Month: August 2022

Posted on

J.M. Huber Corporation Signs Agreement to Acquire the Biolchim Group From NB Renaissance, Chequers Capital and Management Team

ATLANTA, Aug. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — J.M. Huber Corporation (Huber)—a global, family-owned specialty engineered materials manufacturing company—announced today that it has signed a binding agreement to acquire full control of the Biolchim Group from NB Renaissance, Chequers Capital and the Biolchim Group management team. The Biolchim Group, managed and headed by Galileo Quattro SARL, has its main operating base in Italy and is a leading producer and distributor of a full range of specialty plant nutrition and biostimulants. Closing of the sale, anticipated to occur by the end of 2022, is subject to customary closing conditions including the foreign direct investment approval in Italy.

All the companies in the Biolchim Group—including Biolchim S.p.A, Cifo, Ilsa S.p.A, Matécsa Kft, and West Coast Marine-Bio Processing Corp.—are within the scope of the purchase. The Biolchim Group operates eight production plants globally and its products—biostimulants, trace elements, and water soluble, liquid and foliar fertilizers—are present in over 70 countries worldwide. The Biolchim Group has a rich 50-year history of serving the agricultural industry.

Upon close of the sale, the Biolchim Group will become part of Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), a company within the Huber portfolio of businesses. The Biolchim Group will be a key part of the strategic foundation of the Huber AgroSolutions (HAS) business unit of HEM that currently includes Miller Chemical & Fertilizer (Miller).

Leonardo Valenti, CEO of the Biolchim Group since 2008 and a pioneer in the plant nutrition industry, will remain committed to lead the Biolchim Group through the next phase of growth and the integration, leveraging the synergy potential of the strategic combination of both entities.

Huber AgroSolutions’ vision is to become a leading formulator of sustainable, high-performing agricultural products globally. The acquisition of the Biolchim Group, which has achieved impressive growth due to its broad offering of biostimulant and specialty nutritional products, significantly advances this vision by bringing an innovative and entrepreneurial workforce and culture to HAS. Together the companies share a culture that is deeply committed to plant nutrition and the success of its many customers around the globe.

The complementary sales footprint of both companies will enable expanded customer and product access into key agricultural regions globally. In addition to remaining committed to serve the Biolchim Group’s existing customer base, this also ideally positions HAS to advance the sales of the Biolchim Group’s products through its strong relationships with US-based growers and its complementary distribution network in Latin America and select countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Biolchim Group’s sales channels are ideally suited to advance the sales of various Miller products via its strength in Europe and its global subsidiary network.

“I am excited and energized about this opportunity to combine two successful businesses, Miller and the Biolchim Group,” says David Riley, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Huber AgroSolutions. “I am also thankful to Mr. Valenti for his leadership and support as we transition the Biolchim Group and Miller to the next phase of growth.”

Leonardo Valenti, CEO of the Biolchim Group, says, “The strategic combination of the Biolchim Group and Huber AgroSolutions will be transformative since the companies have complementary commercial and product offerings, as well as industry-leading technologies and research capacities. We are both eager to collaborate, share knowledge and build on each other’s capabilities. The agreement will open up new growth ambitions and will position us as a leading player in specialty nutrition globally. I am excited about the promising future for the company, and I am grateful to NB Renaissance and Chequers Capital for the continuous support received over the past several years through the implementation of the Biolchim Group’s value creation plan and the key strategic decisions.”

“Miller and the Biolchim Group create a powerful combination of brands, people and specialty products that will bring tremendous value to our respective customers globally,” says Dan Krawczyk, President of HEM. “We’re extremely excited to welcome the Biolchim Group’s employees to Huber given the similarities in our cultures, values and goals. Together we will work to shape the future of the organization and build a leading global business in the agriculture industry.”

Gretchen McClain, President and CEO of J.M. Huber Corporation, adds, “This combination furthers our commitment to provide innovative products and solutions to the global agriculture industry. Enabling food security for people around the world supports Huber’s overall sustainability commitment and strategy.”

Huber is being advised on the purchase by Rabobank and Jefferies, and Jones Day is acting as legal counsel to Huber on the transaction.

