3 INJURED IN ODESA DRONE ATTACK Russia has resumed drone attacks on Ukraine, injuring three people in Odesa, while reportedly making advances in Kursk and Donetsk. Meanwhile, the Kremlin says it has "no concrete plans" for peace talks. Ukrainian, US and European officials are due to convene in London on Wednesday at a meeting where the "primary task," in the words of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will be to push for an unconditional ceasefire. French, British and German already met at a preparatory convention in Paris last Thursday. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said it was important to lay out Europe's "red lines" to the United States regarding any potential peace deal in Ukraine. "The only objective that concerns us is the defense of French interests and European security," he told FranceInfo. "That's why, as the US decides to place itself in the mediator position, we are making them hear what our red lines are." 22nd April,2025

RUSSIA'S ROLE IN TRAFFICKING Libya's robust infrastructure for human traffickers and smugglers serves domestic and Russian enterprises,Ever since the toppling of Bashar Assad in Syria in December, Russia has been unsure whether its armed forces will be able to maintain their naval base at the Mediterranean port of Tartus and the Hmeimim airbase further north. This uncertainty has prompted Russia to shift its focus to Libya. "In the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Assad regime [...] you had a lot of flights and cargo ships taking Russian material from bases in Syria toward Libya," Tarek Megerisi, an analyst at the think tank European Council on Foreign Relations and author of a recent study on Russia's influence in Libya, told DW. "So, it was clear at that point that in Moscow's eyes, Libya is the safe space for it in the Mediterranean," he added. According to a report published in March by the New York-based think tank The Soufan Center, this is not the first time that Russian ships have called at the Tobruk naval base in eastern Libya. The strategic port is under the control of Khalifa Haftar, the warlord and commander of the Libyan National Army militia who rules large parts of the east of the divided country. Russian ship at Turkey's Bosporus en route to LibyaRussian ship at Turkey's Bosporus en route to Libya Russian ships are said to frequently transport weapons to LibyaImage: Yörük I??k/ICIJ "In June 2024, two Russian destroyers visited the Haftar-controlled Tobruk naval base. The warships' visit was billed as a training mission but was likely a continuation of the delivery of artillery to the [Libyan National Army] for potential use against its rivals in Tripoli or for export to anti-Western military forces in neighboring countries," the study highlighted. Moscow looks to Libya to bolster interests Moscow's interests in Libya are also represented by mercenary militias such as the former Wagner Group, which now operates under the name "Africa Corps." According to Megerisi, Moscow is pursuing several interests in Libya, which has been rattled by years of civil war. In principle, Russia is striving to establish a military presence in the Mediterranean, the expert told DW. So far, this had mainly been concentrated in Syria. Megerisi also pointed out that Moscow was interested in commercializing local natural resources, especially energy deposits. Under pressure from Western sanctions, Russia is also trying to find consumers for its exports. As Megerisi noted, Libya is an important export buyer for Russian weapons. Haftar's son expands Libya's role as 'hot spot for smuggling' In the Libyan conflict, Russia has been supporting the renegade commander Haftar for years. "He remains Moscow's most important partner," Ulf Laessing, head of the German political foundation Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Sahel regional program in Mali, told DW. "The Russians also have diplomatic ties to the western part of the country and to its capital, Tripoli, but the focus is clearly on Haftar," he added. However, this has become increasingly risky, as Haftar is now 81 years old and his rule may well be fragile in the face of political pressure from the US. One of his sons, Saddam Haftar — against whom Spain issued an arrest warrant in 2024 on suspicion of arms smuggling — has established himself as Russia's point of contact in Libya in recent years, as Megerisi pointed out in his study. He's provided Russia with a network of Libyan military bases, the expert explained. "Russia has used all this to help Haftar's putative heir, Saddam Haftar, expand Libya's role as a hot spot for smuggling of weapons, drugs, fuel — and people," Megerisi stated. Wagner's presence in Africa and what it gets in return 01:36 For years, flights from Syria to eastern Libya were operated mainly by a private Syrian airline, as Laessing noted. "They brought migrants from Asia, such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, to eastern Libya. From there, they were transferred to ships that set off for Italy." Business based on suffering According to Megerisi, human trafficking follows a fixed pattern. "On arrival, migrants hand over their informal visas to [Haftar's forces], who detain [the people] until they receive payment by the network. They are then held for between several days to several weeks, typically in inhuman conditions, before being taken to 'launch points' where they board boats towards Europe. At this point, Saddam [Hafter] is paid again for his coastguard units to allow boats through: $100 dollars per migrant for 'smaller boats' ... or an $80,000 flat fee for larger boats," he wrote in his study. Others are taken to western Libya, Megerisi added: "This demonstrates how Libyan armed groups cross political divides in pursuit of profit." The routes migrants choose to reach Libya vary, depending on where they've come from. While Africans mostly arrive by land, people from Asia tend to come by plane. Afterwards, they usually pass through various points of contact until they reach eastern Libya, where they are handed over to Haftar's network. 22nd April,2025

