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🌾 Tailored treatment
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Good morning 🌤️ Did you know some liquors are called spirits because of their historical association with The Holy Spirit? It might be true when people say you can find anything in the Bible.
Have a good week!
—Gloria Mbabazi, Shem Opolot
HEADLINES
🌾 Tailored treatment
U.S. President Joe Biden announced his intent to terminate Ugandan exports to the United States via the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) due to recent allegations of human rights violations. The termination will take effect in January 2024 if Uganda doesn’t meet the AGOA eligibility requirements and could result in the loss of up to $200 million in annual exports to the US. First came the World Bank’s tight-fistedness, then came the petty business advisory, and now the closure of the AGOA tap(s). Talk about kicking a man while he’s down. According to reports, one of the conditions for the U.S. to maintain AGOA was that Uganda had to continue importing second-hand clothes (Mivumba) and footwear from the U.S. If AGOA is scrapped, Uganda would have the opportunity (which they’ll probably squander) to ban the import of second-hand clothes and encourage local manufacturing of clothes for domestic, regional, and foreign markets. While some feel the AGOA deal represented a drop in the ocean for export revenue for Uganda and gladly say good riddance, wethinks the termination of the AGOA deal is another sign of progressive economic violence visited upon Uganda in recompense for our recent policy decisions. The wise thing to do would be to build our own internal capacity and maximize our resources so we can govern ourselves confidently, but that might make too much sense.
🛢️ Refined plans
Uganda’s decision to pump the brakes on its fuel import deals with Kenya sent shockwaves through the gas line. It terminated its fuel import deals with Kenya, which accounts for more than 90% of its petroleum products, citing exposure to "occasional supply vulnerabilities" and an increase in pump prices. It wants to cease its reliance on Kenya and also ensure the security of supply by maintaining overall responsibility for the importation of petroleum products. UNOC, which was granted the mandate to source and supply petroleum products for their markets, has partnered with Vitol Bahrain EC, securing a five-year deal to fund oil procurement and storage. Economists warn that this move could signal a backtrack on Uganda's liberal economy; however, Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa Sentamu defended the move, and the president re-affirmed it.
🇰🇪 Kenya
Kenyan lawmakers decry the Kenya Revenue Authority's $500 tourist item tax, claiming it tarnishes the nation's image and deters tourists. They urge a focus on attracting visitors and seek clarity on taxed goods, proposing exemptions for personal items and electronics.
🇷🇼 Rwanda
Rwanda waived visa fees for all African travelers. Joining Gambia, Benin, and Seychelles, Rwanda is on a mission to make Africa the ultimate tourist playground. Kenya's following suit, and the African Union is rolling out the red carpet with its continent-wide passport and trade extravaganza. It’s about time.
🇹🇿 Tanzania
As part of Germany's effort to address its colonial legacy in Africa, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier recently apologized in Tanzania for German colonial-era atrocities. He visited the Maji Maji Museum, asked for forgiveness, and pledged to raise awareness in Germany.
Other headlines
Four gunmen in UPDF uniform survive lynching after robbing bank agents.
Energy Ministry's Spero Byokunda summoned by court over $50m fraud.
HRW accuses Uganda of a crackdown on activists protesting the oil project.
Paul Put unveiled as the new Uganda Cranes coach.
2M fine to be paid by all those who fail to install digital number plates.
Uganda in negotiations with the World Bank.
FDC breaks ties with Katonga people's government.
UPDF Majors in Mogadishu face charges of cowardice following Al-Shabaab.
UK reverses Bobi Wine ban over controversial anti-gay lyrics.
BEYOND BORDERS
Africa
King Charles III inspects a guard of honor in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday. Picture: GETTY IMAGES/CHRIS JACKSON
🇰🇪 🇬🇧 Royal Pains. King Charles III of Britain visited Kenya for four days this past week as Kenya poured tea for the ghost of its colonial past. The main course? A reckoning with Britain's ruinous colonial rule in Kenya. During a visit that engendered conversations about professional pandering by the British’s so-called favorite colony, King Charles III addressed the "most painful moments" of the colonial relationship and expressed "deepest regret" for past violence but stopped short of a formal apology. Many Kenyans, including Nandi leaders, hunger for a direct apology and reparations as the colonial baggage is heavy, with some of it still tucked away in British closets as expropriated land.