About J.M. Huber Corporation
J.M. Huber Corporation, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (US), operates a diverse portfolio of companies: CP Kelco, Huber Engineered Materials, Huber Engineered Woods and Huber Resources Corp. With locations around the world, our businesses create products used in a broad range of applications including personal care, food and beverage, agricultural nutrients and adjuvants, building materials, flame retardants and smoke suppressants, as well as sustainable forestry services. Founded in 1883, Huber is one of the largest family-owned companies based in the US. For more information, visit www.huber.com.

About Huber Engineered Materials
Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (US) is focused on engineered specialty chemical and minerals that enhance the performance, appeal and processing of a broad range of products used in industrial, agricultural and consumer applications. HEM’s AgroSolutions strategic business unit also has a portfolio of high value agricultural nutrients and adjuvants that it delivers to customers in the agriculture industry through a global network of distributors. For more information, visit www.hubermaterials.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lea Volpe
Director, Corporate Communications
J.M. Huber Corporation
678.247.7128 phone
lea.volpe@huber.com

Posted on

J.M. Huber Corporation signe un accord pour l’acquisition de Biolchim Group auprès de NB Renaissance, Chequers Capital et de l’équipe de direction

ATLANTA, 08 août 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — J.M. Huber Corporation (Huber), une entreprise familiale mondiale de fabrication de matériaux d’ingénierie spécialisés, a annoncé aujourd’hui la signature d’un accord contraignant visant à acquérir le contrôle total de Biolchim Group auprès de NB Renaissance, Chequers Capital et de l’équipe de direction de Biolchim Group. Biolchim Group, géré et dirigé par Galileo Quattro SARL, possède sa principale base d’exploitation en Italie et est un producteur et distributeur de premier plan d’une gamme complète de biostimulants et de nutrition des plantes spécialisées. La clôture de la vente, prévue pour la fin de l’année 2022, est soumise aux conditions habituelles de clôture, y compris l’approbation des investissements étrangers directs en Italie.

Toutes les sociétés de Biolchim Group, y compris Biolchim S.p.A, Cifo, Ilsa S.p.A, Matécsa Kft et West Coast Marine-Bio Processing Corp., sont concernées par l’achat. Biolchim Group exploite huit usines de production dans le monde et ses produits (biostimulants, éléments de traçabilité et engrais solubles dans l’eau, liquides et foliaires) sont présents dans plus de 70 pays à travers le monde. Biolchim Group est fort d’une riche histoire de 50 ans au service de l’industrie agricole.

À la clôture de la vente, Biolchim Group fera partie de Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), une société du portefeuille d’activités de Huber. Biolchim Group sera un élément clé de la fondation stratégique de l’unité commerciale Huber AgroSolutions (HAS) de HEM qui comprend actuellement Miller Chemical & Fertilizer (Miller).

Leonardo Valenti, PDG de Biolchim Group depuis 2008 et pionnier dans le secteur de la nutrition végétale, restera engagé à diriger Biolchim Group au cours de la prochaine phase de croissance et d’intégration, en tirant parti du potentiel de synergie de la combinaison stratégique des deux entités.

La vision de Huber AgroSolutions est de devenir l’un des principaux formulateurs de produits agricoles durables et performants à l’échelle mondiale. L’acquisition de Biolchim Group, qui a connu une croissance impressionnante grâce à sa large offre de biostimulants et de produits nutritionnels spécialisés, fait progresser considérablement cette vision en apportant à HAS une main-d’œuvre et une culture innovantes et entrepreneuriales. Ensemble, les entreprises partagent une culture profondément engagée dans la nutrition des plantes et dans le succès de ses nombreux clients à travers le monde.

L’empreinte commerciale complémentaire des deux sociétés permettra d’élargir l’accès des clients et des produits dans des régions agricoles clés à l’échelle mondiale. En plus de rester engagée à servir la clientèle existante de Biolchim Group, cela positionne également idéalement HAS pour faire progresser les ventes des produits de Biolchim Group grâce à ses relations solides avec les producteurs américains et son réseau de distribution complémentaire en Amérique latine et dans certains pays d’Europe, du Moyen-Orient et d’Afrique. Les canaux de vente de Biolchim Group sont idéalement adaptés pour faire progresser les ventes de divers produits Miller grâce à sa force en Europe et son réseau de filiales mondial.

