*Thursday 27 February 2025* *Headlines* *Zimbabwe Could Clear Arrears With Bold Reforms, World Bank Says* *Tshabangu Seeks High Court Protection Amid Recall Fears* *ZWG Month-on-month inflation Rate Recedes To 0,5pc: ZimStat* *Police Harassment Viral Video Is From 2023, Says ZRP* *School Deputy Head Faces Bribery Charges* *No-shows, Aid Cuts Mar G20 Meet On Global Poverty* South Africa sought *Rwanda: UK Suspension Of Aid Cover DR Congo War Is 'Punitive'* *Putin Hosts Guinea-Bissau leader As Russia Builds Africa Ties* *Thousands of Canadians Sign Petition To Revoke Musk's Citizenship* *Haaland Scores On Return as Manchester City Edge Past Spurs To Boost Top-Four Hopes* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaatWAaBadmi3bUGfI3K *Stories in Detail:* *Zimbabwe Could Clear Arrears With Bold Reforms, World Bank Says* Zimbabwe could clear its arrears and rework $21 billion in debt that’s kept it locked out of international capital markets for more than a quarter of a century if it implements fiscal reforms, the World Bank said. “By adopting a bold set of fiscal reforms, it can turn the page on a prolonged history of macroeconomic instability, and set the foundations for a credible national budget that is efficient, able to manage unforeseen fiscal risks, and can ensure a stable and competitive currency,” the World Bank said in its review of Zimbabwe’s public finances on Wednesday. “In turn, this would open up the historic possibility of arrears’ clearance and debt resolution, which would release major additional resources in concessional multilateral financing for public and private investments.” It would also put Zimbabwe on a high-growth path and a more stable macroeconomic trajectory, the Washington-based lender said. The southern African nation defaulted on debt from lenders such as the World Bank, the Paris Club and the African Development Bank in 1999. In the past three years, it’s made concerted efforts to exit default. It’s enlisted AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina and former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano to negotiate with creditors, hired Global Sovereign Advisory, a Paris-based consultancy, and started paying reparations to farmers and nations whose land it seized in the 2000s. Changes the World Bank recommends include removing monetary and exchange-rate distortions to enable low and stable inflation, reducing the public-service wage bill by eliminating duplicate and redundant roles and doing away with value-added tax exemptions and zero-rating to increase revenues. The nation introduced the ZiG, short for Zimbabwe Gold, in April last year to eventually replace the dollar in local transactions. Multiple previous attempts at creating a local unit have failed and led to spiralling inflation. The central bank has introduced a plethora of steps to support the ZiG including curbing the money supply and forcing companies to price their products in the local currency, favouring the informal sector that sells goods at the higher unofficial exchange rate. The World Bank also urged Zimbabwe to reverse the trend toward informalization by removing macroeconomic obstacles, high compliance burden for small businesses and taxing formal transactions. *Bloomberg* *Tshabangu Seeks High Court Protection Amid Recall Fears* Self-proclaimed interim secretary general of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Sengezo Tshabangu, has approached the High Court in a bid to block his potential recall from Parliament. Tshabangu, who recently faced expulsion from CCC, is seeking a court order to prevent the Speaker of the National Assembly from effecting his removal. His legal action comes amid growing uncertainty over his political future, as the party moves to assert control over its parliamentary representation. The urgent chamber application, filed in the High Court in Harare, lists the Speaker of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate among the respondents. Tshabangu argues that the disciplinary proceedings leading to his expulsion were irregular and unlawfully constituted. If the court dismisses his application, he could face the same fate as the legislators he previously recalled under his interim leadership. His move to the courts is widely seen as an attempt to hold onto his parliamentary seat and political influence amid the ongoing power struggle within CCC. The High Court’s decision on the matter will determine whether Tshabangu remains in Parliament or faces the consequences of his expulsion. *the zimdancemaik* *ZWG Month-on-month inflation Rate Recedes To 0,5pc: ZimStat* The month-on-month inflation rate has tumbled to 0,5%, giving strong signals of a positive inflationary outlook in the year ahead, Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) reported Wednesday. The stats agency said the inflation rate for the local unit tumbled to 0.5% in February 2025, shedding 10.0% on the January 2025 rate of 10,5% implying that prices as measured by the all items ZWG CPI, increased by an average of 0.5% from January 2025 to February 2025. “The ZWG month-on-month Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages inflation rate was 0.8 percent in February 2025, shedding 6.0 percentage points on the January 2025 rate of 6.8 percent while the month-on-month non-food inflation rate was 0.3 % shedding 4,3% on the January 2025 rate of 4,6%,” said