South African Agriculture Set to Flare Up Again in Western Cape

South African farm workers demonstrate during strike in the Western Cape. The demonstrations have been attacked by the provincial police., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Agriculture set to flare up again in Western Cape, on vindictiveness of farmers!

24 January 2013

The strikes that saw many farms paralysed is set to explode into trouble again, because farmers are firing workers for daring to protest low wages.

The Congress of South Africa Trade Unions in the Western Cape has observed that farmers in De Doorn are taking punitive action against workers, for telling the world that they cannot sustain their families on R69 a day.

With the calling off of the strike, the entire country breathed a sigh of relief, but farmers have refused to take back workers who were party to the protest. This is clearly driven by the desire to spite those workers who protested.

This vindictiveness is driven by the Chair of the Hex River Valley Table grape association who has been the one refusing to even talk to workers and their unions, during the protest.

There is a growing rebelling against Loubsher the chair of the Bad Farmers in De Doorns , because he only has 200 000 cartons of grapes that are harvested by his own workers on the farm , whilst the other farms, who harvest millions of cartons, depend on workers from the area.

Loubser attitude is driving the sector into deeper crisis and will see farmers loose much more .

The workers are horrified at this vindictiveness of the farmers in the light of the consideration shown in ending the strike, the Cosatu and workers across the Country are going to support the De Doorns workers to get there jobs back.

We will as COSATU be making collections from workers in COSATU to sent to sustain the workers in De Doorns in this new phase of their battle for fairness.

The workers of De Doorns are also going to go to all of the surrounding towns to urge those workers to not go ad take their jobs o the De Doorns farms.

What is clear is that the farmers of De Doorns feel that this strike is undermining the slave master relations that they have built up over generations and they want to batter the workers who were bold enough to stand up for their rights, back into submission. This strike was an Industrial relations matter, that when its resolved workers must return to work.

If there are specific instances where discipline must be applied, then the law must be followed.

It is astonishing how the farmers will risk an entire Industry to reassert there baas skap, over farmworkers, as the productions is already significantly down .

This renewed protest seems set to flare up in De Doorns tomorrow, 25 January 2013, and there is a real danger that it will spread to other towns.

The historical hostility between farmers and farmworkers can boil over into a revolution at any time and the attitude of certain farmers is not helping this situation.

The farmers are putting the hundreds of workers whose jobs they don’t want to give back, in a state of hopelessness. Farm owners should know that when a man has nothing to lose, and sheer desperation, greater strive will follow.

COSATU calls on the Minister of Labour under whose advice the strike was suspended to urgently intervene in this matter. The CCMA should urgently be sent to facilitate the end to this crisis, which could see a resumption of hostilities.

Should this matter not be resolved over the weekend, there is a bleak forecast for Monday, is all the workers would say.

COSATU will no longer just be facilitating the negotiations between farmers and workers now, we are going to enter the arena of struggle against bad farmers.

COSATU will be filing a section 77 Notice against these farmers and will call boycotts of grapes in the supermarkets, and also call on workers not to handle the grapes in any areas.

If this matter is not resolved by this weekend, then COSATU is going to use every means at its disposal to ensure justice for the farmworkers.

For questions please call COSATU Western Cape Provincial Secretary Tony at 082 7733 194

South African Defense Ministry Called on to Suspend Commanding Officer Over Treatment of Expecting Mothers

South African Minister of Defense Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula speaking to striking miners in Marikana on August 21, 2012. The government apologized for the killing of 34 miners the previous week., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Pregnant SANDF women humiliated at Oudtshoorn military base

Women at the South African Infantry School in Oudtshoorn have been 'heavily' reprimanded for being pregnant, says military trade union Sandu.

29 Jan 2013 15:47 - Sapa

"The female members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) involved are entitled by their contract of service to full maternity benefits," South African National Defence Union (Sandu) spokesperson Pikkie Greeff said. "This makes the conduct of the commanding officer concerned all the more ludicrous and obscene."

In a letter written to Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Tuesday, the union called on her to suspend the commanding officer, failing which it would help the women approach the Equality Court.

SANDF spokesperson Xolani Mabanga said he was not aware of the letter. On Monday the officer called in at least seven women instructors at the base and reprimanded them "heavily" for falling pregnant, Sandu wrote in the letter.

The women were told they were a disgrace to the defence force and would be transferred to other units as they were "unwelcome" at the base. "The officer also told them that he would personally apologise to the new recruits for the 'poor quality of instructors' who fall pregnant," the union wrote.

Suicide

​A pregnant trainee at the base committed suicide allegedly as a result of the treatment, the union claimed. Mabanga said Sandu was aware of rules and regulations governing the behaviour of defence force members.

"Most of those in charge at Sandu were once members of the defence force and are fully aware of the rules regarding the conduct of officers as per the Defence Act." He said the union had a personal agenda against the Oudtshoorn base and its commanding officer.

"There are females in many other bases who fall pregnant. Why are they concerned about Oudtshoorn only?" Mabanga asked.

He said the union was fully aware why the woman trainee committed suicide at the base. "I do not want to discuss the suicide out of respect for the woman's family ... she left a suicide note, the contents of which the union is fully aware [of]."

– Sapa

South African Police Shot Marikana Miners Unprovoked, Video Shows

Women protest around the Marikana platinum mines area where over 40 people were killed in a week of labor unrest. The South African government has ordered a commission of inquiry to find out the truth of what happened., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Police shot Marikana miners unprovoked, video shows

Cellphone footage captured by police during the Marikana killings confirms miners were shot at point-blank range while surrendering and hiding.

29 Jan 2013 09:00 - Kwanele Sosiboou
South African Mail & Guardian

Police surround striking miners after opening fire on a crowd at the Lonmin Platinum Mine.
The footage from the small koppie, already seen before the Marikana commission of inquiry and broadcast by UK-based Channel 4 news on Monday, shows police officers escorting miners as they crawl through the bushy grass surrounding the koppie with their guns fixed on them. An officer shouts: "He's running. Wait, don't shoot him. Don't shoot him."

After some shots are heard, we see the body of a man lying prostate on the ground, his torso riddled with bullets. An officer boasts of having "shot the motherfucker at least 10 times, and he was still coming, coming". The narrator identifies the man who sustained 12 gunshot wounds as Thobile Mpumza.

Later on, as the footage wavers among the cluster of rocks, police officers are heard appearing to recount the episodes of the murders. One mimics the sound of a gun: "ka ka ka ka", and says, in Afrikaans: "He had a smaller gun."

The video then shows scenes of dead and prostate miners being worked on by paramedics and groups of police officers standing on the rock formations of the koppie.

James Nichol, a British lawyer who has joined the Seri-SA team representing the families of the deceased miners for the duration of the commission, explains that some cartridges were found "higher up", indicating that police were standing on rocks shooting into the gully where men were standing defenceless.

The footage itself confirms what we already know about the happenings on the small koppie, and has, in fact, appeared before the Marikana commission.

Commenting on the video, police expert Johan Burger said: "The police's legal team did refer to the footage because they believe that it supports the police's position that there wasn't the mass killing that they are being accused of carrying out. The commission has to sift through all the evidence and they'll have to judge. The police, on their side, will obviously present their information in the best possible way. It goes some way in explaining the police's position but the police would have to explain each and everyone of those killings. I doubt it will assist in that regard."

