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Showing posts from January, 2008

Kenya talks on hold as lawmaker slain

CNN.com : "NAIROBI, Kenya (CNN) -- Talks between delegations representing Kenya's president and main opposition leader aimed at resolving the east African nation's bloody political crisis have been suspended after the death of an opposition lawmaker."

Kenya police say MP's killing 'crime of passion'

Mail & Guardian Online : "Kenya's police said the fatal shooting of a legislator by a policeman on Thursday was a 'crime of passion' and had already led to one arrest. But the head of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Raila Odinga, called the death of David Kimutai Too in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret a politically-motivated 'execution'."

Oba of Benin suspends Gabriel Igbinedion

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE "THE Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has suspended the Esama of Benin and father of the immediate past governor of Edo State, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, from the council. The Esama, who is the fifth to the Oba of Benin in the hierarchy of the kingdom’s Eghaevbo N’ogbe palace chiefs has also been stripped of all the privileges attached to the title indefinitely."

Senator begs colleagues - ’I’m sorry for calling you 419 senators’

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE "SENATOR Nuhu Aliyu said on Wednesday that he was losing his friends in the Senate following the controversy that trailed his claim that there are fraudsters in the National Assembly. The Senator was speaking while appearing before the members of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, who have been mandated by the Senate to investigate the allegation and ensure Senator Aliyu named the affected senators or withdraw his statement."
‘I Am Impressed’ - Liberian Observer : "MONROVIA, Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank, says in spite of the many challenges that have divided Liberia and shattered its economy, the country is still going strong in its reforms and economic recovery programs."

Thirst for knowledge lands man in trouble

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation: : "Thirst for knowledge landed a man in trouble after he was arraigned in court charged with stealing books. Ismail Maganga Makotsi pleaded guilty to stealing books from the University of Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library. The court heard that Makotsi entered the library on Wednesday like any other user but decided to make away with two text books valued at only seven hundred shillings."

Tension mounts at CID headquarters…Over missing cocaine

Ghanaian Chronicle "Tension is mounting among police investigative officers at the Narcotics section of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), of the Police Headquarters in Accra, over the strange disappearance of part of the 67 cartons of cocaine, which was seized at the Prampram beach on May 21, 2006.

Chilling glimpse into 'Jeppestown Massacre'

Cape Argus : "For 19 months, photographs of the Jeppestown bloodbath lay hidden in police dockets and court files - but today it's clear why the June 25 2006 shootout was dubbed a massacre. Some of the 1 000-odd images presented to the Johannesburg High Court on Wednesday are too grisly to publish, but they tell the real and frightening story of a raid gone very wrong."

WE ARE PROUD of You - President tells Trust Bank

WOW Gambia : "His Excellency, President Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh received a delegation from Trust Bank Ltd, led by Dodou Nyang, the marketing manager, at his home in Kanilai, yesterday. The group came to inform the president about SMS banking that Trust Bank was introducing into The Gambia. “SMS Banking will change forever the way you relate to your bank. Through your mobile phone, you will be able to view your account balance, receive details of your last five transactions, transfer funds from account to account, view up to date foreign exchange rates, and the exciting bit, you will be able to top up your mobile phone credit using money in your bank account from your mobile phone!"

Kandetu Resists Calls to Resign

NewEra.com.na : "Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Director General Bob Kandetu who has been severely criticized by protesting workers says he will only resign if the Board of Directors says his services are no longer needed. The embattled NBC boss says if he resigns as the director general, he will walk out knowing that he performed and handled the highly stressful job to the best of his ability."

BLOWS IN PARLIAMENT - Over Mills

Ghana Today : "There was near exchange of blows among some NDC MPs in Parliament House yesterday, following a suggestion by the MP for Lower Manya Krobo, Michael Teye Nyaunu, that the party’s flagbearer be removed on account of his alleged poor health."

Dabengwa confronts Mugabe

The Zimbabwe Independent "ZANU PF political heavyweight Dumiso Dabengwa, now emerging as the main dissenting voice, on Wednesday confronted President Robert Mugabe at the party’s heated politburo meeting over war veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda’s controversial activities."

Bilingualism: Where There’s The Will…

::- Cameroon-Tribune : Le Quotidien National Bilingue -:: : "Forty-six years after the introduction of formal or official bilingualism, can one really say Cameroonians have adopted this system wholeheartedly? It is difficult to say."

Elderly woman bites alleged rapist

Daily News : "A 28-year-old man accused of raping and attempting to rape five elderly women was bitten on the finger and lip by two of them, the Grahamstown High Court heard on Wednesday. Mcebesi Noji, of Nkululeko, Barkly East, is on trial for two counts of housebreaking with intent to rape and rape, two counts of housebreaking with intent to rape and attempted rape, and one count of rape."

Kenya on fire as MP is murdered

Monitor Online : "AT LEAST four people died yesterday after mobs torched houses in a slum in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, following the killing of an opposition MP. MP Mugabe Were, from Raila Odinga's opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), was gunned down by two unidentified men as he drove up to his gate in Nairobi after midnight yesterday."

Helicopters bomb Kenya protesters

New Vision Online : : "KENYAN military helicopters opened fire Tuesday above feuding gangs in a western town of Naivasha, and 13 died in fresh clashes elsewhere as the murder of an opposition Member of Parliament sparked new chaos. Nine people died in tribal fighting in western Kenya and four were killed in a Nairobi slum, police and medical sources said, as riots and ethnic clashes flared across the country. Gunmen killed the newly elected ODM legislator, Melitus Were, at his home in the early hours and ethnic violence continued to spread. He was shot twice in the head as he reached the gate of his house shortly after midnight. The police called it “murder”."

Baganda hold most jobs in revenue body

New Vision Online : "BAGANDA dominate posts in the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), followed by the Banyankole of western Uganda. According to the list which the tax body released yesterday, the Baganda, who live in the central region, hold 490 positions, or 28.6%, while the Banyankole have 255, representing 14.9%."

Ki-moon gives Frw5.4m to Genocide survivors

The New Times "KIGALI - The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has pledged $10, 000 (approx. Frw5.45 million) to victims of the 1994 Genocide. He made the pledge yesterday when he visited and laid a wreath on the mass graves of Genocide victims at Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre."

Eskom reassures mines on energy supply

IOL : "South African mining companies were beginning to resume production on Tuesday after power shortages brought the industry to a halt last week. Anglogold Ashanti said it expected all its mines would be in full production by the end of the week."

Germany Invites Entrepreneurs to Invest in Angola

AngolaPress : "German government announced Tuesday in Luanda it is mobilising its businesspeople to invest in Angola, as part of a programme aimed at boosting bilateral relations. The German ambassador to Angola, Bernd Morast, who was speaking at the end of an audience with the first deputy speaker of the National Assembly, João Lourenço."

Rice ‘deeply concerned’ over Kenyan crisis

SABCnews.com "US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, voicing concern about the crisis in Kenya, said the recent election there had not inspired confidence in the Kenyan people and a political solution was needed. 'The election was not one that inspired confidence in the Kenyan people and therefore there needs to be a political arrangement, a political solution between the major opposition candidate and the President,' Rice told reporters at the start of a meeting with Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha at the State Department."
President Al-Bashir to leave for Addis Ababa Tuesday : "President of the Republic Field Marshal Omer Al-Bashir leaves Tuesday for Addis Ababa to attend the African Union Summit, which opens session on Thursday. President Al-Bashir will also participate in the summit meeting of the African Peer Review Mechanism of the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) Wednesday."

US embassy in Sudan denies misquotation by Reuters

SudanTribune "The US embassy in Khartoum issued a statement today denying that its charge d’affaires, Alberto Fernandez, was misquoted by Reuters in an interview conducted last week. Hours after the embassy declined to comment to Sudan Tribune on the issue of misquotation, its public diplomacy officer Walter Braunohler said in a statement that “every quote of the Chargé d’affaires that appeared in the article was accurate”."

