’t forget to follow the social media pages and nominate a school!

Facebook: KFC Ghana

Instagram: @KFCGhana

X: @KFC_Ghana

TikTok: @KFC_Ghana 

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