POLITICS OF SECURITY AND CONFLICT ISSUES
West Africa: Nigeria: The Federal Government last week tightened security at the busy Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, a day after the militant group; the Movement for Emancipation 
of Niger Delta (MEND) threatened an imminent attack in the nation's capital.
In its determination to stop corrupt politicians from participating in the 2011 general elections, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Nigeria, identified 54 corrupt aspirants on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP.
Nigeria needs to move quickly to establish a new election timetable and get on with registering voters if it is to hold credible polls next year, a group of international observers said.
Liberia: Unveiling its first arsenal for 2011 campaign, including a fleet of vehicle, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has warned the opposition, 'There is no stopping us now.'
Ivory Coast: Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo is the most popular candidate in elections set for Oct. 31, with 46 % of voters intending to vote for him in the first round, according to a TNS Sofres opinion poll obtained by Reuters. Meanwhile President Laurent Gbagbo officially opened his election campaign last week in the rebel-held west, pledging to industrialize the West African nation by putting a cocoa factory in every growing region.
In Guinea; Campaigning began quietly last week for the delayed final round of what would be Guinea's first free presidential election, scheduled for Oct. 24. Meanwhile Guinea's two rival presidential candidates have agreed to include each other in government whoever wins a delayed Oct. 24 runoff aimed at returning the country to civilian rule, according to a senior minister.
East/Horn of Africa:
In Somalia, Over 1 million people have been affected by the expulsion by Al Shabaab militants of international organizations that provide support in areas such as agriculture and livelihoods, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, the United Nations reported in its latest update.
Meanwhile Somalia President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed last week appointed 48-year-old American-Somali Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed as the country's new Prime Minister.
The continental organization has chosen former Ghanaian president Jerry Rawlings as its new envoy for Somalia. According to reports Mr. Rawlings will help promote peace and reconciliation, as well as focus more international attention on the war-ravaged country.
Sudanese officials rejected the deployment of United Nations peacekeepers on the border between the northern and southern Sudan saying such request is unacceptable and contrary to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Meanwhile Sudan's foreign minister told the U.N. Security Council last week that his government is "fully committed" to holding a referendum that could result in the south of the country seceding from the north.
A Tanzanian political science professor has told VOA the entire population seems well-educated and equipped to make informed decisions in the upcoming general election scheduled for 31stOctober.
While in Ethiopia Meles Zenawi is expected to appoint new ministers after being sworn in as Prime Minister by parliament last week, four months after a disputed landslide election win.
Central Africa: The recently released United Nations Mapping report on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), sparked anger amongst Senators and Deputies, who were angry by flaws in the controversial document. The report accuses the Rwandan army of committing atrocities in the former Zaire.
Also the news said the head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) cautioned that military operations alone in the restless eastern region cannot ensure long-term security in the area, stressing the need to build the capacity of the country's military, justice system and the police force
The International Criminal Court says French authorities have arrested a senior leader of a Rwandan rebel group accused of mass rapes in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Rwanda Justice Minister said his government is pleased with the arrest of a former rebel leader accused of masterminding genocide and violating human rights against Rwandans and Congolese villagers in 1994.
According to reports Human rights groups and the Rwandan government have hailed France's arrest of a suspected rebel leader whose group is blamed for atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The fifth session of the Rwanda Zambia Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) will open in the Zambian Capital. It was reveled officially that JPC is expected to review co-operation in various areas of trade and industry, communications and transport, agriculture, mining and culture as well as refugees and immigration.
South Africa: Zimbabwe: After months of putting an optimistic face on his power-sharing deal with President, Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai erupted last week with frustration at his rival and the country’s troubled progress toward democracy.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN DOMESTIC POLITICS
West Africa: Nigeria: The Chinese Construction and Engineering firm, CCECC has announced its inability to deliver Nigeria's rail project on schedule. It attributed its inability to torrential rains this season and promised to deliver all the rail jobs in March about six months hence.
