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Tuesday, 27 May 2014
Saturday, 24 May 2014
President declares Malawi election 'null and void'Publish Date: May 24, 2014
Malawi President Joyce Banda speaks during a press conference dedicated to the ongoing national Tripartite Elections at Kamuzu Palace in the capital Lilongwe, on Thursday. PHOTO/AFP
BLANTYRE - Malawi's President Joyce Banda on Saturday declared this week's chaotic election "null and void" and called for a fresh vote, throwing the impoverished nation into crisis.
Banda, who has claimed there were "serious irregularities" with the poll, declared fresh elections should be held within 90 days but said she would not stand as a candidate, to "give Malawians a free and fair" election.
"As president I have used the powers conferred upon me from the constitution to declare the elections null and void," she said in remarks broadcast on radio.
There were chaotic scenes at the tally centre in Blantyre when word went around that the poll had been nullified, with police ordering a shutdown of the tally centre.
Banda alleged people had voted multiple times, ballots had been tampered with, presiding officers arrested, and the computerised voter counting system collapsed.
Her supporters have alleged that her chief adversary Peter Mutharika -- who is already facing pre-election treason charges -- may be behind the irregularities.
They earlier said they would not concede defeat, after preliminary results showed her trailing a distant second.
Banda, who has claimed there were "serious irregularities" with the poll, declared fresh elections should be held within 90 days but said she would not stand as a candidate, to "give Malawians a free and fair" election.
"As president I have used the powers conferred upon me from the constitution to declare the elections null and void," she said in remarks broadcast on radio.
There were chaotic scenes at the tally centre in Blantyre when word went around that the poll had been nullified, with police ordering a shutdown of the tally centre.
Banda alleged people had voted multiple times, ballots had been tampered with, presiding officers arrested, and the computerised voter counting system collapsed.
Her supporters have alleged that her chief adversary Peter Mutharika -- who is already facing pre-election treason charges -- may be behind the irregularities.
They earlier said they would not concede defeat, after preliminary results showed her trailing a distant second.
Hundreds of residents from the Ndirande township queue to vote. PHOTO/AFP
Malawi's President Joyce Banda casts her vote for Malawi's Tripartite elections at Malemia School Polling centre. PHOTO/AFP
A Malawian woman shows her ink marked finger after casting her ballot. PHOTO/AFP
With about a third of the votes counted Mutharika, 74, had 42 percent, while Banda has 23 percent, according to preliminary results announced by the electoral commission late on Friday.
Mutharika is the brother of late president Bingu wa Mutharika, who died in office two years ago.
He allegedly attempted to conceal his brother's death by flying his body to South Africa in a bid to prevent then vice president Banda from coming to power as the constitution decreed.
That lead to treason charges against him.
After Mutharika's corruption-tainted eight-year rule, Banda was feted by the West as one of Africa's rare women leaders, even receiving a high profile visit from then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
But her government has since been ensnared in a $30 million government corruption scandal dubbed "Cashgate" that has seen foreign donors freeze badly needed aid.
That aid is likely to remained frozen as long as the current crisis continues.
Voting had been scheduled to take place on Tuesday, but was extended through to Thursday when delays of up to ten hours prompted riots in the commercial capital Blantyre, where the army was deployed.
Banda's request for an audit was rebuffed by the country's electoral commission chief, who told AFP that despite problems with the electronic counting system, the tally was continuing manually.
Mutharika is the brother of late president Bingu wa Mutharika, who died in office two years ago.
He allegedly attempted to conceal his brother's death by flying his body to South Africa in a bid to prevent then vice president Banda from coming to power as the constitution decreed.
That lead to treason charges against him.
After Mutharika's corruption-tainted eight-year rule, Banda was feted by the West as one of Africa's rare women leaders, even receiving a high profile visit from then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
But her government has since been ensnared in a $30 million government corruption scandal dubbed "Cashgate" that has seen foreign donors freeze badly needed aid.
That aid is likely to remained frozen as long as the current crisis continues.
Voting had been scheduled to take place on Tuesday, but was extended through to Thursday when delays of up to ten hours prompted riots in the commercial capital Blantyre, where the army was deployed.
Banda's request for an audit was rebuffed by the country's electoral commission chief, who told AFP that despite problems with the electronic counting system, the tally was continuing manually.