« Je suis ravi et stimulé par cette opportunité de combiner deux entreprises prospères, Miller et Biolchim Group », a déclaré David Riley, vice-président principal et directeur général de Huber AgroSolutions. « Je suis également reconnaissant envers M. Valenti pour son leadership et son soutien alors que nous faisons passer Biolchim Group et Miller à leur prochaine phase de croissance. »

Leonardo Valenti, PDG de Biolchim Group, a commenté : « La combinaison stratégique de Biolchim Group et de Huber AgroSolutions sera transformatrice puisque les entreprises disposent d’offres commerciales et de produits complémentaires, ainsi que de technologies et de capacités de recherche de pointe. Nous sommes tous deux impatients de collaborer, de partager nos connaissances et de nous appuyer sur les capacités de chacun. Cet accord ouvrira de nouvelles ambitions de croissance et nous positionnera comme un acteur de premier plan dans le domaine de la nutrition spécialisée à l’échelle mondiale. Je suis enthousiasmé par l’avenir prometteur de l’entreprise et reconnaissant envers NB Renaissance et Chequers Capital pour le soutien continu reçu au cours des dernières années grâce à la mise en œuvre du plan de création de valeur de Biolchim Group et des décisions stratégiques clés. »

« Miller et Biolchim Group créent une combinaison puissante de marques, de personnes et de produits spécialisés qui apporteront une valeur considérable à nos clients respectifs dans le monde entier », a déclaré Dan Krawczyk, président de HEM. « Nous sommes extrêmement ravis d’accueillir les employés de Biolchim Group chez Huber, compte tenu des similitudes dans nos cultures, nos valeurs et nos objectifs. Ensemble, nous travaillerons à façonner l’avenir de l’organisation et à bâtir une entreprise mondiale de premier plan dans l’industrie agricole. »

Gretchen McClain, PDG de J.M. Huber Corporation, a ajouté : « Cette combinaison renforce notre engagement à fournir des produits et des solutions innovants à l’industrie agricole mondiale. Permettre la sécurité alimentaire pour les personnes du monde entier soutient l’engagement et la stratégie de durabilité globale de Huber. »

Huber est conseillée sur l’achat par Rabobank et Jefferies, et Jones Day agit en tant que conseiller juridique pour Huber dans le cadre de la transaction.

À propos de J.M. Huber Corporation
J.M. Huber Corporation, dont le siège social est situé à Atlanta, en Géorgie (États-Unis), exploite un portefeuille diversifié de sociétés : CP Kelco, Huber Engineered Materials, Huber Engineered Woods et Huber Resources Corp. Avec des sites dans le monde entier, nos entreprises créent des produits utilisés dans une large gamme d’applications, notamment les soins personnels, les aliments et les boissons, les nutriments et les adjuvants agricoles, les matériaux de construction, les retardateurs de flamme et les suppresseurs de fumée, ainsi que les services de foresterie durable. Fondée en 1883, Huber est l’une des plus grandes sociétés familiales basées aux États-Unis. Pour tout complément d’information, veuillez vous rendre sur le site www.huber.com.

À propos de Huber Engineered Materials
Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), dont le siège social est situé à Atlanta, en Géorgie (États-Unis), se concentre sur la conception de produits chimiques et minéraux spécialisés qui améliorent la performance, l’attrait et le traitement d’une large gamme de produits utilisés dans des applications industrielles, agricoles et grand public. L’unité commerciale stratégique AgroSolutions d’HEM dispose également d’un portefeuille de nutriments et d’adjuvants agricoles de haute valeur qu’elle fournit aux clients de l’industrie agricole par le biais d’un réseau mondial de distributeurs. Pour tout complément d’information, veuillez vous rendre sur le site www.hubermaterials.com.

Contact auprès des médias :
Lea Volpe
Directrice des communications d’entreprise
J.M. Huber Corporation
tél. 678.247.7128
lea.volpe@huber.com

Posted on

J.M. Huber Corporation Assina Acordo de Aquisição do Biolchim Group da NB Renaissance, Chequers Capital e Equipe de Gestão

ATLANTA, Aug. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A J.M. Huber Corporation (Huber) – empresa global de engenharia de materiais especializados de propriedade de uma família – anunciou hoje que assinou um contrato vinculativo de aquisição do controle total do Biolchim Group da NB Renaissance, da Chequers Capital e da equipe de gestão do Grupo Biolchim. O Biolchim Group, administrado e dirigido pela Galileo Quattro SARL, tem a sua principal base operacional na Itália e é um dos principais produtores e distribuidores de uma gama completa de nutrição e bioestimulantes especializados para plantas. O fechamento da venda, previsto para ocorrer até o final de 2022, está sujeito às condições habituais de fechamento, incluindo a aprovação de investimento direto estrangeiro na Itália.