As the number of children known to have been poisoned by lead continues to mount in Northern Nigeria, a UN team has recommended the government help communities clean up the informal gold-mining sector, rather than quash it altogether.
Nearly 700 people in a small town within Lagos, Nigeria, will be moved to a relief camp due to heavy flooding that has plagued the region since September, according to a state governor.
Gambia: Drug smugglers in Gambia will face the death penalty after a law passed last week toughened sentences for narcotics offences in the West African nation.
The emergence of a new meningitis vaccine, rather than a large-scale outbreak of the disease, has prompted the current vaccination drive across West Africa. Health officials say the vaccine marks a “revolution” in preventing the highly contagious and fatal disease.
Ghana: The incidence of algal bloom in Ghana’s territorial waters along the western coast has been linked to activities of factories in neighboring Cote D’Ivoire.
China, criticized in the West for overlooking human rights abuses in its business dealings with poverty-stricken Africa, will encourage commercial banks to lend more to the continent, a Chinese trade official said.
South Africa: African Parliament (PAP) sitting in South Africa, discussed climate change as well as Africa's progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
In Swaziland abortion is not legal. So police is clamping down on people who practice backstreet abortion; meanwhile according to reports the culprits are easily assisted at the Mbabane Government Hospital without the involvement of the police.
Swaziland is one of very few African countries where hunger has become more widespread during the last decades, new evidence shows. But Swazi authorities tried to manipulate data to the UN, saying the opposite.
Zimbabwean economic refugees are struggling to become legal in South Africa, a long and difficult process for many Zimbabweans who fled from home during the past 10 years.
HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND DOMESTIC POLITICS
West Africa: According to reports 240 million people are undernourished in Africa. Now, for the first-time, small African farmers have been properly consulted on how to solve the problem of feeding sub-Saharan Africa. Their answers appear to directly repudiate a massive international effort to launch an African Green Revolution funded in large part by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Meanwhile Angola, Ethiopia, Ghana and Mozambique have seen the greatest successes in fighting back hunger during the last 20 years, a new report reveals. At the same time, the situation in Burundi, Chad, the DRC and Eritrea deteriorated severely.
For development in Africa, Rural Africa needs to wake up to climate change, which is threatening food security, people’s resilience to cope with natural disasters, and economic growth, participants were told at the Seventh African Development Forum which ended in Addis Ababa last week.
POLITICAL ECONOMY
West Africa:
Ghana: Ghana's inflation eased for the 15th month in a row in September, data showed last week, but analysts put much of the latest fall down to seasonal effects and were cautious on prospects of fresh interest rate cuts. Ghana is also said to be losing millions of dollars in tax revenue from expatriate workers employed by the oil companies, including Tullow Oil and other partners in the Jubilee Oil Fields. Meanwhile the liberalized Skies Policy in the aviation sector has led to the increase in frequency of some airlines operating into Ghana, and admission of new ones.
The government of Ghana is developing a trade and investment program dubbed the “Middle East Strategy” to engage the Arab World to tap experience for Ghana’s economic growth. The strategy is also to engage Saudi Arabia and the Arab countries in Ghana’s economic development planning in areas of trade and commerce, agriculture and oil and gas management.
Nigeria’s government approved the sale of the state telecommunications company to Dubai’s Minerva Group and its partners, eight months after they bid $2.5 billion for the company at an auction.
Liberia: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf last week met with oil giant Chevron Corporation's corporate responsibility team, which visited Liberia to assess needs and to identify potential areas of social investment.
Togo: Togo, whose port capital Lome is an export hub for coffee and cocoa, turned on a 100 Megawatt triple fuel power plant last week in a move the West African state said made it self sufficient in energy.
Ivory Coast: The U.N. Security Council renewed last week arms, financial and travel sanctions on the Ivory Coast for six months, as well as a ban on trade in rough diamonds from the West African country.
South African coal exports to China plunged in September while shipments to India increased from a month earlier, said injunction Services Ltd., a web-based trader.