POPE FRANCIS GOES HOME Pope Francis' funeral will take place this Saturday, April 26, the Vatican said in a statement. The pope's casket will be moved into St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday for public viewing. Pope Francis' funeral will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 10.00 a.m. (0800 GMT) at St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican said in a statement. Francis' open coffin has been placed at an altar in his former residence, the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse. He will be moved to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday. The funeral is set to bring world leaders together at the Vatican, with German outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz among the world leaders to confirm their attendance. Cardinals will also decide the next pope after the end of the official period of mourning that lasts for nine days after the funeral. The Italian government has declared a five-day period of national mourning and flags flew at half-staff in countries including India, Australia, Taiwan and the US. We will continue to cover what you need to know about reactions to the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, and what happens next. 22nd April,2025

PREZ ZELENSKYY VISIT SOUTH AFRICA Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit South Africa for the first time this Thursday, April 24. The occasion is a working visit with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria with the purpose of building stronger ties between the two nations. Yet some say a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine will likely be a major topic. "I'm absolutely certain it will be part of the agenda," says Dr. Oscar van Heerden, research associate at the University of Johannesburg's Centre for Diplomacy and Leadership. "I think the South African government doesn't want to raise expectations…and certainly doesn't want to outline their true intentions. But we know that President Ramaphosa led an African peace mission that went to Ukraine and met with Zelenskyy and others, as well as with President Putin. So there is some interest, and I'm certain at some point during the working visit, Ramaphosa and Zelenskyy are going to find time to reflect on that." The skyline of the city of Pretoria.The skyline of the city of Pretoria. Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Pretoria for the first timeImage: PHILL MAGAKOE via REUTERS Peace deal on the cards? The delegation of African heads of state traveled to Ukraine and Russia in June 2023 with the hope of facilitating a peace deal between the two countries. While the talks didn't yield immediate results, Ukraine has since committed to improving relations with African nations by sharing technological and military experience. Ukraine also pledged to open 10 additional embassies in African countries. South Africa is a member of the BRICS group of countries, which is named after the initials of its founding nations, Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa. Through this membership, South Africa has a unique type of access to Russia that could be beneficial in peace talks. Cyril Ramaphosa's African National Congress (ANC) party has ties with Russia that pre-date the war, while the South African leader has created controversy with his coalition partners from the Democratic Alliance (DA) due to his warm relationship with President Putin. Yet for this reason, Van Heerden can imagine South African president Cyril Ramaphosa as something of a mediator. "Because South Africa is part of an alliance structure like BRICS, and because South Africa has friendly relations with the Russian Federation, it is better for President Ramaphosa to take matters to directly to President Putin and say 'this is what Zelensky is putting on the table'," Van Heerden says. 22nd April,2025

MAHAMA SUSPENDS CHIEF JUSTICE President John Mahama has suspended the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo. This follows the establishment of a committee to investigate petitions against the top judicial official. The move, announced in a statement from the Presidency, is in compliance with constitutional provisions and follows consultations with the Council of State. The President cited Article 146(6) of the Constitution, which mandates the establishment of a committee to probe allegations against a superior court judge if a prima facie case is established. According to the statement, President Mahama determined that sufficient grounds exist to warrant further inquiry. The committee tasked with investigating the petitions comprises individuals from various sectors: Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang – Justice of the Supreme Court Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu – Justice of the Supreme Court Daniel Yaw Domelevo – Former Auditor-General Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo – Ghana Armed Forces Professor James Sefah Dzisah – Associate Professor, University of Ghana In accordance with Article 146(10) of the Constitution and upon the advice of the Council of State, President Mahama issued a warrant suspending the Chief Justice with immediate effect pending the outcome of the committee’s proceedings. 22nd April,2025