Todas as empresas do Biolchim Group – incluindo Biolchim S.p.A, Cifo, Ilsa S.p.A, Matécsa Kft e West Coast Marine-Bio Processing Corp. – estão dentro do escopo da compra. O Biolchim Group opera oito plantas de produção em todo o mundo e seus produtos – bioestimulantes, oligoelementos e fertilizantes solúveis em água, líquidos e foliares – estão presentes em mais de 70 países. O Biolchim Group tem um vasto histórico de 50 anos de serviço à indústria agrícola.

Após o fechamento da venda, o Biolchim Group passará a fazer parte da Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), uma empresa do portfólio de empresas da Huber. O Biolchim Group será parte fundamental da fundação estratégica da unidade de negócios Huber AgroSolutions (HAS) da HEM que atualmente inclui a Miller Chemical & Fertilizer (Miller).

Leonardo Valenti, CEO do Biolchim Group desde 2008 e pioneiro na indústria de nutrição vegetal, continuará empenhado em liderar o Biolchim Group na próxima fase de crescimento e integração, aproveitando o potencial de sinergia da combinação estratégica de ambas as entidades.

A Huber AgroSolutions tem o objetivo de se tornar uma formuladora líder global de produtos agrícolas sustentáveis e de alto desempenho. A aquisição do Biolchim Group, que alcançou um crescimento impressionante devido à sua ampla oferta de produtos bioestimulantes e nutricionais especiais, promove significativamente esse objetivo ao trazer uma força de trabalho e cultura inovadoras e empreendedoras para a HAS. Juntas, as empresas compartilham uma cultura profundamente comprometida com a nutrição das plantas e com o sucesso dos seus muitos clientes em todo o mundo.

As estruturas de vendas complementares de ambas as empresas permitirão o acesso expandido do cliente e do produto nas principais regiões agrícolas de todo o mundo. Além de dar continuidade ao atendimento da base de clientes do Biolchim Group, esta união também viabiliza que a HAS aumente as vendas dos produtos do Biolchim Group por meio dos seus fortes relacionamentos com produtores dos EUA e sua rede de distribuição complementar na América Latina e determinados países da Europa, Oriente Médio e África. Os canais de vendas do Biolchim Group são ideais para a promoção das vendas de vários produtos Miller com a sua forte presença na Europa e sua rede de subsidiárias globais.

“Estou muito empolgado com esta oportunidade de unir duas empresas de sucesso, a Miller e o Biolchim Group”, disse David Riley, Vice-Presidente Sênior e Gerente Geral da Huber AgroSolutions. “Também sou grato ao Sr. Valenti por sua liderança e apoio durante a transição do Biolchim Group e da Miller para a próxima fase de crescimento.”

Leonardo Valenti, CEO do Biolchim Group, disse: “A união estratégica do Biolchim Group com a Huber AgroSolutions será transformadora, pois as empresas têm ofertas comerciais e de produtos complementares, bem como tecnologias e capacidades de pesquisa líderes do setor. Estamos prontos para colaborar, compartilhar conhecimentos e desenvolver nossas capacidades mútuas. O acordo abrirá novas portas para o crescimento e nos posicionará como protagonistas globais na área de nutrição especializada. Estou empolgado com o futuro promissor da empresa e agradeço à NB Renaissance e à Chequers Capital pelo apoio contínuo recebido nos últimos anos durante a implementação do plano de criação de valor do Biolchim Group e das principais decisões estratégicas.”

“Juntos, a Miller e o Biolchim Group irão criar potentes marcas, pessoal e produtos especializados que trarão um tremendo valor para nossos clientes em todo o mundo”, disse Dan Krawczyk, Presidente da HEM. “Estamos extremamente entusiasmados em receber os funcionários do Biolchim Group na Huber, dadas as semelhanças das nossas culturas, valores e objetivos. Juntos, trabalharemos para moldar o futuro da organização e criar uma empresa global líder do setor agrícola.”

Gretchen McClain, Presidente e CEO da J.M. Huber Corporation acrescentou: “Esta união irá solidificar ainda mais o nosso compromisso de fornecer produtos e soluções inovadoras para a indústria agrícola global. O compromisso e a estratégia de sustentabilidade geral da Huber estão centrados na segurança alimentar das pessoas em todo o mundo.”

