January 14, 2013 News

January 14, 2013

Read recent stories in the news including militants in Mali threatening to retaliate against France, lack of investment in manufacturing and new jobs in Africa, progress for the peace deal in the Central African Republic, tension in Kenya over the upcoming elections, and the impact of the Sino-African relationship on the rest of the World.

Mali militants threaten to 'strike at the heart of France'
"'France has attacked Islam. We will strike at the heart of France,' said a leader of the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa – an offshoot of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb – on Monday.

Asked where they would strike, Abou Dardar responded to Agence France-Presse: "Everywhere. In Bamako, in Africa and in Europe."

Authorities in France were already on high alert over fears of a backlash on home soil by extremists..."
To read the full article, please visit the Mail and Guardian site here

Harsh truths and high growth
"As Western bankers and traders cheer higher growth rates, Africa's economists sound alarms about the lack of investment in manufacturing and new jobs.

Celebrating Africa's impressive growth rates over the past decade has become a growth industry of its own. Africa's economies have been outpacing Eastern Europe, the Middle East and South America. Seven out of the ten fastest-growing economies in the world will be in Africa, according to the International Monetary Fund. Its sister organisation, the World Bank, argues that Africa could be on the brink of an economic take-off similar to China's in the 1980s. It adds that governments have slashed budget deficits and brought down inflation to single figures, duly encouraged, of course by the IMF and World Bank..."
For more information, please visit the Africa Confidential site here

Central Africa deal moves forward after PM dismissal
"Faustin Archange Touadera was dismissed as prime minister in a decree read out on public radio and should be replaced by a member of the opposition.

Opposition sources have touted a possible candidate to replace Touadera as lawyer Nicolas Tiangaye, who led the opposition's delegation to the Libreville talks. But another opposition lawyer, Henri Pouzere, was also in the running.

The move marks the first political step towards resolving a conflict which began on December 10 when Seleka rebels launched an armed offensive, sweeping from the lawless north of the Central African Republic southwards before stopping short of the impoverished nation's capital Bangui..."
To read the full article, please visit the Daily Nation site here

Fear of new violence overshadows Kenya's elections
"The country is also awaiting the trial for crimes against humanity for a top presidential candidate. With less than two months until the March 4 polls, the first since 2007 when Kenya spiralled into ethnic violence that killed some 1 200 people and displaced 600 000 others, tensions are high in a hotly contested political race..."
To read the full article, please visit the Mail and Guardian site here

How The Sino-African Relationship Is Influencing The Rest Of The World
"China's rapid advance into Africa has sparked a heated debate not only among ordinary citizens and analysts but also within the corridors of world power. The West accuses China of neo-colonialism while China responds that its policy of non-interference is just what the emerging world, including Africa needs. But does the growing relationship between China and Africa have larger, global strategic implications? Aya Imai argues that it does and that it is already shaping global policy...
To read the full article, please visit the African Business site here