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Russia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS

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Putin and Tokayev at the SCO summit in Astana, July 2024 © Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik

On the eve of the BRICS summit, Kazakhstan said that the country is still “watching the evolution” of the community with interest, and despite the proposals received by President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev, the question of joining the association is not yet on the table. President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev said that in the current circumstances there was no alternative to the UN.

Immediately afterwards it became known that Russia is restricting the import of agricultural products from Kazakhstan, including cut flowers.

The Russian agency in charge offered as an explanation: “Kazakhstan re-exports most flowers from the Netherlands, Poland and Belgium. However, the competent agencies of these countries do not provide the appropriate level of control over the safety of products. The decision was taken in order to preserve the phytosanitary well-being of Russia and the volume of exported goods, as well as in view of the numerous cases (43 cases) of detection in 2023 and 2024 in flower products of the object quarantine for member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union – western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande), which is a polyphagous. Potential economic damage from the penetration and spread of western flower thrips is more than 11.5 billion rubles,” the agency said in a statement.

Growing pressure on Kazakhstan

Kuat Dombai, director of the C+5 Centre for Central Asian Studies, commented on the dynamics of Russia-Kazakhstan relations for Euronews.

“Restrictions and bans on imports of crop products and wheat between Kazakhstan and Russia undoubtedly reflect growing pressure on Kazakhstan, although it is not the first time they have occurred. Previously, Russia repeatedly banned the transit of Kazakh oil through the Novorossiysk seaport under various pretexts of technical failures at the terminal, which coincided with some pressing issues in bilateral relations. More than 80% of Kazakh oil is exported to Europe through it.”

What guides Astana’s position on possible BRICS membership?

“Kazakhstan has repeatedly stated that it does not intend to violate or to some extent bypass the sanctions measures imposed against Russia in connection with the war in Ukraine, which is in practical terms a very difficult task, given that the country is sharing the world’s largest land border of 7,500 kilometres and is in a single customs space with Russia within the EAEU,” explains Kuat Dombai.

The BRICS meeting is taking place in Kazan while Russian troops are destroying Ukrainian towns and villages. How does Russian military aggression affect relations between Russia and Kazakhstan?

“Kazakhstan has undoubtedly found itself in a very difficult economic situation, falling under the threat of secondary sanctions, traditional logistical chains have been destroyed, and Kazakh society is logically and soberingly aware of the threat of possible territorial claims around the corner. Given that after the collapse of the USSR it was two countries – Kazakhstan and Ukraine – that were signatories of the Budapest Memorandum with guarantees from the West in exchange for giving up nuclear weapons,” the analyst explains.

Kremlin: BRICS “is not an alliance against anyone”

Many Western observers believe that amid international sanctions and ongoing military aggression against Ukraine, Russia is trying to show that plans to isolate Vladimir Putin have failed.

The Kremlin says more than 30 countries have applied to join BRICS, but the exact list of countries has not been disclosed.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interviewwith Russian media that “BRICS does not force anyone to sacrifice anything.” According to Lavrov, “this association is not against anyone.” The head of Russian diplomacy also noted that with regard to Kazakhstan’s statements about the UN, “it is necessary to clarify this position.”

“Kazakhstan is a member of many other organisations – the OSCE, CIS, CSTO, SCO and an active member of the Organisation of Turkic States, which, at the initiative of Turkey, is now strengthening ties and is on the rise. The organisation pays great attention to the representatives of our Central Asian allies and strategic partners. None of this prevents either Kazakhstan or other Central Asian countries from actively participating in the United Nations, which is a universal structure but which is now in crisis through no fault of our own. It seems to me that in the long run our southern neighbours, our allies in the CSTO and the EAEU, first of all, will see the direct benefits of rapprochement with the BRICS. It is not necessary to join, but to co-operate in the implementation of specific projects – there is no doubt. This is in the interests of all of us,” Lavrov said.

Politics

2027: I’m still Labour Party member, not in any coalition — Abia Gov, Otti

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Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has declared that he is loyal and committed to the Labour Party, LP.

The governor also declared that he is not in any coalition and has not attended any meetings organised by the group or been invited for any.

Otti made the clarification during an interactive session with members of Abia State Global Economic Council in Umuahia.