Independent investigator David Bruce, differs, somewhat. "Around September last year, I wrote a piece where I called what happened a 'forward panic'. Since then I've been beginning to doubt that theory. I'm beginning to think that there is more of a possibility that this was a deliberate operation, rather than something carried out in the heat of the moment. The footage suggests that there were officers who were dismayed by what their colleagues were doing. If everyone was on a killing mission more people would have died."

"Riah Phiyega, in a ceremony for the task force, commended the police's work. There is a tendency to encourage this behaviour. You could find that potentially, there are police officers who were traumatised by what they saw, but because of an expectation to protect their colleagues, they are not free to talk about [it]. That in itself is a tragedy," he said.

So far, there have been no indications that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate will yield anything independently of the commission. The announcement of officer Francois Beukman's resignation last year on August 16, the day of the Marikana massacre, is an eerie indication of that. Beukman, who was understood to have favoured independence, apparently differed with his superiors in the handling of police investigations.

Jill Scott to Headline at the Cape Town Jazz Festival

Jazz singer Jill Scott poses for a publicity photo. The singer was recently featured on the cover of Jet Magazine published in Chicago., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Jill Scott to headline at the Cape Town jazz festival

Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter-poet Jill Scott has been confirmed to perform at this year's Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

29 Jan 2013 18:22 - Lisa Van Wyk
South African Mail & Guardian

Organisers of the jazz festival announced the full line-up on Tuesday afternoon.

Ben Sharpa and Senegalese artist Cheikh Lô will also be among the performers making appearances at this year's event. They will be joining the other thirteen performers announced late last year. The event takes place at a number of venues in Cape Town on April 5 and 6.

Jill Scott was announced as last year's headline act, but was forced to withdraw from the festival due to other commitments.

The annual event is the highlight of South Africa's jazz calendar, featuring both local and international jazz legends, as well as being a prestigious training ground for young jazz talent. While billed as a jazz festival, it has regularly featured hip-hop and soul artists, such as Pharoahe Monch and Lauryn Hill, who appeared at last year's festival.

South African musician Victor Ntoni, who passed away suddenly on Monday, had been due to perform. A minute's silence was held in his honor at the line-up announcement.

The line-up

The line-up will also include festival regular Jimmy Dludlu, the UK's acid jazz act the Brand New Heavies, US jazz artists Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane and Matt Garrison (who will collaborate as the Jack DeJohnette Trio), and Robert Glasper.

Festival director Rashid Lombard emphasised that the diverse line-up will appeal to a broad audience.

"We are delighted with this line-up. Once again we have been able to secure world-class international acts as well as the cream of our local talent. There is something for everyone from lovers of traditional jazz to younger audiences looking to hear more mainstream, popular music. Festival goers will not be disappointed".

Running alongside the main festival are a number of fringe events and community outreach projects which aim to introduce jazz to new audiences and foster new talent.

Paul Mashatile, minister of arts and culture commented on the relevance of the festival.

"The Cape Town International Jazz Festival does not only expose audiences to a wide array of the best international and local music, the event also contributes to providing a larger skills base in the creative sector which helps in sustaining the creative industries in South Africa."

For the full line-up and booking details, go to the official website: www.capetownjazzfest.com.

French War In Mali May Worsen Instability in Libya

Inside the former US Consulate in Benghazi in the aftermath of an attack that resulted in the death of the American ambassador and other personnel. Rebel government forces say the attack was planned., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

UN’s Libya chief warns that French advance in Mali may drive Islamist insurgents toward Libya

Tuesday, January 29, 5:52 PM

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N.’s special representative for Libya warned the Security Council on Tuesday that France’s military offensive in northern Mali may drive Islamic insurgents out and across the porous borders with Algeria and into Libya.

U.N. officials including peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous have said that the Islamist occupation of northern Mali was partly triggered by the massive US-NATO bombing of Libya under martyred leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, as well-trained militiamen fled into Mali with looted heavy weapons, driving back the Malian army.

U.N. special representative for Libya Tarek Mitri told the Security Council that “the opposition of armed radical groups to the military intervention in Mali may exacerbate the situation (in Libya) given ideological and/or ethnic affiliations as well as porous borders in Libya.”

French and African land forces are battling al-Qaida-linked Islamists in northern Mali, while a renewed bout of unrest has gripped Egypt following the two-year anniversary of the revolution that toppled strongman Hosni Mubarak.

In addition, a Jan. 16 terror attack on Algeria’s Ain Amenas natural gas plant in the Sahara ignited a four-day siege with Algerian forces in which at least 37 hostages and 29 militants were killed. An al-Qaida-affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mitri said that he was also concerned about the continued detention of several thousand people as result of the Libyan regime change.

He told reporters that some 7,000 detainees are held in Libya, most of them in cells run by the anti-Gadhafi rebel brigades.

“There have been cases of torture in the past,” but conditions are improving as more prisoners are transferred to state-controlled prisons. “There are still a few cases of torture, but only a few,” Mitri added.

Although about 20,000 counter-revolutionary brigade members have joined the new US-backed Libyan army or police forces, about 200,000 armed men “are not ready to get absorbed” into the new Libyan institutions, adding to the instability, Mitri told reporters.

Cities of Egypt's Suez Canal Protest Curfew for Second Consecutive Day

Unrest spreads to Port Said in Egypt where 30 people were killed on January 27, 2013. The unrest war sparked by verdicts convicting suspects of murder last February 11., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Cities of Egypt's Suez Canal protest curfew for 2nd consecutive day

Ahram Online , Tuesday 29 Jan 2013

For second day in a row, Egyptian demonstrators in Suez, Port Said and Ismailia defy government-declared state of emergency

The cities of Egypt's Suez Canal – Suez, Port Said and Ismailia – continued to witness protests on Tuesday against a government-declared state of emergency featuring a daily 9pm-to-6am curfew.

On Sunday night, President Mohamed Morsi announced a state of emergency in the three cities. The move followed violent clashes that erupted on Friday – on the Tahrir Square uprising's second anniversary – which left more than 39 dead in Port Said, nine dead in Suez and one dead in Ismailia.

Protesters chanted against the emergency measures, slamming President Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood group from which he hails.

A solidarity demonstration also took place in Cairo on Tuesday at 9pm, when the curfew goes into effect in the canal cities. Hundreds gathered in downtown Cairo's Talaat Harb Square for the occasion.

A solidarity football match has also been planned at the same time outside the Presidential Palace in Cairo in imitation of a match held in Ismailia on Tuesday, when city residents played the country's most popular sport with military personnel who refused to enforce the curfew.

Clashes erupted in Port Said on Saturday when a criminal court sentenced 21 Port Said residents to death for their involvement in last February's Port Said stadium disaster, in which scores of football fans were killed. Since then, the city has witnessed intense rioting, with residents accusing the central government of scapegoating and marginalising them.

Violence had also erupted earlier in Suez and Ismailia – and in a number of other cities – on the occasion of the Egyptian Revolution's two-year anniversary on Friday.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/63626.aspx

Egypt Presidency Unveils Plan for Constitutional Modifications

Egyptians demonstrate in Alexandria against the government of President Mohamed Morsi. In Alexandria clashes took place with security forces., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Egypt presidency unveils plan for constitutional modifications

Ahram Online, Tuesday 29 Jan 2013

Following five days of renewed political turbulence, President Morsi lays down plan for the amendment of Egypt's newly-approved - albeit still controversial - national charter

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Omar Salem will choose articles of Egypt's newly-ratified constitution to be subject to possible amendment by a committee appointed by Egypt's presidency.

