U.S., Canada and Africa

[SAnews.gov.za] President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former Deputy Finance Minister, Mcebisi Jonas, as his Special Envoy to the United States.

[Shabelle] Washington -- US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the US would not let "terrorists" hide among the people of Somalia.

[Premium Times] The continuation of tariff battles could affect crude oil price, Nigeria's primary export and a major source of government revenue.

[Premium Times] A US court earlier ordered the American Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI), and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to release information on investigation involving Mr Tinubu.

[Premium Times] The US State Department rep conveyed Mr Trump's strong interest in deepening direct engagement with Nigeria as a cornerstone of US relations with Africa.

[Ethiopian Herald] Ethiopia and the U.S. are keen to solidify collaboration and unlock new opportunities for growth, trade, and investment, the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (Addis Chamber) said.

[This Day] Abuja -- President Bola Tinubu has met in Paris, France with the Senior Advisor for Africa from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, Mr Massad Boulos, to discuss deepening strategic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States of America.

[Shabelle] Cuba has once again pointed a finger at the US over the prolonged delays in clarifying the fate of two doctors kidnapped in Madera in 2019 and suspected to have been in an area bombed by the US African Command (AFRICOM) last year.

[This Day] China's Commerce Minister, Wang Wentao, has told the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that the United States tariffs will inflict serious harm on the developing countries.

[IPS] United Nations -- As the Trump administration's hostility towards the United Nations and other international organizations keeps growing, a New York Times columnist last week proposed what he frivolously described as "something a little incendiary".

[Daily Trust] The ongoing trade war between the United States and China is poised to have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria, Prof. Ken Ife, a distinguished economist and global trade analyst, has warned.

[UN News] As governments and global markets struggle to deal with the deep concerns and disruptions caused by trade tariffs, Rebeca Grynspan, the head of the UN trade and development agency (UNCTAD), told UN News on Thursday that the poorest countries - whose activities have a negligible effect on trade deficits - should be exempt.

[ENA] Addis Abab -- African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Mahmoud Youssouf Ali lauded Canada's continued support for Africa's permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

[allAfrica] Campaigners Urge Gambia Not To Lose Hope In Seeking Justice For Past Crimes

[Premium Times] Mr Trump also increased tariffs imposed on China from 104 to 125 per cent.

[Afropop] In 1999, the Princeton in Asia fellowship program was celebrating its 100th anniversary, and a Princeton University alumnus wondered aloud: Why is there no Princeton in Africa? And just like that a new entity was born. On April 23 in New York, Princeton in Africa will celebrate 25 years of connecting skilled and experienced individuals around the world with mission-driven organizations in Africa.

[FrontPageAfrica] Monrovia -- A U.S. delegation led by Joshua Carter, head of the Carter Center, visited Liberia to celebrate the country's progress in mental health services and discuss ongoing challenges.

[MAP] Paris -- By reaffirming its support for Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara, in line with the stance conveyed by President Donald Trump to HM King Mohammed VI, the United States is reiterating a geopolitical choice that underscores a steady commitment, on a strong axis, towards a major international player, French political scientist Christophe Boutin told MAP.

[Egypt Online] Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdel Atty discussed over the phone with US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff efforts made by Egypt, Qatar and the US to maintain the ceasefire deal in Gaza, press ahead with implementing the agreement's second phase as well as restoring calm and reducing escalation.

[GroundUp] MatCH employees fight for salaries

[RFI] Three American citizens jailed in the Democratic Republic of Congo over a failed coup attempt have been transferred to US custody following high-level talks between the two countries on security and mining deals.

[The Conversation Africa] The South African government has underscored the urgent need to diversify the country's agricultural exports in the wake of the US decision to increase tariffs on its trading partners.

[Premium Times] "These policies create significant trade barriers that lead to lost revenue for US businesses looking to expand in the Nigerian market"

[People's Dispatch] Reports indicate that the Trump administration is finding any justification to revoke student visas, including speeding tickets

[State Department] Washington, DC -- The following is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

[The Herald] Deep in the rolling hills of Nyanga in Manicaland Province, near the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border, smallholder farmers at the Nyakomba Irrigation Scheme have discovered a winning formula.

[Liberian Observer] The United States Embassy in Monrovia has issued a strong warning to Liberians contemplating illegal entry or remaining unlawfully in the United States, cautioning that such actions could result in jail time, deportation, and permanent visa bans.

[New Zimbabwe] FORMER Finance Minister Tendai Biti has criticized President Emmerson Mnangagwa's decision to unilaterally scrap tariffs on U.S. imports, calling the move selfish, suicidal and a huge betrayal of regional solidarity.

[Premium Times] The U.S. tariff adjustment comes amid growing trade tensions and a review of developing countries' access to preferential treatment under American trade law.

[Independent (Kampala)] Experts advise on how country can build sustainable systems