The governor said he is rather busy doing the work the Abia people gave him, adding that he is not looking for where to decamp to.

Otti, while responding to claims that there is crisis in the Labour Party, stated that the LP had a problem and fought through the Supreme Court to retrieve the party.

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ADC executives resign for David Mark interim leadership

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The national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu has revealed that the executives of the party under his leadership have decided to step down and support its interim leadership led by David Mark.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Nwosu  revealed that the opposition coalition is not about seeking power, but moving to salvage Nigeria.

In his words, “My welcome address here today, I titled it beyond politics and power. We must commit to moving Nigeria from the ICU to global reckoning. It’s not about seeking power. We have the capacity,” Nwosu said.

“ADC has always been about the rejuvenation of Nigeria and Africa. This journey started about 18 months back and we have over 12 NEC meetings.

“When we were consulted, we said we have also been consulting because we are a party that believes in coalition.

“A day like this shows that we are ready to sacrifice anything for Nigeria. We don’t have any doubt in the man, we all have decided to resign.

He added that Nigerians are hoping for a coalition because they want everyone to come together.

The event, which attracted politicians from major political parties, including the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was held at the Yar’Adua Centre.

The event was initially scheduled to be held at Wells Carlton Hotel in Asokoro district of Abuja before it was shifted to the Yar’Adua centre after the hotel management informed organisers that the facility would no longer host the unveiling due to an unspecified internal compliance matter.

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[BREAKING] 2027: Mark, Aregbesola emerge ADC interim Chairman, Secretary

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David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola

A former Senate President, Senator David Mark, and ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, have been appointed as the interim Chairman and Secretary, respectively, of the African Democratic Congress, the coalition platform being positioned against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to multiple reliable sources who were present at the just-concluded meeting on Tuesday night in Abuja but requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak, leaders of the opposition coalition unanimously agreed on Mark and Aregbesola for the roles.

The sources further disclosed that a former Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, has been appointed as the interim National Publicity Secretary.

The sources further disclosed that the ADC and its newly constituted leadership will be formally unveiled in Abuja tomorrow.

President Tinubu’s administration has seen a mix of achievements and setbacks across several sectors.

Despite this, opposition leaders from multiple parties have consistently criticized the All Progressives Congress-led government, branding it a failure.

Interestingly, the major opposition parties including the PDP, Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Social Democratic Party have also been grappling with internal crises.

In a bid to present a formidable front ahead of the 2027 elections, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, a former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Ameachi, a former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and other political figures came together to launch a new coalition during a meeting in Abuja on March 20.

The move ignited a nationwide conversation about the potential impact of a united opposition, with mixed reactions from political analysts and the general public.

After months of speculation over which platform the coalition would adopt, The EKWUTOSBLOG exclusively reported on May 19 that the group had settled on the ADC as its political vehicle.

Subsequent reports by Sunday EKWUTOS confirmed that Senator Mark has been selected as the coalition’s interim chairman under the ADC platform, with a formal unveiling slated for Wednesday.

One of the sources said Aregbesola who earlier rejected the offer changed his mind and accepted it after he was prevailed upon by the stakeholders.

He stated, “We just concluded a meeting tonight. Mark and Aregbesola have been appointed as the ADC Interim National Chairman and National Secretary.

“This will be officially unveiled tomorrow (Wednesday), so we are on track.”

Another source added, “Atiku and other coalition leaders met tonight and resolved to adopt the ADC as their platform after months of consultations.

“For now, the ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, has stepped aside to allow Mark and Aregbesola take over as interim Chairman and Secretary.

“You know Aregbesola rejected it some time ago, but he was prevailed upon by stakeholders, so he has accepted to serve in that capacity. All of this, and more, will be made public tomorrow. Former Minister of Sport, Bolaji will serve as National Publicity Secretary.”

Confirming the development, Kola Ologbondiyan, a former aide to the ex-Senate President and former PDP National Publicity Secretary, announced in a tweet via his verified X account that the ADC has been adopted.

He stated, “African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been adopted as the political party for the coalition. The party has elected Sen. David Mark as the Interim National chairman and Ogbeni Raud Aregbesola as the interim National Secraetary.”

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