Field Procurement Officer at the Islamic Development Bank (IDB)

The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is a multilateral development bank (MDB) which funds its projects and other developmental activities using Islamic finance. Hence, the name “Islamic”. Founded in 1975, the IsDB is headquartered in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the Bank is to foster economic development and social progress of its member countries.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Field Procurement Officer - Regional Hub of Abuja, Nigeria

Ref No: IDB2058
Location: Abuja

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Job Purpose

• Carry out duties related to the planning, implementing and monitoring of project procurement related activities within the locations associated with the regional hubs to fulfill the needs of the Bank.
• This role ensures effective compliance to procurement guidelines for the successful preparation, appraisal and implementation of approved projects.

Key Accountabilities
Policies, Procedures & Processes:

• Implements the policies and procedures contained in the procurement Guidelines of the Bank.
• Provide Technical advice to the project officers in preparation of project procurement Plans.
• Contribute to the development of procurement policies and procedures considering Member Countries’ needs, IDB Group priorities and observed trends among similar MDBs.

Project Procurement Management:

• Extend the Project Procurement Facilitation and Implementation Support for improved quality at entry, implementation and at completion in-order to improve quality in project delivery.
• Provide support in risk assessment in projects as per the procurement Guidelines and follow-up with concerned parties in-order to maintain acceptable risk mitigation measures.
• Support in the elaboration of project concept notes, preparation and appraisal of projects in-order to provide the required advice on procurement matters.
• Organize project start-up workshops, conduct staff briefings and provide necessary support for the country portfolio.
• Review and clearance, as the case may be, of Procurement Documents (RfP, BD, PQD, EoI, GPN, SPN…) received from beneficiaries and ensure its compliance with IDB requirements.

Customer Service:

• Contribute in resolution of procurement issues from various stakeholders, including those related to input in complaints handling as per the guidelines, in-order to deliver the bank’s required levels of service in all interactions with stakeholders.

Capacity Development:

• Contribute in the capacity development of concerned stakeholders through organizing and preparing specialized workshops on project procurement policies and procedures as per the procurement guidelines of IDB, both internally and externally.

Reporting:

• Contribute in preparation of Country Procurement Assessment Reports (CPAR), Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR) & Project Procurement Audit Reports.
• Prepare periodic briefs on procurement related issues in-order to ensure concerned parties are briefed regularly on project activities.

Job Requirements
Academic qualifications:

•  Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Languages:

• English (mandatory)

Minimum number of years and nature of experience:

•  5 - 8 years of experience in project procurement of MDBs.
• 3 years’ experience in project management and implementation.

Job specific competencies:

• Bank Knowledge
• Country Knowledge and Programming
• Country Portfolio Assessment
• Project Risk Assessment and Evaluation
• Policies and Procedures
• Project Management
• Motivation to learn and share

Application Closing Date
31st July, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

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Job Vacancy for Field Disbursement Officer at the Islamic Development Bank

The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is a multilateral development bank (MDB) which funds its projects and other developmental activities using Islamic finance. Hence, the name “Islamic”. Founded in 1975, the IsDB is headquartered in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the Bank is to foster economic development and social progress of its member countries.

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We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Field Disbursement Officer - Regional Hub of Abuja

Ref No: IDB2062
Location: Abuja
Business Unit: Finance Complex
Division: Dues & Disbursements
Department: Financial Control Department

Job Purpose

• Review and verify operational disbursement requests and documentation in regional hub in coordination with project management unit or equivalent agency.
• Determine whether the disbursement request should be approved, reduced or rejected in accordance with Bank’s policies and procedures.
• Allocate disbursement commitments to relevant contract and ensure timely completion of the disbursement. Maintain accurate and complete records relating to regional hub’s project accounting activities, coordinate with respective parties for resolution of disbursement related problems.
• Provide support to negotiations, mission preparation, and disbursement workshops.

Key Accountabilities
Dues and Disbursement Management:

• Process disbursement requests from project management unit or equivalent agency in the regional hub to verify and determine the appropriateness of requests and supporting documents for the disbursement in accordance with Bank’s policies and procedures
• Liaise with regional hub management and executing agencies and borrowers, in the resolution of disbursement related problems
• Draft clear and concise correspondence to project management unit or operational staff regarding disbursement related issues
• Monitor utilization of Special Accounts, ensuring that the funds are properly accounted for and used in accordance with Bank procedures
• Participate in project missions to verify use of project finances and resolve disbursement issues
• Participate in technical discussions and new project negotiations to ensure that disbursement arrangements are compliant with Bank’s disbursement policies
• Prepare periodic reports on disbursement activities and disbursement projections for the regional hub for management
• Maintain reliable and timely financial records for project accounting and reporting on the performance of the portfolio with special focus on approval, disbursements, cancellations and recoveries in the regional hub
• Participate in reconciliation of project balances and issuance of project statements to Member Countries (i.e. reconciling borrowers’ and the bank’s records)
• Prepare and update repayment schedules, prepare billing statements and track the repayment of amounts due and overdue in the regional hub

Financial Analysis:

• Perform specific analyses of financial or operating data and submit recommendations for consideration of management
• Analyze the current projects status and identify any problem areas that warrant attention of the concerned departments
• Participate in standard and ad hoc analyses to meet variety of management objectives