According to presidential advisor for political affairs Pakinam El-Sharkawy, the committee's recommendations will then be referred to the yet-to-be-elected House of Representatives (the lower house of Egypt's parliament, formally known as the People's Assembly) for ratification.

El-Sharkawy made the statements at a Tuesday press conference convened to announce results of a Monday "national dialogue" meeting between President Mohamed Morsi and various political figures.

According to El-Sharkawy, the constitution-amending committee will include five law professors and five politicians representing Egypt's primary political forces, including some that were absent from Monday's national dialogue meeting.

During the dialogue meeting, which was boycotted by the majority of Egypt's political opposition, Morsi ordered the formation of a ten-member committee tasked with amending certain constitutional articles. The move came in response to pressure from Egypt's opposition National Salvation Front (NSF).

The NSF, a coalition including several leftist and liberal opposition parties and groups, boycotted the dialogue meeting, describing it as a "fake" initiative that would not benefit the public. The NSF issued a list of demands for its participation in the dialogue initiative, including the amendment of Egypt's new national charter, which was drawn up by an Islamist-dominated drafting committee.

El-Sharkawy announced that the presidency would continue "reaching out" to all political forces, including those that rejected Morsi's invitation to dialogue. At the press conference, Ahmed Ali, presidential advisor for international affairs, stressed that the presidency remained in communication with the NSF.

The NSF has also demanded the dismissal of the incumbent government of Prime Minister Hisham Qandil and the immediate appointment of a "national salvation" government. Morsi, however, firmly rejected this demand.

"This idea needs time; it's hard to realise at the moment," El-Sharkawy said. "New parliamentary elections will soon be held and a new cabinet will be drawn up then. All forces represented in the incoming parliament will be able to formulate the new cabinet."

Polls for a new lower house of parliament are expected sometime in April, according to recent official statements.

'Difficult decision'

Speaking about recent political turmoil – especially in the cities of the Suez Canal, currently under a 30-day state of emergency – Ali said that the presidency remained "in talks" with both popular and political leaders in Port Said, which saw the worst violence in recent days.

"The decision to declare a state of emergency was difficult for the president despite its legality," Ali said. "But it was taken for the protection of the nation and people."

Ali added that a detailed report on the nation's general security condition would soon be prepared, upon which a decision would be made on whether the terms of the current state of emergency should be reduced or entirely terminated.

Port Said has seen intermittent violence since Saturday, after a criminal court sentenced 21 of its residents to death for their involvement in last February's Port Said stadium disaster in which scores of football fans were killed.

Riots that erupted in the city after the verdict was announced left at least 39 civilians and two police officers dead.

The neighbouring canal cities of Ismailia and Suez have also witnessed protests and clashes since the second anniversary of Egypt's January 25 Revolution on Friday. In Suez, nine people – including one police conscript – were killed, while at least one civilian has been reported killed in Ismailia.

As a result, President Morsi on Sunday declared a month-long state of emergency in all three canal cities (Suez, Port Said and Ismailia), entailing daily 9pm-to-6am curfews.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/63606.aspx

US Still Backing Morsi As Army Remains Quiescent

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in discussions with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in Cairo on July 14, 2012. Clinton praised the military's role in the country., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

US still backing Morsi as army remains quiescent

Dina Ezzat, Tuesday 29 Jan 2013
Ahram Online

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi can still count on US support but he needs to bow a little lower if he wants to remain in Washington’s good books

President Mohamed Morsi remains confident that he has the indispensible support of Washington and the Egyptian armed forces – largely if not fully.

A round of talks between Cairo and Washington – some sources suggest it included direct talks between an apprehensive US President Barack Obama and a reassuring President Morsi – concluded that despite the outrage of protestors since the January 25 Revolution anniversary, Morsi’s presidency is weakened but not broken.

“He is still largely in control. Ultimately we think the anger [in Egypt] will calm down – but he will have to give something,” said a Cairo-based Western diplomat.

This view is shared by many foreign diplomats in Egypt: the army is not moving against Morsi – some hasten to add ‘at least not yet’ – and public opinion has not turned enough to see another president fall in less than two years.

Moreover, the call made by a leading member of the National Salvation Front for the West, especially Washington, to put pressure on Morsi, is still being pondered and no serious pressure seems to be building.

According to one informed source in Washington, an expected US State Department statement mildly placing more blame for the current violence on Morsi than on the rest of the political leadership was suspended in favour of a White House statement calling on all leaders to end the violence and pursue dialogue.

The spirit of the statement, the same source says, was largely influenced by the US ambassador to Egypt, who seems to be arguing the case for Morsi even as Washington becomes more sceptical. “It is clear these demonstrations will not bring Morsi down,” the source said.

Overall, Arab diplomats in Washington say the White House is comfortable with the role Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood are playing on key Middle East issues: Gaza, Hamas, Iran and Syria. “And above this there is a sense of ease with regards to the positive statement Morsi made on the Prophet Mohamed's birthday about equal rights for Coptic Christians and Muslims alike,” said one Washington-based Arab diplomat.

Sources who followed recent talks between Washington, Morsi and the Egyptian army say a few concessions might be offered to contain public outrage.

Meanwhile, sources in the Egyptian opposition say their views on how to exit the current crisis have been solicited by the US embassy in Cairo. Some say these contacts amount to mediation rather than consultation – something a US embassy source declined to confirm, saying it is normal for embassies to talk with political leaders.

This said, an Egyptian military source confirms the US is confident the Egyptian army will stay out of politics. There are certain matters the armed forces “talk frankly about with the presidency but this does not mean the army is at all willing to re-engage in the political process – we are staying out of it,” he said.

A similar assessment is offered by several foreign diplomats in Cairo who essentially agree that Morsi is facing difficulties and that he is also facing pressure from the armed forces on some matters, but things have not reached the point at which the army would ask Morsi to step down.

According to the military source, who spoke to Ahram Online on condition of anonymity, the armed forces are unlikely to repeat the offer it made for a national dialogue last November during the political crisis over the president's constitutional declaration. “Unless we are asked by the presidency we are not intending to offer our help again. The president is dealing with this matter himself.”

A number of public figures and opposition politicians refused the president's invitation to join a national dialogue on the current crisis, presidential sources say.

The same sources suggest further sessions might convene in the next few days – perhaps with broader attendance. None of the sources, however, offer any coherent agenda for the possible outcome of this dialogue.

Some presidential sources have suggested President Morsi might delay a trip to Berlin and Paris scheduled to start on 29 January. Morsi has already cancelled his visit to the African Summit in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/63559.aspx

Envoy Hails Zimbabwe-Cuba Co-operation

Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Fidel Castro of Cuba. The two nations have a long record of solidarity and mutual cooperation., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Envoy hails Zim-Cuba co-operation

Wednesday, 30 January 2013 00:00
Tendai Manzvanzvike Foreign Editor
Zimbabwe Herald

The 54th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban revolution and the 160th anniversary of the birth of Cuban national hero José Martí are dedicated to solidarity organisations and their membership for their sustained and combative support toward the just causes of Cuba and Zimbabwe, the Cuban Ambassador to Zimbabwe has said.

