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Daily News on Issues Affecting Africa for October 1st

In the News 615w

Continue reading for a summary of recent news stories relating to some of the most pressing issues on the continent. We draw on a wide range of respected news sources, both from Africa itself and around the world. The themes of today's In the News post are:security changes in Kenya, military training in Libya, trade between African nations, the Ibrahim Index, World Bank support for Ethiopia, jailed protestors in Egypt and Mugabe in court.

Concern as Africa's top five states on Ibrahim index let things slide

Progress in human development and good governance has dipped in five African countries that have previously been among the continent's frontrunners, according to the annual Ibrahim index of African governance.Over the past five years, Botswana, Cape Verde, Mauritius, Seychelles and South Africa recorded lower scores in at least one category of the index, which measures overall government performance, safety and rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunities and human development.

To read more from The Guardian, click here

Egypt offers military training to Libya, cites Islamic State threat

Egypt has offered to train pro-government forces battling rival armed groups in Libya, stepping up efforts to eradicate what it says is a threat to its own stability from the anarchy engulfing its neighbor.The offer was the latest sign of intervention by competing Arab powers in Libya - a haven for Islamist militants and close to becoming a failed state - while Western governments are preoccupied with Iraq and Syria

To read more from Reuters, click here

Mauritius: Sugar cane sweetens trade with Ghana

Mauritius is venturing into new territory in mainland Africa to boost its economy. First it was Gabon, and now Mauritians have landed in Ghana, to exploit intra-African trade, business and investment opportunities, writes Nasseem Ackbarally from Port-Louis.

To read more from African Business, click here

Zimbabwe students drag Mugabe to court

Zimbabwe's main student body is dragging President Robert Mugabe to court over the awarding of a controversial doctorate of philosophy degree (PHD) to his wife Grace by the country's top university.The 49 year-old Grace was capped by the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) a fortnight ago alongside Vice President Joice Mujuru and a couple of government ministers.

To read more from The Africa Report, click here

Egypt court jails 68 pro-Morsi protesters

An Egyptian court has sentenced 68 people to up to 15 years in prison over protest clashes, in the latest mass sentencing of Muslim Brotherhood supporters.They were accused of taking part in street violence in October 2013 in which more than 50 demonstrators were shot dead in Cairo during clashes with police.

To read more from Aljazeera, click here

Ethiopia to Benefit from World Bank Support for Social Safety Net

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors on Tuesday approved a US$600 million credit to fund Ethiopia's social productive safety nets project.Ethiopia first ran the project in 2005 and the World Bank says the East African country has managed to score some commendable successes.

To read more from The Africa Report, click here

Security changes mark a sombre anniversary

A year after the Westgate Mall siege, President Kenyatta is reorganising the security services as Somali and local jihadists continue their attacks.The wide-ranging calls for a full inquiry into the handling of the attack by Al Haraka al Shabaab al Mujahideen on the Westgate Shopping Mall a year ago have been met with a confusing silence. Amid claims of debilitating inter-service rivalries, unheeded intelligence warnings and crass criminality by security officers, the public's concerns have been left unanswered (AC Vol 54 No 20, Shockwaves after the shoot-out). The government flatly rejected the idea of a public enquiry, like the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission). Nor, we hear, has it launched a far-reaching  internal investigation of what went wrong and why.

To read more from Africa Confidential, click here

Related Program

Africa Program

The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations.    Read more