A Malawian army soldier stands guard while hundreds of residents from Ndirande township queue to vote. PHOTO/AFP
Security men look at presidential ballot papers as they stand in the queue to cast their votes. PHOTO/AFP
Maxon Mbendera insisted the election was "valid" and said Banda's claim was caused by "desperation".
"Conceding defeat is not here nor there. Why concede defeat when anomalies have not been rectified?" Kenneth Msonda, spokesman for Banda's People's Party, told AFP.
Msonda said the electoral process had been "marred by a lot of irregularities on vote tabulation. We have won this election, otherwise we demand a stop to the tabulation of the results until all anomalies are corrected," Msonda said.
Banda had appealed to the country's high court to block the release of the elections results, but the court has refused to do so.
"Conceding defeat is not here nor there. Why concede defeat when anomalies have not been rectified?" Kenneth Msonda, spokesman for Banda's People's Party, told AFP.
Msonda said the electoral process had been "marred by a lot of irregularities on vote tabulation. We have won this election, otherwise we demand a stop to the tabulation of the results until all anomalies are corrected," Msonda said.
Banda had appealed to the country's high court to block the release of the elections results, but the court has refused to do so.
AFP
Also related to this story
Friday, 23 May 2014
AUC Chairperson to attend President-elect Jacob Zuma’s inauguration
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23 May, 2014: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will be attending the inauguration ceremony of H.E. Jacob Zuma, President-elect of the Republic of South Africa.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma has arrived in South Africa ahead of the ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday morning, 24 May 2014, at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The swearing-in will be presided over by the South African Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.
President-elect Jacob Zuma was re-elected President of the Republic of South Africa on Wednesday 21 May 2014, by members of the South African National Assembly after his party, the African National Congress, won the 7 May 2014 general elections. He will serve a second and last five-year term of office due to end in 2019.
A substantial number of African Union Heads of State and Government, Vice Presidents/ Deputy Heads of State, Prime Ministers, former Heads of State and other international dignitaries have confirmed their attendance to grace the inauguration.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission will seize this opportunity to consult African leaders attending the ceremony on various pertinent challenges currently facing the continent, such as the deteriorating situation in Mali and Libya, and the continued terrorist attacks by Boko Haram in Nigeria, especially in securing the immediate and unconditional release of the kidnapped girls.
Jacob Enoh Eben
Ag. Spokesperson of the Chairperson
Monday, 19 May 2014
Africa’s economic transformation to dominate at Afreximbank’s 21st Annual General Meeting
Media Contact: Obi Emekekwue (oemekekwue@afreximbank.com; Tel. +202-2456-4238)
Cairo, 19 May 2014 – Africa’s economic transformation will take the centre stage as the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) holds its 21st Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, and related activities, in the Gabonese Capital, Libreville, from 3 to 8 June, according to a programme of events released by the Bank.
Afreximbank said in Cairo today that, in addition to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, the gathering would feature meetings and seminars of the Advisory Group on Trade Finance and Export Development in Africa, a trade exhibition, and an investment forum, as well as meetings of various committees of the Bank’s Board of Directors.
The Advisory Group Meeting will focus on the theme, “From Asian tigers to African Simbas: Potentials and processes for Africa’s economic transformation” while the seminars will dwell on “Transforming Africa’s agriculture for global markets” and on “Tourism development.”
The discussions will include an examination of the benefits of economic transformation and a look at the development of industrial clusters and supply chains to support diversification and sustainable development of exports in Africa.
In addition to high-level representatives of the Gabonese government, a number of African ministers and political leaders, central bank governors, and experts in African trade finance are expected to participate in the activities. Also attending will be representatives of major banking institutions from across the continent.
Afreximbank, with an authorised capital of $5 billion, has four classes of shareholders. Class “A” is comprised of African governments, African central banks and African regional and sub-regional institutions while Class “B” consists of African private investors and African financial institutions.
Class "C" is made up of non-African financial institutions, export credit agencies and private investors. The last group, Class “D”, was created in December 2012 as a category under which any person or entity can be allotted shares.
The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders is held each year to take stock of the Bank's activities during the reporting year.
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Abuja Bus Station Bombing: Nigeria Confirms Arrest Of Abubakar Sadiq Ogwuche
Abubakar Sadiq Ogwuche
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Wednesday evening confirmed the arrest of Abubakar Sadiq Ogwuche, one of the masterminds of the Nyanya bombing, in which 100 persons were killed and many others wounded, PR Nigeria reported.
