Aoun Praises Role Lebanese Businessmen Play in Guinea-Bissau

President Michel Aoun meets Guinea-Bissau's Speaker Cipriano Cassama, Jan. 8, 2019. | Dalati Nohra
President Michel Aoun meets Guinea-Bissau's Speaker Cipriano Cassama, Jan. 8, 2019. | Dalati Nohra
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Aoun Praises Role Lebanese Businessmen Play in Guinea-Bissau

President Michel Aoun meets Guinea-Bissau's Speaker Cipriano Cassama, Jan. 8, 2019. | Dalati Nohra
President Michel Aoun meets Guinea-Bissau's Speaker Cipriano Cassama, Jan. 8, 2019. | Dalati Nohra

President Michel Aoun Tuesday lauded the contributions of Lebanese expatriates to Guinea-Bissau's economy, during a meeting at Baabda Palace with the West African nation's speaker of parliament, a statement from the presidency reported.

"The Lebanese expatriates around the world and in African countries, in particular, are playing a leading role in promoting Lebanese-African relations, and reaffirming the distinguished Lebanese presence abroad; a presence that has become a role model," Aoun said during his meeting this Tuesday with Guinea-Bissau's Speaker.

Aoun noted that many members of the Lebanese community in Guinea-Bissau hold high-level positions in local business and politics.

He underlined "the excellent relations between Lebanese expats and the Guinea-Bissau authorities and citizens, especially owing to their contribution to economic life and investment projects," lauding the support of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau in international forums.

The president thanked Speaker Cipriano Cassama for his country's ongoing support for Lebanon and expressed hope for further cooperation between the two nations in the future, particularly through the International Organization of the Francophonie.

For his part, Cassama conveyed to Aoun the greetings of the President of Guinea-Bissau, praising the importance of cooperation between the two countries, and shedding light on the role played by the Lebanese businessmen in Guinea-Bissau.

He told reporters after the meeting: "I have had the opportunity to share with the President some of the concerns of the House of Representatives and the political situation in Guinea-Bissau," adding that his country is deemed friendly to Lebanon and the Lebanese" in all international fields, and the various authorities in our country have stood by Lebanon's side at the United Nations."

Later that day, Cassama was welcomed by Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri at the Center House in the presence of Minister Jamal Jarrah and MPs Bahia Hariri, Michel Moussa, Dima Jamali and Nazih Najem.

The meeting focused on the good relations between the two countries, the positive and constructive role played by the Lebanese community in Guinea-Bissau and its effective contribution to the country's development.

At the end of the meeting, Hariri and his guest exchanged souvenir gifts.



Dozens Die of Mysterious Illness in Besieged Sudan Town

FILE PHOTO: Sudanese people, displaced from Jezira state due to RSF violence, sit under a tree in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Sudanese people, displaced from Jezira state due to RSF violence, sit under a tree in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo
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Dozens Die of Mysterious Illness in Besieged Sudan Town

FILE PHOTO: Sudanese people, displaced from Jezira state due to RSF violence, sit under a tree in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Sudanese people, displaced from Jezira state due to RSF violence, sit under a tree in New Halfa, Kassala state, Sudan, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo

At least 73 people have died of mysterious causes in the Sudanese town of al-Hilaliya, besieged by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the Sudanese Doctors Union said late on Wednesday.
It is one of dozens of villages that have come under attack in eastern El Jezira state since the defection of a top RSF commander to the army, which prompted revenge attacks that have displaced more than 135,000 people.
The war between the two forces has created the world's largest humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 11 million and plunging more into hunger while drawing in foreign powers and prompting fears of state collapse, Reuters said.
While high death tolls in other parts of Jezira came as a result of RSF shelling and gunfire, in Hilaliya people have fallen ill with diarrhea, overwhelming a local hospital according to the union and three people from the area.
A network blackout enforced by the RSF has made it difficult to determine the exact cause.
One man who spoke to Reuters said three of his family members had died of the same illness, but he only found out days later when others escaped to an area with internet access.
Those who wish to leave must pay high sums at RSF checkpoints, said another man.
According to pro-democracy activists, the siege began on Oct. 29 when the RSF raided the town, killing five and surrounding residents inside three mosques.
Hilaliya is home to the family of defected commander Abuagla Keikal, which locals say may explain the siege of a previously stable trade hub that had housed 50,000 people, including many displaced from other areas.
The town's markets and warehouses were looted, witnesses said.
Satellite imagery from a Yale Humanitarian Lab report showed rapid increase in cemeteries in several Jezira towns since the latest revenge attacks began in late October. It also showed evidence of the burning of agricultural fields in the village of Azrag.