LATEST AFRICAN NEWS
LATEST AFRICAN NEWS
Russian diplomatic chief to visit Algeria
FILE - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shakes hands with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, is visiting Algeria on Tuesday, a key ally of Moscow and a gas exporter increasingly sought after by Europe seeking to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.
Lavrov who arrived in Algiers on Monday evening is due to hold talks with his Algerian counterpart, Ramtane Lamamra, and be received by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, according to media reports.
The visit, Lavrov's first to Algeria since January 2019, coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Algeria.
On 18 April, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Mr Tebboune to discuss "coordination within the Opec", as well as the situation in Ukraine, according to the official Russian agency TASS.
Algeria, a leading gas exporter, supplies about 11% of the gas consumed in Europe, compared to 47% by Russia.
What's really the game plan? While the world is grumbling Russia seems to be making new friends and stepping up their game. We have seen them kicked out France in Mali, the Central African Republic and interest in the oil rich gulf of Guinea as they go closer to La République du Cameroun.
Meanwhile in West African Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan will not seek the ruling party ticket to contest presidential elections next year, his spokesman said.
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan will not seek the ruling party ticket to contest presidential elections next year, his spokesman said.
This follows months of speculation that he was planning to return to national politics.
According to reports, a group of supporters from northern Nigeria bought nomination forms for Jonathan to take part in the ruling All Progressives Congress party (APC) primary elections scheduled for the end of the month,
In a statement on Monday cited by Reuters, Jonathan's spokesman Ikechukwu Eze said the former president did not authorise the purchase of the nomination forms, a requirement for candidates to take part in primary elections.
"While we appreciate the overwhelming request…we wish to state that he has not in any way, committed himself to this request," Eze said.
"We wish to categorically state that Dr Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorise it."
With President Muhammadu Buhari due to step down next year after serving two full terms, the race to succeed him is wide open.
So far, over 20 ruling party candidates have registered to contest the primary vote.
Registration is expected to end on Tuesday and a party committee will screen the candidates, who include vice president Yemi Osinbajo, former Lagos state governor and party heavyweight Bola Tinubu, minister of petroleum Timipre Sylva and several government ministers and state governors.
Gab Ellison Reporting for UNDAUNTED- ABC AMBA NEWS
