U.S Special forces rescue kidnapped American in Nigeria

An American citizen abducted last week in Niger has been rescued during a high-risk U.S. military raid in neighboring Nigeria. The mission was undertaken by elite commandos as part of a major effort to free the U.S. citizen, Philip Walton, 27, before his abductors could get far after taking him captive in Niger on October 26, 2020.

The operation involved the governments of the U.S., Niger and Nigeria working together to rescue Walton quickly, sources said. The CIA provided intelligence leading to Walton's whereabouts and Marine Special Operations elements in Africa helped locate him, a former U.S. official said.

Then the elite SEAL Team Six carried out a "precision" hostage rescue mission and killed all but one of the seven captors, according to officials with direct knowledge about the operation.

President Donald Trump called the rescue mission a "big win for our very elite U.S. Special Forces" in a tweet and the Pentagon lauded the rescue mission in a statement.

source: US news

United States condemns use of excessive military force in Nigeria

The United States has strongly condemned the use of excessive force by military forces who fired on unarmed demonstrators in Lagos, causing death and injury. 

The U.S calls for an immediate investigation into any use of excessive force by members of the security forces.  Those involved should be held to account in accordance with Nigerian law.

The right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are essential human rights and core democratic principles. 

“We call on the security services to show maximum restraint and respect fundamental rights and for demonstrators to remain peaceful.  We extend our condolences to the victims of the violence and their families”. Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

Source: State department

U.S announces $5M bounty on Venezuelan national for organized crime

The U.S. Department of State has announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Venezuelan national Samark Jose Lopez Bello for participating in transnational organized crime.

This offer is made in connection with the announcements of reward offers up to $10 million for former Venezuelan Vice President Tareck Zaidan El-Aissami Maddah on March 26, 2020 and up to $5 million for National Superintendent of Cryptocurrencies in the Maduro regime Joselit de la Trinidad Ramirez Camacho on June 1, 2020.  

Lopez Bello worked with others in an effort to violate and evade OFAC sanctions imposed pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act and related regulations.  He was charged by indictment, along with El-Aissami and Ramirez, in the Southern District of New York with several transnational crimes.

The reward offer is made under the Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP).  Together with the Narcotics Rewards Program, more than 75 major narcotics traffickers have been brought to justice since these programs began in 1986.  The Department of State has paid more than $130 million in rewards for information leading to those apprehensions.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs manages these rewards programs in close coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and other U.S. agencies.  These actions demonstrate the State Department’s commitment to support law enforcement efforts and a whole of government approach to combatting transnational organized crime.

 For more information on the individuals listed above and the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program,

VISIT LINK HERE

source: state dept

Trump tests positive for covid 19

President Trump announced early Friday October 1, 2020 that both he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19 and will quarantine at the White House, sending shockwaves through the political universe and igniting an outpouring of support for the first family.

source: white house

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Institute of International Finance (IIF) Host Private Investors virtual parley

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Institute of International Finance (IIF) released the following statement after a virtual meeting of delegates representing African finance and development ministries, and the private creditor community to discuss the role of the private sector in supporting low-income countries through the COVID-19 crisis, and driving post-pandemic development.

“We all agree that access to private capital is essential to economic growth and development, the post-COVID-19 recovery, as well as raising living standards and creating greater prosperity across Africa. Given the importance of private capital, and its growing role in Africa over the last decade, it is crucial that countries with market access and the appropriate macroeconomic framework continue to have the opportunity to this access as a complement to concessional financing. A number of these countries have pursued policies to increase investor confidence, attract investment, obtain greater market access, and lower their cost of capital – these efforts must be encouraged. Similarly, new initiatives to help further lower the cost of capital must be encouraged and implemented swiftly - such as the creation of repo markets for frontier issuances as part of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility. Where additional liquidity can be provided it must be the priority.”

 Regarding the upcoming discussions about the G20’s Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Annual Meetings, the group noted that extending the bilateral DSSI through 2021 would allow much-needed debt relief. All creditor countries are encouraged to participate fully in an extended DSSI.

Representing the private sector, the IIF has helped coordinate the views of over 100 of the world’s foremost asset managers, banks, and other financial institutions providing private finance to nations and companies through Eurobonds, syndicated loans, trade finance and other credit structures across the continent of Africa. These investors bring significant expertise and experience in Africa and other emerging markets and represent total assets under management in excess of $45 trillion.

 

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)