Power cuts won't stop SWC

News24 : "Pretoria - Constant power cuts will not lead to the cancellation the 2010 Fifa World Cup, Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile said on Tuesday. 'We can't pretend that they (the power cuts) are not a threat. They cause anxiety but they cannot cause cancellations.'"

Where are the 1m visitors?

KESSBENFM 93.3 "Figures released by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) have confirmed the view of critics who described the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Ghana 2008 and the Ministry of Tourism's projection of one million visitors during the tournament period, as unrealistic Total arrivals as at last week (January 23) has been put at only 7,094 but an industry analyst told the dailyEXPRESS that it is a good enough figure, considering that the country did not engage in any international tourism promotion activities prior to the tournament."

Embakasi residents mourn their MP

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation: : "A somber mood engulfed Embakasi constituency as the constituents mourned the death of their MP Melitus Mugabe Were. The residents converged at the site of several projects the slain MP initiated in the area when he was a councilor. Elsewhere in Woodley estate security agents were forced to lob teargas canisters in the slain MP's residence to disperse youths who had come to console the family when they turned rowdy. The pentagon members led by their leader Raila Odinga visited the family and condemned the murder." Also see the video

Skyscrapers to replace town aging buildings

Arusha Times "Arusha is about to have a new face. Municipal authorities have confirmed that under the Government Notice 303 all the buildings making up the town will be made to disappear together with the legend that used to be Arusha. Already a good number of the buildings in the town center have either been demolished or earmarked to be pulled down. Debris are almost everywhere while iron-sheet fencing are coming up at alarming rate, screening the construction of new premises, blocks and other structures."

A millionaire – without knowing it

Daily Dispatch : "A GARDENER for a Gonubie businessman, who earned a few hundred rands a week, was a millionaire without knowing it as his employers allegedly used him as a “front” to win multi-million rand government contracts. Now, the Grahamstown-based Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions is formulating charges against Raymond Harty and his wife, Debbie, of Sunbird Close in Gonubie. The two allegedly used a company registered in the name of their gardener, Mpangeli Mawonga, to tender for provincial government contracts."

I’m ready to die —Sen. Aliyu

champion newspapers : "OUTSPOKEN Senator Nuhu Aliyu (PDP Niger) yesterday vowed to name serving National Assembly members who are fraudsters even if that would be at the risk of his life. Reacting to the allegation, Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka said the former Deputy Inspector-General of Police was speaking the truth and deserved the backing of Nigerians. He said that Senator Aliyu’s remark was not an allegation but 'factual'. 'Why are you surprised? There are killers among them, there are kidnappers among them and there are murderers among them,' Soyinka told Daily Champion on telephone yesterday."

PDP BoT Chair: Plot to Unseat Obasanjo Fails

THISDAY ONLINE : "The plot by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remove former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT) is up against a brick wall. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party told the group yesterday that their request for constitutional amendment fell short of the required two-month notice, as the NEC yesterday confirmed March 8, 2008 as the date for the National Convention."

FOUR GIANTS CHALLENGE BOAFO

Ghanaian Chronicle "INDICATIONS ARE that the primaries of the New Patriotic Party in the Subin constituency, for the mandate to represent the constituents in parliament, would be keenly contested when nominations open in April this year, ahead of the December 2008 elections.
Police Arrest Four Alleged Accomplices in NBE Phoney Gold Scandal : "In the latest developments of the National Bank of Ethiopia’s (NBE) phoney gold scandal, the Federal Police arrested four brothers for allegedly acting as accomplices to one of the suspects accused of swindling 158 million Br by supplying fake gold to the Bank. Apprehended on January 16, 2008, the businessmen now under custody are Kaf Mohammed, owner of Sofam Fashion; Sultan Mohammed, owner of Day and Night Multi Choice boutique; Fuad Mohammed, owner of WOW Fashion; and Nuredin Mohammed, owner of Nur Building."

One kill led to another

Sowetan : "Gardener Richman Makhwenkwe was so desperate to cover his tracks after killing his girlfriend that he murdered everyone who crossed his path. The Johannesburg high court heard that the 28-year-old gardener first killed his girlfriend for selling his belongings. He then went after the man who bought his belongings and killed him. Later, he allegedly went after three women who he thought had seen him bury the first two victims. He raped, robbed and killed them on separate occasions."

Algeria Hit By Deadly Bomb Blast

Al Jazeera : "At least three people have been killed after a car bomb exploded outside a police station in the town of Thenia, 55km east of the Algerian capital, according to witnesses."

Poll date: Mugabe 'act of madness'

The Standard "THE two MDC formations will this week convene top level meetings to decide whether or not to boycott the 29 March elections. Party sources said yesterday the announcement by President Robert Mugabe of the election and nomination dates had changed their 'game plan', leaving them with no choice but to call for urgent national council meetings to decide the way forward. Nelson Chamisa, the spokesperson of the Tsvangirai formation said in announcing date while negotiations were taking place, Mugabe had committed 'an act of madness'."

video---South Africa power cuts

The price of gold has reached a lifetime high of 930 dollars an ounce on fears that supplies are running low. That's in part been fuelled by power cuts in South Africa which have forced the world's three largest gold-mining firms to shut down their operations. The government's being blamed for ignoring warnings that record growth, and ageing infrastructure, would see the country's power run out. Now the state power company, Eskom, is saying it will boost electricity supplies to the mines by up to 90 percent by the end of the week.

Maternal Death Rate Shoots Up

NewEra.com.na : "Namibia is experiencing reversals on child, infant and maternal health despite being one of the leading countries in reporting progress on child survival. Infant and under-five mortality rates have increased, while the number of women who die during pregnancy, delivery or shortly after giving birth has doubled. Preliminary results of the 2006 demographic and health survey indicate that there is a major increase in maternal deaths, with the sharp decrease in infant and child mortality rates not having been sustained."

video--Wrangle over Zimbabwe election date

With record high inflation, and an unemployment rate touching 80 percent, general elections scheduled for March could hold the key to Zimbabwe's future. The government's turned down opposition demands for constitutional reforms ahead of the vote and as Supa Mandiwanzira explains from Harare, the exact date of the poll is also yet to be confirmed.

Is There Any Link Between MP Mugabe Were’s Killing and the Recent Reshuffle in the Kenya Police?(blog)

You Missed This: "The tragic shooting of Mr Mugabe Were, ODM’s Embakasi MP-elect, puts into sharp focus the real motive behind the recent reshuffle of top officers in the Kenya Police. It’s too early to conclude if the killing was political assassination or the politician was a mere victim of the breakdown of security in the country. Whatever the case, the killing is bound to evoke deep anger and be a source of great concern within the ODM ranks and all Kenyans of their right mind."

Kenya unrests disturb AU

afrol News : "The African Union Commission Chairman, Alpha Oumar Konaré, has expressed the union's concern over the disturbing post electoral unrests in Kenya. Konaré - who had addressed African Foreign Ministers ahead of the AU summit on Thursday in Ethiopia - said the gross violations of human rights in Kenya has become unbecoming. He said the answer to Kenya's political solution cannot just be power sharing because there will still be discontented people. Konare called on the AU to re-affirm its support to the troubled nation because 'we cannot close our eyes and ears.'"
Government Drops Case Against Koukou : "President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has taken another major step towards reconciliation in the country. The President on Monday announced that Government will no longer pursue the case against former Speaker George Koukou. By filing a nolle prosequoi, Government enabled him to be released from prison. A nolle prosequoi is a legal notice that a lawsuit has been abandoned."

The true story (report)

New African "Nigeria’s position as the eighth largest producer of crude oil and possessor of the world’s fifth largest reserves of natural gas is almost entirely dependent on resources existing in the Niger Delta where the mere whisper of unrest sends world oil prices spiralling upwards. The Delta is where the core of the Nigerian economy rests, but on a foundation of volatile uncertainty. In this report, Lindsay Barrett looks at what the future holds for the Delta and global oil prices as aggrieved militants in the region threaten Nigeria’s oil production."

