June 15, 2022 – Page 4 – Somalia News Gazette

June 15, 2022

‫ “منتدى المواطن العالمي” يعود إلى إمارة رأس الخيمة في نوفمبر المقبل ليجمع أبرز صناع التغيير حول العالم

القمة السنوية لمنتدى المواطن العالمي تنعقد في إمارة رأس الخيمة على مدار السنوات الثلاث المقبلة بدءاً في نوفمبر 2022 لاستشراف المستقبل المستدام

رأس الخيمة، 15 يونيو 2022 / PRNewswire / — تحت رعاية صاحب السمو الشيخ سعود بن صقر القاسمي، عضو المجلس الأعلى حاكم رأس الخيمة، وبالشراكة مع هيئة رأس الخيمة لتنمية السياحة، تعود القمة السنوية منتدى المواطن العالمي للانعقاد في إمارة رأس الخيمة لثلاث سنوات متتالية بدءاً في نوفمبر 2022، حاملة معها برنامجاً استثنائياً آخر يهدف إلى معالجة أكثر تحديات العالم إلحاحاً وإلقاء الضوء على الفرص السانحة لتصميم حلول عالمية لتلك التحديات.

وشهدت نسخة العام الماضي من المنتدى مشاركة أكثر من 400 ضيف شرف من 38 دولة، بمن فيهم إيفا لونجوريا، الممثلة والناشطة في العمل الخيري ورائدة الأعمال والحائزة على جائزة منتدى المواطن العالمي؛ وفخامة إيفان دوكي ماركيز، رئيس جمهورية كولومبيا؛ وجويل تايلور، نائبة رئيس ليبيريا؛ وماتيو رينزي، رئيس وزراء إيطاليا السابق؛ ونيكول شيرزينغر؛ المغنية والممثلة والمرشحة السابقة لجوائز غرامي؛ والـ “دي جي” العالمي والمنتج أفروجاك؛ وكريستوفر فوس، كاتب ومفاوض رهائن سابق في مكتب التحقيقات الفيدرالي الأميركي.

وعلى الرغم من عادة استضافة القمة السنوية في مدن مختلفة حول العالم، جاء قرار الاستمرار بتنظيمها في الإمارة في ضوء التزام طموح بدعم البصمة الإيجابية الملموسة التي تضعها الإمارة على مستوى العالم، تزامناً مع تركيزها على إثراء تنوع مجتمعها.

وفي هذا السياق، قال راكي فيليبس، الرئيس التنفيذي لهيئة رأس الخيمة لتنمية السياحة : “ تمثل استضافة القمة السنوية لمنتدى المواطن العالمي للسنوات الثلاث المقبلة خطوة هامة تدعم رؤيتنا باستشراف مستقبل مستدام لقطاعنا السياحي. ولاشك أن إمارة رأس الخيمة تعتبر وجهة مثالية لانعقاد القمة نظراً لتنوع بيئاتها وثقافاتها ومستويات الاستدامة التي نجحت بتحقيقها، والتي تمثل ثمرة منهجية ‘السياحة المتوازنة’ الطموحة”.

من جهتها، قالت تاليمكا يوردانوفا، الرئيسة التنفيذية لمنتدى المواطن العالمي: “يأتي تنظيم هذا الحدث الرائد في وقت حساس للغاية من تاريخنا المعاصر، تبرز فيه أهمية إطلاق مكامن الطاقات البشرية على نطاق واسع لإيجاد حلول فعالة لأكثر تحديات العالم إلحاحاً. كما أن أهمية إمارة رأس الخيمة لا تقتصر على كونها مدينة مزدهرة تتمتع بموقع حيوي فحسب، بل كذلك لما تقدمه من تجارب ثقافية وبيئية متنوعة، ونتطلع قدماً لتولي دورنا مع بدء المساعي الدؤوبة في المنطقة لاستشراف عالم مستدام ومستقبل مزدهر”.

وتشتهر إمارة رأس الخيمة بطبيعتها الساحرة، وتقدم العديد من المغامرات المشوقة والتجارب السياحية الفريدة. كما تتميز الإمارة الواقعة في أقصى شمال دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة، بتاريخها الغني الذي يعود لأكثر من سبعة آلاف عام، حيث اكتسبت سريعاً مكانة مرموقة كأحد أكثر الوجهات المستدامة استقطاباً للاهتمام في منطقة الشرق الأوسط.

