Rwanda & Burundi: Controversy joining East African Economic Community?

Rwanda and Burundi may soon join the East African Economic Community. The East African Countries will have a meeting on the 30th of November where a decision may be taken to admit the two countries into the fold.

The organisation at present comprises of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda with the headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

According to IPS, Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete during his first visit to Rwanda earlier this year was quoted as saying, “We’re in the process of organising a big celebration to welcome Rwanda into the organisation.”

Finance and Regional Planning minister James Musoni is reported to have told IPS that “the Central African nation’s entry into the EAC would be of particular help to local businesses, enabling them to import and export products through the ports of other community member states (Rwanda is itself landlocked): “I’m sure that entry into the EAC will be a success that will be felt very shortly.”

There is looming controversy in Rwanda and Burundi, however, because many economists in the two countries are sceptical as to the benefits to be earned in the organisation.

“The Rwandan economy risks being wiped out by a ferocious price and promotional offer war waged by other members of the EAC,” an economic researcher who teaches at the National University of Rwanda at Butare, in the south of the country;” has told IPS.

By Korir, African Press in Norway (APN)

africanpress@chello.no

Source of the story: IPS/15/11

The Gambia: New Justice Minister appointed.

President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia has appointed Principal Magistrate Kebba Sanyang as the new Attorney-General and Secretary of State for Justice. The two vacancies has been vacant for the last two months. A law graduate, Sanyang is 36 years old, replaces Mr. Sheikh Tijan Hydara.

The new minister has served at various magistrates’s courts where he is known for vigorous demand for court discipline, reports the Gambian journal.

His appointment brings to close, President Jammeh’s cabinet appointments after the reshuffle, that saw 3 ministers send packing.

Reacting to his appointment, Sanyang told the press, “I think it is recognition of my dedication and service that I rendered to the judiciary. I wish to thank the president for giving me another opportunity in serving the Gambian public in a different capacity.”

President Jammeh took over power in a military coup in the early 90’s ousting then president Jawara. Jammeh has so far become a Statesman through democratic elections that has seen him retain power. 

By Korir, African Press in Norway (APN)

africanpress@chello.no

Source of the story: The Gambia journal online/14/11

Tanzania: Cholera is back!

There is an outbreak of cholera in Tanzania.

The cholera has hit the Arusha municipality and some areas of Arumeru district, a shanty town south-west of the municipality. Karika A and B is badly hit by the outbreak.

The outbreak was discovered on october 26 and has claimed one victim in the area.

It is reported that the outbreak that has claimed one victim, “Babu Juma who died after excessive vomiting and diarrhoea on October 27, has now spread to most slum areas of the municipality.”

It is now reported that  by the 11th of November 30 people had contracted the disease.

Cholera spreads quickly when it starts, and kills those affected quickly, if not immediately attended to.

Whenever there is an outbreak of cholera, slums are mostly hit because of bad sewage and lack of clean water.

By Korir, African Press in Norway (APN)

africanpress@chello.no

Source of the story: Arusha Times weekly

Congo: Joseph Kabila declared winner in the DRC elections!

Mr Joseph Kabila, the son of the late Kabila, has been declared the winner of the Democratic Republic of Congo presidential elections.

Kabila got 58% ofthe votes, while rival Mr Bemba got 42%.

This was the first ever democratic elections to be carried out in the country in over 40 years.

The country has gone through a number of wars and dictatorship. Former president Mobutu ruled the country for many years until he was driven by Kabila, the father of the now elected president. Mobutu died in exile.

Joseph Kabila took over power when his father  who was killed by one of his aides at the presidential palace.

He was installed by the military in respect for his father, but immediately on taking power, he faced revolt from unsatisfied Congolese in the Northern province.

He was forced to enter into dialogue with the rebels.

When elections was announced, there were many presidential hope-fulls. Only two ,Kabila and Bemba, managed to go to the 2nd round and Kabila pulled the longest rope.

By Korir, African Press in Norway (APN)

africanpress@chello.no

Source of the story: CNN/15/11 

Eritrea: Three journalists reported dead in a prison camp!

A report has been released today by Reporters Without Borders confirming that three journalist died in  a prison camp in Northern Eritrea.

A press release send out yesterday by Reporters Without Borders calls, “on the Eritrean government to urgently produce evidence that three journalists illegally held since September 2001 are still alive, as information from credible sources indicates they died in the course of the past 20 months in a detention centre at a place called Eiraeiro, in a remote northeastern desert.”It has been reported that Reporters Without Borders contacted the Eritrean embassy in France October the 9th, in an effort to find out what happened to the three journalists. They asked the Eritrean government to explain, “within a reasonable period” on what really is the present situation in the case.In their letter they told the government to answer to the questions adding” If we do not get a reply from you in the near future, our organisation will publish this information.”

It is reported today that the organisation has stated that, “This silence on the part of the Eritrean authorities is inhumane and intolerable, (adding), “Dozens of political prisoners have disappeared into jails run by the armed forces. They include at least 13 journalists, of whom there has been no word for nearly five years.”

The organisation says they have disturbing revelations in a report on the Eiraerio detention centre. They are asking foreign governments not to have dealings with President Issaias Afeworki and his government before this case has been solved.

By Korir, African Press in Norway (APN)

africanpress@chello.no

Source of the story: AllGambian net/15/11

Ethiopia: Prime Minister Zenawi says he is dissatisfied with the quality of education in his country!

The Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, has said that he is not satisfied with the quality of education in his country.

Addressing graduates and other dignitaries that included diplomats at  Ethiopian Conference Centre, the Prime Minister said that his “government was dissatisfied with the quality of graduates coming out of Ethiopian higher education institutions.”

The Prime Minister was speaking on the closing day of the Addis Abeba University Strategic Planning Conference which took place from November the 7th  to 11th. The conference was discussing the University’s future. A draft from the conference that may be ratified early next year declares that the university aspires “to be a pre-eminent African research institute.”

The plans that the University has, if put in practice, will give the opportunity to many Africans to do research in difference fields of interest.

Many African countries is still lack advanced research facilities. Now that Ethiopia University has taken this step, the African Union should support the idea from the start. When ratified, the draft agreed upon during the conference should not be delayed because of funding.

Although the University is Ethiopian initiative, students from other countries will benefit from the initiative.

By Korir, African Press in Norway (APN)

africanpress@chello.no

Source of the story: Addis Fortune/15/11

Nigeria: President Obasanjo blamed for the removal State Governors!

The Presidency in Nigeria  has been blamed for the removal of some State Governors in Nigeria.

However, the Presidency has denied the charge, saying impeachment of State Governors is the prerogative of the State Parliaments.

The President cannot intervene, nor can the Federal Parliament whenever a State impeaches a governor in any of the Nigerian States.

“Citing the principle of non-interference, the Presidency, yesterday distanced itself from the gale of controversial removal of governors sweeping across the state Houses of Assembly in the country. The neutrality of the Presidency in the impeachment gale was defended yesterday by the spokesperson to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mrs. Oluremi Oyo;” reports the Guardian of Nigeria.

In  support of the Spokesperson to President Obasanjo, “The Nigerian Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari declared that the National Assembly has no constitutional power to intervene in the matter.”

Alhaji Lawal Kaita, the former Kaduma State governor, however, “believes that the Presidency’s claim cannot be supported by the facts before the public, and warend that the forces currently being unleashed against the governors could be used to fight President Olusegun Obasanjo too. Kaita, who expressed disgust at trend, accused the president of masterminding the illegal removal of the governors.” reports the Guardian

President Obasanjo is said to be unhappy about the ways things are going in his country.

By Korir, African Press in Norway (APN)

africanpress@chello.no

Source of the story: The Guardian/Nigeria/15/11

Ghana: Invest in your children; Parents told!

Mr Abdul Rahman Gumah, the Bawku Municipal Chief in Ghana has asked the parents in Ghana to invest in their children’s education rather than using their money in unnecessary high lifestyle.

Making the statement in Ghana, he told the parents that “the frantic efforts made by the government to relieve parents of some financial burden in educating their children through the introduction of the capitation grant and school feeding programme, should neither give the parents a reason to shirk their responsibility nor a field day to spend their wealth unnecessarily.”

In many African countries school fees is still paid by parents. In some countries, governments have introduced programmes like Ghana has done to relieve parents from the burden.

This has not gone down well in some countries because some parents when relieved this way, use their income on extravagant lifestyles instead of saving for important purposes like establishing businesses that will give them extra income that their children can use whenever there is need.

Many Ghanaian families in Norway work and send their savings back to Ghana to establish businesses so that they have something to fall back on when they reach old age should they then decide to return to Ghana.

They are able to work and save money because they do not have to pay for the education of their children. Education in Norway is free for all.

Many Africans in Norway do not wish to live here when they reach old age because of the harsh climatic conditions.

By Korir, African Press in Norway

africanpress@chello.no

Source of the story: The Ghanaian Chronicle 15.11