African Press Agency

Africa to discuss strategies to boost agricultural development in Ethiopia
Close to 100 policymakers, researchers, and representatives from farmers' organizations, donor and development agencies, and the private sector are convening on 23-24 November for an Africa-wide conference to improve agricultural and rural development across the continent on Monday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. According to a press statement from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the event is organized by the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (...) - Food / CEDEAO, ETHIOPIE, Food, Agriculture, Scientifiques, Institutions

Profile of Murwanashyaka, arrested Rwandan militia leader
Murwanashyaka, 46, was born in Mugusa village of Huye district, Southern province on 14-05-1963. He has been a long-time resident of Germany, first arriving as a student in 1989. He then received a Ph.D. in economics and later married a German woman, APA details who this rebel leader is. In 2000, he applied and was granted status as a political refugee and has allegedly been receiving Euros 432 monthly as state support. He has been Head of the political wing and commander-in-chief of the (...) - Conflicts / COMESA, RWANDA, Belligerants, Rwanda, Diplomatiques

Over 30,000 participate in int'l race in Ethiopia
Some 33,000 runners participated in the 9th edition of the Great Ethiopian Run held on Sunday in the presence of runners from Kenya and other countries. The 9th edition of the Great Ethiopian Run, as in the past years, dominated by the Ethiopian athletes both in the men and women race. The annual great Ethiopian run is Africa's biggest road race, which helps Ethiopia to identify new athletics for its known athletics. The Great Run was initiated by Ethiopian famous athletes Haile (...) - Sports / Sports, COMESA, ETHIOPIE, Athletisme, Sportifs

Nigerian official denies death of pilgrim from flu
The head of the Nigerian Government medical team on Pilgrimage to Mecca, Dr Ibrahim Kana, has described as false a report that a Nigerian pilgrim died of swine flu in Saudi Arabia. Kana said in a statement on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that the report was untrue. A foreign news organisation had reported that four pilgrims had died of the virus, namely a Nigerian, Sudanese, Moroccan and an Indian. Kana said that although 10 Nigerians were quarantined for the virus, they were later (...) - Health / Health, CEDEAO, NIGERIA, Religions, Sociaux, Le Fil islamique

Gifts lure parents, children to accept immunization in northern Nigeria
Still exploring incentives that would make immunization attractive in the core North of Nigeria, health officials have resorted to giving soaps and candies to attract parents to present their children for immunization against the six deadly child killer diseases, APA learns here. The yearly immunization exercise which started in Damaturu, capital of Yobe State, North-East, met with brick stone until many parents who had earlier resisted the vaccines to be administered on their wards (...) - Health / Health, CEDEAO, NIGERIA, Sociaux, Prévention, Politiques

Zimbabwe inter-party talks to resume Sunday
Zimbabwe's inter-party talks are set to resume Sunday as the state media reported that the timeframe set by a regional security summit last month was not carved in stone. The state-run Sunday Mail said negotiators representing Zimbabwe's main political parties are expected to meet in Harare on Sunday for formal discussions aimed at ironing out sticking points around the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA). The meeting comes a day after the lapse of the 15-day (...) - Politics / Politics, SADC, ZIMBABWE, Reconciliation, Politiques, Zimbabwe

Eastern Africa Standby Brigade joint drills postponed
The Eastern African Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) military joint military exercises from member states earlier scheduled for between November 16 and 29 in Djibouti have been delayed, APA learns here on Sunday. According to the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) spokesperson, Maj. Jill Rutaremara, in an interview with APA, the exercise was postponed to sometime later this month. He however insisted that the Rwandan military contingent to be led by Lt. Col. Rugumya Gacinya, is ready and the airlifting (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, RWANDA

Germany to decide on fate of arrested militia leaders in three months
The case to determine the nature of the charges against the two top leaders of the Rwandan Interahamwe militia group operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo arrested last week in Germany will be re-examined in three months, APA learns here this Sunday. According to information availed to APA by Rwandan embassy source in Germany, the duo will remain in custody until next year after the prosecution has reportedly got through with their investigations against them. Murwanashyaka was (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, RWANDA

Rwanda names squad for orange Cecafa senior challenge cup
With Few days towards the start of the orange Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup to take place in Kenya, Rwanda ball federation, Ferwafa has named a 26-man team to start preparations, APA learns here this Sunday. The squad, according to Ferwafa officials, is youthful and home grown of U-23 players as well as a few players, who featured in the just concluded 2010 Nations' Cup qualifying campaign where Rwanda finished bottom of Group 3. The U-23 players will be used in the two-week long tournament (...) - Sports / Sports, RWANDA

Nigeria frowns at Kosovo's declaration of independence
Nigeria through its Foreign Affairs minister Ojo Maduekwe condemned Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia just as Serbia says Nigeria had more than oil and gas to offer the world at a joint news briefing with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic on Saturday in Abuja the federal capital. Kosovo's declaration of independence was made by members of Parliament in Pristina, its capital, in the Southern Province of Serbia on 17 February 2008. It was approved by a (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, CEDEAO, NIGERIA, Diplomatiques

50 TV channels cover Moroccan city weather forecast
More than 100 million viewers can now be informed about the weather of the Moroccan tourist resort town of Agadir in the south-west, with 50 channels providing this service as of Friday. The weather imagery of the Atlantic city, a major Moroccan tourist destination, was launched in partnership with 50 Arab and European audiovisual media, the second experiment of this kind in Africa after that of South Africa. The service will be provided by a camera fixed by a team of the German channel (...) - Business / Business, UMA, MAROC, Tourisme, Economiques

AU commission strives for gender policy implementation in all organs- Official
The head of the African Union Gender and Development directorate, Litha Musyami Ogana, said on Saturday in Banjul that since the adoption of the AU Gender Policy in January 2009, the AU Commission has been working very hard to ensure that the Policy is implemented as it provides a framework in gender mainstreaming in all AU organs. The director was addressing the delegates at the African Union (AU) ministers of Gender and Women's Affairs meeting being held in the Gambian capital. (...) - Gender / Gender, CEDEAO, GAMBIE, Development, Sociaux, UNION AFRICAINE

Indian military vessel to patrol Seychelles economic zone
The Seychelles government has decided to allow Indian warship to patrol its exclusive economic zone amid growing cases of piracy in the region, APA learns in the Seychellois capital, Victoria on Sunday. Official military sources indicate here that that the Indian government is sending the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Savitri to take part in the surveillance operations. The sources add that the ship is equipped with an armed helicopter and a group of marine commandos for possible action against (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, SEYCHELLES

Egyptian ambassador to Algeria returns home for consultation
Egyptian ambassador to Algeria Abdel Aziz Seif El-Nasr has returned home late on Saturday evening for consultation on the background of the recent reported violence against Egyptians in Sudan and Algeria, APA learns here. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry had summoned the Algerian Ambassador to Egypt on Thursday and informed his country's deep resentment over the attacks on Egyptian citizens. Meanwhile, Egypt Air has decided to form a technical committee to determine the size of damages and (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, Sports, COMESA, ALGERIE, EGYPTE, Football, Mondial 2010, Diplomatiques

Nigerians urge early preparations for Africa nations cup
With the announcement of the draws for the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) to be hosted by Angola in January 2010, Nigerian football administrators and football lovers are calling for early preparations for the tournament. A former Super Eagles coach, Paul Hamilton, said here that Nigeria's performance in the Africa Cup of Nations would depend on the team's preparations for the competition. "The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should ensure that preparations begin in earnest for the (...) - Sports / Sports, CEDEAO, NIGERIA, Football, Sportifs

Ugandans take lead in Rwanda golf open
Ugandan golf team Saturday took charge of the ongoing regional Rwanda open competitions in both amateur and professional categories at the Kigali Golf Club, APA notes here. Rwandan President Paul Kagame is expected to preside over the closing ceremony on Sunday. Vincent ‘Araali' Byamukama, 22, from Uganda continued with his one-man show at the Rwanda Air-sponsored Rwanda Open with a steady round of two-under 70 for an overall aggregate of 143 after two days of competition. (...) - Sports / Sports, COMESA, RWANDA, OUGANDA, golf, Sportifs

Nigerian govt declares two-day holidays to mark Eid el Kabir
The Nigerian government has declared Thursday and Friday next week as public holidays to mark the Muslim festival of EId-El-Kabir. A statement issued by the Assistant Director, Ministry of Interior, Mr Stephen Nelson, in Abuja on Friday, said that the Nigerian government through the Minister of Interior, Dr Shettima Mustafa, wishes all Nigerians at home and abroad a happy celebration. The statement advised all Muslims to use the period to reflect on the humility and teachings of Prophet (...) - Islam / Society, CEDEAO, NIGERIA, Religions, Sociaux, Le Fil islamique

BADEA grants $6mn to DR Congo for rehabilitation of schools
The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) will release $6 million for the rehabilitation of school infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the DRC government said following its Friday meeting. This agreement provides for the rehabilitation of 16 schools with 345 classrooms for the amount of 6 million dollars. The announcement of this funding agreement concluded in June was made after the visit earlier this week to Kinshasa of the Director General of Bedea, (...) - Education / Education, CEEAC, RD CONGO, Banques, Cooperation bilaterale

Moroccan police seize two tons of drugs in northern city
Moroccan authorities on Saturad announced the seizure of two tons of drugs from cannabis resin near the northern city of Larache while two drug traffickers were arrested. The quantity seized, one of the most important in the past two months, was cremated, an official said. Since the beginning of the year, nearly 190 tons of drugs were seized in the country compared to hardly 110 tons in 2008. Three major drug trafficking networks have been dismantled, involving dozens of people. In January, (...) - Society / Society, UMA, MAROC

Over 50 ships queuing to berth at Nigerian ports
About 51 ships, including 23 tankers are competing for berthing spaces at Nigeria's Lagos ports as activities at the ports attain the usual annual peak due to the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities in the country, APA learns on Saturday. The tankers are laden with kerosene, diesel, lubricating oil and petrol while the other 28 ships are laden with vehicles, general cargo, bulk cement, bulk sugar and fresh fish. Port operators said on Saturday in Lagos that the high ship (...) - Economy / Business, CEDEAO, NIGERIA, SERVICES, Consumption, Commerciaux

BADEA loans US$22,46 million to four African countries
The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) is due to provide US$22,46 million as loans to four African countries to finance development projects in their countries. BADEA said in statement released on Friday that the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa will sign four loan agreements on Monday in Cairo with four African countries, namely Senegal, Benin, Malawi and Niger with total value of US$22.46 million. The statement noted that BADEA will provide Senegal with US$ (...) - Economy / Business, COMESA, EGYPTE, Economiques, Le fil financier

Liberia launches nationwide yellow fever campaign
The Liberian health ministry on Saturday launched a week-long nationwide yellow fever campaign in the capital, Monrovia targeting three million of the nation's 3.4 million inhabitants. Speaking at the launch, Liberia's Minister of Health Dr. Walter Gwenigale called on all Liberians to take the vaccine which protects those who take it for ten years. He observed that yellow fever is a dangerous disease that kills, and that its victims usually bleed profusely from all parts of the body, (...) - Society / Society, LIBERIA

Egypt affirms importance of boosting ties with Nile basin countries
President Hosni Mubarak affirmed on Saturday that Egypt pays great importance to boosting ties with Nile basin countries. Mubarak said in an important political speech before the parliament's joint session “that we are confident in our ability to come together for a common vision based on cooperation, not competition, to serve interests of upstream countries and at the same time safeguard rights of Egypt and current uses of the water of the Nile”. He vowed that Egypt will be firm in dealing (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, EGYPTE

Spain donates $112 million to help fight hunger in Horn of Africa
Spain's Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Soraya Rodriguez Ramos, on Saturday announced a donation of €75 million (US$112m) to the United Nations World Food Programme in response to the critical hunger situation in the Horn of Africa. The announcement followed the UN's three-day World Summit on Food Security in the Italian capital and effectively doubles Spain's contributions to WFP. Rodriguez said Spain's Master Plan for Development highlighted the need to keep on giving, (...) - Humanity / KENYA, Humanity