وفي خطوة تنقل الإمارة نحو المرحلة المقبلة من مسيرتها الطموحة للترويج لقطاعها السياحي، كشفت هيئة رأس الخيمة لتنمية السياحة مؤخراً عن حملة جديدة كلياً لإطلاق العلامة التجارية العالمية لإمارة رأس الخيمة، وذلك بالاستفادة من منصات متكاملة للتواصل الاجتماعي لمتابعة مجموعة من الشخصيات المؤثرة من أصدقاء الإمارة أثناء استكشافهم لطبيعتها الخلابة. بالتعاون مع عدد من أشهر صنّاع المحتوى في أوروبا والشرق الأوسط، ستسلط الحملة الرقمية الضوء على مدى تنوع الإمارة والتجارب السياحية المتميزة التي تقدمها شواطئها وأشجار المانجروف وصحاريها الشاسعة وجبالها الخلابة.

بدوره، قال أرماند أرتون، مؤسس منتدى المواطن العالمي : “ تنسجم رؤيتنا للجيل القادم مع رسالة هيئة رأس الخيمة لتنمية السياحة الرامية لوضع بصمة إيجابية على مستوى العالم. ولاشك أن منتدى المواطن العالمي يمتلك قدرات استثنائية غير مستغلة نظراً لاستقطابه صناع التغيير من شتى أرجاء العالم للتواصل البناء وإطلاق الأفكار المؤثرة التي تضمن استشراف المستقبل الواعد”.

ومنذ إطلاقه عام 2013، تحول منتدى المواطن العالمي إلى شبكة عالمية من القادة وأصحاب الرؤية والمحفزين، يجتمعون حول مهمّة مشتركة وهي إطلاق كل الإمكانات الكامنة في مبدأ المواطنة العالمية، للوصول إلى عالم معزز بحرية تنقل البشر بشكل مستدام.

يذكر أن القمم السابقة لمنتدى المواطن العالمي شهدت حضور شخصيات بارزة، مثل الراحل كوفي عنان وجوزيه مانويل باروسو وإيرينا بوكوفا وكريستالينا جورجيفا، ودوشكو ماركوفيتش، وجانيت كاغامي، وغاتسون براون، وروبرت دينيرو، ووايكليف جان، وأكون، وإيف، إلى جانب عددٍ من قادة الدول وأعضاء الأسر الملكية، وأبرز رواد الأعمال والمؤسسات الخيرية.

حول منتدى المواطن العالمي:

يعد منتدى المواطن العالمي منظمة كندية غير ربحية يشرف على إدارتها نخبة من الرواد العالميين الذين يطلقون العنان لإمكانات المواطنة العالمية. وتضم القمة السنوية لمنتدى المواطن العالمي سلسلة من الأحداث والتجارب المميزة التي تستقطب نخبة العقول من جميع أنحاء العالم بهدف إطلاق العنان للحوارات الملهمة والعمل على توفير حلول تتسم بالشفافية وإمكانية تتبع وقياس تأثيرها.

الموقع الإلكتروني: www.globalcitizenforum.org

#GCF2022 #GCFRAK
نبذة عن هيئة رأس الخيمة للتنمية السياحية (RAKTDA)

تأسست هيئة رأس الخيمة للتنمية السياحية في مايو عام 2011 تحت إشراف حكومة رأس الخيمة. تهدف هيئة رأس الخيمة للتنمية السياحية إلى تطوير البنية التحتية السياحية في الإمارة وتأسيس رأس الخيمة كوجهة من الطراز العالمي للسفر الترفيهي والعمل، وخلق فرص استثمارية مستدامة وتحسين نوعية الحياة لسكانها. ومن أجل تحقيق أهدافها، فإن الهيئة لديها تفويض حكومي لترخيص وتنظيم ومراقبة صناعة السياحة والضيافة في الإمارة.

#زيارة رأس الخيمة #VisitRasAlKhaimah |

June 15, 2022

GLOBAL CITIZEN FORUM AND RAS AL KHAIMAH TO WELCOME THE WORLD’S LEADING MINDS

Acclaimed GCF Annual Summit returns in November 2022, anchoring its mission in Ras Al Khaimah over the next three years to help build a sustainable future

RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and in partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Agency (RAKTDA), the Global Citizen Forum‘s Annual Summit trilogy returns in November 2022 with another exceptionally curated program aimed to bridge the world’s most pressing challenges with opportunities for global solutions.