On Monday, a sum of N25 million was placed on the head of Ogwuche and the main mastermind, Rufai Abubakar Tsiga. On Tuesday, International Police (Interpol) issued a warrant of arrest on the man, who was said to be hiding in Sudan.
During the Monday briefing by Directorate of State Service (DSS) spokesperson Marylyn Ogar, five suspects were paraded in connection with the incident. They include Ahmad Abubakar (aka Abu Ibrahim/Mai Turare), Mohammed Ishaq, Yau Saidu (aka Kotar Rama) Anas Isah and Adamu Yusuf and all confessed to being privy to the plot to bomb Nyanya.
At the daily briefing of the National Information Centre on Wednesday however, the Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, announced that Ogwuche had been arrested in Sudan and is awaiting extradition home to face charges.
The arrest was through the collaborative efforts of Interpol, DSS, Nigeria Police and the Military Attaché to the Nigerian High Commission in Sudan.
Ogwuche, who is a student of Arabic Language at the International University of Africa, Sudan, is a British born Nigerian who deserted the Army in 2006. His service number was SVC 95/104.
He served in the Intelligence Unit of the Nigerian Army at Child Avenue, Arakan Barracks, Lagos, between 2001 and 2006.
He was allegedly involved in terrorist activities, leading to his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Nov. 12, 2011, on arrival from the UK.
However, he was released on bail to his father, retired Col. Agene Ogwuche on Oct. 15, 2012, following intense pressure from activists who alleged human rights violations.
Responding to a question today, Ogar said, “We should be happy that wherever a criminal is hiding, he will be fished out. Even if Nigerians would hide him others will fish him out. These terrorists live in our midst and we know them. The world is a small place now.”
About the abducted Chibok girls, Omeri disclosed that international operations to rescue the girls have entered a full swing, but he did not give details.
He refuted insinuations that academic activities in the North Eastern parts of Nigeria have been completely paralysed, and explained that schools in dangerous areas were shut while the pupils were merged with other schools with adequate security provided.
On the inability of government to rescue the girls after one month in captivity, Omeri said it was not a peculiar situation.
“When Americans were held hostage in Iraq, even though America knew where they were being kept, it took 200 days for them to be rescued. We do not even know where these girls are. We will rescue the girls but it will not take 200 days”, he assured.
Soldiers Mutiny In Maiduguri
By Saharareporters, New York
The 7th Division was formed only recently as a unit devoted to fighting the war against Boko Haram. General Mohammed was appointed as the GOC in February 2014.
One of the sources revealed that the situation was extremely tense, adding that the GOC escaped by the whiskers as the mutiny by angry soldiers could have degenerated into a personal attack on him.
Our sources said the soldiers became enraged when they saw the bodies of their colleagues ambushed by Boko Haram terrorists in Chibok, a town in Borno State that has spurred global protests over the abductions of schoolgirls by members of the extremist Islamist sect.
The restive soldiers complained that their superior have not provided them with adequate weaponry with which to fight the war against the better-armed Boko Haram militants.
“We the soldiers don’t have the kind of arms and ammunition that [Boko Haram] fighters have. So everyday, they kill our men anyhow, but it is never published in the media,” said one source. The other source also complained that the commanding officers “are too busy ‘eating’ money. And they do not pay our allowances on time. And once [a soldier dies], nobody knows what happens to his allowances again.”
The two soldiers also disclosed that the mutinying soldiers were fed up that their military commanders have not devised a troop rotation system to ensure that those in combat can get some rest before being redeployed to continue the bloody and frustrating war with Boko Haram insurgents.
Residents who live near the barracks also told our local correspondent that they heard the sound of sporadic exchange of gunfire. “We thought that may be Boko Haram was attacking and the army was trying to push them back,” one resident said.
Monday, 12 May 2014
In full: deal to resolve S. Sudan crisis
President Salva Kiir, and Riek Machar (2ndR) hold the hands of two clergymen during the opening prayer of the press conference of the signing of Cessation of Hostilities over the war in South Sudan Friday in Addis Ababa. PHOTO/AFP
South Sudan's president and rebel chief signed a ceasefire deal Friday vowing to end nearly five months of civil war, under international pressure to stem bloodshed and avert famine and genocide.