Meanwhile Beijing pledged $10 billion (R69bn) in "preferential" loans to Africa last year, but Ministry of Commerce official Zhong Manying said that was not enough. In view of Africa's demand for funds, the $10bn is too limited," Zhong told a news briefing.
East Africa/Horn of Africa
Kenya's economy grew at the rate of 5.4 % in the second quarter of the year powered by improved productivity in key agriculture, construction and financial services sectors.
With the help of the government, Indian industry is implementing a strategy to compete with China and European countries for capturing markets in growing African economies, particularly in East Africa.
South Africa: The economic improvement in Zimbabwe is attracting workers under 18-years-old to the now busy mining town of Shurugwi, about 350km south of the capital Harare in Midlands Province.
International investors are showing a growing interest in Africa's retail market. American retail giant Wal-Mart is in preliminary talks to buy South African wholesaler Massmart for more than $4 million. And the Dutch-based supermarket network SPAR recently opened a new outlet in Nigeria.
In Swaziland: The European Union (EU) has rejected a request from the Swazi government to finance the kingdom’s budget. The EU says there are no plans to channel funds into the Swazi national budget in the near future. Meanwhile officials from the International Monetary Fund are expected to arrive in the country at the end of this month to embark on a fact-finding mission on the country’s Fiscal Adjustment Roadmap.
Zambia is set to become the regional focal point for agricultural research support in southern Africa as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) picked the country to host its Southern Africa Administrative Hub to assist its R4D activities in the region. §
Zone 2- Africa Summary, week # 142
POLITICS OF SECURITY AND CONFLICT ISSUES
West Africa: Nigeria: Charles Okah, elder brother of militant leader, Henry, is being held in Abuja by the security agencies on the suspicion of funding the October 1 bombings which claimed at least 12 lives.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, last week played down the controversies trailing the zoning formula of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that the President in power takes the decision about zoning in the ruling party. On the other hand, former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, said that Nigeria’s political elite adopted zoning to stabilize the country.
The leadership of the Goodluck Grassroots Movement has warned that it would not tolerate any act of fraud in the forthcoming congresses to be organized by the Peoples Democratic Party to choose delegates for the Presidential primaries.
President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the sum of N2.1billion as Federal Government assistance to the governments of Lagos, Ogun and Jigawa states to alleviate the sufferings of victims of flood disasters in the three states.
Cape Verde: According to reports, though an unlikely candidate to be in the vanguard of African development progress, agriculture is seeing a major boost in Cape Verde, with massive investments in irrigation, infrastructure, disease control and distribution.
East/Horn of Africa: In Sudan, China, according to reports, will try to prevent the publication of a United Nations report that alleges Chinese bullets were used in attacks on UN peacekeepers in Darfur.
Tensions are rising over the contentious Abyei region as the two Sudanese ruling parties remain deadlocked over who will be eligible to vote in the region’s upcoming referendum in January.
In Somalia: Security officials say at least 27 people have died in intense clashes between pro-government forces in Somalia and al-Shabab militants.
Ethiopian Government communications minister Bereket Simon says food distribution in the country is based on humanitarian needs and not political considerations.
Central Africa: The Democratic Republic of Congo’s information minister has denied accusations his government has failed to fully implement a peace agreement signed in March with both Pareco and the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) rebel groups.
Peace and demilitarization is the main theme of the third International Action of the World March of Women whose activities were held in Bukavu, South Kivu province from 13 to 17 October 2010. Thousands of people including DRC's First Lady Ms. Olive Lembe Kabila were in attendance.
The European Union representative to the Central African Republic said the commission has made available more than $15 million to fund the country's presidential and legislative elections.
South Africa: In Zambian police have arrested the two Chinese nationals in connection with the shooting of 11 miners and one onlooker at the Chinese Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe district in Southern Province, protesting about poor pay and conditions. Last week miners protesting against the shooting broke the wall fence, and ripped off the roof at shaft two and carried away the iron sheets.