Last year’s edition brought together over 400 honorable guests from 38 countries, including actress, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and GCF Awardee, Eva Longoria; President of Colombia, H.E. Iván Duque Márquez; Vice President of Liberia, H.E. Jewel Taylor; former Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi; Grammy-nominated singer and performer, Nicole Scherzinger; international DJ and producer, Afrojack; and former FBI hostage negotiator and Masterclass coach, Chris Voss.

While the GCF’s Annual Summit was originally known for being hosted in different parts of the world, the decision to anchor its mission in Ras Al Khaimah was an intuitive commitment to both leverage and contribute to the emirate’s regional and global impact, while maintaining a strong focus on building a lasting legacy within its diverse community.

“Hosting the Global Citizen Forum’s Annual Summit for the next three years is a crucial step in our tourism vision for a globally connected and sustainable future,” shares CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, Raki Phillips. “Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect backdrop for the Summit given its outlook on environmental, cultural and economic sustainability — a vision that we call Balanced Tourism.”

“It is a pivotal time in history where igniting human potential on a global scale is the key to solving some of the biggest challenges,” shares CEO of GCF, Talimka Yordanova. “Ras Al Khaimah is not just a place, it’s a journey — and we look forward to marking the start of such a powerful movement where the commitment to build a sustainable world is embedded within the region’s DNA.”

Renowned for its outstanding nature, adventurous leisure, and authentic offerings, Ras Al Khaimah — the northernmost Emirate in the UAE, boasts an extraordinary history dating back over seven millennia and has quickly become one of the most sought-after sustainable destinations in the Middle East.

Marking the next chapter in its tourism expansion, RAKTDA recently unveiled a new campaign that uses integrated social media platforms to follow a group of influencers as they discover the Emirate. In collaboration with renowned content creators from Europe and the Middle East, the digital-first campaign showcases the diversity of Ras Al Khaimah and a myriad of tourism experiences across its pristine beaches, lush mangroves, sprawling deserts and majestic mountains.

“Our vision of the next generation is in line with RAKTDA’s mission to create a positive impact on a global scale,” says Founder and Chairman of GCF, Armand Arton. “GCF holds an immense untapped power for global changemakers to connect and empower the next great idea that will build a promising future.”

Since its inception in 2013, the Global Citizen Forum has built a global network of leaders, visionaries, and catalyzers with a common mission to unlock the potential of global citizenship and empower a world rooted in the freedom of sustainable human mobility.

Previous editions of GCF’s Annual Summit have featured the late Kofi Annan, José Manuel Barroso, Irina Bokova, Kristalina Georgieva, Duško Marković, Jeanette Kagame, Gaston Browne, Robert De Niro, Wyclef Jean, Akon, EVE, and many more.

Image: https://www.globalcitizenforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/GCF-RAK-2022-Web-Banner-Home-1-scaled.jpg

About Global Citizen Forum

The Global Citizen Forum is a Canadian non-profit organization driven by a global community of leaders and catalyzers unlocking the potential of global citizenship. Through a series of curated events and experiences, GCF’s community gathers from across the globe for their Annual Summit to bridge dialogue with action for traceable, transparent, and measurable impact.

#GCF2022 #GCFRAK

About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. RAKTDA aims to develop the Emirate’s tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. In order to achieve its goals, the Authority has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the Emirate’s tourism and hospitality industry.

#VisitRasAlKhaimah

June 15, 2022

‫ كاسيو تطرح ساعة يد G-SHOCK تتميز بشخصيات Master of G متعاقبة

عادت الميزات الراقية إلى الحياة مرة أخرى بتصميم تمويهي

طوكيو، 15 يونيو 2022 / PRNewswire / — أعلنت شركة كاسيو للكمبيوتر المحدودة ( Casio Computer Co., Ltd ) اليوم عن أحدث إضافة إلى ساعات يد G-SHOCK الخاصة بها المقاومة للصدمات. وتتميز ساعة DW-5600GU-7 بشخصيات سابقة من طرازات Master of G المصممة للاستخدام على الأرض وفي البحر والجو، وكلها مجمعة في ساعة واحدة.

