https://www.salo.org.za/formats/news-briefs/Recent content in News briefs on Southern African Liaison OfficeHugo -- gohugo.ioen-zaSat, 09 May 2026 18:37:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-12-october-2025/Sun, 12 Oct 2025 11:15:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-12-october-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency South Africa remains ‘upbeat’ on US G20 participation despite high-level snubs The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, expressed confidence today that the United States would continue to participate in current G20 meetings, despite lingering concerns over a “watered-down” American contribution.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-03-october-2025/Fri, 03 Oct 2025 11:10:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-03-october-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency Europe is fully behind South Africa to make the South Africa’s G20 presidency a success President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission met President Ramaphosa in New York on 24 September 2025 in the margins of the 80th UN General Assembly.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-29-august-2025/Fri, 29 Aug 2025 18:27:40 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-29-august-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency (2025) South Africa’s Presidency enters last 100 days before G20 Summit With more than half of the country’s G20 meetings having already taken place, South Africa’s Presidency of the grouping has entered the last 100 days.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-22-august-2025/Fri, 22 Aug 2025 18:25:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-22-august-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency End of a Cycle? South Africa’s G20 Presidency and the Future of Global Cooperation South Africa closes the first cycle of G20 presidencies with a call to refocus on development, equality and cooperation amid rising fragmentation in the global order.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-august-2025/Fri, 15 Aug 2025 23:54:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-august-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency Middle powers must step up to salvage G20 and the fragile multilateral order As the world stares down a vortex of geopolitical instability, the challenge facing South Africa during its presidency of the G20 is not simply one of technical diplomacy.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-05-august-2025/Tue, 05 Aug 2025 23:58:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-05-august-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency G20 needs to fix debt revamp framework, top African banker says The Group of 20 should consider improving its debt restructuring framework for poor nations, the former vice president of the African Development Bank said. The G20 needs to “think about debt restructuring frameworks and how to make them work,” Swazi Tshabalala told a conference in Johannesburg on Wednesday, discussing the cost of capital, adding that the bloc needs to commit to firm timelines for implementation.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-29-july-2025/Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-29-july-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency South Africa’s G20 Meeting: Tackling illicit financial flows and advancing social protection It was a busy week for the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) with the 4th G20 Development Working Group (DWG) Meeting and Ministerial Meeting, focusing on the need to tackle illicit financial flows, strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, advance inclusive social protection systems and align development finance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-july-2025/Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:21:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-july-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency 2025 G20 South Africa 2025: a defining moment for the nation and the continent South Africa is preparing to welcome the world in 2025 as it assumes the presidency and hosts the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, a moment of national pride and continental significance.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-11-july-2025/Fri, 11 Jul 2025 10:47:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-11-july-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency US Treasury’s Bessent to skip South Africa G20 meeting, heading to Japan U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will skip a Group of 20 finance officials meeting in South Africa next week, sources familiar with his plans told Reuters.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-july-2025/Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:43:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-july-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency COMMENT: Time for South Africa to lead: Nelson Muffuh As the world prepares for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), the imminent Compromiso de Sevilla marks a critical inflexion point in our collective journey toward the 2030 Agenda.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-20-june-2025/Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:19:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-20-june-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency What the G20 can do to help countries share electricity South Africa’s G20 presidency aims to establish at least three projects to share energy across borders in Africa within the next 10 years. South Africa holds the presidency of the G20 this year.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-june-2025/Fri, 06 Jun 2025 13:45:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-june-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency G20 TechSprint 2025 & The South African Reserve Bank Voice on Regulation and Innovation In this episode of the TechAfrica News Podcast, Chief Editor and Founder, Akim Benamara, sits down with Lyle Horsley, Head of Fintech at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), to unpack South Africa’s leadership in the G20 TechSprint 2025—and what it means for digital finance across the continent.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-may-2025/Fri, 16 May 2025 07:35:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-may-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency 2025 Will Donald Trump attend the 2025 G20 Summit? South Africa says it’s up to the US US President Donald Trump appears unlikely to attend the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for November in Johannesburg, but South Africa’s International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said it is up to the US to confirm his attendance or absence.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-09-may-2025/Fri, 09 May 2025 19:47:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-09-may-2025/South Africa’s G20 Presidency 2025 G20 conference champions financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment Advancing women’s economic empowerment through inclusive financial systems will take centre stage this week, as the G20 Financial Inclusion and Women Empowerment Conference 2025 kicks off at the Sun City Resort, in North West Province.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-may-2025/Fri, 02 May 2025 17:28:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-may-2025/The G20 Presidency of South Africa G20 EC chapter | Ndabeni engages township entrepreneurs As G20 events continue countrywide, the Eastern Cape leg of the G20 provincial launch has wrapped up in New Brighton, Gqeberha. Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni led conversations on the informal and township economies, which are aimed at boosting growth.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-8-september-2023/Fri, 08 Sep 2023 10:22:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-8-september-2023/Southern Africa Focus Mozambique The end of Cabo Delgado’s most wanted man His parents named him Bonomade Machude Omar. His comrades called him Ibn Omar or Abu Sulayfa Muhammad. Many called him a terrorist — especially the Mozambican and American governments, and their allies in the Cabo Delgado conflict.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-7-july-2023/Fri, 07 Jul 2023 12:48:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-7-july-2023/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Zimbabwe’s opposition says 8 held after campaign rally ban Zimbabwe’s leading opposition said on Thursday that police arrested eight of its supporters after banning a campaign rally, in a move the party denounced as part of an escalating crackdown ahead of national elections.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-2-may-2023/Fri, 02 Jun 2023 14:40:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-2-may-2023/Southern Africa Focus: Mozambique Russia’s Lavrov rejects US accusations against South Africa Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, where he arrived on Wednesday for official talks. Speaking about military cooperation with Mozambique, Lavrov said that Russia is ready to supply military products to the country.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-5-may-2023/Fri, 05 May 2023 07:12:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-5-may-2023/Southern Africa Focus Mozambique Japan vows to help Mozambique fight insurgency Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday that Tokyo would help Mozambique counter Islamist insurgents in the restive north. Mozambique’s gas-rich northernmost province, Cabo Delgado, is struggling with an insurgency waged by militants linked to the Islamic State group.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-april-2023/Fri, 14 Apr 2023 09:03:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-april-2023/Southern Africa Focus Mozambique Over 50 Law Officers Dismissed The president of Mozambique’s Supreme Court, Adelino Muchanga, revealed on Tuesday that over 50 law officers have been dismissed from the Mozambican public administration for being involved in illegal practices over the last five years.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-31-march-2023/Fri, 31 Mar 2023 20:48:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-31-march-2023/Southern Africa Focus: Mozambique: Mozambique Begins Massive Post-Cyclone Cholera Vaccination Drive Health officials in Mozambique are set to hold a massive cholera vaccination campaign in Quelimane, a city hit hard by Cyclone Freddy earlier this month. The director of health in Zambézia province, Blayton Caetano, told state radio Tuesday that the two-week vaccination drive is aimed at bringing down the soaring number of cholera cases in the aftermath of the historic storm.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-march-2023/Fri, 24 Mar 2023 09:05:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-march-2023/Southern Africa Focus Mozambique Mozambique secures $35m cyclone parametric reinsurance placement The Mozambique government has secured USD 35 million of parametric cyclone insurance via the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGD), supported by Africa Specialty Risks, The World Bank, and PULA.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-march-2023/Fri, 10 Mar 2023 08:28:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-march-2023/Southern Africa Focus Mozambique MSF ends response in Niassa, Mozambique as cholera cases decrease Following a reduction in the number of cholera cases, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has ended our response supporting the Mozambican Ministry of Health in the northern province of Niassa.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-february-2023/Tue, 14 Feb 2023 09:58:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-february-2023/Southern Africa Focus Mozambique Mozambique’s extremist rebels kill aid worker in north Extremist rebels in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province have killed a worker for the international charity Doctors Without Borders, shortly after a former vice president of the organization was asked to produce a report into the humanitarian situation in the conflict-hit region.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-13-january-2023/Fri, 13 Jan 2023 16:26:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-13-january-2023/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Address Concerns Raised By Stakeholders, ZEC Told Political parties and analysts have raised concerns over the report citing that it had an influence on boundaries of constituencies which are tilted in favour of the ruling Zanu PF party.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-5-november-2022/Sat, 05 Nov 2022 09:36:03 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-5-november-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Open for Business, says President Mnangagwa Zimbabwean President Dr Emerson Mnangagwa has called on investors to realize the massive investment opportunities in Zimbabwe and shun negative perceptions of risk. Zimbabwe, self-sufficient in food production and a major exporter of wheat, tobacco, and corn to the 14-member Southern African Development Community, to other African countries and the wider world before 2000, saw its exports plummet.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-october-2022/Fri, 14 Oct 2022 08:15:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-october-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa is set to headline this year’s anti-sanctions commemorations which will also be observed in most African countries as progressive nations join hands in piling pressure on the United States and its Western allies to remove the illegal punitive measures.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-23-september-2022/Mon, 26 Sep 2022 13:03:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-23-september-2022/General COVID Raises Risk of Long-Term Brain Injury, Large U.S. Study Finds Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/covid-raises-risk-long-term-brain-injury-large-us-study-finds-2022-09-22/ Covid hospitalisations rise by nearly 20% in a week in England Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/22/covid-hospitalisations-rise-by-nearly-20-in-a-week-in-england India’s Covid vaccination programme stunning: Roche’s Hoffmann, Duschmale Source: https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/india-s-covid-vaccination-programme-stunning-roche-s-hoffmann-duschmale-122092000941_1.html Covid Still Kills, but the Demographics of Its Victims Are Shiftinghttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-september-2022/Fri, 23 Sep 2022 13:04:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-september-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Authorities must release opposition MPs unjustly held for 100 days The continued arbitrary detention of opposition leader and Member of Parliament Job Sikhala and MP Godfrey Sithole is revealing of the politicized justice system in Zimbabwe, Amnesty International said today, 100 days since their incarceration.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-26-august-2022/Fri, 02 Sep 2022 12:15:48 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-26-august-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Zim opposition leaders begs SA to bear with Zimbabweans for only 400 more days Zimbabwean opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has appealed to the South African government to bear with Zimbabweans for 400 days before chasing them away from the country, a ‘Bulawayo24’ report revealed on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-update-2-august-2022/Fri, 02 Sep 2022 12:14:30 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-update-2-august-2022/General Global COVID-19 cases surpass 600 mln: WHO Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202209/02/WS63115883a310fd2b29e758f6.html COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths may increase with colder weather: WHO Source: http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202209/01/WS6310049fa310fd2b29e7556f.html Pfizer and BioNTech Announce Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Data Supporting Efficacy in Children 6 Months through 4 Years of Agehttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-august-2022/Fri, 19 Aug 2022 10:43:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-august-2022/Southern Africa Focus: Zimbabwe: ‘Zimbabwe Electoral Commission refuses to release voters roll’ Nelson Chamisa linked activist group, Team Pachedu has accused the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) of refusing to release a consolidated voters roll ahead of the delimitation exercise. In line with section 21 of the Electoral Act, a copy of the voters roll should be made available to those who request it upon payment of the prescribed fee.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-05-august-2022/Fri, 05 Aug 2022 12:28:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-05-august-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Chamisa ally says Zimbabwe heading for another disputed election The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party is now in the final stages of drafting a pre-election position on reforms which must be implemented before next year’s general election.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-05-august-2022/Fri, 05 Aug 2022 12:27:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-05-august-2022/General People with HIV still at higher risk of death from COVID-19 in Omicron wave Source: https://www.aidsmap.com/news/aug-2022/people-hiv-still-higher-risk-death-covid-19-omicron-wave Unprecedented global challenges are ‘not insurmountable’ - UN chief Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/unprecedented-global-challenges-are-not-insurmountable-un-chief A multilateral approach to global health is the only way to manage pandemics.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-22-july-2022/Fri, 22 Jul 2022 12:53:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-22-july-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe NGOs in Zimbabwe under threat — and not for the first time s Zimbabwe counts down to the 2023 elections, civil society is yet again fighting for its very existence. The parliament has, since November 2021, been working towards the amendment of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Act.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-july-2022/Fri, 15 Jul 2022 07:20:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-july-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Top China diplomat meets Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa, hopes to make inroads into Africa During the meet on July 4, Yang appreciated “Zimbabwe’s important role in promoting China-Africa co-operation on the Belt and Road Initiative and stands ready to further strengthen all-dimensional exchanges with Zimbabwe, be it party to party, government to government, military to military and people to people levels, and conduct in-depth exchanges of governance experience with Zimbabwe”.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-15-july-2022/Fri, 15 Jul 2022 07:18:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-15-july-2022/General WHO says COVID-19 remains a global health emergency. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/who-says-covid-19-remains-global-health-emergency-2022-07-12/ The gender pay gap in the health and care sector: A global analysis in the time of COVID-19 Source: https://www.ilo.org/global/publications/books/WCMS_850909/lang--en/index.htm The ‘worst variant’ is here Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/13/world/coronavirus-newsletter-intl-07-13-22/index.html COVID-19 reinfection could be worse than first thoughthttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-1-july-2022/Fri, 01 Jul 2022 11:56:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-1-july-2022/Southern African Focus Zimbabwe Investors excited by Zimbabwe plan to mint gold to curb inflation Zimbabwe is set to introduce gold coins that will enable investors to store value within the country as inflation spirals out of control and the local currency continues to rapidly devalue against major currencies.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-1-july-2022/Fri, 01 Jul 2022 11:53:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-1-july-2022/General Monthly operational update on COVID-19 - June 2022 Source: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/monthly-operational-update-on-covid-19---june-2022 COVID-19: BA.4 and BA.5 variants spur 20 per cent rise in cases Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1121682 China Cuts Travel Quarantine in Biggest Covid Zero Shift Yet Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-28/china-cuts-quarantine-in-half-for-travelers-and-close-contacts North Korea blames Covid-19 outbreak on ‘unusual items’ near South Korea borderhttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-june-2022/Thu, 23 Jun 2022 21:11:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-june-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Minister claims only a few nurses on strike; MP ordered to withdraw cheeky question about VP whereabouts ‘as country burns’ Leader of government business in Parliament Ziyambi Ziyambi claimed Wednesday that only a few doctors and nurses were on strike as he reiterated the administration’s refusal to pay salaries in foreign currency.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-june-2022/Fri, 17 Jun 2022 16:03:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-june-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe In Zimbabwe, reporter’s conviction sparks fears of renewed abuse For the first time in more than a year, Jeffrey Moyo, reporter for The New York Times in Zimbabwe, is breathing rather easy. Last May, he was arrested and imprisoned for 21 days on accusations of obtaining fake press credentials for two New York Times journalists who entered his home country last year on a reporting trip.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-17-june-2022/Fri, 17 Jun 2022 16:02:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-17-june-2022/General WTO agrees partial patent waiver for Covid-19 vaccines Source: https://www.ft.com/content/9cfa15b6-dab8-4cc6-9ab4-c192c6ad0e0b Saudi Arabia bans flights to India and 15 other nations Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/covid-19-update-saudi-arabia-bans-flights-to-india-and-15-other-nations/articleshow/91733137.cms Growing share of Covid-19 deaths are among vaccinated people, but booster shots substantially lower the risk Source: https://edition.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-3-june-2022/Fri, 03 Jun 2022 08:54:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-3-june-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Trouble Ahead in Zimbabwe Conditions for the people of Zimbabwe continue to go from bad to worse. Triple digit inflation shows no signs of slowing. Over half of the country lives in poverty. Its corrupt government lurches from disinterest in the population’s pain to rosy projections for growth based on pure fantasy to clumsy interventions like the recent short-lived edict banning banks from lending.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-27-may-2022/Fri, 27 May 2022 15:03:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-27-may-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Courage, charisma not enough to defeat Zanu-PF in Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections With 14 months to go before Zimbabweans elect a president, members of parliament and local government representatives, the country is in full election mode. The ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) has ramped up its campaign while a new opposition party has sparked hope of a meaningful democratic contest.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-20-may-2022/Fri, 20 May 2022 07:50:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-20-may-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Zim lifts lending ban as currency and stock exchange nosedive The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe on Tuesday lifted the the lending freeze imposed just over a week ago, saying its Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) completed investigations.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-13-may-2022/Fri, 13 May 2022 11:47:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-13-may-2022/General North Korea announces first Covid deaths amid ’explosive’ outbreak Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/12/asia/north-korea-covid-death-outbreak-intl-hnk/index.html WHO must be reformed and strengthened, says Prime Minister Source: https://scroll.in/latest/1023827/who-must-be-reformed-and-strengthened-says-prime-minister-narendra-modi-at-covid-19-global-summit Global leaders in new push to quell Covid-19 pandemic Source: https://www.businesslive.co.za/bloomberg/news/2022-05-13-global-leaders-in-new-push-to-quell-covid-19-pandemic/ What is the true global Covid-19 death toll?https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-may-2022/Fri, 06 May 2022 11:48:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-may-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Parliament to Summon Mnangagwa Over Rampant Corruption Parliament must move a motion to summon President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the National Assembly to answer questions about rampant corruption in his government which were flagged Auditor-General (AG) Mildred Chiri in her 2020 report, outspoken Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa has said.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-26-may-2022/Sun, 01 May 2022 15:05:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-26-may-2022/General Africa: Over 11.7 million Cases of Covid-19 Confirmed Across Continent Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202205260256.html Africa: Experts Deliberate on Challenges, Solutions Facing Children in the Wake of Covid-19 Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202205260049.html WHO Results Report shows global health achievements despite COVID-19 pandemic Source: https://www.who.int/news/item/16-05-2022-who-results-report-shows-global-health-achievements-despite-covid-19-pandemichttps://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-1-may-2022/Sun, 01 May 2022 07:44:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-1-may-2022/General Unvaccinated people increase risk of COVID-19 infection among vaccinated: study Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/8783380/unvaccinated-vaccinated-covid-risk-canadian-study/ Vaccine makers see off push to share Covid know-how Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61262065 Lack of Covid testing leaves researchers blind to evolution patterns, WHO warns Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/26/lack-of-covid-testing-leaves-researches-blind-to-evolution-patterns-who-warns Parents feel ‘isolated’ in COVID’s 6th wave.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-29-april-2022/Fri, 29 Apr 2022 07:44:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-29-april-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe UNICEF - Nearly 50 Percent of Zimbabwean Youth Not in School The United Nations Children’s Fund and Zimbabwe have released a report saying nearly half the country’s youth are not in school due to poverty exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-18-march-2022/Fri, 18 Mar 2022 08:09:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-18-march-2022/Southern Africa Focus: Zimbabwe: Women need to see themselves in politics. It’s the only way change will come to Zimbabwe It is fair to say there has been reasonable progress for women in political leadership and decision-making in the past three decades.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-11-march-2022/Fri, 11 Mar 2022 17:07:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-11-march-2022/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe New Zimbabwe law threatens to criminalise and ban NGOs Zimbabwe wants to criminalise and ban non-governmental organisations (NGOs) through the proposed Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) Amendment Bill, which will regulate the NGOs’ working environment in the country.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates/Fri, 11 Mar 2022 16:56:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates/General Why have women been so disproportionately affected by Covid-19? Experts explain Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/10/world/covid-pandemic-gender-women-as-equals-intl-cmd/index.html Hong Kong’s covid-19 death rate is the world’s highest because of unvaccinated elderly Source: https://www.livemint.com/science/health/hong-kong-s-covid-19-death-rate-is-the-world-s-highest-because-of-unvaccinated-elderly-11646827705444.html Global Covid-19 death toll ‘may be three times higher than official figures’https://www.salo.org.za/9115-2/Fri, 18 Feb 2022 18:11:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/9115-2/General COVID: New cases decline by 19% worldwide, deaths stabilise Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/16/covid-new-cases-decline-by-19-worldwide-deaths-stabilise WHO announces first technology recipients of mRNA vaccine hub with strong support from African and European partners. Source: https://www.who.int/news/item/18-02-2022-who-announces-first-technology-recipients-of-mrna-vaccine-hub-with-strong-support-from-african-and-european-partners Africa may have been hit harder by covid-19 than anyone knewhttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-18-february-2022/Fri, 18 Feb 2022 18:10:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-18-february-2022/Southern Africa Focus: Hope fades for voters in Zimbabwe As Zimbabwe heads to elections in 2023, there is little to suggest that any party has the wherewithal to dislodge Zanu-PF from power. This is despite an economy that has been in the gutters for decades, widely blamed on 42 years of the ruling party’s mismanagement, first under long-term leader Robert Mugabe and, since 2017, under his successor, President Emmerson Mnangagwa.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-11-february-2022/Fri, 11 Feb 2022 13:10:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-11-february-2022/Southern Africa Focus: Zimbabwe: Mnangagwa offers cash incentives to Zim govt workers to block strikes President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe has made a mouth-watering proposition to teachers in a bid to avert a catastrophic strike by government workers who say their salaries have been eroded by inflation.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-4-february-2022/Fri, 04 Feb 2022 13:11:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-4-february-2022/Southern Africa Focus: Zim should recall its nationals from SA The Zimbabwe embassy and its consulates urged their nationals in SA to be vigilant and law abiding. Good advice, but a better one would have been to have urged them to emulate the 600 Nigerian nationals in SA who responded positively to their compatriot who provided them a free ride back to Nigeria on the two airplanes he sent to SA.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-4-february-2022/Fri, 04 Feb 2022 13:09:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-4-february-2022/General Pandemic or endemic: Where is COVID heading next? Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/29/pandemic-or-endemic-where-is-covid-heading-next Africa may have reached the pandemic’s holy grail Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/01/28/1072591923/africa-may-have-reached-the-pandemics-holy-grail U.S. would seek global approach to updating Covid-19 vaccines, official says Source: https://www.statnews.com/2022/01/18/u-s-would-seek-global-approach-to-updating-covid-19-vaccines-official-says/ Disruptions in China can lead to ‘ripple-effects’ across global supply chain, says HSBChttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-january-2022/Fri, 14 Jan 2022 07:47:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-january-2022/News Briefs 14 January 2022 Southern Africa Zimbabwean President Mnangagwa axes state security minister for ‘inappropriate conduct’ Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed State Security Minister Owen Ncube. Ncube becomes the second minister to be fired by Mnangagwa within two years.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-14-jan-2022/Fri, 14 Jan 2022 07:42:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-14-jan-2022/General Official predicts ‘most people are going to get covid’ as global cases reach new high Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/01/11/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/ COVID-19 pandemic stalls global economic recovery: UN report Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/01/1109702 Omicron-fuelled COVID-19 surge in Africa plateaus Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/omicron-fuelled-covid-19-surge-africa-plateaus More nations cite endemic phase; South Africa registers 6,762 new caseshttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-03-december-2021/Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:18:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-03-december-2021/Southern Afric:a Zimbabwe: South Africa Banks Threatening to Close Bank Accounts of 178,000 Zimbabweans Exemption Permit Holders Expiring Soon Some South African banks are threatening to freeze accounts of Special Zimbabweans Exemption Permit holders if they don’t provide new documents in January 2022.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-03-december-2021/Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:16:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-03-december-2021/General: Update on Omicron: Source: https://www.who.int/news/item/28-11-2021-update-on-omicron WHO says vaccines will protect against severe Omicron; South Africa registers 8,561 new cases. Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-12-01-who-says-vaccines-will-protect-against-severe-omicron-south-africa-registers-8561-new-cases/ Denver reimposes mask mandate; South Africa registers 868 new cases Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-11-23-denver-reimposes-mask-mandate-south-africa-registers-868-new-cases/ As omicron spreads, studies suggest that travel bans alone don’t do much goodhttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-november-2021/Fri, 19 Nov 2021 07:45:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-november-2021/Southern Africa Zimbabwe No new external capital for Zimbabwe mines as power, forex crunch bites MINING companies in Zimbabwe, including units of Impala Platinum and Anglo Platinum, are expecting no new external capitalisation as the industry battles power outages amid uncertainties with foreign currency.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-19-november-2021/Fri, 19 Nov 2021 07:43:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-19-november-2021/General Who pays to deliver vaccines? An Analysis of World Bank Funding for COVID-19 Vaccination and Recovery Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/who-pays-deliver-vaccines-analysis-world-bank-funding-covid-19-vaccination-and-recovery Statement on the ninth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic Source: https://www.who.int/news/item/26-10-2021-statement-on-the-ninth-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-pandemichttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-13-november-2021/Sat, 13 Nov 2021 10:22:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-13-november-2021/Southern Africa: Zimbabwe seeks to increase mining revenue Mining accounts for 12% of Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product. Among the wide range of minerals, gold stands out. Large miners produce up to one ton of gold per month, with smaller producers churning out 1.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-november-2021/Sat, 06 Nov 2021 07:57:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-november-2021/Southern Africa: Zimbabwe’s positive outlook clouded by political risk Tensions between President Mnangagwa and Vice-President Chamisa present a degree of political risk, but the overall outlook for Zimbabwe is positive. African Business: What has Emerson Mnangagwa’s presidency been like and what does he stand for?https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-05-november-2021/Fri, 05 Nov 2021 07:59:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-05-november-2021/General Covid: WHO warns Europe once again at epicentre of pandemic Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59160525 ‘Extremely promising findings’: Discovery releases results of study into efficacy of Pfizer vaccine Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-11-04-extremely-promising-findings-discovery-releases-results-of-study-into-efficacy-of-pfizer-vaccine/ UK approves Merck’s antiviral COVID-19 pill in world first move Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/4/uk-approves-mercks-antiviral-covid-19-pill-in-world-first-movehttps://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-30-october-2021/Sat, 30 Oct 2021 08:27:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-30-october-2021/General: Syringe Shortage Threatens Africa’s COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Source: https://www.voanews.com/a/syringe-shortage-threatens-africa-s-covid-19-vaccine-rollout/6289348.html FDA endorses vaccine for children as young as five years; South Africa records 331 new cases Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-10-27-fda-endorses-vaccine-for-children-as-young-as-five-years-south-africa-records-331-new-cases/ Global numbers of Covid cases and deaths rise for the first time in 2 months, WHO sayshttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-october-2021/Sat, 30 Oct 2021 08:17:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-october-2021/Southern Africa: Zimbabwe sanctions should go as they only worsen crisis, UN expert says Sanctions against Zimbabwean politicians and institutions should be scrapped because they worsen pre-existing social and economic woes in the troubled southern African nation, a UN expert said on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-october-2021/Sat, 23 Oct 2021 08:48:42 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-october-2021/Southern Africa: Zimbabwe: Corruption and state capture, not sanctions, are the cause of Zimbabwe’s economic meltdown The conflation of the state, politics and business is a triangular marriage that has continued to push the monetary, fiscal and economic burdens on to ordinary citizens who are muzzled and disempowered from holding accountable those in the vortex of corruption and abuse of power.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-october-2021/Sat, 16 Oct 2021 07:54:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-october-2021/Southern Africa: Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe main opposition leader’s convoy attacked: party A convoy carrying Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader was attacked by suspected ruling party supporters on Monday, his party said. Nelson Chamisa “did not get injured although his close protection officers and security details were injured” and hospitalised, Fadzayi Mahere, spokeswoman for the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-Alliance), told AFP.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-update-15-october-2021/Fri, 15 Oct 2021 07:51:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-update-15-october-2021/General Global commitments on COVID-19 offer way forward but success depends on action being taken now Source: https://www.who.int/news/item/24-09-2021-global-commitments-on-covid-19-offer-way-forward-but-success-depends-on-action-being-taken-now Biden’s Push to Vaccinate the World Is Not Enough, Experts Say Source: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/09/22/world/covid-delta-variant-vaccine Tracking Global COVID-19 Vaccine Equity: An Update Source: https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/tracking-global-covid-19-vaccine-equity-an-update/https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-08-october-2021/Sat, 09 Oct 2021 06:47:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-08-october-2021/Southern Africa Focus: Zimbabwe: Nelson Chamisa says situation in Zim is worsening. The clampdown on the opposition and journalists is getting worse in Zimbabwe, according to MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa. He says the situation has not changed under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-01-october-2021/Fri, 01 Oct 2021 08:20:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-01-october-2021/General Over 70% of African nations didn’t reach global COVID-19 vaccine goal Source: https://www.devex.com/news/over-70-of-african-nations-didn-t-reach-global-covid-19-vaccine-goal-101749 Fifteen African countries hit 10% COVID-19 vaccination goal Source: https://www.afro.who.int/news/fifteen-african-countries-hit-10-covid-19-vaccination-goal Pfizer Starts Global Phase 2/3 Epic-Pep Study of Novel COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Candidate for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis in Adultshttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-01-october-2021/Fri, 01 Oct 2021 08:18:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-01-october-2021/Southern Africa Focus: Zimbabwe Central Bank freezes 30 accounts over illegal activities Zimbabwe’s central bank has frozen the bank accounts of 30 people accused of illegally exchanging foreign currency through mobile phones and social networks, it said on Tuesday. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe said in a statement on Tuesday it had identified 30 people “abusing mobile telecommunication services and other social media platforms” for “illegal foreign exchange transactions and money laundering”.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-25-september-2021/Sat, 25 Sep 2021 12:06:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-25-september-2021/Southern Africa Focus: Zimbabwe: Is Mnangagwa using Covid-19 restrictions to consolidate power? When Constantino Chiwenga, Zimbabwe’s vice-president and health minister, suspended by-elections in October 2020 citing Statutory Instrument (SI) 225A as a means to curb Covid-19, many believed a new date would be set.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-18-september-2021/Sat, 18 Sep 2021 07:08:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-18-september-2021/General Leaders Make Urgent Call to Accelerate Vaccination Globally And In Africa Source: https://www.who.int/news/item/14-09-2021-leaders-make-urgent-call-to-accelerate-vaccination-globally-and-in-africa New York To Offer Covid Vaccination, Testing to All Attending High-Level UN General Assembly Session Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/new-york-to-offer-covid-19-vaccination-testing-to-all-attending-high-level-un-general-assembly-session-2542278 COVID-19 vaccine efficacy does not support boosters for general population, expert review concludeshttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-september-2021/Fri, 17 Sep 2021 07:06:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-september-2021/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Defaulter Zimbabwe courts investors with $200m bond sale Zimbabwe will seek to raise $200 million in a debut domestic U.S. dollar bond sale on its stock exchange in Victoria Falls that trades exclusively in foreign currency, according to Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-26-auguust-2021/Thu, 26 Aug 2021 14:42:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-26-auguust-2021/General WHO says no conclusive data yet on need for COVID-19 booster shot. Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-says-no-conclusive-data-yet-need-covid-19-booster-shot-2021-08-25/ WHO sees signs of global COVID-19 plateau. Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/08/who-sees-signs-global-covid-19-plateau China criticises U.S. ‘scapegoating’ over COVID origin report. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-criticises-us-scapegoating-covid-origin-report-be-released-2021-08-25/ Southern Africa Zimbabwe Zimbabwe extends COVID-19 vaccination to younger age groupshttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-26-august-2021/Thu, 26 Aug 2021 14:40:48 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-26-august-2021/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Zimbabwe arrests after child bride dies giving birth at church shrine Police in Zimbabwe have arrested a 26-year-old man after a teenage girl died during childbirth, in a case that has sparked outrage among citizens and rights activists.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-13-august-2021/Mon, 16 Aug 2021 17:14:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-13-august-2021/Southern Africa Focus: Zimbabwe. UN Urges Zimbabwe to End Child Marriage After 14-Year-Old Bride Dies in Childbirth Women’s rights activists, opposition groups, and the United Nations are pressuring Zimbabwean authorities to arrest a man who had married a 14-year-old who died last week while giving birth at a church shrine.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-07-august-2021/Sat, 07 Aug 2021 07:13:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-07-august-2021/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Chiwenga Hides Potentially Damning Audit Report On Health Ministry Corruption VICE President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga has been sitting on the Auditor-General’s specially commissioned audit report for the ministry, which looks at potential abuses of Covid-19 funds, despite the fact that it has been ready for tabling in the National Assembly for months.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-30-july-2021/Fri, 30 Jul 2021 13:53:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-updates-30-july-2021/General: Sri Lanka-India international postponed over Covid-19 case. Source: https://www.news24.com/sport/cricket/sri-lanka-india-international-postponed-over-covid-19-case-20210727 World economy caps extraordinary return from Covid-19 collapse Source: https://www.livemint.com/economy/world-economy-caps-extraordinary-return-from-covid-19-collapse-11627643919533.html UN warned of ‘dire’ COVID situation in Myanmar Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/30/the-uk-warns-covid-19-could-infect-half-myanmar-in-next-two-week Covid-19 international travel quarantine rules relaxed Source: https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2021/07/29/news/covid-19-international-travel-quarantine-rules-relaxed-2403741/ Southern Africahttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-july-2021/Fri, 30 Jul 2021 13:51:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-july-2021/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe After two years of three digits, Zimbabwe inflation drops to 56% Zimbabwean inflation slowed to double digits in July for the first time in more than two years. Consumer prices rose 56.37% from a year earlier, compared with 106.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-july-2021/Sat, 17 Jul 2021 07:25:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-july-2021/Zimbabwe: Zanu-PF a Militarised Graveyard - Jonathan Moyo Former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo says Zanu PF has become a military outfit working against the interests of the majority of the country’s citizens. Commenting on the readmission of former Zanu PF youth leader Kudzanayi Chipanga and other senior Zanu PF officials minister into the ruling party, Moyo said Zanu PF was now a “blunt military tool”, and those rejoining it should not be deceived.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-9-july-2021/Fri, 09 Jul 2021 08:12:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-9-july-2021/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Zimbabwe army commander dies from cancer - presidential spokesman Zimbabwe’s army commander died early on Thursday after succumbing to cancer, the presidential spokesman said. The army holds an outsized influence in Zimbabwean politics. In November 2017, the army stepped in to oust the late Robert Mugabe and pave way for incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-9-july-2021/Fri, 09 Jul 2021 07:55:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-9-july-2021/General Africa suffers ‘worst pandemic week ever’ as cases surge, vaccinations lag Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/07/09/coronavirus-latest-updates/ Global coronavirus update: Myanmar to reclose schools due to Covid-19 Source: https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/global-coronavirus-update-myanmar-to-reclose-schools-due-to-covid-19-121070900131_1.html UK plans to end physical distancing; South Africa registers 12,513 new cases Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-07-06-uk-plans-to-end-physical-distancing-south-africa-registers-12513-new-cases/https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-update-25-june-2021/Fri, 25 Jun 2021 07:35:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-regional-update-25-june-2021/General As global Covid-19 vaccinations rise, focus shifts to learning to live with the virus Source: https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/world/2021-06-21-as-global-covid-19-vaccinations-rise-focus-shifts-to-learning-to-live-with-the-virus/ Global COVID-19 vaccine inequity Source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00344-3/fulltext UAE sends new batch of COVID-19 vaccine doses to Sudan Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/united-arab-emirates/uae-sends-new-batch-covid-19-vaccine-doses-sudan Global leaders call for women-centered COVID-19 pandemic recoveryhttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-25-june-2021/Fri, 25 Jun 2021 07:33:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-25-june-2021/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Two Decades After Land Grab Zimbabwe Starts Paying Farmers Zimbabwe made its first compensation payment as part of an agreement to settle a dispute with White commercial farmers who had their land seized violently two decades ago.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-21-june-2021/Mon, 21 Jun 2021 08:16:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-21-june-2021/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe IMF doubles forecast for economic growth in Zimbabwe on harvest The International Monetary Fund almost doubled its economic growth forecast for Zimbabwe, citing a bumper harvest, improved power supply and an increase in manufacturing and construction.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-june-2021/Mon, 14 Jun 2021 11:29:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-june-2021/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Zimbabwe court upholds chief justice’s right to resume work despite age Zimbabwe’s High Court on Thursday backed Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s right to resume work despite a previous ruling that the president’s decision to extend Malaba’s tenure breached the constitution because he has turned 70.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-13-june-2021/Sun, 13 Jun 2021 11:29:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-updates-13-june-2021/General Biden vows to ‘supercharge’ global fight against pandemic Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/06/10/covid-vaccine-variant-mask-california-pfizer-cdc/7627530002/ Covid-19 caseload crosses 174.3 million-mark Source: https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/global-coronavirus-update-covid-19-caseload-crosses-174-3-million-mark-121061000120_1.html World leaders must put women at centre of COVID-19 recovery Source: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/countries-must-close-economic-gender-gaps-for-a-fair-covid-19-recovery/ US hits 300 million vaccine doses; South Africa registers 5,074 new caseshttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-5-june-2021/Sat, 05 Jun 2021 08:16:33 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-5-june-2021/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Zimbabweans Protest COVID-19 Vaccine Shortages Hundreds of Zimbabweans protested Wednesday about a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines as the country awaits more doses from China. The government wants to inoculate at least 60% of Zimbabwe’s more than 14 million people by the end of the year but has struggled to get the necessary supplies.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-update/Wed, 26 May 2021 10:32:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-update/General South Sudan Returning 72,000 COVID Vaccine Doses Source: https://www.voanews.com/africa/south-sudan-focus/south-sudan-returning-72000-covid-vaccine-doses Impoverished Central African Republic begins COVID jab rollout Source: https://africa.cgtn.com/2021/05/21/impoverished-central-african-republic-begins-covid-jab-rollout/ Daily Cases Continue To Fall, Over 19.84 Cr Vaccines So Far, Lockdowns Continue Source: https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/covid-19-updates-daily-cases-continue-to-fall-over-1984-cr-vaccines-so-far-lockdowns-continue-541132.html U.S. Olympians will head to Tokyo Games despite travel warninghttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-25-may-2021/Tue, 25 May 2021 10:33:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-25-may-2021/Southern Africa Zimbabwe Zimbabwe court orders Mugabe’s body be exhumed A traditional court in Zimbabwe has ordered former First Lady Grace Mugabe to exhume the body of her late husband Robert Mugabe. The court says Mugabe must be reburied at the Heroes Acre in Harare.https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-3-may-2021/Mon, 03 May 2021 08:58:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-3-may-2021/General India COVID-19 deaths climb again as global aid flown in Source: https://www.enca.com/news/india-covid-deaths-climb-again-global-aid-flown India sets another grim record as global cases top 150 million Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/04/30/coronavirus-covid-live-updates-us/ The global good: It’s a moral imperative to waiver the intellectual property rights on Covid-19 vaccineshttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-april-2020/Fri, 30 Apr 2021 08:52:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-april-2020/Southern Africa Focus Zimbabwe Zimbabwe’s opposition youth leader arrested A main opposition MDC Alliance youth leader in Zimbabwe has been arrested and has appeared in the Harare Magistrate’s Court on criminal nuisance charges. This as the crackdown against opposition and human rights activists continues in the country.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-20-april-2021/Tue, 20 Apr 2021 07:54:01 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-20-april-2021/Southern Africa Zimbabwe Zanu-PF Brutality Could Plunge Country into Moza Chaos – Chamisa MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa says the country risked plunging into extremism just witnessed in neighbouring Mozambique if the ruling Zanu PF party persists with its brutal politics.https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-update-19-april-2021/Tue, 20 Apr 2021 07:51:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid19-regional-update-19-april-2021/Image: “Minister Fikile Mbalula inspects Rea-Vaya buses and stations as part of Coronavirus Covid-19 safety measures” by GovernmentZA is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 General U.S. pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccine could be felt the most in poor countrieshttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-26-march-2021/Fri, 26 Mar 2021 11:58:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-26-march-2021/Southern Africa: Zimbabwe Zimbabwe moves into second phase of vaccination programme Zimbabwe has moved into the second phase of its COVID-19 vaccination programme. It’s now targeting the elderly people with chronic conditions, and essential workers like the police, army and prison employees.https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-16-march-2021/Tue, 16 Mar 2021 11:57:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-16-march-2021/General Global rollout of AstraZeneca vaccine unchanged by suspensions in Europe, WHO says Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/03/16/coronavirus-covid-live-updates-us/ US deaths fall; South Africa registers further 1,006 cases Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-03-14-us-deaths-fall-south-africa-registers-further-1006-cases/ Global COVID-19 caseload tops 120 million Source: https://www.wionews.com/world/global-covid-19-caseload-tops-120-million-370767 African Development Bank President calls for Global Vaccine Solidarity and Justice for Africahttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-march-2021/Mon, 15 Mar 2021 11:58:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-march-2021/Southern Africa Country Briefs Zimbabwe Organisation helps returning Zimbabwe refugees get back on their feet The coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the global job market. This has forced many Zimbabweans to return home. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is trying to help them get back on their feet.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-26-february-2021/Fri, 26 Feb 2021 09:59:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-26-february-2021/Southern African Country Briefs: Democratic Republic of Congo DRC President Felix Tshisekedi appoints Sama Lukonde Kyenge as PM President Felix Tshisekedi has named the head of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) state mining company as the new prime minister, capping a series of political victories over his once-dominant predecessor, Joseph Kabila.https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-16-february-2021-2/Fri, 26 Feb 2021 09:57:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-16-february-2021-2/General New coronavirus variant identified in New York: researchers Source: https://www.iol.co.za/news/world/new-coronavirus-variant-identified-in-new-york-researchers-e6dfcf36-d7de-5bea-a6ee-f61f6ddcb0a2 Coronavirus variants update: One has spread to over 90 countries, two on WHO watchlist Source: https://www.news24.com/health24/medical/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-variants-update-one-has-spread-to-over-90-countries-two-on-who-watchlist-20210226-3 COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped by the COVAX Facility head to Ghana, marking beginning of global rollouthttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-february-2021/Tue, 16 Feb 2021 08:50:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-february-2021/South Sudan Changing the Calculus to Support Peace in South Sudan For more than two years, South Sudan’s leaders have engaged in stalling tactics that have stymied the implementation of the peace deal signed in September 2018. President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar, by signing the peace accord, agreed to form a transitional government that would prepare the country for elections.https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-16-february-2021/Tue, 16 Feb 2021 08:37:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-16-february-2021/General: COVID vaccine weekly: why AstraZeneca vaccine received WHO backing even as South Africa paused rollout. Source: https://theconversation.com/covid-vaccine-weekly-why-astrazeneca-vaccine-received-who-backing-even-as-south-africa-paused-rollout-154861 South African variant: What is behind the Covid-19 surge in southern Africa? Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-56038263 Africa Covid deaths skyrocket as official toll nears 100,000https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-8-february-2021/Mon, 08 Feb 2021 10:31:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-8-february-2021/eSwatini Urgent need for vaccines as new COVID-19 strain ravages Mozambique, Eswatini and Malawi As a highly infectious new strain of COVID-19 spreads through Southern Africa, health workers in Mozambique, Eswatini and Malawi are struggling to treat escalating numbers of patients with little prospect of a vaccine to protect them from the virus.https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-3-feb-2021/Wed, 03 Feb 2021 09:55:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-3-feb-2021/Header Image: “coronavirus-covid-19” by Nursing Schools Near Me is licensed under CC BY 2.0 General: Global Virus Update: Race emerges as vaccine problem; US cases slow; SA set to receive first vaccines today Source: https://wwwdailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-01-31-global-virus-update-race-emerges-as-vaccine-problem-us-cases-slow-sa-set-to-receive-first-vaccines-today/ Covid world map: which countries have the most coronavirus vaccinations, cases and deaths?https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-31-january-2021/Sun, 31 Jan 2021 10:05:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-31-january-2021/Western Sahara After Trump’s Colonial Carve-Up, Western Sahara Has Risen Up When Donald Trump announced on December 10 that his administration was recognizing the legitimacy of Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara in exchange for Moroccan recognition of Israel, it was the first time many people had heard of Western Sahara.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-25-january-2021/Mon, 25 Jan 2021 09:02:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-25-january-2021/Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe loses another serving Minister to COVID-19 Transport Minister Joel Matiza has become the fourth serving Minister to succumb to the virus just days after the country lost Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo. Zimbabwe has lost another serving Minister to COVID-19.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-updates-20-01-2021/Wed, 20 Jan 2021 07:21:03 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-updates-20-01-2021/General: Africa’s Covid-19 response has been admirable, but the economic costs will linger for years Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-01-17-africas-covid-19-response-has-been-admirable-but-the-economic-costs-will-linger-for-years/ Global Virus Update: US deaths near 400,000; SA deaths rise above 37,000; UK weighs quarantines Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-01-17-global-virus-update-us-deaths-near-400000-sa-deaths-rise-above-37000-uk-weighs-quarantines/ The ‘shadow pandemic’ of gender-based violence in Africa: From protocols to practicehttps://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-january-2021/Sun, 17 Jan 2021 06:59:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-january-2021/Zimbabwe Zimbabwe journalist to spend weekend in jail after tweet Zimbabwe police have re-arrested award-winning journalist and government critic Hopewell Chin’ono, as well as one of his defenders, for allegedly posting false information on social media, prosecutors and lawyers said.https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-4-jan-2020/Mon, 04 Jan 2021 10:35:51 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-4-jan-2020/General: Tracking every effort to roll-out a COVID-19 vaccine Source: https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-tracking-every-global-effort-to-roll-out-a-coronavirus-vaccine-12030675 The world in 2021 – how global politics will change this year Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/03/the-world-in-2021-how-global-politics-will-change-this-year With some of the most populous countries across Africa seeing increases in Covid-19 cases, there’ve been concerns that the continent is facing another spike in infections.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-december-2020/Thu, 10 Dec 2020 14:15:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-december-2020/Democratic Republic of Congo: African Union Urges ‘Peace’ As Dr Congo Crisis Widens. The African Union called on Democratic Republic of Congo leaders to preserve “peace and stability” as a crisis in the perennially restive nation’s shaky ruling coalition widened on Saturday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-03-december-2020/Thu, 03 Dec 2020 09:22:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-03-december-2020/eSwatini Eswatini PM moved to S.Africa for COVID-19 treatment The prime minister of Eswatini, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, has been shifted to neighboring South Africa for COVID-19 treatment, an official said in a statement late Tuesday. Ambrose Dlamini, 52, contracted the novel virus on Nov.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-updates-30-november-30-2020/Mon, 30 Nov 2020 08:33:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-updates-30-november-30-2020/Header Image: “coronavirus-covid-19” by Nursing Schools Near Me is licensed under CC BY 2.0 General: World Health Organization says disruptions to treatment of Malaria could lead to tens of thousands additional deaths. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/30/malaria-gains-at-risk-from-covid-19-pandemic-who The World Health Organization’s top vaccine expert says the agency needs to evaluate coronavirus vaccines and their immune responses based on more than just a press release.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-november-2020/Tue, 24 Nov 2020 08:18:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-november-2020/Zimbabwe Mnangagwa’s capture of judiciary a red flag for state failure In Harare, citizens bemoan the demise of Mugabe’s rule, stating that things have worsened under the new government. For many, the situation in the country has actually worsened since Mnangagwa took over.https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-16-november-2020/Mon, 16 Nov 2020 10:43:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-16-november-2020/General: When will a COVID-19 vaccine be available for Africa? Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08xxj7g Moderna Inc. said its Covid-19 vaccine was 94.5% effective in a preliminary analysis of a large late-stage clinical trial. Source: https://businesstech.co.za/news/trending/448911/new-trial-shows-covid-19-vaccine-is-94-5-effective/ South Africa: Statement by the Minister of Home Affairs regarding the reopening of borders and services during Alert Level 1https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-6-november-2020/Fri, 06 Nov 2020 10:07:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-6-november-2020/Zimbabwe: Mnangagwa Rights Record Worse Than Mugabe’s - Says Top Rights Group The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has published a damning report on rampant human rights violations in the country under incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The Forum, a union of 21 rights-based NGOs in the country, further accused the Zanu PF leader of making life unbearable for citizens as was the case during the horror days when the country was still under late strongman Robert Mugabe.https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-2-nov-2020/Mon, 02 Nov 2020 13:32:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-2-nov-2020/Header Image: “Minister Fikile Mbalula inspects Rea-Vaya buses and stations as part of Coronavirus Covid-19 safety measures” by GovernmentZA is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 General: In an earlier article in this series, we highlighted some of the major reported corruption cases across southern Africa.https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-26-october/Mon, 26 Oct 2020 14:01:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-26-october/Header Image: “Minister Fikile Mbalula inspects Rea-Vaya buses and stations as part of Coronavirus Covid-19 safety measures” by GovernmentZA is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 General: The northern hemisphere is facing a crucial moment in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization said Friday, with too many countries witnessing an exponential increase in coronavirus cases.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-october-2020/Sat, 24 Oct 2020 14:06:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-october-2020/eSwatini: New eSwatini Gender-Based Violence Report Reveals Shocking Stats A report produced jointly by the International Commission of Jurists and Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse says that one in three girls in eSwatini will experience some form of sexual violence before they are 18 years old, while 48% of Swazi women will experience some form of sexual violence over their lifetime, with intimate partners such as husbands and boyfriends, most likely to be the perpetrators.https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-19-oct-2020/Mon, 19 Oct 2020 09:46:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/regional-covid-19-updates-19-oct-2020/General: The coronavirus remains active on human skin for nine hours, Japanese researchers have found, in a discovery they said showed the need for frequent hand washing to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. Source: https://citizen.co.za/news/covid-19/2372000/coronavirus-survives-on-skin-five-times-longer-than-flu-study-finds/ Covid-19 has spread around the planet, sending billions of people into lockdown as health services struggle to cope.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-october-2020/Fri, 16 Oct 2020 09:40:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-october-2020/Zimbabwe Parliament Nullifies By-Election Suspension The Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda has announced that the Statutory Instrument 225A/2020 has been deemed unconstitutional by the Parliamentary Legal Committee. This follows the recent announcement by the Vice President and Health Minster, Constantino Chiwenga that by-elections had been shelved indefinitely due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-09-october-2020/Fri, 09 Oct 2020 12:16:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-09-october-2020/Central Africa Republic Human Rights Council Holds Separate Interactive Dialogues on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the Central African Republic. The Human Rights Council this morning held an enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and on the final report of the Team of International Experts on the Kasai.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-regional-covid-19-updates-6-october-2020/Tue, 06 Oct 2020 13:34:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-regional-covid-19-updates-6-october-2020/General: Covid-19 pandemic: Tracking the global coronavirus outbreak Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105 The World Health Organization (WHO) has said the Covid-19 outbreak in Africa may have passed its peak but warns governments not to be complacent as countries relax their restrictions. Source: https://www.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-october-2020/Fri, 02 Oct 2020 13:48:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-october-2020/Central African Republic Central African Republic: elections are ‘unique opportunity’ for peace - Guterres “The coming period will be decisive for the country”, António Guterres told a high-level meeting on the country, held on Thursday. His remarks were shared after the meeting, which was held behind closed doors.https://www.salo.org.za/salo-news-briefs-25-sept-2020/Fri, 25 Sep 2020 09:23:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/salo-news-briefs-25-sept-2020/Western Sahara. Is Western Sahara a no-go for trademark protection? Western Sahara is an Atlantic-coastal desert area of 266,000km2, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania. A former Spanish colony, it has been on the the United Nations (UN) list of non-self-governing territories since 1965 along with 17 other territories.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-regional-covid-19-updates-22-sept-2020/Tue, 22 Sep 2020 10:00:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-regional-covid-19-updates-22-sept-2020/Header Image: “coronavirus-covid-19” by Nursing Schools Near Me is licensed under CC BY 2.0 General: The 2020 Goalkeepers Report shows wholesale derailment of development goals due to Covid-19. And with nations scrambling for control of a vaccine, the worst may still be to come.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-18-september-2020/Fri, 18 Sep 2020 09:48:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-18-september-2020/Somalia Somalia’s president appoints new prime minister Somali President Mohamed Farmaajo appointed Mohamed Hussein Roble as the country’s new prime minister early Friday, hours after regional leaders agreed on a revised model for presidential and parliamentary elections. The Somali presidency made the announcement on Twitter.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-regional-covid-19-updates-16-sept-2020/Wed, 16 Sep 2020 12:27:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-regional-covid-19-updates-16-sept-2020/Given the political drivers of COVID-19, this research publication argues that this is an important moment to advance International Relations knowledge as a necessary and distinctive method for inclusion in the WHO repertoire of knowledge inputs for epidemic control. Source: https://www.https://www.salo.org.za/this-weeks-covid-19-updates-8-sept-2020/Tue, 08 Sep 2020 09:23:42 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/this-weeks-covid-19-updates-8-sept-2020/Header Image: “Minister Fikile Mbalula inspects Rea-Vaya buses and stations as part of Coronavirus Covid-19 safety measures” by GovernmentZA is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 General: Understanding the epidemiology of Covid-19 and moving forward would be critical to determining policy on the need to adopt interventions, including the Covid-19 vaccines that are being developed.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-news-briefs-04-september-2020/Fri, 04 Sep 2020 13:03:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-news-briefs-04-september-2020/Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe warms up to national dialogue. Many Zimbabweans are warming up to the recent calls for national dialogue and an internal resolution of the country’s decades-long political and economic crises, while also imploring President Emmerson Mnangagwa to move with speed to hold the much-needed talks with all key stakeholders.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-updates-31-august-2020/Sun, 30 Aug 2020 09:31:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-updates-31-august-2020/Header Image: “President Cyril Ramaphosa sees off Coronavirus COVID-19 quarantined citizens from The Ranch Resort” by GovernmentZA is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 General: Refugees and asylum seekers in Southern Africa are bearing the brunt of rising cases of COVID-19 and the re-introduction of restrictions on movements with increasing anti-foreigner sentiments in host countries.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-regional-covid-19-updates-27-august-2020/Thu, 27 Aug 2020 11:47:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-regional-covid-19-updates-27-august-2020/Header Image: “coronavirus-covid-19” by Nursing Schools Near Me is licensed under CC BY 2.0 General: Schools in Africa being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic has many other unintended consequences, including a gender gap, low nutrition, and the risk of children’s future success.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-21-august-2020/Fri, 21 Aug 2020 09:34:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-21-august-2020/Eswatini Covid-19: eSwatini community broadcasters blocked from going on air in great time of need EmaSwati long for the kind of community radio they see operating in neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique, which takes on local issues. However, the state broadcaster, the eSwatini Broadcasting and Information Service (EBIS), has a 56-year-old virtual monopoly which it inherited from the colonial era and which the government and royal family appear reluctant to see diluted.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-regional-covid-19-updates-17-august-2020/Mon, 17 Aug 2020 12:49:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-regional-covid-19-updates-17-august-2020/General: The UK’s Minister, Boris Johnson, is failing Africa and is setting back decades of progress on tackling issues of common interest for Africa and the UK. Source: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-14-how-boris-johnson-is-failing-africa/ Ten African innovations to help tackle the spread of Covid-19. Source: https://www.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-news-briefs-14-august-2020/Fri, 14 Aug 2020 08:38:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-news-briefs-14-august-2020/Zimbabwe. Source: Human Rights Watch 11 August 2020. End Inhuman Prison Conditions of Activists in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe’s authorities, including the Minister of Justice and prison officials, should immediately take measures to end the inhuman prison conditions in which prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Transform Zimbabwe Party leader Jacob Ngarivhume are being held.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-regional-updates-11-august-2020/Tue, 11 Aug 2020 13:00:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-regional-updates-11-august-2020/General: Humility from decision-makers, building trust in leaders and institutions, and learning from international experience are critical if countries are to better prepare for the next global crisis. Source: https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/covid-19-teaches-resilience-and-vulnerability-paradox The WHO is expanding support to countries experiencing a significant uptick in cases in Africa, and a surge of health workers have arrived in Johannesburg to provide assistance.https://www.salo.org.za/womens-month-reflecting-on-womens-experiences-in-the-context-of-covid-19-by-ineke-stemmet-salo/Sun, 09 Aug 2020 17:07:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/womens-month-reflecting-on-womens-experiences-in-the-context-of-covid-19-by-ineke-stemmet-salo/Women’s month in South Africa is commemorated to pay tribute to the more than 20 000 women who, on 9 August 1956, marched to the Union Buildings to protest the Apartheid Regime’s extension of the pass laws onto women. As such, August is declared by the South African government as women’s month and August 9th is celebrated as Women’s Day.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-news-briefs-06-august-2020/Thu, 06 Aug 2020 13:01:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-news-briefs-06-august-2020/Zimbabwe: Source: Business Day 04 August 2020. Zimbabwean Lives Matter movement grows with support from big names Protests against economic turmoil, arrests and human-rights abuses in Zimbabwe have moved online with a hashtag that’s plays on the #BlackLivesMatter movement. The #ZimbabweanLivesMatter tag started after security forces blocked a street demonstration last week.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-regional-updates-3-august-2020/Mon, 03 Aug 2020 13:24:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-regional-updates-3-august-2020/Header Image: “coronavirus-covid-19” by Nursing Schools Near Me is licensed under CC BY 2.0 https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-07-28-the-other-countries-with-covid-19-success-stories-and-what-we-can-learn-from-them/#gsc.tab=0 Four nations outside Europe, Cuba, Taiwan, Mauritius and Vietnam have so far managed to successfully confront and contain the Covid-19 onslaught. This article looks at the ways in which these countries managed to do this and what lessons can be learnt from these strategies.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-news-briefs-31-july-2020/Fri, 31 Jul 2020 13:33:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-news-briefs-31-july-2020/Zimbabwe: Scores of Zimbabwe protesters arrested, military in streets. Source:Washington Post 31 July 2020. HARARE, Zimbabwe — Scores of people were arrested Friday in Zimbabwe as hundreds of military troops as well as police attempted to thwart an anti-government protest, with streets empty and many people hiding indoors.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-regional-covid-19-updates-27-july-2020/Mon, 27 Jul 2020 13:44:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-regional-covid-19-updates-27-july-2020/South Africa: To help slow the spread of COVID-19, the United States government has contributed $500,000 (R 8.6 million) to UNICEF to construct handwashing stations in vulnerable communities and informal settlements across South Africa. Source: https://www.usaid.gov/south-africa/press-releases/united-states-government-supports-unicef-build The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank has approved a loan of approximately R5 billion ($288 million) to the government of South Africa, as the country battles one of the largest COVID-19 caseloads in the world.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-news-briefs-21-july-2020/Tue, 21 Jul 2020 13:53:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-news-briefs-21-july-2020/Sudan: Source: CNN 21 July 2020. Ousted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir begins trial over 1989 coup: The trial of deposed Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir started in Khartoum on Tuesday over his role in the 1989 coup d’etat that propelled him to power.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-regional-updates-20-july-2020/Mon, 20 Jul 2020 13:48:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-regional-updates-20-july-2020/eSwatini: The European Union gifts eSwatini with 2,4 million euros to help the most vulnerable households survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/eu-steps-up-to-feed-destitute-during-coronavirus-crisis-as-swaziland-govt-stumbles-to-deliver-aid-2020-07-16-121533548?mod=mw_more_headlines&tesla=y South Africa: https://issafrica.org/iss-today/police-and-courts-must-do-more-to-reduce-gender-based-violence?utm_source=BenchmarkEmail&utm_campaign=ISS_Today&utm_medium=email COVID-19 has created various challenges for the prosecution of gender-based violence, however, South Africa could use this opportunity to become more innovative in its response to gender-based violence.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-and-the-question-of-human-security-in-zimbabwe/Thu, 09 Jul 2020 09:10:06 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-and-the-question-of-human-security-in-zimbabwe/DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION Context Last year (2019) marked the 25th Anniversary of the Human Security concept; it was also a year that highlighted the increasing salience of the adverse impacts of climate change on various communities throughout the world (especially in the Global South).https://www.salo.org.za/a-tale-of-arrests-and-tests-ukuthula-trust/Wed, 08 Jul 2020 09:47:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/a-tale-of-arrests-and-tests-ukuthula-trust/Where and How Shall We Care For Ourselves? COVID 19 UPDATE: 2 June 2020 Bulawayo and Rural Matabeleland Arrests and Tests PDFhttps://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-regional-updates-8-july-2020/Wed, 08 Jul 2020 08:58:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-regional-updates-8-july-2020/Region and General: The COVID-10 situation update from the World Health Organization on the African region. Thus far, South Africa is the most affected, with registering more than 6,000 cases of infections per day. Source: https://www.afro.who.int/publications/situation-reports-covid-19-outbreak-sitrep-18-01-july-2020 Malawi: https://malawi.un.org/en/52005-malawi-covid-19-situation-update-no16-3-july-2020 The COVID-19 Situation Update in Malawi from the United Nations, as of July 2020.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-july-2020/Thu, 02 Jul 2020 08:49:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-july-2020/Somalia: Source - After Years as Military Base, Somalia’s Renovated Stadium Reopens Somalia’s president on Tuesday officially reopened the country’s renovated national stadium, which saw its first football match in 17 years, after serving as a base for Al-Shabaab and later, African Union peacekeeping troops.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-01-july-2020/Wed, 01 Jul 2020 09:03:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-01-july-2020/eSwatini: Source: Swaziland Teachers Say Govt. Plan to Reopen Schools from Coronavirus Lockdown Unsafe Union leaders have urged the Swaziland (eSwatini) Government not to go ahead with plans to reopen schools next week from coronavirus lockdown because it is unsafe to do so.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-regional-updates-30-june-2020/Tue, 30 Jun 2020 10:15:40 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-regional-updates-30-june-2020/SADC: The Southern African Development Community’s updates on COVID-19. Source: https://www.sadc.int/issues/covid-19/ Eswatini: The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) have sent modern sewing machines to the Kingdom of Eswatini in an attempt to combat the coronavirus pandemic through the production of masks in the country.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-june-2020/Wed, 24 Jun 2020 12:57:01 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-june-2020/Zimbabwe: Source: Fuel prices in Zimbabwe increase by more than 150% Zimbabwe’s fuel prices will go up by as much as 152% on Wednesday, the energy regulator said, after the government removed a fixed exchange rate in place since March.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-regional-updates-24-june-2020/Wed, 24 Jun 2020 10:53:48 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-regional-updates-24-june-2020/Malawi: The newest version of the update on Malawi and COVID-19 as of 19 June 2020 from the United Nations. This includes highlights, a global, regional and country summary and the preparedness and responses by humanitarian organisations. Source: https://malawi.un.org/en/49973-malawi-covid-19-situation-update-no14-19-june-2020 The Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement calling on Malawi to have a peaceful election process whilst keeping with safety measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-updates/Mon, 15 Jun 2020 09:41:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-updates/Weekly updates: Zimbabwe: Some COVID-19 restrictions extended indefinitely further threatening informal sector incomes: https://fews.net/southern-africa/zimbabwe/key-message-update/may-2020 With the ?rst imported COVID-19 case reported on 20 March 2020, as of 10 June, 287 COVID-19 cases and 4 deaths have been con?rmed with the majority of new cases being returnees.https://www.salo.org.za/salo-weekly-news-briefs-10-june-2020/Wed, 10 Jun 2020 08:46:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/salo-weekly-news-briefs-10-june-2020/Central African Republic: Source: Central African Republic court rejects bid to extend president’s mandate Central African Republic’s constitutional court on Friday rejected changes to the constitution that would have allowed President Faustin-Archange Touadera to stay in power if an election in December is delayed due to the new coronavirus.https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-updates-9-june-2020/Tue, 09 Jun 2020 10:21:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/weekly-covid-19-updates-9-june-2020/Africa & Southern Africa: Two months into the COVID-19 pandemic, ACLED takes stock of key trends in political violence and protest activity across Africa. This infographic is part of a special CDT Recap series reviewing eight weeks of data and analysis published as part of our COVID-19 Disorder Tracker:https://www.salo.org.za/salo-weekly-news-briefs-3-june-2020/Wed, 03 Jun 2020 10:39:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/salo-weekly-news-briefs-3-june-2020/Sudan: Source: Sudan’s Prime Minister promises justice on anniversary of sit-in killings Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok pledged justice on Wednesday for scores of pro-democracy protesters killed a year ago when security forces broke up a sit-in outside the defence ministry.https://www.salo.org.za/moving-into-level-3-with-caution/Tue, 02 Jun 2020 12:00:25 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/moving-into-level-3-with-caution/Source: www.denishurleycentre.org As South Africa moves this week into Level 3 lockdown, it is a step into the unknown. The emergency shelters set up by the Municipality are still in place and housing 1,500 homeless men and women. Since all the people are there voluntarily, we cannot be sure if they will want to continue to stay, especially when they see more people moving around.https://www.salo.org.za/cape-bangladeshis-r450k-food-donation-19-april/Sun, 31 May 2020 11:00:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/cape-bangladeshis-r450k-food-donation-19-april/The Bangladeshi community in Cape Town has assisted their local community through food parcels worth R450,000.00 on 19 April. The initiative led by MP, Hon. Faiez Jacobs was handed out in several communities across Cape Town. Source: https://www.dailyvoice.co.za/news/cape-bangladeshis-r450k-food-donation-46918647 The Bangladeshi community living in Cape Town has opened their hearts and wallets to locals going hungry during the Coronavirus lockdown.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwean-migrant-workshop-28-may-2020/Thu, 28 May 2020 12:07:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwean-migrant-workshop-28-may-2020/SALO is hosting an online multi-stakeholder workshop on Zimbabwean migrants and COVID-19 responses.https://www.salo.org.za/palestinian-ambassador-to-south-africa-and-members-of-her-embassy/Tue, 26 May 2020 13:03:34 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/palestinian-ambassador-to-south-africa-and-members-of-her-embassy/The Palestinian masks are a joint initiative of the Embassy of Palestine and #Africa4Palestine. The masks are made locally in SA from specially imported materials.https://www.salo.org.za/salo-weekly-news-briefs-26-may-2020/Tue, 26 May 2020 12:04:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/salo-weekly-news-briefs-26-may-2020/Western Sahara: Source: President Geingob: Morocco should implement UN resolutions to decolonize Western Sahara The President of Namibia, H.E. Hage Geingob, called on Morocco to implement UN resolutions to decolonize Western Sahara, in his speech on the occasion of Africa Day 2020.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-regional-update/Mon, 18 May 2020 21:15:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-regional-update/Zimbabwe: President extends coronavirus lockdown indefinitely https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-16/zimbabwe-president-extends-coronavirus-lockdown-indefinitely Source: Bloomberg Date: 16 May 2020 Zimbabwe: Coronavirus has 44 confirmed total cases https://www.cnbcafrica.com/africa-press-office/2020/05/17/coronavirus-zimbabwe-covid-19-update-16-may-2020/ Source: CNBC Africa Date: 16 May 2020 eSwatini/Swaziland: Primbe Minister extend lockdown by one-month amidst total of 202 confirmed caseshttps://www.salo.org.za/save-the-children-covid-19-emergency-response-and-recovery-plan/Mon, 18 May 2020 21:11:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/save-the-children-covid-19-emergency-response-and-recovery-plan/Source: Esther Mahlalela | Save the Children South Africa | Digital Engagement Officer In every single country and community, the COVID-19 pandemic is turning children’s lives upside down. The education of 1.25 billion children and adolescents across 150 countries is on hold.https://www.salo.org.za/salo-weekly-news-briefs-18-may-2020/Mon, 18 May 2020 12:01:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/salo-weekly-news-briefs-18-may-2020/Central African Republic: Source: “A Chance at Peace”: UNOPS Highlights Success in Central African Republic Over 10,000 people across the Central African Republic have received services through a UN-led community violence reduction program. Offered services include vocational training, civics classes, and commercial education.https://www.salo.org.za/salo-weekly-news-briefs-11-may-2020/Tue, 12 May 2020 21:21:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/salo-weekly-news-briefs-11-may-2020/South Sudan: Source: Reuters (8 May 2020) South Sudan’s Kiir, Machar differ over states, jeopardising unity government. South Sudan’s fragile government and the peace agreement that formed it are in jeopardy after the country’s president and vice president disagreed on how to share out regional states between them.https://www.salo.org.za/from-the-desk-of-the-president-monday-4-may-2020/Mon, 04 May 2020 11:34:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/from-the-desk-of-the-president-monday-4-may-2020/Source: https://sona.org.za/?fbclid=IwAR0FqxO4YnSDDjMeDRKSSTvovX89asXR-cPYEjE3g8QZGsKsmxTZG8Ld3SE Dear Fellow South African, The entire world is in the unrelenting grip of the coronavirus pandemic, whose spread has been rapid. A vaccine has yet to be found. Across the world, over 3.4 million people are known to be infected and more than 240,000 have died.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-4-may-2020/Mon, 04 May 2020 10:08:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-4-may-2020/Swaziland: Swaziland Govt. Confirms It Will Not Feed the Starving in Towns and Cities During Coronavirus Lockdown. Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202004290702.html. The Swaziland (eSwatini) Government will not send food to the starving and destitute in towns and cities during the extreme lockdown that it has imposed in the fight against coronavirus.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-28-april-2020/Wed, 29 Apr 2020 11:55:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-28-april-2020/Zimbabwe: COVID-19: China to deploy medical experts to Zimbabwe. Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/covid-19-china-to-deploy-medical-experts-to-zimbabwe/1820613. Date for medical experts’ arrival in Zimbabwe has not yet been confirmed, says Chinese Embassy official. China is expected to deploy more medical experts to the southern African nation of Zimbabwe to help fight the coronavirus pandemic, local media reported Monday.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-polisario-front-calls-on-un-to-intervene-urgently-for-release-of-sahrawi-political-prisoners/Sun, 26 Apr 2020 21:25:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-polisario-front-calls-on-un-to-intervene-urgently-for-release-of-sahrawi-political-prisoners/Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202004270394.html The Polisario Front called Friday the United Nations to take an urgent action for the release of the Sahrawi political prisoners, underlining that Morocco is fully responsible of the serious consequences that may result from its insistence to keep them in unfair detention.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-22-april-2020/Wed, 22 Apr 2020 10:36:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-22-april-2020/Democratic Republic of Congo: Attacks in DR Congo hamper anti-pandemic efforts: UN. Source:https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/attacks-in-dr-congo-hamper-anti-pandemic-efforts-un/1809056. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Friday warned that recent armed attacks in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could cause “terrible consequences” as it pushes for more displacement amid the COVID-19 pandemic.https://www.salo.org.za/bangladeshicommunity/Mon, 20 Apr 2020 10:50:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/bangladeshicommunity/The Bangladeshi community in Cape Town has assisted their local community through food parcels worth R450,000.00 on 19 April. The initiative led by MP, Hon. Faiez Jacobs was handed out in several communities across Cape Town.https://www.salo.org.za/from-poverty-to-power-covid-and-development-nutshell-round-up-of-the-weeks-fp2p-posts/Tue, 14 Apr 2020 09:15:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/from-poverty-to-power-covid-and-development-nutshell-round-up-of-the-weeks-fp2p-posts/https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-april-2020/Fri, 10 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-april-2020/Zimbabwe Zimbabwe coronavirus deaths rise to three THE number of Covid-19 fatalities in Zimbabwe has risen to three after the ninth patient, a 50-year-old Harare man on Wednesday succumbed to the global pandemic at Wilkins Hospital’s ICU. To date, Zimbabwe has 11 confirmed cases.https://www.salo.org.za/official-statement-adopted-by-the-un-committee-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights/Mon, 06 Apr 2020 09:34:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/official-statement-adopted-by-the-un-committee-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights/Official Statement adopted by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights yesterday on the duties of States Parties to the Covenant (which of course includes SA) in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was adopted unanimously intersessionally, which is a very rare occurrence for the Committee.https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-cloth-masks-for-public-use-2-april/Thu, 02 Apr 2020 09:55:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/covid-19-cloth-masks-for-public-use-2-april/Source: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/news/covid-19-cloth-masks-public-use There has been much debate globally about whether it is recommended to make use of a facemask during the Covid-19 pandemic. A policy guideline developed by the Dept of Health for sectors other than Health indicates that, as the epidemic unfolds, the wider use of masks are indicated even for people who are not ill, especially if they move around in the public.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-27-march-2020/Fri, 27 Mar 2020 09:41:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-27-march-2020/Zimbabwe Proceeds of Looting Through Sakunda Holdings – Enough is Enough of this Nonsense Firstly, it was the Dema project which Kudakwashe Tagwirei was given a tender of over USD 1 billion and prices were inflated to suit the whole clan of looters.https://www.salo.org.za/mapping-vulnerability-to-the-virus/Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:43:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/mapping-vulnerability-to-the-virus/The GCRO, as an urban observatory, helps build the knowledge base for the Gauteng City-region. We collect data and provide policy analysis and support for key issues in the city-region. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak the GCRO has developed a set of maps that may help disaster response planning.https://www.salo.org.za/prayforsouthafrica/Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:32:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/prayforsouthafrica/The President calls on citizens to demonstrate their solidarity with fellow South Africans by displaying our inspiring national flag on social media, outside their homes and other prominent places, as an act of compassion and unity during the national #COVID19 #LockdownSA.https://www.salo.org.za/breaking-zim-confirms-first-covid-19-case-20-march-2020/Fri, 20 Mar 2020 11:05:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/breaking-zim-confirms-first-covid-19-case-20-march-2020/source - https://www.herald.co.zw/zim-confirms-first-covid-19-case/ Nyore Madzianike and Joseph Madzimure Zimbabwe has confirmed its first Covid-19 case, a foreigner living in Victoria Falls who appears to have been infected in Britain but acted responsibly on his return this week by quarantining himself as a returning traveller from an affected country and then continued isolating himself when he felt ill.https://www.salo.org.za/were-not-going-back-to-normal-by-gideon-lichfield-17-march-2020/Tue, 17 Mar 2020 10:03:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/were-not-going-back-to-normal-by-gideon-lichfield-17-march-2020/Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/03/17/905264/coronavirus-pandemic-social-distancing-18-months/ To stop coronavirus we will need to radically change almost everything we do: how we work, exercise, socialize, shop, manage our health, educate our kids, take care of family members. We all want things to go back to normal quickly.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-march-2020/Fri, 06 Mar 2020 10:17:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-march-2020/Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe calls US extending sanctions ‘baffling’ Zimbabwe on Thursday said it was dismayed by the White House’s “baffling” decision to extend sanctions against members of the southern African country’s government over rights abuses. The United States first imposed sanctions, including financial and travel restrictions, in 2003 against then-President Robert Mugabe, members of his inner circle and state companies over rights abuses and rigged elections.https://www.salo.org.za/developments-in-malawi-after-the-constitutional-court-ruling-on-the-may-12-2019-presidential-election-dispute-news-briefs/Thu, 27 Feb 2020 12:16:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/developments-in-malawi-after-the-constitutional-court-ruling-on-the-may-12-2019-presidential-election-dispute-news-briefs/Malawi MPs reject bill to amend presidential election law Malawi lawmakers on Thursday rejected a bill that would have meant a president could only be re-elected after securing at least 50 percent of votes cast, dismissing a landmark order by the country’s top court.https://www.salo.org.za/eu-council-conclusions-on-zimbabwe/Thu, 27 Feb 2020 12:11:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/eu-council-conclusions-on-zimbabwe/https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-21-february-2020/Fri, 21 Feb 2020 12:34:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-21-february-2020/Somalia Somalia: Al-Shabab fighters attack military bases Al-Shabab has attacked two Somali military bases using an explosive-laden vehicle driven by a suicide bomber along with dozens of heavily-armed fighters. At least 12 Somali soldiers were killed in the attack on Wednesday, and the attackers briefly captured a base southwest of the capital, officials said, underscoring the group’s ability to launch attacks despite a government offensive.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-february-2020/Fri, 14 Feb 2020 12:31:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-february-2020/Sudan Sudan agrees those wanted by ICC should appear before court Sudan’s transitional authorities and rebel groups from Darfur have agreed that those wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes in the region should appear before the tribunal, officials have said.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-7-february-2020/Fri, 07 Feb 2020 12:28:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-7-february-2020/Western Sahara Despite Israeli Requests, US Won’t Recognize Moroccan Claim to Western Sahara The Trump Administration has reportedly turned down repeated overtures by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara in exchange for Rabat forging official diplomatic relations with Israel.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-31-january-2020/Fri, 31 Jan 2020 13:01:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-31-january-2020/Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe sets pay deal with government workers Unions representing government workers in Zimbabwe said on Wednesday they had accepted an offer of higher pay as a provisional step in long-running negotiations. Cecilia Alexander, chairperson of the Apex Council, an umbrella of unions representing civil servants, said the government would pay a cost-of-living adjustment with effect from January 1.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-january-2020/Fri, 24 Jan 2020 07:21:06 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-january-2020/Central African Republic. Half Central African Republic’s population needs humanitarian aid: UN More than half the population in the Central African Republic – around 2.6 million people – needs humanitarian aid and more than one million are in an extremely vulnerable situation, the United Nations said on Tuesday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-january-2020/Fri, 17 Jan 2020 11:09:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-january-2020/Zimbabwe. Mbeki to resume Zimbabwe political dialogue Former South African leader Thabo Mbeki will bring terms of reference for political dialogue between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC’s Nelson Chamisa when he returns to Zimbabwe by month-end, Business Times heard this week.https://www.salo.org.za/s-africa-bars-refugees-from-politics/Thu, 16 Jan 2020 11:04:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/s-africa-bars-refugees-from-politics/Source: https://www.herald.co.zw/s-africa-bars-refugees-from-politics/ JOHANNESBURG/KIGALI.– Rwanda on Wednesday hailed South Africa for enacting a law that bars refugees and asylum seekers from engaging in politics back home or in South Africa. The move is a positive development for Rwanda, Vincent Biruta, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, told reporters here, saying Rwandan dissidents were using South Africa as a base to engage in subversive activities back home.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-january-2020/Fri, 10 Jan 2020 13:16:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-january-2020/Democratic Republic of Congo. More than 200 militiamen surrender in east More than 200 militiamen have surrendered since Jan. 3 as a crackdown on armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s volatile east continues, the army said Monday. The army began an offensive last Friday against a notorious militia called the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) operating in the gold-rich North-Eastern province of Ituri.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-december-2019/Fri, 06 Dec 2019 11:57:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-december-2019/Zimbabwe. Babies Born on Floor as Zimbabwe’s Health System Totters The floor is dusty, the walls filthy and the furniture decrepit, but for two weeks last month a tiny flat in a Harare township was transformed into a maternity clinic where scores of babies were born.https://www.salo.org.za/the-role-of-civil-society-in-advancing-human-security-opinionista-daily-maverick-by-naledi-pandor-27-november-2019/Mon, 02 Dec 2019 13:53:38 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/the-role-of-civil-society-in-advancing-human-security-opinionista-daily-maverick-by-naledi-pandor-27-november-2019/Many researchers and social commentators have increasingly asserted the significant role that civil society organisations can play in addressing human security in South Africa and in many developing countries. The concept of human security was utilised in the early part of this century to refer to the need to address all aspects of social economic and humanitarian needs that confront communities from time to time.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-29-november-2019/Fri, 29 Nov 2019 12:25:38 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-29-november-2019/Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe facing ‘man-made’ starvation, UN expert warns Zimbabwe is facing “man-made” starvation with 60% of the people failing to meet basic food needs, a UN special envoy said Thursday after touring the southern African country. Hilal Elver, Special Rapporteur on the right to food, ranked Zimbabwe among the four top countries facing severe food shortages outside nations in conflict zones.https://www.salo.org.za/rethinking-the-past-and-future-of-land-reform/Mon, 25 Nov 2019 13:08:22 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/rethinking-the-past-and-future-of-land-reform/By: Tembeka Ngcukaitobi Land distribution is vital to address the injustices of colonialism and apartheid, but we need a transformative vision of the Constitution and political action guided by the law. If expropriation of land without compensation is to be state policy, it must take its place within the larger programme of land reform, rather than displacing it.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-22-november-2019/Fri, 22 Nov 2019 12:28:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-22-november-2019/Swaziland Move to Call Textile Workers’ Pay Strike in Swaziland As Firms Give Gifts to King A trade union representing textile workers in Swaziland (eSwatini) is planning a strike before Christmas, accusing Taiwanese-owned businesses in the kingdom of colluding with the government to underpay employees.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-police-use-force-to-disperse-opposition-crowd/Tue, 19 Nov 2019 13:12:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-police-use-force-to-disperse-opposition-crowd/Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/zimbabwe-police-force-disperse-opposition-crowd-191120111813030.html Riot police in Zimbabwe’s capital have forcefully dispersed supporters of the main opposition party who had gathered to listen to a speech by their leader. Hundreds of police officers on Wednesday blocked roads leading to the headquarters of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in Harare but supporters continued to gather, singing and chanting before the arrival of party leader Nelson Chamisa, who was set to address them.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-november-2019/Fri, 15 Nov 2019 04:32:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-november-2019/Zimbabwe Zimbabwe ditches austerity and warns corruption is killing growth Finance minister Mthuli Ncube said Zimbabwe will ditch its crippling austerity measures and forecast 3% growth in 2020 after a projected 6.5% contraction in 2019, its worst downturn in a decade that saw increased public protests and widespread shortages.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-31-october-2019/Thu, 31 Oct 2019 10:01:22 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-31-october-2019/Zimbabwe Zimbabwe economy to contract 6.5% this year Zimbabwe’s economy is set to contract by 6.5% this year after a drought and power shortages, the finance minister said on Thursday, adding that power generation could be cut at the largest hydro plant due to low water levels.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-25-october-2019/Fri, 25 Oct 2019 11:03:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-25-october-2019/Zimbabwe Enough Is Enough, Says Zanu-PF Zanu-PF has thrown its weight behind the SADC-organised day of solidarity against illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and called on the people to come out in large numbers for the event. Government has since declared tomorrow a public holiday to allow as many people as possible to participate.https://www.salo.org.za/sadc-secretariat-monthly-newsletter-issue-9-september-2019/Mon, 21 Oct 2019 13:31:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sadc-secretariat-monthly-newsletter-issue-9-september-2019/Open here: </media/2019/10/Inside_SADC_September_2019_mail.pdf>https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-18-october-2019/Fri, 18 Oct 2019 08:39:40 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-18-october-2019/Western Sahara Western Sahara delegate urges halt on phosphate imports A Western Sahara government official says New Zealand fertiliser companies are stockpiling phosphate amid threats of court action to stop future imports. But the companies say their imports have not changed.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-11-october-2019/Fri, 11 Oct 2019 21:21:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-11-october-2019/Swaziland Broke Swaziland Govt Wants to Borrow Another E1bn to Complete Unnecessary Convention Centre The Government of Swaziland / eSwatini is to seek another E1.2 billion (US$83 million) in loans to complete the building of a conference centre and hotel to house an African Union summit that will not now take place.https://www.salo.org.za/from-the-desk-of-the-president-on-president-muhammadu-buharis-state-visit/Mon, 07 Oct 2019 13:36:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/from-the-desk-of-the-president-on-president-muhammadu-buharis-state-visit/Dear Fellow South African, Last week, I had the honour to host President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria on a state visit. Some people had thought that the visit would be tense and difficult following the attacks last month on foreign nationals living in South Africa, and the angry reaction to these events in Nigeria and some other African countries.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-4-october-2019/Fri, 04 Oct 2019 13:36:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-4-october-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo DR Congo President outlines vision for a ‘more representative’ UN Security Council In his first address to the UN General Assembly, Félix Tshisekedi underlined the need to reform the primary body charged with maintaining international peace and security.https://www.salo.org.za/end-of-mission-statement-of-the-united-nations-special-rapporteur-on-the-rights-to-freedom-of-peaceful-assembly-and-of-association-mr-clement-nyaletsossi-voule-on-his-visit-to-zimbabwe-17-27-sept/Tue, 01 Oct 2019 12:47:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/end-of-mission-statement-of-the-united-nations-special-rapporteur-on-the-rights-to-freedom-of-peaceful-assembly-and-of-association-mr-clement-nyaletsossi-voule-on-his-visit-to-zimbabwe-17-27-sept/Harare, 27 September 2019 Members of the press, Ladies and gentlemen, In my capacity as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, I conclude today the first official visit carried by a United Nations Special Procedures mandate holder in the country, which took place from 17 to 27 September 2019.