Policies, Processes & Procedures:

• Participate in drafting policies and procedures as per management instructions
• Provide guidance on interpretation of IDB policies and procedures, and regulations applicable to operations financing in regional hub
• Analyze and identify gaps and suggest improvements to policies or procedures for more effective operations

Reporting & Communication:

• Prepare ad-hoc reports as and when required by management

Job Requirements
Academic qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration or related field is required
• CPA, ACCA, CMA or an equivalent certification is preferred

Languages:

• English (mandatory)

Minimum number of years and nature of experience:

• 4-6 years of relevant experience in finance and accounting
• ERP, procurement and audit experience is preferred

Job specific competencies:

• Adaptability
• Building Relationships
• Client Centricity and Responsiveness
• Motivation to Learn and Share
• Passion for Excellence
• Analytical Thinking
• Communication Effectiveness
• Drive for Results
• Knowledge, Learning and Communication
• Problem Solving
• Stakeholder Management / Client Orientation
• Teamwork
• Bank Knowledge
• Financial Analysis
• Financial Management
• Financial Reporting
• Accounting
• Project Management
• Project Documentation

Application Closing Date
31st July, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

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Job Vacancy For Country Economist at the Islamic Development Bank

The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is a multilateral development bank (MDB) which funds its projects and other developmental activities using Islamic finance. Hence, the name “Islamic”. Founded in 1975, the IsDB is headquartered in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the Bank is to foster economic development and social progress of its member countries.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Country Economist

Ref ID: IDB2041
Location: Abuja
Business Unit: Country Programs Complex
Division: Not Applicable
Department: Country Strategy and Cooperation Department

Role

• To provide inputs from the co-operation and market integration strategy perspective to the head of Regional Hub in order to develop the special project and programs as well as maintain and provide country level macro-economic data, developmental trends, thematic (i.e. women, youth, climate change, resilience, etc.) and sector information
• To regularly review and map the potential macroeconomic and sectoral impact on the existing IDBG portfolio. To provide support to the Regional Hub in the preparation of the MCPS
• To contribute to the identification of the value-chains for each MC covered by the Regional Hub
• To contribute and review the formulation of the interventions under the integrated strategic programming framework based on on-ground consultations with various stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities (not exhaustive list)
Planning Support:

• Plan, prepare in collaboration with country officers MCPS and coordinating multi-task teams to ensure effective and efficient results.
• Provide inputs and participate in Programming, Economic Sector Work (ESW) and economic evaluation of large scale complex projects.
• Plan and advise the division and department on the allocation of IDB resources as well as the development of criteria / KPIs for country allocation to ensure operations at optimal levels of efficiency.
• Act as advocate and reference on all economic reports related to the MCs in the division by organizing and studying all reports to ensure the knowledge is leveraged.
• Engage, communicate and collaborate with the broader team in the bank in order to enhance the rigor of advice on cross- cutting and sectoral issues in MCs.
• Provide guidance to field officers on preparation and implementation of projects related to the objectives of co-operation and market integration, acting as a focal point providing technical clarifications for field officers.
• Support MCs to integrate regionally and globally through implementation of the IDB’s World Trade Organization (WTO) and Regional Integration Program.

Analysis and Review:

• Prepare and review periodical reports to ensure the validity and precision of the content.
• Maintain and provide country level macro-economic data, developmental trends, thematic (i.e. women, youth, climate change, resilience, etc.) and sector information.
• Analyse macroeconomic data in the documentation prepared in collaboration with Country Officers
• Undertake regional economic, trade, investments and logistics studies in order to better identify and highlight common themes that need to be addressed in MCs.
• Review regularly and map the potential macroeconomic and sectoral impact on the existing IDBG portfolio.
• Conduct analytical work and address binding constraints on economic growth and development in MCs.
• Design a Monitoring & Evaluation Framework (M&E Framework) for all concerned Country Division activities to assess the effectiveness and impact of IDB interventions.
• Contribute and review the formulation of the interventions under the integrated strategic programming framework based on on-ground consultations with various stakeholders
• Contribute to the identification of the value-chains for each MC covered by the Regional Hub.

Knowledge Building and Sharing:

• Monitor and assess emerging challenges and trends in MCs, disseminate the findings to concerned internal & external parties in the context of specific issues of relevance to the Country Department and provide advice on timely and distinctive IDB responses.
• Act as the knowledge and resource center - internally for the IDB Group and externally for MCs - on economic and development issues on MCs within the concerned Country Divisions

Job Requirements
Academic Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Master's Degree in Economics, Statistics, or related development fields.

Languages:

• English (mandatory).
• French (preferred).
• Arabic (preferred).

Minimum number of years and nature of experience:

• 7-10 years of experience as an economist, 3 of which in a multilateral development bank or relevant experience at the Ministry of Finance/ Economic Planning/ Central Bank, etc.

