World
‘US Striving For Stronger Ties With Nigeria’
Mr Ice: Okay. Let’s go to the line of Lara Jakes, New York Times. Lara.
Hi, good afternoon, everyone. I wanted to press you a little bit more on Tigray, if I could. As you noted a few minutes ago, the United States has already taken steps, has issued demands for Eritrean troops to leave the region and for the atrocities to end. So I’m wondering: What deliverables are you looking for from tomorrow’s meeting or maybe even possible at this point as a result of tomorrow’s meeting? And is Secretary Blinken’s statement today a signal of any kind of announcement that may be made tomorrow or – about new actions or penalties?
Amb Godec: Thanks for the question. Well, I’m not going to get into the details of what might be discussed very specifically by way of announcements that might or might not come. What I would say is this, is Tigray is, as I said, a grave concern. It’s a – it is a crisis. And the instability and the fighting in Tigray is not just an Ethiopian issue. It’s a regional issue, and so it does pose risks to the entire region. We have spoken with President Kenyatta about this issue previously, and I’m sure – and we’ve spoken with other regional leaders and we will continue to do so. And we continue to look for ways to – what – bring the conflict to an end. And the regional leaders play a very important role in making that happen, and so we are in close communication with them.
Mr Ice: Okay. Let’s go to the line of Daphne Psaledakis of Reuters.
Hi, can you hear me?
Amb Godec: Yes, we got you.
Hi. Thanks for doing this. Chad’s new military rulers on Monday named the prime minister of a transitional government, a move dismissed by opposition leaders. Does the U.S. support the appointment and does the army have a right to pick a premier?
Amb Godec: So, we are gravely concerned by the events in Chad last week: the death of President Deby and the fighting which was taking place. We continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground. We are speaking with a number of people about it, of course. And we have been and continue to advocate for a peaceful and democratic transition to a civilian-led government. We’ve long stood with the people of Chad in advocating for democratic and representative government. The naming of a civilian prime minister is potentially a positive first step in restoring civilian governance.
I think it’s important to sort of stress that the Chadian people deserve an inclusive national dialogue where all the stakeholders can come together to decide the future of their country. The African Union Peace and Security Council had issued a statement recently and called for such a dialogue. We support the African Union initiative. We support the mission that they’re sending to Chad. And again, we would urge that this moment be taken to move the country forward in a democratic direction and that the people have an opportunity to really have a democracy, have a representative government.
Thank you.
Mr Ice: Okay. Let’s go to Noah Pitcher of Today News Africa.
Hi. Thanks for taking my question. So many African countries, including Nigeria and Kenya, have dealt with the food insecurity and economic instability for some time now, but the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic have, in many cases, exacerbated and complicated these pre-existing issues. As he speaks with presidents of Nigeria and Kenya, how does the Secretary plan to address these problems? And what is the administration’s vision for the U.S.’s practical role in helping African nations continue to develop and also economically recover from the pandemic?
Amb Godec: Thanks very much for the question. You’re certainly raising an important issue. I mean, first, we have to get past the pandemic. And we’re committed, as I said, to working with the entire world to do that, including the countries of Africa. But once it’s past, once the pandemic itself is over and, in fact, even before, in many respects, we do need to address the economic consequences of the pandemic. And so this is something that is under discussion. We are looking at ways in which we can assist. There are upcoming conferences and meetings that will be addressing this and which should be providing more detail, making things more concrete, more definite.
We already support some of the stuff that the international financial institutions are doing by way of making assistance available to help address the economic consequences of the crisis. And this, of course, is all in addition to the wide-ranging assistance that we already provide to both Kenya and Nigeria. We’re already providing in Kenya, for example, considerable education assistance, health assistance, assistance to youth, a wide range of things, and, of course, we do a lot of things in Nigeria as well.
So, as we move forward, we will be looking at what new things need to be done specifically to address the consequences of the pandemic, but also what we’re doing now and whether there’s additional ways to pivot or change that to make it more responsive to the new reality that Covid-19 unfortunately has brought to African countries and, indeed, to the world.
Mr Ice: And I think we’ve got time for one more question. Let’s go to Christopher Woody at Business Insider. Christopher.