Addressing members of the Zimbabwe-Cuba Friendship Association, the Free the Five and the Association of Graduates in Cuba and the Cuban Cultural Association who attended last weekend’s celebrations Ambassador López said the annual event was the fight for the lifting of the US blockade against Cuba, the Western sanctions against Zimbabwe, the freedom of the Five Cuban heroes and for the defence of Cuba and Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty and their historical links of solidarity”.

Ambassador Lopéz also hailed the Cuban people who against all odds have resisted and maintained Cuba’s socialist conquests through the provision of free health care and education systems.

Last year, Cuba’s economy grew by 2,1 percent and the Caribbean Island received close to 2,9 million tourists.

“In line with the economic and social guidelines of the Party and the Revolution for the updating of the Cuban Economical and Social Model, Cuba has continued to develop the biotechnology sector; improve its sugar industry and economic and commercial activities”, said ambassador Lopéz.

Ambassador López said that despite US aggression, the Cuban government and people have kept their international and solidarity commitments through the following actions:

--More than 56 200 Cuban collaborators are serving in 101 countries and 4 overseas territories.

--Over 70 percent of Cuban collaboration are in the field of health. In Zimbabwe, Cuba’s Medical Brigade is serving in both urban and rural health care centres across the country.

--Over 50 800 collaborators are serving in 32 countries and 4 overseas territories in Latin America and the Caribbean.

--Today, Cuba has more than 29 300 young students from 115 countries, among them more than 18 800 from Latin America and the Caribbean.

--Cuba has graduated more than 55 200 youths from 134 countries and 5 overseas territories.

--The “Operation Miracle” programme has 63 ophthalmological centres, 84 surgery units and 821 Cuban collaborators in 16 countries.

--In Latin America and the Caribbean, over 2 million patients have had surgery in the framework of “Operation Miracle”.

--The “Yo si puedo” (Yes, I can) literacy programme has been implemented in 28 countries, teaching over 5 million people.

--More than 690 collaborators are working under this project in 19 countries.

Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua have been declared illiteracy-free territories after they implemented the “Yes, I can” program.
Ambassador López also applauded Cuba’s elevation in international affairs.

The summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union held over the weekend in Santiago de Chile saw president Raúl Castro Ruz taking over the rotating presidency of the 33-member regional grouping.

Zimbabwe Commissioner-General Urges Women to Vote

President Mugabe being welcomed home by services chiefs — (from right) Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantine Chiwenga, Major General Trust Mugoba, Air Marshal Perrance Shiri and ZRP Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Chihuri urges women to vote

Wednesday, 30 January 2013 00:00
Crime Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald

Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri has urged wives of senior officers to remain patriotic and vote for Zanu-PF in the forthcoming elections. Speaking at the Kuyedza Women’s Club 2013 leadership
workshop in Selous yesterday, Comm-Gen Chihuri said there was a need for people to know their history, the present and their future.

“Zimbabwe is your country and you don’t need to be a stranger in your own country.
“Let’s respect our country, let’s protect our country because it’s the only one that we have and it’s the only one you will ever have,” he said.

Comm-Gen Chihuri urged officers and the public to be inspired by Mbuya Nehanda who impressed upon the people of Zimbabwe to safeguard the country against the machinations of colonialists.

Several wives of police commanders, including Comm-Gen Chihuri’s wife, Isabel, are undergoing the week-long training.

Zimbabwe Draft Constitution to be Presented to Parliament Next Week

Dignitaries on the diaz at the 31st anniversary of Zimbabwe independence ceremony. On the podium is President Robert Mugabe, Vice-President Joice Mujuru and others., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Draft Constitution to be presented to Parly next week

Wednesday, 30 January 2013 00:00
Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald

THE draft Constitution to be presented to Parliament next week recognises 16 languages as the official means of communication in Zimbabwe, among other new provisions. The Lancaster House

Constitution — set to be repealed by the new charter — used to recognise only English, Shona and Ndebele as the official languages. But now Chewa, Barwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, Sign Language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa would be official languages in the country.

“An Act of Parliament may prescribe other languages as officially recognised languages and may prescribe languages of record,” reads the draft constitution.

“The State and all institutions and agencies of Government at every level must:
(a) ensure that all officially recognised languages are treated equitably; and
(b) take into account the language preferences of people affected by governmental measures or communications.”

The draft urges the State to promote and advance the use of all languages used in the country, including sign language, and to create conditions for the development of those languages.

The draft constitution also recognises the role played by war veterans in fighting against colonialism.

“We the people of Zimbabwe, (are) united in our diversity by our common desire for freedom, justice and equality, and our heroic resistance to colonialism, racism and all forms of domination and oppression,” reads the draft.

It exalts and extols “the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives during the Chimurenga/Umvukela and national liberation struggles.”

The draft also acknowledges “the supremacy of Almighty God, in whose hands our future lies”.

There are a number of new provisions in the draft beginning with a detailed preamble capturing the country’s history, including the fight against colonialism and inequality and future aspirations.

The draft Constitution comprises 18 chapters that include those on the founding provisions, national objectives, citizenship, declaration of rights, the Executive, the Legislature, elections, the Judiciary and principles of administration.

The others are on the civil service, the security services, independent commissions, supporting democracy, provincial and local government, traditional leaders, agricultural land, finance and general and supplementary provisions.

The preamble celebrates sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who fought against racial discrimination and continue to work for the progress of the country.

It values the country’s rich natural resources and natural resources, diversity, exalts God and commits every Zimbabwean to respect the constitution as the supreme law of the country.

The chapters on the founding provisions and national objectives lay out the foundation the country is built on that include equality of all, respect for democracy and human rights, gender equality and good governance and holds the State responsible to create an enabling environment for development.

The draft also expands on citizen’s rights through a broader chapter on the Declaration of Rights.

The rights provided for are the right to life, labour rights, right to education, water, shelter, environmental rights, freedom of expression and the media, right to marriage and prohibition of same-sex marriages.

Others include property rights and right to agricultural land, rights for women, children and the elderly.

The rights will, however, be limited especially in respect to the right of other people and during situations of public emergency.

The draft also introduces presidential running mates under the chapter dealing with the Executive.

The presidential candidate will nominate two people to contest an election and in the event of assuming office the two will become first and second vice-president.

In the event that the President dies, resigns or is removed from office, the first vice-president will assume office for the remainder of the former President’s term.

The provision would come into effect only after 10 years.

The House of Assembly will be renamed to become the National Assembly and will comprise 210 members.

However, for the first two parliaments from the effective date of adoption of the new constitution, an additional 60 female members, six from each province will be elected on a proportional representation basis based on the number of votes for each political party’s candidates in the provinces.

The Senate will comprise 80 members, six elected from each province by a system of proportional representation.

The others will include 16 chiefs, two from each province, but excluding metropolitan provinces and elected by the provincial assembly of chiefs.

The others will be the president of the chiefs’ council and his deputy and two others representing people with disabilities.

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili Demands Accounting for Billions in Nigerian Oil Revenue

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili is the a former Vice-President of the World Bank for Africa. She is originally from the West African state of Nigeria., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Oil revenue: I’m resolute – Ezekwesili

JANUARY 28, 2013
9:40 pm
Nigerian Vanguard

*As Cameron asks Jonathan to account for N15.7trn oil revenue in 2012

BY EMMA UJAH UDUMA KALU, AGENCY REPORT

ABUJA— Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, said Monday, that she was resolute in her demand for a full disclosure of oil revenues earned under the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan even as British Prime Minister, David Cameron asked President Goodluck Jonathan to account for $100 billion (N15.7 trillion) oil revenue which accrued to Nigeria last year.

Ezekwesili who was a cabinet member of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government challenged the current administration to account for accruals into the Excess Crude Oil Account and the Foreign Reserve Account.

In a statement in Abuja, she repeated her earlier allegations that the $67 billion which the Obasanjo government left in the Foreign Reserve and the Excess Crude account was brazenly misappropriated by those who succeeded him.

Ezekwesili, also a former Vice President of the World Bank urged the Federal Government to accept her challenge to a public debate, as according to her, it would demonstrate a healthy democratic culture of responding to citizens.

Describing allegations of misappropriations against her by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, on Sunday, as “careless” the ex-minister said the N458.1 billion in reference was the entire budget of the education sector, including statutory bodies which funds sitting ministers had no access.

The statement reads in full: “I remain resolute in demanding full disclosure and accountability by the Federal Government on the poor management of oil revenues, especially the Excess Crude Account and the Foreign Reserve Account. The recent reaction by the spokesperson of the administration failed to respond responsibly to my demand for accountability.

In my convocation lecture at the University of Nigeria, I had stated concerning the poor management of oil revenues as follows : “While these countries moved up the manufacturing and economic development ladder in my 50 years of existence all I can say for Nigeria is that during the same period I have known at least five cycles of commodity booms that offered us rare opportunities to use revenues generated from oil to transform our economy. Sadly, each cycle ended up sliding us farther down the productivity ladder.

The present cycle of boom of the 2010s is however much more vexing than the other four that happened in the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. This is because we are still caught up in it even as I speak today and it is more egregious than the other periods in revealing that we learned absolutely nothing from the previous massive failures.

N10.6trn controversy: Oby Ezekwesili

Furthermore, it is happening back-to-back with the squandering of a significant sum of $45 billion in foreign reserve account and another $22 billion in the Excess Crude Account being direct savings from increased earnings from oil that the Obasanjo administration handed over to the successor government in 2007.

Six years after the administration I served handed over such humongous national wealth to another one; most Nigerians but especially the poor continue to suffer the effects of failing public health and education systems as well as decrepit infrastructure and battered institutions.

Where did all that money go?

One cannot but ask, what exactly does Nigeria convey with this level of brazen misappropriation of public resources? Where did all that money go? Where is the accountability for the use of both these resources plus the additional several hundred billions of dollars realized from oil sale by the two administrations that have governed our nation in the last six years? How were these resources applied or more appropriately, misapplied? Tragic choices! Yes.

Our national dignity continues to be degraded by cycles of stagnation because of the terrible choices my generation and those before repeatedly make as a result of free oil money. The wealth and poverty of a nation never found a better Symbol!”

Public debate

“I have already asked the Federal Government to a public debate of the facts raised in my speech. Such an open debate of facts and figures of oil revenue since 2007 would help situate public accountability as the center-point of our democracy. In accepting to publicly debate the questions raised in my speech, the Federal Government would model the democratic culture of responding to citizens’ demands for accountability, especially at a time when the general public is eager for improvements in the good governance records of the administration.

Maku cannot tarnish my image

I wish to reassure Nigerians that my integrity and transparent record in public office can never be tarnished by baseless allegations regarding my 10 months as Minister of Education. Citizens who follow education sector closely will know that the education sector budget which the government’s spokesperson carelessly referred to represents the consolidated direct budgetary allocation by the National Assembly to the 22 parastatals plus all the Federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the country.

At no time does a sitting Minister of Education have access to the budgets of statutory bodies under her ministry. The records are at the ministry for the relevant National Assembly committees and the general public to scrutinize.

British PM, David Cameron on oil dealings in Nigeria

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister, in his address at the G8 Economic Summit in Davos said, “last year Nigerian oil exports were worth almost $100 billion, more than total net aid to the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. Put simply, unleashing the natural resources in these countries dwarfs anything aid can achieve and transparency is critical to that.

“I want this G8 to lead a big push for transparency across the developing world. To illustrate why, let me give you one example. A few years back a Transparency Initiative exposed a huge black hole in Nigeria’s finances, an $800 million discrepancy between companies’ payments and government’s receipts for oil.

“So we’re going to push for more transparency on who owns companies, on who’s buying up land and for what purpose, on how governments spend their money, on how gas, oil and mining companies operate, on who is hiding stolen assets and how we recover and return them.

“Like everything else in this G8, the ambitions are big – and I make no apology for that. 30 years ago more than half the planet lived on the equivalent of $1.25 a day or less. Today it is around a fifth.

This amazing story of human progress shows what’s possible. We can be the generation that eradicates absolute poverty in our world. But we’ll only achieve that if we break the vicious cycle and treat the causes of poverty, not just its symptoms. Let me end today by saying this.”

Nigerian Defense Chief, Others Urge Caution Over Boko Haram's Cease-Fire Pledge

Crowd gathers outside an area where a bomb was planted at a Christian church in Nigeria near the capital of Abuja. The Boko Haram group has claimed responsibility., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Defence chief, others urge caution over Boko Haram’s cease-fire pledge

TUESDAY, 29 JANUARY 2013 00:00 FROM SAXONE AKHAINE (KADUNA), KARLS TSOKAR (ABUJA) AND NJADVARA MUSA (MAIDUGURI) NEWS - NATIONAL
Nigerian Guardian

THE ceasefire pledged by the insurgent Boko Haram is being received with a pinch of salt, as the group has been given at least one month to prove that it keeps its words, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Ibrahim, has said.

Similarly, the leader of the Northern Civil Society Coalition, Shehu Sani, and former governor of old Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa, have expressed doubts over the ceasefire assurance.

Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after the Boko Haram sect announced a ceasefire, gunmen suspected to be of the same sect on Tuesday morning attacked the patrol vehicle of a private security firm, Crown Security Guards, killing its personnel, Athanasus Sabo, near the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) main entrance.

Admiral Ibrahim stated this yesterday while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja at the third Seminar on National Security, organised by the Alumni Association of National Defence College (AANDEC). He added that the excitement that had greeted the announcement not withstanding, “we must treat them with a lot of caution.”

This year’s theme, “Contemporary National Security Challenges: Policy Options,” according to the President of AANDEC, Rear Admiral A.G. Adedeji (rtd), “seeks to address the issues that had kept the entire country under some form of insecurity.

“Given that Boko Haram has continued to hit hard, the incidents of kidnapping too go on unabated and so are the crimes of armed robbery, illegal bunkering/oil thefts and pipeline vandalisation.”

Nigerian Southern Leaders Meet, Seek Nation's Rebirth, Others

Niger Delta activist Mujahid Asari-Dokubo has warned of regional conflict if efforts underway to impeach Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan are carried out. Asari-Dokubo has drawn the ire of government for such statements., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Southern leaders meet, seek nation’s rebirth, others

TUESDAY, 29 JANUARY 2013 00:00 FROM SAXONE AKHAINE (KADUNA) AND LAWRENCE NJOKU (ENUGU) NEWS -
Nigerian Guardian

• UPU, Arewa okay pact on unity

HOW to rescue the country from the brink of disintegration, social malaise, under- development and drifting into uncertainty was the focus yesterday as leaders from the southern part of the country met in Enugu .

