Desperation drives Nigeria’s pro-Russian protests

The Globe and Mail,

Demonstrators say they were motivated by financial issues, including those linked to a temporary border closing after a coup in neighbouring Niger.

When hundreds of protesters waved Russian flags during mass demonstrations in northern Nigeria in early August, it sent shock waves through the West African country. Military commanders swiftly denounced it as “treason.” Police arrested more than 90 of the flag-waving protesters, along with local tailors who had sold the flags. Political commentators fretted that Russia was expanding its influence in the region after pro-Moscow regimes had seized power in military coup sin three other West African countries.

But interviews with many of the Nigerian protesters tell a different story. It’s one that complicates the conventional narrative about the Russian surge in Africa, which is often seen solely as a story of superpower rivalry and anti-colonial sentiment.

Instead, the protesters said they were mainly motivated by financial issues, including the deteriorating economy in northern Nigeria and the temporary closing of borders after a coup in neighbouring Niger last year. For them, pro-Russian protests are largely a cry of economic desperation – a search for any external force to help them, without knowing how.

Western fears of growing Russian influence have gained momentum since the recent coups in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Each case led to military agreements between Moscow and the new regimes, with Russian military contractors arriving to support the local armies, while French and United Nations forces were ejected.

But the support for Russia is not merely a geopolitical manoeuvre. Umar Yussuf, a 37year-old shoemaker in the northwestern Nigerian city of Katsina, said he waved a Russian flag during the anti-government protests because of his growing anger at the country’ s failure to tackle the economic crisis.

Kuwait vows war against ‘e-flies’ sowing discord in GCC countries

Arab Times,

 Sheikh Abdullah AlHamed, Chairman of the UAE’s National Media Office, launched a robust initiative to counter the growing threat of ‘electronic flies’ – fake accounts spreading discord and hatred online.

Through the hashtag ‘Report Without Comment’, the campaign aims to tackle the rise of verbal wars, sectarianism, and insults targeting leaders and symbols. Sheikh Al-Hamed emphasized, “We will ban anyone who offends; responding to a fool is not polite, and there’s no place for flies.”

Sheikh Al-Hamed emphasized the importance of unity and authenticity in combating the spread of discord by “electronic flies” on social media. He stated, “Belief in our Arabism gives us motivation. These accounts exist only to gossip and divide, an idle pastime for some.”

He urged continued support for the initiative, highlighting the need to counter those seeking to sow discord among Gulf nations.

In Kuwait, the initiative received widespread support, with calls for strict legislation to combat these divisive online activities. Former Housing Minister Yahya Al-Sumait praised the initiative, noting that it serves the Gulf states’ interests by countering foreignfunded mercenaries aiming to disrupt regional harmony.

The Director of Public Relations at the Media Association, Jarrah AlQazza, praised the initiative as a critical and timely measure to combat the spread of discord and rumors among Gulf nations. He highlighted the increasing number of paid accounts sowing division and emphasized the importance of rejecting insults that undermine Gulf unity.

Security expert Hamad Al-Suraye echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for joint coordination among Gulf countries to combat the unrest stirred by deviant groups. He called for blocking fake accounts that threaten to fragment regional relations.

Abdullah Al Gharib, Vice President of the Electronic Media Union, lauded the initiative as a significant step against “electronic barbarism” on social media, affirming the authenticity of the leaders and people of the UAE.

He noted that Saudi Arabia’s support underscores the deep historical ties between the Kingdom and the UAE, and warned of the severe impact of electronic wars, which may surpass that of traditional weapons.

Separatists enter poll fray, J& K parties welcome ‘ move towards democracy’

Indian Express,

 A FORMER Hurriyat leader, the son of a Hurriyat executive member, a Jamaat- e- Islami leader and the brother of a jailed separatist. With the banned Jamaat- e- Islami coming forward to participate in J& K polls after a gap of 40 years, putting up Independent candidates , a range of leaders are making a switch to the mainstream.

For J& K- based parties which chose to remain mainstream at the height of the separatist movement, this change is a “vindication” of their stand on Kashmir.

Among the biggest separatist names in the race is Syed Saleem Geelani, who joined the PDP Sunday. Geelani once headed the Jammu and Kashmir National People’s Party ( NPP), which was a constituent of the Hurriyat Conference’s moderate faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

In 2015, Geelani and a few other leaders revolted against Mirwaiz, accusing him of “violating the Hurriyat’s 1993 constitution by engaging in secret talks with New Delhi”. After that, Geelani kept to the background, even as he formed his own party.

Addressing the media as he joined the PDP in the presence of Mufti, Geelani said he was “proud” of his association with the Hurriyat and described the PDP as a natural fit. “The PDP is the only ( mainstream) party that has talked about … the Kashmir issue, human rights, the concerns of the people and basic amenities.” However, he was not looking to contest elections, Geelani said.

Javid Hubbi, the son of former Hurriyat leader Ghulam Mohammad Hubbi, is the candidate of Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party ( AIP) from Charar- eSharief. Rashid, in jail since before the abrogation of Article 370, had pulled off the biggest upset when he had won the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat as an Independent. Now there is big demand for an AIP ticket in the Assembly polls.

Javid’s father Ghulam Hubbi, a doctor by profession, left a government job in 1983 to join the Abdul Gani Lone- led People’s Conference ( now headed by Sajad). In 2002, when Sajad Lone was accused of fielding proxy candidates in Assembly polls, Ghulam Hubbi expelled him. Javid, a lawyer, has followed in his father’s footsteps by taking the political plunge on the AIP ticket, with the Senior Hubbi calling it a day.

Another big name fielded by the PDP from the separatist camp is Aga Muntazir Mehdi. A prominent Shia cleric and the son of Hurriyat executive member Aga Syed Hassan, Mehdi is contesting from Budgam, which was in the past represented by his cousin and NC leader.

Canadian PM Trudeau weakened after main ally unexpectedly pulls support

Reuters,

 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suffered an unexpected blow on Wednesday when the small party helping keep his minority Liberal government in power withdrew its automatic support, forcing him to attempt new alliances to govern.

Promising to continue governing and pushing through social programs, Trudeau dismissed talk of early elections after the left-leaning New Democratic Party’s leader Jagmeet Singh said he was “ripping up” a deal struck between the two men in 2022.

But the move leaves Trudeau reliant on support from other opposition lawmakers to survive confidence votes in the lower chamber of parliament at a time when polls show he will lose badly if an election were held now. An election must be held by the end of October 2025 under Canadian law.

“An election will come in the coming year, hopefully not until next fall, because in the meantime, we’re going to deliver for Canadians,” Trudeau told reporters at a school where he had arrived to talk about expanding lunch programs.

“I really hope the NDP stays focused on how we can deliver for Canadians, as we have over the past years, rather than focusing on politics.”

Trudeau, 52, first took office in November 2015 but has over the last two years struggled to fend off attacks from the opposition center-right Conservatives, who blame him for high inflation and a housing crisis.

With the NDP’s support, his government has pushed through social programs designed to address the cost of living.

But the NDP’s Singh had expressed growing frustration with Trudeau in recent months, especially over what he said was the Liberals’ failure to deal with high prices at grocery stores.

“Justin Trudeau has proven again and again he will always cave to corporate greed,” Singh said in a video posted on social media where he also declared that he would run for prime minister in the next election. “Liberals have led people down – they don’t deserve another chance.”