Will the last one out switch off the lights?

Cape Times : "It is critical that South Africans respond to the energy-saving proposals made by government for industrial, commercial and residential consumers, the ANC said on Tuesday. 'The success of the programme taken by the government to improve power efficiency depends on the contribution of all South Africans and sectors,' the ANC's national working committee (NWC) said in a statement."

Will the last one out switch off the lights?

Cape Times : "It is critical that South Africans respond to the energy-saving proposals made by government for industrial, commercial and residential consumers, the ANC said on Tuesday. 'The success of the programme taken by the government to improve power efficiency depends on the contribution of all South Africans and sectors,' the ANC's national working committee (NWC) said in a statement."

Essien keeps Ghana's party going

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation "Ghana, to the general relief of this fanatical football nation, are through to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after a 2-0 win over Morroco on Monday. Michael Essien was at the heart of the success, scoring the first and setting up Sulley Muntari for the second. With Guinea booking the other last eight berth from Group A defeat left Morocco heading home in a repeat of their first round exit in Egypt in 2006."

Rescue F/town

Mmegi Online "FRANCISTOWN: As the day of reckoning nears, residents of Francistown have started praying earnestly for the powers-that-be to come to the rescue of their 'crumbling city'. The day of reckoning, of course, February 4 when Finance Minister Baledzi Gaolathe delivers the Budget Speech in Parliament. Residents of Francistown wish that the minister will reserve a good portion of development expenditure for Francistown."

Yar’Adua’s Men Storm Tribunal

leadershipnigeria.com : "Palpable fear may have gripped President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the presidential election tribunal is gradually rounding off its proceedings. Amidst water-tight security and a suspected hired crowd of rowdy and noisy placard-carrying people, dozens of Yar’Adua’s men, including ministers, state governors and aides stormed the tribunal yesterday in solidarity with their boss."

What is in the word tribe?(feature)

Pambazuka News : "Reading recent dispatches from Kenya, I was pleased to notice that the Times has responded to years of complaints about the biased terms 'tribe' and 'tribal,' replacing them with 'ethnic group' and 'ethnic.' This editorial policy, however, seems to be confined to the news. Roberta Smith's article 'Face Time: Masks, Animal to Video' in the Arts Section on Jan. 11 uses the egregiously offensive phrase 'a tribal, almost animalistic ritual.' It is exactly that equation that makes it necessary to remove 'tribe' and its related words. In the case in question, removing 'tribal' would have put the focus on 'animalistic' without designating Africans as inherently animalistic. It is particularly odd to find such a cliché in a discussion of the work of Yinka Shonibare, a highly sophisticated, learned, and ironic artist."

Cop shoots girlfriend and himself - police

Daily News : "A Durban Metro policeman shot his girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself on Tuesday, police said. Inspector Michael Read said the incident took place outside the Metro police offices on Old Fort Road in Durban after midday. 'The Metro policeman was standing outside the building when he shot his girlfriend and then himself... at his stage it is unclear whether either of them died,' said Read."

Algeria recommends "rational approach" to African United-States' federal government project

Algerian news agency : "ALGIERS- Algeria recommended Monday a 'rational approach' to the African Union (AU) government project, at an AU Executive Council meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, indicated a Foreign Affairs ministry's release. Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci, heading the Algerian delegation at the Council meeting, 'highlighted, during the examination of the Union government issue, the significance of the matter,' the ministry pointed out. Medelci stressed, before his counterparts from the 53 AU member countries forming the Executive Council, that the project 'concerns the future of Africa.'"

UDF fires Mpasu

Nyasa Times "United Democratic Front (UDF) has removed its Publicity Secretary Sam Mpasu from holding the position following outbursts on the party's internal democratisation. Mpasu has since been replaced by Mary Kaphweleza Banda who was elected at the party convention in 2003 as deputy to then Publicity Secretary Dr Ken Lipenga. Speaking to Nyasa Times in a telephone interview, Mpasu confirmed that he has been relieved of his position and his deputy has taken over."
Zuma Blames Western Interferance : "Johannesburg - South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) President Jacob Zuma has said interference by the United States and major European states was hindering efforts to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe."

Untold story of Ayo Daramola’s murder

The Sun News On-line : "An intricate web of high-wire intrigues spun by opponents of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose was responsible for the arrest, detention and prosecution of certain associates of the erstwhile governor on various murder charges in the State, a police document has revealed. According to the document obtained by Daily Sun, many of those currently being prosecuted by the Ekiti State Government in connection with the murder attempt on Taiye Fasuba as well as the assassination of Dr Ayo Daramola, a former consultant to the World Bank, may be innocent of the charges."

PDP splits over OBJ - No plan to remove him, says Deputy Publicity Secretary

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE "THE plot to remove former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman by some members has started polarising the party. There are indications that the ruling party is, however, opposed to the move. The party has denied ever nursing the plan to amend the constitution specifically to ease out Obasanjo as its BOT chairman, stating that the idea was only being bandied about by individual members."

You can’t hold a candle to ANC spin

The Times : "HOW strange that, in the latest edition of ANC Today, there is no mention of the rolling blackouts that threaten to basket-case the country. This at a time when the outages have virtually crippled the mining industry and put almost half a million jobs at risk — in a single day. The ANC chooses instead to tell us of its deft skill in the saddle. Look ma, no hands — as the horse bolts into the oncoming traffic."

Nigerians spend N16.408trn to fuel generators annually

Vanguard Online Edition : "Nigerians spend about N16.408 trillion annually on fuelling generators in the country. The break down shows that in the telecom sector, N6.7 trillion is spent per annum to purchase diesel while filling stations spend N43.98 billion; factories N191.08 billion; banks N11.7 billion; insurance companies N80 billion; residential N7.812 trillion; and commercial enterprises, N1.57 trillion giving a total of N16.408,760 trillion or $140 billion expended on fuelling generators in the country annually."

Police disperse anti-Obasanjo protesters in Ekiti

Vanguard Online Edition "THE police yesterday dispersed protesters who were opposed to the visit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to Ekiti State and prevented what could have turned a riotous situation. Chief Obasanjo arrived Ekiti State for what he described a-thank-you-visit to the people of the state. The people who had opposed his visit had converged at the popular Okeyinmi Round About carrying posters with various inscriptions, some of which read thus: “Obasanjo is not wanted in Ekiti”, “leave Ekiti to be governed by the Ekitis”, “Obasanjo had not assisted us when we needed his help.”"

Zambians set for cash bonanza

Times of Zambia : "FINANCE and National Planning Minister, Ng’andu Magande, has said Government will put almost K500 billion into the pockets of Zambians through various measures it proposes to undertake in this year’s national Budget. Presenting the Budget in Parliament yesterday, Mr Magande said Government had delivered in the macroeconomic sector and it now wanted to empower the people."

Criminals turn welding outlets into weapon factory

The Voice online edition : "The Botswana Police Service has warned of a new trend where some employees of certain welding companies in Gaborone produce homemade dangerous weapons to supply criminals. Police describe the trend as an underground illicit business, which takes place without the knowledge of company owners. Speaking in an interview, Broadhurst Station Commander Superintendent Counsel Moyo said the weapons were later sold at reasonable prices to criminals."

Stop the war now, Ruto tells Rift Valley residents

The Standard Online Edition : "Eldoret North MP, Mr William Ruto, has appealed to Rift Valley residents not to allow the province to become a battleground every election year. In his first visit to the town since the eruption of post-election violence, the MP dispelled claims that the violence experienced was planned, saying it was a spontaneous reaction caused by a flawed election. 'I am appealing to our people to stop fighting each other. We know those who organised to manipulate the elections and have put us in this mess,' said Ruto."

video---Kenya Violence continues

Al Jazeera's Mohammed Adow reports from the Rift Valley region where ethnic violence continues despite mediation efforts. In the town of Naivasha, up to twenty people are thought to have been burned to death in their own homes. And in nearby Nakuru, at least 60 have died in the last few days.

