November 19, 2012 News Round-Up

November 12 - 19, 2012

AFRICAN INTERNAL RELATIONS

allAfrica News: "Africa: Donors Renew Programme for African Women Researchers" (November 12, 2012)
Funders have renewed support for African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), a program that helps women in Sub-Saharan countries to develop leadership and scientific skills.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211130784.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns

RFI: "Livraisons de prisonniers au Tchad par le Soudan: le FSR confirme, Ndjamena dement" (November 13, 2012)
In an interview with RFI, the exiled Chadian opposition Timane Erdimi said that dozens of Chadian rebel fighters were handed over by the authorities of Khartoum to the authorities in Ndjamena. Monday, other officials of Chadian armed groups have renewed these accusations against the governing party. Authorities denied them.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121113-livraisons-prisonniers-tchad-le-soudan-le-fsr-confirme-djamena-dement

allAfrica News: "Uganda: Gov't Closes Border Post With DRC Over M23 Toll Charges" (November 14, 2012)
Uganda on Tuesday sealed its Bunagana border post with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Kisoro district over claims that M23 rebels in the eastern DRC were using it to finance their activities.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211140920.html

Jeune Afrique: "Union africaine : Mahamat Saleh Annadif au chevet de la Somalie" (November 15, 2012)
The former Secretary General of the Presidency of Chad, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, has returned to the limelight. On November 1, he was appointed representative to the AU in Somalia with a mission to put the Shebab country on the path towards stability.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/JA2705p019.xml0/tchad-somalie-justice-idriss-deby-itnounion-africaine-mahamat-saleh-annadif-au-chevet-de-la-somalie.html

Jeune Afrique: "Soudan: conférence nationale de la mouvance islamiste au pouvoir" (November 15, 2012)
A national conference of about 5,000 Islamists linked to the government of President Omar al-Bashir in Khartoum opened Thursday, pushed by reformers inspired by the Arab Spring.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/actu/20121115T111451Z20121115T111449Z/soudan-conference-nationale-de-la-mouvance-islamiste-au-pouvoir.html

Jeune Afrique: "Africa CEO Forum : le capitalisme africain monte en gamme" (November 16, 2012)
Mining and oil continue to dominate the panorama of African capitalism, but new areas are developing. They generate employment and value to African markets.
http://economie.jeuneafrique.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13624

AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

BBC News: "Rwandan aid: Greening to reflect 'very carefully' before continuing UK support" (November 13, 2012)
The UK will reflect "very carefully" before giving more financial aid to Rwanda, International Development Secretary Justine Greening has said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20309859

Jeune Afrique: "RDC : le programme de Matata Ponyo à Paris" (November 13, 2012)
Economy, security and democracy are the three themes around which the State visit to France of Congolese Prime Minister, Augustin Matata Ponyo, is centered.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/JA2705p009_02.xml0/france-diplomatie-rd-congo-abdou-dioufrdc-le-programme-de-matata-ponyo-a-paris.html

Reuters: "Post-coup Bissau leader tries to restore EU ties" (November 13, 2012)
Guinea-Bissau's caretaker President Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo may have one of the world's toughest jobs - leading a country where cocaine smuggling is out of control, the economy is in freefall and violence is the top means to political ends.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/13/us-bissau-crisis-idUSBRE8AC0TG20121113

RFI: "Frégate «Libertad» bloquée au Ghana : le gouvernement argentin hausse le ton" (November 13, 2012)
The case of the Argentine frigate that has been blocked for more than a month in the port of Tema, near Accra, continues to make waves. Ghanaian port authorities decided to the ship's supply of water, electricity and fuel. The objective is to force the crew to accept that the authorities are changing where the ship is stationed. In response, Buenos Aires is becoming more frustrated. The Argentine vessel has been blocked at the port of Tema since October 2 at the request of an investment fund that wants money reclaim money from Argentina.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121113-fregate-libertad-bloquee-ghana-le-gouvernement-argentin-hausse-le-ton