Job Specific Competencies:

• Advance problem solving knowledge
• Advanced analytical thinking.
• Adaptability
• Advance forecasting knowledge
• Passion for Excellence
• Drive for Results
• Planning and Organizing
• Advanced Partnership management
• Communication effectiveness (oral and written)

Application Closing Date
10th July, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Vacancy For Accountant at the Islamic Development Bank

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is a multilateral development bank (MDB) which funds its projects and other developmental activities using Islamic finance. Hence, the name “Islamic”. Founded in 1975, the IsDB is headquartered in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the Bank is to foster economic development and social progress of its member countries.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Accountant

Ref ID: IDB2030
Location: Abuja
Business Unit: Finance Complex
Division: Not Applicable
Department: Financial Control Department

Job Purpose

• Process, review, record, maintain, and reconcile financial transactions in the regional hub.
• Provide financial analysis and oversight over all financial transactions in the regional hub to ensure compliance with internal financial controls and Bank rules.
• Support detailed analysis, annual planning and periodic forecasting of the expenses, produce monthly financial reports relating to the regional hub, participate in developing, enhancing and implementing controls.

Key Accountabilities
Financial Accounting & Reporting:

• Update and maintain the general ledger and chart of accounts to reflect the transactional activities of regional hub accounts, ensuring that proper books of accounts are maintained for effective financial control in accordance with Bank standards and local statutory requirements
• Examine and analyze accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards
• Reconcile sub ledger reports on a monthly basis in addition to creating the final trial balance to ensure quality and efficiency in the deliverables
• Manage invoicing and the collection of receivables and payments
• Verify all vendor invoices and prepare for approval to ensure a smooth and efficient payment processing
• Registration and maintenance of regional hub’s fixed assets; evaluation of fixed assets and adjusting for depreciation as per fixed asset accounting policy
• Manage cash flow and petty cash in regional hub and ensure that all transactions are recorded clearly
• Perform financial analysis as requested for both internal and external use

Payroll:

• Ensure proper recording and accuracy of all transactions related to payroll at regional hub, ensuring compliance with payroll processes
• Review and validate payroll summary reports for regional hub through coordination with the relevant HR team

Analysis:

• Analyze financial or operating data to satisfy regulatory requirements
• Assess data for integrity and analytical purposes as and when required
• Assist in standard or ad hoc analyses to meet variety of management objectives

Policies and Procedures:

• Contribute to formulation of policies and guidelines governing accounting practices at regional hub.
• Provide guidance on interpretation of IDB Group policies and procedures, and legislative regulations applicable for the regional hub.

Job Requirements
Academic qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration or related field is required
• Certification in CA, ACCA or CPA is preferred.

Languages:

• English (mandatory)
• French (mandatory)
• Minimum number of years and nature of experience
• 4-7 years experience in finance and accounting, multilateral institute experience is preferred
• ERP experience.

Job specific competencies:

• Adaptability
• Building Relationships
• Client Centricity and Responsiveness
• Motivation to Learn and Share
• Passion for Excellence
• Analytical Thinking
• Communication Effectiveness
• Drive for Results
• Knowledge, Learning and Communication
• Problem Solving
• Stakeholder Management
• Teamwork
• Bank Knowledge
• Financial Management
• Accounting
• Product Knowledge
• Business Process Knowledge

Travel requirements:

• Travel as needed.

Application Closing Date
28th June, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

THE NEWS: Zimbabwe pledges vote will go ahead despite rally attack

Zimbabwe pledges vote will go ahead despite rally attack
source: AFP

AFP / ZINYANGE AUNTONY Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa said he was the target of the attack which injured dozens of people

Zimbabwe ruled out Sunday delaying July elections after a bomb blast at a ruling party rally in which President Emmerson Mnangagwa narrowly escaped unharmed.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga -- who was among those injured in Saturday's attack -- said the first parliamentary and presidential polls of the post-Robert Mugabe era would go ahead as scheduled on July 30.

"Let me be very clear, nothing will stop the election in Zimbabwe, nothing at all," Chiwenga told a rally of the ruling ZANU-PF party in the town of Chitungwiza near Harare.

"That act of terrorism in Bulawayo is nothing. It does not deter anyone," he said, adding that no political rallies would be cancelled and urging fellow politicians to "continue to campaign peacefully".

Footage from Saturday's event showed a device exploding and plumes of smoke billowing around Mnangagwa as he descended from the podium at the White City stadium in Zimbabwe's second largest city Bulawayo.

Mnangagwa -- who took power after Mugabe's ouster in November -- said he was the target of the attack, which the state media is describing as an assassination attempt.

Police said 49 people, including Chiwenga and fellow Vice President Kembo Mohadi, were injured, some seriously, and that investigations were ongoing.

It is not known who carried out the attack, and there has been no claim of responsibility.

While Bulawayo has long been a bastion of opposition to the ZANU-PF and it was Mnangagwa's first rally in the city, commentators suggest the attack could have been sparked by internal party ructions.

- 'Mortal enemies' -

Mnangagwa, 75, said the device "exploded a few inches away from me".

"These are my mortal enemies and the attempts have been so many," he told the state broadcaster on Saturday night.

"It’s not the first attempt (on) my life. I'm used to it. Six times my office has been broken into; cyanide was put in my offices so many times."

July's polls will be the first ballot box test for Mnangagwa, and the first since Mugabe resigned following a brief military takeover in November after 37 years in power.

Mnangagwa -- Mugabe's onetime right-hand man who was known as the "Crocodile" for his ruthlessness -- called Sunday for unity and peace.

