Politics of Security and Conflict Issues
West Africa: In a recent symposium on the envisaged United States of Africa held in Senegal, President Abdoulaye Wade criticized African leaders for putting a premium on the protection of their states' sovereignty working on the assumption that other Africans are foreigners, protecting power against them and also denying African economies larger markets for their products.
The presidents of Liberia, Rwanda and Botswana sent a message to Secretary of State, Mrs. Hilary Clinton, as she embarks upon a seven-nation trip to Africa this week. The four African leaders said the continent seeks not patrons but collaborators who will work "with" rather than "for" the continent.
The Secretary of State Clinton hailed Liberia as a model to other countries regarding reform and reconstruction, after emerging from a 14-year civil war.
While the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria reaffirmed the two nations close ties in trade (approximately at $7 billion), in the backdrop of a recent immigration raid in China, which triggered critical accusations regarding Nigerian immigrants.
The Chinese embassy has also approached the Zambian government, voicing its concerns regarding recent attacks on its citizens.
The Alliance of Youth for Action (AYA) in Ghana has affirmed to challenge the freezing of employment in the public sector for 2 years in the Supreme Court, terming the decision as unconstitutional, insensitive and inhumane.
The results of a national poll in Nigeria showed 65% of Nigerians opposed the provision of the immunity clause for Public Officers in the nation's constitution.
South Africa: Vice-president of Zambia George Kunda has challenged media bodies to come up with a draft Bill for self-regulation within six months; otherwise the government will pass one on its own in the parliament.
East Africa/Horn of Africa: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed in Kenya and pledged to provide more military aid and training to the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG).
According to China the indictment of Sudanese president Omer el-Bashir and the LRA chief Joseph Kony, both wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity, is a stumbling block to peace in Africa.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe recently attacked Zanu PF for its continued violation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), but still affirmed continuing working on an inclusive government.
While Kenya has challenged member states of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to implement the pact on security, stability and development to end the cycle of violence in the region.
Central Africa: Landmark meeting between President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and his Congolese counterpart, Joseph Kabila, is expected to go beyond security to encompass trade and joint investment opportunities in different projects.
Human Rights and Social Issues in Domestic Politics
West Africa: 60 Christian and Muslim religious leaders from ten West African States met in Accra, Ghana under the auspices of the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) on the theme: "Religion and Prevention of Conflict, Peace Building and Reconciliation"
In the after math of the controversial killing of Muhammad Yusuf, leader of Boko Haram, while in custody, questions regarding extra judicial killings of the members of the Nigerian Islamist group, as well as civil populations in the north have been on the rise. The president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has ordered a probe into the controversial killing of the rebel leader.
Most of the 4,000 Maiduguri residents in northeastern Nigeria who fled last week's violence have now returned home, the Nigerian Red Cross (NRC) reported. While 2 days into the commencement of the federal government's amnesty programme, President Umar Yar'Adua of Nigeria met with 32 leaders of various militant groups from the Niger Delta. Some militants have already started surrendering and the progress is expected to attract more.
The Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) in Ghana has criticized the High Court judgment for demolishing a village in a case involving the mining giant AngloGold Ashanti, while calling for proper training of judges on the human rights challenges in the mining industry.
6 journalists have been jailed in Gambia on sedition and criminal defamation charges triggered by a June 11th press release critical of President Yahya Jammeh.
While the leadership of the National Consciousness Movement of Liberia (NCML) has sought permission from the Ministry of Justice to stage a peaceful protest against recommendations by the Truth and Reconciliation commission (TRC) on political exclusion and prosecution of people fearing destabilizing the fragile security situation.
South Africa: Ethiopia is on the defensive over a plan to offer 2.7 million hectares of land to foreign, mainly Asian, companies despite millions crying out for food aid from the international community
While the US. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is visiting South Africa as part of a seven-nation tour of Africa, women issues are part of her agenda in the continent.
2 civil society organizations have asked the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to investigate and prosecute South African citizens and/or residents implicated for crimes against humanity in Israel's invasion of Gaza in December and January.
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said that he could not commit himself to any assistance to exiled Zimbabweans who were living in deplorable conditions in SA, adding that there were millions of citizens in the country suffering due to the absence of economic activity.
SA's Opposition has accused Zimbabwe's President Mugabe of mobilizing his infamous militias ahead of a referendum and an electoral showdown with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Two weeks after a tribunal in Hague redefined the borders of Sudan's Abyei region, considerably reducing its size from a previous panel decision in 2005, though both Southern Sudan and the central government - former enemies in a 22-year civil war - have accepted the new boundaries but concerns are still abound. The recent decision has provoked claims from both sides over resources, including oil fields.
