World News

US to appoint ambassador to Sudan for first time in 23 years

The United States and Sudan are restoring diplomatic relations after 23 years, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announcing the countries will exchange ambassadors. This is a historic step to strengthen our bilateral relationship,” Pompeo said. The move comes in the wake of the overthrow of long-time Sudanese strongman Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted from office in a coup in April after 30 years as president. Al-Bashir was also accused of war crimes.

Mike Pompeo

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok met US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday. Their discussion focused on Sudan’s economic reform agenda and the importance of demonstrating a high-level commitment to combatting money laundering and terrorism financing,” Treasury said in a statement, the first clear sign of reconciliation.

Hamdok was at the State Department as well on Wednesday and was hailed for his efforts “to break with the policies and practices of the previous regime. Meanwhile, the US last month pulled its ambassador out of South Sudan over the failure of the factions in Juba to form a unity government.

In other news – Shekhinah is SA’s most-streamed female artist on Spotify for 2019

As 2019 draws to an end, music streaming giant Spotify has unveiled SA’s top-charting artists, albums, songs, playlists, and podcasts streamed on the platform, as well as international artists streamed the most in SA. According to  Wrapped”, Shekhinah remained the most streamed local female artist in SA in 2019.

Shekhinah

The Rose Gold hitmaker surpassed Lady Zamar, whose much anticipated second album Monarch followed in second place, with Afrikaans rock artist Karen Zoid claiming the third spot. Amapiano’s frontrunner Kabza De Small topped the list of the most streamed South African artists on Spotify in SA, followed closely by DJ Maphorisa, with rapper Nasty C third. Read more

Source: eNCA