وتمت تغطية وجه وسوار DW-5600GU-7 بالكامل بتصميم تمويهي مستوحى من شخصيات شهيرة محفورة دفعة واحدة على ظهر هيكل ساعات Master of G . ومن بين جميع ساعات G-SHOCK ، فقد استحوذت سلسلة Master of G على المغامرين الذين يتطلعون إلى تحدي حدود المتانة. وتُعيد هذه الإضافة الأحدث إلى الحياة مرة أخرى 18 شخصية من شخصيات السلسلة، بما في ذلك الضفدع الأسطوري من السلسلة الفرعية FROGMAN ، والخلد من السلسلة الفرعية MUDMAN ، بالإضافة إلى القط البري RANGEMAN . وقد تم تصميم السوار والحافة خصيصًا من أجل إبراز السمات المميزة لكل شخصية، مما يسهل التعرف على تلك الشخصيات وسط التمويه.

وقد تم وضع هذه الشخصيات المتفردة للغاية في تصميم مموه مع مخطط ألوان أساسي بالأبيض والأسود من أجل تصميم أنيق ورائع.

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June 15, 2022

Holiday Extravaganza Returns with Stay Giveaways

Plus enticing rewards for Fraser World members and new sign-ups

SINGAPORE, June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Frasers Hospitality, a member of Frasers Property Group, returns with its popular Holiday Extravaganza, with great perks for Fraser World members and newcomers to its loyalty programme.

From now until 14 July 2022, Fraser World members who use the promo code “PHEXFW” when making a booking will get 2X loyalty points on the amount they spend for each stay. Additionally, anyone who signs up as a Fraser World member during this booking period will receive 500 Fraser World points as a welcome reward.

A bigger prize awaits guests who share their #FraserMoments from 15 June to 30 September 2022. They stand to win a three-night stay at any Fraser World property when they showcase their best vacation moments. There are 10 sets of stays to be given away.

Here’s how to win:

1. Guests should snap a picture or shoot a video of themselves exploring or enjoying participating Fraser World properties during the stay period.

2. Upload the content to their Instagram feed and share about their holiday in the caption. Tag either @frasershospitality, @capribyfraser or @modenabyfraser, depending on the property they are at, and/or use the hashtag #FraserMoments. Profiles should be set to public. There are also display posters around the properties with QR codes that guests can scan to upload their photos and videos, or they can submit them via this link.

3. A judging panel from Frasers Hospitality will choose the best images or videos. Winners will be announced, starting 01 July 2022*.

Even as the travel industry regains normalcy, Frasers Hospitality is ready to accommodate any uncertainty. Despite COVID-19 rules easing, Frasers Hospitality properties continue to comply with the strictest cleaning and hygiene protocols. For added comfort, flexible booking and cancellation policies have been included in stay packages, where possible.

Guests can expect well-furnished apartments and residences, top amenities and facilities, and most of all, the best service when they choose to stay with Frasers Hospitality. With serviced apartments and hotel residences centrally located worldwide, guests will enjoy each city’s main attractions and great dining, shopping and leisure options at their doorstep.

This summer, come home to your world again with Frasers Hospitality’s Holiday Extravaganza.

Please find more information about Frasers Hospitality’s Holiday Extravaganza 2022 at www.frasershospitality.com/en/fraser-world/holiday-extravaganza/.

*Reservations are subject to availability and the contest’s terms and conditions apply.

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About Frasers Property Limited

Frasers Property Limited (“Frasers Property” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Frasers Property Group” or the “Group”), is a multi-national developer-owner-operator of real estate products and services across the property value chain. Listed on the Main Board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”) and headquartered in Singapore, the Group has total assets of approximately S$40.7 billion as at 31 March 2022.

Frasers Property’s multi-national businesses operate across five asset classes, namely, residential, retail, commercial & business parks, industrial & logistics as well as hospitality. The Group has businesses in Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe and China, and its well-established hospitality business owns and/or operates serviced apartments and hotels in over 20 countries and 70 cities across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Frasers Property is also the sponsor of two real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and one stapled trust listed on the SGX-ST. Frasers Centrepoint Trust and Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust are focused on retail, and industrial & commercial properties, respectively. Frasers Hospitality Trust (comprising Frasers Hospitality Real Estate Investment Trust and Frasers Hospitality Business Trust) is a stapled trust focused on hospitality properties. In addition, the Group has two REITs listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Frasers Property (Thailand) Public Company Limited is the sponsor of Frasers Property Thailand Industrial Freehold & Leasehold REIT, which is focused on industrial & logistics properties in Thailand, and Golden Ventures Leasehold Real Estate Investment Trust, which is focused on commercial properties.

