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Mignot: Africa/Europe Ties Destined, Rests on Mutual Respect

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Mignot: Africa/Europe Ties Destined, Rests on Mutual Respect

By: Michael Mike

The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot has described the ties between the continents of Europe and Africa as destined and rest on long-term impact, sustainability and mutual respect.

Speaking at a reception organized for African Union and European Union in Abuja, Mignot said “the ties between both continents as a “community of destiny,” adding that Africa’s and Europe’s wellbeing are deeply interconnected.

He emphasized that the partnership rests on long-term impact, sustainability and mutual respect—principles he believes will continue to guide cooperation in the coming years.

The reception which marked the successful conclusion of the 7th African Union–European Union Summit and the 25th anniversary of the AU–EU partnership hosted by the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, in collaboration with the Embassy of Angola, had in attendance envoys from both European and African countries.

The reception was jointly led by the EU Ambassador and the Ambassador of Angola, José Bamóquina Zau, whose country hosted the summit in Luanda at the end of November.

In his remarks, the EU Ambassador praised Angola for its hospitality, noting that the summit’s success was anchored largely on the commitment and support of the host government and people. He extended the appreciation of all participating delegations to Ambassador Zau and commended Angola for facilitating what he described as “a real sense of community” among nations.

Although President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was unable to attend the summit in Angola due to domestic engagements, Nigeria was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

The ambassador noted that the strong representation from both African and European sides underscored the significance attached to the partnership. According to him, the joint statement endorsed in Luanda by countries representing about 40 percent of the global community demonstrated unity and shared resolve.

He said the summit reaffirmed a shared commitment to a more inclusive global order and a fairer international financial system capable of addressing the needs of citizens across the two regions. Over the past 25 years, he added, the AU–EU partnership has matured into a platform that drives concrete results across critical areas including peace and security, economic transformation, green and digital transitions, education and regional integration.

Highlighting the Global Gateway Investment Strategy, Mignot noted that more than half of its 264 flagship projects are focused on Africa, with investment commitments of at least €150 billion.

He also cited major initiatives aligned with the AU Agenda 2063, including the €1.2 billion Team Europe programme supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the Africa-Europe Green Energy Initiative targeting the delivery of 50 GW of renewable energy and electricity access for 100 million Africans by 2030.

He noted that despite occasional misconceptions about the strength of the relationship, but stressed that the EU remains Africa’s largest trading partner, leading investor, top provider of development and humanitarian assistance, and the biggest contributor to the African Peace and Security Architecture.

He highlighted youth mobility and women’s empowerment as areas of particular pride for the partnership.

On his part, Ambassador of Angola, José Bamóquina Zau on the event hosted in Angola, said: “Luanda stood up as a platform of hope and a symbol of the African desire to establish continuous relations with Europe in search of benefits of both sides.”

He said hope must be anchored on building channels of dialogue and cooperation in the areas of peace and security, trade and investment, governance, education and health, climate action, and digital transformation.

The envoy said: “We must guide our actions with a spirit of pragmatism, free from the prejudice and bureaucracy that so often hinder the implementation of important decisions taken together.”

He however stated that Africa cannot continue to be dominated by poverty while remaining a major supplier of essential raw materials to the world.

He added that: “We must to build a new, solid, and effective vision between Africa and European financial institutions, with investments in development. This is the most assertive way to avoid the suffocation caused by excessive debt burdens.”

He however said: “Our strategic partnership will only be strong and resilient if it aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and capable of responding to current global and local geopolitical challenges.”

Mignot: Africa/Europe Ties Destined, Rests on Mutual Respect

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State Actors Grumble Over Operational Allowances Within the Hadin Kai Theatre.

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State Actors Grumble Over Operational Allowances Within the Hadin Kai Theatre.

By: Bodunrin Kayode

There is a quiet grumble within the ranks of the Joint Security team in the Hadin Kai theatre with an allegation that some forward operational bases are paid discriminatory allowances.

Some sources within the non military rankings who spoke with this reporter claim that their military colleagues in some forward operational bases (FOB) are actually paid higher than the rest of them by the pay masters who are supposed to release these funds.

This has actually led to a silent outcry by some of the security personnel within the ranks of the Hadin Kai theatre who have decried what they described as the unnecessary disparity between their operational allowances and that of the military.

“There has been some underground grumbling within the ranks of the uniformed personnel in the Hadin Kai theatre over allowances and I am talking about the para military and the police who are in the team in this very sector one.

” From our investigation, it has never happened before and that makes it strange and we believe it is not known to the theatre commander (TC) who we all know as a just man who wants all of us to be happy.

” And that is why we are passing this injustice through you people because you are equal partners in the battles we are fighting against our common enemy because we believe the wrong will be reversed as soon as he gets to hear.

“At our own FOB for now, I can say the drilling for crude oil has stopped but we are pinning the ground against the criminals. And I must tell you, the main challenges here is water we don’t have enough water and the food served is not that good.

