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MAPUTO – Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday that Tokyo would help Mozambique counter Islamist insurgents in the restive north.

Mozambique’s gas-rich northernmost province, Cabo Delgado, is struggling with an insurgency waged by militants linked to the Islamic State group.

“Japan will financially support the fight against terrorism,” Kishida told a press conference in the capital, Maputo, the final leg of an African tour.

“Security is crucial for the operation of Japanese companies in northern Mozambique.”

Mozambique has set high hopes on vast natural gas deposits – the largest found south of the Sahara – that were discovered in the Muslim-majority northern province in 2010.

If all the deposits are tapped, Mozambique could become one of the world’s 10 biggest gas exporters, according to estimates.

But the five-year insurgency, which has killed more than 4, 600 people, has cast doubt over the scheme.

Japanese conglomerate Mitsui holds a 20 percent stake in a $20 billion gas project led by French energy giant TotalEnergies that has been on hold since 2021 following a jihadist attack on the nearby coastal town of Palma.

Last week, Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi said conditions were right for work to resume, but TotalEnergies is yet to commit to restart the project.

Mozambique Foreign Minister Veronica Macamo has announced that Japan would supply the country with air navigation equipment worth around $22.5 million and a surveillance vessel valued at $830, 000.

Japan is the world’s biggest importer of Liquified Natural Gas – a title it normally contends with China.

Kishida said Tokyo intends to deepen relations with Maputo “especially in the energy sector.”

He also visited Ghana, Egypt and Kenya.

 – AFP.

By GIDEON NYENDWA 

THE National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Zambia National Commercial Bank (Zanaco) Bank and ABSA Bank to increase the processing capabilities of the NAPSA partial withdrawal payment.

By MUKWIMA CHILALA

EMERITUS Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu says he has not seen any positive change or anything good the UPND has achieved despite the praise singers continued chorusing about the achievements of the new dawn administration.

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

NAPSA Stars quest to finish second and qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup faces another tough test today when they visit Kitwe for a date with Nkana in a Week-32 fixture.

While Nkana will be aiming to recover from the Kitwe derby defeat to Power Dynamos last weekend, Napsa Stars will be seeking to consolidate their stay on second position on the Super League table.

The Pensioners have enjoyed a good run in the last five games where they have collected four wins and one draw and victory at Nkana Stadium may inspire a top two finish with two games remaining in the Super League.

However, Nkana who are 10th on the Super League table with 42 points will fight for maximum points to avoid dropping into the relegation zone.

After two consecutive defeats to Green Eagles and rivals Power Dynamos, the Kitwe giants are not safe and any setback in the remaining three games may be detrimental to their survival.

Meanwhile, champions-elect Power will only need a draw to be confirmed as winners of the Super League with two games to spare.

After their sweet victory over Nkana last weekend, Power will aim to maintain their perfect run with another victory which will guarantee their championship status.

With the last meeting having ended in a goalless draw, Power coach Mwenya Chipepo will aim to take advantage of Forest Rangers’ inconsistency in the absence of head coach Ian Bakala who is in Algeria with the Under-17 national team taking past in the U-17 AFCON.

In other Super League games scheduled for this weekend, Nchanga Rangers will date Zesco United at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola while Sensational ZANACO have a date with relegated Buildcon at Sunset, Lusaka.

Defending champions Red Arrows who are chasing a top two finish will also fight to overcome Lumwana Radiants at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka while Prison Léopards will welcome Green Eagles at President Stadium in Kabwe.

Relegation bound Chambishi FC will face Kansanshi Dynamos while tomorrow’s Super League action will see Green Buffaloes seeking redemption from last weekend’s defeat when they host Kabwe Warriors in an early kick off at Edwin Imboela Stadium.

In the second fixture of the double header at Imboela Stadium, Nkwazi will date Muza who must win the remaining fixtures to stop Power’s dreams of winning the league.

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

INVEST Africa is set host a Zambia Investor Forum with President Hakainde Hichilema on May 10, 2023 in London to highlight the country’s priorities and areas of opportunity for investment.

The ninth annual Africa debate forum, Invest Africa will host a Zambia Investor Forum with Pres-ident Hichilema, and his ministerial delegation.

This follows a successful Invest Africa Trade Mission to the country earlier this year, according to a statement issues yesterday in London.

“The half-day forum will provide an opportunity for President Hichilema to reinforce the message that Zambia is “open for business” and highlight the country’s priorities and areas of opportunity for investment.

“This will be followed by presentations from key Ministries including Commerce, Trade and Industry; Energy; Finance and Mines and Minerals Development,” the statement read.

The ninth annual Africa Debate will convene on May 14, 2023 in London, under the theme of Catalysing the Continent’s Trade Potential.

The Africa Debate is London’s leading Africa focused business forum.

The 2023 forum will focus on the continent’s trade profile in the wake of Covid-19 and a multitude of global economic shocks, with speakers discussing and debating the future for African trade.