CHINA STANDS BY GHANA China will not relent in its efforts to support Ghana in diverse ways to drive growth and development, the Ambassador of China to Ghana, H.E. Tong Defa, has stated. China is Ghana's largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment, with bilateral trade volume reaching as high as $11.84 billion in 2024. While Ghana primarily exports raw materials to China, it imports a wide range of manufactured goods. On the back of an increase in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 to CNY 134.9 trillion (approximately USD 18.4 trillion), a 5 per cent year-on-year increase under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Asian giant is poised to provide even more aid to spur development in Ghana. “China stands ready to strengthen exchanges and collaboration with Ghana in economic development and social governance, working jointly to further develop the China-Ghana strategic partnership,” Ambassador Defa noted. “The enduring friendship between our two nations has yielded fruitful cooperation across various fields. The successful convening of China’s ‘Two Sessions’ sends positive signals to African countries, including Ghana. Africa is the land of hope in the 21st century, for there can be no modernisation of the world without Africa’s modernisation.” In March, the Third Session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Third Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also known as the ‘Two Sessions’, were successfully concluded in Beijing. The ‘Two Sessions’ are convened annually in Beijing, bringing together nearly 5,000 NPC deputies and CPPCC members representing diverse ethnic groups, regions and political parties across the country. President Xi Jinping engaged in discussions with deputies on state affairs, jointly charted the development course, and formulated blueprints for China’s progress in the New Era. Sharing insights with MyJoyOnline, Ambassador Defa highlighted China’s modernisation of a huge population, targeting common prosperity for all, material and cultural-ethical advancement, harmony between humanity and nature, and peaceful development. “China’s economy has shown resilience, the Chinese market holds vast potential, and Chinese enterprises are brimming with vitality. China also possesses the courage to confront risks and challenges head-on and the confidence to resolve issues effectively. According to the Report on the Work of the Government 2025, we have set the target of GDP growth of around 5 per cent this year with confidence,” he pointed out. A key area of interest is science and technology innovation, and the Chinese envoy made it clear that his country’s innovation capacity has achieved breakthroughs in recent years, with notable advances in integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. Groundbreaking developments have emerged across multiple frontiers, particularly in humanoid robotics and DeepSeek. The value added by high-tech manufacturing and equipment manufacturing rose by 8.9 per cent and 7.7 per cent respectively, and the output of new-energy vehicles surpassed the 13 million mark. “Promoting integrated advancement in technological and industrial innovation” has been adopted to meet China’s overall requirement for economic and social development. “This strategic deployment not only demonstrates China’s precise grasp of the new development paradigm but also highlights its firm resolve to steer industrial and economic transformation and upgrading through innovation-driven approaches. “The nation’s shift to smart manufacturing will drive science and technology innovations to deliver more benefits to Global South countries,” he outlined. For him, regardless of changes in the external environment, “China will remain steadfast in our commitment to opening up”. China ranks among the world’s fastest-growing major economies, continuing to contribute about 30 per cent to global economic growth. “In the face of counter-globalisation undercurrents that defy economic laws, China has steadfastly sent positive signals to the world, delivering a reassuring message to partners,” he noted. In 2024, China’s total import and export volume reached CNY 43.85 trillion (approximately USD 6 trillion), marking a year-on-year increase of 5 per cent. The increase of USD 290 billion in foreign trade equates to the annual trade volume of a medium-sized economy. The Chinese government has said it remains committed to an independent foreign policy of peace, staying on the path of peaceful development, and firmly pursuing a mutually beneficial opening-up strategy. “We oppose hegemonism and power politics, reject all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and uphold international fairness and justice. As stated by Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, at the ‘Two Sessions’ press conference: “China is a natural member of the Global South. No matter how the international landscape evolves, we will always keep the interests of the Global South close at heart, remain rooted in the Global South, and join fellow developing countries in writing a new chapter in humanity’s development.” 22nd April,2025