In Zimbabwe, A call by President Robert Mugabe to hold national elections in 2011 and end any possibility of extending the government of national unity (GNU) has been greeted with concern by NGOs, fearing a surge in political violence.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN DOMESTIC POLITICS
South Africa: Contrary to government expectations, the level of poverty in Mozambique increased slightly between 2003 and 2009, according to the latest figures from the National Statistics Institute (INE).
The amnesty for visa-free crossing into South Africa granted to the Zimbabweans will expire at the end of this year, alarming immigrants who face mass deportations, increased exploitation by employers and a possible renewal of ethnic violence.
HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND DOMESTIC POLITICS
West Africa: Clean water is essential in containing the spread of cholera; Nigeria is in the midst of its worst cholera outbreak in recent years, with nearly 40,000 cases and more than 1,500 deaths reported since the start of the year, the United Nations reported.
POLITICAL ECONOMY
West Africa: Nigeria: President Goodluck Jonathan has said that fight against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta has taken over the attention of his administration with the end of the militancy in the region, adding that the malaise was a source of concern to him. Meanwhile Former Vice President and presidential aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, have expressed grave concerns over worsening economic profile of the country.
Also according to reports controversy has stalled the 10-month-old process by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to transfer ownership and operatorship of three oil blocks to a consortium of two Nigerian companies.
Nigeria: Barely two months after the country attained Category 1 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Safety and Security status, it recorded yet another feat last week when President Goodluck Jonathan formally inaugurated the new radar facility that would ensure the total coverage of the country’s airspace.
South Africa: According to reports Government’s revelation that Zambia will soon become a middle income country is insensible as 70 % of the country’s population still lives in miserable poverty, a local economist has charged.
Meanwhile commercial banks in the country are worried that 2011 national budget will hurt the local financial sector as value added tax (VAT) on fee-based banking services is included in it, Bankers Association of Zambia (BAZ) chairman Saviour Chibiya has observed.
The IMF has observed that Zambia has a very expensive public sector which is not delivering all the services that everyone expects it should and has called for revision of the current maize growing and marketing in the country. According to them the current policy is not effective as it dampens the development of the private sector and creates pressures on the public spending.
Mining companies operating in South Africa regard securing reliable power supply as one of the key constraints on growth. So, Global mining giant Xstrata says it is forging ahead with plans for its own power station in Limpopo despite securing agreement from Eskom to provide electricity for a R4, 9bn expansion of its Lion ferrochrome plant.
The ministerial meeting of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries will be held in Macau on 13-14 November, the organization’s secretariat has announced.
A Chinese firm has secured a $5 million contract to build 90 wagons for the regional Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara).
Swaziland has signed a Letter of Intent with the Kuwaiti government for the establishment of a seven-star hotel. This development occurred during His Majesty King Mswati III’s visit to Kuwait.
The World Bank Board has approved an additional credit facility of US $15 million to Zambia to finance the construction of the Chiawa Bridge on Kafue River in the lower Zambezi.
Malila, a former Zambia Attorney General, observed that crime had become sophisticated due to advancements in technology. He called for the development of modern methods of fighting financial crime in Zambia.
In Swaziland; According to reports despite the country’s bad financial state, government cannot afford not to increase salaries for civil servants and politicians. Moreover, government cannot afford to cut the salaries by any margin because such ‘there would be social upheaval’, Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini said. §
Zone 2- Africa Summary, week # 143
POLITICS OF SECURITY AND CONFLICT ISSUES
West Africa:
Nigeria: Big brickbats were hurled across the political terrain with President Goodluck Jonathan threatening his former National Security Adviser, retired Lt-General Aliyu Mohamed Gusau that he could also engage in political mudslinging. Meanwhile President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will win at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary to pick the party's ticket for the 2011 poll fair and square.
Nigeria's secret police intercept weapons shipment at the port in Lagos city. The secret police say they intercepted 13 containers, some of which had rocket launchers and grenades and other explosives hidden under tiles. The authorities have said they cannot say who owned the containers or their intended destination. It was later speculated that the seized weapons were linked to Palestine and were actually heading for Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Israeli officials said the military-grade armaments came from Iran and were bound for the Gaza Strip.