Thank you for your time today. During the testimony last week before Congress, the head of U.S. Africa Command expressed concern about Chinese engagement in Africa. I wanted to ask if Secretary Blinken plans to bring up any specific concerns he has about Kenya’s or Nigeria’s engagements with China during his meetings.
Amb Godec: So, I think I would start here. The entire administration, President and the Secretary and all of us, really see African countries as partners – pursue our shared interests, things we’re working on, and I mentioned earlier security, global health, climate change, democracy, economic growth, all the rest of it. And that’s – that is the way the United States engages with Africa. We talk with Africans about what they want. We discuss our shared interests. We look for a way forward. That’s the basis.
So, with respect to China, we don’t see our relationship with Africa through the frame of China. Obviously, China is a very serious competitor. China’s a central challenge that’s going to define the 21st century. It’s something that we do have to address. In Africa, we’re going to meet the challenge that China presents by working to ensure that, for example, American companies can compete on an even playing field, provide a meaningful alternative to China’s economic approach. We’re going to push back on corrupt or coercive practices. We’re going to encourage Africans to look for a range of deals and offers on things that they need and want and make sure – and work to make sure that the American offer is the best offer and the one that’s most attractive.
I think that what I can say is that the United States offers an alternative vision, or certainly a very different vision from the one that China presents, on economic development, on democratic governance, on human rights, on transparency, and all the rest of it. And I think that that ultimately is a very attractive model, and we’ll continue to emphasize that to the Africans and work with them, again, to achieve our shared objectives.
Mr Ice%3 Very good. Everyone, that’s all we have time for this afternoon, I do want to thank everyone for joining us. I’d especially like to thank Acting Assistant Secretary Bob Godec for joining us today. And with that, the call is ended and the embargo is lifted. Have a nice day.
Amb Godec: Thanks very much, everybody. Bye-bye.
United States President Joe Biden has promised Israel “ironclad” United States support amid fears that Tehran could launch reprisals for an attack that killed senior Iranians.
Mr Biden warned that Iran is threatening to launch a “significant attack” after Israel struck the Iranian consulate in Syria 10 days ago.
“We’re going to do all we can to protect Israel’s security,” he added.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iran’s leader said the Israeli attack in Damascus was equivalent to an attack on Iran itself.
“When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a televised speech.
“The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished.” It is not yet clear what form any reprisal attack would take.
For Iran to strike Israel directly would risk an even greater escalation in the conflict, and analysts have said Iran does not have the military capability for a significant confrontation.
A possible alternative is an attack via an Iranian proxy like Hezbollah, which frequently carries out smaller strikes on Israel from neighbouring Lebanon.
Yesterday an Iranian official warned Israel’s embassies were “no longer safe”, suggesting a consulate building could be a possible target.
Experts have also suggested Iran could target Israel with a cyber attack.
How might Iran seek to hurt Israel after the general’s killing?
Can US pressure deliver Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza?
Biden pressure on Israel not enough, say dissenting US officials
Thirteen people were killed in the 1 April attack on the Iranian consulate building, including senior Iranian military leaders.
Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, but is widely considered to have been behind it.
United States and Israeli forces in the region have been put on high alert in the days since.
Mr Biden’s remarks came as he was speaking to journalists at the White House last Wednesday alongside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel’s security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad — let me say it again, ironclad,” Mr Biden said.
His comments come one day after Mr Biden, in an interview, called for a ceasefire in Gaza and said he disagreed with Mr Netanyahu’s war strategy.
“I think what he’s doing is a mistake. I don’t agree with his approach,” he said in an interview with Univision that was recorded a week ago.
It also comes nearly a week after a tense phone call between Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu in the wake of the Israeli killing of seven humanitarian aid workers in Gaza.
Mr Biden has sharpened his rhetoric over Israel’s conduct in the nearly six-month-old war sparked by Hamas’s 7 October attack, and voiced his growing frustration with Mr Netanyahu.
US officials have been attempting to send a message to the Iranians that, despite differences of opinion between Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu, any attack on Israel will met with an aggressive US response.
In an effort to ease tensions, the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iraq spoke to their Iranian counterpart this week, according to Axios.