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-27-september-2019/Fri, 27 Sep 2019 12:35:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-27-september-2019/Central African Republic Central African Republic President says country ‘remains fragile’, despite progress on peace deal President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic (CAR), addressing the UN General Assembly’s annual general debate, spotlighted “modest but sure” progress in implementing the landmark peace agreement signed by his Government and 14 armed groups on 6 February 2019.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-20-september-2019/Fri, 20 Sep 2019 13:04:48 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-20-september-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo Five killed in offensive on Rwandan warlord - DRC army A total of five people were killed in the offensive that eliminated a Rwandan Hutu rebel leader in Democratic Republic of Congo who was wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, the Congolese army said on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-september-2019/Fri, 06 Sep 2019 11:30:23 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-september-2019/Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwean leader who helped liberate and destroy his country, dies at 95 Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean president who rose to power as a champion of anti-colonial struggle but during 37 years of authoritarian rule presided over the impoverishment and degradation of one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most promising countries, has died.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-august-2019/Fri, 30 Aug 2019 08:23:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-august-2019/Zimbabwe Re-engagement goes off the rails Last week’s damning statement by the United States, European Union and other members of the international community on the human rights situation in Zimbabwe after opposition protests scheduled for August 16 were banned has thrown President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s international re-engagement agenda into disarray.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-august-2019/Mon, 26 Aug 2019 10:37:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-august-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo Displaced by DR Congo violence, survivors’ testimonies highlight brutality of armed militia Briefing journalists in Geneva, UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Spokesperson Babar Baloch, said that staff had heard numerous testimonies from people whose family members had been killed in Ituri province.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-august-2019/Fri, 16 Aug 2019 13:52:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-august-2019/Africa in General Sudan, South Sudan police sign cooperation deal Sudan and South Sudan police chiefs on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding cooperation between both sides, Anadolu Agency reports. Director General of Sudan’s Police Gen. Adil Mohamed and his delegation held meetings with the South Sudan team led by Inspector General of Police Gen.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-3-august-2019/Sat, 03 Aug 2019 08:12:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-3-august-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo DR Congo ethnic violence stopping refugee returns: UN Violence and disease have displaced hundreds of thousands of people in the northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the threat of new clashes is stopping civilians from going back to their homes, a United Nations official has warned.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-july-2019/Fri, 19 Jul 2019 09:32:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-july-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo High-level meeting on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo affirms support for Government-led response and UN system-wide approach Almost a year after the outbreak of Ebola was declared in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and with the number of new cases at worrying levels, the United Nations hosted a high-level meeting today in Geneva to take stock of the coordinated response and galvanize further support for the government-led effort to defeat the deadly disease.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-12-july-2019/Fri, 12 Jul 2019 14:53:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-12-july-2019/African in General How the glow of the historic accord between Ethiopia and Eritrea has faded A year ago, Eritreans could hardly contain their joy as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed touched down in Asmara. The city had seen nothing like it in a generation that knew war rather than peace.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-5-july-2019/Fri, 05 Jul 2019 12:20:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-5-july-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo UN more than doubles food aid to eastern DR Congo The World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday said it was more than doubling aid in eastern DR Congo’s Ituri province, with the goal of reaching 300,000 people forced from their homes by weeks-long fighting.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-28-june-2019/Fri, 28 Jun 2019 12:23:25 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-28-june-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo UN extends DRC sanctions as refugee flows increase With civilians fleeing a spate of inter-ethnic violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday extended its arms embargo, asset freeze and a travel ban on the country until July 2020.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-21-june-2019/Fri, 21 Jun 2019 05:45:28 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-21-june-2019/Africa in General Hundreds of protesters demand civilian rule in Sudan Hundreds of Sudanese demonstrated in state capitals on Thursday, putting pressure on the ruling military council to cede power to civilians in ongoing tumult since the overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir more than two months ago.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-june-2019/Fri, 14 Jun 2019 19:15:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-june-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo DRC opposition lose 23 seats to Kabila’s coalition: Apex court rebuked EEC, the Protestant Church of the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, has waded into a recent judicial ruling that led to the loss of over twenty parliamentary seats by the country’s main opposition party.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-31-may-2019/Fri, 31 May 2019 09:14:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-31-may-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo Etienne Tshisekedi’s body returned to DR Congo from Belgium The body of the father of Democratic Republic of Congo’s president has arrived in his home country, two years after he died in Belgium aged 84. Veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi died in Brussels in February 2017.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-may-2019/Thu, 23 May 2019 08:40:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-may-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo Fears of Ebola pandemic if violent attacks continue in DR Congo Health officials have warned that the second-deadliest outbreak of Ebola may spiral out of control unless attacks by armed groups on medical facilities and workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) stop.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-may-2019/Fri, 17 May 2019 10:50:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-may-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo ‘Terrifying’ Ebola epidemic out of control in DRC, say experts An Ebola epidemic in a conflict-riven region of Democratic Republic of Congo is out of control and could become as serious as the outbreak that devastated three countries in west Africa between 2013 and 2016, experts and aid chiefs have warned.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-3-may-2019/Fri, 03 May 2019 08:55:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-3-may-2019/Africa in General SA Hits Out at UN Security Council Over Western Sahara Resolution South Africa has chided the United Nations Security Council for passing what it calls an unbalanced resolution on Western Sahara. With Russia and South Africa abstaining, the 15-nation UN powerhouse resolved to extend the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in the country occupied by Morocco in defiance of the international community.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-april-2019/Fri, 19 Apr 2019 11:48:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-april-2019/Swaziland Swaziland’s King Appoints 28 Members of His Family to Kingdom’s Committees and Boards King Mswati III, the absolute monarch of Swaziland / eSwatini, has appointed seventeen members of his own family to the kingdom’s two most influential advisory committees.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-12-april-2019/Fri, 12 Apr 2019 07:47:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-12-april-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo DR Congo leader hails a new ‘balance’ in turbulent nation The new president of the Democratic Republic of Congo asked for US assistance to help lift his vast country out of a decades-long crisis during a visit to Washington on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-march-2019/Fri, 15 Mar 2019 11:41:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-march-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo UN slams DRC failure to prevent December massacre The UN on Tuesday criticised authorities in southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo for failing to prevent a massacre of hundreds of people last December, despite clear signs of rising tensions.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-january-2019/Fri, 25 Jan 2019 10:08:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-january-2019/Democratic Republic of Congo Tshisekedi Declared Congo’s President, but Runner-Up Revolts Congo’s election crisis deepened early Sunday when the Constitutional Court confirmed the win of Felix Tshisekedi, rejecting claims of fraud, and runner-up Martin Fayulu promptly declared himself the country’s “only legitimate president.https://www.salo.org.za/letter-to-au-chairperson-requesting-urgent-intervention-to-protect-peacefully-protesting-workers-against-alarming-violence-by-the-government-of-zimbabwe/Fri, 18 Jan 2019 12:27:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/letter-to-au-chairperson-requesting-urgent-intervention-to-protect-peacefully-protesting-workers-against-alarming-violence-by-the-government-of-zimbabwe/Your Excellency, The African Regional Organization of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa www.ituc-africa.org ) calls for your urgent intervention with the Government of Zimbabwe to bring an end to the alarming and dangerous situation faced by the leaders and members of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) for taking peaceful protest action against steep fuel prices that have worsened an already unbearable high cost of living in the country.https://www.salo.org.za/silencing-of-zimbabweans-disturbing-cosatu/Fri, 18 Jan 2019 12:00:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/silencing-of-zimbabweans-disturbing-cosatu/Source: https://www.politicsweb.co.za/politics/silencing-of-zimbabweans-disturbing--cosatu Zanele Matebula | 17 January 2019 Federation condemns forceful nature in which govt of the country is responding to legitimate protests COSATU Solidarity Statement against the clampdown on legitimate protests and attempts to silence the growing frustration in Zimbabwehttps://www.salo.org.za/blind-eye-being-turned-to-the-abuse-of-boys-says-report-news-17-january-2019-0515am-yolisa-tswanya/Fri, 18 Jan 2019 11:56:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/blind-eye-being-turned-to-the-abuse-of-boys-says-report-news-17-january-2019-0515am-yolisa-tswanya/Source: https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/blind-eye-being-turned-to-the-abuse-of-boys-says-report-18844072 Picture: Pixabay Cape Town – Boys are overlooked when it comes to cases of sexual abuse and exploitation. This is highlighted in the report “Out of the Shadows: Shining light on the response to child sexual abuse and exploitation”, which was developed by The Economist Intelligence Unit with support from the World Childhood Foundation, the Oak Foundation and the Carlson Family Foundation.https://www.salo.org.za/army-zanu-pf-role-in-protests-exposed-by-newsday/Fri, 18 Jan 2019 08:57:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/army-zanu-pf-role-in-protests-exposed-by-newsday/Source: https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/01/army-zanu-pf-role-in-protests-exposed/ A SERVING top military official and a police officer were yesterday unmasked as leaders of the deadly protests in the Epworth dormitory town, which led to the death of civilians and looting of shops. BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE/ XOLISANI NCUBE Some of the hundreds of protesters arrested over the last three days appear at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts yesterdayhttps://www.salo.org.za/statement-of-solidarity-on-the-crackdown-on-legitimate-protest-in-zimbabwe-and-the-silencing-of-zimbabwean-voices-by-shutting-down-the-internet-15th-january-2019/Fri, 18 Jan 2019 08:38:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/statement-of-solidarity-on-the-crackdown-on-legitimate-protest-in-zimbabwe-and-the-silencing-of-zimbabwean-voices-by-shutting-down-the-internet-15th-january-2019/The Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in Zimbabwe. The level of frustration and anger amongst citizens who feel excluded and alienated by the successive economic and political attacks carried out by the ZANU PF elites has clearly reached a boiling point.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-7-december-2018/Fri, 07 Dec 2018 10:00:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-7-december-2018/Africa in General UAE to open an embassy in Zimbabwe The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will open an embassy in Zimbabwe, the UAE president has said. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued several federal decrees to establish the UAE Embassy in Zimbabwe and appointed and promoted members of the diplomatic corps.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-november-2018/Fri, 30 Nov 2018 07:29:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-november-2018/Zimbabwe Thousands of demonstrators rally in Zimbabwe in support of MDC Zimbabwe’s main opposition group the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has showed its disdain for President Emmerson Mnangagwa with a rally in the streets of the capital Harare denouncing the government.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-november-2018/Fri, 23 Nov 2018 07:08:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-november-2018/Africa in General ‘Arresting Chamisa would be the biggest mistake,’ MDC warns Mnangagwa’s govt Zimbabwean opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) youth leader has reportedly warned that the southern African country would be turned into a war zone if party president Nelson Chamisa is arrested.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-november-2018/Fri, 16 Nov 2018 18:25:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-november-2018/Africa in General Zimbabwe must be supported, Ramaphosa tells EU hosts Zimbabwe was on the agenda in talks President Cyril Ramaphosa had with European Union (EU) leaders on Thursday. During a media briefing, Ramaphosa said he discussed the importance of Zimbabwe and the lifting of any sanctions still in place against that country.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-08-november-2018/Thu, 08 Nov 2018 09:58:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-08-november-2018/Madagascar Madagascar starts counting ballots in presidential race Vote counting started Wednesday evening in Madagascar where citizens cast their ballots with hopes that a new leader will take this Indian Ocean island nation out of chronic poverty and corruption. Polls closed at 17:00 local time after a day of generally calm and uneventful voting.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-november-2018/Fri, 02 Nov 2018 09:27:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-november-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo DR Congo ‘Not Ready’ For December Polls: Opposition The Democratic Republic of Congo is “not ready” to hold long-delayed elections in December, the main opposition party said Tuesday, the day after the army handed over 150 trucks and a dozen aircraft for use by the electoral commission.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-26-october-2018/Fri, 26 Oct 2018 18:13:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-26-october-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo As DRC rolls toward election, voting machines a flashpoint A deadly Ebola outbreak grows. Rebels kill civilians in the streets. And yet the arrival of voting machines in this troubled corner of Democratic Republic of Congo has some especially worried as a long-delayed presidential election promises further upheaval.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-october-2018/Fri, 19 Oct 2018 07:51:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-october-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo DRC threatens international action over Angola expulsions The Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday threatened to take international action over Angola’s recent, and allegedly violent, expulsion of some 200 000 illegal migrants from its west African neighbour.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-12-october-2018/Fri, 12 Oct 2018 22:01:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-12-october-2018/Central African Republic Central African Republic: Rebels Executing Civilians Seleka rebels in the Central African Republic captured and executed at least nine civilians, including seven women, on September 6, 2018, Human Rights Watch said today. The executions around the town of Bria in the Haute-Kotto province came almost two weeks after the same group killed 11 civilians after a clash with a rival militia.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-05-october-2018/Fri, 05 Oct 2018 15:04:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-05-october-2018/Swaziland The country formerly known as Swaziland adapts to ‘more African’ name eSwatini One of the world’s last absolute monarch’s took the decision to rename the country without warning or consultation. At the main campus entrance, a large concrete sign welcomes students and visitors to “The University of…” followed by a blank space.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-28-september-2018/Fri, 28 Sep 2018 08:47:06 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-28-september-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo At UN, Joseph Kabila Vows ‘Peaceful & Credible’ DRC Vote Congolese President Joseph Kabila pledged at the United Nations on Tuesday that elections planned for December will go ahead, promising to take steps to ensure the vote is peaceful and credible.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-21-september-2018/Fri, 21 Sep 2018 09:17:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-21-september-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo DRC unveils candidates for troubled vote Election officials in Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday released an official list of candidates for December’s presidential election, formally excluding two heavyweight opposition figures. “Now we have finished with the candidacy stage, we are in the home stretch for the December 23 elections,” said electoral commission chief Corneille Nangaa as he unveiled the list.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-07-september-2018/Tue, 11 Sep 2018 07:19:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-07-september-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo Rebels Ambush South African Peacekeepers in Congo Ebola Zone Two South African peacekeepers were wounded in a rebel ambush near the epicentre of an Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, their UN mission said on Tuesday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-31-august-2018/Fri, 31 Aug 2018 11:04:42 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-31-august-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo World Bank Project Aims to Tackle Gender-Based Violence in DRC by Focusing on Prevention The World Bank is committing US$100 million in International Development Association (IDA)* financing to help prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-august-2018/Fri, 24 Aug 2018 07:44:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-24-august-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo Kabila slams foreign ‘blackmail’ ahead of DRC vote Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila, who last week ended speculation by signalling he would not seek re-election, on Friday warned outsiders against using “blackmail’ in DRC’s politics.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-august-2018/Fri, 17 Aug 2018 08:05:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-august-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo DRC’s Kabila backs ex-interior minister for election Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila, ending months of speculation, has chosen former interior minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary to be his successor in upcoming elections, the government said on Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-20-july-2018/Fri, 20 Jul 2018 08:28:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-20-july-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo Kabila Says Election On Track but Stays Mum On Own Future Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila said in a speech on Thursday that a presidential election in December would go ahead as planned, but he declined to say whether he would defy term limits to stand for re-election.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-june-2018/Fri, 15 Jun 2018 08:25:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-june-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo Congo President Kabila Will Not Seek Third Term: DRC PM Congo’s current President Joseph Kabila will not seek a third mandate in the Central African country’s upcoming December elections because of constitutional term limits that prevent him from running again, Prime Minister Bruno Tshibala said on Tuesday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-08-june-2018/Fri, 08 Jun 2018 08:33:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-08-june-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo Democratic Republic of Congo OKs experimental Ebola treatments The Democratic Republic of Congo has approved new experimental drugs to treat Ebola as the central African country tries to stem its latest outbreak, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-11-may-2018/Fri, 11 May 2018 08:11:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-11-may-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola outbreak declared in Democratic Republic of Congo The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever, a rare and deadly disease, on Tuesday, the World Health Organization reported. The declaration came after laboratory results confirmed two cases of the disease in the province of Bikoro in the northwestern part of the country.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-13-april-2018/Fri, 13 Apr 2018 08:52:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-13-april-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo UN Calls on DRC to Not Shun Pledging Conference The United Nations says it hopes the Democratic Republic of Congo will attend a donors’ conference in Geneva later this week aimed at raising $1.7 billion for life-saving aid.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-april-2018/Sun, 08 Apr 2018 08:49:34 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-april-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo UN deactivates maximum emergency level for Congo crisis The United Nations is downgrading Congo from its highest level of humanitarian emergency after the arrival of aid - and an outcry from government officials who say the focus on such woes is deterring investment.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-march-2018/Fri, 30 Mar 2018 07:52:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-march-2018/Civilians die as DRC troops and rebels fight Ten civilians and a Ugandan militant died when Congolese troops clashed with rebels in the flashpoint town of Beni in Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) troubled east, an army spokesman said on Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-march-2018/Fri, 23 Mar 2018 08:53:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-march-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo UN warns of ‘catastrophic’ aid crisis in DRC https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/un-warns-of-catastrophic-aid-crisis-in-drc-20180323 A humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo is worsening and has reached catastrophic levels in some parts of the country, with millions facing severe hunger, the UN Security Council warned on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-march-2018/Fri, 16 Mar 2018 08:59:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-march-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo Dozens killed in DR Congo’s Ituri province Ethnic strife in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed dozens of lives in recent days, according to officials. Local civil society leader Jean Bosco Lalu told Reuters news agency on Tuesday that at least 40 people had been killed in ethnic violence between Hema herders and Lendu farmers in Ituri province in the last 48 hours.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-march-2018/Fri, 02 Mar 2018 17:35:30 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-march-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo One killed, four injured as DR Congo police fire on banned protests One person was killed and at least four injured as police fired live bullets and tear gas to disperse banned protests calling on DR Congo President Joseph Kabila to stand down.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-february-2018/Fri, 16 Feb 2018 17:03:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-16-february-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo Five killed in accident with DR Congo presidential motorcade Three soldiers and two civilians were killed and 11 other people injured in an accident involving DR Congo President Joseph Kabila’s motorcade, his office said Wednesday. The accident happened on a road in the southwest of the country, 220 kilometres (110 miles) south of Kinshasa, as Kabila was returning to the capital on Tuesday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-09-february-2018/Fri, 09 Feb 2018 17:38:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-09-february-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo UN Expects Congo Offensive Against Eastern Rebels To Displace 370,000 A military offensive launched last month by Congolese troops against Ugandan militants in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is likely to force nearly 370,000 people from their homes, the United Nations said on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-26-january-2018/Fri, 26 Jan 2018 09:27:22 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-26-january-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo Thousands flee to Uganda as DRC violence surges People fleeing the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo) have reported a surge in arbitrary killings, rapes and abductions by unidentified armed groups. The violence has pushed more than 10,000 people into neighbouring Uganda since the beginning of December, according to the UN.