"In November, we all came together motivated by a dream, (for) a free, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe, a peaceful Zimbabwe," he said in an audio clip.

"Now some people are trying to kill our dream.

"While we have all chosen the path of peace others unfortunately still cling to the tools of violence. I assure you they will not succeed," he said.

"We as a people must unite."

- 'Dire ramifications' -

Previous elections in Zimbabwe had been marred by electoral fraud, intimidation and violence, including the killing of scores of opposition supporters in 2008.

This time around, Mnangagwa has pledged to hold free and fair elections as he seeks to mend international relations and have sanctions against Zimbabwe dropped.

"Mnangagwa's measured response to the attack has been perceived as being statesmanlike," said Chatham House's Knox Chitiyo.

"But there is still a real worry among Zimbabweans about possible violent incidents and escalation."

"It looks very much like an internal crisis within ZANU-PF," added Gideon Chitanga of the Johannesburg based think-tank Political Economy Southern Africa.

"The end game in ZANU-PF succession politics will be long and it's ramifications dire."

In neighbouring South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the "barbaric and cowardly" attack.

"We stand behind the people of Zimbabwe. We will not let Zimbabwe fail because of these bomb blasts," Ramaphosa told ANC party supporters.

He said the attack was aimed at sowing "mayhem and turmoil" and described it as an "assault against democracy".

Zimbabwe police spokeswoman Charity Charamba said "comprehensive investigations are in progress" into the blast.

Plain-clothes police conducted random stop-and-search operations on the streets of Bulawayo while armed police mounted check points along the main highway leading out of the city.

For ordinary voters like Harare-based Crispen Pfundirwa, their main concern was now security.

"Since (independence in) 1980 we have not seen any bomb blast at a rally. These sort of things don't happen in Zimbabwe but in Iraq and Iran."

THE NEWS: Protectionism threatens 'vintage' global growth: BIS

Protectionism threatens 'vintage' global growth: BIS
source: AFP

AFP/File / Patrick HERTZOG Stiff tariffs imposed by the United States on European, Mexican and Canadian steel and aluminium have sparked tit-for-tat counter measures

A year of "vintage" economic growth could be undone by rising protectionism, the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) said Sunday, as fears of an all-out global trade war ramp up.

The BIS, often described as the central bank of central banks, credited "a decade of extraordinary monetary policy," for leading the world out of the 2008 financial crisis.

That culminated in 2017 with "a vintage year for growth with low inflation," the BIS said in its Annual Economic Report, which also warned of possible trouble ahead.

"An escalation of protectionist measures... could trigger a fresh downturn," the bank said.

The report was launched days after the European Union slapped tariffs on iconic US products including bourbon, jeans and motorcycles in its opening salvo in a trade war with President Donald Trump.

Brussels imposed the raft of duties on US products worth 2.8 billion euros ($3.3 billion) in a tit-for-tat response to Trump's decision to slap stiff tariffs on European steel and aluminium exports.

Within hours, Trump responded with a threat to impose a 20 percent tariff on cars imported from the European Union.

But the BIS underscored that the consequences could be devastating if reciprocal protectionist measures undermine overall confidence in the "open multilateral trading system."

"Indeed, there are signs that the rise in uncertainty associated with the first protectionist steps and the ratcheting up of rhetoric have already been inhibiting investment," the BIS said.

Leading policymakers and analysts generally agree that while limited tit-for-tat tariffs would be manageable, a full-out trade war would cripple growth.

BIS general manager Agustin Carstens credited free and open trade with laying "the foundation for much of the global progress in improving living standards," and urged policymakers to safeguard it.

Based in Basel, Switzerland, the BIS is owned by the central banks of 60 top global economies.

THE NEWS: Can England dare to dream of World Cup glory?

Can England dare to dream of World Cup glory?
source: AFP

AFP / Martin BERNETTI Other teams will fear Harry Kane's goalscoring abilities

Qualification for the last 16 secured with a game to spare, Harry Kane leading the race for the Golden Boot and a record World Cup win after thrashing Panama 6-1 -- England could not have wished for a better start in Russia.

Even accounting for soft opposition in the World Cup debutants and Tunisia before that, England's record so far contrasts starkly with four years ago when they were already eliminated after just two games in Brazil.

Manager Gareth Southgate's decision to bring the third-youngest squad on show in Russia is paying off so far as the Three Lions look full of energy and lacking in the fear of failure that has blighted so many campaigns in a 52-year wait to win a major tournament.

Most importantly of all, in Kane they have a striker the whole world will now fear.

In just two World Cup appearances, the Tottenham striker now has as many World Cup goals as Lionel Messi after backing up his double to beat Tunisia with the first World Cup hat-trick from an Englishman since Gary Lineker in 1986.

A winner of 57 England caps as a player, Southgate has earned rave reviews for creating a more relaxed and open environment between players, press and fans.


 AFP / Johannes EISELE Using their heads: England have scored four goals from set-pieces in two World Cup games


He even managed to douse the flames of the first media storm of England's World Cup on the eve of the Panama match -- over whether journalists should reveal his team selections by recognising the press should not be cheerleaders.

Southgate and his backroom staff also deserve credit for a series of innovative set-piece routines that have already reaped four goals.

