December 7, 2012 News Round-Up

November 26 - December 3, 2012

AFRICAN INTERNAL RELATIONS

SAFPI: "South African investors eye Nigerian power sector" (November 28, 2012)
Some South African investors plan to invest in Nigeria's power sector, the former South African Minister of Power, Mr. Matthews Phosa, has said. Phosa, who is now the Treasurer  General of the ruling African National Congress, said this when he led a team of South African investors to a meeting with the Minister of State for Power, Mrs. Zainab Kushi, in Abuja on Tuesday. http://www.safpi.org/news/article/2012/south-african-investors-eye-nigerian-power-sector

RFI: "Le chef d'Etat somalien demande l'aide de l'Ethiopie pour créer un Etat fédéral solide" (November 29, 2012)
In Addis Ababa, the new Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, received for the first time, recently elected Somali President Sheikh Mohamoud Hassan. They showed their solidarity and the Somali head of state asked the help of his neighbor in the establishment of a federal state with strong, new Somali institutions. But the most important point, of course, was security and Ethiopia has ensured that its troops would not leave Somalia until the situation is permanently stabilized.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121129-le-chef-etat-somalien-demande-aide-ethiopie-creer-etat-federal-solide

allAfrica News: "Southern Africa: Hunger Season Bites Across Region as Millions Face Prospect of Food Shortages" (November 30, 2012)
Working with government and partners, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is scaling up efforts to deliver food assistance to more than 3.5 million people in drought-hit areas of southern Africa. Among the worst affected countries are Malawi, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211301198.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns

AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

allAfrica News: "Angola: Chinese and Brazilian Firms Building the New Angola" (November 27, 2012)
Today, 35 years later, it is the excesses and glaring contrasts that shock the visitor to this city in southwestern Africa. Shiny new cars on brand-new roads and highways lined by thousands of still-empty or half-built office buildings, apartment blocks and residential towers stand in sharp contrast to the sprawling slums around the city.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211281403.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns

RFI: "L'Union européenne va restituer les avoirs gelés à l'Egypte et à la Tunisie" (November 27, 2012)
"The funds diverted" by the former Egyptian and Tunisian leaders and frozen by the European Union at the time of the "Arab Spring" will be returned to the authorities of both countries, the EU announced on November 26, 2012. The amounts of these frozen assets have not been revealed but European ministers approved the new legislative framework that allows states to unlock them.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121127-union-europeenne-restituer-avoirs-geles-egypte-tunisie

VOA News: "Congo, Mali to Dominate US-AU Talks in Washington" (November 27, 2012)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and African Union chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma meet in Washington Wednesday for talks that are expected to focus on rebels in eastern Congo and terrorists in northern Mali.
http://www.voanews.com/content/congo-mali-to-dominate-us-au-talks-in-washington/1554220.html

Jeune Afrique: "Côte d'Ivoire: les verities de Bertrand Delanoë" (November 28, 2012)
During his visit to Côte d'Ivoire, from November 25 to 27 November, the Socialist mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, has articulated his grievances against those in power with Alassane Ouattara.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/ARTJAWEB20121128100337/laurent-gbagbo-francophonie-alassane-ouattara-abidjancote-d-ivoire-les-verites-de-bertrand-delanoe.html

SAFPI: "Africa urged to insist on developed countries' funding at climate talks" (November 28, 2012)
Dr. Victor Fodeke, Advisor on Climate Change at the African Union Commission, Addis Ababa Ethiopia, has urged African negotiators at the ongoing climate talks in Doha, Qatar to insist that developed countries honor their commitment to finance developing countries' climate change adaptation initiatives as prescribed by Ministers from some developing countries after a meeting in China last week, reports Bennett Oghifo.
http://www.safpi.org/news/article/2012/africa-urged-insist-developed-countries-funding-climate-talks

VOA News: "US, AU Want Action on Neutral Force for Rebel-Held Areas of Congo" (November 28, 2012)
The United States and the African Union want action on a neutral force to take charge of areas controlled by Congolese rebels near the border with Rwanda. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says Rwanda must help block support for that rebellion.
http://www.voanews.com/content/us-au-want-action-on-neutral-force-for-rebel-held-areas-of-congo/1554983.html

BBC News: "Mali crisis: UN's Ban gives AU mission guarded support" (November 29, 2012)
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has recommended conditional backing for a one-year African Union mission against Islamist militants in Mali.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20537247

BBC News: "UK stops £21m aid payment to Rwanda" (November 30, 2012)
The UK has suspended aid to Rwanda amid concerns about its role in the conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20553872

VOA News: "UNICEF Ambassador Tells Tragic Congo Tale" (November 30, 2012)
Since the 1990s, armed groups have come and gone in the eastern DRC, leaving human tragedy in their wake. Millions have died and many thousands have been raped. And there's no end in sight. UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow says the latest conflict involving M23 rebels is just another chapter in the region's brutal history.
http://www.voanews.com/content/drc-farrow-30nov12/1556007.html

ALGERIA

Jeune Afrique: "Élections locales: les Algériens ne se bousculent pas dans les bureau de vote" (November 29, 2012)
More than 21 million voters were expected on Thursday, November 29, in the country's polling stations to elect the members of the 1541 municipal popular assemblies (PCAs) and 48 wilayas to the Popular Assemblies (APW). Preliminary estimates from the Ministry of the Interior predict the national participation rate was 14% in mid-day.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/ARTJAWEB20121129120928/algerie-fln-rcd-abdelaziz-bouteflikaelections-locales-les-algeriens-ne-se-bousculent-pas-dans-les-bureaux-de-vote.html

BURKINA FASO

Jeune Afrique: "Burkina Faso: le premier de procès des mutineries s'ouvre à Ouagadougou" (November 28, 2012)
The first trial of more than 300 soldiers who mutinied between March and June 2011 in Burkina Faso, opened on Tuesday, November 27 in Ouagadougou.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/ARTJAWEB20121127174248/blaise-compaore-mutinerie-ouagadougou-burkina-fasoburkina-faso-le-premier-des-proces-des-mutineries-de-2011-s-ouvre-a-ouagadougou.html

RFI: "Burkina Faso: un scrutin test pour mesurer les nouveaux rapports de force politiques" (November 29, 2012)
Burkinabe voters go to the polls Sunday, December 2 for legislative and local elections. Few observers think that the domination of the CDP, the Congress for Democracy and Progress, the party of President Compaoré, can be challenged during these elections. But the next election will still test value.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121129-burkina-faso-compaore-ouagadougou-adf-rda-pds-metba-ouedraogo-hama-arba-diallo

CHAD

RFI: "Tchad: après 9 semaines de grève, le gouvernement blâme l'Union des syndicats" (November 28, 2012)
The voice of the Minister of Public Service, faced with a strike of workers in this sector that has lasted nine weeks, decided Tuesday, November 27, the government will unilaterally break all social agreements signed with the unions.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121128-tchad-gouvernement-union-syndicats-ndjamena-greve

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

Al Jazeera: "Ex-Ivorian leader's wife gets ICC warrant" (November 22, 2012)**
Simone Gbagbo accused by Hague-based court of being "alter ego" for husband in orchestrating deadly post-poll violence.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/11/2012112220516823610.html

Jeune Afrique: "Côte d'Ivoire : Ouattara prend (tout) le pouvoir" (November 30, 2012)
By appointing the head of government Kablan Daniel Duncan, a friend from the ranks of the PDCI, which was not necessarily the first choice of Henri Konan Bédié, the head of the Ivorian government gradually overcomes the influence of his allies.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/JA2707p010-012.xml0/guillaume-soro-henri-konan-bedie-pdci-alassane-dramane-ouattaracote-d-ivoire-ouattara-prend-tout-le-pouvoir.html

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

BBC News: "DR Congo: M23 rebels set conditions for Goma pullout" (November 27, 2012)
Rebel forces have set out conditions for their withdrawal from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Goma, which they captured last week.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-20506995

VOA News: "DRC Government Accuses M23 of Scores of Murders" (November 28, 2012)
The Democratic Republic of Congo's government has accused the M23 rebels of murdering more than 60 people and wounding more than 200 since they captured the city of Goma last week.  The United Nations says it can confirm there have been killings in Goma but cannot say who was responsible.
http://www.voanews.com/content/m23-to-leave-goma-rebel-chief-says/1554337.html

Al Jazeera: "Rebels begin withdrawal in eastern DR Congo" (November 29, 2012)
M23 spokesman says the group is doing a phased pullout from territory they have captured, starting south of Goma.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/11/2012112853843823929.html

VOA News: "M23 Rebels Withdraws From Eastern DRC Town" (November 30, 2012)
The M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo appear to be withdrawing from territory they seized last week around the city of Goma.  The rebels say they are pulling back to make way for political negotiations in accordance with a deal struck with the Congolese government.
http://www.voanews.com/content/congo-rebels-set-to-leave-goma-friday/1555855.html

CNN: "Armed men attack camp in eastern Congo after rebels pullout from captured city" (December 2, 2012)
Armed men attacked a displaced persons camp in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo early Sunday, raping women and looting at a facility where tens of thousands of people have taken refuge, a U.N. official said.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/02/world/africa/congo-unrest/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2

DJIBOUTI

allAfrica News: "Djibouti: Rising Food Insecurity Fuels Migration" (November 27, 2012)
Successive years of poor rains have eroded the coping mechanisms of pastoralists in Djibouti's rural regions, even as high food prices and unemployment rates afflict the country's urban areas. These factors are increasing the vulnerability to food insecurity and spurring migration.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211280425.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns

EGYPT

BBC News: "Egypt crisis: Mass rally held against Mohammed Mursi" (November 27, 2012)
Tens of thousands of people have held protests in Cairo against Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi, who last week granted himself sweeping new powers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20514011

BBC News: "Egypt assembly votes on constitution" (November 29, 2012)
The Islamist-dominated assembly writing a new Egyptian constitution has adopted the first part of the draft, including a measure keeping sharia, or Islamic law, as the main source of legislation.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20536323

ETHIOPIA

allAfrica News: "Ethiopia: Prime Minister Reshuffles Post-Zenawi Cabinet" (November 29, 2012)
Ethiopia's prime minister, Hailemariam Dessalegn, on Thursday reshuffled his cabinet; his first since he assumed power last September following the death of his predecessor, Meles Zenawi.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211300258.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns

GABON

RFI: "Gabon: onze partis d'opposition signent la charte de l'UFC" (November 27, 2012)
The presidents of eleven Gabonese opposition parties signed a joint charter officially launching the Union of Forces for Change (UFC), a coalition formed in early September. "The UN has not signed the charter for legal issues (the party being dissolved and cannot claim to be such), and in order not to give a pretext to the Minister of Interior to deny the UFC's charter. The UN has not signed but is a founding member," assured Zacharie Myboto. One of the main claims of the UFC is holding a national conference bringing together the opposition parties, the government and representatives of the civil society to draft a new constitution and organize the holding of general elections.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121127-gabon-onze-partis-opposition-scharte-ufc-maganga-moussavou-louis-gaston-mayila,

GUINEA BISSAU

Reuters: "Guinea-Bissau turmoil sparks cocaine and cashew crisis: U.N." (November 29, 2012)
Cocaine trafficking through drug hub Guinea Bissau is spreading unabated amid turmoil sparked by an April military coup that has slashed the West African country's key cashew crop and almost halved its economic growth.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/29/us-guinea-bissau-un-idUSBRE8AS1DS20121129

KENYA

BBC News: "Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto seek Kenyan alliance" (November 27, 2012)
Two former bitter political rivals in Kenya facing trial at the International Criminal Court, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, are negotiating an alliance for next year's election.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20511930

MADAGASCAR

RFI: "Madagascar: Marc Ravalomanana interdit de quitter son exil sud-africain
Six months of the presidential election in Madagascar, the situation is complicated for Marc Ravalomanana. Justice of South Africa, where he lived in exile since 2009, has once again been ban from leaving the country, a decision that could prevent his return to the Big Island, and therefore his participation in the upcoming elections.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121126-madagascar-marc-ravalomanana-interdit-quitter-exil-afrique-sud

MALI

Al Jazeera: "Al-Qaeda urges Mali to reject foreign troops" (November 29, 2012)
In a taped message, the head of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb warns Malians against "foreign invading crusaders."
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/11/20121128225040863715.html

Jeune Afrique: "Mali : Iyad Ag Ghali, renard du désert" (November 30, 2012)
So that intervention in northern Mali is accurate, the leader of Ansar Eddine forgoes his associations to AQIM, his once ally. Portrait of a Tuareg rebel, as cunning as pragmatic.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/JA2707p014-015.xml0/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+jeune_afrique_Politique+%28Jeune+Afrique+Politique%29

NIGERIA

allAfrica News: "Nigeria: Students Solve Power Shortages With Urine" (November 25, 2012)
Most Nigerians have to rely on generators because of the epileptic power supply. Many businesses have also closed down because they cannot afford to buy expensive fuel from the black market to power their generators. Faced with this problem, four teenagers from the Doregos Private Academy School in Lagos developed a generator powered by urine.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211260295.html

RWANDA

VOA News: "Rwanda's Military Battles Hutu Rebels" (November 27, 2012)
Rwandan military officials say Hutu extremists based in eastern Congo crossed into Rwanda on Tuesday and launched attacks on villages near the border.
http://www.voanews.com/content/rwanda_military_battles_hutu_rebels/1553762.html

Jeune Afrique: "Rwanda : Agathe Habyarimana, ex-première dame sans papiers" (November 29, 2012)
Paris was denied his asylum application but really does not want to extradite her to Rwanda. Kigali claims to have hold of "a damning dossier" on her responsibility in the genocide. http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/JA2706p024-031.xml6/france-justice-rwanda-huturwanda-agathe-habyarimana-ex-premiere-dame-sans-papiers.html

SENEGAL

RFI: "Sénégal: marche blanche contre les violences faites aux femmes" (November 28, 2012)
A demonstration called the Committee for the Fight against Violence against Women, which brings together women's organizations in Senegal, is a gathering of the national campaign that will last two weeks (beginning Sunday) for the prevention and elimination of violence.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121128-senegal-marche-blanche-contre-violences-faites-femmes

SIERRA LEONE

BBC News: "Sierra Leone's SLPP in boycott threat over poll results" (November 28, 2012)
Sierra Leone's main opposition has said it will boycott parliament and local councils unless its concerns about the recent elections are addressed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20523515

RFI: "Sierra Leone: le gouvernement prie l'opposition de ne pas boycotter les institutions" (November 30, 2012)
In Sierra Leone, the government has called on the opposition to reconsider its decision to boycott the institutions after the general elections on November 17. In fact, the People's Party of Sierra Leone (SLPP), the main opposition party, still disputes the results of these elections (presidential, legislative and municipal) and has decided not to send their elected representatives in Parliament. The SLPP also requested an independent international assessment of the electoral process, outcomes and democratic institutions.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121130-sierra-leone-le-gouvernement-prie-opposition-pas-boycotter-institutions

SOUTH AFRICA

Jeune Afrique: "Afrique du sud: une publicité brocardant Jaconb Zuma censurée par la télévision publique" (November 28, 2012)
Satirical commercials for - even gently - President Jacob Zuma have no place on the public television network in South Africa (SABC). The supply chain Fish and Chips Co. has learned its cost.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/ARTJAWEB20121127183701/sabc-pretoria-jacob-zuma-publiciteafrique-du-sud-une-publicite-brocardant-jacob-zuma-censuree-par-la-television-publique.html

Al Jazeera: "SA denial of visa to Dalai Lama is 'unlawful'" (November 30, 2012)
South African courts rule refusal to grant a visa to Tibet spiritual leader in 2011 as stalling tactics.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/11/20121129202117413839.html

Reuters: "South Africa's Motlanthe 'agonizing' over ANC leadership bid" (November 30, 2012)
The ANC in South Africa's richest province backed Deputy President Kgalema Mothlanthe on Friday as its choice for leader of the ruling party, keeping him in the hunt for a position that would tee him up to be president of Africa's biggest economy.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/us-safrica-politics-idUSBRE8AT0N420121130

TUNISIA

BBC News: "Tunisians wounded in Siliana clashes over unemployment" (November 28, 2012)
More than 200 people have been wounded in a second day of clashes in the Tunisian town of Siliana, medical officials have said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20533110

ZIMBABWE

allAfrica News: "Zimbabwe: Ongoing Risks for Human Rights Defenders in the Context of Political Deadlock and Pre-Electoral Period" (November 27, 2012)
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint program of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), has published today the report "Zimbabwe: Ongoing risks for human rights defenders in the context of political deadlock and pre-electoral period."
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211270620.html