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-january-2018/Fri, 19 Jan 2018 23:52:25 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-january-2018/Democratic Republic of Congo UN probes DRC clashes that killed Burundi refugees The United Nations announced Tuesday it will investigate the death of 39 Burundian refugees in clashes with soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo in September. The soldiers allegedly opened fire on the refugees in eastern South Kivu province after they protested the detention of a small group of Burundians by Congolese authorities.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-december-2017/Sun, 17 Dec 2017 18:18:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-december-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo Militiamen jailed in DR Congo’s Kavumu for raping 40 children A group of 11 militiamen in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been jailed for life for raping about 40 children, including at least one baby. The girls they raped between 2013 and 2016 were aged between eight months and 12 years old.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-08-december-2017/Fri, 08 Dec 2017 21:30:03 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-08-december-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo DR Congo displacement crisis ‘worse than Middle East’ Conflict has forced 1.7 million people to flee their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo this year, causing “a mega-crisis”, aid agencies say. This means that for the second consecutive year, DR Congo is worst-affected by conflict displacement in the world, the agencies add.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-01-december-2017/Fri, 01 Dec 2017 21:32:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-01-december-2017/Bishops urge DRC president to vow to stand down Influential bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday urged President Joseph Kabila to pledge he will not seek a third term in office in order to ease fears of unrest.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-november-2017/Fri, 17 Nov 2017 22:26:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-november-2017/Zimbabwe Mugabe meets with army commander and SA envoy as crisis solution sought Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe was shown meeting on Thursday with the army commander who put him under house arrest, as negotiations with a South African delegation and a Catholic priest at the state house pushed for a resolution to the political turmoil and the likely end to Mugabe’s decades-long rule.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-november-2017/Fri, 10 Nov 2017 22:43:30 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-november-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo UN Watchdog Tells Congo To Hold Election, Clean Up Human Rights The UN Human Rights Committee on Thursday gave the Democratic Republic of Congo a year to report on actions it has taken to hold free and fair elections and clean up its rights record.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-27-october-2017/Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:44:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-27-october-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo UNHCR warns of worsening displacement in Democratic Republic of the Congo UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is increasingly concerned by escalating displacement we are seeing in several key regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since 2015 the number of people displaced internally has more than doubled and now stands at 3.https://www.salo.org.za/kenyan-women-march-for-peace/Wed, 25 Oct 2017 20:50:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/kenyan-women-march-for-peace/25 Oct Kenyan women march for peace - http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-41513711 Wearing white scarves, women have marched through Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, to call for peace as fear grows that tomorrow’s presidential election run-off will trigger violence.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-20-october-2017/Fri, 20 Oct 2017 21:08:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-20-october-2017/Zimbabwe Zimbabwe To Slash Budget Deficit Despite Looming Elections Zimbabwe plans to cut its budget deficit by half next year to 4% of GDP, the national Treasury said, an ambitious goal at a time when the country is expected to hold a presidential vote that veteran President Robert Mugabe is set to contest.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-13-october-2017/Fri, 13 Oct 2017 21:10:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-13-october-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo Congo Elections Won’t Be Held Before April 2019 Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo that were due last year won’t be held before April 2019, the electoral commission said, a delay that undermines a pact President Joseph Kabila’s supporter made with his political opponents for him to step down this year.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-october-2017/Fri, 06 Oct 2017 23:19:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-06-october-2017/Swaziland Swaziland seeks new markets as EU sugar quota ends Swaziland is searching for new regional markets for its sugar following the end of a quota system that limited production by European Union countries for the past 50 years, an official said on Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-29-september-2017/Fri, 29 Sep 2017 12:50:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-29-september-2017/Sudan Al Bashir extends helping hand to South Sudan Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir has extended a helping hand to South Sudan saying his government will pull out all the stops to ensure that there is a lasting peace and stability in their neighbouring state.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-22-september-2017/Fri, 22 Sep 2017 20:52:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-22-september-2017/Somalia Over 50 killed, thousands displaced in Somalia clashes Dozens have been killed, and over 55 000 ethnic Oromos have fled from Ethiopia’s Somali region, after a week of clashes between Oromos and Somalis. AP reported on Monday that Oromia’s regional government released a statement on Sunday detailing these developments following claims by Somali regional officials earlier this week that more than 50 people were killed in an attack against ethnic Somalis in the town of Aweday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-september-2017/Fri, 15 Sep 2017 09:14:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-15-september-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo DR Congo: Children’s access to education under threat from ongoing violence in Kasai region A large campaign to get 150,000 primary school-aged children back to the classroom has kicked off in the volatile Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following months of clashes between militias and security forces that have displaced thousands of families and left 850,000 children without access to essential services like education and healthcare.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-08-september-2017/Fri, 08 Sep 2017 19:33:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-08-september-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo Democratic Republic of Congo: Government must deliver on pledge to end child mining labour by 2025 In response to the commitment made this week by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to eliminate child labour in the mining sector by 2025, Seema Joshi, head of Business and Human Rights at Amnesty International, said: “This commitment could mark a significant step on the road towards eradicating the scourge of children as young seven working in the mines of the DRC.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-01-september-2017/Fri, 01 Sep 2017 19:52:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-01-september-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo DRC temporarily bans import of key consumer goods Authorities have banned imports of several popular consumer products in the west of the Democratic Republic of Congo for six months to fight smuggling, Trade Minister Jean-Lucien Busa said on Monday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-july-2017/Fri, 14 Jul 2017 10:54:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-july-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo UN: Another 38 probable mass graves found in DR Congo Another 38 probable mass graves have been found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where violence between troops and armed fighters has killed thousands of people since August, the United Nations announced on Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-7-july-2017/Fri, 07 Jul 2017 21:34:23 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-7-july-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo is over After a 42-day period without any new cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo over. Initially announced on May 12 in Likati, a remote town in the Bas-Uélé province close to the Central African Republic border, the outbreak resulted in a total of eight cases—with four of those patients dying.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-june-2017/Fri, 30 Jun 2017 20:24:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-30-june-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo Congo violence fuels fears of return to 90s bloodbath Thousands of people have been killed and more than a million displaced in the most severe outbreak of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo in recent years, raising fears of a return to the bloody civil wars of the 1990s and increasing pressure on President Joseph Kabila to step down or hold elections.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-june-2017/Fri, 23 Jun 2017 23:38:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-23-june-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo Catholic Church slams ‘killings and plundering’ by security forces in Kasai The Catholic Church has condemned the “killings and plundering” allegedly committed by security forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s restive Kasaï-Central province. Kasaï, in the heart of the DRC, has been plagued by violence between the Congolese security forces and a local militia, Kamuina Nsapu, who are seeking to avenge the death of their leader, who was killed in Tshimbulu by Congo’s security forces in August 2016.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-june-2017/Fri, 02 Jun 2017 21:11:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-june-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo The voters of the Democratic Republic of Congo should have gone to the polls last November to choose their new head of state. Instead, presidential and parliamentary elections were not organized, and shortly afterward, on December 19, President Joseph Kabila’s second and, according to the constitution, final term expired.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-may-2017/Fri, 19 May 2017 23:32:06 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-19-may-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo Bob Dole signs contract to help Democratic Republic of Congo’s president cozy up to Trump Joseph Kabila is in a tight spot. After the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo cancelled elections, his sub-Saharan nation has been rocked by massive protests, global condemnation, and widespread violence.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-12-may-2017/Fri, 12 May 2017 21:11:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-12-may-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo Thousands Flee Congo Conflict, Swelling Villages Over Border in Angola Thousands of people have fled fighting in Democratic Republic of Congo over the past month and sought refuge in neighbouring Angola, a provincial governor said, an exodus that is straining resources in villages along the border.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-05-may-2017/Fri, 05 May 2017 20:13:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-05-may-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo Democratic Republic of Congo to top global mining sector growth The Democratic Republic of Congo will vie with Peru as the fastest growing mining market during the next five years according to BMI Research, a unit of Fitch Group.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-21-april-2017/Fri, 21 Apr 2017 21:46:49 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-21-april-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo DRC returns militia leader’s body; new chief named Democratic Republic of Congo’s government says it has returned the body of a militia leader, whose death in August sparked months of fighting with the military that has left more than 400 people dead in the country’s Kasai Central province.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-03-march-2017/Sat, 04 Mar 2017 10:36:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-03-march-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo DRC Used Excessive Force Against Protesters, UN Office Says The United Nations said Wednesday that security forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had used excessive and disproportionate force against people protesting President Joseph Kabila’s stay in office and that more than 40 people had been killed.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-13-january-2017/Wed, 22 Feb 2017 12:26:01 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-13-january-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo UN peacekeeping chief warns DRC elections could be delayed The UN peacekeeping chief is warning that elections in Democratic Republic of Congo recently scheduled to be held this year could be pushed back by any delays in establishing voting lists, creating a transitional government, and implementing a December 31 political agreement.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-03-february-2017/Wed, 22 Feb 2017 11:51:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-03-february-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo Congo Opposition Leader’s Death Jeopardizes Political Deal The death of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s main opposition leader, Etienne Tshisekedi, puts in jeopardy a political deal aimed at getting President Joseph Kabila to leave office. Tshisekedi, president of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress and one of the country’s longest-serving political leaders, died Wednesday in a hospital in Brussels, party spokesman Augustin Kabuya said, after struggling with illness for many years.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-february-2017/Wed, 22 Feb 2017 11:49:38 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-10-february-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo AU, France mourn Tshisekedi, call for action on political deal The African Union (AU) has expressed sorrow at the death of Etienne Tshisekedi, main opposition chief in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The 84-year-old veteran politician died on Wednesday evening at age 84 in Belgium’s capital Brussels.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-february-2017/Wed, 22 Feb 2017 10:14:38 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-17-february-2017/Democratic Republic of Congo D.R. Congo government: Elections are too expensive, so we may not have one this year The ruling government in the Democratic Republic of Congo has indicated it may not hold long-awaited elections this year. Why? It’s simply too expensive, a government official suggested this week “It will be difficult to think that we can mobilize $1.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-09-december-2016/Fri, 09 Dec 2016 21:30:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-09-december-2016/Democratic Republic of Congo EU/US: Sanction Senior DR Congo Officials The European Union and United States should expand targeted sanctions against those most responsible for recent violent repression and other serious human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a coalition of 72 Congolese and 15 international human rights organizations said today.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-2-december-2016/Fri, 02 Dec 2016 13:15:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-2-december-2016/Democratic Republic of Congo UN envoy calls on political stakeholders to show flexibility to aid election process Wrapping up a visit to Africa’s Great Lakes region, a United Nations envoy today urged stakeholders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) electoral process to do more to help ensure the country is able to hold peaceful elections.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-18-november-2016/Fri, 18 Nov 2016 20:01:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-18-november-2016/Democratic Republic of Congo UN delegates visit amid political turmoil Members of the UN Security Council are slated to visit the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday amid mounting international concern about increased violence and political unrest in the troubled Central African nation.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-04-november-2016/Fri, 04 Nov 2016 15:28:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-04-november-2016/Democratic Republic of Congo UN rights experts urge end to ‘unjustified’ ban on protests UN rights experts urge end to ‘unjustified’ ban on protests The ban was imposed in September after a series of large demonstrations that were brutally supressed by security forces, reportedly leaving dozens of people dead and injured GENEVA, Switzerland, November 3, 2016/APO/ — A group of United Nations human rights experts* has called on authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to lift an “unjustified” ban on protests in the capital, Kinshasa, amid social discontent over delayed presidential elections.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-28-october-2016/Fri, 28 Oct 2016 20:35:28 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-28-october-2016/Democratic Republic of Congo DRC Tensions Continue Despite Regional Backing of Election Delay Central African heads of state meeting Wednesday in Luanda, Angola, endorsed the deal signed last week in the Democratic Republic of Congo that delays that country’s elections by nearly two years.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-october-2016/Fri, 14 Oct 2016 17:10:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-14-october-2016/Democratic Republic of Congo DR Congo stability at extreme risk, UN warned The Democratic Republic of Congo is at “extreme risk” of descending into widespread violence, the UN Security Council has been warned. UN envoy Maman Sidikou said threats to the 18,000-strong peacekeeping mission there outstripped its capabilities.https://www.salo.org.za/salo-news-briefs-30-september-2016/Fri, 30 Sep 2016 11:20:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/salo-news-briefs-30-september-2016/Democratic Republic of Congo US imposes sanctions on top DRC officials after election delay The United States has imposed sanctions on two senior officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo in an apparent warning to President Joseph Kabila to respect the constitution of the vast, unstable African country and call elections later this year.https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-september-2016/Fri, 02 Sep 2016 11:35:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/news-briefs-02-september-2016/Democratic Republic of Congo Congo opposition supporters clash before election talks Violence broke out on Thursday between supporters of rival Congolese opposition parties, exposing deep divisions among President Joseph Kabila’s adversaries over whether to engage in talks about a delayed presidential election.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-19-august-2016/Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:12:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-19-august-2016/SA won’t interfere in Zimbabwe’s affairs: minister South Africa shouldn’t get involved in Zimbabwe’s affairs – unless it’s asked to. That’s according to International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. She made the remarks during an interview with eNCA’s Thulasizwe Simelane. The minister was responding to calls by Zimbabwean activists for South Africa to pressure President Robert Mugabe’s government.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-19-august-2016/Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:10:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-19-august-2016/Opposition leaders vow to end reign of Mugabe’s Zanu-PF in historic show of unity Leaders of Zimbabwe’s opposition have united as they denounced ageing President Robert Mugabe’s hold on power and called for citizens and political parties to join hands in ending the ruling Zanu-PF party’s alleged misrule.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-19-august-2016/Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:08:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-19-august-2016/Civil platform urges multiparty democracy An umbrella platform of civil groups is calling on Swaziland’s king to re-introduce multiparty democracy in the Southern African kingdom of about 1.2 million people. The call by the Southern African People’s Solidarity Network (SASPN) comes barely two weeks before a heads of state summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) where King Mswati III will assume chairmanship of the regional organization.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-19-august-2016/Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:04:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-19-august-2016/No evidence of Morocco incursion in disputed Western Sahara: UN The United Nations on Thursday (Aug 18) said it had found no sign of any suspicious military activity by Morocco in the disputed Western Sahara, after a separatist group complained about a Moroccan security operation in the region’s far south.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-19-august-2016/Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:03:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-19-august-2016/Wang Yi Meets with Foreign Minister Béatrice Attalah of Madagascar On July 28, 2016, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing with Foreign Minister Béatrice Attalah of Madagascar, who was in China to attend the Sherpa Meeting on Implementing Outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Johannesburg Summit.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-19-august-2016/Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:02:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-19-august-2016/Riek Machar flees S Sudan, ‘in care’ of DRC authorities UN spokesman says Machar is in the care of authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo after fleeing South Sudan. South Sudan’s former vice president and opposition leader Riek Machar “is in the care” of the authorities in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the United Nations has said, several weeks after he withdrew from the capital Juba during fierce fighting with government troops.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-19-august-2016/Fri, 19 Aug 2016 18:00:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-19-august-2016/UN chief urges Sudan’s warring parties to resume peace talks United Nations Secretary-General,Ban Ki-moon, Thursday has urged the Sudanese government and rebel groups to resume talks to reach a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access agreements in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-19-august-2016/Fri, 19 Aug 2016 17:58:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-19-august-2016/After standoff, UN force detains 10 armed men, recovers weapons cache The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) has reported that after a standoff with a convoy of heavily-armed men near Sibut, the capital of Kémo Prefecture, UN forces detained 10 of the suspects and recovered a “significant quantity” of weapons and munitions.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-19-august-2016/Fri, 19 Aug 2016 17:55:33 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-19-august-2016/AU Mission Denies Shelling Residential Areas The Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on Wednesday refuted reports that its peacekeeping troops fired rounds of mortars on residential areas near the southern port city of Marka. In a statement, AMISOM said its routine weapon testing exercise had the impact site pre-determined and was carried out far away from residential areas.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-19-august-2016/Fri, 19 Aug 2016 17:53:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-19-august-2016/Scores hacked to death in Democratic Republic of Congo At least 45 bodies have been found hacked to death in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with more expected as the search continues. The attack was reportedly carried out by suspected rebels, Al Jazeera reported.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-12-august-2016/Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:10:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-12-august-2016/SA trumps Nigeria South Africa’s economy regained the position of Africa’s largest in dollar terms more than two years after losing it to Nigeria as the value of the nations’ currencies moved in opposite directions. Based on gross domestic product at the end of 2015 published by the International Monetary Fund, the size of South Africa’s economy is $301 billion at the rand’s current exchange rate, while Nigeria’s GDP is $296 billion.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-12-august-2016/Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:07:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-12-august-2016/Zimbabwe protest pastor takes his crusade to the US A Zimbabwean pastor who became the figurehead of recent demonstrations against President Robert Mugabe’s government said on Thursday he was travelling to the US to meet compatriots there and consider his next move.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-12-august-2016/Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:05:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-12-august-2016/Swaziland to procure 28% power through biomass Surrounded by South Africa, land-locked Swaziland is looking to develop a 35MW biomass power plant, which will commence operation in three years. According to Renewable Energy World, once operational, the plant will supply an estimated 28% of the country’s total electricity demand.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-12-august-2016/Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:04:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-12-august-2016/UAS Deployed to Improve Health Care Delivery in Madagascar For those who live in rural communities with poor or non-existent roads, it’s difficult to get the health care and medical supplies they need. With the help of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and the researchers behind them, that could be changing.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-12-august-2016/Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:03:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-12-august-2016/UN prepares formal proposal on Western Sahara The United Nations is preparing a formal proposal to jumpstart talks on settling the decades-old conflict over Western Sahara, a spokesperson said Monday. UN envoy Christopher Ross is ready to travel to the region to discuss the proposal on “re-invigorating the Western Sahara negotiating process,” said spokesperson Farhan Haq.