- "Enjoying it" -

Kane has demonstrated that this England side has at least one reliable penalty taker should they be forced into a shootout in the weeks to come by smashing two immaculate spot-kicks into the top corner.

"We are just enjoying it," said Kane. "We have been working on set pieces and working on the way we play and it is all coming together.

"Fantastic to be through and to do it this way is brilliant."

Much tougher tests await, beginning with Belgium -- who have also hit a total of eight goals past Panama and Tunisia -- on Thursday.


 AFP / Johannes EISELE Gareth Southgate has brought a young squad to Russia

Southgate even claimed he "didn't particularly like the performance" due to a sloppy start and conceding a late goal that leaves England level on goal difference with the Red Devils at the top of Group G.

A draw in Kaliningrad would mean the group winners would be decided on disciplinary records, with Belgium's three yellow cards to England's two so far meaning they sit in second place.

Both sides may not even want to finish first, with the group winners potentially set for a much tougher half of the draw that might also contain Brazil, Germany and France.

For now, though, after so many tournament disappointments in recent years, England are happy to have the luxury of weighing up who they would rather face in the knockout rounds, and fortune on their side.

Kane's hat-trick goal to move one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku in the race for the Golden Boot deflected in off his heel from Ruben Loftus-Cheek's long-range effort.

"The third one is probably one of the luckiest goals of my career," added Kane. "So far it’s been going my way, so hopefully that continues."

With luck like that, England really can dare to dream.

THE NEWS: Mozambique's gas-fuelled future threatened by jihadists

Mozambique's gas-fuelled future threatened by jihadists
source: AFP

AFP / Joaquim Nhamirre Jihadists have attacked a string of villages in northern Mozambique where the country's future gas hub is to be built

An unprecedented wave of jihadist attacks in northern Mozambique has raised fears the country will fail to fully cash in on a gas bonanza.

After 180 trillion cubic feet (5.1 trillion cubic metres) of natural gas were discovered off the northeastern shore, Mozambique entertained dreams of following Qatar down the path towards wealth. The government even predicted that by 2035, GDP per head could increase sevenfold.

But the southeast African country's golden vision has been thrown into doubt by an explosion of bloodthirsty assaults by a shadowy jihadist group in the region where the industry plans to base its hub.

Since October, more than 30 people have been killed in brazen assaults on unarmed villagers.

Security forces have rushed reinforcements to the area yet seem powerless to stem the attacks. Terrorised, many civilians have fled their homes and a cloud hangs over the great expansion plans.

US oil and gas giant Anadarko, the largest exploration company in the region, has invested $4 billion (3.4 billion euros) so far -- it plans to put in $20 billion over the lifetime of the gasfields.

But following a US embassy alert on June 8 that warned of an imminent attack on the regional gas hub Palma, Anadarko temporarily suspended some activities and moved affected workers and contractors to a secure site.

Canada's Wentworth Resources has already suffered delays to its projects as a result of the insecurity, forcing it to seek a year-long extension for its initial exploration.

In its successful application to the authorities, Wentworth said the attacks had "prevented safe access to the area for Wentworth staff and contractors".

- 'No threats specific to project' -

There have been more than 10 attacks on villages since October, featuring beheadings and arson. None has targeted gas operations.

"Due to the attacks, we took additional measures to protect not only the oil and gas companies operating in that area, but also to protect the communities," said Joaquim Sive, the police commander in Cabo Delgado.

Eric Morier-Genoud, a researcher at Queen's University Belfast, said any attack against the gas "majors" would be an "escalation from which the jihadists would come out the losers".

"At this point... based on the information we have, we classify the attacks as an insignificant risk to the economy," Rogerio Zandamela, the governor of Mozambique's central bank, told AFP.

In contrast, the central bank did consider a spate of attacks carried out by a militia loyal to the main opposition Renamo party in the country's centre in 2015 and 2016 as an economic risk.

"There was much more clarity about the conflict in central Mozambique... We cannot equate the north with the south," Zandamela said. "The information available on the conflict in Cabo Delgado is very limited."

- Tighter security -

Police have stepped up security around gas projects -- particularly those close to areas that have come under attack, national police spokesman Inacio Dina told AFP.

An official at Anadarko, who declined to be named, said "There have been no threats specific to our project. However, it is a cause for concern, and therefore, as operations continue, we have undertaken appropriate measures."

The company has a gas operations camp in a forest on the Afungi Peninsula.

Police and army units have established a command post in the forest following the attacks.

But a source at Anadarko told AFP that the firm has also stepped up its own security efforts, increasing a private protection force by two-thirds -- a move that will have an impact on costs.

Despite such problems, foreign investors for now still have a big appetite for a share of Mozambique's gas treasures.

Japan's Tokyo Gas and Britain's Centrica inked supply deals with Anadarko on June 15 -- just a day after a machete attack on the village of Ibu.

Even so, experts say the instability in the northeast could still prove costly, cutting into the dividend that Mozambique expects from the huge find.

"(The gas projects) are at risk in their early stages, as attacks can adversely affect logistics. Materials must reach Palma by land," said Maputo-based political science researcher Joao Pereira.

"The insurgency is most likely to delay rather than derail development of the sector," said Ed Hobey-Hamsher, an analyst at global risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft.

"Attacks will certainly make the investment more expensive because of security needs reducing revenues for the state."

