Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

The Political Commission of the Mozambican Liberation Front (Frelimo, the ruling party) states that the “wave of xenophobia” in neighbouring South Africa, in which nine Mozambicans have already died and more than 700 have been repatriated, “jeopardises” “long-standing, healthy” relations.

In the final communiqué issued following the 70th ordinary session of that body, held in Maputo and chaired by the party president and head of state, Daniel Chapo, it is stated that the Frelimo Political Commission “condemns the wave of xenophobia occurring in the Republic of South Africa, characterised by violence against immigrants, including Mozambicans”.

“This situation undermines collective efforts to maintain healthy historical relations between the two countries, the Southern African region and the African continent in general,” the statement reads.

Furthermore, the Political Commission of the Frelimo party, which has been in power in Mozambique since 1975, “highlights the actions of the Mozambican authorities, through their consular missions in South Africa and the country’s disaster management bodies, which have been carrying out efforts to assist Mozambican citizens who are victims of xenophobia, notably the repatriation of over 700 Mozambicans to their home provinces”.

The Mozambican government expressed concern on Tuesday about the “resurgence of anti-immigration rhetoric” in South Africa, fearing the situation could worsen by the end of the month, following the return of 714 citizens to the country in recent days.

“We are currently paying close attention to the resurgence of anti-immigrant rhetoric in South Africa, which could lead to a risk of the situation worsening by the end of this month. For this reason, our government will remain vigilant to protect, assist and integrate those who will suffer as a result of this situation,” said Ussene Isse, spokesperson for the Cabinet.

He added that the government had “assessed the situation of xenophobia in South Africa and developments regarding the situation of the Mozambicans affected”, which has already resulted in nine deaths among hundreds of Mozambican citizens in the neighbouring country, particularly in the province of Western Cape, at the end of May.

By 7 June, he said, 714 Mozambicans had been repatriated and sent to their provinces of origin, such as Gaza (392), Maputo (161) and Inhambane (119).

“Most of those affected are young people with irregular documentation and dependent on the unofficial sector, who report the loss of belongings and documents during the acts of violence. It is important to note that there are no records of Mozambican students among the victims of the reported incidents,” stated Isse, also assuring that the government is overseeing the process of repatriating the bodies of Mozambicans who died in these attacks.

He also stated that ministers from various sectors of the governments of Mozambique and South Africa “are in contact”, with a view to “resolving the problem of xenophobia, whilst always calling for dialogue”.

“The government urges all Mozambicans who feel they are in danger to contact the diplomatic missions and consulates of Mozambique in South Africa and calls on all citizens to migrate legally to neighbouring countries, to reduce vulnerability in such situations, as this has social and political repercussions,” concluded Isse.

Mozambique has around 300,000 citizens residing in South Africa, mainly workers in the mining and agricultural sectors.

South African anti-immigration protesters have given all foreigners until 30 June to leave the country, and the South African government has announced restrictions on migration policies in recent days.

Source: Lusa

The post Mozambican Ruling Party Calls for Review of Diplomatic Relations With South Africa Amid Mounting Xenophic Terrorist Attacks appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

JERUSALEM/NAIROBI – Israel has introduced sweeping travel restrictions on foreign nationals from five African countries over Ebola-related concerns, triggering diplomatic backlash from Kenya, which insists it has recorded no cases of the disease and calls the move unjustified.

Under a directive issued by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority, airlines operating flights to Israel have been instructed to deny boarding to foreign citizens and residents from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. The measures also apply to any foreign traveller of any nationality who has visited any of the listed countries within 21 days prior to departure.

The order effectively places a pre-boarding screening requirement on airlines, obliging them to question all non-Israeli passengers about recent travel history and prevent boarding if exposure to the listed countries is confirmed. Israeli citizens and permanent residents are exempt from the restrictions.

The move comes amid renewed concern over Ebola outbreaks in parts of East and Central Africa, prompting several governments to tighten surveillance, screening, and border health protocols. Health authorities globally have been on alert following sporadic flare-ups of the virus, which is known for its high fatality rate and rapid transmission in outbreak zones.

However, the inclusion of Kenya in the list has sparked a strong diplomatic protest from Nairobi. Kenyan officials argue that the country has not recorded any Ebola cases and has instead been actively involved in regional disease monitoring and response systems.

Korir Sing’Oei, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, publicly criticised the decision, saying Kenya “strongly protests” its inclusion among restricted countries. He noted that Kenya has conducted extensive surveillance efforts, including more than 80,000 tests, without detecting a single case of Ebola.

Kenya’s government has framed the decision as inconsistent with epidemiological evidence, warning that broad travel bans risk undermining trust and cooperation in regional public health systems. As East Africa’s major aviation and commercial hub, Kenya also argues that such measures could have wider implications for trade, tourism, and diplomatic relations if maintained.

The dispute highlights the continuing tension between precautionary border health measures and their diplomatic consequences, particularly when restrictions are applied to countries without confirmed infections.