The Group is committed to inspiring experiences and creating places for good for its stakeholders. By acting progressively, producing and consuming responsibly, and focusing on its people, Frasers Property aspires to raise sustainability ideals across its value chain, and build a more resilient business. It is committed to be a net-zero carbon corporation by 2050. Building on its heritage as well as leveraging its knowledge and capabilities, the Group aims to create lasting shared value for its people, the businesses and communities it serves. Frasers Property believes in the diversity of its people and are invested in promoting a progressive, collaborative and respectful culture.

For more information on Frasers Property, please visit https://www.frasersproperty.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Frasers Hospitality

Frasers Hospitality, a member of Frasers Property Group, celebrates 24 years of offering memorable experiences to guests through its Gold-Standard serviced, hotel residences and boutique lifestyle hotels across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Growing from two properties in Singapore to more than 120 properties in over 70 cities, Frasers Hospitality is now one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing providers of serviced and hotel residences. Conceived with the lifestyle preferences of today’s discerning business and leisure travellers in mind, the global hospitality operator has three Gold-Standard serviced residences offerings – Fraser Suites, Fraser Place and Fraser Residence, a modern and eco-lifestyle brand, Modena by Fraser, and a design-led hotel residence brand, Capri by Fraser. In addition, it operates two brands of upscale boutique lifestyle hotels in the key cities of UK, Malmaison and Hotel du Vin.

With a remarkable list of accolades and awards as recognition of its success, Frasers Hospitality remains committed to anticipating and exceeding the evolving needs of executive travellers with continuous innovation and intuitive service, creating a second home for guests where staff feel like family and residents feel like community.

For more information on Frasers Hospitality, please visit frasershospitality.com.

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June 15, 2022

تايلور هي الجامعة الخاصة رقم 1 في جنوب شرق آسيا ثلاث سنوات متتالية

سوبانغ جايا، ماليزيا, 15 يونيو 2022/PRNewswire/ — حصلت جامعة تايلور مرة أخرى على لقب الجامعة الخاصة رقم واحد في جنوب شرق آسيا من قبل تصنيف كيو إس العالمي للجامعات للسنة الثالثة على التوالي. تحتل المرتبة رقم 284، اقتحمت المؤسسة أفضل 1% من الجامعات في العالم.

“نحن نقدر الثقة التي يتمتع بها مجتمعنا من الطلاب والأكاديميين والخريجين وشركاء الصناعة فينا، مما أدى إلى قفزة غير مسبوقة بلغت 349 مرتبة في التصنيفات العالمية في غضون 5 سنوات فقط. على الرغم من كونها جامعة شابة، فقد أثبتت تايلور قوتها جنبًا إلى جنب مع بعض المؤسسات الأكثر نخبوية في جميع أنحاء العالم.

“كمؤسسة، نواصل إعادة تصور وإعادة تعريف دور الجامعات وخريجينا في تلبية احتياجات هذه الأمة، وفي العديد من الدول الأخرى التي يأتي منها مجتمع طلابنا الدوليين. إن أبحاثنا ومناهجنا المبتكرة تعد طلابنا لقيادة الصناعات والتأثير على المجتمعات وسط مشهد اجتماعي واقتصادي سريع التغير”، هذا ما قاله البروفيسور مايكل دريسكول، نائب رئيس الجامعة ورئيس جامعة تايلور.

حققت تايلور أيضًا نتائج مذهلة في تمارين تصنيف QS الأخرى. وتشمل هذه التصنيفات تصنيفات QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 التي شهدت حصول تايلور على المرتبة 16 في العالم لموضوع إدارة الضيافة والترفيه، والدفاع عن مكانتها كأعلى جامعة ماليزية في العالم للمرة الخامسة على التوالي، وكذلك المرتبة 97 في دراسات الأعمال والإدارة، مما يجعلها الجامعة الخاصة الرائدة في جنوب شرق آسيا في تلك المجالات.