🇿🇦 🇺🇸 AGOA. The 20th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 2–4. The forum brought together the governments of the United States, AGOA-eligible countries, representatives from key regional economic organizations, the private sector, civil society, and labour. Here are some key takeaways from the forum:
The future of AGOA was up for discussion, with calls for its extension beyond its current expiration date of September 2025. President Biden has endorsed the extension of AGOA and urged Congress to reauthorize it in a timely fashion and modernize the Act for the economic opportunities of the coming decade.
The reauthorization of AGOA past 2025 will help eligible African countries boost trade, economic growth, and development by increasing investments and US exports to Africa.
The forum highlighted the importance of AGOA for African countries' industrial development, job creation, and inclusive growth.
Other headlines
7 African nations set to receive $1 billion from the IMF.
U.S. Senate votes to keep US troops in Niger.
Ethiopia-Tigray peace deal holds one year on amid deep fractures.
Egypt opens border crossing to evacuate injured and foreign nationals from Gaza.
Nigeria’s parliament rejects $6m presidential yacht purchase amid economic crisis.
Tunisian MPs debate bill that would criminalize normalization with Israel.
Guinea’s escaped ex-military leader recaptured, back in jail, says lawyer.
The rest of the world
A cargo ship | Photograph: Jon Nazca/Reuters
🚢 Turbulent times for trade. Your relationSHIP isn’t the only ship that’s struggling right now. The global shipping giant Maersk, which is a good indicator of how global trade is going, plans to cut over 10,000 jobs as demand for shipping cargo declines after a pandemic boom. Maersk and other shipping companies are facing overcapacity and sharply lower freight rates as consumer demand shifts away from goods and inflation rises. Maersk swung to a loss in its main Ocean division in the third quarter as revenue fell sharply. The company expects a challenging market in the coming years and will reduce costs through job cuts and lower capital spending.
🇮🇱 🇵🇸 Israel-Gaza update. Here are the latest developments:
The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 9,000 Palestinians have died.
As the world watches Hezbollah’s actions closely in fear of their involvement sparking an all-out war in the Middle East, Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, though ostensibly salivating at Hamas’ attacks on October 7, didn’t indicate Hezbollah would get involved in the conflict (right now).
Germany’s top security official implemented a formal ban on activity by or in support of Hamas
Western media coverage of the conflict has been criticized for being biased in favor of Israel
Netanyahu rejected a cease-fire, claiming it would tantamount to surrendering to Hamas.
Israel claimed responsibility for airstrikes on Gaza's refugee camp that injured dozens, claiming they killed Ibrahim Biari, a Hamas commander who was one of the masterminds behind the attack on October 7.
Israel allowed foreign nationals, including Americans, and injured Palestinians to cross the border from Gaza into Egypt for the first time since the Israel-Hamas war began.
NN’EBIGENDERAKO
Politics and Government
By 2100, two out of every five people on Earth are expected to be African.
Mass deportation in Pakistan
Earthquake in Nepal kills at least 128 people. | Toxic smog engulfs India.
Business and Finance
Kim K’s Skims became the official underwear partner of the NBA, WNBA, and USA Basketball.
Feeling poor? Read this article about CEO perks.
WeWork files for bankruptcy. | The lies on your CV may have to change soon.
Former FTX CEO SBF was found guilty of fraud and conspiracy
Science and Technology
Skyscrapers made out of sustainable wood?
Elon Musk launches his own AI startup
Sports
Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup.
The NBA has an in-season tournament, and no one knows what that means, but its provocative.
Lifestyle and Entertainment
The Beatles latest [AI] song
Sesame Street is getting a makeover.
How to live forever
The trailer for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is thrilling.
PROCRASTINATION CORNER
Games and Puzzles
From Braingle.
Dorothy loves do.
Rina loves re.
Farelina loves fa.
Soledad loves so.
Lara loves la.
Tina loves ti.
What phrase is missing?
Answer at the bottom.
Our picks
đź’ˇ Browse: A map of countries with drinkable tap water
đź’ˇ Browse: A map of the best restaurants
đź’ˇ Look: Visualize the largest airlines by passenger size
Games answer
Answer: Nobody loves me.
Have a good week!
— Too Long; Didn’t Read (TLDR)
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