Often the hardest thing is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn – David Russel
Posted in Africa on Jun 10th, 2009
Experts say Africa’s fight against corruption is being weakened by the undermining of investigative agencies. Experts, prosecutors and watchdogs told the New York Times they fear efforts to stamp out corruption in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are being held back. In Kenya and Nigeria key officials heading anti-corruption agencies have been reportedly forced into […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 9th, 2009
Oil giant Shell has agreed to pay 15.5 million US dollars to the relatives of nine environmental activists, including author Ken Saro-Wiwa, who were executed by the Nigerian government, but it says that it does not accept liability for their deaths. Shell agreed to the out-of-court settlement in a case brought by relatives of the […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 8th, 2009
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has launched a pact that will eliminate trade barriers across 19 African countries. As part of the deal, launched yesterday, a range of tariffs from zero to 25 per cent will apply to certain categories of imported goods and services. It will also harmonise tariffs on […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 5th, 2009
A government minister in Guinea-Bissau was shot dead early today when armed men stormed into his house. Baciro Dabo was a candidate in the presidential elections scheduled for 28 June. Uniformed men were said to have burst into his house and shot him several times. Dabo was a close ally of former president Joao Bernardo […]
Posted in Africa on Jun 4th, 2009
Investigations are taking place in Nigeria after consignments of fake anti-malarial drugs were intercepted on May 20. The drugs, worth up to 218 million US dollars, originated from China and were intercepted by drug control agents in Lagos state. The Director General of the drug and food control agency, Paul Orhji, yesterday said the action […]
Posted in Africa on May 31st, 2009
Prince Meshach, a prince of Gbaramatu kingdom and son of Pere Godwin Bebenimibo, Ogeh Gbaran III, whose palace at Oporoza was bombed by the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Niger-Delta, about a fortnight ago, yesterday, narrated how his 14-year-old younger sister, who was allegedly shot by invading soldiers, died in his own hands while […]
Posted in Africa on May 30th, 2009
In Burundi, witnesses have testified in the trial of 11 men accused of the attempted murder of albino people and selling their body parts. Initial charges of murder were dropped due to insufficient evidence. It is believed the body parts are sold in neighbouring Tanzania for witchcraft purposes. Forty-six albino people have been murdered in […]
Posted in Africa on May 29th, 2009
New research has found that national HIV prevention campaigns in at least five African countries fail to target those most at risk. The joint study reveals that few HIV prevention programmes draw on existing evidence to determine what drives HIV and AIDS in the countries studied. The collaboration between UNAIDS, the World Bank and governments of Kenya, Lesotho, Swaziland, […]
Posted in Africa on May 28th, 2009
In a key step toward reunification, Ivory Coast’s former rebel forces relinquished territory to administrators this week. In ceremony on Tuesday, Ivory Coast’s New Forces (FN) handed over 10 northern territories in the former rebel stronghold of Bouake. The move is aimed at restoring central government authority across the country. Ivory Coast has been divided […]
Posted in Africa on May 24th, 2009
Nigeria is celebrating ten years of civil rule. Are we talking about a decade of civil rule or civil unrest? Should Nigeria be celebrating? It’s almost two years since President Umaru Musa Yar,Adua took over the mantle of leadership in Nigeria. So far, we have seen a continued decline in governance, security, general welfare of […]