President Salva Kiir and rebel boss Riek Machar, who were congratulated for inking the deal, first shook hands and then prayed together.
The two sides handed over the Cessation of Hostilities treaty. PHOTO/AFP
The two sides signed to:
Recognize that there is no military solution to the crisis in South Sudan, and that a sustainable peace can be achieved only through inclusive political dialogue;
Understand the need to take bold decisions, in the interest of national reconciliation, that can guide the country to a new political dispensation and a permanent constitutional order;
Agree to immediately cease all hostile activities with twenty for(24) hours of the signing of this agreement, thus re-dedicating ourselves to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of 23 January 2014; and further agree to facilitate the full deployment of IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism(MVM).
Commit to disengage and separate forces and refrain from any provocative action or combat movement until a permanent cease fire is agreed and signed;
Agree to issue orders to all their respective commands and units, on signing of the agreement, instructing full and immediate cessation of hostilities, cooperation with the IGAD MVM, and facilitation of humanitarian access; and the receipt of orders at command level shall be verified by the IGAD MVM in a week after signing this agreement;
Agree to open humanitarian corridors, in accordance with the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of 23 January 2014, and the 5 May 2014 “Recommitment on Humanitarian Matters in the CoH Agreement”; and to cooperate, unconditionally, with the UN and humanitarian agencies to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected populations in all areas of South Sudan.
Resolve to engage in substantive discussions, via the IGAD-led peace process, on the Agenda as constituted by the mediation process;
Agree that a transitional government of national unity will offer the best chance for the people of South Sudan to take the country forward; and that such a government shall oversee government functions during a transitional period, implement critical reforms as negotiated through the peace process, oversee a permanent constitutional process, and guide the country to new elections; and thus direct our respective representatives to the IGAD- led peace process to negotiate the terms of a transitional government of national unity;
Agree to ensure the inclusion of all South Sudanese stakeholders in the peace process, and the negotiation of a transitional government of national unity, in order to ensure broad ownership of the agreed outcomes; stakeholders include: the two direct negotiators (the GRSS and the SPLM/A in Opposition), and others such as the SPLM leaders (former detainees), political parties, civil society, and faith-based leaders.
Agree that these other stakeholders shall participate in negotiations on transitional governance, the permanent constitution, and any other items that concern the political future of the country and reconciliation of South Sudanese communities.
Agree to fully cooperate with the AU Commission of inquiry and facilitate implementation of its forthcoming recommendations;
Agree to meet again, within one month, under IGAD auspices, to facilitate continued progress on the aforementioned issues and resolution of the crisis.
Recognize that there is no military solution to the crisis in South Sudan, and that a sustainable peace can be achieved only through inclusive political dialogue;
Understand the need to take bold decisions, in the interest of national reconciliation, that can guide the country to a new political dispensation and a permanent constitutional order;
Agree to immediately cease all hostile activities with twenty for(24) hours of the signing of this agreement, thus re-dedicating ourselves to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of 23 January 2014; and further agree to facilitate the full deployment of IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism(MVM).
Commit to disengage and separate forces and refrain from any provocative action or combat movement until a permanent cease fire is agreed and signed;
Agree to issue orders to all their respective commands and units, on signing of the agreement, instructing full and immediate cessation of hostilities, cooperation with the IGAD MVM, and facilitation of humanitarian access; and the receipt of orders at command level shall be verified by the IGAD MVM in a week after signing this agreement;
Agree to open humanitarian corridors, in accordance with the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of 23 January 2014, and the 5 May 2014 “Recommitment on Humanitarian Matters in the CoH Agreement”; and to cooperate, unconditionally, with the UN and humanitarian agencies to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected populations in all areas of South Sudan.
Resolve to engage in substantive discussions, via the IGAD-led peace process, on the Agenda as constituted by the mediation process;
Agree that a transitional government of national unity will offer the best chance for the people of South Sudan to take the country forward; and that such a government shall oversee government functions during a transitional period, implement critical reforms as negotiated through the peace process, oversee a permanent constitutional process, and guide the country to new elections; and thus direct our respective representatives to the IGAD- led peace process to negotiate the terms of a transitional government of national unity;
Agree to ensure the inclusion of all South Sudanese stakeholders in the peace process, and the negotiation of a transitional government of national unity, in order to ensure broad ownership of the agreed outcomes; stakeholders include: the two direct negotiators (the GRSS and the SPLM/A in Opposition), and others such as the SPLM leaders (former detainees), political parties, civil society, and faith-based leaders.