While Israel maintains the measures are designed to reduce potential importation risks during a period of regional vulnerability, affected African states are pushing back, warning that blanket restrictions risk stigmatising countries and disrupting international mobility without clear scientific justification.

The restrictions remain in place as health authorities continue to monitor Ebola activity across the region.

The post Israel Ebola travel ban on five African states sparks diplomatic row with Kenya appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

JERUSALEM/NAIROBI – Israel has introduced sweeping travel restrictions on foreign nationals from five African countries over Ebola-related concerns, triggering diplomatic backlash from Kenya, which insists it has recorded no cases of the disease and calls the move unjustified.

Under a directive issued by Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority, airlines operating flights to Israel have been instructed to deny boarding to foreign citizens and residents from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. The measures also apply to any foreign traveller of any nationality who has visited any of the listed countries within 21 days prior to departure.

The order effectively places a pre-boarding screening requirement on airlines, obliging them to question all non-Israeli passengers about recent travel history and prevent boarding if exposure to the listed countries is confirmed. Israeli citizens and permanent residents are exempt from the restrictions.

The move comes amid renewed concern over Ebola outbreaks in parts of East and Central Africa, prompting several governments to tighten surveillance, screening, and border health protocols. Health authorities globally have been on alert following sporadic flare-ups of the virus, which is known for its high fatality rate and rapid transmission in outbreak zones.

However, the inclusion of Kenya in the list has sparked a strong diplomatic protest from Nairobi. Kenyan officials argue that the country has not recorded any Ebola cases and has instead been actively involved in regional disease monitoring and response systems.

Korir Sing’Oei, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, publicly criticised the decision, saying Kenya “strongly protests” its inclusion among restricted countries. He noted that Kenya has conducted extensive surveillance efforts, including more than 80,000 tests, without detecting a single case of Ebola.

Kenya’s government has framed the decision as inconsistent with epidemiological evidence, warning that broad travel bans risk undermining trust and cooperation in regional public health systems. As East Africa’s major aviation and commercial hub, Kenya also argues that such measures could have wider implications for trade, tourism, and diplomatic relations if maintained.

The dispute highlights the continuing tension between precautionary border health measures and their diplomatic consequences, particularly when restrictions are applied to countries without confirmed infections.

While Israel maintains the measures are designed to reduce potential importation risks during a period of regional vulnerability, affected African states are pushing back, warning that blanket restrictions risk stigmatising countries and disrupting international mobility without clear scientific justification.

The restrictions remain in place as health authorities continue to monitor Ebola activity across the region.

The post Israel Ebola travel ban on five African states sparks diplomatic row with Kenya appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

Cheaper fuel could be on the horizon for the world and South Africa after a peace deal was reached between the US and Iran, which is expected to see the Strait of Hormuz reopening toll-free. The news sent global stocks soaring on Monday, while oil prices tumbled on the news.

The two sides confirmed an announcement brokered by mediator Pakistan, with a signing ceremony scheduled in Switzerland on June 19. The agreement is set to end three months of conflict that had driven energy prices sharply higher and fuelled renewed concerns about a global inflation spike.

The Strait of Hormuz – a key maritime chokepoint responsible for roughly a fifth of global crude oil flows – was effectively shut by Tehran shortly after US-Israeli strikes on Iran began the conflict on February 28.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” US President Donald Trump wrote on social media Sunday as he marked his 80th birthday.

“I hereby fully authorise the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade.

“Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi later said on television that the deal brought an “immediate end” to the war, while noting that negotiations toward a “final agreement” would continue within the next two months.

The deal follows weeks of tense negotiations and repeated warnings from Trump of possible renewed military action if Iran failed to agree, though the full details and final terms of the agreement have not yet been made public.

Crude oil prices fell by as much as five percent on Monday, with Brent crude down by over four percent at around $83.60, while West Texas Intermediate approached $80 a barrel for the first time since the start of March.

Both main contracts have seen significant declines since their initial surge past $110 after the conflict began.
Although fuel price cuts are forecast for July, the full effect of lower oil prices – assuming they hold at current levels or lower – will likely only be felt in March.

The decline in oil prices helped ease fears that persistent inflation could push central banks back into raising interest rates. Recent US data showing higher consumer inflation for May, along with stronger-than-expected job growth, had already increased expectations that the Federal Reserve could tighten policy again before year-end.

According to Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management, “oil down takes the inflation impulse down,” while lower inflation risks reduce expectations of Fed rate hikes and ease pressure on bond yields, giving both growth stocks and longer-duration assets some breathing room.

He added that “the dollar loses a bit of its wartime bid,” while risk assets such as cryptocurrencies tend to respond quickly to improved liquidity conditions, as markets shift from a crisis-driven defensive stance to a more optimistic, reopening outlook.

However, Innes cautioned that the agreement should not be seen as a final peace settlement.

He said markets would now focus on verification of the deal, including the formal signing in Switzerland, mine clearance efforts, and whether regional actors such as Israel exercise restraint.