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-12-august-2016/Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:01:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-12-august-2016/S Sudan turns down proposal to take more UN troops South Sudan has rejected a proposal by the United States for the UN Security Council to send 4,000 additional troops to the country, claiming it “seriously undermines” its sovereignty. Michael Makuei, a government spokesman, said on Wednesday that the proposal that could be voted on Friday by the Security Council was giving the UN the ability to govern.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-12-august-2016/Fri, 12 Aug 2016 13:50:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-12-august-2016/Sudan negotiating delegations accuse each other of attempting to torpedo peace talks Sudanese government and SPLM-N traded accusations over alleged attempt to collapse the peace talks as they failed for the second day to agree on the agenda of the humanitarian access and the cessations of hostilities in the Two Areas.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-12-august-2016/Fri, 12 Aug 2016 13:46:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-12-august-2016/Son of Central African Republic Ex-President Detained Central African Republic’s justice minister says United Nations officials have detained the son of a former president and handed him over to the country’s authorities. Jean-Francis Bozize, whose father was toppled in 2013, returned to the country Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-12-august-2016/Fri, 12 Aug 2016 13:43:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-12-august-2016/Somalia to move to Party Politics in bid to cut Clan Rivalry Members of Somalia’s new parliament to be elected this year must join a political party within two years or step down as part of efforts to shift the Horn of Africa nation away from clan-based politics, a forum of regional and national leaders said.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-12-august-2016/Fri, 12 Aug 2016 12:44:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-12-august-2016/US urges DR Congo to allow human rights researcher to return The United States urged the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday to allow the return of a Human Rights Watch (HRW) researcher forced to leave the country. The State Department said it was “very concerned by the government of the Democratic Republic of (the) Congo’s decision not to renew the visa” of Ida Sawyer, who has worked for the US-based rights group in DR Congo since 2008.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-5-august-2016/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 19:23:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-5-august-2016/ANC takes battering while opposition heads for coalition talks Whatever the final outcome of the 2016 local government elections, the African National Congress (ANC) has received a nasty wake-up call from the electorate. With almost 90% of the votes confirmed by late Thursday night, the ANC had already lost one metro and was locked in a nail-biting race for control of the three Gauteng metros.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-5-august-2015/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 19:15:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-5-august-2015/Zimbabwe Police, Soldiers Urged to Attend Human Rights Workshops Some Zimbabweans attending an outreach meeting convened by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission say the organization should engage the police and Zimbabwe National Army, which are alleged to be the top human rights violators in the country.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-5-august-2016/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 19:11:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-5-august-2016/King to Party While Swazis Go Hungry King Mswati III of Swaziland has collected about E40 million (US$3 million) to host a lavish SADC Heads of State summit at a time when his government could release only E22 million of the E305 million earmarked for drought relief in this year’s national budget.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-5-august-2016/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 19:04:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-5-august-2016/Health in Madagascar takes turn for the worse as $22m hospital abandoned With water, sanitation and doctors scarce, and facilities deteriorating, Madagascar faces a healthcare crisis. So why does a cutting-edge hospital stand unused? Inside the glass-fronted reception of the state-of-the-art hospital are rows of upholstered chairs.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-5-august-2016/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:58:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-5-august-2016/Ross May Resume Shuttle Trips in August UN chief’s special envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, may resume his diplomatic shuttle trips in the region in August, in a bid to reinvigorate the negotiation process between the Polisario Front and Morocco, interrupted in 2012, a UN source said Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-5-august-2016/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:11:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-5-august-2016/UN accuses South Sudan troops of committing atrocities The United Nations’ top human-rights official has accused South Sudanese government troops and rebels of ethnically targeted atrocities, including extrajudicial executions and rapes, during renewed fighting over the last month. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said on Thursday that preliminary findings showed that the majority of crimes were carried out by troops loyal to President Salva Kiir, who is from the Dinka ethnic group, against people of Nuer origin.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-5-august-2016/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:09:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-5-august-2016/Sudanese government reiterates rejection of dialogue preparatory meeting Sudanese Presidential Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid reiterated his government refusal for a national dialogue preparatory meeting, adding that talks on the cessation of hostilities and humanitarian access will start immediately after the signing of the Roadmap Agreement by the opposition.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-5-august-2016/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:04:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-5-august-2016/UN Calls for Reconciliation in Central African Republic The U.N. Security Council called on the Central African Republic’s new president on Tuesday to urgently foster reconciliation between Muslims and Christians in order to reunify the country which has been plagued by sectarian violence.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-5-august-2016/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 17:58:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-5-august-2016/UK’s Minister for Africa Visits Somalia Tobias Ellwood, British Minister for the Middle East and Africa, visited Somalia and Kenya on 2-3 August. On his first visit following his appointment as Minister for Africa, Mr Ellwood reiterated the UK’s commitment to East Africa, making clear that regional security is a top priority.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-5-august-2016/Fri, 05 Aug 2016 17:53:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-5-august-2016/Show restraint in handling Kinshasa protests Security forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo must observe restraint in their handling of rival protests in the capital Kinshasa on 29 and 31 July, said Amnesty International today. The ruling coalition – Majorité Présidentielle – has called a rally in support of proposed talks on the electoral process, two days before the opposition coalition – Rassemblement des Forces du Changement – holds a rally demanding that the polls are held on schedule in November, as required by the Constitution.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-29-july-2016/Sat, 30 Jul 2016 17:51:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-29-july-2016/AUC chair shocked by Burundi assassination Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has expressed her horror at the assassination of Hasfa Mossi, a member of the East African Legislative Assembly and a former minister in Burundi, in the capital Bujumbura on Wednesday. Dlamini Zuma, the African Union Commission Chairperson (AUC), currently attending the 27th AU Summit in Kigali, condemned the “barbaric act” and called on all Burundians to exercise utmost restraint and to refrain from any acts of retaliation that would only further escalate and complicate the tension in the country.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-29-july-2016/Sat, 30 Jul 2016 17:47:23 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-29-july-2016/Zimbabwe war veterans’ spokesman arrested Veterans of Zimbabwe’s 1970s independence war, who had previously been loyal Mugabe supporters, issued a statement bitterly denouncing the ninety-two-year-old president, who faces growing signs of opposition. Douglas Mahiya, spokesman for the association, was arrested late on Wednesday in Harare, according to Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-29-july-2016/Sat, 30 Jul 2016 17:44:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-29-july-2016/King of impoverished Swaziland gets millions in budget King Mswati III’s royal budget has been increased to $69.8 million in the current financial year at a time when Swaziland continues to struggle with rising poverty and a sluggish economic growth, official documents reveal.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-29-july-2016/Sat, 30 Jul 2016 17:41:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-29-july-2016/IMF says approves $305 mln credit for Madagascar The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved an equivalent to $304.7 million in financial assistance for Madagascar under a 40-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement to help shore up its economy, the fund said.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-29-july-2016/Sat, 30 Jul 2016 17:38:06 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-29-july-2016/U.N. Western Sahara mission still recovering from Morocco dispute A United Nations peacekeeping mission in disputed Western Sahara is still not fully functional, the U.N. Security Council president said on Tuesday, months after Morocco expelled dozens of civilian staff in anger at remarks by U.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-29-july-2016/Sat, 30 Jul 2016 17:35:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-29-july-2016/At Least 120 Cases of Sexual Violence in South Sudan Capital - UN UN said it continued to receive deeply disturbing reports of sexual violence, including rape and gang rape. The United Nations said on Wednesday there has been at least 120 cases of sexual violence and rape against civilians in South Sudan’s capital Juba since fighting erupted three weeks ago between troops loyal to the country’s rival leaders.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-29-july-2016/Sat, 30 Jul 2016 17:32:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-29-july-2016/Sudan hosts JMEC partners meeting on South Sudan peace process The Sudanese capital Khartoum will host next Sunday a meeting for the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Partners Group to discuss implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) and the recent developments in Juba.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-29-july-2016/Sat, 30 Jul 2016 17:29:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-29-july-2016/Renewal of MINUSCA mandate France applauds the unanimous adoption, by the UN Security Council, of the resolution renewing the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) until November 15, 2017. This renewed mandate will allow MINUSCA to better protect civilians and deal with armed groups.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-29-july-2016/Sat, 30 Jul 2016 17:26:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-29-july-2016/PM names new Immigration Director Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has appointed Mohamed Adan Kofi as the new Director of Immigration and Naturalization Department on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports. Kofi—former Banadir Intelligence Commander and the head of Presidential Security Unit (PSU)—will be succeeding long serving Abdullahi Gafow Mohamud.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-29-july-2016/Sat, 30 Jul 2016 17:23:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-29-july-2016/DR Congo judge ‘pressured’ to convict Moise Katumbi A judge in the Democratic Republic of Congo has said she was pressured by the intelligence service to convict opposition politician Moise Katumbi. Chantal Ramazani, who is now in hiding, believes the intention was to block Mr Katumbi’s bid for the presidency in elections due in November.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-22-july-2016/Fri, 22 Jul 2016 20:30:42 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-22-july-2016/AU self-funding plan cautiously welcomed The African Union’s decision that all African countries will impose a 0,2 percent levy on their imports to enable the organisation to finance its own activities, including peacekeeping operations, has been cautiously welcomed. The continent’s leaders made the decision at the AU summit in Kigali, Rwanda, which was due to end on Monday.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-22-july-2016/Fri, 22 Jul 2016 20:27:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-22-july-2016/Zimbabwe cabinet approves ’no work - no pay’ policy, July pay dates released President Robert Mugabe’s cabinet has approved a ‘no work – no pay’ policy in the wake of the workers strike that led to a stay away earlier this month in the country.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-22-july-2016/Fri, 22 Jul 2016 20:24:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-22-july-2016/Swaziland Rights Group Lashes King Mswati Over Jet Purchase The Swaziland Solidarity Network has lashed out at King Mswati III, questioning his morality and leadership and saying that he deliberately works against getting people out of poverty. This criticism comes after the king purchased a second jet, an Airbus jet that reportedly belonged to China Airlines and has the capacity to carry 350 people.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-22-july-2016/Fri, 22 Jul 2016 20:21:22 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-22-july-2016/Madagascar celebrates 56th anniversary of independence Madagascar on Sunday celebrated its 56th anniversary of independence from France with the theme: “Modern and prosperous Madagascar, a shared goal.” Fireworks show on Saturday evening marked the celebration of national day, which continued Sunday morning with a military parade at the capital.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-22-july-2016/Fri, 22 Jul 2016 20:19:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-22-july-2016/Western Sahara clouds Morocco’s return to African Union After a 32-year hiatus, Morocco officially announced its intention to rejoin the African Union on Monday after leaving in a row over the status of Western Sahara. Morocco claims the disputed former Spanish colony is an integral part of its territory, but the African Union recognizes it as an independent state.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-22-july-2016/Fri, 22 Jul 2016 20:11:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-22-july-2016/UN human rights expert calls for the release of journalist Alfred Taban A United Nations human rights expert today urged the Government of South Sudan to immediately release Alfred Taban, a prominent journalist and chief editor of the daily English newspaper, Juba Monitor.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-22-july-2016/Fri, 22 Jul 2016 20:05:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-22-july-2016/Khartoum supports South Sudan demand to join Arab League State Minister for Foreign Affairs on Thursday reiterated Sudan’s support to South Sudan’s request to join Arab League (AL) as special observer, which is expected to be discussed during the upcoming summit in Nouakchott on 26-27 July.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-22-july-2016/Fri, 22 Jul 2016 19:59:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-22-july-2016/EU launches two-year military mission in the Central African Republic The European Union has announced the launch of a two-year military training mission in the Central African Republic to be based in the capital Bangui. The European Union Council said in a statement over the weekend that the mission which will be led by a French commander, General Eric Hautecloque-Raysz, will “contribute to the EU’s comprehensive approach and security sector reform in the country”.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-22-july-2016/Fri, 22 Jul 2016 19:47:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-22-july-2016/AU to probe alleged killing of 14 civilians in Somalia The incident occurred late Sunday in the west of Somalia, about 30 kilometres from regional capital Baidoa, and involved Ethiopian troops from the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). “AMISOM has received reports of alleged civilians killed during an offensive between its troops and Al-Shabaab in Wardinle, Bay region,” the mission said in a statement posted on Twitter on Monday evening.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-22-july-2016/Fri, 22 Jul 2016 19:43:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-22-july-2016/DRC Official Denies Government Persecution of Opposition Leader A senior adviser to the Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila is denying reports the administration in Kinshasa has launched a witch hunt against opposition leader Moise Katumbi Chapwe, an international businessman who plans to contest a yet to be determined presidential election.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-8-july-2016/Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:45:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-8-july-2016/Zimbabwe tense amid national shutdown Tensions still remain high as the national shutdown of public services persists in Zimbabwe. The industrial action by civil servants in Zimbabwe got off to a slow start on Tuesday, with 14 civil servants unions, including doctors and all workers in the health sector, resolving to go on an indefinite strike.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-8-july-2016/Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:43:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-8-july-2016/Zimbabwe businesses closed during stay-away Zimbabweans stayed at home on Wednesday and foreign banks and most businesses in the capital shut down, in one of the biggest protests against high unemployment, an acute cash shortage and corruption for nearly a decade.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-8-july-2016/Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:42:09 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-8-july-2016/WFP launches emergency food distribution in Swaziland he World Food Programme has launched emergency food distributions in Swaziland to feed vulnerable people in one of the country’s worst-hit by the recent El Niño weather event, which led to severe droughts. The government of Swaziland has declared a national emergency, as the land-locked southern African nation continues to suffer the effects of a devastating drought.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-8-july-2016/Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:39:33 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-8-july-2016/Journalists frown at controversial media draft law A controversial media draft law for Madagascar’s journalists has divided public opinion in the country. Journalist in the country have spent time this week contesting some articles in the controversial draft law. They complain that some of its provisions hinder freedom of expression and limit access to information.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-8-july-2016/Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:36:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-8-july-2016/UN Decolonization Committee to Meet On Western Sahara Soon United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization (Committee of 24) is to hold a special session on Western Sahara shortly, said the agency’s chairman, Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno. The committee’s members have agreed on holding the meeting to push forward the decolonization process in Western Sahara, through an “effective and broad” exchange of ideas on the issue, Ramirez Carreno said.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-8-july-2016/Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:35:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-8-july-2016/South Sudan’s former rebels warn of return to war Former rebels aligned with Vice President Riek Machar on Wednesday accused the South Sudanese government of arrests and killings they said could drag the country back to civil war. “If the government does not take good care of this case and the arrested opposition members are not released, then this may take us back to war because that’s the only solution for the government to free our soldiers and officials,” spokesman Col.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-8-july-2016/Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:32:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-8-july-2016/Five soldiers killed in South Sudan’s capital Juba Five soldiers were killed and two wounded late on Thursday when forces loyal to President Salva Kir and Vice President Riek Machar clashed in South Sudan’s capital. Lul Ruai Koang, a spokesman for Kiir’s forces, told the Associated Press news agency that a convoy of soldiers loyal to former rebel leader Machar opened fire on a checkpoint in Juba manned by troops loyal to the president, killing five.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-8-july-2016/Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:27:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-8-july-2016/UN rights chief warns of violence re-escalating in Central African Republic The United Nations human rights chief today warned that the security and human rights situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) may be starting to deteriorate again, after a series a major incidents in the capital of Bangui and rural areas.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-8-july-2016/Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:19:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-8-july-2016/AU to withdraw troops from Somalia in 2020 The African Union said it plans to pull its soldiers out of Somalia where they are fighting jihadists by December 2020, according to a statement issued Wednesday. The “exit strategy” formulated by the AU’s Peace and Security Council calls for the staggered withdrawal of 22 000 troops in the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to begin in October 2018 and be completed by the end of 2020.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-8-july-2016/Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:10:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-8-july-2016/UN concerned about DRC violence ahead of polls The UN Security Council has heard that in the absence of political dialogue that results in an inclusive agreement leading to credible elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country faced a severe crisis with a high probability of violence and instability.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-24-june-2016/Fri, 24 Jun 2016 15:56:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-24-june-2016/Uganda Says to Pull Troops Out of Somalia by End of 2017 Uganda plans to withdraw its troops from Somalia by December 2017, signalling it is scaling back regional military interventions after it said it planned a similar pullback from Central African Republic.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-24-june-2016/Fri, 24 Jun 2016 15:54:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-24-june-2016/Cash-strapped Zimbabwe rejects single currency regime The Zimbabwean government would not adopt a sole official trading unit. According to the Finance and Economic Development Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, the government would maintain a multi-currency regime. ‘‘We do not intend to adopt a single currency, but we will continue to bolster the strength of the multi-currency system,’’ the minister said.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-24-june-2016/Fri, 24 Jun 2016 15:50:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-24-june-2016/High Commissioner to UK Slams Allegations By Maid Swaziland’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Her Excellency Dumisile Sukati has strongly refuted reports that she trafficked her housekeeper Zanele Shongwe to London in 2011. In a full statement to the media on the matter, Sukati said she did not fear investigation into the issue because she was innocent of any alleged wrongdoing.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-24-june-2016/Fri, 24 Jun 2016 10:21:03 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-24-june-2016/Is The Race for Madagascar’s Resources About to Get Underway? A part of the world where a small but potentially important news item emerged in the mining world this week - from the rising resource power of South Korea. As I saw firsthand in a visit last month, Korea is moving quickly to catch up with Japan and China when it comes to international minerals investment.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-24-june-2016/Fri, 24 Jun 2016 10:10:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-24-june-2016/Morocco offers to let some UN Western Sahara mission staff back Morocco has proposed allowing around 25 civilian staff to immediately return to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in disputed Western Sahara in a sign that tensions between Rabat and the U.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-24-june-2016/Fri, 24 Jun 2016 10:06:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-24-june-2016/UN to send peacekeepers home over South Sudan inaction The United Nations has said that it will send peacekeepers home over a “lack of responsiveness” during a bloody attack on a UN-run camp in South Sudan in February. UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous acknowledged on Wednesday that an investigation had found “inadequacies” in peacekeepers’ response when gunmen in military uniforms stormed the camp in the northeastern town of Malakal on February 17 and 18, firing on civilians and setting shelters ablaze.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-24-june-2016/Fri, 24 Jun 2016 10:03:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-24-june-2016/AUHIP chief declines to negotiate supplemental agreement with Sudan Call groups The head of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) has declined a proposal by Sudanese opposition groups to negotiate a supplemental document to the Roadmap Agreement which is already signed by the government last March.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-24-june-2016/Fri, 24 Jun 2016 09:58:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-24-june-2016/Bemba Gets 18 Years for Central African Republic War Crimes Jean-Pierre Bemba is the first person to be convicted by the ICC of crimes of sexual violence in war. Congolese politician Jean-Pierre Bemba was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the International Criminal Court on Tuesday for heading a 2002-03 campaign of rape and murder in neighbouring Central African Republic.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-24-june-2016/Fri, 24 Jun 2016 09:53:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-24-june-2016/Somalia President says electoral process for August ‘critical’ The meeting of National Leadership Forum (NLF) has proceeded into its second day with urgently pressing agendas on the table, Garowe Online reports. Speaking in Southwestern Baidoa town on Thursday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud touted upcoming August vote as ‘critical’ and “a test” for the country’s nascent and rebuilding institutions.