Agree that these other stakeholders shall participate in negotiations on transitional governance, the permanent constitution, and any other items that concern the political future of the country and reconciliation of South Sudanese communities.
Agree to fully cooperate with the AU Commission of inquiry and facilitate implementation of its forthcoming recommendations;
Agree to meet again, within one month, under IGAD auspices, to facilitate continued progress on the aforementioned issues and resolution of the crisis.
Sunday, 11 May 2014
A soldier guards one of the stricken buses on Sunday
A day after four people were killed by a grenade thrown at a bus stop in Mombasa, three people have been killed and at least 60 injured in bomb attacks on two buses on Nairobi’s Thika Highway on Sunday.
The East African nation has been hit by a wave of gun and explosives attacks since it sent troops to neighbouring Somalia to fight the Islamic extremist rebels, al-Shabab, in 2011. The Al-Qaida-linked militants have vowed to carry out terrorist attacks in Kenya to avenge the presence of Kenyan troops in Somalia.
Terror warnings have been a constant in Kenya in recent months, particularly after the attack on Westgate Mall killed at least 67 people in September. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for that attack.
Last month, a car bomb exploded outside a police station in Nairobi, killing two officers and two men of Somali origin inside the vehicle. Police had impounded the car for driving on the wrong side of the road. Three ethnic Somalis have been arrested for the blast, and are expected to be charged in court this week.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has accused terrorists of trying to provoke a sectarian war.
“The terrorists would like a war of religion, bringing to an end our history of tolerance. This country will not allow it. The terrorists will be treated as the vicious criminals they are, and our tradition of easy coexistence will be maintained,” Kenyatta said.
“The terrorists wish to see us despairing and divided,” he said. “They will be disappointed.”
Thousands of Somalis have been arrested in a security sweep aimed at weeding out terrorists and illegal aliens from war-torn neighbouring countries, who are blamed for smuggling small arms and other weapons into Kenya through porous borders. Human rights campaigners have accused the police of profiling Somalis, detaining suspects without trial, denying them representation, extortion, circumventing the courts to deport them back home and holding suspects in inhumane conditions.
Kidnapped School Girls: Nigeria Expecting Counter-Terrorism Experts From Israel
By Saharareporters, New York
A statement released by the President's Senior Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati claimed that the President said this while speaking with the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu via telephone.
He said the Israeli leader called on Sunday afternoon to convey his country’s sympathy and solidarity with Nigeria and offered anti-terrorism assistance.
President Jonathan welcomed the offer by Mr. Netanyahu to send a team of Israeli counter-terrorism experts to assist in the ongoing search and rescue operations for the school girls abducted from their school dormitory on April 14 2014 in chibok, Borno state.
Abati said, "The President briefed Mr. Netanyahu on actions already being taken by Nigeria’s armed forces and security agencies to locate and rescue the girls, saying that Nigeria would be pleased to have Israel’s globally-acknowledged anti-terrorism expertise deployed to support its ongoing operations.
"Mr. Netanyahu who expressed Israel’s total condemnation of the mass abductions, said that the team of experts from his country who will soon arrive in Nigeria will work in collaboration with the teams from the United States and Britain who are already in the country and their Nigerian counterparts to intensify the search for the girls.
"He reaffirmed Israel’s willingness to give the government and people of Nigeria all possible support and assistance to overcome terrorism and insecurity."
Dusk To Dawn Curfew As Church, Mosques Burnt In Southern Kaduna
By SaharaReporters, New York
The source, speaking to us on the condition of anonymity, said angry Muslims had attacked a church after their own praying ground was torched by Christians in the area. The military source also said the Nigerian military, and police officials, have both taken over the town as a dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed by the Kaduna State government in view of a possible escalation.
The mood in Kachia on Sunday evening following both events is “tense,” say our sources. The police authorities in the state are yet to make an official public announcement of their on-the-ground observations on the unfolding events of recent hours. On the issue of casualties, possible fatalities, and details of property damage to the other buildings inside Kachia are not yet known.
Police officials have also not yet released any information following the series of attacks, nor what caused the inflamed religious confrontations in Kachia.
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