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‘Political wall’ in Belarus will collapse, says opposition leader

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Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visits Berlin on the occasion of the 35. anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, 08.11.24, Berlin. Diana Resnik
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‘Political wall’ in Belarus will collapse, says opposition leader

 

Germans were celebrating the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Saturday that had divided the city into east and west for years during the Cold War.

On Nov. 9, 1989 communist East Germany threw open its borders, allowing citizens to travel freely to the West for the first time in decades.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke with Euronews in Berlin about the continuing repression inside her own country. For many Belarusian citizens, the fall of the Berlin Wall has a very special meaning, she said.

For Belarusians, the Berlin Wall has a very important symbolic meaning.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Belarusian opposition leader

“For Belarusians, the Berlin Wall has a very important symbolic meaning. This is, what Belarusians, to some extent, experience at the moment,” Tsikhanouskaya stated.

“The wall divided East Berlin from West Berlin, a better life from a worse life. What was a physical wall (in Berlin), is now a political wall in Belarus”, says Tsikhanouskaya.

After it fell people who had been separated from family and friends for over 28 years, could finally reunite, as could Germany which then made Berlin its capital again.

Tsikhanouskaya: “The Berlin Wall did not fall by itself”

As with those who had lived in former East Germany, people in Belarus endure the repression of Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, but only they themselves can stop it, Tsikhanouskaya insists.

“The Berlin Wall did not fall by itself,” she stressed. “The German people fought daily for the fall of this wall.”

Just as West Germans encouraged East Germans to fight for their freedom, so the Belarusian people now need support from democracies around the world, Tsikhanouskaya stated.

I am certain that the wall in Belarus will collapse.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Belarusian opposition leader

“I am certain that the wall in Belarus will collapse. Of course, it depends on us Belarusians, but also on global solidarity.”

“We can’t destroy this political wall all by ourselves. We need allies. We need solidarity. We need assistance,” Tsikhanouskaya urged.

“When you feel solidarity,” Tsikhanouskaya said, “you really feel inspired.”

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visits Berlin on the occasion of the 35. anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, 08.11.24, Berlin. Diana Resnik

 

The role of western democracies

“Belarus is on the front line of the fight against a dictatorship,” but for Lukashenko’s political wall to fall, the west needs to continue building strong pressure on his dictatorship, says Tsikhanouskaya.

Helping the Belarusian people on their difficult path to freedom means holding the perpetrators to account, she stated: “People in Belarus should feel that all the crimes will not go unpunished.”

Many in Belarus tried to gain their freedom in 2020 when they protested against the falsified election result that kept Lukashenko in power. Some were brutally beaten by the police, freedom fighters were put into jail, and some had to flee into exile.

But, the Berlin Wall did not suddenly collapse by itself either, says Tsikhanouskaya, and neither will Lukashenko’s regime. “It took the humdrum work of many, many people at that time.”

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House Approves 2025-2027 MTEF

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House Approves 2025-2027 MTEF
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The House of Representatives has passed the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper for 2025 to 2027 as submitted by President Bola Tinubu.

This followed the consideration and approval of the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Finance and National Planning which laid its report at Wednesday’s plenary.

The House adopted the projected oil benchmark prices pegged at 75 dollars per barrel for 2025, as well as 76.2 dollars and 75.3 dollars per barrel for 2026 and 2027.

Domestic Crude Oil Production Projections for 2025 is put at 2.06 million barrels per day representing a significant increase from 1.78 million barrels per day in the current year.

GDP growth rate is projected at 4.6, 4.4 and 5.5 percent for 2025 to 2027, respectively, while the projected exchange rate is pegged at 1,400 Naira to the US Dollar for years 2025, 2026 and 2027

The MTEF projections aim towards a realistic and sustainable foundation for Nigeria’s budget planning over the next three years.

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President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja for Paris on a state visit in honour of an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron.

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President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja for Paris on a state visit in honour of an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron.
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The president is on the trip alongside first lady, Oluremi.

They were seen off by top government functionaries led by secretary to the government of the federation, George Akume, chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The presidential zero-one-one air plane took off at about twenty minutes past eleven this Wednesday morning.

A statement by the presidential adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga reveals that, the Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.

President Tinubu and his wife, are expected to be received on Thursday at the French military museum, Les Invalides and Palais de l’Élysée, by the host president, Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, for initial ceremonies that will dovetail into bilateral meetings.

The two presidents are also to harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.

Both leaders will witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.

Wife of the host president, Brigitte and Nigeria’s First Lady are also scheduled to discuss the Renewed Hope Initiative and the interest for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable in Nigeria.

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PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU APPOINTS JAMI’U ABIOLA AS SSA ON LINGUISTICS & FOREIGN MATTERS

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PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU APPOINTS JAMI’U ABIOLA AS SSA ON LINGUISTICS & FOREIGN MATTERS
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PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU APPOINTS JAMI’U ABIOLA AS SSA ON LINGUISTICS & FOREIGN MATTERS

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jami’u Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters.

A statement by Segun Imohiosen, Director, Information & Public Relations Office the
Secretary to the Government of
the Federation says the appointment takes effect from 14th of this month. It adds that the appointment is in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.

It notes that until the appointment, Jami’u served as the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice President.

President Tinubu tasks the appointee to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment.

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