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International Diplomacy: Korea Africa Summit OpensNew Vista in Multilateral Relations -Launches Critical mineral Initiatives -Pledges $10 billion in development aid for Africa -AfDB commends Korea as development accelerator in Africa

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By George Mgbeleke

Korean and Africa leaders attends the inaugural Korea Africa summit commits to “Critical Minerals Initiative”aimed at fostering sustainable development in Africa writes, Yucee Uwah and Emman Ozoemenawith agency reports.

The inaugural Korea-Africa summit 2024 held June 4 to 5, 2024 atKINTEX in Ilsan, north of Seoul, South Korea with African leaders pledging to scale trade relations and development aid to an all-time high.

The leaders adopted a joint declaration on boosting trade and investment, cooperation in critical minerals and development projects, and collaboration on the global stage.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Africa leaders representing 48 African countries agreed on Tuesday, June 5 2024 to forge deeper trade and investment cooperation, when it agreed on a new agenda“critical minerals dialogue” aimed at fostering sustainable development of the continent’s resources.

The summit, the first in the history of Korea Africa relations of over 60 years, since Korea opened diplomatic and trade relations with African countries is coming in the heels of increasing call for deepening trade and development aid between Korea and Africa.

As the host of this auspicious summit, South Korea President Suk Yoel said
“The Critical Minerals Dialogue launched by South Korea and Africa will set an example for a stable supply chain through mutually beneficial cooperation and contribute to sustainable development of mineral resources around the world,” Yoon said in his closing remarks.

“Korea is scaling relations with Africa across broad spectrum of sectors in response to emerging opportunities.

Hosting a first-ever summit with the leaders of 48 African nations, Yoon said South Korea would increase development aid for Africa to $10 billion over the next six years as it looks to tap the continent’s rich mineral resources and potential as a vast export market.

He also pledged to offer $14 billion in export financing to promote trade and investment for South Korean companies in Africa.

South Korea is one of the world’s largest energy buyers and is home to leading semiconductor producers. It is also home to the world’s fifth-largest automaker, Hyundai Motor Group, which is making a push for electrification.

Partnering with Africa, which has 30% of the world’s reserves of critical minerals including chrome, cobalt and manganese is crucial, Yoon’s office has said.

In a joint declaration issued by South Korea, the African Union (AU) and its member nations, the leaders pledged to speed up talks for economic partnership agreements and trade and investment promotion frameworks.

They also called for advancing cooperation for Africa’s food security with South Korea’s support with agricultural technology and smart farming.

African leaders welcomed the South Korea’s “Tech4Africa” initiative aimed at supporting the education and training of Africa’s young population.

AU Chairperson and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, at a joint news conference with Yoon, said African countries were looking to learn from Korea’s experience in developing human resources, industrialisation, and digital transformation.

Vast and Fast Growing Market

Yoon said 33 heads of state participated in the summit. This huge
attendance is significant in view of the emerging efforts consolidate the existing trade relations, investment opportunities as well as expanding opportunities in relations between Korea and Africa.

Yoon has proposed “shared growth” as a pillar of cooperation with the continent and said the leaders agreed to expand trade and investment by establishing institutional frameworks to facilitate them.

By reaching out with offers to help with industrial infrastructure and digital transformation, South Korea is trying to tap into a vast and fast-growing market that is home to 1.4 billion people, the majority of whom are 25 or younger.

The joint declaration said the leaders recognised the instability of global supply chains, and that future industries increasingly depended on the stable supply of mineral resources.

“In this context, we agree to launch the Korea-Africa Critical Minerals Dialogue during this summit which will serve as an important institutional foundation for enhancing cooperation between Korea and Africa,” it said.

Park Jong-dae, a former South Korean ambassador to South Africa and Uganda, arguedthat Western and Chinese models of development had failed African nations, and South Korea offered a valuable alternative path.

“The essence of the Korean model of development cooperation is human development, and about management, rather than about provision of assistance per se,” he said.

“Korea has the experience and know-how of development … while many African countries have immense possibilities for development based on yet to be explored, untapped resources and endowment, and dynamic young population,” he said.

On Wednesday, South Korean business leaders hosted a business summit focused on investment, industrial development, and food security.

Yoon separately held talks with 25 leaders on the sidelines of the summit, his office said.

Yoon agreed with the leaders of Tanzania to provide $2.5 billion concessional loans and Ethiopia for $1 billion financing to go to infrastructure, science and technology and health and urban development.

Additionally, Kenyan President William Ruto disclosed that South Korea would provide $485 million concessional development funding.