Film Festival of Marrakech features 15 countries
Fifteen films representing fifteen nationalities will participate in the International Film Festival of Marrakech (FIFM), Morocco, scheduled to take place 4-12 December, organisers said Saturday. Eight of the 15 shortlisted films will be screened for the first time : Heliopolis by Ahmad Abdallah (Egypt), Leo's Room (El Cuarto De Leo) by Enrique Buchichio (Uruguay), Love & Rage by Morten Giese (Denmark), My Daughter by Charlotte Lim (Malaysia), Northless (Norteado) by Rigoberto Perezcano (...) - AFRICA PAGE / Culture, UMA, MAROC, Cinema, Festivals

AU Commission President, Ivorian leader discuss West African crises
The African Union Commission President, Jean Ping and President Laurent Gbagbo of Cote d'Ivoire on Friday discussed the crises that hit the West African region. “I came late to thank him for the support Cote d'Ivoire had brought to my application and then tried to discuss the subregional issues as a whole”, Ping said after meeting President Gbagbo. "You know the subregion is facing many problems. We took stock of the situation prevailing in the area” he said, adding that (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, COTE D'IVOIRE, English Headlines, UNION AFRICAINE

African gender ministers endorse declaration to empower women
The African Ministers Responsible for Gender and Women's Affairs late Friday evening in Banjul endorsed a declaration affirming their commitment to focus their actions on promoting the sustainable economic development of women. The ministers agreed to ensure and reinforce the rights of women and their right to access to timely and relevant information, training, credit, land and control of productive resources. According to the declaration, the ministers committed themselves to the economic (...) - Gender / Gender, GAMBIE

Abuja cultural carnival gets underway
The Abuja 2009 carnival on Saturday kicked off with the display of colors and excitement was evident among members of the participating contingents from Nigerian states, South Africa, Egypt and Ghana. Abuja residents lined the walk-ways along the carnival routes through Garki village, Area 1, festival road where it will terminate at Eagle square. All 36 states, excluding Ogun, participated in the carnival floats where each state showcased different colorful artistic and symbolic (...) - CULTURE PAGE / NIGERIA

Zimbabwe : Talks to resolve power sharing dispute fail to take place
Zimbabwe's main political parties have failed to meet for talks to resolve the country's power-sharing dispute amid revelations that some of the negotiators had snubbed the negotiations and travelled abroad, APA learns here Saturday. The delay in convening a meeting of negotiators from ZANU PF of President Robert Mugabe and the rival factions of the former opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) saw the negotiators missing Saturday's deadline set by the Southern African Development (...) - Politics / Politics, ZIMBABWE

Swine flu cases soar in Morocco, more than 1,100 cases reported
The number of people infected with influenza A/H1N1 virus in Morocco has reached 1101 after 29 new cases were reported, official source said. Among the new infected we have 582 students, the Moroccan Ministry of Health said reassuring that the diagnosed cases are submitted to home therapy with regular monitoring by health services. On Monday, the first case of death due to influenza A/H1N1 was declared in the country a 23 years old boy suffering from pleuro-pulmonary infection. Three (...) - AFRICA PAGE / MAROC

Zimbabwe music icon appointed cultural ambassador by US charity group
Zimbabwean music superstar, Oliver Mtukudzi has been honored with a cultural ambassador award in San Diego in the United States in recognition of his contribution to the fight against HIV and AIDS, a private radio station reported Saturday. Radio VOP said the award is sponsored by Project Concern International, a charity group that works in Botswana, Ethiopia, Malawi,Tanzania, South Africa and Zambia where it funds community projects for people living with HIV/AIDS and other communicable (...) - CULTURE PAGE / ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe records biggest jump in Africa in FIFA world rankings
Zimbabwe's senior soccer team has climbed 23 places on the latest FIFA world rankings, thanks to its impressive run in the COSAFA regional challenge which the country won this month. The Zimbabwe Warriors were ranked the 108th best team in the world for October, according to the latest FIFA rankings released Saturday. The country was previously ranked 131 in September. The Warriors recorded the biggest jump among African countries, followed by the Comoros which leapt 21 places to 178th in (...) - Sports / Sports, ZIMBABWE

Nigerian Insurance body eyes Uganda's micro-insurance success
The Director-General of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr Adegboyega Adepegba, said on Saturday in Lagos that the success in micro-insurance in Uganda could be replicated in Nigeria. Adepegba said the institute's 2009 education seminar for managers and marketing executives would focus on micro-insurance and that the success in India, Bolivia, Bangladesh and Uganda command significant attention for developing countries where its replication will serve similar market (...) - Business / Business, NIGERIA

Former Ghanaian leader vows to champion children rights
Former Ghanaian President John Kuffour has vowed to champion the rights of children to adequate food supplies in an effort to ensure that the young generation in food insecure nations have a bright future, local media reported on Saturday. The former President said that there was need to target children specifically when addressing the food crisis in these nations saying that nurturing children ensure continued existence of communities. Kuffour who is now a World Food Programme (WFP) global (...) - Society / Society, GHANA, KENYA

Kenya to build modern standard gauge railway line
The Kenyan Railways announced on Saturday that it has begun the process of building a modern high capacity Standard Gauge railway line for Kenya. This follows a Request For Proposals (RFP) for a Transaction Adviser in a paid-up International Tender advertisement released by the Corporation on September 8 in the local and international press. This was announced by the Managing Director of Kenya Railways Corporation Nduva Muli, at a Press Conference held at the Kenya Railways Headquarters. (...) - Communication / KENYA, Communication

Rwanda genocide survivors denounce UN court, plan boycott
Following last week's release of two top 1994 genocide suspects by the United nations Crimes Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha, hundreds of Rwandan genocide Survivors on Saturday held peaceful demonstrations across the country, hinting at the possibility of boycotting future court proceeding, APA learns here. During one of the demonstrations in Kigali, the 1994 genocide survivors under their umbrella organization, IBUKA called on the government to stop sending witnesses to the UN (...) - Society / Society, RWANDA

Nigerian football federation grooms players for U-17 team
A member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Stephen Gyebgon, says the federation is grooming the current U-13 players to represent Nigeria in the next edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup tournament. Gyebgon told journalists on Friday in Abuja that the move would ensure early preparation for the tournament, scheduled for Mexico in 2011. ``Our plan is to set out on time to assemble players to ensure that we have ample time to prepare them for the championship,'' he said. According to (...) - Sports / Sports, NIGERIA

Nigeria's Lagos State gov't steps up surveillance on swine flu
The Lagos State Government in south-western Nigeria has stepped up its surveillance programme on swine flu. The Director of Disease Control in the Ministry of Health, Dr Olufemi Taiwo, said at one-day training for some members of its Epidemic Rapid Response (ERR) team at the Lagos General Hospital that the ERR team was established to monitor activities at the general hospitals and health centres in local government areas. ``We are training our rapid response team to be more informed about (...) - AFRICA PAGE / NIGERIA

World Bank organizes seminar on Climate Change for Nigerian youths
The World Bank Institute is to hold a one-day seminar on Climate Change for 100 youths across Nigeria, an official of the institute has said. Ms Habiba Gitay, the Climate Change Environmentalist of the Institute, told journalists on Friday in Abuja that the seminar would focus on building the knowledge of participants representing youth NGOs on Climate Change. The seminar will also enlighten them on what action is required, she said. According to her, the seminar will also focus on (...) - ENVIRONMENT PAGE / NIGERIA

Nigerian state receives $14.3 million from World Bank to fight HIV/AIDS
The World Bank says it has earmarked US$14.3 million for the reduction of HIV and AIDS infection in Bauchi State in northern Nigeria. Dr Benjamin Loerewensohn, the leader of the World Bank delegation who visited the governor of Bauchi State in northern Nigeria, Mallam Isa Yuguda in Bauchi on Friday, said that part of the money would also go into tackling tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases. He said that the bank spent US$9.7 million last year and another US$4.6 million this year, for (...) - AFRICA PAGE / NIGERIA

Ugandan President urges EAC to Invest in oil exploration
Uganda leader, Yoweri Museveni on Friday urged East African countries to invest in oil exploration because there are high prospects with more reserves in the region. He made the comments as he addressedthe 11th ordinary summit of the East African community soon after ratifying a protocol establishing the regions common market at the Arusha International conference centre yesterday. The President gave an example of Uganda where oil has been discovered in the western part of the rift valley (...) - Raw Materials / OUGANDA, Raw Materials

Rwandan court jails ex-minister for corruption
Rwandan court Friday evening sentenced former state minister for primary and higher education Theoneste Mutsindashyaka, to one year imprisonment for flouting tendering procedures, APA notes here this Saturday. The court also ordered the former powerful minister to pay a fine of Frw500, 000 ($880). Mutsindashyaka who was dropped from cabinet this year for several alleged corruption charges when he was the governor of the eastern province, was last Tuesday arrested and charged in court for (...) - Society / Society, RWANDA

Rwanda moves four places in FIFA rankings
Rwanda's soccer has improved in the last few months, according to the latest rankings by the World Football Governing body (FIFA) released from Zurich Switzerland, putting Rwanda at 110th position, moving up four places, APA learns here this Saturday. The results are contrary to local soccer pundits' predictions that the country would drop after enduring an indifferent run in the qualifying campaign of the 2010 Africa Nations Cup in Angola. Rwanda, who needed a 2-0 goal margin to play in (...) - Sports / Sports, RWANDA

Rwandan cycling team performs poorly in competition
Rwandan cycling team's performance at the ongoing Tour of Rwanda is heading for tough times as Moroccans continue to exhibit their riding superiority after Day Five Friday, APA notes here. Riding from Huye, Southern Rwanda to Kigali (134km), four-time champion Abraham Ruhumuriza and defending champion Adrien Niyonshuti clocked 3 hours, 29 minutes and 56 seconds to finish 8th and 9th respectively. It was the first time the team had failed to field a cyclist in the top six since the start (...) - Sports / Sports, RWANDA

Amnesty International welcomes Germany arrest of top Rwandan militias
The International rights watchdog, Amnesty International has welcomed the arrest by the German authorities of top Rwandan militias whose rebel forces in DR Congo are accused of committing several human rights violations that include the 1994 genocide, APA notes here this Saturday. German law enforcement officers this week arrested Ignace Murwanashyaka, President of the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR), and his deputy, Straton Musoni, a move that has also been welcomed (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, RWANDA

Seychelles economy hit hard by piracy, UN Security Council told
Ronny Jumeau, Seychelles ambassador to United Nations has told the Security Council that piracy in the Indian Ocean is severely hitting Seychelles' economy, APA learns in the Seychellois capital Victoria on Saturday. Jumeau who was speaking at the Security council session dedicated to piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia said that peace will not return to the Indian Ocean nor will tranquility return to Seychelles until there is peace in Somalia. Seychelles, though severely (...) - AFRICA PAGE / SEYCHELLES

Nigeria calls for Serbia's support to fight corruption
Irked by the recent rating of Transparency International which ranks Nigeria as still very corrupt, the government on Friday called for a collaboration with the Republic of Serbia in the fight against corruption. Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Yayale Ahmed, who received the Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister, Vuk Jeremic, in Abuja expressed the country's willingness to collaborate with Serbia in promoting the transparency and general wellbeing of the people. He called for (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, NIGERIA

Egypt, South Africa joins Nigeria for Abuja carnival
Contingents from Egypt, Ghana and South Africa have joined those from the 27 of the 36 states in Nigeria in Abuja to start on Saturday, the four-day Abuja carnival organized to showcase the rich culture of the country as well as promote investment in tourism. APA has observed that all the major streets in the city are wearing a new look as many tourists from Africa, Europe and America were already in the city to savor the splendor of the ceremonies. Prof. Biaakare Zakare, (...) - CULTURE PAGE / NIGERIA

Mauritius to host COMESA Infrastructure fund headquarters
Mauritius will host the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Infrastructure Fund following a decision of the managing committee of this regional organization, APA learns in the Mauritian capital Port Louis on Saturday. Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Rama Sithanen who announced the news here declared that the decision is a proof of the trust that COMESA has in Mauritius. Sithanen added that the Fund has been instituted for the development of infrastructures in (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, MAURICE

33'rd Cairo International Film Festival session wraps up
The 33'rd Cairo International Film Festival session wrapped up late Friday night by distributing prizes in a colorful celebration at Cairo opera house . The Prize for the Best Director went to the Director : Mona Achache For her film : The Hedgehog produced by Les Films des Tournelles(France). Her outstanding debut work showed a mastery of the medium, sensitivity and a remarkably a clear vision. The Prize for the Best Actor was shared between two Actors, Indian actor Subrat Dutta and the (...) - CULTURE PAGE / EGYPTE

Nigeria to supply gas to three ECOWAS member states
Nigeria promised that gas would be transported from the oil rich Niger Delta to Benin, Togo and Ghana by 2010 at the 63rd session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers which opened on Friday in Abuja. The Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Nigeria's Foreign minister Ojo Maduekwe, who spoke at the opening said “barring any unforeseen developments, gas will be transported to these countries.'' “Thanks in part to the successful Amnesty Programme embarked (...) - Raw Materials / Diplomacy, CEDEAO, NIGERIA, Matieres Premieres, Diplomatiques

Russia proposes int'l criminal tribunal to combat piracy off Somali coasts
The possible creation of an international criminal tribunal will help combat piracy off the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said, APA learnt in Moscow on Friday. Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, proposes formulating coordinated counter-measures in this area, including the establishment of a special criminal tribunal on piracy, Medvedev said at a meeting with Transport ministers from a number of foreign countries in (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, SOMALIE, Diplomatiques, RUSSIE, DIASPORA

2010 CAN promises exciting fixtures
The 27th edition of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) opening match will be played on 10 January 2010 in Luanda, between the host country Angola and Mali, according to the drawing lots for the competition which took place Friday in the Angolan capital. Group A to be lodged in Luanda includes Mali, Angola, Malawi, which records its second participation in the CAN, 25 years after the first one, and Algeria, a former winner of the competition crowned with its new status as it qualified for the (...) - Sports / Sports, CEEAC, ANGOLA, Football, Sportifs

EC assists Nigeria with €677 million for development
The European Commission on Friday signed a 677 million Euro agreement that aims to help Nigeria tackle development challenges in the areas of governance, trade and peace for the period 2009 – 2013. The agreement was signed in Brussels by European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Karel De Gucht, and by Nigeria's Executive Secretary of the National Planning Commission, Prof. Sylvester Monye. According to a statement to APA in Abuja by the Commission's Press (...) - Development / Business, Diplomacy, CEDEAO, NIGERIA, Development, Economiques, UE

UK reacts as Somali pirates threaten to kill kidnapped British couple
The United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth office Friday issued a statement after ‘impatient Somali pirates gave kidnapped British yacht couple 'one week to live'. The government's reaction follows another desperate call by Paul and Rachel Chandler, the British couple kidnapped by Somali pirates, revealing their captors were 'losing patience' and they could be killed within a week. The Foreign office described as distressful a video footage over London-based Channel 4 TV News, (...) - Conflicts / Society, SOMALIE, USA, Impunite, Somalie, Diplomatiques, DIASPORA

Nigeriens divided over venue of next talks
Consultations have come against a stumbling block about the determination of the venue of the nexts steps of the dialogue between the government and the opposition in the context of mediation initiated by former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdul Salami Abubakar, appointed by the ECOWAS to resolve the crisis arising from the adoption of a new constitution in Niger, APA learns Friday from corroborating sources. The ECOWAS mediator who arrived in Niamey on Tuesday has multiplied (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, CEDEAO, NIGER, English Headlines, Diplomatiques

IFC vice president to visit Liberia
The vice president of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for Sub-Saharan Africa, Thierry Tanoh, will visit Liberia in 22 and 23 November, APA learns here Friday. According to a press statement issued in Monrovia Friday, the visit of Ivorian national Tanoh is meant to highlight the support IFC provides for Liberia's development through the private sector, encourage increased cooperation among development partners, and support elimination of barriers to economic growth. (...) - Economy / Business, Diplomacy, CEDEAO, LIBERIA, Institutions, Economiques

Egypt urges Algeria to protect nationals, interests
Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit told his Algerian counterpart Murad Medelci, on Friday during a phone call, his country's total rejection of attacks against Egyptian fans in Sudan, and Egyptian interests and businesses in Algeria before and following the 2010 World Cup qualification play-off match in Sudan on Wednesday. The Egyptian foreign minister urged again the Algerian government to protect Egypt's businesses and provide security to Egyptian workers and community (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, Sports, COMESA, ALGERIE, EGYPTE, Football, Mondial 2010, Sportifs

ECOWAS records success in ratification of arms, weapons convention
The move to control movement of small arms and light weapons has recored a success as nine out of the 15 members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have deposited their instrument of ratification of the convention. Since the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and Other Related Materials was adopted on 14 June 2006 in Abuja by the Authority of heads of state and government. Benin was first to ratify the convention. The president of (...) - Integration / Diplomacy, CEDEAO, NIGERIA, Integration, Diplomatiques, CEDEAO

14 candidates to run for Ivorian presidency
Fourteen candidates including incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and his two main opponents Aime Henri Konan Bedie and Alassane Ouattara have been definitively selected by the Constitutional Council for the next Ivorian presidential election, announced on Friday Paul Yao N'dré, the chairperson of this institution, as he delivered a statement. “Considering that the following candidates, Akoto Yao Felix, Anaky Kobenan Innocent Augustin, Bedie Konan Aime Henri, Enoh Aka (...) - Politics / Politics, CEDEAO, COTE D'IVOIRE, A la Une, Transition, Cote d Ivoire, Presidentielle, Politiques

7th Lome International Trade Fair kicks off
The 7th Lome International Trade Fair opened on Friday at the Togo Exhibition Center (CETEF), APA notes here. The Togolese head of state Faure Gnassingbe cut the symbolic ribbon at the opening ceremony of this fun fair which puts together over 550 exhibitors from 16 countries namely, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, Syria and Turkey. According to Guy Madje Lorenzo, the Togolese Trade (...) - Business / Business, CEDEAO, TOGO, Foires et Salons, Commerciaux

Rwanda hands over EAC chairmanship to Tanzania
The Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who has been the chairman of the East African Community (EAC) for more than one year, has this Friday in Arusha, Tanzania handed over the regional leadership mantle to his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete at the 11th EAC summit in Arusha, APA learns from the state-owned radio in Kigali. Kikwete was elected as the new EAC Chairperson by leaders from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda replacing Kagame. In his hand-over speech, President Kagame (...) - Integration / Diplomacy, CEEAC, RWANDA, Integration, Diplomatiques, CEEAC

UN official harps on ECA repositioning to respond to specific African needs
The UN under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Abdoulie Janneh, said the ECA was repositioned to respond to the specific needs of the continent. He explained that the repositioning was underscored by a strategic orientation by way of harnessing regional resources to respond to Africa's development needs endorsed here in Banjul at the 2006 AU summit. Janneh, who was speaking Thursday at the Beijing + 15 conference at Kairaba Beach (...) - Development / Gender, Politics, CEDEAO, GAMBIE, Development, Economiques, UNION AFRICAINE, Nations Unies

Angolan capital hosts drawing lots of 2010 African nations cup
The football teams to take part in the 27th edition of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) scheduled from 10 to 31st January 2010 in Angola are divided into four groups by drawing lots on Friday in Luanda : Group A (Luanda) : Angola, Malawi, Algeria, Mali Group B (Cabinda) : Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina, Togo, Ghana Group C (Benguela) : Egypt, Mozambique, Nigeria, Benin Group D (Lubango) : Cameroon, Gabon, Tunisia, (...) - Sports / Sports, CEEAC, ANGOLA, Football, une football, une sport, Sportifs

Individuals plan to bring trouble to Guinea-Minister
The Guinean minister of Territory administration and Political affairs, Mr. Frédérique Kolié, said that some individuals are planning to bring trouble to Guinea on 22 November, which marks the anniversary of the Portuguese attack against Guinea in 1970. “Some ill-intentioned people held a meeting again in Wanindara in the district of Ratoma in Conakry, in order to plan the disturbance of the public order throughout the whole territory on 22 November 2009 marking the anniversary of the (...) - Politics / Politics, CEDEAO, Impunite, Politiques, Guinea

EAC leaders sign common market treaty to spur new integration phase
Leaders from the East African Community (EAC) have finally endorsed the much waited Common Market Protocol on Friday in Arusha, Tanzania, spurring a new fundamental phase of regional integration, APA learns here. The signing of the treaty that allows more freedom of goods and services within the 120 million market, by the five heads of State from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi has put to rest the myth that has done the rounds over whether or not the Protocol will be signed. (...) - Integration / RWANDA, Integration

2010 State of the World's Children report launched in Lesotho
The 2010 report on the State of the World's Children was officially launched in Maseru on Friday to mark the 20th anniversary of the UN General Assembly's adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Lesao Lehohla performed the official launch in the presence of the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Mpeo Mahase-Moila, and United Nations officials. The report highlights progress achieved in reaching out to children who are (...) - Gender / Gender, LESOTHO

World court needed to fight pirates : Russian president
The possible creation of an international criminal tribunal will help combat piracy in the waters off the Horn of Africa, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in Moscow on Friday. "Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, proposes formulating coordinated counter-measures in this area, including the establishment of a special criminal tribunal on piracy," Medvedev said at a meeting with transport ministers from a number of foreign countries in the Russian capital. (...) - Society / Society, SOMALIE

Gambia records 80% FMG prevalence despite widespread campaign
The Report of the Gambia on the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa launched at the Sheraton Hotel in Banjul revealed that despite all the sensitization activities carried out by gender activists in the country, the prevalence rate of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is reported to be at 80 % in The Gambia. The report launched on late Thursday evening adds that the Constitutional Provisions in the Gambian Constitution sanctioning the application of customary laws continues to (...) - Gender / Gender, CEDEAO, GAMBIE, Humanity, Sociaux

Denmark has invited war crimes suspect Bashir to climate change summit : Amnesty
The Danish government had invited Sudanese President al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in his western region of Darfur, to attend a meeting in Copenhagen on climate change in December, according to the UK-based Amnesty International Friday. But “Denmark needs to make it clear that it will arrest President al-Bashir if he travels to Copenhagen,” Christopher Keith Hall, senior legal adviser at Amnesty (...) - Politics / Politics, SOUDAN

Zimbabwe to overhaul voters' roll : Minister
Zimbabwe's co-Home Affairs Minister Giles Mutsekwa on Friday said that the coalition government was looking for technical expertise and financial resources to overhaul the country's voters' roll which is said to be in shambles. Mutsekwa said the new regime in Harare was looking for funds to sponsor the exercise which would include the recruitment of a team of qualified personnel who would go through the voters' roll to weed out invalid names due to various reasons such as deaths. “I have (...) - Election / ZIMBABWE

Report shows significant gender dimension to poverty in Gambia
The Progress Report of the Gambia on the Implementation of the Africa and Beijing Platform for Action and Review Report for Beijing + 15 states on Friday in Banjul that there is still a significant gender dimension to poverty in The Gambia as 63% of female headed households fall below the poverty line compared to 48.2 % of male headed households. The report that is issued to the press on Friday at the Africa Regional Conference on Women currently underway at the Kairaba beach hotel in (...) - Gender / Gender, CEDEAO, GAMBIE, Development, Humanity, Sociaux

World Bank VP for Africa on official visit to Kenya
The World Bank Vice President of the Africa Region, Ms. Ezekwesili will be in Kenya for four days starting November 22. This will be her second visit to Kenya, following on her first visit in December 2008. Ms. Ezekwesili will consult with senior Government officials and a wide cross-section of Kenyans on the World Bank's new Country Partnership Strategy for Kenya due to be launched next year. She will listen to the development challenges facing Kenya and explore avenues for strengthening (...) - Diplomacy

Police question newspaper editor in Chad
The editor of the private newspaper, Notre Temps, Nadjikimo Benoudjita was questioned Thursday in N'Djamana by the crime squad of the criminal police, corroborating sources told APA. The questioning of the head of the Association of Private Press Editors in Chad, Benoudjita followed a complaint of the Minister of Infrastructure, Adoum Younousmi considered as the number two of the government . In its last publication, the newspaper Notre Temps wondered why Adoum Younousmi suspected (...) - Media / Society, CEEAC, TCHAD, Communication, Sociaux

Experts, decision makers discuss “Migrations and Globalisation” in Dakar
Human movements are at the centre of African societies' dynamics, the minister in charge of Senegalese living overseas, Sada Ndiaye, said on Wednesday at the opening in Dakar of an international conference on “Migrations and Globalisation : Present and Future Challenges.” According to Mr. Ndiaye, the present stakes and future challenges posed by the ‘migration and globalisation' binomial concern all stakeholders involved in migration issues i.e. the State, the (...) - Migrations / Society, CEDEAO, SENEGAL, Migrations, Sociaux

Africa requires over 900 aircrafts worth over $ 1billion, says Airbus
Africa requires around 960 aircrafts between 2009 and 2028, worth $ 112 billion to satisfy world average demand for air travel, a leading aircraft manufacturer based in France, Airbus forecasted in its latest report on Friday. “The region's requirement for both passengers and freighter aircraft includes 640 single aisles such the A320 Family,279 twin aisles such as the A 350XWB and the world's best selling long range A330/A340 Family, and 40 very large aircraft such as A380,” said Airbus. (...) - Communication / ETHIOPIE, Communication

U.S to promote democracy in Nigeria –Envoy
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Robin Sanders, has assured Nigerians that the U.S. would support Nigeria in promoting democratic values at all levels of government. Speaking at the 30th Hubert Humphrey Fellowship anniversary lecture on Thursday in Lagos, Sanders said the U.S. was prepared to encourage good governance, transparency, integrity, hold transparent election as well as fight corruption with the cooperation of civil societies and the press. She said building democratic (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, CEDEAO, NIGERIA, USA, Diplomatiques

Mauritanian MPs discuss reproductive health
Mauritanian MPs have been discussing since Thursday morning details of the implementation of decisions and recommendations of the Parliamentarians conference on population held in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) in October, APA noted in Nouakchott. During this conference, Parliamentarians had committed themselves to « work for the well-being of populations and to improve their living conditions ». Opening the meeting, MP Babah Ould Ahmed Babou chairman of the Mauritanian Parliamentarian Network (...) - Health / Health, Social, UMA, MAURITANIE, Sociaux, Politiques

Gambian VP calls for African-inspired women empowerment
The African culture has all the requisite value and value systems, principles and precepts to draw on for peaceful co-existence, partnership, and female empowerment, said Gambian Vice President and Women's Affairs minister Isatou Njie Saidy at the Africa Regional Conference on Women currently underway in Banjul. Presenting a paper on Thursday on behalf of President Yahya Jammeh, vice president Njie Saidy averred that “one of the factors that continue to dissipate our efforts is (...) - Gender / Gender, CEDEAO, GAMBIE, Humanity, Sociaux

Kenya hosts conference on promotion of rule of law in Eastern Africa
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Regional Office for Eastern Africa, jointly with the Kenyan government is organizing a two-day regional ministerial conference on “Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in Eastern Africa,” from November 23-24. Thirteen countries in the region are expected to discuss and politically endorse the draft Regional Programme “Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in Eastern Africa. The countries are Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, KENYA

Nigeria considers closing 10 foreign missions-Official
The Chairman of Nigeria's Presidential Advisory Committee on Foreign Affairs, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, said that the Nigerian Government considers close down 10 of the country's foreign missions out of the 102 existing ones, media reports reveal here. Speaking on the state-owned international radio “Voice of Nigeria” (VON)'s Global Guest programme on Thursday in Lagos, Anyaoku said the decision to shut down the missions was contained in the committee's report (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, Politics, CEDEAO, NIGERIA, Diplomatiques

AU chair outlines CEDAW impact on African women
The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Jean Ping, has in a statement issued in Banjul indicated that many African countries have undertaken legal reforms at national level to ensure that the national legislations conform to the provisions in the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The statement was issued to the press on Thursday at the Africa Regional Conference on Women currently underway in the Gambian capital. According (...) - Gender / Gender, CEDEAO, English Headlines, GAMBIE, Humanity, Sociaux, UNION AFRICAINE

Ireland grants UNICEF funds for nutrition activities in Malawi
Ireland on Friday granted over 1.6 million euros to Malawi, through the UN International Children's Educational Fund (UNICEF), to improve nutrition in-take during the year starting from November 2009. The support is directed at three government priority areas of treatment of acute malnutrition, finalising preparations for the implementation of National Vitamin A Fortification Programme and Intensification of Nutrition Education which are under Malawi's National Nutrition Policy and Strategy (...) - ENVIRONMENT PAGE / MALAWI

Transparency International says Liberia making progress on corruption
A global survey carried out by Transparency International (TI) indicates that the Government of Liberia is gaining grounds in its fight against corruption, APA learns here. In its release, TI put Liberia at number 13 in 2009 out of 47 countries in sub-Saharan Africa compared to 30th place in 2008. This indicates that Liberia's ranking on the Transparency International 2009 Corruption Perception index has improved by 42 places, a ranking of 97 out of 180 in 2008. “This is an indication that (...) - Business / Business, LIBERIA

Nigerian House orders gov't to ensure Cameroon's compliance in Bakassi
Following reports of frequent attacks on Nigerians living in the Bakassi Peninsula by Cameroonian gendarmes, Nigeria's House of Representatives meeting Friday in Abuja urged the government to ensure that Cameroon honoured the provisions of the Green Tree Agreement (GTA) on the peninsula. Nigeria ceded the peninsula to Cameroon in compliance with the judgment of the International Court of Justice in spite of nationwide condemnation of the government's action. It was agreed that both (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, NIGERIA

Lesotho Prime Minister offers advice to envoys in Maseru
Lesotho Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili has reminded his abroad-based envoys that they should always serve their nation with integrity, responsibility and passion for the benefit of the Basotho (people). Addressing the envoys in Maseru on Thursday as part of their two-week home consultation meetings, the Prime Minister said it was important for the diplomats to return home to renew their mandates as well as to report back to government on their activities abroad. Talking about the (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, LESOTHO

EU condemns executions by stoning in Somalia
The European Union has condemned the recent executions by stoning in Al Shabab-controlled areas of Somalia, including of a woman accused of adultery, close to the town of Wajid, and of Abas Hussein Abdirahman, in the town of Merka. The European Union has reiterated that it's opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances and regrets the continued occurrence of executions in Somalia. “Execution by stoning is a particularly cruel and inhuman form of punishment,” noted a statement issued in (...) - Society / Society, SOMALIE, KENYA

Malawi president urged to change issues of education in Africa
The Africa Network on Campaign for Education For All (ANCEFA), a regional network working with national education coalitions in Africa, has urged Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika to help change the way the African Union (AU) was addressing issues of education Africa. Speaking in the capital Lilongwe on Friday, ANCEFA Policy Reasearch and Documentation Officer Limbani Nsapato said that Mutharika should use his capacity as an AU member to change matters of education in African countries in (...) - Education / Education, MALAWI

EU praises Nigeria's dogged approach to child rights
As the world celebrates the 20th anniversary of the convention of the rights of the child, the Swedish Presidency of the European Union in Abuja on Friday praised Nigeria's dogged approach to ensuring a comprehensive implementation of the convention. A statement by the European Union said that although there were many challenges Nigerian children still faced, the “EU welcomes the progress made in the course of the 20 years since the convention was adopted.” “EU recognises that this (...) - Gender / Gender, NIGERIA

Germany unification celebrated in Maseru
The German embassy in Lesotho has celebrated the 19th anniversary of Germany's unification in the capital Maseru, and Foreign Affairs Mohlabi Tsekoa congratulated the Germans for their long journey and sacrifice by incorporating the once divided state into a Federal Republic of Germany. Tsekoa further expressed Lesotho's appreciation and gratitude to Germany over its long and sustainable support to this country. “Over the past years, Germany has contributed towards the development and (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, LESOTHO

Mauritius ranked 42nd in TI global corruption perception index
Mauritius holds the 42nd place in the Global Corruption Report 2009 of Transparency International, APA learns in the Mauritian capital Port Louis on Friday. Jacques de Navacelle, Executive Member of Transparency Mauritius (TM) indicated here that the island has scored 5.5 points in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) and that Mauritius has realised a medium performance. De Navacelle added that there has been no improvement from one year to the other though Mauritius boasts of all the (...) - Business / Business, MAURICE

Mauritius tables 2009/10 budget
Mauritius Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finances, Rama Sithanen has presented the 2009-2010 budget to Parliament prior to the general parliamentary elections scheduled to be held in July 2010, APA notes in the Mauritian capital Port Louis on Friday. Addressing the full house of Parliament here, Sithanen declared that the budget will consolidate the strategy that has been adopted to reform the economy and adjust the financial measures that had been previously announced so as to (...) - Economy / MAURICE

Zimbabwe PM to meet Libyan leader over dispute with Mugabe
Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai left Harare on Thursday for Morocco and Libya as he intensifies diplomatic pressure on his arch-rival President Robert Mugabe with whom he is locked in a power-sharing dispute. Tsvangirai said he would use a working visit to Morocco to garner North African support for his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) which last month threatened to pull out of a fragile power-sharing government with Mugabe unless the veteran leader agreed to equitably share (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, ZIMBABWE

Lesotho senators want borderline issue with SA settled
Members of the Lesotho Senate on Thursday encouraged the government to engage in bilateral talks with the government of South Africa to redress Lesotho “border injustices inherited from the apartheid era.” Addressing Senators at the Upper House of the Parliament on Thursday, former head of Lesotho's army and Senator Lieutenant General Makhula Mosakeng said during the apartheid era, South African farmers distorted the original boundaries between the two countries by (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, SADC, AFRIQUE DU SUD, LESOTHO, Diplomatiques

EAC leaders to launch customs union Friday
The leaders of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi will launch on Friday in Arusha, Tanzania the East African Customs Union and award medals to the negotiators who have made it possible for the East African countries to reach this step towards the formation of a monetary union and a political federation. According to the Kampala State House on Thursday, Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni will join other East African leaders in a number of ceremonies during which they will mark the 10th (...) - Integration / Diplomacy, COMESA, TANZANIE, OUGANDA, Integration, Diplomatiques, COMESA

Togo hosts 7th int'l trade fair
Some 550 exhibitors from several countries in the world are expected at the Lome 7th International Trade Fair which opens on Friday in the Togolese capital, APA learns here from an official source. The director of the Togo Exhibitions Center (CETEF) Kueku-Banka Johnson said during a press conference that exhibitors are from 16 countries namely, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, Syria and (...) - Business / Business, CEDEAO, TOGO, Foires et Salons, Commerciaux

Lebanese singer apologizes to Egyptians amid ‘lawsuit' over lyrics
The Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe is facing a lawsuit from black Egyptians after one of her songs referred to 'Nubian monkeys'. Official sources revealed here Thursday that Wehbe, considered one of the world's most beautiful women and a huge star in the Middle East, has apologized to Egypt's Nubian community for any offence she may have caused with the lyrics of her song Where is Daddy ? Her managers stated here Thursday that she said she had no idea of the racial connotations and that the (...) - Culture / Culture, EGYPTE, Culturels, Musique, DIASPORA

Lesotho marks end of world quality week
Lesotho marked the end of its World Quality Week in the capital, Maseru on Thursday, where the Minister of Trade Popane Lebesa said quality is essential to the success of every business. Briefing the media on the last day of World Quality Week, the Minister mentioned that manufacturers need to ensure quality in their production, as this can improve their bottom line whist also contributing towards job creation in the country. ”Quality is the highest level, which manufacturers or (...) - Business / Business, SADC, LESOTHO, Commerce, Commerciaux

Sierra Leone lobbies EU, others over £20 million emergency health scheme
Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma has made good use of his presence at the Donor Conference on Thursday in London to plead with the international community to intervene by funding his government's ambitious ‘New Health Plan'. In his key note speech to the Sierra Leone Investment and the donor community conference which opened in London Thursday, the Sierra Leonean leader unveiled his radical new scheme aimed at tackling his country's worsening health crisis (...) - Diplomacy / Diplomacy, CEDEAO, SIERRA LEONE, Development, ROYAUME UNI, Diplomatiques, Financiers

Two African journalists receive CPJ 2009 press freedom awards
Naziha Réjiba, editor of the Tunisian online news journal Kalima, and Mustafa Haji Abdinur, editor-in-chief of Radio Simba in Somalia are among the four recipients of the 2009 International Press Freedom Awards of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a CPJ press release said Thursday. CPJ gives the awards each year to courageous journalists working in dangerous and repressive circumstances. Describing state surveillance, Rejiba told reporters at the National Press Club in Washington (...) - Humanity / Society, TUNISIE, SOMALIE, Communication, Humanity, USA, Humanitaires, DIASPORA