Africa has a long history of convoluted affairs, with the United States, Britain, France and Russia constantly interfering in local affairs. The entire Cold War was an ideological battle between the two blocks with both the US and Russia competing for African leaders’ allegiance to them. As such, if China is backing one candidate over another, it does so by following, once again, the pattern that emerged back in the ‘60s and one which unfortunately continues to date.
Posted on 19 September 2011
Gaddafi to be charged with committing crimes against humanity
16 May 2011
In a predictable move, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the International Criminal Court chief prosecutor is seeking the arrest of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi. The prosecutor claimed that after reviewing 1,200 documents, and interviewing 50 witnesses, he has fathered solid evidence that Colonel Gaddafi “personally ordered attacks on unarmed Libyan civilians.” One of the sons of the [...]
“Corrective rape” casts new shadows on South African government
09 May 2011
A 13 year old lesbian girl was raped in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, last week. Corrective rapes have become somewhat of a common practice is Africa’s most progressive country. In South Africa, the rights of homosexuals are guaranteed by the 1994 constitution, but many fear that the police and the judicial system are not doing enough to [...]
Chinese financed power plant opens in the Republic of Congo
08 May 2011
A hydro power plant financed and built by the China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation (CMEC) was inaugurated in the Republic of Congo over the weekend. The Chinese state offered soft loans at a nominal interest rate to defray approximately 85 percent of the costs for the power plant. The hydro power [...]
Gaddafi’s youngest son killed in a NATO air strike
30 April 2011
Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, the youngest son of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, has been killed by a NATO air strike, along with three of the grandsons of the infamous Libyan dictator. The news broke out of Tripoli where government representatives told Western journalists of the latest development in Libya. The information has not yet been confirmed by [...]
Tanzania: When the economy matters more than the environment
25 April 2011
The challenge for a country like Tanzania boils down to a simple decision that involves assessing the opportunities versus the costs that might come back to haunt the administration in the long term. When poverty is as rampant and devastating as it is in Tanzania, when there is constant and urgent need for new jobs, and when the government is under pressure to encourage the economic activities of the private sector, there seems no other way but to accept that the environment will take the hit.
Poaching giraffes – a growing business in Tanzania
18 April 2011
Giraffe poaching is becoming a very lucrative business in Tanzania and a factor that might drive the local population of giraffes extinct.
Ivory Coast: All for the better?
12 April 2011
Whereas it is true that only time will tell if this change in power was for the better, one might look at history and hope that President Ouattara will choose to defy it, that he will be the politician to do the right things. For everyone’s sake.
Colonel Gaddafi, the chameleon, and his nine lives
11 March 2011
As Colonel Gaddafi is fighting for political survival, with the help of the constantly shrinking loyalist groups and the paid mercenaries brought from abroad, most of the world leaders are looking somewhat confused at the impromptu civil war that is affecting their oil prices. Journalists all over the world, along with social activists, diplomats and [...]
Zimbabwe’s Land Reform Myths & Realities (Book Review)
15 February 2011
The authors of this inspiring and much needed revisionist academic work on the actual consequences of the land reform have delivered a highly intriguing book which explores the most common myths about the subject at hand.
Africa in 30 seconds
Kenya’s Chief Justice to Hold Media Briefing
Posted on 17 October 2011
On October 19, 2011, on the occasion of his first 120 days in office, Kenyan Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga will host a briefing for international journalists to outline the progress made in implementing the reforms enshrined in Kenya’s new Constitution. In his first ever briefing, Dr. Mutunga will highlight the judiciary reforms which have been implemented since the passage of the new Constitution.
Dr. Mutunga is the head of Kenya’s first ever Supreme Court, which was established by the new Constitution following an historic referendum in August 2010. Following a stringent nomination, vetting and approval process, Dr. Mutunga, a former Ford Foundation officer, was appointed as Kenya’s chief justice in June 2011. Dr. Mutunga was sworn into office June 20, 2011 and President Kibaki signed a bill officially operationalizing the Supreme Court on June 22, 2011.
WHAT: International press briefing on Kenya’s judicial reforms
WHO: Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga
WHEN: Wednesday, October 19, 2011
10:00am
WHERE: Supreme Courts Garden
Nairobi, Kenya
Kenyan Olympic Marathon champion commits suicide
Posted on 16 May 2011
Kenyan Olympic Marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru, 24, committed suicide on Sunday evening by jumping off the balcony of his home. Wanjiru, who specialized in long distance running, broke the world record in the half marathon in 2006 when he was only 18 years old. He was the first Kenyan national in history to win a gold medal in the Olympic Games in Beijing (2008). He apparently committed suicide after his wife caught him in bed with another woman late last night. May he rest in peace!
Dar es Salaam to host the African Free Zones forum
Posted on 09 May 2011
Delegates from 21 African countries will meet in Dar es Salaam this week, during a three day forum starting on Wednesday, to discuss various strategies and reforms that will allow the restructuring of the African Free Trade Zones. The main theme of this convention is “The Role of Free Zones in Achieving Millennium Development Goals in Africa”. Experts from the World Bank, the European Union and Asia are also expected to attend the conference. One Tanzanian official stated that he hopes this event will assist African countries in “attaining sustainable competitiveness.” The event is sponsored by the World Bank.
Gambian authorities seize Libyan assets in the country
Posted on 09 May 2011
Gutsy move by Gambian authorities today. A local judge ruled that the Gambian government can take control of Libyan assets in the country until a United Nations backed political force will emerge from the current crisis. This follows the decision by the Gambian government to recognize the rebel Transitional National Council from Libya as the legitimate authority in the country.
Gambia is led by Yahya Jammeh, who took control of his country following a 1994 coup. He threatened to personally “cut off the heads” of all the homosexuals in his country while also stating that he can cure AIDS with the help of indigenous herbs. He has restricted the freedom of press to a minimum and is accused of widespread human rights abuses over the last ten years. Not too far from colonel Gaddafi, if you think about it…
Alcohol kills
Posted on 27 April 2011
A 37 year old man from Tanzania died on Monday after taking part in a drinking contest. The winning price was 10,000 shillings or 6.6 US dollars. The man passed away after consuming 1.5 liters (or 50 oz.) of liquor (45 percent alcohol concentration). The incident occurred in the southeastern part if Tanzania. For more details, go here.
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