The Ministers were asked to convey a message from Mr Biden’s senior Middle East advisor, Brett McGurk, about the need to de-escalate.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry, more than 33,000 people – mostly women and children – have been killed in the Israeli incursion.
The conflict was sparked by Hamas’s killing of more than 1,200 people in Israel and the taking of 253 hostages in its October attack.
Compiled by King Onunwor
Officers of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) have excelled and emerged the best at the just-concluded United Stated Special Programme for Embassy Augmentation Response (SPEAR) team mission at Amman, Jordan.
The training, which commenced on March 10, 2024, and concluded on April 3, 2024, was designed to enhance the team’s skills in responding to various emergencies and tactical situations.
The programme was conducted by the US Navy Seals and covered a wide range of topics, including several tactical drills and assessments, ensuring a well-rounded and thorough learning experience.
Speaking at the end of the training, the Nigeria team lead, Squadron Commander 23PMF, ACP Itse Daniel Amah,.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the journey of our 20 brave Mobile Police officers attached to the US Consulate General, Lagos, who have completed a course offered by the SPEAR on protection of national leadership tactical support team (PNLTST), here in Jordan International Policing Training “, he said
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have excelled and emerged the best at the just-concluded US Special Program for Embassy Augmentation Response (SPEAR) team mission at Amman, Jordan.
The training, which commenced on March 10, 2024, and concluded on April 3, 2024, was designed to enhance the team’s skills in responding to various emergencies and tactical situations.
The programme was conducted by the US Navy Seals and covered a wide range of topics, including several tactical drills and assessments, ensuring a well-rounded and thorough learning experience.
“This feat is not just a demonstration of their commitment and hard work but also a reflection of the solid and enduring partnership between Nigeria and the United States.
“On behalf of the IGP Kayode Egbetokun, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to the United States government and, in particular, the US Consulate General, Lagos, for their unwavering support and dedication to this program. The SPEAR initiative is a shining example of how collaboration between nations can enhance peace and security, not just for our respective countries but for the global community.
“The training our officers have received is invaluable and will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their mission to protect diplomatic personnel and ensure the safety of our leaders. As they return to their duties, I am confident that they will apply the skills and knowledge gained here to make a positive impact and continues to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and excellence.”
Also, Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said: “the NPF is incredibly proud of these gallant men for their commitment and hard work throughout the training program as they were lauded as the best set to ever be trained.
“This achievement not only demonstrates their dedication to professional growth but also strengthens the capabilities of the Nigeria Police Force towards improved service delivery and sustainable national security and safety.”
“This feat is not just a demonstration of their commitment and hard work but also a reflection of the solid and enduring partnership between Nigeria and the United States.
“On behalf of the IGP Kayode Egbetokun, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to the United States government and, in particular, the US Consulate General, Lagos, for their unwavering support and dedication to this program. The SPEAR initiative is a shining example of how collaboration between nations can enhance peace and security, not just for our respective countries but for the global community.
“The training our officers have received is invaluable and will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their mission to protect diplomatic personnel and ensure the safety of our leaders. As they return to their duties, I am confident that they will apply the skills and knowledge gained here to make a positive impact and continues to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and excellence.”
“This achievement not only demonstrates their dedication to professional growth but also strengthens the capabilities of the Nigeria Police Force towards improved service delivery and sustainable national security and safety”.
Stunning artworks have been uncovered in a new excavation at Pompeii, the ancient Roman city buried in an eruption from Mount Vesuvius in AD79.
Archaeologists say the frescos are among the finest to be found in the ruins of the ancient site.
Mythical Greek figures such as Helen of Troy are depicted on the high black walls of a large banqueting hall.
The room’s near-complete mosaic floor incorporates more than a million individual white tiles.
The black room has only emerged in the last few weeks. Its white mosaic floor is almost complete
A third of the lost city has still to be cleared of volcanic debris. The current dig, the biggest in a generation, is underlining Pompeii’s position as the world’s premier window on the people and culture of the Roman Empire.
Park director Dr Gabriel Zuchtriegel presented the “black room” exclusively to the BBC on Thursday.