ويأتي هذا التصنيف الأخير على خلفية الأداء الممتاز لجامعة تايلور في تصنيفات جامعة QS Asia لعام 2022 حيث احتلت المرتبة 53 في آسيا. كما تحتل الجامعة المرتبة 16 في العالم لمؤشر معدل توظيف الخريجين في تصنيفات QS لتوظيف الخريجين لعام 2022.

إن صعود تايلور الدؤوب إلى أرقام قياسية جديدة مدفوع بشبكتها التي تضم أكثر من 200 شريك جامعي من جميع أنحاء العالم، والنظام البيئي التعليمي لتايلور.

كما اتخذت الجامعة نهجًا تقدميًا نحو دمج ريادة الأعمال المضمنة والمهارات الحياتية ووحدات الابتكار الاجتماعي بالإضافة إلى مشاريع متعددة التخصصات في جميع المجالات. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، سيتخرج جميع الطلاب بنصوص توضح بالتفصيل إنجازاتهم الأكاديمية والمهارات الشخصية – وهو نهج رائد يجعل المؤسسة الأولى من نوعها في آسيا.

June 15, 2022

AU chief condemns deadly ‘mistreatment’ of African migrants at Morocco – Spain border

ADDIS ABABA— Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has condemned racist treatment of some Africans who were seeking to cross from Morocco into Spain.

“I express my deep shock and concern at the violent and degrading treatment of African migrants attempting to cross an international border from Morocco into Spain, with the ensuing violence leading to the deaths of at least 23 people and injuries to many more.”

Authorities said the individuals died on Friday as a result of a “stampede” after about 2,000 people tried to climb the iron fence that separates Morocco and Melilla, with some falling in the attempt.

The AU chief joined calls by rights groups for a probe into the matter.

“I call for an immediate investigation into the matter and remind all countries of their obligations under international law to treat all migrants with dignity and to prioritize their safety and human rights, while refraining from the use of excessive force,” he added.

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), in a series of tweets on Saturday, called for a “comprehensive, quick and serious” investigation into Friday’s events and published videos of the aftermath of the attempted mass crossing.

The footage showed dozens of people lying by the border fence, some bleeding and many apparently lifeless as Moroccan security forces stood over them. In one of the clips, a Moroccan security officer appeared to use a baton to strike a person lying on the ground.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez meanwhile condemned the attempted mass crossing as a “violent assault” and an “attack on the territorial integrity” of Spain.

“If there is anyone responsible for everything that appears to have taken place at that border, it is the mafias that traffic in human beings,” he said.

A Spanish police source said the people who tried to cross the fence had used sticks, knives and acid against security forces and had changed tactics to try crossing at one perceived weak spot en masse, rather than in separate attempts along the fence.

Some 133 people made it across the border, while 176 Moroccan security officers and 49 Spanish border guards sustained injuries, authorities say.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

June 15, 2022

Violence at Spanish enclave sparks fear of worse to come

NADOR (Morocco)— A massive attempt by migrants to storm the barrier between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla resulted in “unprecedented violence” that killed at least 23 sub-Saharan Africans and has sparked fears of worse to come.

“It was like a war, we were holding rocks, little rocks, to fight the Moroccan military, who beat us by any means, with sticks,” said a 20-year-old Sudanese migrant at a detention centre inside Melilla.

“I climbed up the fence but a Moroccan guard hit my hands. I fell unconscious on the Spanish side, where I was beaten up by Spanish forces,” said another.

They were among 2,000 migrants who on Friday stormed the heavily fortified border between the Moroccan region of Nador and the enclave of Melilla.

At least 23 migrants died and 140 police officers were wounded, according to Moroccan authorities – the heaviest toll in years of such attempts.

Many of the migrants, often from war-torn zones such as Sudan’s Darfur region, have spent months or even years under precarious, dangerous conditions in the nearby forest of Gourougou, braving beatings and arrests in multiple attempts to reach better lives in Spain.

But observers said the latest attempt was unprecedented in the level of violence.

“It’s the first time that we see this level of violence by migrants themselves against security forces,” said Omar Naji from the Nador office of the AMDH rights group.

The violence has heightened fears among Moroccans in the area.

“We’re terrorised by what happened,” said Issame Ouaaid, 24, from the border district of Barrio Chino.