VOA News: "ICC Prosecutor Hails Shift in Fight Against Sexual Violence" (November 13, 2012)
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court says governments and civil society are showing increased commitment to fighting sexual crimes and other violence against women. ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda spoke to reporters in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, at the opening of a five-day conference on women in the legal sector.
http://www.voanews.com/content/icc-prosecutor-hails-shift-in-fight-against-sexual-violence/1544668.html

allAfrica News: "Mali: French Troops Won't Go to Mali, Hollande Promises" (November 14, 2012)
President François Hollande has categorically ruled out a French military intervention in Mali on Tuesday. France will not intervene "under any pretext" in the north of the country, currently under the control of Islamist militias.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211140377.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns

BBC News: "DR Congo: US sanctions M23 rebel leader Sultani Makenga" (November 14, 2012)
The US government has imposed sanctions against the leader of the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20325993

CNN: "Alabama man added to FBI's 'most wanted terrorists' list" (November 14, 2012)
An American from Alabama wanted for aiding Somalia-based terrorists was added to the FBI's "most wanted terrorists" list Wednesday.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/14/us/most-wanted-terrorists/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2

CNN: "African ivory worth $1.4 million seized in Hong Kong" (November 16, 2012)
Hong Kong authorities said Friday that they had confiscated $1.4 million worth of ivory that arrived smuggled in a shipping container from Africa, the second large seizure of tusks at the busy port in the past month.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/16/world/asia/hong-kong-ivory-seizure/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2

BBC News: "Total sells Nigeria oil stake to China's Sinopec" (November 19, 2012)
Total has announced the sale of its 20% stake in a Nigerian offshore oilfield to the Chinese state-owned Sinopec.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20397492

BURUNDI

RFI: "Burundi: la police réprime un rassemblement de l'opposition" (November 19, 2012)
The opposition party, Frodebu, was organizing an authorized political demonstration on Sunday in Gatumba, a small town west of the capital. It had invited members of other parties that belong to its coalition group, in particular the Democratic Alliance for Change (ADC). The latter clashed with Burundian police who had been ordered not to let those who wore the colors of parties other than the Frodebu.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121119-burundi-police-reprime-rassemblement-opposition-frodebu-adc

CAMEROON

Jeune Afrique: "Cameroun : l'homosexualité toujours en procès" (November 19, 2012)
On November 19, Roger Jean-Claude Mbed's fate will be set. Sentenced in 2011 to three years in prison for having confessed his love to another man by SMS, this Cameroonian is awaiting the decision of the Court of Appeal of Yaoundé. His hope is that the Internet mobilization in his favor will persuade the court to drop the charges.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/ARTJAWEB20121116164216/cameroun-homosexualite-asile-politique-homophobiecameroun-l-homosexualite-toujours-en-proces.html

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

BBC News: "Ouattara dissolves Ivorian government over marriage law" (November 14, 2012)
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has sacked his government in a row over a new marriage law which would make wives joint heads of the household.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20322103

allAfrica News: "Cote d'Ivoire: New Spate of Abuses By Military" (November 19, 2012)
Côte d'Ivoire's military was responsible for widespread human rights abuses in August and early September 2012, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211190145.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

BBC News: "DR Congo: Fighting erupts near Goma city" (November 15, 2012)
Fresh fighting broke out in eastern Democratic Republic Congo between UN-backed government troops and M23 rebels, forcing people to flee.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20341167

Reuters: "Congo rebels advance to outskirts of Goma" (November 18, 2012)
Rebels in Congo, who U.N. experts say are backed by neighboring Rwanda, reached the outskirts of the eastern city of Goma on Sunday after pushing back U.N. peacekeepers and government troops, but a rebel spokesman said they did not plan to take the city.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/19/us-congo-democratic-fighting-idUSBRE8AI01J20121119

Al Jazeera: "DR Congo rejects rebels' ultimatum on talks" (November 19, 2012)
The DR Congo government has rejected an ultimatum by M23 rebels to start negotiations within 24 hours with the insurgents who have closed in on the main eastern city of Goma.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/11/20121119111653232703.html

ETHIOPIA

allAfrica News: "Ethiopia: Little Hope for an End to Ogaden Conflict" (November 13, 2012)
Many were hoping that recent peace talks between the Ethiopian government and Ogaden rebels would signal an end to the grueling 18-year-old conflict. The latest round of talks, however, dashed all dreams of peace between the two sides
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211130636.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns

GHANA

allAfrica News: "Ghana: Election Climate Heats Up Less Than a Month Before Polls" (November 14, 2012)
There are just 25 days to go before Ghana holds its hotly anticipated presidential and legislative elections, the nation's sixth round of multi-party elections. The political environment could not be more polarized.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211141188.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns

GUINEA

RFI: "L'assassinat d'Aïssatou Boiro entraîne une levée de boucliers en Guinée" (November 13, 2012)
Guinean President Alpha Conde said he was "shocked" by the murder of the Director of Treasury, Aïssatou Boiro. The Head of State said that the murder does not divert the fight against corruption, of which Aïssatou Boiro was one of the spearheads.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121113-assassinat-aissatou-boiro-entraine-une-levee-boucliers-guinee-conde

KENYA

The New York Times: "Cattle Rustlers Kill Police Officers During Ambush in Northern Kenya, Officials Say" (November 12, 2012)
More than 10 Kenyan police officers, and possibly as many as 31, have been killed by cattle rustlers in an ambush in a remote part of northern Kenya known as Death Valley, Kenyan officials said Monday, in one of the more brazen cases in recent years in the war against livestock thieves.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/13/world/africa/kenyan-officers-killed-in-attack-by-cattle-rustlers.html?adxnnl=1&ref=africa&adxnnlx=1353341605-eo8zExK1HO8Xn8IB6bTRFw&_r=0

BBC News: "Kenyan army sent to Samburu to aid ambushed police" (November 14, 2012)
Kenya's military has been ordered to deploy to the north-western Samburu region following a deadly ambush on police officers by cattle rustlers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20323962

VOA News: "MRC Chairman Released From Kenya Prison" (November 15, 2012)
Two leading members of a secessionist group in coastal Kenya are expected to be released Thursday from prison. The group's chairman has already been released.
http://www.voanews.com/content/mrc_chairman_released_from_prison_in_kenya/1546671.html

CNN: "Kenya grenade blast kills 7, hurts 24" (November 18, 2012)
A grenade explosion killed seven people and wounded another 24 on Sunday in a predominantly Somali neighborhood of Nairobi, a Kenya Red Cross official said.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/18/world/africa/kenya-grenade-attack/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2

LIBERIA

allAfrica News: "Liberia: Concern Mounts Over 'Coup Plot' Posters" (November 14, 2012)
In what appears to be an attempt to undermine the peace and stability of the state has become public knowledge with the indiscriminate display of placards in the streets of Monrovia.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211141226.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns

allAfrica News: "Liberia Qualifies for MCA Compact Funding" (November 14, 2012)
Liberia has met the eligibility requirements and would be considered for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) compact funding, which is acknowledged by the United States Government as a result of tremendous progress made by Liberia.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211141223.html

MALAWI

VOA News: "Malawi Minister Resigns Citing Verbal Attacks" (November 12, 2012)
Malawi's Economic Planning and Development minister has resigned citing verbal attacks on him and his father, former President Bakili Muluzi, by senior officials of the government.
http://www.voanews.com/content/malawi-minister-resigns-citing-verbal-attacks/1544424.html

MALI

VOA News: "Ansar Dine Denies Reputed Offer to Drop Sharia" (November 14, 2012)
In Mali, spokesmen for Ansar Dine militants are denying reports that the group has offered to stop applying Islamic law in parts of Mali it controls.
http://www.voanews.com/content/au-endorses-mali-military-intervention/1545224.html

allAfrica News: "Mali: No Quick Fixes for a Complex Crisis" (November 19, 2012)
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has agreed on a revised concept of operations for the deployment of an international military force of 3,300 soldiers to help the Malian state wrest control of the northern part of the country from Islamist fighters.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211190144.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns

RFI: "Mali: les hommes du Mujao s'emparent de Ménaka" (November 19, 2012)
Fights were reported Monday morning in northern Mali, in the town of Menaka, east of Gao. MNLA rebels say they have been attacked by Mujao jihadists who managed to drive them out of the city. This attack follows the fighting on Friday between Ansongo and Menaka.
http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20121119-mali-hommes-mujao-s-emparent-menaka-mnla

MAURITANIA

Jeune Afrique: "Mauritanie : comment va Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz ?" (November 13, 2012)
Shot and transferred to France to undergo treatment, Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz continues his recovery near Paris, according to his entourage, which states that the Mauritanian president should return to his country "soon".
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/ARTJAWEB20121113175051/france-sante-mauritanie-mohamed-ould-abdelazizmauritanie-comment-va-mohamed-ould-abdelaziz.html

SENEGAL

Jeune Afrique: "Sénégal : Karim Wade dans le collimateur de la justice ?" (November 14, 2012)
Karim Wade has every intention to attend his summons from the police on Thursday, November 15. The former minister and son of Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade denies the allegations of corruption against him, and criticizes the "amateurism" of the prosecutor in his case.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/JA2705p008-009.xml0/senegal-justice-karim-wade-abdoulaye-wadesenegal-karim-wade-dans-le-collimateur.html

SIERRA LEONE

allAfrica News: "Sierra Leone: Elections - Sampling Opinions in the Diamond-Rich East" (November 14, 2012)
The current government has received praise in some quarters for attracting foreign investment, particularly in the mining sector, as well as for improving the country's infrastructure, and notably introducing free health care to certain vulnerable groups.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211140068.html?viewall=1

SOUTH AFRICA

BBC News: "South Africa art stolen from Pretoria museum recovered" (November 13, 2012)
Four of the five paintings that were stolen from a museum in the South African capital, Pretoria, have been found at a cemetery, police have said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20311861

BBC News: "South Africa vineyard clashes leave one dead" (November 14, 2012)
One person has died in clashes between farm workers and police in South Africa's vineyard region.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20328701

SUDAN

Jeune Afrique: "Soudan: un employé de l'ONU tué dans la région disputée d'Abyei" (November 14, 2012)
A local UN employee of peacekeeping forces in Abyei was killed Tuesday in this disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan.
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/actu/20121114T092319Z20121114T092317Z/soudan-un-employe-de-l-onu-tue-dans-la-region-disputee-d-abyei.html

SWAZILAND

allAfrica News: "Swaziland: Gov't Bans MPs From the Radio" (November 13, 2012)
Swaziland Members of Parliament say they are being banned from the radio airwaves by the government.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201211131551.html

UGANDA

BBC News: "Uganda to pass anti-gay law as 'Christmas gift'" (November 13, 2012)

Uganda will pass a new law against homosexuality by the end of 2012 as a "Christmas gift" to its advocates, the speaker of parliament has said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20318436

BBC News: "Ebola outbreak in Uganda kills two" (November 15, 2012)
A fresh outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in Uganda has killed at least two people, the health minister has said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20338014

ZIMBABWE

VOA News: "Zimbabwe Officials Dismiss Report on Diamond Stealing" (November 13, 2012)
Zimbabwean officials have dismissed a report by a non-profit group leading the campaign against conflict diamonds. The report says at least $2 billion worth of diamonds have been stolen from the country's diamond fields and have ended up in the pockets of President Robert Mugabe's ruling circle.
http://www.voanews.com/content/zimbabwe-officials-dismiss-report-on-diamond-stealing/1544698.html