THE NEWS: Migrants who 'invade' US have no right to due process, says Trump

Migrants who 'invade' US have no right to due process, says Trump
source: AFP

AFP/File / Olivier Douliery US President Donald Trump sees immigration as a critical issue ahead of midterm congressional elections in November

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said migrants who "invade" the US should be deprived of legal due process, reinforcing his hardline stand despite an about-face on family separations that has seen more than 500 children reunited with relatives.

Trying to stanch the flow of tens of thousands of migrants from Central America and Mexico arriving at the southern border every month, Trump in early May had ordered that all adults crossing illegally would be arrested, and their children held separately as a result.

After images of children in chain-link enclosures sparked domestic and global outrage, the president ended the separation practice but has continued his hardline talk on immigration.

He sees the issue as crucial ahead of midterm congressional elections in November.

"We cannot allow all of these people to invade our Country," Trump said Sunday on Twitter.

"When somebody comes in, we must immediately, with no Judges or Court Cases, bring them back from where they came," said Trump, suggesting they be handled without the due legal process guaranteed for "any person" by the US Constitution.

Nearly all of the arriving families have officially requested asylum.

"Our system is a mockery to good immigration policy and Law and Order," said Trump, who has repeatedly tried to link immigrants with crime.

His remarks came after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its first official data since Trump ended the family separations on Wednesday.

It said 522 children separated as part of "zero tolerance" have been reunited with their families, but another 2,053 separated minors remained in the care of the US Department of Health and Human Services as of Wednesday.

"The United States government knows the location of all children in its custody and is working to reunite them with their families," DHS said in a statement.

On Sunday, US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said the military is preparing camps for migrants at two bases, describing it as "providing shelter for people without shelter."

The military is providing "logistic support" for DHS, a "quite appropriate" function for it to do, Mattis said.

- 'A great sadness' -

Fleeing from impoverished Central America, the arrivals say they are seeking a better life and also a refuge from criminal gangs terrorizing their region, which has one of the world's highest murder rates.


 AFP/File / Brendan Smialowski There was global outrage over the separation of children from their parents at the US border


Central American migrants deported from the US without their children have spoken of their anguish at seeing families split under the "zero tolerance" approach.

Ever Sierra, deported after trying to enter the US, told AFP he planned to try again in a few days.

He arrived back in Honduras with his eight-month-old daughter's shoes hanging from his backpack. She was being held in a detention center in McAllen, Texas, along with her mother.

Benjamin Raymundo, a 33-year-old deported back to Guatemala, told AFP he left his home country in April with his son Roberto, aged five, but the pair were separated when immigration officers in California stopped them.

The boy was eventually placed in a relative's custody.

"It's a great sadness for me, as if I'll never see my son again," Raymondo lamented.

Trump's former deputy national security advisor, Tom Bossert, said the past week had provided "terrible optics" for the administration, and "almost from the outset we didn't have the capacity to detain these parents and children, together or separately."

Speaking on ABC's "This Week," Bossert predicted that Trump's executive order ending the family separations will not stand up in court because a judge had ruled in 2015 that even detaining parents and children together is "inhumane."

- Poisoned politics -

US lawmakers on Sunday spoke of the need for a longer-term solution. But in a poisoned political climate, they have failed to advance either of two Republican immigration bills in the House of Representatives, which the Republicans control along with the Senate.


AFP / Jochen GEBAUER Illegal immigration to the US

A hardline proposal was defeated last week, as expected, and a vote on a "compromise" bill between the party's hard-right and moderate factions has been pushed back, with signs it could not pass.

Trump and other hardline Republicans accuse opposition Democrats of being soft on crime and immigration.

On Saturday, former Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee posted a picture on Twitter of MS-13 gang members and joked that the heavily tattooed Latinos were the "campaign committee" for top Democrat Nancy Pelosi.

Trump frequently brings up the Hispanic gang when he talks of immigration.

THE NEWS: 'Because I can': ride-hailing app welcomes Saudi women drivers

'Because I can': ride-hailing app welcomes Saudi women drivers
source: AFP

AFP / FAYEZ NURELDINE Saudi national and newly licensed Reem Farahat, a member of popular ride-hailing app Careem's new all-women chauffeur crew in Saudi Arabia, prepares to pick up a customer in the capital Riyadh on June 24, 2018

Reem Farahat waited for a ride request. Her phone pinged. "I've already cried twice," she said, heading out to work as one of Saudi Arabia's first female drivers for Careem.

The Dubai-based ride-hailing app, along with global behemoth Uber, reacted to Saudi King Salman's September announcement of an end to the kingdom's ban on female motorists by saying it would hire women in the conservative kingdom.

On Sunday, when the king's decree took effect, nearly a dozen Careem "captainahs" -- all Saudi women -- were ready to pick up riders.

"This morning, when I got in the car, I felt the tears coming," Reem said as she stocked her car with chilled water bottles for her riders.

"I pulled the car over and cried. I could not believe that we now drive... It's a dream. I thought it would be totally normal, I'd just get in the car and go. I was surprised by my own reaction."

She took a long pause.

"I didn't expect it," she said. "I'm doing this because I can. Because someone has to start."