African Development Bank Commends Korea

In an address to delegates at the summit, the African Development Bank (AfDB)President, Adewunmi Adesina commended Korea’s inspiring and determined development journey, that transformed “a poor and aid-dependent country” into “one of the largest donor countries in the world.”

Adesina highlighted the deep relationship between Korea and the Bank, starting from 1982 when Korea became a member of the Bank. Since then, he said, Korea “has contributed close to $795 million to the Bank, the African Development Fund and the Korea Trust Fund.”

“You are investing in the right institution: the African Development Bank,” he declared.

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame said Korea’s experience shows a country can be radically transformed in the course of a generation. “Is there any reason Africa hasn’t become a high-income region?” he posed.

The United Republic of Tanzania President, Samia Suluhu Hassan called for investment in clean cooking agenda as part of the just energy transition. She said investment in clean cooking will lower emissions, deforestation and respiratory diseases that affect especially women and children.

“We are working with Dr Adesina (President of the African Development Bank) to fundraise for this agenda,” she said.

President William Ruto publicly acknowledged the African Development Bank’s financial innovations. He told Korea to consider channeling some of the SDRs through the African Development Bank.

Mapping the future

According to the summit organizers, 33 African heads of state and government participated at the summit, while 48 African countries had their delegations at the summit.

Over the years, Korea continues to scale up its trade relations and investment across Africaas well as the official development aid (ODA) portfolio, which supports sustainable livelihood for millions of peoples in Africa providing them accessto clean and renewable energy, agriculture productivity, technology, and skills for women and youth.
The Republic of Korea will commit $14 billion in export financing to support Korean companies investing in Africa while increasing its official development assistance (ODA) to $10 billion by 2030.

Analysts express optimism that the commitments by the leaders will drive development and prosperity in Africa and Korea that will be mutually beneficial to all partners involved in this multilateral agreements.

Politics

IPU cannot consider Natasha’s petition – Jimoh Ibrahim

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Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman of the Senate Inter-parliamentary Committee, remarked that the purported petition from the suspended Senator Natasha is “dead on arrival.”

He emphasised that Nigeria, rather than Senator Natasha, is the member of the IPU.

A petition can only be lodged against another member state by a member state.

This implies that the IPU cannot consider petitions from individuals who are not members.

The suspended Senator Natasha is not a member of the IPU, but Nigeria is!
Additionally, the suspended Senator cannot represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I served as the interim president of the IPU in Geneva in 2023, and I am familiar with how the IPU operates after presiding over its proceedings.

Furthermore, as Chairman of the Inter- parliamentary Committee in the Nigerian Senate, I did not approve or authorise the suspended Senator Natasha to attend the IPU on behalf of Nigeria to the Senate President.”

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Senate moves to establish Early Voting for Nigerians on essential duties during elections …..As Bill scales 2nd reading 

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By George Mgbeleke
The Senate on Thursday passed to second reading a Bill to amend the Electoral Act to provide opportunity for Nigerians on essential duties to perform their civic duties.
The Bill sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz zMusa Yar’adua seeks to amend the Electoral Act tagged “Electoral Act(Amendment -Early Voting Bill) 2024.