“we have only been allocated two bags of water for one week in this hot weather and the allowance given is 31,000 naira while the military is 45,000 naira sir.

“So why is there a difference in the money while both of us are working in the same assignment. Before the allowance was N45,000 and was equal to that of the Army but now they have reduced non military to N31,000 and they expect us to pay returns of 5,000 inside the same N31,000” Said the angry operative.

Operatives of operation Hadin Kai are made up mostly of the entire military, Federal Police, immigration, customs, Civil defence, custodial service, vigilante and the civilian jtf.

In spite of all these collaboration among services which includes the state security services sometimes, the war has gone on for almost 17 years with no sign of a true, seize fire, table negotiations or a total end of the hostilities between the country and non state actors.

State Actors Grumble Over Operational Allowances Within the Hadin Kai Theatre.

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Grumble within ranks in joint security team in Borno

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Grumble within ranks in joint security team in Borno

By: Bodunrin Kayode

There is a quiet grumble within the ranks of the Joint Security team in the Hadin Kai theatre with an allegation that some forward operational bases are paid discriminatory allowances.

Some sources within the non military rankings who spoke with this reporter claim that their military colleagues in some forward operational bases (FOB) are actually paid higher than the rest of them by the pay masters who are supposed to release these funds.

This has actually led to a silent outcry by some of the security personnel within the ranks of the Hadin Kai theatre who have decried what they described as the unnecessary disparity between their operational allowances and that of the military.

“There has been some underground grumbling within the ranks of the uniformed personnel in the Hadin Kai theatre over allowances and I am talking about the para military and the police who are in the team in this very sector one.

” From our investigation, it has never happened before and that makes it strange and we believe it is not known to the theatre commander (TC) who we all know as a just man who wants all of us to be happy.

” And that is why we are passing this injustice through you people because you are equal partners in the battles we are fighting against our common enemy because we believe the wrong will be reversed as soon as he gets to hear.

“At our own FOB for now, I can say the drilling for crude oil has stopped but we are pinning the ground against the criminals. And I must tell you, the main challenges here is water we don’t have enough water and the food served is not that good.

“we have only been allocated two bags of water for one week in this hot weather and the allowance given is 31,000 naira while the military is 45,000 naira sir.

“So why is there a difference in the money while both of us are working in the same assignment. Before the allowance was N45,000 and was equal to that of the Army but now they have reduced non military to N31,000 and they expect us to pay returns of 5,000 inside the same N31,000” Said the angry operative.

Operatives of operation Hadin Kai are made up mostly of the entire military, Federal Police, immigration, customs, Civil defence, custodial service, vigilante and the civilian jtf.

In spite of all these collaboration among services which includes the state security services sometimes, the war has gone on for almost 17 years with no sign of a true, seize fire, table negotiations or a total end of the hostilities between the country and non state actors.

Grumble within ranks in joint security team in Borno

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EU Commits €235 Million to Tackle Escalating Humanitarian Crises in West and Central Africa

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EU Commits €235 Million to Tackle Escalating Humanitarian Crises in West and Central Africa

By: Michael Mike

The European Commission has unveiled a €235 million humanitarian aid package aimed at addressing the deepening crises across West and Central Africa, where conflict, hunger, displacement, and climate shocks continue to devastate millions of lives.

The funding will target the region’s most vulnerable populations, including those affected by armed conflicts, food insecurity, forced displacement, and communities cut off from essential services. A significant portion—€75 million—has been earmarked for the Central Sahel, widely regarded as the epicentre of the region’s instability.

Other allocations include more than €72 million for Chad, €33 million for Nigeria, €22 million for the Central African Republic, €16.6 million for Cameroon, €4.8 million for Mauritania, and over €6 million for coastal countries. An additional €6.4 million will support region-wide humanitarian initiatives.

Announcing the intervention, Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, described the situation as a convergence of multiple emergencies.

“West and Central Africa is facing a storm of humanitarian crises, driven by conflict, poverty, hunger, instability, and climate shocks,” she said, recalling firsthand encounters with displaced families during a visit to Chad.

According to Lahbib, the aid will provide critical relief, including food, clean water, healthcare, shelter, and access to education for children whose lives have been disrupted by violence and displacement.

The region’s humanitarian situation remains dire, with conflicts in the Central Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin continuing to spill across borders, intensifying instability in coastal nations and triggering widespread displacement. The ongoing crisis in Sudan has further strained resources in eastern Chad, while separate emergencies persist in north-western Nigeria, parts of Cameroon, and the Central African Republic.

The European Union reiterated its commitment to acting as a reliable humanitarian partner, emphasizing that the intervention is designed not only to save lives but also to restore dignity and hope for affected communities.

EU Commits €235 Million to Tackle Escalating Humanitarian Crises in West and Central Africa

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