Foreign News
Hungary, Romania Issuing Access Visas to Nigerians Fleeing Ukraine – FG
The Governments of Hungary and Romania have approved visa free access to all Nigerians fleeing Ukraine, the Federal Government has said.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Nigerian Mission in Hungary.
The federal government that arrangements are underway for transportation of Nigerian nationals to enable them stabilize,
The government advised affected Nigerians to approach the borders with their valid documents and cooperate with immigration officials to ease the process.
“The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Budapest, Hungary wishes to inform nationals arriving from Ukraine, that the Government of Hungary has enacted Decree 56/2022 (24.
II).“Which permits third country nationals with valid Ukrainian resident permits to enter Hungary on a temporary basis, without a Schengen visa.
“As such, Nigerians arriving at the Hungary-Ukraine border can enter Hungary, either on transit to Nigeria, or temporarily reside in the country.
“Affected Nigerians are thereby advised to send their names, phone numbers, email addresses, and copy of their passports biodata page to the Embassy’s Consular email; secretary@nigerianembassy.hu.
“To enable the facilitation of the aforementioned arrangements. For information to on consular assistance, please contact the following persons who will be on ground to coordinate;
“Mr Stanley Okpara (Consular Officer) – +36308202903 and Mr Ayotunde Adigun +36308639203,” the Hungarian Mission Stated.
Similarly, the Romanian Mission in a statement urged affected Nigerians to contact its consular officer on +40747309174 and Head of Chancery on +40786091964 for assistance.
“The following persons are deployed to the four entry points and may be reached accordingly; Siret, Suceava County- Mr Dayo Adeoye on +407493359685 and Mr Suleiman Ahmed on +40754859685.
“Sighetul Marmatiel, Maramures County, Mr P.O Akanmode +40752482924. At Isaccea, Tulcea County, David Abraham, +40764505900 and at Halmeu, Satu Mare County, Mohammed Liman, +40749828499.
“Affected Nigerian nationals are advised to ensure they arrive at the entry points with valid travel documents and cooperate with Romanian Immigration Officers at the borders,” the Romanian Mission stated. (NAN)
Foreign News
Mozambique’s Death Toll from Cyclone Chido Rises to 94- Reports
Mozambique’s disaster management agency announced that the death toll from Cyclone Chido has risen to 94.
The cyclone had made landfall in northern Mozambique a week ago and Mozambique’s institute for natural disasters on Thursday had given the death toll at 73.
The Indian Ocean archipelago Mayotte bore the brunt of the storm.
Officials in Mayotte, which is one of France’s poorest overseas territories, have only been able to confirm 35 fatalities from Chido, but some have said they fear thousands could have been killed.Olamide Harrison, the International Monetary Fund’s Mozambique resident representative, said on Wednesday that the country’s 2024 economic growth would likely be revised down from a previous forecast of 4.
3 per cent due to the impact of the cyclone and post-election civil unrest.In October, Daniel Chapo, the candidate of Mozambique’s ruling party Frelimo, was declared winner of the presidential election. (Reuters/NAN)
Foreign News
No talk of Ceasefire Deal Between Turkey, US-backed SDF in Northern Syria – Turkish Official
There is no talk of a ceasefire deal between Turkey and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria, contrary to a U.S. announcement on the issue, a Turkish defence ministry official said on Thursday.
The official was responding to comments from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, who said a ceasefire between Turkey and the SDF around the northern Syrian city of Manbij has been extended until the end of this week.
“As Turkey, it is out of the question for us to have talks with any terrorist organisation.
“The (U.S.) statement must be a slip of the tongue,” the defence ministry official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters.
Washington brokered an initial ceasefire between Turkey-backed Syrian rebels and the SDF forces last week after fighting that broke out earlier this month as rebel groups advanced on Damascus and overthrew Bashar al-Assad.
The SDF is an ally in the U.S. coalition against Islamic State militants.
It is spearheaded by the YPG, a group that Ankara sees as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants who have fought the Turkish state for 40 years.
Turkey regards the PKK, YPG and SDF as terrorist groups. The U.S. and Turkey’s Western allies list the PKK as terrorist, but not the YPG and the SDF.
When asked if Ankara was considering another ground operation into northern Syria, the official said that Turkey still sees a threat to its borders from north Syria.
“Our preparations and precautions as part of the fight against terrorism will continue until the PKK/YPG lays down its arms and its foreign fighters leave Syria,” the official said.
Since 2016, Turkey has mounted four military operations in northern Syria, citing national security threats.
Turkey believes that forces of the Syrian National Army paramilitary group which it backs will “liberate” YPG-controlled areas in northern Syria, the official said, signalling that Turkey does not plan an imminent operation into the region by its military.
The SDF have close ties with Western countries including the U.S. and France. Recently, France said the political transition in Syria needed to ensure that the SDF was represented. (Reuters/NAN)
Foreign News
President Yoon Banned from Leaving South Korea
The South Korean Government ordered an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol.The South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Monday that the travel ban is due to the ongoing investigation into Yoon, which involves suspicion of high treason.Yoon unexpectedly imposed martial law on his country last Tuesday night, but hours later, after massive political resistance, he repealed the order.
On Saturday evening, a motion by the opposition to impeach the president in parliament failed. However, public pressure against the 63-year-old continues. (dpa/NAN)