Kwamena Bartels admits Ghana, transit point for drugs

Ghanaian Chronicle "The Minister for the Interior, Mr. Kwamena Bartels, has admitted that Ghana’s entry points are gradually being used as transit points for drug trafficking, which is of great concern to the Government. He was, however, quick to add that the drug problem was a universal one, of which Ghana has not been left out in the global struggle against drug trafficking."
Addis Fortune "Mekonnen Yimer (Captain), 60, is a retiree who for 31 years served Angolan Airlines and the local national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines. With his accumulated wealth, he established a company that manufactures an energy-saving stove, Eco-Yehulunesh, with a capital of one million Birr hoping to tap the increasing demand in the country. According to Mekonnen, the stove that he invented would produce energy for homes, hotels and industries using inexpensive kerosene thus decreasing deforestation. Especially, in countryside residences, large volumes of wood from felled trees are used for household cooking."

Besigye: army support now above 90%

The Weekly Observer "He may have been threatened with “going six feet under” for claiming overwhelming support in the army but FDC President Dr. Kizza Besigye hasn’t given up on his controversial claim. In fact, he insists that his following in the army has grown over the last couple of years. In remarks that are certain to anger the UPDF leadership, Dr. Besigye told The Weekly Observer that there is nothing illegitimate about claiming support of the army."

Ghana stays on top of Group A

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation "Ghana proved too strong for Namibia as the tournament hosts moved three points clear at the top of Group A. After Asamoah Gyan shot over the bar with the goal gaping, Junior Agogo bundled in a Quincy Owusu-Abeyie cross from close range on 41 minutes."

Kibaki meets Raila in signal for peace

The Citizen Newspaper "Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga yesterday met and shook hands in public in Nairobi, signalling the possibility of an accord to end the post-election violence, which has claimed more than 600 lives. The two, who read statements at a joint press briefing at Harambee House on Harambee Avenue in downtown Nairobi, which houses the Office of the President, appealed for peace, and condemned the violence and animosity among various Kenyan communities over the disputed presidential election results."

President of Burundi renewed his support for Leader’s efforts

News Libya : "President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi received yesterday the secretary of African Union affairs at the Secretary of General People’s Committee for foreign liaison and International Cooperation in the Burundi capital Bujumbura . The secretary of African Union affairs informed him Leader's oral message . During the meeting, President of Burundi renewed Leader's efforts to consolidate the march of African Union ."

Bakau Alkalo Outlines Good Election Time Conduct

WOW Gambia : "The Alkalo of Bakau, Alhaji Luntang Jaiteh, has pleaded to the people of his town to exercise calm and tranquility during the period of the impending Local Government polls. The town of Bakau, an opposition stronghold until recently when the ruling APRC started commanding influence is expected to be one of the areas that would be keenly contested in the final analysis."

Ghana 1-0 Namibia

Ghana Today : "Ghana proved too strong for Namibia as the tournament hosts moved three points clear at the top of Group A. After Asamoah Gyan shot over the bar with the goal gaping, Junior Agogo bundled in a Quincy Owusu-Abeyie cross from close range on 41 minutes."

Ghana 1-0 Namibia

Ghana Today : "Ghana proved too strong for Namibia as the tournament hosts moved three points clear at the top of Group A. After Asamoah Gyan shot over the bar with the goal gaping, Junior Agogo bundled in a Quincy Owusu-Abeyie cross from close range on 41 minutes."

'Our timing was flawed in electricity crisis'

Cape Argus : "President Thabo Mbeki has admitted that the the government got its timing wrong managing the electricity crisis. Public Enterprise Minister Alec Erwin told a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday: 'The decision to charge Eskom with the responsibility to embark on a large and urgent build programme in 2004 was in hindsight late. The president has accepted that this government got its timing wrong.'"

Gono could get more than he bargained for

The Standard "RESERVE Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Gideon Gono faces tough questions tomorrow when he appears before a parliamentary committee where he is expected to 'name and shame' the cash barons he has blamed for a cash crisis that has condemned urban Zimbabweans to life in bank queues."

Power Outages to Hit Production

NewEra.com.na : "Inevitable power outages could have serious repercussions on production, which in turn could stunt economic growth. Both the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and the Chamber of Mines in Namibia said the power shortage leading to anticipated load-shedding countrywide, in the wake of power cuts from South Africa, is worrisome."

Banks face collapse

The Zimbabwe Independent "MAJOR commercial banks and other financial houses are facing a critical liquidity crisis largely caused by unlawful speculative investments which are now threatening to ruin the stricken institutions. Information gleaned from an array of documents shows the situation has triggered tremors within the sector that was hit by a chain of high-profile institutional collapses in 2004. Cash shortages at the banks have compounded the situation as businesses and individuals are unable to access their money."

Cops lob gas at ODM funeral

The Times : "NAIROBI - Kenyan police lobbed around 10 tear gas canisters today at a funeral prayer held in Nairobi for victims of last week’s protests and attended by opposition leader Raila Odinga, an AFP correspondent reported. Police fired the tear gas as hundreds of supporters of Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) had gathered for the funeral mass, and after clashes broke out between a small group of protesters and security forces."

Brownouts inevitable

The Namibian : "NAMPOWER has warned that forced load shedding and time-of-use tariffs for electricity usage at peak times are inevitable. To minimise load shedding, Namibians will have to save 20 per cent of their electricity usage, whether they are private households, municipalities or large customers like mining companies, NamPower announced yesterday."
Mugabe must go now : "One by one, senior Zanu (PF) leaders are coming out to demand an end to Mugabe's rule before the elections scheduled for March. The latest to join the call is former commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Gen Vitalis Zvinavashe, who enjoys considerable support from military personnel. Zvinavashe, who retired a few years ago, is a substantial businessman and a member of Mugabe's soviet-style politburo, Zanu (PF)'s highest policy-making body.'When we went to war we did not fight for a single person but for all of us. But what the president is doing now defeats the whole purpose of our having gone to war,' he is reported to have told one of the many Zimbabwean websites this week."

Wife hacks husband

New Vision Online : "A 56-year-old man in Kibaale has been hacked to death by his wife for allegedly selling off her piglet without her conscent. Police in Kibaale identified the deceased as Charles Biryomumaisho who was hacked by his wife one Evas Ntegyereize of Kyebumba village in Kibaale district."

RBZ stuck with trillions

The Herald : "TRILLIONS of dollars in cash are lying idle at the Reserve Bank as most commercial banks and building societies are failing to collect the money owing to liquidity problems, amid fears that depositors’ money could have been diverted onto the stock market or foreign currency parallel market. It emerged yesterday that the Reserve Bank was sitting on over $100 trillion in its vaults, which the banks were failing to collect as they did not have equivalent sums or sufficient collateral deposited with the central bank."

Museveni meets Raila over crisis

Monitor Online "PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni met embattled Kenyan leader Mwai Kibaki and the country's main opposition leader Raila Odinga, yesterday in efforts to quell a polls dispute that has left hundreds of people dead. Mr Museveni arrived hours ahead of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who was also due to meet the warring sides to push for direct negotiations, a step which this month eluded Ghanaian President John Kufuor, the head of the African Union."

Senate okays new pay for Yar'Adua, others

Guardian Newspapers : "WITH the conclusion of work and passage of the Bill to amend the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Act, by the Senate yesterday, a legal backing has now been given to the new pay packages for the President, his deputy and other senior officials of the Bench."

Blackouts hit pay packets

IOL: "Many companies have already restructured shifts, sending employees home during load-shedding, and devised plans to pay for hours worked. In a statement sent to employers on Tuesday, the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa (Seifsa) recommended that managements should pay workers for a minimum of four hours if they were forced to send them home due to power cuts."

Nuclear giant bids to build atomic reactors in SA

SABCnews.com "French nuclear giant Areva says it's preparing to bid for two third-generation atomic reactors to be built in South Africa. The group formed a consortium with a communication conglomerate and electricity giant EDF. The consortium proposed to team up with South African engineering firm Aveng. Areva's already building two second-generation nuclear reactors near the Koeberg power station outside Cape Town."

South Sudan’s Machar confirms death of Uganda LRA deputy commander

SudanTribune "Vincent Otti, the deputy commander of Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels, is dead, the vice president of south Sudan said on Wednesday. Vincent Otti'I was officially informed by Joseph Kony that Vincent Otti is dead,' south Sudan Vice President Riek Machar told reporters in Juba, south Sudan’s capital. Machar is mediating talks in Juba between the rebels and the Ugandan government."

JEM’s Vision for a New Sudan

SudanTribune "The Sudan in its current geopolitical shape, which is the creation of British colonial authority, is not functioning properly after over five decades. The country is thus at the end stage of a decaying and failing colonial arrangement. A new possible means for a working political bargain becomes indispensable."
Egyptian Parliament Rejects Sanctioning Sudan : "Arab Affairs Committee in the Egyptian Parliament yesterday refused to impose sanctions on Sudan because of the conditions in Darfur. Both Egyptian official and popular leaders rejected the subjection of Sudanese officials to sanctions or international trials, considering that a violation of national sovereignty. For his part, the Director of the Sudan Affairs Department in the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Sabir Mansour, highlighted the strategic relations between Sudan and Egypt and the operative Egyptian peacekeeping role in Sudan. He further underscored the need for rooting out tensions from the region and actualizing stability and development, stressing that Egypt is concerned with building hospitals and schools for the people of Sudan."

Bara wants to be excluded from load shedding

SABCnews.com "Africa's biggest hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath in Soweto, has joined calls for hospitals to be exempted from Eskom's load-shedding programme. Johannesburg General Hospital made the same call earlier. The blackouts affect life-threatening medical services like surgery, life-support machines and other services."

IOL: What's really behind blackouts?

IOL "Disgruntled Durban Electricity technicians claim a 'massive' staff exodus and unhappiness about salaries is behind the city's outage crisis, and not load-shedding. Electricians fed up with not being paid skills allowances, also claim the department was suffering from a huge lack of morale among staff. Electricians and technicians, they said, 'left in their droves' for the private sector many citing slashed overtime rates and the allowance issue for their unhappiness. Staff claim up to 70 percent of skilled electricians have resigned from their council jobs."

Blair is advisor to Rwanda

The New Times : "KIGALI - Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has taken up a role as an advisor to Rwanda. The development has been confirmed by Dr David Himbara, the head of the Strategy and Policy unit in the Office of the President, who also told this reporter how it came about. “It started with a meeting he held with the President (Paul Kagame) where he express his interest in offering pro bono services as advisor to Rwanda. Shortly after that, I met with him to comprehensively brief him on the situation in our country,” Himbara said yesterday. A team from Blair’s office was recently in the country for one week to assess the challenges on the ground. This will be followed soon by the former premier’s own visit."
shabelle.net "As our reporter Yusuf keynan in marka town says A fire is reportedly caught in a minutes before inside shanty houses camp in marka town of lower shabelle region southern Somalia. It’s unfamiliar the motive of the inferno and who behinds the starting of that fire and also the casualty of that fire."

Another face off at CAF assembly

Ethiopian Reporter "Two years ago the delegations from the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) were split at the CAF general assembly in Egypt, in to participants and an observer. That may well be the fate of the delegations that have left for Ghana, Accra this week. Dr. Ashebir Woldegiorgis, who was relieved from his position as president two weeks ago, has already left for Accra on Wednesday. It is not clear whether he has gone there representing the federation. The new executive body of the federation has also sent its representatives, the first vice president Solomon Alemseged and the Treasurer Commander Seyoum Gofe, to Accra on Thursday."

Glamour as African soccer fiesta opens

Guardian Newspapers : "THE 26th African Cup of Nations began in Ghana yesterday with the host country defeating Guinea 2 - 1. But today is the d-day for Nigeria. Football followers world-wide are calling today's eagerly awaited Group B opening encounter between Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire the 'glamour match' of the 26th Africa Nations Cup, tagged Ghana 2008. Many are sure it represents the famously used phrase 'final-before-final.'"

Blackout hits Zim

The Herald : "A SYSTEMS disturbance occurred on the electricity grid linking most of Southern Africa to a common grid, plunging most parts of Zimbabwe into darkness from Saturday night. Power was only restored yesterday afternoon in some areas. The blackout also affected Botswana and Zambia."

PLE: best and worst schools in Kampala

New Vision Online : "Mivule Primary School in Luzira had the highest number of pupils who passed with distinctions in last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) in Kampala district. A total of 98.4% of its PLE candidates scored Division One. Mivule was followed by Hormisdallen Mixed in Kamwokya suburb, which saw 95.6% of its candidates pass with Grade One, Green Hill Academy in Kibuli (91.9%) and Kampala Hill Academy (90.2)."

Free secondary education not for all

The Standard Online Edition : "Not all students in public secondary schools will benefit from free education, The Standard has learnt. In a confidential circular, Education Permanent Secretary, Prof Karega Mutahi, said the State would only pay fees for students in classes of between 40 and 45. This means that students outside this bracket would miss out on the programme. Mutahi said schools in high potential, urban and arid and semi-arid areas must have a minimum of 40 students and a maximum of 45 in all classes to qualify for Government funding."

ANC ditching Scorpions ‘to protect NEC’

The Times "The ANC is getting rid of the Scorpions in order to protect prominent ANC members from corruption charges, according to the leader of the Democratic Alliance, Helen Zille, the mayor of Cape Town. Zille said today that besides the seven convicted criminals on the ANC’s national executive, six NEC members are currently the subject of criminal investigations. At least two of these are currently being investigated by the Scorpions."

Zambia blacked out

Times of Zambia : "ZAMBIA was on Saturday night plunged into total darkness following the collapse of the national power grid, causing panic among some citizens and the business community. A major system disturbance which occurred on the Zambian high voltage network on Saturday at about 19:30 hours resulted in extensive loss of power supply in the entire country. Zesco managing director, Rhodnie Sisala said engineers were already on the ground to establish what caused the blackout in the whole country and described the situation as regrettable."
Agyekum: Poku in South Africa for medical treatment : "The dismissed National Security Minister is in South Africa for medical treatment. Speaking to Joy FM Super Morning Show host, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Monday January 21, 2008, Mr. Frank Agyekum, deputy Information Minister says Mr. Francis Poku has gone to South Africa for a routine medical treatment of cataract."

UDF NEC meeting resolve crisis

Nyasa Times "Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) has held its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Blantyre today and managed to finish with a united house resolving the crisis that has been bedevilling the party in the recent days. The meeting, which had been described by political pundits in advance as a turning point for UDF, ended without anyone winging, media outburst by some members was not party of the agenda but came out in various forms of discussion according to the source who attended the meeting."
The Zimbabwean: story: McGee on Zim land reforms : "BULAWAYO—THE US ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee, has said Zimbabwe’s land distribution programme is a monumental failure that has led to starvation of immense proportions nationwide. Ambassador McGee, addressing a Press conference in Bulawayo yesterday (Saturday 19 Jan 2008), said the infamous land redistribution programme had brought the Zimbabwean economy to its knees."

Igbinedion arrives, to face EFCC today

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE : "FORMER governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, on Sunday arrived in Nigeria from overseas. Igbinedion who is presently in Abuja, said he would appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today. But an official of the EFCC told the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja that although the commission was set to receive the former governor, it would only listen to his defence on the allegations of corruption preferred against him and determine the next step to take."

Displaced families willing to return home

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation: : "Displaced families camping at Jamhuri Park have expressed willingness to return to their homes. At a press briefing by the United Nations and Humanitarian agencies in Nairobi, Unicef Information officer Sarah Cameron said families were willing to return and continue with their lives, though some would rather resettle in a different place other than their original homes. The UN says up to 8 million shillings are needed to assist the victims. On Sunday, the government announced the intended plan to close the camp at Jamuhuri Park and across the country and return the uprooted groups to their homes. A move that raised concern among the humanitarian and UN agencies."

Stowaways flee Kenya for SA

News24 : "Johannesburg - Two teenage stowaways fleeing from strife-torn Kenya survived an eight-day journey through treacherous seas while clinging to a tiny ledge above a bulk carrier's rudder, the Eastern Province Herald online newspaper said on Monday. The teenagers were rescued off Port Elizabeth on Sunday."

Bhisho HR boss ran jobs company

Daily Dispatch : "THE human resources head of the Eastern Cape Department of Safety and Liaison has been suspended after it emerged she was running her own recruitment agency despite being employed by the department. Thozama Nundze was suspended on Friday last week."

Ghanaian Killings in The Gambia became an issue at the Summit

Freedom Newspaper "The conspicuous absence of Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh at the 33rd Ordinary Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was noticeable, when African leaders arrived in Ouagadougou Friday. Due to security related problems facing the impoverished West African country, Jammeh had decided not to attend the said important Summit. His absence followed reports of an alleged foiled coup attempt, which led to the arrest of eight soldiers of The Gambian National Army."

Drop Charges Against Julu, Others

The Inquirer News : "A Pentecostal prelate has renewed calls made to the Liberian leader President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to see reason and release from further detention alleged treason suspects retired AFL Gen. Charles Julu and former transitional speaker George Koukou in the spirit of fostering reconciliation in the country."

Fantastic

Accra Daily Mail : "Ghana went agog yesterday night when the senior national team, the Black Stars, started their African Cup of Nations campaign with a hard fought win against their Guinean counterparts. All the ten regions of the country reported wild scenes of ecstasy and jubilation when referee Eddy Maillet from Seychelles blew the final whistle. The Black Stars humbled the Syli Nationalle of Guinea 2-1."
Ministry to train 4,000 health officers in the coming three years : "Diredawa, January 20 (WIC) - The Ministry of Health said it will train 4,000 health officers in the coming three years to alleviate the acutely growing shortage of health professionals in the country. Health Minister Dr Tewodros Adhanom told WIC recently that the government has devised two strategies to tackle the growing migration of health professionals."

Brothel Raided- Naked Girls Flee

Ghana Today : "OVER 160 young women, some in their teens and others early twenties, who live on sex trade have been rendered jobless and perhaps homeless as their operational base was last Saturday raided by a team of armed policemen. The sex workers, some as young as 13, were doing brisk business when their ‘sex palace’ was stormed at around 11:00pm Saturday night. Some of them were actively in the act, with men in deep penetration, while others were outside smoking, drinking and waiting for customers when the midnight raid started."

Influence of The Arms industry Fueling Tensions

WOW Gambia : "“Wars and military spending negatively impact on people’s economy by soaking up budgets that should go to education, health, culture and improved living conditions”, remarked Mr. Claudio Lotetti, coordinator of World Without War, an Italian-based humanity movement campaign for a world without war. Mr. Lotitti, who is currently in the country, asserted that his organisation is embarking upon a sensitisation campaign on worldwide threats as tension comes about between countries.

EU official nudges Kenyan rivals for truce - Articles

AfricaNews : "European Union's top development affairs official, Louis Michel, has embarked on what he calls an information mission to lay the groundwork for detailed negotiations on resolving Kenya's post-election crisis. In a statement Saturday, made available to PANA here, the EU condemned police brutality in Kenya and warned President Mwai Kibaki that it would not be 'business as usual' unless the current political stalemate was resolved and widespread constitutional reforms undertaken."
KENYA: Senior Women Editors Campaign For Peace : "The story of a 12-year-old girl stabbed by her 14-year-old neighbour just because their parents supported different presidential candidates in the Dec. 27 elections will hardly make headlines here. Neither will the story of a woman in President Mwai Kibaki’s backyard sheltering about 100 workers who have fled the post-election violence. Reporters and editors are concentrating on covering politicians -- giving them the tools to polarise the country even more. The post-election tribal violence the country witnessed soon after Kibaki was declared winner of the presidential elections has reportedly claimed more than 1,000 lives and displaced 250,000 people."

MDC to march,says no to poll

The Standard "'Freedom March for a New Zimbabwe' planned by the Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC will go ahead in Harare on Wednesday after the police gave the organisers the greenlight. The march comes shortly after talks brokered by South African President Thabo Mbeki collapsed in Harare on Thursday. The march, expected to attract thousands in one of the party’s strongholds, will be staged to exert pressure on the government to agree on a new constitution before the elections.."

Load-Shedding Looms

NewEra.com.na : "Namibia might soon resort to load-shedding as power shortages worsen in neigbouring South Africa, from where Namibia imports 120 megawatts a day. Namibia, which produces 384 megawatts of power from local plants, has a daily maximum requirement of 450 megawatts, with the extra load imported from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia."

Signs in Kenya That Killings Were Planned

New York Times : "KERINGET, Kenya — At first the violence seemed as spontaneous as it was shocking, with machete-wielding mobs hacking people to death and burning women and children alive in a country that was celebrated as one of Africa’s most stable."

Demo, JK appeal team set up in Nyamagana protest

The Citizen Newspaper : "Parties opposed to the demolition and sale of Nyamagana Stadium in Mwanza are planning a public demonstration as well as calling for a delegation to seek the direct intervention of President Jakaya Kikwete. The demonstration is planned for today within the city as a means of pilling pressure against the decision by the Mwanza city authorities to sell the land where the stadium is located."
afrol News - Huge diamonds found in DRC : "A Canadian mineral exploration firm, Mexivada Mining Corp, has reported the discovery of two large diamonds in its 100% controlled Malambani Permis de Recherche concession, located near Mayoko in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mexivada described the first stone as a white, modified octahedron 7.5 milimetres in diameter while the second stone was a shiny 6 milimetre greenish-white coloured dodecahedral diamond. Each of them weighs 0.1 gram"

Muntari gives Ghana perfect start

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation "Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari struck in the last minute to lift hosts Ghana to a 2-1 win against Guinea in the opening game of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. Udinese forward Asamoah Gyan put Ghana in front from the penalty spot early in the second half only for Guinea's Oumar Kalabane to equalise."

Kenyans still question Uganda’s role in crisis

The Weekly Observer "As post-election chaos escalate in Kenya, reports indicate that regional countries might be sucked into the violence that has claimed more than 600 lives and affected economies of landlocked states that depend on Kenyan sea ports. Oil prices have skyrocketed in Uganda, Rwanda , Burundi and eastern Congo which depend on the Mombasa port, a Kenyan facility, for oil and trade supplies. But a more worrying development is the suspected incursion into Kenya by Ugandan troops being deployed to help stem the poll-election crisis that has put Kenya on the brink of civil strife."

Aviators sound alarm on sloppy pilot training

The Namibia Economist - "Easy exams and simple training procedures have been cited as the major threats facing the future of the country’s aviation industry, with a number of aviation experts, trainers, and seasoned passengers painting a worrying picture on the quality of newly pilot graduates. There could be tell-tales signs or perhaps factual incidents, but among the worrying experiences related to the Economist this week are instances whereby passengers, seated next to the pilot, have to point out the landing strip after the inexperienced pilot fail to descend."

Why I Shunned Yar’Adua – Buhari

leadershipnigeria.com "The presidential candidate of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the last general elections, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has given the legitimacy question dogging the Yar’Adua administration as a key reason for his rejection the presidency’s recent invitation to him to be part of the meeting to discuss the problems facing the nation’s electoral problems. President Yar’Adua had recently called a meeting of all stakeholders in the nation’s politics to discuss distortions in the electoral system."

Kibaki afflicted by the ‘African disease’

The Financial Gazette : "As Zimbabwe prepares to stage elections in the next two months, according to the government, it continues to be instructive to watch electoral processes in other countries so as to avoid certain pitfalls and adopt transparent practices that remove barriers to the genuine expression of the will of the people. The debacle in Kenya has many lessons for Zimbabweans, who are already familiar with the ramifications of political violence and disputed election results."

SA's neighbours plunged into darkness

Daily News : "Rolling blackouts that hit Zambia and Zimbabwe at the weekend were 'most probably' linked to Eskom's woes and a general shortage of power in southern Africa, the utility said on Monday. Eskom's demand-side manager, Andrew Etzinger, said the company could not simply stop exporting power to neighbouring countries, as it would also prevent importing of power and place South Africa in an even worse situation."
Algeria's News Agency - Algérie Presse Service : "ALGIERS- Cuban Ambassador to Algeria Roberto Blanco Dominguez dubbed 'historical' and 'very solid' Algerian-Cuban relations. 'Our relations are historical and very solid. They date back to October 1962, though they already existed at the time when the two countries were struggling for their independence,' underscored Saturday in Algiers Dominguez at the press conference held at Cuba’s Embassy here on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Algerian-Cuban relations."

New Zim notes fail to dent cash shortages

Moneyweb "HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's central bank introduced new higher value banknotes on Friday which however failed to ease a cash shortage which has kept commercial banks busy with long queues of desperate residents wanting to withdraw money. Banknotes have joined a growing list of basic items in short supply in the crisis-hit country, as inflation soars, prompting the central bank to introduce 10 million Zimbabwe dollar bills."

'Act of criminals' slammed

News24 : "Johannesburg - Metrorail will hold a press conference in Pretoria on Saturday to discuss the burning of trains by commuters on Friday night, said Metrorail spokesperson Pule Mabe. Mabe said chief executive of the South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC), Lucky Montana would address the media in Pretoria north following the burning of seven trains by angry commuters in Tshwane."

Opposition ends three days of protests

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation: : "Raila Odinga and his Orange Democratic Movement ended three days of protests Friday with a threat to call for countrywide strikes. With more than 10 people killed since Wednesday, the opposition announced a new strategy of economic boycotts and strikes to ratchet up pressure following the disputed December 27 elections won by President Mwai Kibaki over opposition leader Raila Odinga."

Grave Yard Attempted Rape Reported In Basse!!

Freedom Newspaper "The Basse grave yard situated in the outskirt of Basse, is not only the home for stray dogs, but also a potential rape ground for idle men, according to some concerned residents in the area. A grade Seven student who left home to water her garden in school narrowly escaped rape, when heavily build man forcefully tried to rape the girl. The incident occurred within the vicinity of the Basse grave yard, according to eye witnesses who spoke to the Freedom Newspaper."

Kibaki, an Imposition of the West, Says Rawlings

THISDAY ONLINE : "Former Ghanaian Presid-ent, Jerry Rawlings, has said that the violence that erupted in Kenya over alleged rigging of the election by the incumbent President, Mwai Kibaki, is a protest against neo-colonialism and the imposition of leadership by the West. According to him, Kenyans do not want to go through the same kind of experience again hence their insistence on change."

Row over removal of Security Minister--I WILL EXPOSE POKU

Ghanaian Chronicle : "Inspector General of Police, Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong yesterday called a public forum to expose the lies the former National Security Minister, Mr. Francis Poku had told about him. “It is a big lie they said that I and Mr. Yaw Adu-Gyimah (Director General of Police in charge of Services) had gone to the house of Ex-president J.J Rawlings at Adjiringano,” he blasted."

Video--Security forces crack down on Kenya protests

Protests across Kenya against Mwai Kibaki, the Kenyan president, have seen over 20 people lose their lives. Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reports from Nairobi on the third day of opposition-backed dem... (more) Added: January 18, 2008 Protests across Kenya against Mwai Kibaki, the Kenyan president, have seen over 20 people lose their lives. Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reports from Nairobi on the third day of opposition-backed demonstrations.

Kufuor accident: Suspect faces fresh charge

Ghana Today "The prosecution on Thursday preferred an additional charge of failing to effect change of ownership of vehicle against Thomas Osei, the man at the centre of President J.A. Kufuor's car crash. Following that, the old charge sheet which contained six charges was substituted with a new one to reflect the additional charge, while the plea of the accused was taken again."

State urges probe into RBZ 'dealings'

The Standard "AN economic crimes court has been urged to issue a 'a specific order' directing the Police and the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate circumstances in which the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), released trillions to black market dealers."

Economy in the red, black market thriving

The Zimbabwe Independent "WHEN you get out of your car at the Ascot shopping mall in Bulawayo, southern Zimbabwe, it is almost certain that you will soon be approached by a black market trader. Do you need soap? Are your windscreen wipers worn down? The shops in the mall may have little for sale; but, one of the traders can arrange for all your needs in a split second."

How ancestors conserved forests

The Citizen Newspaper "Rocks hanging on the undulating hills of Mwanza City are one of exhilarating sights of the country's second largest city after Dar es Salaam. Slums sprouting on the hills, however, are replacing the rocks. Hardly two decades ago, most of the rocks were covered with dense forests inhabited by baboons, recalls Mr Mlagiri Kopoka, a student at the St Augustine University of Tanzania (Saut). The water cycle by then, according to Mr Kopoka, began with short rains in September followed by heavy downpour in April. Evergreen forests and reliable rainfall cushioned the effects of global warming we are experiencing today."

Power outages to get worse

Cape Times : "South Africans have been warned to prepare for power cuts, gridlock and general disruption. 'It's going to get worse before it gets better,' admitted Eskom's chief executive Jacob Maroga in a frank interview with the Saturday Star on Friday. His admission comes after Eskom warned this week that the rolling blackouts would continue throughout next week. Earlier it had warned South Africa would suffer power shortages for between five to eight years while supply is extended."

Generals versus colonels in violent land fight

The Weekly Observer "The President’s Office has been named in a bitter, violent land dispute where gun-totting soldiers are forcefully evicting ‘landlords’ from ‘their’ 300-acre swathe valued at Shs 18 billion. President Museveni says that the contentious amendments to the Land Act 1998 which are heavily opposed by Buganda, among other interested parties, are meant to protect people from mass evictions currently sweeping across the country."

Roland Duo Implicated In Mahai River Massacre

The News Online "Two persons claiming to be survivors of the Mahai River Bridge Massacre in 2003 have accused ex-government militia Gen. Roland Duo of carrying out the killing of innocent citizens including women and children in cold blood."

Cement: Gov’t Signs Agreement with Korean Company

::- Cameroon-Tribune : Le Quotidien National Bilingue -:: : "The project to set up a second cement factory in Cameroon, precisely in Limbe, was formalised yesterday through the signing of a protocol agreement between the government of Cameroon and a consortium of Korean and American companies, christened AFKO Cement Production Company. The latter, represented in the signing ceremony by Sang Bong Lee the company’s Board Chairman, will as from April this year kick start the building of the factory whose annual production capacity is estimated at one million tons. The Minister of Industries, Mines and Technological Development, Badel Ndanga Ndinga signed on behalf of government."

Pirate DVD buyers in a pickle

Daily News : "A 24-year-old man - caught with pirated DVDs valued at R300 000 - was arrested by Durban police on Friday. Police spokesperson Inspector Michael Read said the man was caught in a storeroom during a police operation in Wills Road. 'He was in the process of copying more DVDs using a computer,' he said."

video---Struggling after the floods in Mozambique

Flooding in Mozambique has killed at least seven people and forced sixty thousand more to evacuate their homes. Heavy rainfall has increased water levels in three major rivers. Authorities expect those levels to remain high until mid February, and are preparing to move more than two hundred thousand people. Al Jazeera's Kalay Maistry reports from a resettlement camp in Caia in central Mozambique.

SUP SAYS GOV'T PERFORMED POORLY AFTER TWO YEARS

The Analyst Newspaper "The government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has celebrated two years of her ascendancy to the Liberian presidency. Amidst the speechmaking, parading and jubilations throughout Monrovia to herald her successes during those two years, others in opposition saw the merriment as a mere waste of time and unnecessary congestions on the crowded streets that are now being revamped, albeit at snail pace."

Drama Unfolds AT President‘s home Kanilai: Ten Apprehended On Allegations Of Witchcraft!!

Freedom Newspaper "Drama unfolded in Kanilai, President Yahya Jammeh’s home village, when nine men and a woman were apprehended by angry villagers who accused them of “eating” their loved ones, the Freedom Newspaper can authoritatively report. As confusion engulfed the village, accusations and counter accusations of witchcraft continues to go unabated. The ring leader of the alleged witches was identified as Abdoulie Bojang. Mr. Bojang and his co witches were accused by the Kanilai villagers of being responsible for the mysterious death of their loved ones."

8 more killed in chaos

Nationmedia.com "Eight more people were killed in Nairobi and Kisumu as police battled with demonstrators on the second day of rallies called by ODM to protest at the disputed results of the December Presidential election. Police shot a man identified by relatives as Felix Okong’o in Nairobi’s Mathare North area in what they said was a confrontation between them and demonstrators."

Kenya 'turned into killing field'

Ghana General News "Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga has accused the government and the police of turning the country into 'killing fields of the innocent'. His Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) said seven people were shot dead in Nairobi on the second day of protests against elections it says were rigged. Police denied Mr Odinga's claim that they were 'on a killing spree' and said they were acting 'with restraint'. EU politicians have meanwhile urged it to cut aid to Kenya's government."

CENTRAL BANK CHIEF RIDES MONETARY STORM

The Zimbabwean : "Zimbabwe's powerful Central Bank governor Gideon Gono has had a bumpy start to the new year. Just as he tried to assert control over the circulation of money, which he claims is being subverted by speculators in high places, allegations emerged that his own institution had been complicit in shady foreign currency trading.As a two-month-long crisis peaked around Christmas, Gono, who is chairman of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, announced that the current highest denomination of paper money, 200,000 Zimbabwean dollars, ZWD - worth only about 10 US cents on the parallel market - was to cease being legal tender on December 31. Gono's plan was designed to cut the feet from under what he called 'cash barons' who he said were accumulating vast amounts of the money.He has announced the issue of notes in higher denominations of 250,000, 500,000 and 750,000 ZWD."

Presidency probes N752bn OBJ’s last-minute contracts

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE "INDICATIONS emerged on Wednesday in Abuja that the Presidency had commenced investigations into the last-minute contract awards by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The contracts, five in all, were said to be valued at over N752 billion. Sources in the Presidency informed the Nigerian Tribune that protest letters by some companies which felt shortchanged in the contract awards had inundated the table of President Umaru Yar’Adua, leading to the order by the President that the contract awards be investigated."

British police raid ex-gov Igbinedion's house in London

The Sun News On-line : "Trouble appears heightening for former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion as the London Metropolitan Police on Weddnesday conducted an extensive search of a home belonging to him in London. A report posted by Sahara reporters.com said Igbinedion’s main London residence, located in the High Gate area of London—described as one of London’s most expensive addresses—was subjected to what a source of the internet newswire within the Metropolitan Police described as a sweeping search."

Jumbe, Bwanali have case to answer – Court rules

Nyasa Times "Lilongwe Magistrate Court has ruled that former finance minister Friday Jumbe and former sports minister Phillip Bwanali have a case to answer on charges of misappropriating funds amounting to K11 million from the Sports Trust Fund in 2004. Chief Resident Magistrate Chifundo Kachale also ruled that the Vincent Mpaluko, who was general manager for the defunct Malawi International Transport Company (Mitco) and chairperson of the fund, had a case to answer."

Morocco proved 'good will' in Sahara negotiations unlike Polisario's 'negative stance,' minister

Maghreb Arabe Presse: "Morocco proved good will during the recent negotiations on the Sahara dispute with Algerian-backed separatist movement 'Polisario' in Manhasset (outskirts of New York), unlike the 'negative, fixed, and sterile attitude of the other party,' minister of Communication and Government spokesperson, Khalid Naciri, said on Thursday."

‘Racism’ claims at Skielik court hearing

The Times : "Families of the victims of this week’s shootings at the Skielik informal settlement in the North West said they felt racism had been upheld at the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court today. Relatives, residents and ANC parliamentary members spoke to media outside the court after Johan Nel appeared briefly for the murder of three people in the settlement. Nel allegedly entered the Skielik (Afrikaans for 'Suddenly') settlement on Monday and allegedly shot dead a 30-year-old man, a 10-year-old boy and a three-month-old baby. A fourth victim died in hospital."

Supreme Court throws out State ’s appeal

Times of Zambia : "THE Supreme Court has dismissed the State’s appeal in the case in which the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) had filed a petition against the Attorney General to seek an interpretation of the Presidential powers to announce the election date. LAZ had asked the court to restrain the president from announcing the election date and also sought an interpretation on whether or not Section 25 (1) of the Electoral Act number 12 of 2006, which conferred on the President powers to set the election date did not contradict Article 23, 44 and 76 of the Constitution."

Mogae versus Nchindo

The Voice online edition "Botswana awaits in abated breath for January 31, 2008, when former Debswana Managing Director and business magnate, Louis Goodwill Nchindo and four others will plead to 32 charges at the Village Magistriate Court. It is alleged that President Festus Mogae has refused to bow to pressure to block the prosecution of Nchindo and his co-accused.

Police shoot dead more protesters in day two of demos

The Standard Online Edition : "The toll of those whose lives were brutally brought to an end by police rose to more than 10, on another day of mass protests coupled with a drastic international response to the post-election crisis. For the second day running, members of the ODM Pentagon protesting against the December 27 presidential election they say was rigged were dispersed with teargas and gunfire in Nairobi as police again resorted to force to subdue demonstrators. Scenes of vicious police action were enacted in Kibera and Mathare slums in Nairobi, Kisumu, Narok, Homa Bay and Eldoret towns."
Guardian Fund hit hard by fraud : "THE Guardian Fund, which administers deceased estates on behalf of minor children, has lost nearly N$1 million over the past year to fraudulent claims. These usually involve so-called 'tracing agents' targeting especially beneficiaries of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), Master of the High Court Elsie Beukes warned yesterday. 'The Master of the High Court's office does not, under any circumstances, make use of tracing agents, or have any other offices than those in Windhoek,' she said. Neither does her office require any upfront payments from would-be beneficiaries, Beukes said in an interview."

Zim talks:Mbeki still confident

The Herald : "SOUTH AFRICAN President Thabo Mbeki has once again expressed confidence that the ongoing dialogue that he is facilitating between Zanu-PF and the two MDC factions will soon yield positive results. Speaking to reporters after holding separate meetings with President Mugabe at State House and leaders of the two MDC formations at the residence of the South African ambassador yesterday evening, the South African leader said the talks were a work-in-progress and expectations were high that a definitive outcome would soon be realised."

6,000 teachers equipped to fight genocide ideology

The New Times "The Ministry of Education has trained six thousand teachers countrywide on how to handle cases of genocide ideology in schools. The training, which comes on the back of a recent damning parliamentary report, was last month during the school holidays. Schools re-opened countrywide last week. The State Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Joseph Murekeraho, said that sensitising teachers on the prevailing consequences of genocide ideology could help eliminate the vice out of schools."