Meanwhile, the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday met in Kaduna, pledging to work together for the unity and progress of the nation.

In his speech, the UPU President-General, Gen. Patrick Aziza, who led other prominent Urhobo indigenes to the meeting, said that “what we want to achieve is to locate our relationship in history, canvass the issues, situate the position of our people and seek convergence of ideas and a meeting of minds on critical national issues”.

At the Southern leaders meeting chaired by former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme were leader of the South-South Peoples Assembly, Chief Edwin Clark, leader of the Yoruba Unity Forum, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Bolanle Gbonigi, Chief Olu Falae, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd), Olorogun Felix Ibru, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chief Ralph Obioha, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader, Gani Adams, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Prof. Walter Ofonagoro, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, Chief Mike Okiro, Senator James Sekibo.

Others were former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Dr. Sam Egwu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Commodore Anthony Ogugua.

Others who attended the parley included; Prof. Anya O.Anya, Ohanaeze President, Gary Enwo Igariwey, Chief Simeon Okeke, Maxi Okwu, Slyvanus Ngene, Ihechukwu Madubuike, Offia Nwali, Prof. Adenike Grace, Chief Silas Ilo, among others.

Bishop Gbonigi who called for immediate national dialogue of various sections expressed serious concerns over the challenges plaguing the country on behalf of the Yoruba delegation, said that corruption, insecurity, inequitable and problematic constitution have compounded the problems, stressing that such ugly trend had continued to play negative impact on the progress of the country.

He said that the security situation of the country had continued to deteriorate; that kidnapping for ransom had become rapidly blooming business as army of youths and unemployed swarm across villages and cities

“People are no longer shocked when dozens of their citizens are gunned down and bombed by the Boko Haram. The massacres have become routine. It is not clear what government’s policy is towards Boko Haram. Is it dialogue or is it the use of force? It has become unconvincing to call the terrorists faceless because recent developments show that they are known by our rulers”, he said.

Expressing disgust with the call on the president to dialogue with the Boko Haram as well as monetary compensation to their leaders and families, Gbonigi said it was akin to setting wrong standards and raising fundamental question as to whether every group needed to resort to violent acts against other citizens before they can attract government’s attention.

“There are groups in Nigeria today who believe that the mode of national revenue sharing is unfair to them, or that their part of the country is grossly marginalized, or that the constitution we operate is oppressive and disadvantageously constructed against them, or that it stifles their self realization and development.

Must the government wait till all these groups mount their own insurgencies before it listens to them, and will it then proceed to have separate dialogues with each, accompanied by monetary compensation? If it is acceptable to dialogue with the Boko Haram, why can’t we have a dialogue that embraces all Nigerians once and for all, for all grievances to be expressed and mutual accommodation reached? Such a national dialogue is clearly what the nation needs, and is long overdue”, Gbonigi said

In his address, Governor Obi said the country was in dire need of assistance by way of sincere advice and support by her leaders, stressing that rising domestic debts without investment in industry and agriculture was a dangerous dimension.

He stated that the greatest challenge of the government was the inability of her leaders to tell the truth, stressing that even while the economy was on a dangerous slide, corruption taken a leap and other social problems on the rise, “people are still singing your praises”.

“We cannot have a country of our dream if we continue like this. We cannot have a country where we celebrate the least and worst in us. It is time for you to speak out as a group because Nigerians will listen to you if you say so. The abuse we are suffering today will take their revenge on our children. Help us to build a better society by being firm in your action and not sitting on the fence”, he said, adding that President Jonathan is a president with listening ear and has continued to do his best to salvage the country.

Clark said that the coming together was part of effort to rescue the country as well as take it to the path of growth and development.

He lamented the various efforts by other groups to put a wedge in the works of the group, stressing that the southern Nigeria as an integral part of the country must be allowed to play her role to move the country forward.

He stated that drums of disintegration being beaten today were because a southerner was on the throne, adding however, that the zone should be allowed to rule the country as much as the north had done.

He called on the leaders of the zone to stick together and present a common front on issues confronting the country.

Also, Ekwueme said that he decided to bring the forum together as part of effort to salvage the country and make her people work collectively.

The former vice president said that the group would continue to impact negatively on the country should the various zones adopt destructive tendencies, lamenting that the sacrifices made by the three regions for the good of the country had not been appreciated

At the UPU-Arewa meeting, Aziza argued: “we are seeking for allies, to enable us network, build alliances and mainstream advocacies that can be solution to our collective national challenges based on mutual trust and respect. The Arewa and Urhobo are not strange bed-fellows. We share a long political history from the days of the struggle for political independence from the British to the days of the First Republic and post military politics”.

The Urhobo leaders further told the ACF chiefs that “we seek to reignite that long standing relationship, keep it warm and energise it in our national political journey”.

“ACF, in our minds, share many other similarities with UPU. Just like UPU, the ACF is a major platform of convergence of the Arewa people and veritable positive force for engagement of her people. It also provides an avenue for the ventilation of the views and ideas of the Arewa people on critical national issues. It is this similarity of purpose and mission statement, in our mind, that has convoked this August gathering”.

Before the meeting went into closed-door session, the ACF chairman, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, urged the Urhobo leaders from Delta State that the North would continue to be allies with them and other like-minded groups across the country, for the benefit of uplifting the nation’s political, economic and social landscape.

MEND Denies Plot to Break Up Nigeria

Armed militants from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta. There was a bomb explosion in Warri on March 15, 2010., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

MEND denies plot to break up Nigeria

TUESDAY, 29 JANUARY 2013 00:00 FROM KELVIN EBIRI AND ABOSEDE MUSARI, ABUJA NEWS - NATIONAL
Nigerian Guardian

THE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has dissociated itself from purported plans to disintegrate Nigeria into North and South.

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has implored ex-militants to be circumspect in their comments to avoid unnecessarily heating up the Niger Delta and the country at large.

MEND spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, yesterday urged Nigerians to disregard the pathetic attempt at propaganda by one Comrade Azizi that MEND is to start actions aimed at disintegrating Nigeria following the conviction of Henry Okah by a South African court for his involvement in the Independence Day bombing in Abuja.

“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) would like to clarify the following: Mr. Henry Okah is NOT and has never been viewed as the leader or founder of MEND but rather known as a sympathiser and supporter of our cause. Our fighters are freedom-fighters who are agitating for justice, the emancipation of the Niger Delta and control of our God-given resources and not assassins as stated by this so-called Comrade Azizi,” said Gbomo.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Office, Kingsley Kuku, has called on leaders of former militants to avoid making comments that could heat up the country.

In a statement issued by his office yesterday, Kuku said the appeal became necessary in the light of recent developments involving some of the top leaders of the former agitators in the Niger Delta.

He said the Amnesty Office viewed with serious concern comments credited to some of them as reported in the media in recent weeks.

The statement also clarified that the approved stipends for the former agitators are paid into their bank accounts at the end of every month and not through any of their former leaders.