CEDI TO REMAIN STABLE The Ghana Cedi is expected to trade fairly stable against the US dollar this week on the retail market. This is against the backdrop of the Bank of Ghana’s relentless market intervention. Ghana's reserves have seen a sharp growth and the central Bank has been intervening in the forex market to keep the cedi relatively stable. Last week, the Bank of Ghana’s US$254.60 million market intervention sufficiently met demand for the American greenback. As a result, the local unit remained stable versus the US dollar on the retail market, closing at a mid-rate of GH¢15.90/$. However, it depreciated by 2.17% week-on-week against the pound and 2.54% versus the euro. Meanwhile, the cedi started trading yesterday, April 21, 2025, unchanged at GH¢16.00 to one dollar. Its year-to-date loss stood at 2.36%. However, it gained marginally today, April 22, 2024, going for GH¢15.98. Ghana recently reached a Staff Level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during the fourth review of the US$3.0bn Extended Credit Facility (ECF). This bolstered market sentiment. 22nd April,2025

DON’T DISCOUNT ECOWAS’S 50 YEARS ACHIEVEMENT The 50-year achievement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in regional integration is something worth celebrating, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, the President of ECOWAS has said. He has therefore urged citizens of West Africa not to discount the achievements in the midst of criticisms of the regional bloc. Speaking in Accra on Tuesday at the official launch of ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Dr Touray acknowledged the difficult political and economic climate but insisted there is still much to celebrate. “In the current context, many would be forgiven for asking if there is anything about ECOWAS that should be celebrated,” he said. “Our response to such citizens is an emphatic yes – and I have my reasons.” He described ECOWAS as the most integrated regional bloc on the African continent, citing the Free Movement Protocol which enables citizens of member states to travel, reside and work across borders without a visa. “Thank God, no ECOWAS member state is among the countries that require Mr. Dangote to hassle,” he said, referencing Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote’s recent complaints about travel difficulties across Africa. Trade and Infrastructure Achievements On trade, he pointed to the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), which has registered over 15,000 companies and more than 50,000 products for duty-free access across the region. Dr Touray also mentioned the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), now operational in seven countries, as a key initiative reducing customs delays and improving cross-border logistics. Infrastructure, he said, remains a priority. He outlined a 25-year master plan featuring 201 projects across transport, energy, telecoms, and water, valued at $131 billion. Among the flagship initiatives is the 1,028km Lagos–Abidjan highway, estimated at nearly $15 billion and now ready for investment. Other major projects include the Banjul–Dakar–Abidjan corridor, the Abidjan–Praia Maritime route, and energy efforts under the West African Power Pool. He also cited ECOWAS’s $340 million off-grid electricity access programme as part of efforts to close the region’s energy gap. Human development and health On social impact, Dr Touray praised the role of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in coordinating regional responses to Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox. He added that initiatives in climate-smart agriculture, food security, and vocational training reflect the bloc’s commitment to human-centred development. He reaffirmed ECOWAS’s record in promoting peace and democracy, citing its interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia. “It was ECOWAS that ensured the will of the people of The Gambia prevailed in 2016,” he said, referencing the bloc’s successful diplomatic and military intervention to end Yahya Jammeh’s rule after he rejected election results. On maritime security, he noted that no piracy incidents had been recorded in West African waters so far in 2024 — an outcome he attributed to ECOWAS’s coordinated security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea. Calls for reform Dr Touray admitted that intra-regional trade remains low, hovering around 12%. He called for urgent reforms to dismantle non-tariff barriers, improve infrastructure, and boost productivity across member states. He also appealed to local and international investors to tap into the region’s economic potential, underpinned by a population of over 400 million people. Amid security challenges and the withdrawal of some Sahelian states from the bloc, Dr Touray underscored the importance of collective action. He said dialogue and mediation with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso remain ongoing. “Despite the challenges, I remain optimistic that we will collectively preserve and build on the gains of regional integration — for our people who are united by blood,” he concluded. ECOWAS ECOWAS was established in 1975 through the Treaty of Lagos to foster economic integration across West Africa. Its 15 member states share a combined population exceeding 400 million. Over the past five decades, the bloc has launched peacekeeping missions, facilitated cross-border trade and movement, and supported democratic governance. However, its unity has come under strain in recent years following a series of military coups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, alongside rising terrorism threats and economic instability. 22nd April,2025