Ghana: A group, Foot Soldiers for Unity and Victory (FOSUV) of the ruling NDC has condemned the actions of some foot soldiers of the party campaigning for the Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to be elected as flag bearer to lead the party for the 2012 elections.
Cote d’ivoire: Ivoirians voted last week in their first presidential election in more than a decade, one they hope will draw a line under years of war, instability and under-investment in their once prosperous West African nation. Meanwhile Ivory Coast's ex-rebel Prime Minister Guillaume Soro appealed to all candidates in the presidential election to accept the declared result and put an end to the West African nation's protracted crisis.
Guinea: Guinea's electoral commission has proposed holding the delayed presidential run-off election, meant to transfer power to civilians from soldiers, on Oct. 31 but one candidate said last week that that was too soon. Guinea's attempt to shed military rule has hit the same wall of ethnic distrust that has for decades trapped the West African country in instability and poverty.
Niger: Some 6.7 million people in Niger are eligible to vote in a referendum on a new constitution aimed at starting a transition to democracy.
East/Horn of Africa:
Tanzania Peoples` Defense Forces (TPDF) chief of staff Lt. General Abdul-Rahman Shimbo has said his force has been highly impressed by the Chinese navy hospital ship ‘Peace Ark's, visit to Dar es Salaam.
AU reaction in Horn of Africa: The European Union (EC) has provided €500,000 to help in the prevention, control and reduction of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in the region. The grant is part of the Africa-EU strategic partnership in the fight against illicit accumulation and trafficking of firearms and explosive materials.
In Sudan: Religious leaders from southern Sudan are urging strong international pressure on Sudan's northern-based government to ensure a January referendum on independence for the South takes place on time.
In Somalia: Somalia's parliament has approved a new prime minister; Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed About three-fourths of the 392 lawmakers present endorsed the prime minister in the vote in Mogadishu Sunday.
Central Africa:
Rwanda: The United Nations has pledged to increase its support of building peace and security in the country. In 2008, the UN Secretary General launched a global campaign known as "UNITE to end Violence of women and girls", to draw attention to the pervasiveness of the consequences affecting millions of women and girls worldwide.
30 Congolese Women Allegedly Raped, Held Captive in Angola; a few weeks after reports of hundreds of men, women and children being raped in the eastern DRC, there’s word of yet another brutal incident involving Congolese.
Chad: A new group of Chadian rebels left Darfur region to Chad in implementation of security arrangements ending proxy war between the two countries. Sudan and Chad agreed last January to end proxy war and to stop their support to the rebel groups.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN DOMESTIC POLITICS
West Africa:
Nigeria: The Consumer Protection Council, CPC is set for 'war' with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over what it described as ill-treatment of passengers by air line operators in the country following incessant cancellation and delay of flight schedules without explanations.
South Africa:
Zambia: The United Nations refugee agency this week closed the last two remaining camps in Zambia which hosted refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), after the deportation of the final group of refugees.
The Botswana Police Service Public Relations Officer, Mr. Christopher Mbulawa, has confirmed that a task force comprising Botswana and Zimbabwe officials has been set up to investigate serious torture allegations against Botswana security officials made by seven suspected illegal Zimbabwean immigrants.
HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND DOMESTIC POLITICS
West Africa:
A cholera outbreak in Nigeria has killed more than 1,500 people, the United Nations said Tuesday. It is the worst cholera outbreak in Nigeria in recent years. The number of cases is three times higher than last year and seven times higher than in 2008, the United Nations Children's Fund said.
POLITICAL ECONOMY
West Africa:
Ghana: A $13 billion Chinese loan to Ghana is good for the African country and does not contravene any agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a senior IMF adviser told Reuters last week.
African palm oil producer Siat Group is set to get its Ghanaian output certified as sustainable by early next year, the Brussels based firm said on Tuesday.
Work on the installation of equipment at the Jubilee Field for the commercial production of oil is 92 per cent complete, the Director of Exploration and Production at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Mr. Thomas Manu, has said.