African Union Chair Calls for Support for Sudan and Somalia

African Union mediator for the Sudans, former President Thabo Mbeki, with Presidents Silva Kiir of the Republic of South Sudan and Omar Hassan al-Bashir of the Republic of Sudan. The two sides may meet at the UNSC., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013 at 10:55 pm

Addis Ababa: AU chair calls for support for Sudan and Somalia

ADDIS ABABA – With Sudan and South Sudan failing to agree on key border security measures, the new chair of the African Union (AU), Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn, said on Sunday that more must be done to improve ties between the two neighbours.

“We should continue to assist Sudan and South Sudan in achieving the objectives of creating two viable states living side by side in peace and harmony,” he told the 20th AU summit in Addis Ababa.

Presidents Omer Al-Bashir and Salva Kiir failed to agree on the implementation of security measures, including the activation of a buffer zone, when they met on Saturday four months after they originally signed an agreement over the issue.

The impasse over the security elements of the September 2012 border deal has meant that oil production – stopped a year ago by South Sudan over a transit fee dispute – has not resumed. Other aspects of the deal have also not been implemented and the two sides have not agreed on how to resolve their contesting claims over areas such as Abyei on the largely undemarcated border.

Key to the stalemate is Khartoum’s insistence that Juba is harbouring and supporting rebels in South Kordofan and Blue Nile. South Sudan has refused to discuss the issue of their former comrades in the South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), describing the issue as an internal Sudanese affair.

As well as the tense standoff between the Sudans, which began shortly after Africa’s largest nation split in two in 2011, the AU submit is also addressing crises in Mali, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR), and Somalia.

SOMALIA

Ethiopian prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, replaced the outgoing chairman of the AU, Benin’s president Yayi Boni, on Sunday.

In his acceptance speech Desalegn called on African leaders to concentrate their efforts on Africa’s crises and conflicts, noting achievements made in some areas, such as Somalia.

For the first time in two decades, Desalegn said, there is a glimmer of hope for Somalia’s peace and security as Somalia’s government, supported by Amisom – a joint AU and UN force – continues to strengthen its hold over the capital and other areas of the Horn of Africa nation from al-Shabab militants, who have links with al-Qaeda.

“We should therefore consolidate the recent gains that have been achieved in both politically and security fronts in Somalia”, Desalegn said. He also called for continued assistance to the Somali people to rebuild the war-torn East African nation.

MALI INTERVENTION

On Saturday, the AU announced that it plans to create “an African Standby Force” to be deployed in Mali, where the West African nation’s army is fighting Islamist insurgents alongside French forces.

So far only a small number of the nearly 5,700 troops, pledged by African states, have been deployed.

Ahead of a donor conference on Tuesday to finance the deployment of the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA), the European Union has pledged $67 million for the multinational force, with a further $336 million for development projects.
With regard to crises in Mali, the new AU chairman underscored the need for immediate action to restore constitutional order, to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, as well as address humanitarian crises in collaboration with the UN and West African regional bloc – ECOWAS.

DEMOCRACY, GOOD GOVERNANCE

Desalegn, who will serve a one-year term as AU chairman also called on African leaders to promote democracy and good governance.

He called on African states set for presidential and parliamentary votes this year to conduct peaceful and smooth elections.

“We should consolidate the gains we have made over the past decade and deepen the roots of democratic governance so as to create propitious condition for our socio-economic endeavours,” he said.

The two-day continental summit is being held under the theme: “Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance” and is being attended by 36 African leaders, as well as representatives from a number of international bodies.

Source: ST

Uganda Threatens African Unity, Says Sudan NCP Official

Sudan President Omar Hassan al-Bashir speaking at a youth rally of the ruling National Congress Party on April 18, 2012. The president said that they would have to liberate the south if provocations continue., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Sudan Vision News Daily

Ismail: Uganda Threatens African Unity

Staff Writer

Khartoum - A National Congress Party (NCP) leading figure, the minister of investment, Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail, launched a vehement tirade against the government of Uganda under President Yoweri Museveni for harbouring signatories of the new dawn document in Kampala.

He said that the opposition put her hand in with secularists and Zionists to attack and split Sudan.

During a meeting at Al-Golid locality, Northern State, Ismail gave his opinion that Kampala has become a capital of treason and a mercenary to strike African unity. He went so far as to say the Ugandan regime threatens all African countries.

Ismail mocked those he called “idlers in hotels” in Uganda. He boasted that they would not be able to bring a single tank from Kampala to Khartoum because he claimed they represent only themselves. He soliloquised that “the Sudanese people know their friends and enemies”.

Dr. Ibrahim Al-Khidir, acting governor of Northern state, said that Sudan would not allow signatories of what he called the “darkness document” to split and divide it.

Father of Somalian Youth Says FBI Brainwashed Son

Somalian Mohamed Osman Mohamud from Portland is the latest victim in the U.S. counter-intelligence program directed against the Horn of Africa nation and its expatriate community. A sting operation resulted in the youth being charged with terrorism., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Father of terror suspect says FBI brainwashed son

By NIGEL DUARA Associated Press Published: Jan 29, 2013 at 6:55 AM PST

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The father of an Oregon terrorism suspect testified Monday that his then-teenage son was suffering from an identity crisis and enduring a troubled home life when the FBI brainwashed him.

Osman Barre, the father of Somali-American terrorism suspect Mohamed Mohamud, said he was concerned for his son's safety when he contacted the FBI in 2009.

Barre said Mohamud told him he was planning to fly to Yemen to learn Arabic at a time when Barre was frightened by news accounts of Somali-American teenagers joining the mujahedeen in Somalia.

The stories led him to contact the FBI and say he feared his son was being brainwashed by al-Qaida recruiters.

But Barre testified Monday that he now thinks it was an elaborate FBI sting that brainwashed his son.

Prosecutors rested their case Monday. Barre was the first defense witness.

Mohamud is accused of attempting to detonate a bomb at a Portland Christmas-tree lighting ceremony in November 2010. The bomb was a fake supplied by undercover FBI agents whom Mohamud thought were al-Qaida recruiters.

During cross-examination by prosecutors, Barre was asked why he used the word "brainwashed" when speaking about his son to FBI agents. Barre interrupted Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight to say, "Can I tell you, the FBI brainwashed my son."

"That's not the question I asked," Knight responded.

Authorities say the FBI was tracking Mohamud's online contacts with Islamic radicals in early 2009. By the time Barre contacted the bureau, agents had been watching Mohamud for months, from the time he was 17.

Defense attorneys have argued that the bureau could have informed Barre and Mohamud's mother about the contacts with radicals. FBI agents have testified that providing such information could have compromised ongoing investigations into the jihadi contacts with whom Mohamud was involved.

Barre said he did not hear anything further from FBI agents until his son was arrested.

Barre described Mohamud's life in the strict Muslim home as troubled by the time he came to the FBI's attention. Barre and his wife, Miriam Hassan, had split up, and the couple's daughter - Mohamud's younger sister - kept running away.

Mohamud was a sweet-natured kid, Barre testified, but impressionable and immature. The family believed Barre's contact with the FBI led to Mohamud being placed on the no-fly list.

Mohamud turned from an engaged, sociable freshman at Oregon State University into a withdrawn sophomore who slept during the day, Mohamud's friend Mohammad Mohamed testified.

Barre, under cross-examination, told Knight he drilled into his children that they should be grateful to live in America. He said he told them not to make waves, to make their parents proud.

"Did you do everything you could to help your son?" Knight asked. "Did you give him every chance to succeed?"

With his wife sitting 20 feet away in the gallery, her chin cradled in her right hand, Barre paused.

"I wish I did more."

Bomb Explodes Near Presidential Palace in Somalia

The al-Shabab web site posted the photographs of these two young men who they say were martyred in the attacks on the AMISOM headquarters in Mogadishu., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Suicide bomber explodes Villa Somalia’s front gate

MOGADISHU (RBC) A Suicide bomber has exploded himself outside the front gate of Somalia’s presidential compound of Villa Somalia early on Tuesday morning, RBC Radio reports.

Initial reports sat that at least one presidential security guard was killed while two others were wounded after a man wearing explosive vest just blew up himself outside the compound’s front gate.

The sources added that the man attempted to enter the highly protected compound for the National Security Service which is only few meters away from the president’s office but the security guard managed to resist back him and then went off himself outside the Villa Somalia front gate.

The Ethiopian embassy, the office of Somalia prime minister as well as the building of the speaker were close there but were not hurt, sources told RBC Radio.

Presidential security officers could not be immediately reached for comment.


Somalia: AMISOM condemns terror attack in Mogadishu, praises action by Somali Forces

At least one member of the Somali National Army died and two others were injured when they stopped a suicide bomber from accessing a compound next to the Ethiopian Embassy

By: AMISOM
PRESS RELEASE

(For immediate release)

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Somalia, Amb. Mohamat Annadif, has condemned today’s terrorist attack in the Somali capital Mogadishu, and praised the quick action of the Somali forces which prevented loss of civilian life.

At least one member of the Somali National Army died and two others were injured when they stopped a suicide bomber from accessing a compound next to the Ethiopian Embassy which is located near Villa Somalia. The bomber exploded himself as he was chased away from the area.

“The heroic actions of the dead soldier and his compatriots have saved many Somali lives,” said Amb Annadif, adding that the attack comes at a time when the city has been enjoying its longest period of relative peace in 20 years.

“AMISOM is committed to continuing to support the Somali National Security Forces and to build up their capacity to defend the people of Somalia,” he said. He offered his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the dead soldier and his prayers for the quick recovery of the injured.

He noted that security in the capital has markedly improved after AMISOM Police units begun night patrols alongside their Somali counterparts last month.

The AU mission has been training the core of a rejuvenated Somali National Army and Somali Police Force within Mogadishu. Last week, 60 Somali Police officers including 16 female officers graduated from training in Basic Criminal Investigation skills. Two weeks ago, a further 200 departed for Djibouti to attend a three month training course in Public Order Management conducted by AMISOM.

Source: AMISOM

French Military Intervention in Timbuktu Sparks Chaos, Looting

Looters crowd to get into a shop in Timbuktu. With the intervention of France, tensions are boiling over in the city., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Ethnic tensions erupt as Mali troops hunt down suspected Islamists

Malian army soldiers in Timbuktu make little effort to stop looting of shops owned by Tuareg and Arab minorities

Luke Harding in Mopti
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 29 January 2013 13.46 EST

Simmering ethnic tensions boiled over in Mali on Tuesday as the army hunted down suspected Islamist fighters and residents took revenge on shops belonging to the Tuareg and Arab minorities.

Reports from the Saharan city of Timbuktu said dozens of residents had attacked property owned by Tuareg and Arab traders whom they suspected of collaborating with the rebels. The al-Qaida-allied fighters evacuated the town last week as French and Malian forces closed in.

There were fears that the Tuareg civilians could now be caught up in a bloody backlash, both from angry neighbours and from the army.

Malian soldiers were deployed in Timbuktu on Tuesday but made little effort to stop widespread ethnic-based looting.

Tuareg rebels have waged an on-off secessionist war for decades against the Mali government in Bamako. The secular Tuareg nationalist MNLA militia has been fighting for an independent republic, but has recently said it supports France's military intervention.

Another Islamist group, however, Ansar Dine, includes many Tuareg fighters, and spearheaded last year's audacious drive by the rebels to capture Mali's north. It is closely allied with al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Its leader, Iyad Ag Ghali, is Tuareg.

Consequently, many Malians now blame the Tuareg for the Islamist capture last year of the northern towns of Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu.

"They are traitors," Amadu Traore, an English teacher from the town of Youwarou, near Timbuktu, said on Tuesday, when asked what he thought of the Tuareg. He added: "They are also racists. They have lighter skins than us. They look down on us black Africans."

Traore claimed that the nomadic Tuareg – who make up 11% of the population in the north – were perennially dissatisfied and would never accept the authority of the Mali state. "They have been fighting for independence since colonial times," he said.

He added: "When the MNLA was on its own it wasn't powerful. Then it joined with al-Qaida. It become more powerful."

Tuareg civilian leaders have long complained of discrimination, too few jobs for Tuareg youth and a woeful lack of development in the north. They have also vociferously dissociated themselves from AQIM.

The government has failed to implement a 2006 peace accord, they add, which was supposed to improve their opportunities.

Some Malians have sympathy with the Tuareg, who are dispersed across Saharan Africa, and whose culture and itinerant lifestyle are disappearing. "It isn't all Tuareg who have been involved in trouble. Some Tuareg are clean and have had nothing to do with the rebellion," Mahamud Handuli, a trader in the Niger river town of Mopti, said.

The Tuareg are likely to play a key role in any lasting solution in northern Mali – or lack of one. On Tuesday, the MNLA leadership said it had taken control of Kidal, the third northern town previously under Islamist rebel control. The Islamists had left, it said.

The MNLA said it was ready to join the French-led campaign against "terrorist organisations" but would not allow the Mali army to march on Kidal. It also asked for direct negotiations with the Malian government about its autonomy demands.

The French military – which took Timbuktu over the weekend and Gao late last week – has indicated it is unlikely to push up to Kidal, a remote desert area hundreds of miles from its current position.

Instead the job will probably be left to troops from Chad, part of a poorly equipped African force supporting the Mali army. It remains to be seen what welcome they will get. France has signalled it wants to hand longer-term security operations to African soldiers, now the major phase of its operation is over.

Mali troops carried out house-to-house searches in both Gao and Timbuktu on Tuesday, uncovering arms and explosives abandoned by retreating Islamists. In Gao, soldiers arrested at least five suspected rebels and sympathisers, turned in by locals, and uncovered weapons and counterfeit cash.

There was confirmation that around 2,000 ancient manuscripts had been burned in the Timbuktu's Ahmad Babu Institute, torched by retreating al-Qaida fighters. Some reports suggested, however, that a large number of manuscripts had survived, with staff spiriting them away to Bamako before AQIM swept into town last March.

Since France's president, François Hollande, dispatched 3,700 troops to Mali on 11 January, there has been little fighting. The rebels appear to be hiding in the deserts and savannah around Gao and Timbuktu, with others heading to Kidal and the border with Algeria.

The AQIM leader, Mokhtar BelMokhtar – who carried out the murderous attack on the In Amenas gas facility in Algeria – is believed to have been holed up at one point in the Adrar Tirharhar mountains, halfway between the towns of Kidal and Tessalit, according to leaked US diplomatic cables.

Speaking in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, on Tuesday, France's foreign minister Laurent Fabius said French forces would remain in Mali "as long as necessary".

At the same time Mali's interim president, Dioncounda Traoré, announced his government would aim to organise "credible" elections for 31 July, a demand made by major western backers of the anti-rebel operation. The military toppled the previous president in a coup in March.