East Africa/Horn of Africa: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is considering food security and partnerships as a top agenda in her first official visit to sub Saharan Africa.
In Uganda, the minister for Labour has directed all companies exporting women to other countries to work as housemaids to halt their operations pending investigations into allegations of abuse and harassment.
Kenya will soon have a law to protect albinos a petition was tabled successfully by Mr Eugene Wamalwa (Saboti, PNU), the Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, awaiting a final report.
While thousands of refugees are to be immediately moved from the congested Kenya Dadaab Refugee Camp currently hosting 300,000 refugees way above its capacity of 90,000; a drastic crisis which needs immediate humanitarian attention.
The Kenya government is facing internal rebellion over the Truth and Justice Commission (TJRC) being given powers to prosecute post-election violence suspects.
After 3 decades, thousands of Burundian refugees have been granted citizenship by the host Tanzanian Government, the first large-scale naturalization of its kind in Africa.
Also the lack of access has prevented the United Nations from delivering food to 500,000 of its planned 3.3 million beneficiaries in Somalia over the past month
Central Africa: Small scale farmers from twelve African countries (DR. Congo, Somali, Eritrea, Djibouti, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, the Comoros and Tanzania) have decided to fight back amid ongoing threats of them being swallowed by large estates at the expense of food security in the continent.
With reports of widespread rape and other atrocities pouring in from the eastern Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations mission there has sent some 40 teams to the region over the past six months to bolster the protection of civilians
Also thousands of Congolese have been displaced in latest attacks by Ugandan Rebel Group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
Senator Beatrice Mukabaranga in Rwanda has stepped down from her seat in the Upper Chamber of Parliament days after the prosecution requested the lifting of her immunity to pave way for investigations over allegedly issuing bouncing cheques.
Health Environment and Domestic Politics
West Africa: The Cross River State Executive Council has approved the award of contracts to tackle the perennial flooding and gully erosion threatening Calabar metropolis during the raining season in Nigeria.
While surprisingly Africa which accounts for about 14% of the world population, is only responsible for 3.5% of global climate changing gases. It was reported at the National dialogue on NEPAD Climate Change Initiative in Nigeria
South Africa: It has been reported in the journal of Nature Medicine a new strain of the virus that causes AIDS has been discovered in a woman from Cameroon. It differs from the three known strains of human immunodeficiency virus and appears to be closely related to a form of simian virus recently discovered in wild gorillas.
The Global Fund, the world's biggest public health donor has given Zimbabwe a grant of US$38m to fight HIV, tuberculosis and malaria for the next 9 months
While Bié Province governor voiced his concern regarding the Uncontrolled Cutting of Trees in Angola.
East Africa/Horn of Africa: African Development Bank (AfDB) has accepted a call from environmental groups to investigate the alleged impact of Ethiopian huge hydro dam projects on Lake Turkana in Kenya.
Central Africa: A 12 member Chinese medical team has arrived in Rwanda as part of the medical assistance being given to the country since 1982. Also, following a 2day bilateral summit between the two countries, China has given Rwanda interest free loans amounting to $37 million to be used for development projects.
The 7th edition of the AIDS-Free Holiday campaign was launched in Cameroon with a focus on Promoting female condoms.
According to a new report in Kenya major rivers in Rift Valley have dried up and the levels of lakes are dropping alarmingly
Political Economy
West Africa: Chinese government has given the go ahead for its planned acquisition of Addax, the Swiss-based oil and gas major. Addax holds assets in Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon, with a combined 538 million barrels of proven and probable oil reserves.
Federal Government has approved 133 Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) as part of an effort to ensure efficient, effective and standardized quality product delivery in the country. The Federal Government has signed an agreement with the Chinese government regarding quality of imports, proclaiming that the dumping of substandard goods had impoverished the country.
While Modern Auto Services Limited (MAS), a leading automobile company in Ghana, has launched the new Lifan range of vehicles. Significantly, all the models have passed the crash and emission standard test of the European Union (EU).
Nigeria’s first terrestrial satellite, SAT-1 which was assembled and launched by a Chinese firm, has been irreversibly damaged amidst speculations about sub standard materials being used. The Chinese company Grid Wall however has reassured immediate replacement with out any further cost.
Also, tagged as the ‘World Trade Tower’, a 65 story building touted as the tallest in Africa is planned for the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.