A Rabobank and Jefferies está atuando como consultora da compra, e a Jones Day está atuando como consultora jurídica da Huber para a transação.

Sobre a J.M. Huber Corporation
A J.M. Huber Corporation, com sede em Atlanta, Geórgia (EUA), opera um portfólio diversificado de empresas: CP Kelco, Huber Engineered Materials, Huber Engineered Woods e Huber Resources Corp. Com locais em todo o mundo, nossas empresas criam produtos usados em uma ampla gama de aplicações, incluindo cuidados pessoais, alimentos e bebidas, nutrientes e adjuvantes agrícolas, materiais de construção, retardadores de chama e supressores de fumaça, bem como serviços florestais sustentáveis. Fundada em 1883, a Huber é uma das maiores empresas familiares com sede nos EUA. Para mais informação, visite www.huber.com.

Sobre a Huber Engineered Materials
A Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), com sede em Atlanta, Geórgia (EUA), está focada em produtos químicos e minerais especializados projetados que melhoram o desempenho, o apelo e o processamento de uma ampla gama de produtos utilizados em aplicações industriais, agrícolas e de consumo. A unidade de negócios estratégicos AgroSolutions da HEM também tem um portfólio de nutrientes e adjuvantes agrícolas de alto valor que são fornecidos aos clientes do setor agrícola por meio de uma rede global de distribuidores. Para mais informação, visite www.hubermaterials.com.

CONTATO COM A MÍDIA:
Lea Volpe
Diretora, Comunicação Corporativa
J.M. Huber Corporation
678.247.7128 telefone
lea.volpe@huber.com

Posted on

New Book Explores Child Mortality History and Progress in Eritrea

Note: The following article presents a brief overview of the new book, “Child Mortality in Eritrea: An Overview of History and Progress”,

There is no tragedy in life like the death of a child. Across the world, as a result of a variety of different factors and various developments, today that profound tragedy is far less common than it once was.

Throughout the long expanse of human history, the risk of death for children has been invariably extremely high. In the main, while many researchers have examined children’s deaths in the past, exploring a broad array of settings and going back many centuries, the average across a large number of historical studies suggests that in the past around one-quarter of infants died in their first year of life and around half of all children died before they reached the end of puberty.

However, during the last two centuries – and over the last several decades in particular – there have been tremendous strides made in reducing child deaths worldwide. Simply, today more children than ever before at any point in global history are surviving. According to the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, a leading global authority that produces annual estimates of child and young adolescent mortality, the total number of deaths worldwide of children aged five and under in 2020 was slightly over five million. This represents a dramatic decline from previous decades. Moreover, the global under-five mortality rate, which is defined as the probability of a child born in a specified year dying before reaching the age of five (expressed as a rate per 1,000 live births), has fallen greatly, dropping from an estimated 180 deaths per 1,000 live births in the 1950s to approximately 37 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2020.

This global progress is, by any objective measure or standard, truly remarkable. It has been described as, “one of the most significant achievements in human history”, as well as among, “the most extraordinary victories that humanity has known”.

Yet, huge disparities remain, and improving child survival is still a matter of urgent global concern, especially in wide swathes of the Global South, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Central and Southern Asia. Sadly, children in these regions continue to face the highest risk of death and bear the brunt of the global child mortality burden.

However, an emerging success story from the Global South is that of Eritrea. Despite limited resources, an extremely difficult regional geopolitical context, and an array of daunting challenges, the young, developing African country has achieved remarkable progress in reducing child deaths. In fact, over a relatively short period of time, it has transitioned from having one of the highest under-five mortality rates anywhere in the world to now boasting one of the lowest under-five mortality rates on the continent. What exactly have been the child mortality levels and trends in the country? Furthermore, what accounts for the country’s impressive success over the years?

Unfortunately, despite Eritrea’s progress, and even though child mortality has generally been an extremely popular topic of empirical study worldwide, relatively little is known about the country’s child mortality story. To date, only a limited number of studies have touched upon this topic, even tangentially or in passing, with few conducted in recent years. Likewise, there has been a dearth of coverage devoted to the country’s success and progress in reducing child mortality within mainstream media or by global and regional organizations.