Zimsat. Market watchers have credited the latest recovery to the tight Monetary Policy stance pursued by monetary authorities but warned that such economic trends could be signals of deeper problems in the economy such as reduced productive borrowing, and disposable incomes prompting very slow economic growth. The policy measures, if not well managed, can also choke companies’ capability to invest in new projects. Zimstat said the US$ month-on-month inflation rate for the period stood at 0,2% in February 2025, shedding 11.3% on the January 2025 rate of 11,5% implying that prices as measured by the all items index increased by an average of 0,2% from January 2025 to February 2025. The USD month-on-month Food and NonAlcoholic Beverages inflation rate was 0,2% in February 2025, shedding 16.6% on the January 2025 rate of 16,8%. The February 2025 USD month-on-month non-food inflation rate was 0.2 % shedding 8,9% on the January 2025 rate of 9,1%. The USD year-on-year inflation rate (annual percentage change) for the month of February 2025 as measured by the all-items USD Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 15.1%. *NewZW* *Police Harassment Viral Video Is From 2023, Says ZRP* The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has clarified that a video circulating on social media, showing a man harassing a police officer in Harare’s CBD, is not recent but dates back to January 2023. the video, a visibly distressed police officer is shoved by a shirtless man, who even grabs the officer’s baton. The video resurfaced on social media on Wednesday, prompting a response from the ZRP. In a statement on their verified X page, the ZRP confirmed that the suspect involved in the assault was arrested, charged, and taken to court. The police also issued a warning to the public, urging them not to interfere with or obstruct officers in the lawful performance of their duties. Police said those who do will face legal consequences. The statement reads: Reference is made to a viral video circulating on social media depicting the assault of a police officer. The ZRP wishes to inform the public that this incident occurred in January 2023 in Harare. The suspect responsible for the assault was arrested, charged and taken to court. The ZRP assures the public that justice was served in this matter and the case is now closed. The Police reiterates that anyone who tries to interfere or obstruct police officers in the lawful performance of duty in order to maintain law and order will face the due consequences of the law. In addition to the video referenced by the ZRP, several other videos have been shared on X by Crime Watch Zimbabwe, showing police officers being assaulted by members of the public. One of the videos was captioned: “ZRP seriously needs to reflect on why the masses have lost respect for them. This growing disregard isn’t happening without reason, they need to step up and do better.” *Pindula* *School Deputy Head Faces Bribery Charges* The deputy head of Zengeza 4 High School, Patricia Mwaruta ,51, has been summoned before the courts on charges of bribery. Mwaruta appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Court where she was charged with soliciting a bribe. She is set to return to court on April 2 for further proceedings. According to the State, in January 2025, the complainant, a contractor, learned that the Zengeza 4 High School's School Development Committee was seeking quotations for the drilling of a borehole, solar installation, and the installation of a 5,000-liter tank with a 4-meter tank stand at the school. The complainant, through his company, submitted a quotation on January 9, 2025, via the SDC office. Two weeks after submitting his quotation, the complainant received a call from Patricia Mwaruta, inviting him for an interview. At the interview, which took place towards the end of January 2025, Mwaruta informed him that his quotation had been successful, and he was instructed to begin the borehole drilling and solar installation project. The entire project was estimated to cost US$4 600. On February 4, 2025, the complainant received the first deposit of US$1,500 and completed drilling 60 meters of the borehole, which matched the deposited amount. However, upon requesting the balance to continue the work and drill the borehole to a depth of 80 to 90 meters, which was the minimum requirement, Mwaruta allegedly solicited a bribe of USD$400 from the complainant, threatening that the contract would be cancelled if the bribe was not paid. The complainant, feeling compelled to report the matter, lodged a formal complaint with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission ZACC. In response, ZACC officers set up a sting operation, which led to Mwaruta's arrest after she allegedly received US$200 in bribe money at Zengeza 4 High School. *No-shows, Aid Cuts Mar G20 Meet On Global Poverty* South Africa sought to salvage international talks on tackling global poverty on Wednesday as finance chiefs from several leading economies skipped a gathering of Group of 20 nations in Cape Town held against a backdrop of foreign aid cuts. The two-day meeting comes after the Trump administration announced plans to gut its USAID arm and Britain slashed its aid budget by 40% to divert funds towards defence spending. Disputes over trade, the Ukraine war and how to tackle climate change have long made it hard for the G20 grouping to make serious progress on global challenges, but the latest no-shows risk further undermining its credibility. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent did not attend. Neither did finance ministers from China, Japan, India and Canada and the European Union's top economic official. Others cut short their presence. "It is now more important than ever that the members of the G20 work together," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in opening remarks appealing for multilateral cooperation. "It is vital to ensuring that the rights and interests of the vulnerable are not trampled beneath the ambitions of the powerful." The high-profile absences further reduce the chances of agreement on a meaningful communique at the end of the meeting. There also seemed little hope of major progress on issues that Ramaphosa as host wanted to target: scant climate finance from rich nations and reform of a financial system seen as penalising poor countries, as well as widening inequalities. "The absence of key officials at the G20 finance meetings further underscores the diminishing commitment to global poverty reduction at a time when it's needed most," said Dirk Willem te Velde, Director of the International Economic Development Group at ODI Global, calling the aid cuts "devastating news". G20 countries account for 85% of global gross domestic product and 75% of international trade. South Africa's finance minister Enoch Godongwana said the host appreciated the "scheduling challenges" facing some delegations but added: "The G20 is a year-long process with numerous engagement opportunities." Salvatore Nocerino, aid policy lead of Oxfam, said the non-attendances were particularly unfortunate given that the G20 was being hosted by an African country. "It is an opportunity to really address this distrust between the (global) North and South. So I think wasting that is also not smart," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump's demands that Europe step up to protect any peace deal in Ukraine and take more responsibility for its own security has forced capitals there to work out how they can ramp up defence spending from stretched budgets. "It's clear we are facing a more dangerous world, and I will not hide from this reality," British finance minister Rachel Reeves said, adding that investment, free trade and reforms remained the best ways of achieving sustainable growth. South Africa had hoped to make the G20 a platform for putting pressure on rich countries to do more to tackle climate change, and to give more towards poorer countries' transitions to green energy and adaptation to worsening weather. Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told Reuters that Trump's climate change scepticism would "reconfigure the conversation" on green energy. "Where it leads is anyone's guess," he said, adding that some countries might reconsider the scale and pace of their transition from fossil fuels to green energy as a result. Some analysts said the retreat of the G20's biggest economy from the discussions raised questions about its relevance. Others saw an opportunity for moving ahead without the United States. "There could very well be synergies between large portions of what's left by excluding the U.S. on particular issues," said Daniel Silke, director of the Political Futures Consultancy. "It's an opportunity for South Africa to take its leadership role." *Reuters* *Rwanda: UK Suspension Of Aid Cover DR Congo War Is 'Punitive'* The UK's decision to suspend some aid to Rwanda is "punitive", authorities in the East African country have said. In a statement, the UK said it was against Rwanda's support for the M23, a rebel group that has captured swathes of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in a deadly uprising. Rwanda used to deny backing the M23, but recently it has adopted a more defensive line, saying fighting near the border between DR Congo and Rwanda is a threat to its security. More than 7,000 people have died and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes since the conflict escalated in January, DR Congo's government says. The UK said the humanitarian situation in DR Congo was "critical" and that it would halt bilateral aid to Rwanda, "excluding support to the poorest and most vulnerable". Earlier this month, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Rwanda receives about £32m ($40m) of bilateral aid from the UK every year. Along with the suspension of aid, the UK will impose other measures, such as looking into potential sanctions and suspending "future defence training assistance", the statement said. These measures will last until "significant progress" is made in ceasing hostilities and withdrawing Rwandan military personnel from DR Congo, it added. UN experts have previously estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops are in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda's foreign ministry said the "punitive measures" announced by the UK government "in response to the conflict in eastern DRC - where the UK has now clearly chosen a side - are regrettable". "The measures do nothing to help the Democratic Republic of Congo, nor do they contribute to achieving a sustainable political solution to the conflict in eastern DRC." The UK has previously enjoyed good relations with Rwanda. In 2022, the two countries signed a multi-million