Following the recent deregulation of the pricing of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)/diesel, Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) and other ancillary products by the Federal Government, the prices of these products have hit the roof top in Nigeria. About $12 billion is being spent annually on various activities in the oil and gas industry.
South Africa: The Chinese government is to invest $400 million to revive the controversy-plagued Kiwira coal mine in Mbeya Region, Tanzania
Africa's remarkable record of economic growth in recent years has to an important degree been underwritten by the explosive growth of countries like China, said Martyn Davies, director of the Centre for Chinese Studies at South Africa's Stellenbosch University. He added that Africa's growing relations with emerging economies offer both opportunities and risks
Liu Donghye of China Electricity Council International (CEC) said that China is offering its world class technology and equipment in a commercial transaction aimed at meeting SA’s requirement of 55000 MW of electricity capacity by 2025 to satisfy its economic and social development needs.
A Chinese company selling motor bikes announced recently an offer of 30 motorbikes to support the campaign of the ruling Frelimo party, in Mozambique for the presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections, scheduled for 28th October.
The government run Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has signed a MOU with Jinchuan Nickl Mining Company of China that might result in the bulk of copper, nickel and cobalt mined in the country being sold in the vast Asian state.
A multibillion-dollar power project on the Congo River involving five African governments might be put on hold because the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) wants to do it alone with the backing of international mining giant BHP Billiton.
East Africa/Horn of Africa:
The 8th Forum on Trade and Economic relations between the US and Africa south of the Sahara (AGOA Forum), started last week in Nairobi, Kenya, global economic environment and political decisions follow up mechanisms were on the agenda. The African Union has been called upon to reform the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), making it more investor friendly. Hillary Clinton, in her address to Agoa summit, also urged the African countries to reduce barriers and increase interstate trade in the continent.
Also the 19th Global Smart Partnership Dialogue ended last week in Uganda with a call to public private partners to heavily invest in infrastructure, human resource, and information, communications technologies (ICTs).
Fears of stinting economic growth have arisen amidst power cuts in Kenya.
Central Africa: The electricity and water utility, Electrogaz, in Rwanda has proclaimed implementation of a durable solution to the water shortage crisis within one month
West Africa: In a recent symposium on the envisaged United States of Africa held in Senegal, President Abdoulaye Wade criticized African leaders for putting a premium on the protection of their states' sovereignty working on the assumption that other Africans are foreigners, protecting power against them and also denying African economies larger markets for their products.
The presidents of Liberia, Rwanda and Botswana sent a message to Secretary of State, Mrs. Hilary Clinton, as she embarks upon a seven-nation trip to Africa this week. The four African leaders said the continent seeks not patrons but collaborators who will work "with" rather than "for" the continent.
The Secretary of State Clinton hailed Liberia as a model to other countries regarding reform and reconstruction, after emerging from a 14-year civil war.
While the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria reaffirmed the two nations close ties in trade (approximately at $7 billion), in the backdrop of a recent immigration raid in China, which triggered critical accusations regarding Nigerian immigrants.
The Chinese embassy has also approached the Zambian government, voicing its concerns regarding recent attacks on its citizens.
The Alliance of Youth for Action (AYA) in Ghana has affirmed to challenge the freezing of employment in the public sector for 2 years in the Supreme Court, terming the decision as unconstitutional, insensitive and inhumane.
The results of a national poll in Nigeria showed 65% of Nigerians opposed the provision of the immunity clause for Public Officers in the nation's constitution.
South Africa: Vice-president of Zambia George Kunda has challenged media bodies to come up with a draft Bill for self-regulation within six months; otherwise the government will pass one on its own in the parliament.
East Africa/Horn of Africa: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed in Kenya and pledged to provide more military aid and training to the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG).
According to China the indictment of Sudanese president Omer el-Bashir and the LRA chief Joseph Kony, both wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity, is a stumbling block to peace in Africa.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe recently attacked Zanu PF for its continued violation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), but still affirmed continuing working on an inclusive government.
While Kenya has challenged member states of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to implement the pact on security, stability and development to end the cycle of violence in the region.
Central Africa: Landmark meeting between President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and his Congolese counterpart, Joseph Kabila, is expected to go beyond security to encompass trade and joint investment opportunities in different projects.