“It’s the first time that we’ve seen migrants carrying iron rods to fight with the police.”

Naji linked the level of violence to a recent mending of ties between Spain and Morocco, leading to renewed cooperation against migrants and stricter enforcement.

Morocco, the only African country sharing a land border with the EU, is a key conduit for migrants fleeing war and poverty.

But the kingdom has also been accused – by Spain – of using migration flows as a tool to exert political pressure.

In May 2021, some 10,000 migrants surged across the border into Spain’s other enclave, Ceuta, as Moroccan border guards looked the other way, in what was widely seen as a punitive gesture by Rabat in a political row over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

The two countries’ resumption of ties earlier this year after a convergence on Western Sahara has led to “an intensification of pressures” against migrants living rough in the forested hills near the border, Naji said.

Recent months have seen a fall in the numbers of migrants reaching Spanish territory, according to Madrid.

“The Moroccan authorities treat migrants very harshly, raiding their camps,” Naji said.

“There’s no doubt that this pressure has generated the unprecedented violence we’re seeing.”

Before Friday’s incident, Spanish media reported several clashes between migrants and security forces, who had chased away residents of camps and transferred some away from the border region.

For Othmane Ba, president of an association for sub-Saharan African migrants in Morocco, “the difficult conditions these migrants are facing condition them psychologically for violence”.

A majority of migrants arriving in Morocco are originally from Sudan, particularly the Darfur region where a new spike in violence has left 125 people dead and 50,000 displaced.

On their way to Morocco, many pass through Libya, notorious for rights abuses by armed groups against migrants.

Once they arrive in Morocco, many are willing to risk their lives to reach Europe.

“There are people here who have been waiting for two or three years” to get across, Naji said.

Moroccan authorities said Sunday they had foiled a plot by migrants to cross the border into Ceuta, making 59 arrests.

But, Naji said, “Morocco can’t totally close its borders and play the role of police force for Europe. That policy can only lead to more violence.”

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

June 15, 2022

G7 aims to raise US$600 billion to counter China’s Belt and Road

SCHLOSS ELMAU (Germany)— Group of Seven leaders pledged to raise US$600 billion in private and public funds over five years to finance needed infrastructure in developing countries and counter China’s older, multitrillion-dollar Belt and Road project.

US President Joe Biden and other G7 leaders relaunched the newly renamed “Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment” at their annual gathering being held this year at Schloss Elmau in southern Germany.

Biden said the United States would mobilise US$200 billion in grants, federal funds and private investment over five years to support projects in low- and middle-income countries that help tackle climate change as well as improve global health, gender equity and digital infrastructure.

“I want to be clear. This isn’t aid or charity. It’s an investment that will deliver returns for everyone,” Biden said, adding that it would allow countries to “see the concrete benefits of partnering with democracies”.

Biden said hundreds of billions of additional dollars could come from multilateral development banks, development finance institutions, sovereign wealth funds and others.

Europe will mobilise €300 billion for the initiative over the same period to build up a sustainable alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative scheme, which Chinese President Xi Jinping launched in 2013, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the gathering.

The leaders of Italy, Canada and Japan also spoke about their plans, some of which have already been announced separately. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson were not present, but their countries are also participating.

China’s investment scheme involves development and programmes in over 100 countries aimed at creating a modern version of the ancient Silk Road trade route from Asia to Europe.

White House officials said the plan has provided little tangible benefit for many developing countries.

Biden highlighted several flagship projects, including a US$2 billion solar development project in Angola with support from the Commerce Department, the US Export-Import Bank, US firm AfricaGlobal Schaffer, and US project developer Sun Africa.

Together with G7 members and the EU, Washington will also provide US$3.3 million in technical assistance to Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal as it develops an industrial-scale flexible multi-vaccine manufacturing facility in that country that can eventually produce COVID-19 and other vaccines, a project that also involves the EU.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) will also commit up to US$50 million over five years to the World Bank’s global Childcare Incentive Fund.

Friederike Roder, vice president of the non-profit group Global Citizen, said the pledges of investment could be “a good start” toward greater engagement by G7 countries in developing nations and could underpin stronger global growth for all.

G7 countries on average provide only 0.32 per cent of their gross national income, less than half of the 0.7 per cent promised, in development assistance, she said.

“But without developing countries, there will be no sustainable recovery of the world economy,” she said.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK