darnelltv

darnelltv, 18 days ago to worldwithoutus

On Instagram, NWE broke the news that the nation of Benin 🇧🇯 was offering citizenship to Afro Descendants whose ancestors were stolen away from Africa centuries ago.

Benin is set to adopt groundbreaking legislation granting nationality to Afro-descendants, aimed at strengthening ties with those whose ancestors were deported from Africa during the transatlantic slave trade. The bill, approved by Patrice Talon’s government on May 8, 2024, establishes specific criteria for defining Afro-descendance, requiring proof of Sub-Saharan ancestry through official documents, authenticated testimonies, or DNA tests.

This initiative follows the elimination of entry visas for African nationals and continues Benin’s efforts to promote a Pan-African identity, aligning with the African Union’s recognition of the Diaspora as the continent’s sixth region. The law, which excludes political rights and access to public service positions, still requires approval from the National Assembly. (NWE on Instagram, discovered via Odunife History, emphasis mine)

The two paragraphs contradicted each other, as granting nationality, albeit in the absence of political rights, is equivalent to permanent residency, which Ghana 🇬🇭 offers to Afro descendants.

Upon further research, the offer appears semi-legit, although there are several caveats for African Diaspora seeking citizenship from the African nation.

The KOACI, RFI, & the General Secretariat of the Government of Benin state that the proposed law offers Beninese citizenship by recognition to individuals who can prove their sub-Saharan African ancestry and whose ancestors were victims of forced removal from the continent during the transatlantic slave trade. […]

The bill states that “proof of Afro-descendants is provided by the applicant by means of any civil status or official documentation, all testimonies established by authentic deed, a DNA test carried out by an approved structure in Benin or by any other technical or scientific means.”

However, it is essential to note that this recognition of nationality does not grant political rights, such as the right to vote or access to civil service positions.

Successful applicants will receive a three-year Benin passport, but to obtain a naturalization certificate, they must “stay in the country a few days” before their passport expires. (Investment Migration Insider)

Note: Investment Migration Insider tracks citizenship requirements for every nation on Earth, & provides greater detail via their premium service.

Benin 🇧🇯 appears to be mimicking what Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 currently offers, with the only difference being that the latter offers full citizenship (including voting rights) but only for Afro-descendants who can prove genetic ties to tribes living within the democratic republic.

While Benin’s limited citizenship proposal is better than nothing, they should consider offering full citizenship if they want to attract investments from Afro-descendants in the Diaspora.

https://darnell.africa/2024/05/25/benin-citizenship-african-diaspora/

#africa #africanDiaspora #benin #citizenship

darnelltv, 1 month ago to worldwithoutus

I understand the need to fund cybersecurity efforts to thwart criminals. However, this latest levy conveniently exempts the affluent by focusing on select transactions.

Following the enactment of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (amendment) Act 2024 and pursuant to the provision of Section 44 (2)(a) of the Act, “a levy of 0.5% (0.005) equivalent to a half percent of all electronic transactions value by the business specified in the Second Schedule of the Act”, is to be remitted to the National Cybersecurity Fund (NCF), which shall be administered by the Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA). […]

The levy shall be applied at the point of electronic transfer origination, then deducted and remitted by the financial institution.

The deducted amount shall be reflected in the customer’s account with the narration: “Cybersecurity Levy”. (Central Bank of Nigeria 🇳🇬, PDF here)

The Premium Times provides reactions from Nigerians 🇳🇬, which is unfavorable as no one wants an increase in expenses during this age of inflation we are living in.

Although I do not desire to pay extra fees when conducting transactions, I understand the levy’s necessity, even if I do not appreciate the expense.

While it is understandable that there would be exemptions to the new Levy (for charities, payroll, school, transactions within the bank, government, etcetera), one exemption did capture my attention.

SCHEDULE OF EXEMPTIONS FROM CYBERSECURITY LEVY […]

12. Savings and deposits including transactions involving long-term investments such as Treasury Bills, Bonds and Commercial Papers. (Central Bank of Nigeria 🇳🇬)

Usually, the affluent invest long-term in bonds & treasury bills, so its appearance here as an exception is suspicious. Like any other nation, Nigeria 🇳🇬 needs investors, but they should not cater to their interests while asking the public to increase their burden.

Nigerians 🇳🇬 are threatening lawsuits against the Cybersecurity Levy. However, I doubt the government will suspend a new source of revenue when nations seek extra cash to maintain the upkeep of their respective countries.

https://darnell.africa/2024/05/07/cybersecurity-levy-nigeria/

#africa #cybersecurity #government #nigeria #taxes

darnelltv, 2 months ago to worldwithoutus

From Wall Street Journal: Ukrainian 🇺🇦 special forces are using drones & night vision technology to fight a Sudanese 🇸🇩 rebel group called the Rapid Support Forces, who are backed by Russia’s 🇷🇺 Wagner mercenary group. It is odd to read about Ukraine 🇺🇦 & Russia 🇷🇺 engaged in a proxy war thousands of miles away while, at the same time, they are fighting a hot war within each other’s respective territories.

Ukraine 🇺🇦 is having some success in Sudan 🇸🇩, as their special forces were able to capture Wagner mercenaries in the African nation.

Kyiv Post sources in Ukraine’s special services provided an exclusive video that shows elements of Ukrainian special forces interrogating captured Wagner mercenaries in the Republic of Sudan.

In one part of the video special forces operators from the combat group Timur, part of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR), are seen examining military vehicles, one truck shows signs of intense weapon strikes through the windshield and the body of a soldier, sporting the Wagner PMC badge, in the passenger seat.

Kyiv Post (discovered via The Guardian & Wall Street Journal)

Content Warning: Video contains blurred out footage of dead bodies. Viewer discretion is advised.It is unclear if Ukraine 🇺🇦 will be victorious in thwarting Russia 🇷🇺 in Sudan 🇸🇩, but if Kyiv wins the war in Asia & Africa, they will gain respect as an international power.

https://darnell.africa/2024/03/30/ukraine-russia-sudan/

#africa #russia #sudan #Ukraine #war