It was likely the walls’ stark colour was chosen to hide the smoke deposits from lamps used during entertaining after sunset.
“In the shimmering light, the paintings would have almost come to life,” he said.
In one, the god Apollo is seen trying to seduce the priestess Cassandra. Her rejection of him, according to legend, resulted in her prophecies being ignored.
The tragic consequence is told in the second painting, in which Prince Paris meets the beautiful Helen – a union Cassandra knows will doom them all in the resulting Trojan War.
A plaster glue must be injected behind a fresco or it is likely to come away from the wall
The black room is the latest treasure to emerge from the excavation, which started 12 months ago – an investigation that will feature in a documentary series from the BBC and Lion TV to be broadcast later in April.
A wide residential and commercial block, known as “Region 9”, is being cleared of several metres of overlying pumice and ash thrown out by Vesuvius almost 2,000 years ago.
Staff are having to move quickly to protect new finds, removing what they can to a storeroom.
For the frescos that must stay in position, a plaster glue is injected to their rear to prevent them coming away from the walls. Masonry is being shored up with scaffolding and temporary roofing is going over the top.
Chief restorer Dr Roberta Prisco spent Tuesday this week trying to stop an arch from collapsing.
“The responsibility is enormous; look at me,” she said, as if to suggest the stress was taking a visible toll on her.
“We have a passion and a deep love for what we’re doing, because what we’re uncovering and protecting is for the joy also of the generations that come after us.”
In the reception hall, rubble in the far right corner is from renovation at the time of the eruption
Region 9 has thrown up a detective story for archaeologists.
Excavations in the late 19th Century uncovered a laundry in one corner. The latest work has now revealed a wholesale bakery next door, as well as the grand residence with its black room.
The team is confident the three areas can be connected, physically via the plumbing and by particular passageways, but also in terms of their ownership.
The identity of this individual is hinted at in numerous inscriptions with the initials “ARV”. The letters appear on walls and even on the bakery’s millstones.
“We know who ARV is: he’s Aulus Rustius Verus,” explained park archaeologist Dr Sophie Hay. “We know him from other political propaganda in Pompeii. He’s a politician. He’s super-rich. We think he may be the one who owns the posh house behind the bakery and the laundry.”
Dr Lia Trapani catalogues everything from the dig. She reaches for one of the thousand or more boxes of artefacts in her storeroom and pulls out a squat, turquoise cone. “It’s the lead weight from a plumb line.” Just like today’s builders, the Roman workers would have used it to align vertical surfaces.
She holds the cone between her fingers: “If you look closely you can see a little piece of Roman string is still attached.”
It’s possible to see a remnant piece of string around the neck of the plumb line
Dr Alessandro Russo has been the other co-lead archaeologist on the dig. He wants to show us a ceiling fresco recovered from one room. Smashed during the eruption, its recovered pieces have been laid out, jigsaw-style, on a large table.
He’s sprayed the chunks of plaster with a mist of water, which makes the detail and vivid colours jump out.
You can see landscapes with Egyptian characters; foods and flowers; and some imposing theatrical masks.
“This is my favourite discovery in this excavation because it is complex and rare. It is high-quality for a high-status individual,” he explained.
The archaeologists have had to piece together a ceiling fresco that was shattered during the volcanic eruption
But if the grand property’s ceiling fresco can be described as exquisite, some of what’s being learned about the bakery speaks to an altogether more brutal aspect of Roman life – slavery.
It’s obvious the people who worked in the business were kept locked away in appalling conditions, living side by side with the donkeys that turned the millstones. It seems there was one window and it had iron bars to prevent escape.
It’s in the bakery also that the only skeletons from the dig have been discovered. Two adults and a child were crushed by falling stones. The suggestion is they may have been slaves who were trapped and could not flee the eruption. But it’s guesswork.
“When we excavate, we wonder what we’re looking at,” explained co-lead archaeologist Dr Gennaro Iovino.
“Much like a theatre stage, you have the scenery, the backdrop, and the culprit, which is Mount Vesuvius. The archaeologist has to be good at filling in the gaps – telling the story of the missing cast, the families and children, the people who are not there anymore”,
