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Africa Live: Nigeria tightens security as food theft continues - BBC News Africa Live: Ghana's finance ministry warns against anti-LGBT bill - BBC News
(32 minutes later)
Jose Tembe Thomas Naadi
BBC News, Maputo BBC News, Accra
The Algerian government has pledged to support Mozambique in the fight against kidnapping and the jihadist insurgency primarily affecting the northern province of Cabo Delgado. Ghana's ministry of finance has advised against the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill, saying it could see the West African country lose almost $3.8bn (£2.9bn) in World Bank funding over the next five years.
The agreement comes after Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi's four-day visit to Algeria. The draconian bill, which prescribes a three-year jail term for people who identify as LGBT+ and five years for promoting their activities, was passed by
President Nyusi told journalists on Sunday that Algeria had "promised immediate support for the Local Force, the one that is fighting terrorism". parliament last week.
He added that the North African country would train their forces and send equipment to help them in their fight against jihadist groups. The ministry of finance has recommended that President Nana Akufo-Addo does not sign the bill
The two countries have deep historical ties, as the first guerrillas for Mozambique’s liberation war were trained in Algeria. into law until the country’s Supreme Court rules on whether it aligns
The Algerian pledge comes at a time when reports from Cabo Delgado say jihadists passed through Quissanga on Friday night, stole food and created panic. with Ghana’s constitution or not.
The gas and ruby-rich province of Cabo Delgado has been a magnet for Islamist groups seeking to exploit its natural resources. Numerous multinational companies operate in the area. In a statement issued on Monday, the finance ministry said Ghana could lose about $850m in support this year alone.
Officials say this would negatively impact an already struggling economy, reduce the
country’s foreign reserves, and affect exchange rate stability.
Ghana
is under a three-year IMF bailout support programme, and there are concerns
that any shortfall in funding from the World Bank and other donors could derail the economic recovery.
The bill has been widely condemned by
the UK and the US, while rights groups have described it as regressive.
Ghana’s
president has seven days after receiving the bill to decide whether to assent
to it or not and 14 days to give reasons for his decision.
Mr Akufo-Addo is reported to be holding meetings with key ministries and
development partners to assessment the potential impact of the bill.
Human rights groups in Ghana have vowed to challenge the anti-LGBT legislation in
court.
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