Accordingly, the new book, “Child Mortality in Eritrea: An Overview of History and Progress”, authored by Dr. Fikresus Amahazion, helps to fill the gap. Guided by high-quality research, a wide range of historical and current materials, and an array of the latest, up-to-date data, it traces the history of child mortality in the country and unpacks the multifaceted factors that have helped to drive its success. In brief, rather than being attributable to a single isolated cause, the country’s substantial progress in reducing child mortality has been driven by a mix of factors that cut across several sectors. These include, among others, high-level political will and commitment, steady advancements in women’s education and empowerment, expanded health and general infrastructure, improved access and service delivery, and an array of high-impact, cost-effective lifesaving interventions.

As the first empirical work to focus exclusively on the issue of child mortality in Eritrea, the book adds to the large body of work on child mortality from around the world and contributes to deepening a general understanding of this topic. Notably, the country’s tremendous progress illustrates that improvements and general success are possible – even within low-income, poorly resourced countries and amidst highly challenging circumstances.

What is more, the present book helps to expand the discussion and diversify the canon of referenced literature on Eritrea. There is a longstanding tendency in Western academic contexts, borne of Western hegemony and the legacy of colonialism, to assume that what is said in Euro-American universities is only what has been said or only what matters (Davies 1994). As is all too common in many developing countries, particularly those located in SSA, knowledge, empirical research, and scholarship generated on Eritrea have been limited in scope, restricted to only a small number of topic areas, and largely been dominated and driven by non-Eritreans. Unfortunately, Eritrean writers and researchers generally tend to be underrepresented and marginalized in scholarship and broader conversations about the country, with work conducted by Eritreans given relatively scant attention.

Importantly, this book also identifies some of the central factors driving the country’s progress, providing key insights, facilitating and enriching cross-country learning and the sharing of best practices, and contributing to the cumulative understanding of salient factors in successful child mortality reduction. Of course, while individual countries and their specific contexts or realities are different, greater awareness and deeper understanding of how Eritrea has been able to make substantial headway in reducing child deaths can potentially inform intervention strategies or guide approaches in other countries or contexts and support positive outcomes. Last, as it presents the first study dealing with the topic in Eritrea, this book may serve as a useful foundation for future research, as well as represent an accessible resource for students, scholars, and others who may be interested in learning about child mortality or Eritrea more broadly.

Some general comments about and endorsements for the book

  • “What an author…what a subject. A must-read book on the future of Eritrea!”

–H.E. Arefaine Berhe, Minister of Agriculture, State of Eritrea

  • “This well-written, the fact-filled book offers a glimpse into Eritrea’s child health care system – which places the responsibility for the welfare of the child on the entire community.”

–Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam, Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the

United Nations

  • “An exhaustive and comprehensive analysis of Eritrea’s laudable success in reducing child mortality by Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion – a polymath and product of Awet n’hafash.”

–Ruby Sandhu, FRSA Lawyer, London

  • “Dr. Fikrejesus makes sense of a complex subject. He describes an important aspect of the story of Eritrea using one of the most valuable gauges, children. How a country treats and cares for its children tells us a whole lot about it.”

–Amanuel Biedemariam, entrepreneur, community activist, and author of The

History of the USA in Eritrea (2020)

The book is available for order and purchase directly from the publisher at the link below:

Child Mortality in Eritrea: An Overview of History and Progress

 

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

Posted on

Tour to development sites in NRS

Nationals residing in various countries conducted tour to development and historical sites in the Northern Red Sea Region.

The tour that has been organized by the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students was attended by nationals from North America and African countries.

In the course of the their tour the nationals visited Gahtelay Dam, Plastic and Tin Factory, Northern Red Sea Museum, Massawa Airport and Port, as well as the historical sites of Adulis and Sehaba Mosque and were provided briefings by heads of the projects and experts.

Expressing satisfaction for visiting the development projects and historical sites, the tour participants called for organizing similar programs for nationals coming to their homeland.

According to the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students branch in the region, similar tour program has been organized in July.

 

 

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

Posted on

Ivory Coast President Pardons Predecessor Gbagbo to Boost ‘Social Cohesion’

ABIDJAN — Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara on Saturday said he had offered a presidential pardon to longtime rival Laurent Gbagbo, as part of a reconciliation drive with his predecessors ahead of elections in 2025.

Gbagbo, president from 2000-2011, returned to Ivory Coast last year after being acquitted in 2019 by the Hague on war crimes charges for his role in a civil war sparked by his refusal to concede defeat after the 2010 election.

Back home, he still faced a 20-year prison sentence for a 2019 conviction linked to the robbery of funds from the Abidjan central bank during the post-election period. He has always denied the charges.

“In order to further strengthen social cohesion, I have signed a decree granting a presidential pardon to Laurent Gbagbo,” Ouattara said in a televised speech to the nation ahead of its independence day on Sunday.

He said he had also asked for Gbagbo’s accounts to be unfrozen and for the payment of the arrears of his presidential lifetime annuity.

The decision follows a rare meeting in July between Ouattara, Gbagbo, and former president Henri Konan Bedie.

The trio have dominated Ivory Coast’s fractious political scene since the 1990s. Bedie was president from 1993 until his ouster in a 1999 coup. Gbagbo governed from 2000 until his election defeat to Ouattara in 2010.

Tensions came to a head most dramatically after the 2010 election. Gbagbo refused to concede defeat, leading to a brief civil war that killed about 3,000 people before rebel forces aligned with Ouattara swept into the main city Abidjan.

Ouattara has presided over relative stability during his decade in power. But dozens of people were killed in clashes that broke out around the 2020 election, when he stood for a third term that Gbagbo and Bedie said was unconstitutional.

The president has not yet said whether he plans to run for a fourth term in 2025. He has said he would like to step down but also suggested he would need Gbagbo and Bedie to commit to withdrawing from politics in order to do so.

They have not so far indicated what their plans are.

Source: Voice of America

Posted on

Tiny African Kingdom Offers Skiing as Europe Sweats Summer Heat

BUTHA-BUTHE, LESOTHO — While millions across Europe sweat through a summer of record-breaking heat, they’re skiing in Africa.

Don’t worry. This isn’t another sign of climate change but rather the fascinating anomaly of Lesotho, a tiny mountain kingdom completely surrounded by South Africa. Lesotho has an obscure geographical claim to fame: It’s the only country on Earth where every inch of its territory sits more than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level.

That gives Lesotho snow in the southern hemisphere’s winters. And while cold winters aren’t rare in southern Africa, snow is and ski resorts are even rarer. At an altitude of 3,000 meters (9,842 feet), Afriski in Lesotho’s Maluti Mountains is Africa’s only operating ski resort south of the equator.

“I’ve never seen snow in my life,” said Kafi Mojapelo, who traveled the short distance from South Africa for a skiing vacation she never thought she’d take. “So, this is a great experience.”

Bafana Nadida, who comes from the sprawling urban township of Soweto in Johannesburg, was delighted with putting ski boots on for the first time. He planned a day of ski lessons, taking pictures and just playing about in the snow.

Skiers and snowboarders lined up to rent the proper gear. Some were given pointers by Hope Ramokotjo, who is from Lesotho and has worked as a self-taught ski and snowboard instructor for 12 years. His wide smile and deep, reassuring voice puts beginners at ease.

“Push your heels out. Don’t pull your shoulders,” Ramokotjo called out to his class of keen yet inexperienced African skiers as they wobbled along on the snow. “Here you go! Nice!”

Afriski’s Kapoko Snow Park is the only freestyle snow park on the continent. Competitors lined up last month for the annual Winter Whip Slopestyle snowboard and ski competition. Sekholo Ramonotsi, a 13-year-old from the Lesotho city of Butha-Buthe who practices regularly at Afriski, won the junior snowboard and ski divisions.

“I would really like to ski in Europe,” he said.

London-born Meka Lebohang Ejindu said he has taught skiing and snowboarding in Austria for more than a decade, and this is his first season in the southern hemisphere. He has family roots in Lesotho.

“For a competition like this to happen in southern Africa is so heartwarming,” he said.

Afriski may not be at the level of Europe’s vast Alpine resorts, but a love of winter sports is catching.

At Afriski’s Sky Restaurant and Gondola Cafe, happy hour starts at 10 a.m. and skiers and boarders show off their winter fashions and party to house music, beers in hand. Some claim the bar is the highest in Africa, although that’s challenged by the Sani Mountain Lodge, 130 kilometers (80 miles) to the east on the Lesotho-South Africa border.

What no one can dispute is this crowd went skiing in Africa.

Source: Voice of America