Ghana: The Russian government has indicated it s preparedness to make available to Ghana, classified documents on oil and gas reserves in the Voltaian Basin, if the government officially applies for them.
China and Africa celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, outlining future efforts for greater development of the new type of strategic partnership, Xinhua reported.
Ghana will use a series of multi-billion dollar deals with China to finance infrastructure projects and transform its economy through gas- and oil-driven industrialization, the government said.
Liberia: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has met and held talks with oil giant Chevron Corporation's corporate responsibility team, which visited Liberia to assess needs and to identify potential areas of social investment.
Cameroon: British oil explorer Victoria Oil & Gas (VOG) said its first gas sale may be pushed into early next year from its current target of December, as it is still waiting to receive a license from Cameroonian government.
Cote d’ivoire: Ivory Coast fuel storage company GESTOCI said on Tuesday it had awarded a provisional contract worth up to $400 million to two Saudi companies for projects to double its capacity.
Cote d’ivoire: Ivory Coast opposition candidate Henri Konan Bedie promised to diversify the cocoa-dependent economy into commodities such as oil and gold as he rallied thousands of supporters’ just days before a presidential vote.
Nestle will distribute an extra 600,000 disease-resistant cocoa trees to farmers in Ivory Coast during the 2010/11 cocoa season, after handing out 140,000 trees so far, its Africa research director said last week.
South Africa:
Eskom will get additional loan guarantees amounting to R350-billion, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan confirmed last week. The power utility warned, however, that even with the additional support from government, South Africa still faces power cuts, especially between now and 2012.
The World Bank and the IMF have opposed agricultural subsidies for poor African farmers because of the high costs associated with the initiative. But Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika, who is also African Union chairman, said last week that Africa should fight for subsidies for its poor farmers so as to achieve food security on the continent. §
Zone 2- Africa Summary, week # 144
POLITICS OF SECURITY AND CONFLICT ISSUES
West Africa:
Nigeria: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Abuja has refused to make a categorical statement over allegations that some Iranian businessmen resident in Nigeria who are involved in the intercepted arms shipment said to have originated from Iran have sought refuge in that country's embassy to evade arrest by Nigerian authorities.
According to reports militant leader Henry Okah has said that the suspected mastermind of the October 1 bombings in Nigeria, Chima Orlu, is currently in South Africa.
The Chairman of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has called on Nigerians to vote out the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at next year’s election, insisting that the 12 years of the party at the helms in the country has been misrule.
Barely a week after militants blew up two Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipelines in Bayelsa state; the Joint (Military) Task Force on the Niger Delta (JTF) has raised the alarm of a possible militant strike again in the state, following intelligence report.
The Gambia: According to reports Gambian President Yahha Jammeh has said he will not run for another five-year mandate when his current third term ends early next year.
Guinea-Bissau: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged both the civilian and military leadership in Guinea-Bissau to show commitment to achieving long-lasting stability in the West African country, and to restore the rule of law by fighting impunity and curbing organized crime.
Niger: The overwhelming endorsement by Nigeriens of a new constitution for the country as shown in the outcome of last week's constitutional referendum sends a clear message that the citizens are eager for a quick return to democratic rule.
According to reports pirates have seized a Comorian passenger boat inside Tanzania's territorial waters and it has now run out of fuel, the Comoros' Centre for Rescue Operations and Civil Protection (COESP)
Central Africa:
A former Rwandan ambassador to the United States and former chief of staff to President Paul Kagame has called on Rwandans to continue their peaceful resistance to what he called Mr. Kagame’s state-sponsored terrorism.
Meanwhile the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda last week sentenced Gaspard Kanyarukiga to 30 years in prison. It was not immediately clear if he will appeal.
A French court has approved the transfer of an exiled Rwandan rebel leader to the International Criminal Court to face war crimes charges. The Paris appeals court approved the extradition of Callixte Mbarushimana to the ICC in The Hague, but only on the condition that he is not sent later to Rwanda. Rwanda has the death penalty, which France opposes.
HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND DOMESTIC POLITICS
West Africa:
Nigeria: In Northern Nigeria an illegal diabetic clinic in Jos South local government area of Plateau state was raided last week and sealed by the officials of the National Administration for Food and Drug Control (NAFDAC).
Meanwhile as part of international efforts to seek solutions to Lake Chad whose water has receded about 90%, President Goodluck Jonathan is among six African Heads of State and Government currently in N'djamena, the capital of Chad Republic.
South Africa:
In a progress report on MDGs for Swaziland 2010, it is stated that incidences of TB are on the increase and there are calls for more awareness regarding the infectious disease.
POLITICAL ECONOMY
West Africa:
Ghana: Ghana's state-owned oil company and China's Cnooc Ltd. made an unsuccessful joint bid of $5 billion for a U.S. company's stake in one of Africa's most promising oil regions, an official of the Ghanaian company said last week.
Nigeria:
Following the rise of China to global economic and political prominence, Sino-Nigerian relations have been on the ascendancy. China has now displaced Japan as the world’s second largest economy.
Meanwhile the Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said last week it affirmed its 'B+' long-term and 'B' short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Nigeria.
Central Africa:
Rwanda: The World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region Obiageli Ezekwesili has labeled Rwanda as an African model in having concrete policies regarding investment. For the second year running, Rwanda has been declared as one of the world's best reformers in the latest World Bank Doing Business (DB)" report was released.
South Africa:
The IMF has maintained that Zambia should generate more revenue from the mines. Addressing the press last week, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Zambia George Tsibouris observed that Zambia could still generate more from the tax with the current tax regime.
Despite the international financial crisis, the Mozambican economy has continued to grow at a respectable rate, according to figures announced on 20 October by the Minister of Planning and Development, Aiuba Cuereneia.
Shrenuj Botswana, a subsidiary of the Indian diamond giants Shrenuj and Company Group, is set to open Botswana's first diamond jewellery manufacturing plant, thus putting the country on the road to becoming a regional diamond centre. §
Zone 2- Africa Summary, week # 145
POLITICS OF SECURITY AND CONFLICT ISSUES
West Africa:
The Federal Government of Nigeria has summoned Iran's ambassador to Nigeria, Hussein Abdullahi, over the arms shipment seized in Lagos last month, Reuters reported, quoting a Nigerian official and foreign diplomat.
A recent survey by London-based research group, International Institute of Social Science Research (IISSR), has shown that Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peoples Democrat Party (PDP) Presidential aspirant is making significant gains among delegates to the party's convention.
Meanwhile according to reports if Nigeria’s National Assembly successfully introduces its planned clauses into the 2010 Electoral Act, the de facto leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole.
The Nigerian Senate last week passed for a second reading a bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act 2010 and consequently referred it to the Committee on Electoral Matters for committee work.
Meanwhile the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said the Resident Electoral Commissioners in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) hold the key to credible, fair and transparent elections in Nigeria. Also on the up coming Elections, President John Attah Mills of Ghana has stressed the need for Nigeria to be able to conduct free and fair general election in order to send out a positive message to the world.
Concerning Security Ahead of 2011 general election, the Nigeria Police have acquired surveillance vehicles for monitoring elections in the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Lastly it was a mixture of good and bad news for Nigeria last week oil prices reached a two-year high point before the celebration was tempered by the report of yet another kidnap saga in the Niger Delta.
In Gambia Justice Ikpala of the Special Criminal Court, on 8th November 2010, adjourned the criminal charges of possession of arms and ammunition filed in by the state against 17 suspected Casamance rebels including, Yusupha Ceesay and 16 others to the 15th of November 2010, for plea taking.
Guinea- Bissau: Multilateral partnerships will help Guinea-Bissau build tougher security: Officials briefing the UN Security Council last week said that Guinea-Bissau should engage in multilateral partnerships in order to bolster its own state institutions, particularly in the area of security.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN DOMESTIC POLITICS
West Africa:
The Worldview in Gambia, a local NGO recently organized in Kerewan, North Bank Region, a sensitisation programme for religious, opinion and women leaders on violence against women and girls.