Human Rights and Social Issues in Domestic Politics
West Africa: 60 Christian and Muslim religious leaders from ten West African States met in Accra, Ghana under the auspices of the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) on the theme: "Religion and Prevention of Conflict, Peace Building and Reconciliation"
In the after math of the controversial killing of Muhammad Yusuf, leader of Boko Haram, while in custody, questions regarding extra judicial killings of the members of the Nigerian Islamist group, as well as civil populations in the north have been on the rise. The president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has ordered a probe into the controversial killing of the rebel leader.
Most of the 4,000 Maiduguri residents in northeastern Nigeria who fled last week's violence have now returned home, the Nigerian Red Cross (NRC) reported. While 2 days into the commencement of the federal government's amnesty programme, President Umar Yar'Adua of Nigeria met with 32 leaders of various militant groups from the Niger Delta. Some militants have already started surrendering and the progress is expected to attract more.
The Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) in Ghana has criticized the High Court judgment for demolishing a village in a case involving the mining giant AngloGold Ashanti, while calling for proper training of judges on the human rights challenges in the mining industry.
6 journalists have been jailed in Gambia on sedition and criminal defamation charges triggered by a June 11th press release critical of President Yahya Jammeh.
While the leadership of the National Consciousness Movement of Liberia (NCML) has sought permission from the Ministry of Justice to stage a peaceful protest against recommendations by the Truth and Reconciliation commission (TRC) on political exclusion and prosecution of people fearing destabilizing the fragile security situation.
South Africa: Ethiopia is on the defensive over a plan to offer 2.7 million hectares of land to foreign, mainly Asian, companies despite millions crying out for food aid from the international community
While the US. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is visiting South Africa as part of a seven-nation tour of Africa, women issues are part of her agenda in the continent.
2 civil society organizations have asked the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to investigate and prosecute South African citizens and/or residents implicated for crimes against humanity in Israel's invasion of Gaza in December and January.
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said that he could not commit himself to any assistance to exiled Zimbabweans who were living in deplorable conditions in SA, adding that there were millions of citizens in the country suffering due to the absence of economic activity.
SA's Opposition has accused Zimbabwe's President Mugabe of mobilizing his infamous militias ahead of a referendum and an electoral showdown with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Two weeks after a tribunal in Hague redefined the borders of Sudan's Abyei region, considerably reducing its size from a previous panel decision in 2005, though both Southern Sudan and the central government - former enemies in a 22-year civil war - have accepted the new boundaries but concerns are still abound. The recent decision has provoked claims from both sides over resources, including oil fields.
East Africa/Horn of Africa: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is considering food security and partnerships as a top agenda in her first official visit to sub Saharan Africa.
In Uganda, the minister for Labour has directed all companies exporting women to other countries to work as housemaids to halt their operations pending investigations into allegations of abuse and harassment.
Kenya will soon have a law to protect albinos a petition was tabled successfully by Mr Eugene Wamalwa (Saboti, PNU), the Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, awaiting a final report.
While thousands of refugees are to be immediately moved from the congested Kenya Dadaab Refugee Camp currently hosting 300,000 refugees way above its capacity of 90,000; a drastic crisis which needs immediate humanitarian attention.
The Kenya government is facing internal rebellion over the Truth and Justice Commission (TJRC) being given powers to prosecute post-election violence suspects.
After 3 decades, thousands of Burundian refugees have been granted citizenship by the host Tanzanian Government, the first large-scale naturalization of its kind in Africa.
Also the lack of access has prevented the United Nations from delivering food to 500,000 of its planned 3.3 million beneficiaries in Somalia over the past month
Central Africa: Small scale farmers from twelve African countries (DR. Congo, Somali, Eritrea, Djibouti, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, the Comoros and Tanzania) have decided to fight back amid ongoing threats of them being swallowed by large estates at the expense of food security in the continent.
With reports of widespread rape and other atrocities pouring in from the eastern Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations mission there has sent some 40 teams to the region over the past six months to bolster the protection of civilians
Also thousands of Congolese have been displaced in latest attacks by Ugandan Rebel Group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
Senator Beatrice Mukabaranga in Rwanda has stepped down from her seat in the Upper Chamber of Parliament days after the prosecution requested the lifting of her immunity to pave way for investigations over allegedly issuing bouncing cheques.
Health Environment and Domestic Politics
West Africa: The Cross River State Executive Council has approved the award of contracts to tackle the perennial flooding and gully erosion threatening Calabar metropolis during the raining season in Nigeria.