Senate in session in the chamber

In his lead debate Senator Yar’adua noted that the Bill seeks to enfranchise a significant group of Nigerians who, due to the nature of their duties on election days, are denied the opportunity to exercise their most fundamental democratic right; the right to vote.
He said,”This very important bill seeking to introduce early voting in the Electoral Act 2022 to enhance the inclusion, participation and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, and for related matters, was read for the first time on Wednesday, the 15th day of May  2024.
“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, due to the far-reaching nature of this Bill, let me crave your indulgence to extensively highlight the background, which I believe will not only provide a proper context for this legislative initiative but also motivate this hallowed chamber to accelerate the legislative process in enacting the Bill.
“Background and Rationale
In any democratic process, equal opportunity must be given to all citizens to participate in elections regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, occupation or socioeconomic status. This ensures the true reflection of the will of the people thereby enhancing the stability of the democratic process. Unfortunately, a huge number of Nigerians who are involved in making Nigeria’s elections a success are excluded from the crucial decision-making of choosing their leaders through the ballot.”
The lawmaker further observed that,”Over one million citizens who play critical roles in ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections are disenfranchised.
” These include INEC officials, including ad-hoc staff, the security personnel, journalists, observers and others who work on election day to uphold the integrity of the process are effectively denied their right to vote because they are deployed to polling units far from where they registered. This is an irony that should not be lost on us, and this bill seeks to correct that by making provision for early voting for such citizens.
“Mr President, Distinguished Colleagues, this exclusion has characterised all elections in the Fourth Republic and became more alarming in the 2023 General Elections with over 1 million ad-hoc staff, 310,973 police personnel, 93,495 military and Department of State Service (DSS) personnel, 51,000 personnel from the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), 21,000 from the Federal Road Safety Corps, 11,336 from the Nigeria Correctional Service, 9,447 from the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and 350 personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who were actively engaged in election activities were disenfranchised. Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission reported that 144,800 observers were deployed by 196 national and domestic organisations, with the implication that those citizens were also unable to vote. This is in addition to journalists and others involved in elections in various capacities. The number of those excluded from voting could change the outcomes of election results.”
Continuing he said,”Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, the figures highlighted above makes this bill a necessity to address the ‘disenfranchisement’ of eligible voters. As lawmakers, it is our duty to ensure that every Nigerian citizen, regardless of their profession or duty on election day, has the opportunity to participate fully in the electoral process. Incorporating early voting in our electoral legal framework shall strengthen universal adult suffrage as our Constitution guarantees every eligible Nigerian the right to vote.
” Furthermore, this Bill strengthens democratic values as democracy thrives when participation is broad, inclusive, and representative. By preventing those on election duty from voting, we are limiting the breadth of participation and undermining the very principles of democracy.
“Distinguished Colleagues, here are the highlights of the bill:
Provision for eligibility and registration of early voters:  Political parties will receive a list of registered early voters to ensure transparency.
Eligible individuals include security personnel, electoral officials and those deemed eligible by the commission who must apply 30 days before the early voting date (Clause 44A (2)-(6)).
“Implementation and Voting Procedure.
A designated early voting date will be set, not more than 7 days before the general election (Section 44A (1)).
Voting centers will be established in every ward, with early votes counted on the official election day (Section 44A (10)-(17))Cross-Country Survey.”
The Lawmaker noted  that early voting has been part of the electoral legal frameworks in other jurisdictions with its attendant huge success stories in promoting voter participation, reducing election day pressure, and increasing accessibility.
” In the United States, early voting varies by State, with some states allowing a few days to several weeks (up to 45 days) in advance of election day. In Australia, early voting starts about 2-3 weeks before the election, with the 2019 federal election recording 40% of voters that cast their ballots early. In Canada, early voting takes place 12 days before election day allowing voters greater flexibility. In Germany, Postal voting is initiated four to six weeks before the election, enabling voters to participate ahead of time.
“Distinguished Colleagues, it is interesting to note that early voting has also gained traction in several African countries as a tool to improve electoral efficiency, increase voter turnout, and enhance inclusivity, especially for marginalized groups. In South Africa, the Independent Electoral Commission allows early voting 2 days before the general election for individuals such as the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, security forces, and those working on Election Day.
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No Individual Bigger Than PDP, Says Diri

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PDP zonal caretaker C'ttee members with Gov Douye Diri (2nd from the Rt)

By David Owei ,Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was bigger than any individual and that its internal challenges would be fixed once the members resolve to tackle them.

Speaking to journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday after the inauguration of the party’s South-South zonal caretaker committee led by Elder Emma Ogidi, the Bayelsa Governor said the political will to confront those fomenting trouble in the party resided with the members and not solely on the leadership.

Diri, who is also Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, stated that for the party to be competitive as the oldest in the country, it must look inwards and fix its internal issues.

He said: “For me, we have to look inwards before accusing those outside our party. We have to first fix our internal issues.

“It is very easy to point accusing fingers. But the PDP has to sit back and tackle its internal challenges. That is only when we can stand to compete with others.

“I want the PDP to be competitive with other political parties. We are the oldest political party in Nigeria. So we have no reason to be accusing outsiders.”

On whether the party’s leadership had the political will to discipline those fomenting trouble, Governor Diri averred that such will resided with the members.

“We are all members of the party. The moment we all resolve that we need to fix our party, there cannot be any one person that is bigger than the party.”

He stressed that the newly inaugurated zonal caretaker committee had the mandate of the National Working Committee to look into every issue affecting the party in the South-South.

The Bayelsa helmsman expressed the hope that the event was a step forward for the party.

“In our zone, which is the only area in the country you have four governors of the party, we have all resolved and are together on this. You can see the deputy governor of Delta State, who represented the governor. I have also received messages from the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers. It shows that we are together and what we need to do is to show leadership and work with the zonal committee so that our zone will again become safe and strong for the PDP.”

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