Botswana: An African Jewel
For more than 35 years, Botswana maintained the fastest growing economy in the world, lifting itself in literally one lifetime from the ranks of the very poor to the status of a middles income country. This documentary, a winner of the Morgan State University African Heritage Award, explores the reasons for Botswana’s remarkable success and the lessons it offers other African countries seeking to break the grip of poverty.
Why and How Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Won Recent Election in Liberia:
Excerpts from exclusive interview with her Unity Pary Chairman, Varney Sherman
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Nigerians Protest End of Fuel Subsidy
End of popular subsidy program creates backlash in one of Africa’s biggest oil producers.
Yossou N’dour Confirms He Will Seek Senegalese Presidency In Next Month’s Election
The announcement by the popular musician likely to shake up race in which incumbent president Abdoulaye Wade will also be a candidate.
Burkina Faso Customs Chief Fired After $4 Million Found In Suitcase Said to Belong To Him
The country’s customs department has been named most corrupt in Africa by anti corruption group.
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Nigeria Declares State of Emergency
Declaration comes in the wake of attacks against churches and at least one Arabic school.
Is the Taliban Gaining A Foothold in Nigeria
The recent wave of attacks against churches and other targets in Nigeria by the Isamlist group, Boko Haram, has given rise to concerns that Nigeria might be seeing the rise of the Taliban or a local off-shot.
read more at the Telegraph. . .
Seven Injured In Apparent Retaliatory Attack On Arabic School In Nigeria
Attack comes days after 25 were killed in attacks against churches in Nigeria
South Africa Posts Dissapointing Third Quarter Growth
The weaker than expected 1.4 percent growth in the third quarter was reportedly due to labor strife and European economic turmoil.
Guinea Bissau Navy Chief Arrested in Wake of Failed Coup Attemt
Arrest announced by Defense Minister as hunt for other suspects continues.
Abortive Coup Attempt in Guinea Bissau
Forces loyal to government reportedly quell coup attempt led by senior army official.
Former Nigerian Military Leader Condemns Government Response to Attacks
Major-General Muhammadu Buhari who led Nigeria from 1983 to 1985 and lost the last presidential election says the government of Goodluck Jonathan has not responded adequately to Boko Haram attacks.
Islamist Group Kills More Than 25 in Attacks on Nigerian Churches
One day after the Nigerian military claimed it killed more than 50 members of the violent Islamist group, Boko Haram, the group struck back on Christmas Day, killing at least 25 people in bomb attacks against churches.
The first attack occurred at the St. Theresa’s Church near the Nigerian capital, Abuja. That was followed by another attack on a church in the city of Jos.
Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which appeared to be highly coordinated.
Yesterday, the Nigerian military announced that it had killed more than 50 members of Boko Haram. The group, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” has killed scores of people in attacks principally in the northeast of Nigeria.
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Curfew Lifted; Opposition Leader Released From Prison in Liberia
The government of Liberia has lifted a dusk to dawn curfew imposed in the capital, Monrovia on Thursday after two days of rioting by students protesting late payment for part time government jobs.
On Chrstmas day, the government also released detained oppositon leader, Acarious Gray. Gray, a member of the Congress for Democratic Change Party, was arrested and detained on Friday, in the wake of the student riots.
There are varying reports about the reasons for his arrest. Initial reports said he was arrested with guns and drugs in his cars. Other reports said Gray was arrested after his car failed to stop for the motorcade of President Ellen-Johnson Sirleaf.
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Darfur Rebel Leader Reportedly Killed in Fighting with Sudanese Government Forces
Khalil Ibrahim, leader of the Justice and Equality Movement that is seeking to wrest control of the Darfur Region from the government of Sudan, was reported killed on Christmas Day in fighting with Sudanese government forces.
Curfew Imposed In LIberia
Reports from Monrovia say the Government has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew after rampaging students, protesting late payment by the government for vacation jobs, took to the streets on Thursday and Friday and smashed car windows with rocks and tree branches.
“The curfew will remain in place until the situation improves,” Information Minister Cletus Sieh said. “The government is deeply concerned about this riot. We have called on the youth to remain calm as we seek ways to pay them.”
Our contacts in Monrovia told the African World that traffic came to a virtual stand stay and people were trapped in their cars as the protesting streets clogged all of the major streets in Monrovia.
Claiming that their salaries had been used to pay officials of the ruling Unity Party of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the students reported shouted, “they chop our money” and “gave it to UP partisans.” “We want our money. Ellen must pay our money,”
This is the second time in recent weeks that the Government of Liberia has had to face down massive demonstrations. In November, on the eve of the second round of the recently held elections in that country, at least two supporters of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change Party, were killed when police opened fire on a crowd of demonstrators protesting what the opposition described as massive election fraud in favor of the ruling party.
Sirleaf, who recently received the Nobel Peace Prize, is preparing for the inauguration of her second 6-year term as President of Liberia, a country that has been struggling to return to normalcy after more than a decade of civil war.
Why Cape Verde Former President Pires Deserves the Mo Ibrahim Prize
The 2011 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership went to the former President of Caper Verde, Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires. The Prize Committee of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation said it chose Mr. Pires because of his work to make his country a “model of democracy, stability and increased prosperity” in Africa.
Mr. Pires, who stepped down from office in August, will receive the $5M prize over 10 years followed by $200,000 a year for the rest of his life.
The Ibrahim Prize, the world’s most valuable individual prize, is supposed to be given every year to a democratically elected African leader who voluntarily leaves office. No award was given for the last two years because the Prize Committee said it could find no suitable candidate.
There have been two previous winners of the Prize: Botswana’s former President Festus Mogae and Mozambique’s former President Joaquim Chissano.
The founder of the Award is Mo Ibrahim, a Sudan-born entrepreneur, who said the prize was necessary to encourage African leaders to leave power voluntarily without fear that they will live in poverty once they leave office.
By any measure, Mr Pires, 77, who helped lead his country to independence from Portuguese rule in 1975, seems to be most deserving of the prize. Cape Verde, a country of just about 500,000, is a model of political stability and relative economic prosperity, thanks to policies implemented over the years by Mr. Pires. Without any natural resources and often suffering severe droughts, Cape Verde is one of the few countries in Africa that has achieved middle income status,with per capita GDP of $4,000, thanks to a booming tourism sector and sound management and use of public resources.
In a recent interview with the African World, Cape Verde’s Ambassador to the United States, Maria Fatima Veiga, spoke about the many reforms the country has instituted to attract investors.
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Africa’s Longest Serving Leaders
In just a few months, three of Africa’s longest serving leaders have been forced out of office. The first was Ben Ali, who ruled Tunisia for 23 years. He was followed by Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, forced out of office after 30 years at the helm. Then there was Muammar Gaddafii of Libya, dethroned and killed after a 42-year reign.
Who are the other long serving rulers of Africa and what fate awaits them?
President of Ganbia Prepared to Rule for a Billion Years
Since taking power in a military coup in 1994, President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia has faced international criticisms for his suppression of opponents and his claim that he has found cures for various diseases, such as AIDS.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Jammeh offered a spirited defense of his rule, claiming that God willing, he will rule Gambia for a billion years, and those who do not like it can “go to hell.”
Watch Jammeh’s interview at the BBC:
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Refugees flee Mali in wake of Tuareg Rebellion
Opposition calls for boycott of Congolese Parliament
read more at the NY Times. . .
Demonstrators take on police in Senegal
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ANC upholds suspension of former Youth Leader, Julius Malema
read more at the NY Times. . .
Opposition in Senegal to present joint front against ruling party of President Wade in upcoming elections
Rise In Inequality Accompanies Increased Consumer Spending In Africa
Sharp increase in consumer spending breeding inflation that hurts the poor
More deaths in clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Egypt
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Africa’s Nouveau Riche On Spending Binge
Major brands opening stores in Africa to cater to growing middle class
Massive Loss of Lives From Boko Haram Attacks In Nigeria
Streets in northern state of Kano, epicenter of attacks, deserted
Islamist Parties Score Big In Parliamentary Elections In Egypt
Islamist parties on track to dominate post-Mubarak politics
Deputy Chief of Libya’s NTC Resigns
Resignation comes amid protests against government
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In creased Protests Against End of Fuel Subsidy in Nigeria
Tuesday saw huge demontrations against the government’s decision to end the popular subsidy
Uncertainty in Guinea Bissau Following Death of President
Cause of President’s Bacai Sanha Death Still Unknown
One Dead And Several Injured In Stampede At University In South Africa
Death and injuries said to underscore admission crisis at South African universities
read more at the NY Times. . .
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State of Emergency Declared in South Sudan
Declaration follows violent clases between rival ethnic groups.
Mubarak May Face Execution If Found Guilty
Prosecutors have asked the court to imposed the death penalty on the former Egyptian President and his two sons who are also on trial.
Reports from Kinshasha Say Several Killed In Attacks By Rebels
Attacks said to be worst in the DRC in recent months.
Egypt Halts Virginity Test in Military Prisons
Move c0mes after protest by jailed female demonstrator.
Nigerian Army Reportedly Kills More than 50 Members of Islamist Terrorist Group
More than 50 members of the Boko Haram Islamist Group that has killed scores of Nigerians were reportedly killed by the Nigerian Military in the north of the country on Thursday.
An African Takes Charge at the International Criminal Court
Fatou Bensouda, ICC Chief
At just 50, Fatou Bensouda of the Gambia has clearly reached the pinnacle of a trail blazing legal career with her recent appointment as Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court.
The appointment of Bensouda, who had previously served as Justice Minister in the government of Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, followed intensive lobbying on her behalf by the African Union, which wanted to see an African take the post. Bensouda replaces Louis Moreno-Ocampo of Argentina, who the African Union had strongly criticized for his alleged focus on prosecuting only African leaders.
As Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, which is based in The Hague, Bensouda will be responsible for investigating and prosecuting individuals—including former heads of state—for various crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
Read more at the BBC. . .
Liberia Votes: A Report from Monrovia
Liberians voted on October 11, 2011 in the first round of what were perhaps the most important elections in their country’s 164 year history–the VOA’s James Butty spoke to Sirleaf, her major rival, Winston Tubman of George Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change Party, and some voters in Monrovia.
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De Beers Moves Key Mining Operations from South Africa to Botswana
In a move signaling a converted push by African governments to add value to their raw exports, the diamond giant, De Beers SA, recently announced that it is moving an important sale unit to Botswana. The announcement by De Beers that it is moving its London-based rough diamond activities to Botswana means that the Southern African country will at least get an additional 150 diamond-related jobs in its capital, Gabarone.
Botswana is one of the world’s largest producers of diamonds, which the country mines and exports in partnership with De Beers. Diamonds has been the mainstay of the Botswana economy for well over three decades now.
Unlike many other African countries that have little to show from their export of critical raw materials, Botswana has used its diamond wealth to improve the living standards of its people and build a thriving middle income economy.The people of Botswana enjoy virtually free education– from kindergarten to college and graduate school–and quality health care.
Over the last several years, the country has moved to add value to its diamond exports. The Diamond Trading Company, DTC, based outside Gaborone, has been engaged for some time now in rough sorting of diamonds, something that had previously been done outside of Botswana.
Jacob Nkate (above), the former head of Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA), talks about efforts to add value to diamond exports and economic diversification.
Pivotal Elections In Liberia and Cameroon
They followed distinctly different paths over the last few decades— Liberia suffering years of civil war and strife with Cameroon enjoying relative stability. Both countries , however, recently held crucial elections that not only tested the staying power of incumbents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Paul Biya, but also set in place an inevitable transition to a new generation of leadership in Liberia and Cameroon.
Prior to the elections, Paul Ghogomu, Director of the Cabinet in the office of the Prime Minister of Cameroon and Fonkam Azu’u, Chairman of ELECAM (Cameroon Election Commission), talked to the African World about the elections and what they mean for Cameroon.
William Bull, a veteran Liberian diplomat, also talked to the African World about his country’s return to normalcy, the significance of the elections, and why they could signal the maturation of Liberia’s democracy.
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Black Libyans: Targets of Vengeful Attacks in Post Gaddafi Libya
Gaddafi is dead and NATO planes and drones have left the Libyan skies, but the fighting is not really over in Libya, particularly for Black Libyans perceived to have been supporters of Gaddafi. The literal “cleansing” of a town of 30,000 Black Libyans aptly illustrates the difficult task of bringing true peace and stability to Libya.