- 'It's you' -

Seventy percent of Careem's customers in Saudi Arabia are women, according to company statistics, a figure largely attributable to the kingdom's now-obsolete ban on women driving.

Uber puts its equivalent figure closer to 80 percent.

At Careem's offices on Sunday, staff gathered to celebrate the women's first day on the job.


 AFP / FAYEZ NURELDINE Some 2,000 women in Saudi Arabia have signed up to get their Careem licenses since September


Farahat's first ride request came just hours after the ban was officially lifted.

"This is my first ride. I'm excited. I'm excited to know who I'm picking up, what their reaction is going to be," she said.

The driver -- who also works with her father as a quality control consultant, is training in life coaching, and scuba dives with her sister off the Red Sea city of Jeddah -- picked up Leila Ashry from a local cafe.

Walking towards the car, Leila spotted Reem, did a little jump of joy on the sidewalk, and was already chatting as she opened the door.

"Oh my god I can't believe it's you. I can't believe you're here. I can't believe I'm here," Leila said.

"I've been tweeting to my friends that my ride is coming and it's a woman! And you're so pretty! And I can sit in the front now -- wait, can I actually sit in the front next to you?"

- 'We automatically understand' -

Some 2,000 women have signed up to get their Careem licenses since September, said Abdulla Elyas, co-founder and CPO -- "chief people officer" -- of the ride-hailing app. They are all Saudi women, from their 20s to their 50s.

Uber also plans to introduce women drivers to their service this autumn.

"They come from completely different backgrounds," Elyas told AFP.

"We have women who have degrees, a master's degree. We have women who have no degree at all. We have women who want to do this full time. We have women who want to do this part time (for) an additional income, who are already working."

Most of those who had been licensed by Sunday, like Reem, had permits from foreign countries, enabling them to skip driving courses and take the final exam for a Saudi license.

The "captainahs" can pick up any customer, man or woman.

Both the driver and rider have the right to end the ride at any point.


AFP / FAYEZ NURELDINE A customer gets into the car of Reem Farahat, a member of popular ride-hailing app Careem's new all-women chauffeur crew in Saudi Arabia, in the capital Riyadh on June 24, 2018

Leila, a young medical student with a pixie cut and bright smile, says she would still choose a woman.

"This automatically feels a lot safer... being a female and dealing with sexism on a day-to-day basis. There's just something about it that feels wonderful. But it's not only that. It's also women joining the workforce," she said.

Sitting in the front passenger seat, she recalled previous rides with male drivers.

"Before, sometimes they would stare at me from the mirror," she said.

"It's just like that thing we share with women, where we just automatically understand what it's like to be in that position where you feel their eyes on you but you can't say anything, you can't do anything against it."

She turned to chat to Reem, and sang a riff from a West Side Story tune before saying: "If you can do it, then I can do it."

"See? That's what I was talking about," Reem said. "It's that ripple effect."

THE NEWS: Erdogan declared winner of Turkey presidential polls

Erdogan declared winner of Turkey presidential polls
source: AFP

 AFP / Bulent Kilic Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he has been "entrusted by the nation" to lead again

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won tightly-contested presidential polls, the election authority said Monday, extending his 15-year grip on power as the opposition complained bitterly about the conduct of the vote count.

Turkish voters had for the first time cast ballots for both president and parliament in the snap elections, with Erdogan looking for a first round knockout and an overall majority for his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The stakes were particularly high as the new president will be the first to enjoy enhanced powers, without even a prime minister, under a new constitution agreed in an April 2017 referendum strongly backed by Erdogan but which opponents say grants autocratic powers.

Erdogan defeated his nearest rival Muharrem Ince with an "absolute majority" of more than half the vote without needing a second round, said the chief of Turkey's election authority, Sadi Guven.

"I have been entrusted by the nation with the task and duties of the presidency," Erdogan said in a victory address at his Istanbul residence, vowing that the new presidential system would be implemented "rapidly".

"Turkey has given a lesson in democracy to the entire world," he added, pointing to an 88 percent turnout.

- 'Everyone wins' -


 AFP / GURCAN OZTURK Crowds gathered outside Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters after results show President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on course for victory


Erdogan won 52.5 percent in the presidential poll while Ince, of the secular Republican People's Party (CHP), was on 31.5 percent, state-run Anadolu news agency said, based on a 99 percent vote count.

If confirmed, the figures would show Erdogan polling on a similar rating or even stronger than his 2014 election victory where he won his first mandate after over a decade as prime minister.

Celebrations erupted outside Erdogan's residence in Istanbul and AKP headquarters in Ankara, with crowds of flag-waving supporters, AFP correspondents said.

Erdogan flew in triumph to Ankara where he held his traditional victory speech from the balcony of AKP headquarters at 3:00 am (midnight GMT). "The winner of this election is each and every individual among my 81 million citizens," he declared.

The usually loquacious Ince however remained silent, tweeting only that he would make a statement at 0900 GMT on Monday.

- HDP scores parliament seats -

Trailing were Selahattin Demirtas of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) with over eight percent in third and Meral Aksener of the nationalist (Iyi) Good Party with over seven percent.


 AFP / Uygar ONDER SIMSEK Republican Peoples Party (CHP) presidential candidate Muharrem Ince had energised the opposition with mass rallies

Erdogan also declared victory in the parliamentary election saying that the alliance led by the AKP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) had won the majority in parliament.

