PUTIN WOOS AFRICAN LEADERS AT SHOWCASE SUMMIT, SAYS RUSSIA IS BETTER PARTNER THAN 'COLONIAL' WEST. (PHOTO).

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 Putin woos African leaders at showcase summit, says Russia is better partner than 'colonial' West President Vladimir Putin told African leaders ​on Wednesday that Russia was their best partner, accusing what he cast as a colonial West of still trying ‌to exploit the continent's resources and using debt to hold back development, Reuters reported. The Kremlin chief was speaking at the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, a two-day event attended by African leaders and government delegations from 48 countries, during which he will hold one-on-one talks with many of the 22 individual African leaders ​attending on everything from trade to security, arms deals and grain supplies. "Africa is increasingly asserting itself as one of the key players in the global economy and politics. However, the emergence of a multipolar world is, of ​course, no easy task; it faces resistance from countries that are not prepared to accept this reality: those who are accustomed to ​thinking i...

KENYA-US RARE EARTHS DEAL CHALLENGED IN COURT OVER SECRECY. (PHOTO).


 Kenya-US rare earths deal challenged in court over secrecy


A multi-billion-dollar rare earth minerals deal between Kenya and the United States was challenged in a Kenyan court on Monday, accused of lacking transparency.


The deal involves minerals critical to high-tech and low-carbon industries in the coastal forest of Mrima Hill, which is believed to hold deposits worth about $62.4 billion, including large reserves of niobium, a metal used to strengthen steel.


The Centre for Litigation Trust, a legal advocacy organisation, is suing the Kenyan government in a bid to halt the deal with the United States to mine the area, after media reports that it was nearing completion.


In court papers seen by AFP, the group calls for full transparency and public consultation around the deal, arguing that any such agreement requires approval by parliament.


'Shrouded in secrecy'


"The specific contract and framework details are shrouded in secrecy, remain opaque and vague to the public," the submission reads.


"Kenyans had no knowledge of the state of affairs pertaining the preliminary agreement."


On Monday, the High Court directed the respondents to be served with the application and to file their responses within 14 days.


President Donald Trump has made securing critical minerals a key pillar of Washington's Africa policy, with Kenya emerging as a priority target.

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