While surprisingly Africa which accounts for about 14% of the world population, is only responsible for 3.5% of global climate changing gases. It was reported at the National dialogue on NEPAD Climate Change Initiative in Nigeria
South Africa: It has been reported in the journal of Nature Medicine a new strain of the virus that causes AIDS has been discovered in a woman from Cameroon. It differs from the three known strains of human immunodeficiency virus and appears to be closely related to a form of simian virus recently discovered in wild gorillas.
The Global Fund, the world's biggest public health donor has given Zimbabwe a grant of US$38m to fight HIV, tuberculosis and malaria for the next 9 months
While Bié Province governor voiced his concern regarding the Uncontrolled Cutting of Trees in Angola.
East Africa/Horn of Africa: African Development Bank (AfDB) has accepted a call from environmental groups to investigate the alleged impact of Ethiopian huge hydro dam projects on Lake Turkana in Kenya.
Central Africa: A 12 member Chinese medical team has arrived in Rwanda as part of the medical assistance being given to the country since 1982. Also, following a 2day bilateral summit between the two countries, China has given Rwanda interest free loans amounting to $37 million to be used for development projects.
The 7th edition of the AIDS-Free Holiday campaign was launched in Cameroon with a focus on Promoting female condoms.
According to a new report in Kenya major rivers in Rift Valley have dried up and the levels of lakes are dropping alarmingly
Political Economy
West Africa: Chinese government has given the go ahead for its planned acquisition of Addax, the Swiss-based oil and gas major. Addax holds assets in Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon, with a combined 538 million barrels of proven and probable oil reserves.
Federal Government has approved 133 Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) as part of an effort to ensure efficient, effective and standardized quality product delivery in the country. The Federal Government has signed an agreement with the Chinese government regarding quality of imports, proclaiming that the dumping of substandard goods had impoverished the country.
While Modern Auto Services Limited (MAS), a leading automobile company in Ghana, has launched the new Lifan range of vehicles. Significantly, all the models have passed the crash and emission standard test of the European Union (EU).
Nigeria’s first terrestrial satellite, SAT-1 which was assembled and launched by a Chinese firm, has been irreversibly damaged amidst speculations about sub standard materials being used. The Chinese company Grid Wall however has reassured immediate replacement with out any further cost.
Also, tagged as the ‘World Trade Tower’, a 65 story building touted as the tallest in Africa is planned for the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.
Following the recent deregulation of the pricing of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)/diesel, Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) and other ancillary products by the Federal Government, the prices of these products have hit the roof top in Nigeria. About $12 billion is being spent annually on various activities in the oil and gas industry.
South Africa: The Chinese government is to invest $400 million to revive the controversy-plagued Kiwira coal mine in Mbeya Region, Tanzania
Africa's remarkable record of economic growth in recent years has to an important degree been underwritten by the explosive growth of countries like China, said Martyn Davies, director of the Centre for Chinese Studies at South Africa's Stellenbosch University. He added that Africa's growing relations with emerging economies offer both opportunities and risks
Liu Donghye of China Electricity Council International (CEC) said that China is offering its world class technology and equipment in a commercial transaction aimed at meeting SA’s requirement of 55000 MW of electricity capacity by 2025 to satisfy its economic and social development needs.
A Chinese company selling motor bikes announced recently an offer of 30 motorbikes to support the campaign of the ruling Frelimo party, in Mozambique for the presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections, scheduled for 28th October.
The government run Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has signed a MOU with Jinchuan Nickl Mining Company of China that might result in the bulk of copper, nickel and cobalt mined in the country being sold in the vast Asian state.
A multibillion-dollar power project on the Congo River involving five African governments might be put on hold because the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) wants to do it alone with the backing of international mining giant BHP Billiton.
East Africa/Horn of Africa:
The 8th Forum on Trade and Economic relations between the US and Africa south of the Sahara (AGOA Forum), started last week in Nairobi, Kenya, global economic environment and political decisions follow up mechanisms were on the agenda. The African Union has been called upon to reform the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), making it more investor friendly. Hillary Clinton, in her address to Agoa summit, also urged the African countries to reduce barriers and increase interstate trade in the continent.
Also the 19th Global Smart Partnership Dialogue ended last week in Uganda with a call to public private partners to heavily invest in infrastructure, human resource, and information, communications technologies (ICTs).
Fears of stinting economic growth have arisen amidst power cuts in Kenya.
Central Africa: The electricity and water utility, Electrogaz, in Rwanda has proclaimed implementation of a durable solution to the water shortage crisis within one month
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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' This project has been undertaken and developed by the Gilani Research Foundation as a free resource and social discussion tool.
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