Central Africa:
Religious Leaders from Eight Countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa, who are meeting in Kigali, have promised to do their best to combat HIV/AIDS which they said is still a global concern.
An independent United Nations human rights expert has welcomed a draft law in the Republic of Congo intended to recognize and protect the rights of marginalized indigenous communities in the central African country.
Rwanda is among the three countries that will benefit from the US $ 180 million from The Education for All - Fast Track Initiative (EFA FTI), a global partnership dedicated to ensuring that all children receive quality basic education.
Chad: A coalition of human rights organizations has said that a meeting of international donors in Dakar on November 24, 2010, to finance the prosecution of Hissène Habré is a potential turning point in the long campaign to bring the former Chadian dictator to justice,
HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND DOMESTIC POLITICS
West Africa: Nigeria: The Senate has ordered the National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to fully inspect seven containers at the Lagos sea port suspected to be laden with e-wastes.
South Africa: Africa's top climate negotiator says a loss of global momentum has lowered the chance of a breakthrough at the upcoming summit in Cancun. African leaders are already looking ahead to the next climate summit in South Africa.
POLITICAL ECONOMY
West Africa:
Nigeria: The strike committee set up by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to execute a three-day "total shutdown" of the nation by November 10 to 12 has declared that the planned strike must go on unless the government enacts into law the new national minimum wage.
Meanwhile the Bureau of Public Enterprises, (BPE), has rejected a demand from electricity workers to allow the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to continue to exist and compete with private companies once its monopoly is broken.
Meanwhile the Board of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has announced valuation methodology for the purchase of non-performing loans of the banking system. It has also stated its readiness to buy all the margin loans in the banking sector and all the non-performing loans of the rescued banks, both totaling in excess of N2.2 trillion.
The trials of two Siemens officials and four Nigerians allegedly involved in a $17.5 million bribery scam were stalled last week at an Abuja high court due to the absence of Siemens officials involved.
Nigeria and Russia are set to commence talks on enhancing Nigeria’s pursuit of nuclear energy for peaceful and developmental purposes. The talks were to take place as the Russian Foreign Affairs minister, Mr. Sergei Lavrov, visits Nigeria on the 17th November 2010.
The Gambia: The government of Gambia and the Oranto Petroleum Limited last week signed at State House in Banjul the Onshore Petroleum Exploration and Production Licence Block Lower River, an event that marked the culmination of two years of intense negotiations between the two parties. Meanwhile the Gambian government, in partnership with NEPAD, AUC, Ecowas, World Bank and development partners held a two-day meeting on The Gambia Agricultural Investment Plan (GNAIP) at Sheraton Hotel, Brufut.
Meanwhile in Gambia in another engagement at State House, the president of the Republic received in audience officials of the Tecnave Company based in Portugal.
According to the head of World Economic Forum for Africa, Africans should learn the Chinese language and culture in order to benefit more from the growing links with nation China. Meanwhile according to reports UNDP will be strengthening its cooperation with China to boost poverty reduction efforts on the African continent.
Chinese investments in Africa jumped by 81 % to United States$ 552 million in the first three months of 2010, a positive response to a pledge made by President Hu Jintao when he visited Africa in February 2009, the African union (AU) chief, Jean Ping, said last week.
Central Africa: Dal Brynelsen, President and CEO of Vanoil Energy Ltd - the Canada-based oil explorer, was expected to arrive in Rwanda last weekend with a team to kick start a crucial phase of the oil exploration survey on Lake Kivu that had earlier been postponed due to bad weather.
Meanwhile MTN Group and Western Union, a global payment services announced a commercial agreement to introduce international mobile firm remittance services in the 21 countries where MTN operates, including Rwanda. §
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of Niger Delta (MEND) threatened an imminent attack in the nation's capital.