Headline speakers included President Hichilema, Samaila Zubairu, President & Chief executive officer, Africa Finance Corporation, Andrew Mitchell, United Kingdom Minister for Africa, among others.

Karen Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Africa said the Africa Debate 2023 would bring to-gether key stakeholders driving Africa’s trade growth.

Ms Taylor said these included Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat Wamkele Mene to provide an update on the progress of the Agreement following the recent Forum in Cape Town in March.

By MICHAEL MIYOBA 

ZAMBIA Under-17 national soccer team’s quest to break the jinx of failing to go past the group stage at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations faces its final test today when the side take on Morocco in their final group B fixture at Stade du 19-mai-1956 in Annaba, Algeria.

After two consecutive defeats to Nigeria and South Africa, the Ian Bakala-tutored Junior Chipolopolo who are technically out of the competition will seek redemption and beat Morocco to have a chance of progressing past the group stage as one of the best losers.

Zambia is bottom in Group B which is dominated my Morocco who are unbeaten with six points while, Nigeria and South Africa are second and third respectively with three points each.

Today’s fixture presents another tough test for Bakala who did not expect to lose the COSAFA derby against South Africa on Wednesday night.

“It was a very tactical game against South Africa but not all hope is lost as we have the last game against Morocco to redeem ourselves. We shall have to fight. I think we got a big chance to progress,” Bakala said after the loss to South Africa.

Bakala is aware of the fact that Morocco is a do or die fixture for the Junior Chipolopolo boys who are seeking to write their own history. 

“I know the game against Morocco won’t be easy but I don’t think they will play like they have done in the previous two games. They will obviously underrate us. We shall be going into that game knowing very well that it’s our last hope. It’s a do-or-die game that we shall need to give our best in order to redeem our chances,” said the head U-17 gaffer who doubles as Forest Rangers coach.

After impressing with a brace in the 3-2 defeat to South Africa on Wednesday, striker Emmanuel Mwanza will be expected to put up another brilliant performance to rescue the Junior Chipolopolo from suffering an early exit at the tournament.

Bakala will also look to striker Marcel Zimba and Jonathan Kalimina who were unfortunate not to register their names on the score sheet after performing well in the last two fixtures.

To progress to the knock out stage, Zambia will have to beat Morocco in the final group game and pray that the other group fixture involving South Africa and Nigeria does not end in a draw if they are to progress as one of the best losers.

If Congo gets anything less than a win against Algeria and Senegal beat or draw with Somalia,  Zambia will be safe to progress with a win over Morocco.

THE conduct and behaviour of the Zambia Police at former President Edgar Lungu’s residence where they attempted to bring down the gate to the premises to conduct a search has the ability to cause civil unrest and negatively impact the peace that has characterised Zambia’s democracy, Chapter One Foundation has cautioned. 

Lusaka Magistrate Idah Phiri has discharged Patriotic Front (PF) chairperson for information and publicity, Raphael Nakacinda in a case he was accused of defaming President Hakainde Hichilema.

Meanwhile, Nakacinda has pleaded not guilty to expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt for persons because of tribe, place of origin or color contrary to Section 70 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

In this matter, Nakacinda aged 44 of farm number 1794, of Kafue is charged with two counts of defaming President Hichilema contrary to section 69 of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia and expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt for persons because of tribe, place of origin or color contrary to Section 70 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

However, when the matter came up yesterday for commencement of plea, state prosecutor Michael Nyundwe made an application before the court to discontinue count one pursuant to Section 88(a)of the Criminal Procedure Code and maintain count two. 

“The accused person is facing two counts in this matter. I am applying to the court to discontinue count one where he is charged with defamation of the President and maintain count two,” Mr Nyundwe submitted.

And the court ruled that Nakacinda was set free in count one where he is charged with defamation of the President and was now facing one count of expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt for persons because of tribe, place of origin or color contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Magistrate Phiri further ruled that the accused person is discharged according to count one and was free of the charge. 

“The court has withdrawn count one of defamation of the President pursuant to section 88(a) of the CPC,” she ruled.

Nakacinda took plea in count two and denied the charge.

It is alleged in count two that Nakacinda uttered words in local language translated as “you know what you did you Zambians is very bad, you went to pick the worst and complete ignorant of a Tonga from Bwengwa and then went to dump in state House, expressing or showing hatred, ridicule or contempt against a group of persons namely the Tonga Speaking People of Bwengwa area of the Southern Province of the Republic of Zambia, because of their place of origin and tribe.

The court has since set May 16, 2023 for commencement of trial.

More than three years after the coronavirus began ravaging the planet, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Friday that the pandemic is no longer a public emergency.

Twelve people with persistent neurological symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection were intensely studied at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and were found to have differences in their immune cell profiles and autonomic dysfunction. These data inform future studies to help explain persistent neurological symptoms in Long COVID. The findings, published in Neurology: Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation, may lead to better diagnoses and new treatments.