A count of 99 percent of the votes showed that Erdogan's AKP and the MHP would win 293 and 50 seats respectively, enough for an easy majority in the 600-member chamber.

The HDP was polling 11.5 percent, well over the 10 percent minimum threshold needed, to win 67 seats which would make the party the second largest opposition faction in the new chamber.

Celebrations erupted in the Kurdish-majority city of Diyarbakir, with people letting off fireworks into the sky, AFP correspondents said.

Its success is all the more remarkable given the HDP's Demirtas has campaigned from a jail cell after his November 2016 arrest on charges of links to outlawed Kurdish militants.

- 'Don't cast a shadow' -


AFP / ADEM ALTAN Over 56 million eligible voters were for the first time casting ballots in both parliamentary and presidential polls


Erdogan had faced an energetic campaign by Ince, who has rivalled the incumbent's charisma and crowd-pulling on the campaign trail, as well as a strong opposition alliance in the legislative poll.

But the CHP expressed unease over the conduct of the count, accusing Anadolu of being over hasty in publishing results that favoured Erdogan.

Its spokesman Bulent Tezcan said Anadolu had published a count of over 90 percent of votes while in fact short of 40 percent had been counted.


AFP / ARIS MESSINIS Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was declared winner without needing a second round

Several world leaders supportive of Erdogan, including Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, called to congratulate him on his "victory", the presidency said.

Erdogan also warned anyone against casting doubt on the results: "I hope nobody will harm our country's democracy by casting a shadow on the election system and its results in order to disguise their failure."

Erdogan has overseen historic change in Turkey since his Islamic-rooted ruling party first came to power in 2002 after years of secular domination. But critics accuse the Turkish strongman, 64, of trampling on civil liberties and autocratic behaviour.

The president has for the last two years ruled under a state of emergency imposed in the wake of the 2016 failed coup, with tens of thousands arrested in an unprecedented crackdown which cranked up tensions with the West.

Erdogan has also campaigned against the backdrop of increasing economic woes including high inflation and a currency that has sometimes been in freefall.

And although Erdogan dominated airtime on a pliant mainstream media, Ince finished his campaign with eye-catching mass rallies, including a mega meeting in Istanbul on Saturday, that gave hope to the opposition.

THE NEWS: On the brink, Argentina handed a final shot at World Cup salvation

On the brink, Argentina handed a final shot at World Cup salvation
source: AFP

AFP / Johannes EISELE Last chance at World Cup glory? Lionel Messi turned 31 on Sunday

Held by Iceland and humiliated by Croatia, Argentina's World Cup could already have been all but over, but Lionel Messi and the rest of Jorge Sampaoli's troubled squad have one final shot at redemption against Nigeria on Tuesday.

Victory against the Africans, who Argentina have beaten in all four previous World Cup meetings, will secure qualification for the last 16 as long as Iceland don't shock already-qualified Croatia.

Even if Iceland claim a first ever World Cup victory, Argentina could still progress on goal difference.

However, bouncing back will take a huge improvement in performance and strength of character so far unseen from the two-time world champions in Russia.

The Argentina federation were even moved on Saturday to confirm that Sampaoli would continue for the final group game among rumours of a rift between players and coach.

"I get the feeling there's a general anger at the heart of the team," said Argentina's legendary 1986 World Cup-winning captain Diego Maradona.


AFP / Johannes EISELE Stay of execution: Jorge Sampaoli's job as Argentina coach was in doubt after a 3-0 defeat to Croatia


"I'm furious and very upset inside, because anyone who wore that shirt can't see it being trampled like that by a Croatian team that isn't Germany, that isn't Brazil, that isn't Holland or Spain."

For all his heroics with Barcelona at club level, Messi is still often compared unfavourably in his homeland for his inability to recreate Maradona's success for the national team.

Messi led Argentina to the World Cup final four years ago and consecutive Copa America finals in the following two years, but all three ended in defeat.

- Time running out -

And his 31st birthday on Sunday only served to highlight how time is running out for Messi to win a major international tournament.

Without the five-time World Player of the Year, though, it is highly unlikely Argentina would even have qualified.

Messi salvaged a disastrous campaign under three different managers with a hat-trick away to Ecuador in the Albiceleste's final qualifier.

In their hour of need, Argentina need Messi's best once more.

"Leo is fine," insisted veteran midfielder Javier Mascherano, who knows Messi better than most having spent eight years as his club team-mate at Barcelona.

"He is a human being who has his frustrations because things haven't worked out, but so are we all.

"Like it our not, we are the runners-up from the World Cup and we have to show it."

So far in Russia, Messi has been held scoreless. He missed a penalty among 11 unsuccessful shots on goal in a 1-1 draw with Iceland before failing to make any meaningful impact in an error-strewn Argentine display against Croatia.

A month on from Messi's rescue mission in Ecuador, he sat out a friendly as Nigeria beat Argentina 4-2 back in November to highlight how reliant even a squad containing Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala remain on their number 10.

"It is the most critical situation I have experienced, along with the Ecuador game," said Argentina midfielder Lucas Biglia on Sunday. "But sometimes you have to cling to something."

Argentina are clinging to the hope their captain bails them out again.