He described the arrangement as an early framework for a ceasefire that postpones deeper unresolved issues, including Iranian compliance and the role of Hezbollah.

Asian equity markets surged on the news, with Tokyo and Seoul both rising more than five percent, boosted by strong demand for technology shares following last week’s massive $75 billion initial public offering of Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

In Tokyo, gains were led by SoftBank and major semiconductor-related companies including Tokyo Electron and Advantest, while in Seoul, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix also posted strong advances.

The strong debut of SpaceX, which surged 19 percent and made Musk the world’s first trillionaire, reignited investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence-linked stocks, a dominant theme behind recent record market gains.

• Key figures around 5am (SA time)
• Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 4.1 percent at $83.77 a barrel
• Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 5.4 percent at 69,593,64 (break)
• Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.5 percent at 24,835.26
• Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.0 percent at 4,071.72
• Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1599 from $1.1577 on Friday
• Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3438 from $1.3416
• Dollar/yen: DOWN at 160.14 yen from 160.23 yen
• Euro/pound: UP at 86.31 pence from 86.27 pence
• New York – Dow: UP 0.7 percent at 51,202.26 (close)
• London – FTSE 100: UP 1.6 percent at 10,471.72 (close)

Source: AFP

The post Oil prices plunge as US and Iran announce peace deal – is cheaper fuel coming at last? appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

Cheaper fuel could be on the horizon for the world and South Africa after a peace deal was reached between the US and Iran, which is expected to see the Strait of Hormuz reopening toll-free. The news sent global stocks soaring on Monday, while oil prices tumbled on the news.

The two sides confirmed an announcement brokered by mediator Pakistan, with a signing ceremony scheduled in Switzerland on June 19. The agreement is set to end three months of conflict that had driven energy prices sharply higher and fuelled renewed concerns about a global inflation spike.

The Strait of Hormuz – a key maritime chokepoint responsible for roughly a fifth of global crude oil flows – was effectively shut by Tehran shortly after US-Israeli strikes on Iran began the conflict on February 28.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” US President Donald Trump wrote on social media Sunday as he marked his 80th birthday.

“I hereby fully authorise the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade.

“Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi later said on television that the deal brought an “immediate end” to the war, while noting that negotiations toward a “final agreement” would continue within the next two months.

The deal follows weeks of tense negotiations and repeated warnings from Trump of possible renewed military action if Iran failed to agree, though the full details and final terms of the agreement have not yet been made public.

Crude oil prices fell by as much as five percent on Monday, with Brent crude down by over four percent at around $83.60, while West Texas Intermediate approached $80 a barrel for the first time since the start of March.

Both main contracts have seen significant declines since their initial surge past $110 after the conflict began.
Although fuel price cuts are forecast for July, the full effect of lower oil prices – assuming they hold at current levels or lower – will likely only be felt in March.

The decline in oil prices helped ease fears that persistent inflation could push central banks back into raising interest rates. Recent US data showing higher consumer inflation for May, along with stronger-than-expected job growth, had already increased expectations that the Federal Reserve could tighten policy again before year-end.

According to Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management, “oil down takes the inflation impulse down,” while lower inflation risks reduce expectations of Fed rate hikes and ease pressure on bond yields, giving both growth stocks and longer-duration assets some breathing room.

He added that “the dollar loses a bit of its wartime bid,” while risk assets such as cryptocurrencies tend to respond quickly to improved liquidity conditions, as markets shift from a crisis-driven defensive stance to a more optimistic, reopening outlook.

However, Innes cautioned that the agreement should not be seen as a final peace settlement.

He said markets would now focus on verification of the deal, including the formal signing in Switzerland, mine clearance efforts, and whether regional actors such as Israel exercise restraint.

He described the arrangement as an early framework for a ceasefire that postpones deeper unresolved issues, including Iranian compliance and the role of Hezbollah.

Asian equity markets surged on the news, with Tokyo and Seoul both rising more than five percent, boosted by strong demand for technology shares following last week’s massive $75 billion initial public offering of Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

In Tokyo, gains were led by SoftBank and major semiconductor-related companies including Tokyo Electron and Advantest, while in Seoul, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix also posted strong advances.

The strong debut of SpaceX, which surged 19 percent and made Musk the world’s first trillionaire, reignited investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence-linked stocks, a dominant theme behind recent record market gains.

• Key figures around 5am (SA time)
• Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 4.1 percent at $83.77 a barrel
• Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 5.4 percent at 69,593,64 (break)
• Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.5 percent at 24,835.26
• Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.0 percent at 4,071.72
• Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1599 from $1.1577 on Friday
• Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3438 from $1.3416
• Dollar/yen: DOWN at 160.14 yen from 160.23 yen
• Euro/pound: UP at 86.31 pence from 86.27 pence
• New York – Dow: UP 0.7 percent at 51,202.26 (close)
• London – FTSE 100: UP 1.6 percent at 10,471.72 (close)

Source: AFP

The post Oil prices plunge as US and Iran announce peace deal – is cheaper fuel coming at last? appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.