Category: Politics

Twenty cyclists riding for the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC) initiative on Tuesday entered Namibia from Botswana through the Trans-Kalahari-Mamuno Border Post in a challenge that started earlier this month in Rustenburg, South Africa. The cycling event was initiated to raise awareness of the TKC regionally and internationally, with the objective of securing the three member states' commitment to economic progress through spatial development initiatives along the corridor. The initiative also aims to promote road safety on the corridor, reduce delays along the route, address security concerns, and commemorate the 20th anniversary of the TKC, among others. The Namibian Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa receiving the cyclists from his Botswana counterpart, Eric Molale, highlighted the importance of connection between countries and how the initiative will improve the economy of the three member states. 'I want to highlight how transport infrastructure are vital for development, thus, it is clear t hat since independence of our country, Namibia has improved drastically on road infrastructure, that has given birth to initiatives of this magnitude between our countries with the aim of also expanding this initiative to other countries in Africa,' Mutorwa indicated. Mutorwa urged those along the route of the cyclists in the country to give them good hospitality and welcome them in their towns and villages. Handing over the cyclists to Mutorwa, Molale, the Botswana Minister of Transport and Public Works touched more on the relationship between the three member states, and assured his Namibian counterpart that his country is committed to the initiative, and wished the cyclists well as they continue with their journey through Namibia. 'I am here to hand over the cyclists that I have been taking care of for the last seven days, who are carrying along the pledge of the TKC that entails that we must be a united people, we must be allowed to move freely across our region, we must harmonise our processes and pro tocols that facilitate free movement, and we must invest along the corridor,' Molale highlighted. The cyclists are expected to reach their final destination Walvis Bay later this month and the Namibian route will feature seven public engagements with various stakeholders. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Tunis: The decision to close the investigation issued by the investigating judge at the judicial counter-terrorism division in the 'conspiracy against State security' case on April 12, 2024 expressly states that the media are strictly forbidden to report on the twists of the case until it has been referred to the competent court. This clarification was made by Hanene Gueddes, spokeswoman for the judicial counter-terrorism division in a statement to TAP. Moreover, the spokeswoman warned that any media coverage of the details of this case would necessarily result in criminal proceedings being brought against the offenders, in accordance with the laws in force. The Public Prosecutor's Office added that this decision was taken following the violations observed in the media coverage of the case, which was referred to the Indictments Division of the Tunis Court of Appeal, by virtue of the decision to close the investigation handed down by the examining magistrate of the Judicial Counter-Terrorism Division on Apr il 12. In a statement to TAP on April 16, the spokeswoman said that the investigating judge in charge of the case of 'conspiracy against State security' had completed his work and issued a decision to that effect on April 12, 2024, in full compliance with the procedures and deadlines laid down by law. The spokeswoman added that the investigating judge specified in his decision that the precautionary measures decreed in the context of this case would remain in force, including in particular a ban on media coverage of the case until the competent court had ruled on the merits of the case. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Tunis: The 25th meeting of the Tunisian-Italian Joint Military Commission, which began on Monday in Tunis, ended on Tuesday. Defence Minister Imed Memmich and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto co-chaired the closing session. In a speech delivered on the occasion, Minister Memmich praised the "positive atmosphere" in which the work of the Commission took place, highlighting Italy's support in the military and development fields, according to a statement from the Ministry. The Minister highlighted the positive results of the military activities carried out in 2023. He underlined the mutual interest of both sides in ensuring the success of the jointly planned activities for 2024 aimed at improving the operational capabilities of the military institutions of both countries. Memmich stressed that the annual convening of the Tunisian-Italian Joint Military Commission demonstrates the willingness of both countries to raise bilateral cooperation to the desired level. For his part, the Italian Minister of De fence expressed his satisfaction with the success of this session of the Military Commission and the constructive nature of the debate between the two delegations. This, he said, would open up new prospects for further cooperation in various fields, including training, military health and the exchange of experts. The Tunisian-Italian Joint Military Commission is held annually, in rotation between the two countries, with the aim of evaluating the activities planned between the two countries and drawing up a roadmap for joint activities planned for the following year. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Tunis: The date for the presidential elections will be set following the publication of the presidential decree summoning voters to the presidential elections, in accordance with the provisions of Article 101 (new) of the electoral law, said the Council of the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE). In a press release published on Tuesday, the Electoral Authority specifies that article 101 (new) of the electoral law provides that "the convocation of voters takes place under a presidential decree within a minimum period of three months before the polling day for the legislative, regional, municipal and presidential elections, and within a minimum period of two months for the referendum. The members of the council of the Electoral Authority, who met on Tuesday at the headquarters of the ISIE, ahead for the next electoral events, also examined the project amending the decision of the Independent Higher Authority for the elections n°2014-18 of August 4, 2014, relating to the rules and procedures for ca ndidacy for the presidential elections, already amended under ISIE decision n°18-2019. Participants in the meeting discussed ways to harmonize it with certain articles of the constitution and the electoral law and with article 30 of the penal code. The members of the council examined the means of adapting decision n°18 of the ISIE to some articles of the constitution including Article 88 (relating to the religion of the candidate), Article 89 (relating to nationality, age and civil and political rights), Article 90 (relating to the dates of elections), the same source adds. According to the ISIE, Members of the council also discussed the adaptation of the decision in question to the provisions of Articles 40, 41 and 42 of the electoral law and Article 30 of the penal code, relating to ballot No. 3. The meeting was also an opportunity to examine several issues linked in particular to the monitoring of vacancy filling operations within local, regional and district councils and to the body's draft budget for 2025. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Tunis: A Takfiri was arrested by the National Guard in Menzel Temime, Nabeul, the Directorate General of the National Guard said on Tuesday. The Takfiri, sentenced to one year in prison, is wanted by police and judicial authorities. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse