President Secures World Bank Support

27 SEP, 2018 - 00:09
Mabasa Sasa in NEW YORK
Zimbabwe Herald

THE World Bank will support Zimbabwe’s economic recovery and international debt clearance efforts, a senior official of the multilateral lender has said.

Yesterday, World Bank vice president for Africa Mr Hafez Ghanem said he was supportive of President Mnangagwa’s agenda regarding cooperation with international lenders.

Mr Ghanem made the remarks after emerging from a meeting with President Mnangagwa here, where the Zimbabwean leader is attending the 73rd Ordinary Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In 2015, Zimbabwe adopted the Lima Plan to clear debt arrears, and President Mnangagwa’s Government has revived it as part of a broader strategy to attract fresh lines of credit and foreign direct investment (FDI).

Zimbabwe has cleared arrears to the IMF, but its owes the World Bank around $1 billion, which resulted in suspension of balance of payments (BOP) support.

Beyond that, the US sanctions law— the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act — has for close to two decades restricted Zimbabwe’s access to lines of credit from multilateral lending institutions.

Zidera bars any American citizens who sit on boards of international financial institutions from authorising credit to Zimbabwe.

President Mnangagwa’s Government has set about normalisation of relations via political and business-based diplomacy, the latest effort of which was yesterday’s meeting with Mr Ghanem.

Also present in that meeting were Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe  (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mangudya, who are part of President Mnangagwa’s delegation in the United States.

Mr Ghanem said, “We will be in contact with (Prof Ncube and Dr Mangudya) to work on that (Lima plan), and also to look at the future; how the World Bank and Zimbabwe’s co-operation can be strengthened, and we can move beyond the debt clearance.

“I came out of this meeting very optimistic about the future and the future of Zimbabwe’s economy and hope also (for) the future of co-operation between the World Bank and Zimbabwe.”

Mr Ghanem said Preisdent Mnangagwa had articulated to him how Zimbabwe was opening up for business, its economic growth objectives and how it was improving the social sectors.

“It was an excellent opportunity for me to meet His Excellency the President to discuss Zimbabwe’s economic programme and the partnership between Zimbabwe and the World Bank,” he said.

On Monday, President Mnangagwa all but secured the support of Britain – through its Minister of State for Africa Harriet Baldwin – in its quest for backing for the Lima Plan at next month’s annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Bali, Indonesia.

Implementation of the Lima Plan entails economic reforms that include reducing the fiscal deficit, stabilising the monetary system and resolving arrears for access to development financing.

Zimbabwe is also required to reform its public sector and reduce the high wage bill, which accounts for as much as 90 percent of the National Budget.

To this end, President Mnangagwa has informed Zimbabweans to prepare for belt-tightening, assuring them that the temporary crunch is worth the objective of creating a middle-income economy by 2030.

Commonwealth Readmission in 2020: President

29 SEP, 2018 - 00:09 
Zimbabwe Herald

Mabasa Sasa recently in New York, United States

Zimbabwe is likely to be formally readmitted into the Commonwealth at the international body’s next Heads of State and Government Meeting scheduled for Rwanda in 2020, President Mnangagwa said yesterday.

On returning from a successful visit to New York for the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, as well as a host of bilateral engagements with fellow leaders and discussions with international organisations, President Mnangagwa said the Commonwealth leadership was “anxious” to have Zimbabwe in the fold.

Zimbabwe left the Commonwealth in 2003 at the height of political tensions with the West over the Fast-Track Land Reform Programme.

Since coming into office in November 2017 after Mr Robert Mugabe resigned under pressure of impeachment, and more so after winning the 2018 presidential election, President Mnangagwa has set about engaging and re-engaging the international community as part of his socio-economic turnaround agenda.

In addition, President Mnangagwa has indicated that his discussions with senior United States government officials while in New York had furthered the objective of normalising relations with that country and getting the sanctions law — the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act — repealed in due course.

President Mnangagwa said yesterday, “We met the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mrs (Patricia) Scotland, and she laid out the roadmap which has to be followed.

“They are anxious that at the next Heads of State meeting Zimbabwe should be readmitted. They are anxious about that happening. They informed that currently there is nothing that constrains Zimbabwe from coming back to the Commonwealth.”

On his meeting with a delegation headed by US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mr Tibor Nagy, President Mnangagwa said: “They are eager that we re-engage with the United States. They say that they are happy that this time around there was a better electoral process in Zimbabwe.

“But they feel that there are grey areas they would want attended to as a result of the (August 1 violence) incident, but they are looking forward to the results of the Commission of Inquiry on that incident.”

On the whole, President Mnangagwa spoke of a highly successful economic and political diplomatic outreach, in which he briefed other world leaders and representatives of multilateral financiers on developments in Zimbabwe that made the country conducive for investment.

“Firstly, we presented the current environment existing in Zimbabwe, both in terms of our political democratic space which we have created since the New Dispensation came into office, in particular post our elections,” he said.

“We were able to deal with the issue of economic reforms that we have done and which we intend to do. As captured in my SONA, my State of the Nation Address, (it captures) the direction, the roadmap for both economic and political reforms in terms of legislation.

“Beyond that I had a long list of consultations with other Heads of State, with I think the entire sadc — those who were there — and the majority of those in the AU. Beyond Africa, we had consultations with ministers from the UK, Belgium, Italy, Estonia, Russia, Kazakhstan, and other states.

“In Latin America we had Colombia, Panama, Bolivia, those were some of the States we had consultations with. They wished us well.”

President Mnangagwa was accompanied to the US by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya and Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba, among other senior Government officials.

On his arrival in Harare, President Mnangagwa was welcomed by Vice Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi; Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchunguri-Kashiri, other Government officials and service chiefs.

ED Breaks from Tradition at UNGA . . . Gives Economy, Re-engagement Priority Over Politics

29 SEP, 2018 - 00:09
 
 ED breaks from tradition at UNGA . . . gives economy, re-engagement priority over politics
President Mnangagwa is welcomed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare yesterday on his return from the 73rd Ordinary Session of the United Nations General Assembly by Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri. — (Picture by John Manzongo)

Mabasa Sasa recently in NEW YORK
Zimbabwe Herald

President Mnangagwa’s recent visit to New York broke from the past tradition of making the annual United Nations General Assembly all about politics, with Zimbabwe’s leader focusing more on the economy and re-engagement, a senior Government official has said.

Zimbabwe’s Head of State and Government used the past week in New York to hold key meetings with leaders of several countries, as well as representatives of multilateral lenders and fund managers.

This — Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said — signalled a change in priorities from the First to the Second Republic, and placed Zimbabwe in good stead to attract investment and turn around the economy.

Prof Ncube was part of the President’s delegation to the 73rd Ordinary Session of the UN General Assembly, along with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mangudya.

Upon arrival in Harare from the United States yesterday morning, Prof Ncube said: “On the bilateral front, you listened to His Excellency’s speech at the UN . . . the reaction we have received from other countries, from the media in the US, is that it was a very good speech, it departed from the past when we had more political speeches.

“The speech focused on multilateralism and then quickly went on to talk about the economy, business, all around the mantra Zimbabwe is open for business.

“It was well received and they were very pleased with that. It dovetailed with the message we are giving to the corporates and international financial institutions.

“We also had bilateral meetings with governments such as the UK, the US government, Belgium, even the International Court of Justice.

“So, we had wonderful bilateral meetings, and the message was clear again that these countries and institutions want to engage more and deeper with Zimbabwe. We met the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, as you know we are desirous to go back and join the family of the Commonwealth.

“Again they were clear to us in terms of the roadmap; they were warm and I think they will gladly welcome us back into the Commonwealth family. Hopefully at the next summit in March 2020 that will be so and we join that family again.

“Overall, it was very successful. Even our officials at our (US and UN) embassies in New York were saying this was different. Each time there was a UN General Assembly they would just focus on that, but this time they worked so hard and had to accommodate all the corporate meetings that we had, and the (international financial institutions) meetings and other meetings.”

Prof Ncube said the sojourn to New York encompassed, “UN business, and then the business with investors in New York and globally, and also conversations with international financial institutions who support us as a country”.

“We had an investment forum that we put together. We met several of them, explained to them, presented to them the opportunities that Zimbabwe offers. There were several companies, it was just an array of companies I tell you, but all very serious investors who are interested in investing in Zimbabwe, interested in Africa and emerging markets,” he said.

“And they are keen to find out opportunities that exist across a variety of industries; in agriculture, in manufacturing, in infrastructure, financial services – right across the board. We had a lot of interest. We also visited the New York Stock Exchange.

Prof Ncube went on: “Also, we met a group of investors whom we call impact investors, those investors who make their profit from investing in projects whose objectives will change people’s lives.

“So, we were able to point them to some of the areas outside Harare, outside Bulawayo, the big centres, where they could realise opportunities in terms of tourism, wildlife, conservation and agriculture and so forth.

“It was all exploratory. Some of them are already investors in Zimbabwe by the way, so those investors were able to convey our message on to their colleagues. It’s all exploratory. They were all waiting to hear from us what Zimbabwe has to offer.

“The fact that they came means that they are interested, so we should see more follow through on that front.”

Prof Ncube said the delegation engaged international financial institutions on Zimbabwe’s debts and arrears, and a plan was being put in place to deal with the issue starting at the annual Bretton Woods meetings scheduled for Bali, Indonesia, this year.

Dr Mangudya said the delegation had been overwhelmed by the international goodwill it received, and Zimbabweans should take advantage of that to rebuild the economy.

“The goodwill we have seen out there is astonishing, it’s beyond measure and, therefore, what is now left is for Zimbabwe to open the door, to ensure that whatever we have promised happens,” he said.

“It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another thing to do something about it. Let’s work together as a team and harness the goodwill. Zimbabwe requires all our efforts.

“From our side as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, we shall definitely do what is right for the economy. Some of the things will come out in the Monetary Policy Statement on Monday. We will walk the talk.”

Eskom Expresses Pride on Improved Access to Electricity

28 SEPTEMBER 2018, 4:44PM
ANA REPORTER

Eskom powerlines. Picture:Bhekikhaya Mabaso/African News Agency/ANA.

CAPE TOWN - South Africa’s power utility Eskom on Friday said electricity access had improved from 36% in 1994 to 90% to date.

Eskom said in 1994, at the “the dawn of democracy”, only 36% of the country had access to electricity, with 12% being rural electrification.

To date, the programme is left with less than 300,000 un-electrified houses in its area of supply, and this figure excludes growth and informal settlements.

Ninety percent of South Africans have access to electricity, and 80% in rural areas have been electrified through the integrated national electrification programme(INEP).

The statement said, the majority of the electrification programme was being implemented in more remote and deep rural areas, where the construction of the network infrastructure was challenging, on difficult terrain and therefore expensive.

To date, Eskom has electrified in excess of five million households, with plans to electrify 180,000 households per year for the next three years.

“Eskom is as much part of South Africa’s heritage as our power lines and power stations are part of the South African landscape. But it goes beyond that, our systems, processes, skills and expertise needed to run the grid are also part of a shared heritage,” said Eskom group chief executive Phakamani Hadebe.

“This year’s heritage day is special because this is the year of Nelson Mandela’s centenary, a man that taught all of us the importance of our rich and varied cultural heritage that can help build our nation,” he said.

Hadebe added that “as an organisation that has been the cornerstone of South Africa’s economy, we continue to pride ourselves on our heritage of powering the nation. We are forever mindful that electricity is a key enabler, driving the economy, education, social cohesion and individual and collective aspirations. This is why we taking the goal of achieving universal access so seriously".

African News Agency (ANA) 

South Africa's Trade Balance Swings to Surplus in August

By Ntando Thukwana
Bloomberg
September 28, 2018, 8:14 AM EDT

 Vehicle exports surge 32%, mineral-product imports drop 37%
 Surplus is 8.8 billion rand from July’s 5.3 billion-rand gap

South Africa’s trade account unexpectedly swung to a surplus in August as exports of vehicles advanced and imports of mineral products declined.

The 8.8 billion-rand ($620 million) positive balance compares with July’s revised 5.3 billion-rand deficit, Pretoria-based South African Revenue Service said in an emailed statement Friday. The median estimate of seven economists in a Bloomberg survey was for a 1.8 billion-rand shortfall. The surplus was 6.8 billion rand a year earlier.

A smaller trade deficit eases pressure on the currency of Africa’s most industrialized economy and on its current account, the broadest gauge of traded goods and services. The rand has weakened more than 12 percent this year, battering investor confidence and raising the cost of imports. The currency has lost all gains that came as President Cyril Ramaphosa rose to power after being elected as leader of the ruling African National Congress in December and subsequently the country.

Here are some highlights from the statement:

Exports increased 12 percent from a year earlier to 117 billion rand
Imports climbed 11 percent to 108 billion rand
Exports of vehicles and transport equipment surged 32 percent from a month earlier, while mineral-product imports, which include oil, declined 37 percent
The trade surplus for the year to date is 2.7 billion rand compared with a positive balance of 39.9 billion rand a year earlier.

South Africa Companies Join Dutch Class Action Against Steinhoff

By Janice Kew
September 28, 2018, 7:42 AM EDT

 Institutions include Allan Gray, Investec, Old Mutual
 Case being pursued in Netherlands by law firm BarentsKrans

A company sign stands above the Steinhoff International Holdings NV company headquarters in Stellenbosch. Photographer: Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg

As legal actions against Steinhoff International Holdings NV intensify, several South African companies have joined a class action by Dutch law firm BarentsKrans NV against the retailer in the wake of an accounting scandal.

The companies -- including Coronation Fund Managers Ltd., Old Mutual Ltd., Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., Investec Asset Management and Investec Wealth & Investment -- represent clients that held about 20 percent of Stellenbosch-based Steinhoff’s stock before the uncovering of accounting irregularities in early December, which wiped almost 95 percent off the share price.

BarentsKrans in January said it planned to start legal proceedings on behalf of Steinhoff investors and the “decision by many of South Africa’s largest institutional investors to participate in the BarentsKrans Steinhoff litigation, follows a long evaluation process by many of them,” Martijn van Maanen, a partner at BarentsKrans, said in an emailed statement Friday.

Earlier this week, Dutch investor group VEB got the green light to sue Steinhoff in the Netherlands, with an Amsterdam court granting its request to summons former Chief Executive Officer Markus Jooste in proceedings to weigh his personal liability. In Germany, law firm TILP filed a claim against Steinhoff on behalf of an investor and is working to expand it into the German version of a class-action suit. South African law firm LHL Attorneys last month said had filed a suit in Johannesburg seeking class-action status.

The BarentsKrans case is to be heard by the District Court of Amsterdam, with Dublin-based litigation funding company Claims Funding Europe backing the action. Steinhoff is also under investigation by Dutch and German authorities.

Other investors involved in the lawsuit include Abax Investments Pty Ltd., Bateleur Capital Pty Ltd., Denker Capital, Electus Fund Managers Pty Ltd., MMI Ltd.’s Momentum, Tantalum Capital Pty Ltd., Truffle Asset Management and Visio Capital Management Pty Ltd.

‘We Reject the Notion That he lLied’‚ Says Presidency After Ramaphosa’s Farm Murders Comment

27 September 2018 - 19:07
BY NICO GOUS
South Africa Sunday Times

The Presidency has lambasted those saying President Cyril Ramaphosa was lying about the atmosphere in South Africa regarding land reform
None The Presidency has lambasted those saying President Cyril Ramaphosa was lying about the atmosphere in South Africa regarding land reform
The Presidency is trying to soften the fallout after President Cyril Ramaphosa said there are no farm murders or land grabs in South Africa.

“There are no killings of farmers or white farmers in South Africa. There’s no land grab in South Africa. We are involved in a process of discussing land reform‚” Ramaphosa said in an interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday.

Presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko said on Thursday that Ramaphosa was responding to US President Donald Trump’s tweet in which he claimed there is a “land and farm seizures and expropriations and the large scale killing of farmers”.

Diko said: “This is what the President (Ramaphosa) was dismissing and we reject the notion that he lied. Crime happens in all our communities including townships‚ rural areas‚ farms and suburbs.”

She further explained: “It is very unfortunate that anyone would want to deliberately distort the President’s remarks which were in direct response to ‘large scale killing of farmers’‚ a characterisation everyone knows holds no truth in South Africa.”

Ramaphosa told Bloomberg that Trump’s tweet was “clearly misinformed”.

“Whoever gave him that information was clearly wrong.”

Ramaphosa’s remarks have ruffled AfriForum’s feathers. They said on Thursday they were going to send the loved ones of farm murder victims across the Atlantic as part of the next phase of their awareness campaign about farm murders and expropriation without compensation.

According to the latest crime statistics‚ there were 62 recorded farm murders‚ 33 house robberies‚ six attempted murders and two rapes on farms in 2017/18. This pales in comparison with the 57 South Africans murdered daily.

“AfriForum wants to provide farm attack victims and their families with the opportunity to tell their stories to opinion formers‚ politicians‚ government representatives and the media in Washington‚” AfriForum said.

AfriForum deputy chief executive Ernst Roets said Ramaphosa’s remarks were “a slap in the face of the more than 10‚000 people who were attacked on South African farms‚ as well as the families of the approximately 2‚000 victims who were killed in these farm attacks”.

He added: “There is no way to beat around the bush or tone down what the president said. It is shamelessly false.”

The Institute for Race Relations (IRR) also lambasted Ramaphosa’s remarks‚ making reference to police annual crime statistics.

“The same police data shows that 353 such murders occurred since 2012/13.”

IRR chief executive Frans Cronjé said Ramaphosa’s remarks were “offensive to the victims of farm murders - black and white - and to the millions of South Africans who live with insecure title to the properties they occupy”.

The IRR advocates for all South Africans to have property rights. They also want the government to support emerging black commercial producers by providing them with title‚ cheap financing and proper extension services.

“What is necessary is to face the hard facts that the policy of expropriation without compensation has been a political and economic disaster‚ and to abandon that policy and replace it with new and effective models of land reform that secure and expand the property rights of all South Africans in order to stabilise the economy while at the same time ensuring that proper restitution takes place.”

Agricultural union AgriSA said they are “displeased” with Ramaphosa’s remarks.

“Farm attacks and murders on all farmers‚ farm workers and their families is a huge problem that needs to be recognised‚” AgriSA president Dan Kriek said.

“Agri SA appeals to President Ramaphosa as the President of South Africa to give the necessary nuances and facts about the matter.”

Nigerian Strike for Minimum Wage Widens as More Unions Join

By Solape Renner , Dulue Mbachu , and Elisha Bala-Gbogbo
September 28, 2018, 11:58 AM EDT
Bloomberg

 Unions want base wage of $49.60 per month to be increased
 Some workers from key oil union Pengassan join the strike

A strike by Nigerian labor unions to demand a new minimum wage widened on the second day on Friday as more unions joined, shutting the port in the commercial capital, Lagos, as well as schools, banks and offices in parts of the country.

The action started Thursday by public and private sector labor coalitions grouped under the Nigeria Labour Congress, for blue-collar workers, and the Trade Union Congress, for managerial employees, also involves two influential unions in Africa’s biggest oil industry. The strike is to back demands for an increase of the minimum wage to 65,000 naira ($179) a month from the current 18,000 naira.

“The workers shut the gates to the ports since yesterday,” Ernest Ezenwe, a Lagos port agent, said by phone. “I’m at home as there’s still no work going on today.” All port activities across the country have been shut down, according to the president-general of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Adewale Adeyanju.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, or Pengassan, joined the action but wouldn’t involve workers “on critical and essential services,” the manager-level union’s secretary general, Lumumba Okugbawa, said in an emailed statement.

Nigeria depends on crude exports for about 60 percent of government revenue and more than 90 percent of its foreign income.

Election Time

The strike could involve as many as 4 million workers, according to the NLC, and is coming in the middle of the election-campaign season with President Muhammadu Buhari seeking a second term in February elections.

Some disruptions at Lagos international airport were reported. “Flights are still working, aircrafts are still flying,” Henrietta Yakubu, spokeswoman at the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, said by phone. “It’s not a complete shutdown, they attempted to disrupt Lagos but flights are still operating.”

In the southern oil hub of Port Harcourt, schools, government offices and many banks remained shut. In the northeastern city of Maiduguri, government offices and schools were closed, while some banks were open. In most other cities, government offices were closed while private businesses remained open.

Nupeng, one of the oil unions representing junior workers, supports the strike, its president Igwe Achese, told reporters in Abuja. It wasn’t clear whether its affiliated workers, which include tanker drivers, would stop working. So far, oil operations didn’t seem to have been affected.

Failed Talks

The action followed failed talks on Wednesday in the capital, Abuja, between union leaders and Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige.

The “minimum demand” by the unions that the government should take steps toward setting a new wage benchmark for the country haven’t been met, leaving them no choice but to go on with the strike, according to Ayuba Wabba, president of the biggest coalition known as NLC.

The government said there was no reason for the strike to go ahead, with the labor minister saying a meeting scheduled to hold on Oct. 4 by the parties will resolve outstanding issues.

— With assistance by Chukwudi Ejimofor, Michael Olukayode, and Ruth Olurounbi

National Minimum Wage: Abuja Hospitals Partially Join Strike

September 28, 2018
Nike Adebowale

Photo: Wuse District Hospital

Some hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) did not fully join the ongoing nationwide strike called by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

The warning strike commenced midnight Wednesday over the federal government’s failure to reconvene the tripartite committee constituted in November last year to recommend a new national minimum wage for workers.

On Wednesday, a last-ditch effort by the government to avert the strike ended in a stalemate.

The Medical and Health Workers of Nigeria (MHWUN) had on Thursday directed all its members across the country to join the strike.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, the President of MHWUN, Biobelemoye Josiah, accused the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, and the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, of frustrating any activity targeted at improving the welfare of workers.

He said the union could no longer sit back and watch the federal government continue to take Nigerian workers for a ride.

PREMIUM TIMES on Friday visited some hospitals in Abuja to observe their level of compliance to the strike.

Our correspondent saw that a few out-patients were around, probably because many people anticipated that public hospitals would comply with the strike.

At the Wuse District Hospital, only patients on admission before the commencement of the strike were receiving treatment.

A staff of the hospital, who asked not to be named, said no new patients were attended to on Friday.

He said though the strike has officially begun, doctors on casual duty were on ground to attend to the few in-patients and emergency cases.

The Medical Director of the hospital, Sa’ad Idris, who confirmed that other health workers were on strike, said the hospital was still open with doctors attending to in-patients and emergency cases.

“Once JOHESU, which is a big component of the hospital, are on strike, it’s really difficult for the hospital to cope,” Dr Idris said.

“But fortunately for us, the doctors are not part of JOHESU so they are not on strike.

“This is a bigger strike and it was abrupt. We have some patients that were surgically operated so we cannot discharge them immediately.

“And there are some pediatric cases as well that can’t be discharged. But we earlier discharged some cases that we think they can do well at home.”

Dr Idris said some doctors, including those on residency doing their training programmes, were going to run shifts to make sure medications are administered to patients.

He also said doctors were stationed at the accident and emergency wards to attend to “those coming in as emergencies, like labour, road traffic accidents, and acute pains.”

The case in Kubwa General hospital was, however, different as doctors, cleaners and ad-hoc staff were busy attending to patients.

At the time of visit, all departments at the hospital, including the laboratories, pharmacy, outpatient ward, accident and emergency, maternity ward, medical records, and administration were open and fully operational.

A patient identified as Precious, who was waiting to see a doctor, said she understood the importance of the strike but said health workers joining the strike would be disastrous.

“It will be unfair on Nigerians for health workers to join the ongoing strike,” she said.

“Most people will lose their loved ones if the health system in the country is crippled.

“I pray health workers consider how important our health is, so they will change their intentions to join the strike,” she said.

One of the guards said doctors were finding it difficult attending to patients without the help of nurses,” the guard, who preferred not to be named, said.

“They have been jumping up and down since morning trying to manage patients in the hospital.

“They can only try and attend to the ones they can, where they can’t any longer, they will call it a day,” he said.

As at the time of the visit, the medical director was not available for comments.

At the Abuja National Hospital, skeletal services were going on.

It was observed that the impact of the industrial action on health care services across the FCT was yet to be felt as workers in most of the hospitals joined the strike on Friday.

New Minimum Wage: Ekiti Workers Abandon Public Offices as Labor Industrial Action Takes Effect

September 27, 2018
By Emmanuel Ani

The Ekiti State secretariat, including the offices of the governor and his deputy on Thursday bore the toga of a graveyard scenery as state workers complied with the national strike declared by both the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC.

DAILY POST reports that virtually all public offices in Ekiti state, including local government secretariats remained under lock and key as the action by the organized labour took effect.

Though, commercial activities went undisturbed in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, in the early hours of the day, same was not with government offices at both Local Government, state and Federal agencies were deserted.

Some federal media agencies in the state also operated on skeletal services.

A drive round town gave an indication that only top management staff such ministries and agencies were sighted while no official in the junior and middle-level management reported for duty.

However, those in the private sector, including private schools, filling stations, markets and banks opened for business for the greater part of the day.

Some of the banks later shut their doors to customers at about 1:00pm after allegedly receiving threats from labour leaders who threatened to picket them.

DAILY POST reports that the leadership of the organized labour in Ekiti State had earlier directed all the workers in the State to join the nationwide strike.

This was echoed to the state workers in the early hours of the day by both the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) state chairman, Mr. Ade Adesanmi and his Trade Union Congress(TUC) counterpart, Odunayo Adesoye.

The strike was declared by the two bodies, which was deemed to have a binding force on all their affiliates to press the Federal and State Governments to accede to their requests for a new Minimum Wage for workers across the country.

The labour leaders told our reporter that the strike action was going to affect both the public and private sectors ultimately.

According to the leaders, the directive earlier given that workers , including commercial drivers, Okada operators, banks, market men and women should stay off businesses still subsists, saying with time, all category of workers would embrace the action.

The TUC boss, who spoke on behalf of the labour leaders, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance on the first day of the nationwide strike.

He assured that the strike action would be total in Ekiti, saying the body had already entered into agreement with Civil Society Organisations to ensure its success.

He said the leadership of the labour centres in Ekiti had also agreed to coalesce and ensure the success of the nationwide strike without fail.

Justifying the strike action, Adesoye insisted that the present Minimum wage to workers had impoverished the workforce, adding that time had come for workers to begin to savour the fruits of their labour through a package that could truly take them home.

He, therefore, did not rule out possibility of the organized labour picketing those places where the strike appeared ineffective on its first day.

“We expect that the banks, commercial drivers, Okada operators and sole business owners will participate in this strike. We have reached out to the Civil Society Organisations to ensure will mobilize for the strike

“We are not going to shy away from picketing areas that fail to conform with our directive as given from Abuja

“This is a fight that has to do with our collective destiny. We must ensure that our commonwealth should be evenly distributed. It shouldn’t be concentrated in the hands of a few Nigerian leaders to begin to feed fat on the nation

“What they said they are giving us is a take home, but what we are getting cannot take us half home in the real sense of it, so we must demand for a fair share of our national treasure,” he said.

Nigeria Minimum Wage: Federal, State Secretariats, Banks Shut as Workers Join NLC Strike in Oyo

September 27, 2018
By Musliudeen Adebayo
Daily Post Nigeria

Workers on Thursday deserted both the Federal and the Oyo State secretariats in Ibadan, the state capital in compliance with the seven-day warning strike declared by the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The NLC, DAILY POST reports had directed all workers across the country to embark on a one-week warning strike with effect from today.

Our correspondent, who went round Ibadan, the state capital on Thursday reports that some commercial banks in the ancient city also shut down their activities in compliance with the directive by the labour union.

Both the federal secretariat located at Ikolaba area and the Agodi state secretariat were deserted by the workers when our correspondent visited the secretariats as gates of the secretariats were locked.

A security operative in one of the banks told journalists that customers could only use the ATMs, saying that activities in the banking hall had been shut down in compliance with the warning strike.

It was, however, gathered that some commercial banks and petrol stations across the metropolis went on with their normal duties.

Nigerian Workers Begin Strike Over New Minimum Wage

By Mustapha Suleiman, Ismail Mudashir, Clement A. Oloyede (Abuja), Kayode Ekundayo (Lagos) & Maryam Ahmadu-Suka (Kaduna)  |

Sep 27, 2018 4:14 AM
Nigeria Daily Trust

No need for strike, we’ll reconvene Oct 4, FG tells Labour

The Organized Labour yesterday resolved to commence its planned warning strike today even as it accused the Federal Government of failing to mention a figure as new minimum wage for workers in the country.

The Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige had met with the labour leaders yesterday where he assured them that the Tripartite Committee will reconvene on October 4, 2018 for further negotiations.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting attended by leaders of the NLC, TUC and affiliate unions, Ngige said the decisions taken by the tripartite committee will be passed to the federal executive council for approval.

But the NLC President Ayuba Wabba insisted that the position of the union, which was taken prior to the deadlocked meeting with Ngige, still stands.

Wabba had on Wednesday morning said all workers will begin a nation-wide warning strike over the refusal of the federal government to reconvene the meeting of the committee on minimum wage to enable it conclude its work.

The NLC president said the strike action was in compliance with the decision of the various organs of the organized labour which endorsed the 14-day ultimatum served on the federal government by members of the labour who are members of the committee on the new minimum wage.

He said: “Industrial unions, state councils, all worker organistions and our civil society allies have been directed to step up mobilization of their members. All public and private institutions, offices, banks, schools, public and private business premises including filling stations are to remain shut till further notice.”

Wabba recalled that the National Minimum Wage Committee had commenced work in March 2018 with timelines to arriving at a new national minimum wage in August/ September 2018.

He said, to meet this deadline, the committee worked assiduously and meticulously, but was shocked by the decision of government to adjourn the meeting of the committee indefinitely to enable consultations by the FG team.

Wabba said the federal government’s decision was against the principle of collective bargaining.

“Left with no other option, members of the Organised Labour served a 14-day notice on the Government to reconvene the meeting of the committee to enable it conclude its work. These are clear signs that the government is not ready for a new national minimum wage. It has only been taking workers for a ride,” Wabba said.

He added that the warning strike is a precursor to the main strike which will be the mother of all strikes.

The Organised Labour is demanding an upward review from N18,000 to N56,000 as minimum wage. But the government said state governments have not been able to agree on a figure.

Ngige had earlier told State House reporters after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that there was a communication gap between them and the organized labour, hence the threat for the warning strike.

“Communication gap was discovered this morning; a breach in communication gap. They said they wrote a letter to me and the SGF but I didn’t see it,” he said. The meeting however deadlocked.

We’re awaiting directive – NUPENG

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) workers said yesterday night that the tanker drivers were still awaiting a directive from the national leadership of the union.

According to the National Chairman of NUPENG’s Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PDP) unit, Akanni Oladiti, the drivers would not embark on strike without a message from the national leadership of the union.

“As you know, NUPENG is a member of Trade Union Congress, but we will still have to rely on directives from our leaders,” he said.

Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Comrade Chris Nkoro told Daily Trust yesterday on phone that the union would meet in a week’s time to decide whether to join the strike.

He, however, said the union would not be part of the strike until the scheduled meeting is held next week.

Judiciary workers direct members to shut down courts

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has directed members nationwide to comply with the warning strike by the organised Labour to press home their demand for a new minimum wage.

President of JUSUN, Comrade Marwan Mustapha Adamu, who gave the directive, said “As an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), all members of JUSUN are to stay back at home from Wednesday midnight, 26th September, 2018. Also, all courts are expected to remain shut until further directive from the national Secretariat of our great union.

“A committee in conjunction with the NLC and other stakeholders was put in place to go round to ensure compliance with the directive.”

We’re joining strike – Bank, insurance workers

The president of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Fianacial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Mrs Oyinkan Olasnaoye, said yesterday that the union members had been mobilised for the strike called for by the organised labour over the new minimum wage.

“We are part of Trade Union Congress (TUC) and as a responsible affliate, we are going to participate in the strike that will commence today.

The Trade Union Congress President (TUC) Comrade Bobboi Kaigama told Daily Trust on phone yesterday that the union and all its affiliates would join the strike.

“We are definitely joining the strike action. We have given blanket directive to all TUC affiliates to comply. I enjoin our 27 affiliates to make the strike effective,” he said.

The National President of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) Comrade Nuhu Ogirima told Daily Trust via phone yesterday that the union will proceed on strike as directed by the Labour centre.

He said, “The union may be compelled to continue the strike in the event of the resolution of the minimum wage debacle should the federal government refuse to  address the peculiar concerns of our union on the plight of the Colleges  of Education on funding and promotion issues.”

Togo Opposition Threatens to Boycott Electoral Census

AFP   27/09 - 12:14

The Togolese opposition has called on the population to boycott the electoral census, which is scheduled to start on October 1 in preparation for legislative and local elections.

The West African nation which has been going through a serious political crisis for over a year is set to hold local elections and a referendum in December.

The scheduled polls was proposed by mediators from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), after several months of difficult political dialogue between the government and the opposition, in order to break the country’s deadlock.

Nevertheless, the opposition has termed the elections as fraudulent and a charade. They demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni) be reconstituted, following the agreement reached on 23 September. Under this agreement, the opposition will have eight seats, as will the ruling party, in the committee.

The coalition of 14 opposition parties wants the re-introduction of a two-term limit for presidents, applied retroactively, which would prevent president Faure Gnassingbe from standing for re-election in 2020.

The government has agreed to the two-term limit but not the retroactive element, which would allow the president to stand at polls in 2020 and 2025.

Kenya's Inflation Rises to Highest in 11 Months

Kenya’s inflation rose in September, pushed higher by an increase in fuel, transport and food prices, the statistics office said on Friday.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics said the rate rose to 5.70 percent year-on-year from 4.04 percent a month earlier, while on a monthly basis inflation was 1.02 percent from 0.31 percent in August.

The Transport Index rose 7.99 percent from a month earlier and was up 17.29 percent when compared with September 2017 due to increased petrol and diesel prices.

A liter of petrol now cost upwards of 127 shillings ($1.20) from the previous 112.

President Uhuru Kenyatta signed into law last week the finance bill, which has introduced value added tax on petroleum products.

The levy has proved controversial, drawing protest from lawmakers, anger among commuters, and led to long lines at gas stations, worries about inflation, besides an industrial strike by fuel distributors and suppliers.

Reuters

Liberia Court Orders Arrest of Ex-president Sirleaf's Son, Bank Officials

A Liberian court has issued arrest warrants for the son of ex-president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and more than 30 former central bank officials in connection with $104 million that went missing on the way to the bank, according to a court document released on Friday.

Former bank governor Milton Weeks and Charles Sirleaf, were among those ordered arrested.

Weeks has said he had nothing to do with the missing cash and was cooperating with investigators.

There was no immediate comment on Friday from Weeks, Charles Sirleaf or any of the other people named on the list or their lawyers.

The court said it had information that the named individuals planned to leave Liberia and ordered that they “be brought before this Honourable Court to answer to criminal charges levied against them by the Republic of Liberia”. The document did not say what charges they would face.

Political crisis fir George Weah

Last week, the country’s justice minister, Frank Musa Dean said the government had sought U.S. help in investigating the whereabouts of the cash, equivalent to nearly five percent of Liberia’s GDP.

Several shipments of freshly printed Liberian dollars ordered from abroad by the central bank have been unaccounted for since they passed through the country’s main ports in November 2017 and August this year, Information Minister Eugene Nagbe said on Tuesday.

News of the money’s disappearance – with cabinet members giving differing versions of events – sparked outrage in the West African country, with politicians and pressure groups calling for more transparency.

The hashtag #BringBackOurMoney is trending on social media and a new Hipco song – a Liberian form of hip-hop – called “Bring Our Container Back” is a popular request on local radio.

The scandal has saddled President George Weah with his biggest political crisis since he took office in January and drew thousands of protesters into the streets of the capital Monrovia on Monday.

REUTERS

Raúl Attends the Close of the 9th CDR Congress

The First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba attended the close of the Ninth Congress of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) this Friday, in Havana’s International Conference Center

Author: Digital news staff | informacion@granma.cu
September 28, 2018 15:09:34

Army General Raúl Castro is attending the close of the 9th CDR Congress. Photo: Estudios Revolución
Army General Raúl Castro, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, attended the close of the Ninth Congress of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) this Friday, September 28, in Havana’s International Conference Center, as reported by ACN.

Raúl was accompanied by José Ramón Machado Ventura, second secretary of the PCC Central Committee, who also participated in the Congress plenary session, held on Thursday.

The debates among 480 delegates and several dozen guests since Wednesday, have focused on specifics of the structure of the organization, with a view to finding alternatives in line with the times, which will allow it to more effectively carry out its work.

Issues such as the need to address social indiscipline and criminal activities that are to the detriment of Cuban society; the need to enhance ideological and political work; care for families; as well as ensure neighborhood unity, in order to build and defend the Revolution, were addressed in three work commissions.

Today will also see the announcement of the new national secretariat of the organization, elected yesterday by delegates.

Cuba’s community-based Committees for the Defense of the Revolution were founded in 1960, and today the mass organization has more than eight million members nationwide.

(With information from ACN)

Citizenship: The “Effective” Link With a Country

Effective citizenship is a recognized principle of customary international law, according to which each state has full jurisdiction to determine the conditions of the acquisition or loss of citizenship

Author: Miguel Ángel García Alzugaray | internet@granma.cu

September 27, 2018 12:09:57

The term “effective citizenship” has sparked much interest among the population. Photo: Endrys Correa Vaillant

STATES generally limit dual or multiple citizenship. When they allow it, they often apply the principle of “effective” citizenship (also known as active or master nationality).

The current Cuban Constitution does not allow dual citizenship. The new draft Constitution, which from August 13 through November 15 is subject to a popular consultation process, proposes the principle of effective citizenship.

In essence, what the proposed change means is that on the adoption of another citizenship, Cubans do not lose their Cuban citizenship; and that when a Cuban citizen is in the national territory, he/she is governed by that condition and can only make use of that citizenship.

Effective citizenship is a recognized principle of customary international law, according to which each state has full jurisdiction to determine the conditions of the acquisition or loss of its citizenship.

From the point of view of Private International Law, the citizenship that has been conferred on an individual as real and effective must be regarded as the exact judicial expression of a social fact of a connection which existed previously, or came into existence thereafter.

The principle of effective citizenship then consists of applying as the determinant, sole, exclusive citizenship, that which coincides with that of the State in which the individual is located, a principle defended in modern doctrine by authors such as Larrea Holguín, who maintains that “the rights and obligations conferred by dual nationality are exercised only while residing in the respective country, leaving dormant the rights and obligations of the other nationality.”

As can be seen, effective citizenship is that exercised according to residence, when an individual holds more than one nationality, as it is the country where the individual fulfils his/her obligations and exercises his/her rights.

In this regard, Dr. Peraza Chapeu stated that cases of dual citizenship must be resolved through the use of the principle of effective citizenship. Thus the individual will be considered a citizen of the state whose citizenship he/she holds in which he/she usually resides and with which he/she is really linked. This citizenship status can be verified by measuring the period of interrupted or consecutive residence, or according to international travel by checking the individual’s passport and its correspondence with the citizenship that is used to enter other countries.

In this regard, it must firstly be emphasized that the state is entitled to exercise personal jurisdiction over its nationals (or its citizens in the internal context), as recognized by International Law, allowing for the adoption of certain measures wherever these nationals may be located. That is to say that nationals, natural or legal persons, remain subject to the regulatory power of the respective state, even if they cross its borders.

Second, diplomatic protection faced with the legal action of third states is justified on the basis of the same personal jurisdiction a state is entitled to exercise over its nationals. This protection can go as far as the exercise of international legal action, by which a state supports the claim of its national against the other state in question.

Thus, in practical terms, when a conflict of dual nationalities arises within a third state, this conflict is resolved according to the principle of effectiveness. That is, it must be investigated to which of the two states the individual has closer links (habitual residence, exercise of the right to vote, payment of taxes, military service, etc.).

It is thus understood that effective citizenship is that which is exercised on the grounds of residence, when an individual holds more than one nationality. This is precisely the argument put forward in Article 35 of the draft Constitution submitted for consultation to the Cuban people.

Effective citizenship empowers individuals to participate in the political community of a common endeavour. Within this line of reasoning, a special emphasis must be placed on the willingness of individuals to live together under the government of their country of origin.

OTHER RELATED PRINCIPLES

In this sense, it is necessary to differentiate the principle of effective citizenship from the concept of birthright citizenship, that is, that which is attributed to a person from birth by virtue of two criteria:

- By belonging to a certain descent line (jus sanguinis or filiation).

- By birth place (jus soli).

In accordance with Cuban regulations, citizenship by birth or origin admits the application of both principles with equal force. In this sense, those born in the national territory are considered Cubans by birth, provided that they are not the children of foreigners at the service of their government or international organizations in the country.

Those born abroad of a Cuban father or mother fulfilling an official mission are also Cuban citizens. This is a definition that, in our opinion, expresses the combination of both principles, with jus soli being admitted by application of the principle of extraterritoriality, since diplomatic headquarters are considered part of the territory of the represented state (Article 33 of the draft Constitution).

Another concept to consider is that of derivative citizenship, which is acquired after birth, usually through naturalization (Article 34 of the draft).

According to Cuban legislation, under the generic denomination of citizenship by naturalization, the derivative form par excellence is permanent residence.

In this sense, naturalization has been defined as “the attribution of citizenship made by the sovereign power to the foreign individual who has requested it. As a result of its acquisition, the foreigner is equated to the native-born citizen in terms of all rights and duties to the state.”

Meanwhile, Article 37 of the draft Constitution confirms that Cubans can not be deprived of their citizenship, except for legally established causes. Nor can they be deprived of the right to change their citizenship. The law establishes the procedure to be followed for the formalization of the loss and renunciation of Cuban citizenship and the authorities empowered to decide on it.

In this regard, it must be taken into account that up to the present, Cuban legislation and practice do not admit the automatic renunciation of citizenship. An administrative decision is required, through resolution, which is dictated on a discretionary basis. This is also a means for the state to protect national security.

Making renunciation automatic would mean allowing another state that grants citizenship in a derivative way to determine the loss of citizenship of origin. It would allow this second state to determine that the individual in question is not connected to the state that recognized his/her citizenship at birth. It would, in short, damage the sovereign power of the state to determine who its citizens are (Article 37 of the draft).

According to the draft, the power to decide in these cases lies with the President of the Republic (Article 123).

However, citizenship that is lost is also recoverable. The text of the draft Constitution recognizes this possibility, considering that the individual originally held said citizenship. In addition, it is international practice to recognize the individual’s right to recover their original citizenship (Article 38).

(Extracts from original article published on Las Razones de Cuba).

Cuban President Speaks at Riverside Church

Díaz-Canel and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro spoke at an event organized in solidarity with the two nations, in the emblematic New York church

Author: Leticia Martínez Hernández | internet@granma.cu
Author: René Tamayo León | internet@granma.cu
Author: Andrés Ferreiro Molero | internet@granma.cu

September 27, 2018 12:09:29

President Díaz-Canel repeated Fidel’s historic visit to the Riverside Church back in 2000. Photo: Leticia Martínez

Located in Upper Manhattan, New York, and bordering the renowned neighborhood of Harlem, the Riverside Church has been the scene of memorable speeches by numerous historic leaders, such as Martin Luther King, who on April 4, 1967, delivered his famous sermon entitled “A Time to Break Silence (Declaration Against the Vietnam War); and Nelson Mandela, shortly after his release in 1990.

Harlem became a symbol of solidarity with Cuba on September 18, 1960, when then Prime Minister, Fidel Castro Ruz, arrived in New York heading the Cuban delegation to participate in the 15th Session of the UN General Assembly. Due to the attacks of the Eisenhower administration, which forbade him from leaving the island of Manhattan, the Cuban leader was welcomed at Harlem’s Hotel Theresa, where he held meetings with Malcom X, and with the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, among other personalities.

Forty years later, on September 8, 2000, the leader of the Cuban Revolution would repeat the visit to this New York neighborhood, on the occasion of the UN Millennium Summit,and deliver a speech at this same church.

DÍAZ-CANEL REPEATS FIDEL’S HISTORIC VISIT

The President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba received a warm welcome in the historic Riverside Church, where he was surrounded by friends of the island.

He was also joined by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros, who was welcomed with cries of “Long live Venezuela!”

Two young doctors, Joaquin Morante and Sitembile Sales, who trained at Havana’s Latin American School of Medicine, thanked Cuba for its solidarity and commitment to train young people from all over the world for the benefit of those most in need in their own countries. “We will follow the example of the Cuban people,” they noted.

Next to speak to the enthusiastic crowd was President Nicolás Maduro. “I came to New York, to the United Nations, to bring the truth of the Venezuelan people. I also wanted to return to this historic church in Harlem and reiterate our love and commitment, and share this moment with our brother Miguel Díaz-Canel and the people of Cuba,” he stated.

“We have been victims of immense imperialist aggression, but today I can say that the Bolivarian Revolution of Venezuela is still standing, alive and victorious,” Maduro concluded, to huge applause.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel began his speech by reiterating the fraternal relations and common struggle of Cuba and Venezuela. “Today at the United Nations, two sister peoples raised their voices. Venezuela denounced all the aggression to which it has been subjected and also ratified its decision to continue the Bolivian revolution, as a legacy faithful to Comandante Chávez,” he noted.

“Cuba also raised its voice with Venezuela, to support Venezuela, to support Nicaragua, to support Puerto Rio, to support Latin America, to support the Palestinian and Saharawi people, and to support all the just causes of the world. And also to denounce, once again, the unjust blockade that, for almost 60 years, the United States has imposed on us,” he continued.

“For Maduro, for Venezuela, for the Cuban delegation, it is very emotive to be here with you, friends of Cuba and Venezuela here in New York. Miracles like these happen in this city only here, in the Riverside Church,” the Cuban President stated, before stressing that this meeting, in a cathedral of faith and solidarity, was a gathering of brothers and sisters, of friends, of equals.

“Fidel taught us that to cooperate with other exploited and poor peoples was always a political principle of the Revolution and a duty to humanity,” Díaz-Canel explained.

“Cuba also owes a lot to international solidarity and to the help of many friends and activists here in the United States, among whom are many Cuban residents,” he continued.

“The most recent demonstration of this was the fight for the return of the Five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters and, before that, the return of little Elian to Cuba,” the Cuban leader noted.

He stressed that bilateral relations with the United States continue to be characterized by the economic blockade, which constitutes an obstacle to the development of the Cuban people and has caused huge deprivation to Cuban families.

The solidarity event concluded with performances by local dance groups in honor of the guests.

Cuban President Offers Condolences to Vietnam in New York

The President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, visited the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations to offer condolences on behalf of the Cuban people and government for the recent death of President Tran Dai Luang

Author: Leticia Martínez Hernández | informacion@granmai.cu
Author: René Tamayo León | internet@granma.cu
Author: Alina Perera Robbio | perera@juventudrebelde.cu

September 26, 2018 12:09:28
Photo: Estudio Revolución

NEW YORK.– On a day marked by the constant cold rain in the Big Apple, the President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, visited the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations to offer condolences on behalf of the Cuban people and government for the recent death of President Tran Dai Luang.

Accompanied by the permanent representatives of Cuba and Vietnam to the UN, Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo and Dang Dinh Quy, respectively, the President wrote: ‘The Cuban people and Government will always remember with gratitude compañero Quang for his permanent contribution to the strengthening of the historic relations between our countries.”

And he added: “Our most sincere condolences to the people, Government and to the relatives of compañero Quang.”

The Vietnamese President, elected in April 2016, passed away on September 21 at the age of 61. His funeral honors will begin this Wednesday in Hanoi and, simultaneously, in Ho Chi Minh and Ninh Binh.

As soon as the Cuban people learned of his death, their leaders and organizations expressed their condolences. The First Secretary of the Communist Party, Raúl Castro, and the President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Díaz-Canel, sent messages to the Asian nation, in which they requested that the condolences be extended to the Vietnamese government and people, as well as to the President’s relatives and close friends.

Just days ago, despite being seriously ill, Tran Dai Quang held a meeting with Cuban First Vice President, Salvador Valdés Mesa, to whom he expressed the sentiments of infinite friendship of the Vietnamese people toward Cuba.

Tran Dai Quang was the last dignitary received by Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro, in November 2016, shortly before his death.

Díaz-Canel Holds Meeting With Representatives of the U.S. Agricultural Sector

The Cuban President began his fourth day in New York with an important encounter with agricultural sector entrepreneurs and executives

Author: Leticia Martínez Hernández | informacion@granmai.cu
Author: René Tamayo León | internet@granma.cu
Author: Alina Perera Robbio | perera@juventudrebelde.cu

September 28, 2018 13:09:02

The Cuban market, although small, is secure, Miguel Díaz-Canel told U.S. agricultural sector representatives. Photo: Estudio Revolución

NEW YORK.–The President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, held a friendly and constructive meeting September 27 with representatives of the U.S. agricultural sector, organized by the United States Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).

On welcoming the guests to the Cuban Mission to the United Nations, the President described this meeting with “one of the sectors that has most advocated U.S. relations with Cuba,” as vital.

He stressed that this is “the sector with which we have had the possibility of economic and commercial exchanges, although very limited.”

Díaz-Canel recalled that “there were times when we imported goods worth more than 1.1 billion dollars in a single year from the United States, a figure that has been decreasing because, with the blockade restrictions, we are forced to pay in cash and the amounts are also limited.”

Regardless of the tightening of this hostile policy and the measures the current U.S. administration has adopted against Cuba, the President reiterated: “We are still open to dialogue.”

He added, “At no moment will we close off the possibility of talks, but always on the basis of respect, without conditions and without impositions.”

Díaz-Canel also acknowledged the important role of the U.S. agricultural sector in the continued struggle for an end to the blockade: “It’s very important that people like you can visit Cuba, that we can converse, exchange, so that our reality is truly known and, based on that, we can create all the strength and build the unity that will allow us to end the blockade.”

The Cuban President noted that the island currently has to import more than 2 billion dollars worth of food annually, “under very complex conditions, with countries that are located at a great distance, where the freight costs are very high, where, in fact, they raise the prices, as they know the needs and limitations we have.”

He noted that, despite its small size, the Cuban market is secure and offers many opportunities in terms of supplying a population of 11 million people.

The statesman noted that trade would be mutually beneficial. What bother us and hurts, he emphasized, is that sometimes a ship loaded with food from the United States arrives to Cuba, because we have been able to purchase it, and then it returns empty to the U.S., when it could return filled with our goods.

He also explained that technological transfers and scientific exchanges are another opportunity, as although Cuba has very modest resources, it has advanced scientific development.
The Cuban President concluded that the island’s delegation had brought to New York a message of peace, of unity, of understanding and also a call to action.

The meeting was attended, among others, by NASDA CEO Barbara Glenn; USACC Chair Paul Johnson; CEO of the U.S. Grains Council Thomas Sleight; and the Agriculture Commissioners of the States of Connecticut, Virginia and New Mexico.

Thanks to the efforts of this sector, sales of U.S. agricultural products and food to Cuba began in 2001, which are carried out in only one direction, due to the continued ban on Cuba exporting goods to the U.S.

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee recently adopted amendments to its farm bill that, if passed by the House of Representatives, would allow the use of trade promotion programs of U.S. goods in Cuba.

This amendment, which is a step in the right direction, is still far from facilitating agricultural trade with Cuba and the provision of private credits, as demanded by the U.S. agricultural community.

IN CONTEXT:

- In March of 2015, a delegation of almost one hundred people representing the U.S. agricultural sector visited Cuba and held a series of meetings with Cuban representatives with the purpose of exploring trade and exchange opportunities.
- In October 2015, the Cuba Agricultural Exports Act (for the exportation of agricultural products to Cuba), was submitted to Congress by Republican representative from Arkansas, Rick Crawford.

- In February 2016, United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack noted that there was great potential for sales of Cuban organic products in the United States, but the that current laws prevented such trade.

- In June, the Cuban Minister of Agriculture visited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

- In September of that same year, during the first bilateral economic talks between Cuba and the United States, agriculture was one of the topics discussed, as of interest to both parties.

- In December 2017, Republican Representative Rick Crawford stressed the importance of the U.S. Congress passing the Cuba Agricultural Exports Act, focused on promoting private financing of sales to the island.
- In April 2018, both countries again exchanged on cooperation in agriculture.

BLOCKADE DAMAGES TO AGRICULTURE

During the period June 2017 through March 2018, losses in this sector amounted to 413,793,100 dollars, representing an increase of 66,195,100 dollars on the previous period.