pound deal, in which some asylum seekers arriving on British soil would be deported to Rwanda. The deal faced legal challenges and was scrapped last year after a change in the UK's government. DR Congo's government has been campaigning for international powers to suspend aid and impose sanctions on Rwanda. Last week, the US Treasury Department said it had imposed sanctions on Rwanda's Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe. The US accused Kabarebe, a former army chief, of being central to Rwanda's support for M23. Also sanctioned was Lawrence Kanyuka, the M23's spokesman, as well as two companies he controlled in France and the UK, the US Treasury said. Responding to the US move, Rwanda's foreign ministry said the sanctions were "unjustified". The M23 says it is fighting to achieve better rights for the Tutsis, an ethnic minority group in DR Congo, and to bring order to a failed state. The rebels have captured eastern DR Congo's two biggest cities, Goma and Bukavu. *BBC* *Putin Hosts Guinea-Bissau leader As Russia Builds Africa Ties* President Vladimir Putin hosted Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo for talks in the Kremlin on Wednesday, the latest sign of a drive by Moscow to build up economic and security relationships with countries in west and central Africa. State TV showed Russian metals tycoon Oleg Deripaska was present at the talks between the two leaders. Russian and Portuguese news outlets have quoted a Guinea-Bissau minister as saying Russian aluminium company Rusal is interested in building a railway and port in the country and exploring for bauxite. Embalo took office in 2020 and his term expires this year, although there is a dispute with the opposition over the timing of the next election. The opposition has vowed to bring the country to a standstill on Thursday in the row which centres on when Embalo's mandate runs out. Embalo has said there have been two attempts to overthrow him, the most recent in December 2023. After that incident, which involved gunfire and clashes in the capital, he dissolved the opposition-controlled parliament, accusing it of passivity. Russia has built security ties in recent years with a series of African countries, sending thousands of mercenaries to support military leaders and help them fight insurgents. It was not clear if any such deals were on the agenda for Wednesday's meeting. For Moscow, the assignments are a way to make money from government fees and economic opportunities in mining or energy, while eroding the influence in the region of former colonial powers, particularly France. Guinea-Bissau is a former Portuguese colony that gained independence in 1974. *Reuters* *Israel arrests dozens of Palestinians in overnight West Bank raids* The Israeli military has arrested dozens of Palestinians as part of an expansion of its military operations across the occupied West Bank. At least 50 people were arrested in overnight raids, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) and the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, both cited by a report by the Palestinian news agency Wafa on Wednesday. According to Wafa’s report, the military rounded up people for interrogation in the governorates of Hebron, Tulkarem, Qalqilya, Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jericho and Tubas. As part of the campaign, Israeli troops stormed the Majed Abu Sharar School in the city of Dura near Hebron and arrested two students, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office said on Wednesday. The new arrests brought the number of Palestinians detained by the Israeli army in the West Bank since October 2023 to more than 14,500, including those who were released later, according to Palestinian groups. The figure does not include those arrested from the Gaza Strip, whose numbers are estimated to be in the thousands. The mass detentions came amid Israel’s intensified military offensive in the West Bank that began after the Gaza ceasefire was agreed upon a month ago. The offensive has seen at least 62 Palestinians killed and about 40,000 people evacuated from the Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams camps in the West Bank in a month. Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner general of the United Nations’ agency for Palestinian refugees, on Wednesday said the occupied West Bank was now a ”battlefield” facing an “alarming spillover” of the Gaza war. Meanwhile, the Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for the residents of the Nur Shams camp, located east of the town of Tulkarem, before the planned demolition of 11 residential buildings. Israeli forces gave the residents just three hours to evacuate their homes, according to Wafa. Families were seen leaving their homes carrying the few belongings they were able to take. On Sunday, the Israeli army sent tanks to the Jenin refugee camp, the first such deployment since its crackdown on the second Intifada in 2002, announcing an “extended stay” for the coming year to fight Palestinian armed groups. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said the move was a continuation of Israel’s “genocide, displacement and annexation”. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority condemned the repeated obstruction of ambulances in the West Bank by Israeli forces, accusing them of violating It said Israel would place limits on the number of Muslim worshippers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The military has already deployed 3,000 armed personnel at checkpoints surrounding East Jerusalem and has tightened its grip on 82 military checkpoints. At least 924 Palestinians have been killed and more than 7,000 injured by the Israeli army in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian land illegal and demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. *Aljazeera* *Thousands of Canadians Sign Petition To Revoke Musk's Citizenship* Hundreds of thousands of people have signed a petition to revoke Elon Musk's Canadian citizenship amid tensions between the Trump administration and Canada. The petition, which opened to signatures five days ago, accuses Mr Musk of acting against Canada's national interest and undermining its sovereignty. In Canada, citizenship can be revoked only if someone has committed fraud, misrepresented themselves or knowingly hid information on an immigration or citizenship application. Mr Musk, who was born in South Africa, holds both Canadian and US citizenship. Responding to the petition, the billionaire wrote on X: "Canada is not a real country." The post was later deleted. The petition claims the billionaire "has used his wealth and power to influence our elections" and "has now become a member of a foreign government that is attempting to erase Canadian sovereignty". Mr Musk has Canadian citizenship through his mother, who was born in Saskatchewan. Launched on 20 February, the petition, already signed by more than 250,000 Canadians, remains open for signatures until 20 June. It is mostly symbolic and has no legal force. But petitions with at least 500 signatures and a member of parliament's backing typically receive a government response, this one may not, as a spring election could dissolve parliament. It was created by a British Columbia author and endorsed by MP Charlie Angus of the New Democratic Party. Angus, a 20-year MP for Timmins–James Bay, has announced he will not seek re-election. US-Canada tensions have escalated since Trump's return, with the president repeatedly suggesting Canada could become a US state and threatening tariffs on steel, aluminium, and other imports. Canadian leaders have pushed back, vowing counter-tariffs. The spat has spilled out beyond government, with Canadians cancelling US trips, boycotting American products, and booing opposing anthems at hockey and basketball games. Mr Musk moved to Canada from South Africa at 18, and worked odd jobs before studying at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. He later emigrated to the US. The billionaire has backed Trump's hardline immigration policies but now faces scrutiny over claims he worked illegally in the US on a student visa. In a recent interview, Steve Bannon, a former advisor to President Trump, called Mr Musk a "parasitic illegal immigrant". The Tesla CEO has denied the accusations, and has said he did not work illegally. He became a naturalised US citizen in 2002, according to a recent biography. The BBC has contacted Mr Musk via his businesses for comment. *BBC* *Haaland Scores On Return as Manchester City Edge Past Spurs To Boost Top-Four Hopes* Manchester City's performances have improved in recent weeks, and for the first time in months they looked something like their usual selves in the opening 45 minutes. Guardiola's players exacted control and appeared to have a better understanding of when to attack at pace and when to keep possession and slow play down. February signing Nico Gonzalez played in a more advanced midfield role alongside Mateo Kovacic, with Nunes tucking in from right-back when City had the ball. This was arguably the most successful solution to Rodri's absence that Guardiola has found this season. City found plenty of joy down the left as Doku, Gonzalez and Josko Gvardiol combined to great effect to create chances, though the finishing touch was more often than not missing. Even when City flagged in the second half and Tottenham piled on pressure, City avoided the kind of collapse that has become common this season. Ruben Dias and Abdukodir Khusanov were excellent at the heart of City's defence, while Ederson made key saves to keep the hosts at bay. The clinical end product from City was lacking for much of the game, however. On another night Tottenham might have punished City late on for their wastefulness in front of goal. Tottenham's improvement in the second half would have been worthy of a goal. Danso saw a couple of headers saved by Ederson, while Son was unfortunate that Ederson reacted so sharply to his low effort late on. "In the second half we dominated in all the areas but missed a goal to get something out of the game," Postecoglou told TNT Sports after the game. "We always knew we would finish strong, we always do, but in the first half we turned the ball over too many times. If you do that against City you allow them to get into a rhythm." That his side improved before he brought on Son, Kulusevski and Djed Spence will have pleased Postecoglou, who explained the trio were benched because of the team's heavy workload. With the likes of Micky van de Ven, Dominic Solanke and Cristian Romero soon to return from injury, Spurs may still be in a good place to finish the season strongly. Haaland Scores on Return as Manchester City Edge Past Spurs to Boost Top-Four Hopes *BBC*