US military commander for Africa visits Algeria by AFP Staff Writers Algiers (AFP) Sept 27, 2021 The head of the US military command for Africa visited Algeria on Monday, meeting President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and praising US ties with the North African country. "The US appreciates the important role Algeria plays in promoting peace, security and prosperity in the region and beyond, and we hope to continue building on our strong bilateral relationship," Africom commander General Stephen Townsend said in a video tweeted by the US embassy. In meetings also attended by Algerian army chief Said Chanegriha, Townsend discussed "security in the Sahel region and ways of expanding the capacities of countries in the region, notably in terms of the fight against terrorism," said Algerian state media outlet APS. Townsend visited Algeria in September 2020, but the latest tour was his first since Morocco became the fourth Arab state to normalise relations with Israel in December last year, to the ire of Rabat's regional rival Algiers. The US-backed deal also saw Washington recognise Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara, which Morocco considers its sovereign territory but where Algeria has backed the Polisario independence movement. Algeria, wary of instability on its borders, has been seeking a more active diplomatic role in the Sahel, pitching itself as a mediator in crises in neighbouring Libya and Mali. Townsend's visit also comes as Russian paramilitaries, private-security instructors and companies grow in influence in the conflict-torn Sahel region. Mali said on Saturday it would hire private Russian security firms, after reports the army-dominated government in Bamako was close to hiring 1,000 Wagner paramilitaries. The Wagner group, close to the Kremlin, is already active in Libya.
What's behind Africa's increasing drive to launch satellites Moscow (Sputnik) Sep 24, 2021 Twenty-two years after putting the first African satellite into orbit, the continent's satellite fleet currently stands at 44. With Africa's most recent satellite launch taking place in June 2021, the next few years may see more launches on the continent. The consultancy Space in Africa recently reported that 44 satellites have been sent into orbit by 13 African countries since the launch of the continent's first satellite in 1999. At the time, South Africa had launched its SunSat-1 satellite into ... read more
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |