Daily News on Issues Affecting Africa for June 4, 2013

After an October 2012 test case in London's High Court, thousands of Kenyans are signing on with the Law Society of Kenya to sue Britain over abusive treatment during the Mau Mau rebellion. Pourquoi la dette africaine attire les investisseurs. Oscar Pistorius's case has been delayed two months following a pre-trail hearing, and media misconduct could push that even farther (South Africa). La CPI demande plus de preuves contre Laurent Gbagbo avant de le juger. At the Fifth Tokyo International Conference for African Development in early June, Japan plans on rolling out its next five-year phase of African engagement. Robert Mugabe plans abide by a new court ruling that he must hold elections in Zimbabwe by the end of July. Libya appeals to the International Criminal Court that it can fairly try Gaddafi's son, and does not wish to turn him over to the ICC. Finally, the World Cup Legacy Edition will be hosted in Qatar on June 4th, and a group of representatives of the South African business community have arrived, led by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Elisabeth Thabethe.

Continue reading to see each story in more detail...

Thousands of Kenyans to sue Britain over Mau Mau treatment

"More than 8 000 Kenyans are seeking millions in compensation from ex-colonial ruler Britain, claiming mistreatment during the 1950s Mau Mau uprising. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has received lists of ex-Mau Mau fighters seeking compensation running into billions of shillings from the British government," LSK chief Apollo Mboya said in a statement on Tuesday. The thousands of submissions follow an October 2012 test case ruling in London's High Court, in which three elderly Kenyans were given the go-ahead to sue the UK government. Since then, one law firm has put forward more than 8 000 names while another has listed over 700, said the society, which is co-ordinating submissions..."

To read more please visit the Mail and Guardian site here

Pourquoi la dette africaine attire les investisseurs
"Même les pays les plus fragiles connaissent le succès sur les marchés  internationaux. La raison ? Les investisseurs cherchent une alternative à la  faiblesse des taux servis par les pays développés.
À l'exception de l'Afrique du Sud, les pays subsahariens ont été totalement  absents des marchés financiers internationaux jusqu'en 2007. Depuis, neuf  d'entre eux ont émis environ 6 milliards de dollars (4,6 milliards  d'euros) d'eurobonds, ces fameux emprunts internationaux libellés en dollars.  Sur les derniers mois, la tendance s'est clairement accentuée..."
To read more please visit the Jeune Afrique site here

Judge in 'Blade Runner' Pistorius case warns of 'trial by media
" During a swift pre-trial hearing Tuesday, a South African judge delayed Oscar Pistorius' murder case for two months — and warned that misconduct in the media could delay the process even longer. The hearing in Pretoria lasted only about 10 minutes. The magistrate granted the prosecution's request to postpone the case until August 19 to allow for more time for the investigation. The judge addressed concerns Tuesday about the "sanctity of judicial processes." He said there appears to be a trial by media, which could result in contempt of court..."
To read more please visit CNN site here

La CPI demande plus de preuves contre Laurent Gbagbo avant de le juger
"La Haye, correspondance. Les juges de la Cour pénale internationale (CPI) ont décidé, lundi 3 juin, de demander des informations ou des éléments de preuve supplémentaires de la part du procureur de la Cour avant de décider de la tenue d'un procès contre Laurent Gbagbo. Les magistrats ont refusé de confirmer les charges de crimes contre l'humanité portées contre l'ancien président ivoirien (2000-2011) pour sa responsabilité dans les violences qui avaient suivi l'élection présidentielle de novembre 2010, au cours desquelles plus de 3 000 personnes avaient été tuées, selon l'ONU. Les affrontements opposaient les forces loyales à Gbagbo, qui refusait de quitter le pouvoir, aux partisans d'Alassane Ouattara, dont la victoire avait été reconnue par la communauté internationale..."
To read more please visit Le Monde site here

TICAD V: An agenda for business
"TICAD attendees will discuss how to get the Japanese private sector involved in African development and how to fight against piracy and instability. Japan will roll out its plan for the next five-year phase of African engagement at the Fifth Tokyo International Conference for African Development in Yokohama on 1-3 June. Boosting the role of the private sector is a critical goal, not least because it is becoming more difficult to finance Japan's development promises from only state coffers. Ahead of the conference, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, a state-run company, announced that it will commit US$2 billion to African resource projects over the next five years. In Yokohama, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will remain mostly on the sidelines, attending bilateral meetings with 40 African delegations during the three-day conference. Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Moriwill serve as Acting Chairman. Mori will be a steady hand at the till: he chaired TICAD III in 2003 and, in 2001, was the first Japanese premier to visit sub-Saharan Africa..."
To read more please visit the Africa-Asia Confedential site here

Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe will follow ruling to hold elections by July
"Zimbabwe's President  Robert Mugabe has said he will abide by a court ruling to hold elections by the end of July. Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court said on Friday that elections must be held by 31 July, and that Mr Mugabe should set a date "as soon as possible..."
To read more please visit the Standard Media site here

Libya to appeal International Criminal Court ruling to hand over Gaddafi's son
"Libya will appeal a ruling by the International Criminal Court to hand over Saif al-Islam  Gaddafi, the son of former ruler Muammar  Gaddafi, to the tribunal, the justice minister said on Sunday."We will give what is needed to convince the  ICC that  Libya is capable of conducting a fair trial in accordance with international standards," the state LANA news agency quoted Justice Minister Salah al-Marghani as saying..."
To read more please vivit the Standard Media site here

South Africa: Trade and Industry (the Dti) Deputy Minister Ms Elizabeth Thabethe Arrives in Qatar for the World Cup Legacy Exhibition
"The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry  Ms Elizabeth Thabethe has arrived in Qatar where she is leading a group of businesspeople representing thirty-two South African companies. These companies will be participating in the World Cup Legacy Exhibition which will be hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in Doha from tomorrow to Wednesday, 4 June 2013. The objective of the exhibition is to showcase the competencies and offerings of the South African companies that contributed in building the infrastructure required for the successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa..."
To read more please read the AllAfrican site here