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-24-june-2016/Fri, 24 Jun 2016 09:51:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-24-june-2016/US Imposes Sanctions on Kinshasa Police Chief in DRC The United States has imposed sanctions on Kinshasa’s police chief in the Democratic Republic of Congo for violence and the murder of civilians. All U.S. assets belonging to Celestin Kanyama are frozen and Americans are barred from doing any business with him.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-17-june-2016/Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:47:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-17-june-2016/Japan backs African call for UN Security Council reform Japan said Thursday that it will support calls by Africa – and Turkey – for UN Security Council reform when it takes the council’s helm next month. Masakazu Hamachi, the Japanese parliament’s vice-minister for foreign affairs, made the remarks in Gambia, at the opening session of the preparatory ministerial meeting of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-17-june-2016/Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:45:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-17-june-2016/Perm Sec in U.S.$1,7 Million Scandal Secretary for Mines and Mining Development Professor Francis Gudyanga allegedly ordered the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) to pay a Harare-based agricultural firm over $1,3 million presumably for services the firm provided to the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Minerals and Border Patrol Unit.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-17-june-2016/Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:43:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-17-june-2016/Swaziland Prepares for 36th SADC Summit The Kingdom of Swaziland is intensifying preparations for the annual regional summit where southern African countries will review progress towards deepening integration and promoting socio-economic development. The 36th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is scheduled for Mbabane, Swaziland in August.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-17-june-2016/Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:39:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-17-june-2016/The Diaspora Comes Together to Contribute to Madagascar’s Development An estimated 120,000 members of the Malagasy diaspora are scattered across all of the world’s continents, and there are at least 2,000 organizations around the globe working for the development of Madagascar.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-17-june-2016/Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:35:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-17-june-2016/Moroccan and Venezuelan Diplomats Clash at UN Over Western Sahara The Special Committee on decolonization, officially called the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence of Colonial Countries and Peoples, was discussing two draft resolutions about information flow in such territories, when the subject shifted to Western Sahara.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-17-june-2016/Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:33:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-17-june-2016/More than 230 000 South Sudanese in Sudan The UN says Sudan is hosting the largest number of South Sudanese refugees, with 232 000 having entered since a civil war erupted in the neighbouring country at the end of 2013. South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011 but two years later it fell into a brutal civil war that has killed tens of thousands of civilians.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-17-june-2016/Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:29:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-17-june-2016/Five million in Sudan need aid — EU More than 5 million people in Sudan need urgent assistance after new displacements in Darfur and a surge of refugees arriving from South Sudan, a top European Commission official said on Wednesday. The comments by Jean-Louis De Brouwer, the director operations at the EC’s Humanitarian and Civil Protection Department, came after the commission offered 12.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-17-june-2016/Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:27:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-17-june-2016/Ban welcomes Central African Republic President’s resolve to seek all-inclusive resolution to crisis Meeting today with Faustin Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic (CAR), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that the country had turned a corner following the holding of democratic elections, and welcomed the leader’s resolve to fully address the root causes of the country’s crisis in an inclusive spirit.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-17-june-2016/Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:23:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-17-june-2016/Number of Child Soldiers in Somalia May Top 5,000, UN Reports A top official with the U.N. Children’s Fund says there could be 5,000 child soldiers in Somalia as al-Shabab continues its recruiting campaigns. In an interview with VOA Somali, Susannah Price, UNICEF chief of communication, said the recruitment and use of young children as soldiers was documented, and at surprisingly high numbers.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-17-june-2016/Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:21:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-17-june-2016/Nine killed as Congo troops clash with ex-militia fighters: NGO At least nine people died in clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that erupted when government soldiers prevented former fighters from leaving a camp for demobilized militia groups, officials said on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-3-june-2016/Fri, 03 Jun 2016 21:17:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-3-june-2016/Uganda to cut ties with North Korea Uganda will cut defence and security ties with North Korea in compliance with a broad array of the UN sanctions imposed on Pyongyang in March for its nuclear test and ballistic missile launch. The announcement was made by former Foreign Affairs minister, Sam Kutesa, during a press conference at State House in Entebbe on Sunday.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-3-june-2016/Fri, 03 Jun 2016 21:12:40 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-3-june-2016/Zim cuts retirement age as cash runs out Zimbabwe is so desperate for cash it has cut the retirement age for members of its enormous uniformed forces from 60 years to 50. Only those who fought in the 1970s liberation struggle are allowed to remain in service until 65.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-3-june-2016/Fri, 03 Jun 2016 21:09:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-3-june-2016/Swaziland King Mswati to Become SADC Chairman in August Swaziland’s King Mswati III is set to become the next chairman of the Southern African Development Community at the regional heads of state and government summit to be held in Swaziland’s capital, Mbabane, in August.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-3-june-2016/Fri, 03 Jun 2016 21:05:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-3-june-2016/The plans of Madagascar’s president Seven years ago Madagascar was rocked by violence as a political coup turned bloody. When a relative calm was restored to allow a fresh election, the man left standing was Hery Rajonarimampianina, who became president two years ago.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-3-june-2016/Fri, 03 Jun 2016 20:53:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-3-june-2016/AU Expresses Unflinching Support to Sahrawi People, Government Following Death of Mohamed Abdelaziz President of the African Union Commission (AUC) Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma declared a three-day mourning as from Wednesday following the death of president of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) Mohamed Abdelaziz, reiterating its constant and unflinching support and solidarity with the Sahrawi government and people.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-3-june-2016/Fri, 03 Jun 2016 20:29:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-3-june-2016/IMF warns of further deteriorating economy in South Sudan The world’s economic centre house - the International Monetary Fund (IMF) based in New York - has warned of further deteriorating economic situation in South Sudan unless quick economic reform policies were adopted and political environment eased.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-3-june-2016/Fri, 03 Jun 2016 20:15:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-3-june-2016/UNHCR urges Sudan to stop deporting Eritreans The UN refugee agency on Thursday urged Sudan, a key transit route for migrants bound for Europe, to stop “forcibly” deporting hundreds of Eritreans back to their country. Many of those sent back were arrested as they tried to enter Libya from Sudan, with which the European Union is trying to work to manage the flow of migrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-3-june-2016/Fri, 03 Jun 2016 20:13:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-3-june-2016/Central African Republic special report, and the IMF’s hype Conflict in Central African Republic has left 2.3 million people needing aid and raised fears of a “gradual disintegration of the state”. Clár Ní Chonghaile met midwives attempting to save lives amid the chaos, teachers giving lessons on peace and reconciliation, and the head of the UN mission pledging to end troop abuses.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-3-june-2016/Fri, 03 Jun 2016 20:11:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-3-june-2016/Turkish President Criticises EU Over Cutting Somalia Funding The visiting Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday warned that the decision by the European Union (EU) to cut funding for African Union troops in Somalia was a mistake. Last month, the UPDF said it would review its operations in Somalia after EU which has been paying the soldiers’ allowances announced it would cut the funding by 20 per cent.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-3-june-2016/Fri, 03 Jun 2016 20:08:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-3-june-2016/At least one killed in clashes as opposition protests sweep DR Congo At least one person was reported killed Thursday as rallies across DR Congo against President Joseph Kabila turned violent, with police firing tear gas in the capital Kinshasa and the eastern city of Goma.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-27-may-2016/Fri, 27 May 2016 10:54:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-27-may-2016/Sudan and Eritrea Crackdown on Migrants amid Reports of EU Incentives Authorities in Sudan have launched a crackdown on Eritrean migrants - arresting those living in the capital, Khartoum, and intercepting hundreds travelling north through the country towards Libya, the launching point for smugglers’ boats heading for Europe.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-27-may-2016/Fri, 27 May 2016 10:52:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-27-may-2016/Export incentives to ease cash crisis — Mangudya ZIMBABWE could soon boost its exports driven by a cocktail of measures announced by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe recently. The Reserve Bank Governor John Mangudya told a breakfast meeting hosted by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) two weeks ago that incentivising exporters could help ease the liquidity problems in the economy.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-27-may-2016/Fri, 27 May 2016 10:51:09 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-27-may-2016/Opposition calls for the disruption of Swazi elections Voters have begun registering for elections in Swaziland, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, with unions calling for a boycott of a “rubber-stamp” poll. Authorities expect some 600 000 eligible voters – slightly more than half of the 1.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-27-may-2016/Fri, 27 May 2016 10:49:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-27-may-2016/Business opportunities beckon in Madagascar Singapore and Madagascar are looking to work more closely together in areas like master-planning, capacity building and small and medium-sized enterprise development. The initiative follows a memorandum of understanding inked between the Madagascan government and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise, an arm of IE Singapore, yesterday at the first ever Madagascar-Singapore Business Forum.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-27-may-2016/Fri, 27 May 2016 10:48:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-27-may-2016/Morocco continues to hamper negotiations between parties to conflict in Western Sahara, says Saharawi diplomat Saharawi ambassador to Nicaragua, Sulaiman Al-Tayeb, said in a statement to Cuban News Agency, Prensa Latina, that Morocco continues to impede negotiations with the Polisario Front in order to find a just solution that ensures the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-27-may-2016/Fri, 27 May 2016 10:46:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-27-may-2016/South Sudan calls for priority in World Humanitarian Summit Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Eugene Owusu has called on the World Humanitarian Summit convened this week in Istanbul, Turkey (23-24 May, 2016) to prioritize the world’s youngest nation in the humanitarian interventions.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-27-may-2016/Fri, 27 May 2016 10:45:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-27-may-2016/Detained students face an ‘increased risk of torture’ Security forces in Sudan have reportedly detained and is currently holding dozens of students and activists. Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling on the Sudanese government to release or charge these individuals. In April 2016, government security forces, including national security and riot police, clamped down on student demonstrations against the sale of Khartoum University buildings, as well as the earlier detention of protesters and a range of other issues at campuses across Sudan.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-27-may-2016/Fri, 27 May 2016 10:43:28 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-27-may-2016/Central African Republic Rebels Demand Positions in Government An armed group of Muslim fighters in the Central African Republic said it will only hand over weapons if some of its representatives are appointed to government positions. Leaders of the so-called Seleka rebel group “must be represented in decision-making state institutions in order to facilitate the disarmament process,” Abdoulaye Hissene, a Seleka commander, told reporters Wednesday in the capital, Bangui.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-27-may-2016/Fri, 27 May 2016 10:42:09 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-27-may-2016/Somalia president raises concern of over plans to shut Dadaab refugee camp Somalia’s president is not happy about Kenya’s resolve to close down one of the world’s largest refugee camps. The Dadaab camp, home to more than 300,000 Somalis. President Hassan Sheik Mohamed says forced repatriation is not in the best interest of either country.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-27-may-2016/Fri, 27 May 2016 10:40:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-27-may-2016/Pressure builds for Democratic Republic of Congo election International pressure is building on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) president to put a plan in place for elections, raising the possibility of sanctions against members of the ruling elite. European Union (EU) foreign ministers briefly discussed the situation on Monday, after urging the DRC’s government to “revive as soon as possible the electoral process.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-20-may-2016/Sat, 21 May 2016 09:54:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-20-may-2016/Peace and prosperity continue to elude Africa five decades on Three years ago, to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity, the African Union (AU) signed a solemn declaration to end strife on the continent and to work for peace and prosperity.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-20-may-2016/Sat, 21 May 2016 09:51:06 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-20-may-2016/AU Rights Commissioner Urges Greater Freedoms in Zimbabwe The African Union is urging Zimbabwe to repeal or amend laws that curtail the right to freedom of expression, freedom of the media and other protections. Speaking in Harare, AU commissioner for Human Rights Pansy Tlakula said she is happy with a constitutional court decision repealing a defamation law that opponents said was being used to stifle journalists.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-20-may-2016/Sat, 21 May 2016 09:48:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-20-may-2016/Mswati’s jet impounded in Canada again A private jet belonging to Swaziland’s King Mswati III has been detained for the second time in Canada due to a debt dispute. BBC reported that the monarch’s McDonnell Douglas DC-9-87 was “impounded” for the second time in as many years as part of a court case between Mswati and Singaporean businessman Shanmuga Rethenam.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-20-may-2016/Sat, 21 May 2016 09:44:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-20-may-2016/Madagascar President on an investor charm offensive Seven years after the start of a political crisis, Madagascar has declared itself open for business. On an official visit to Singapore, President Hery Rajaonarimampianina told CNBC on Thursday that he was looking to attract more foreign investors to the island nation rich in biodiversity and natural resources.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-20-may-2016/Sat, 21 May 2016 09:43:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-20-may-2016/Morocco Steps Up Diplomatic Pressure On US And Europe Over Western Sahara Occupation On May 18, the Moroccan government summoned the US ambassador in Rabat, Dwight Bush, for a dressing-down over the State Department’s most recent human rights report on the country, as it wages diplomatic battles on several fronts over its occupation of Western Sahara.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-20-may-2016/Sat, 21 May 2016 09:42:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-20-may-2016/69,000 South Sudanese refugees flood Sudan since January: UN More than 69,000 South Sudanese have arrived in neighbouring Sudan since January, fleeing conflict and food shortages in their war-torn country, the United Nations said. South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011 but two years later it fell into a brutal civil war that has killed tens of thousands of civilians.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-20-may-2016/Sat, 21 May 2016 09:40:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-20-may-2016/President Stresses Sudan Keenness to Boost Relations with Central African Republic President Omar Bashir on Monday reaffirmed Sudan’s commitment to boost bilateral relations with the Central African Republic, to achieve the joint interests. The president of the Republic on Monday received Mr.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-20-may-2016/Sat, 21 May 2016 09:38:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-20-may-2016/MSF worker killed by gunmen in Central African Republic Medical relief charity Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) has halted operations in part of west Central African Republic after a staff member was shot dead during an ambush on one of its convoys, it said on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-20-may-2016/Sat, 21 May 2016 09:36:23 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-20-may-2016/Security Council concludes visit to Somalia; urges swift approval of electoral model The United Nations Security Council concluded a one-day visit to Somalia today by reaffirming its solidarity with the country’s people and Government and reiterating its calls to the federal parliament to legalize the 2016 electoral model as soon as possible.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-20-may-2016/Sat, 21 May 2016 09:34:30 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-20-may-2016/Moise Katumbi: DR Congo opposition presidential hopeful charged Democratic Republic of Congo opposition presidential hopeful Moise Katumbi has been charged with hiring foreign mercenaries. A government spokesman said he was plotting against President Joseph Kabila. Mr Kabila is nearing the end of his second term and he is constitutionally obliged to step down by December.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-13-may-2016/Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-13-may-2016/AU to launch investigations into human rights abuses in Burundi The African Union Peace and Security Council has reiterated its concerns about persistent human rights violations and other abuses against civilian populations in Burundi. According to a report by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) on its findings in the East African country, AU will take required steps to carry out an “in-depth” investigation into the abuses cited in the report.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-13-may-2016/Fri, 13 May 2016 09:23:48 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-13-may-2016/Reveal Dzamara’s whereabouts: US envoy United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Harry Thomas Jnr has challenged the Zanu PF government to reveal the whereabouts of missing activist Itai Dzamara, who was abducted by suspected State security agents 14 months ago. Speaking at a media breakfast meeting in Harare yesterday, Thomas Jnr described Dzamara as a symbol of non-violent protest, saying if the government wanted to prosecute him it was better for law enforcement agents to release him and lay charges.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-13-may-2016/Fri, 13 May 2016 09:22:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-13-may-2016/King Donates to Swazi Drought Relief King Mswati III the absolute monarch in Swaziland has ‘donated’ US$150,000 to help victims of drought in his kingdom. It came weeks after it was revealed the government he handpicked will spend US$13 million on a private jet aircraft for him.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-13-may-2016/Fri, 13 May 2016 09:21:38 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-13-may-2016/In Madagascar, Ban calls for end to corruption, reports on ‘alarming’ cost of hunger During his visit to Madagascar today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Malagasy parliamentarians to end the corruption that has weakened their society, while launching a report on the cost of hunger in the island nation.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-13-may-2016/Fri, 13 May 2016 09:19:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-13-may-2016/UN demands restoration of mission in Western Sahara The UN Security Council has voted to restore the UN mission in disputed Western Sahara and bring the peacekeeping force back to full operations after Morocco expelled international civilian staff. A US-drafted resolution was backed by 10 countries in the 15-member council on Friday.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-13-may-2016/Fri, 13 May 2016 09:17:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-13-may-2016/South Sudan rival forces attend workshop in Juba South Sudan army (SPLA) factions including those loyal to President Salva Kiir and first vice-president, Riek Machar, attended a workshop in Juba on Thursday on how to provide security to the capital, Juba, where the General headquarters of the two co-national armies are based.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-13-may-2016/Fri, 13 May 2016 09:16:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-13-may-2016/US denounces Uganda for hosting Sudan’s Bashir The United States condemned Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni for hosting war crimes suspect Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir at his re-inauguration. A spokeswoman for the State Department said US, EU and Canadian diplomats had walked out of Thursday’s ceremony in Kampala in protest as Bashir’s presence.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-13-may-2016/Fri, 13 May 2016 09:13:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-13-may-2016/Hollande in Central African Republic as peace mission marred by sex abuse scandal Friday’s visit to Bangui is Hollande’s third - his last trip, in 2014, came shortly after the French military force, Sangaris, had been deployed in response to the country’s civil war.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-13-may-2016/Fri, 13 May 2016 09:01:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-13-may-2016/US Air Strike kills 5 Al Shabaab fighters in Somalia A US forces in Somalia called in an air strike on Thursday that killed five fighters from the al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabaab, the latest in a series of US military operations targeting the organisation, the Pentagon said.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-13-may-2016/Fri, 13 May 2016 08:59:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-13-may-2016/Kabila’s Mandate Can Be Extended If No Vote The Democratic Republic of Congo’s top court says President Joseph Kabila can stay in office beyond his mandate if the presidential election is delayed. Congo’s Constitutional Court ruled Wednesday according to clause 70 of the constitution, the current president remains in office until a newly-elected president is installed.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-29-april-2016/Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:47:30 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-29-april-2016/The U.N. Is Ending Its Arms Embargo on the Ivory Coast and Planning a Withdrawal The U.N. Security Council unanimously voted Thursday to remove 12-year-old arms embargo, travel and financial sanctions against Ivory Coast, welcoming the West African nation’s “remarkable progress towards lasting peace, stability and economic prosperity.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-29-april-2016/Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:44:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-29-april-2016/MDC Says Govt Must Slash Mugabe’s Travel Budget and Remove Mphoko From His Hotel THE Welshman Ncube led MDC says government should either reduce President Robert Mugabe’s international travel budget or cancel it altogether or evict VP Mphoko from his hotel accommodation and finance the repatriation of 32 Zimbabwean women who are stranded in Kuwait.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-29-april-2016/Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:41:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-29-april-2016/Swaziland Groups Kick Against Amendment Bills Civil society and pro-democracy groups have called on parliamentarians in Swaziland to scrap debates on three proposed amendments that they say would further erode the fundamental human rights of citizens in the southern African kingdom.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-29-april-2016/Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:40:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-29-april-2016/Tourism Ministers from South Africa, Madagascar and Seychelles meet during carnival Tourism Ministers from South Africa and Madagascar took the opportunity to meet with the Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture while in the islands for the annual carnival. Derek Hanekom, the Minister of Tourism of South Africa; Roland Ratsiraka, the Minister of Tourism of Madagascar; and Alain St.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-29-april-2016/Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:38:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-29-april-2016/UN to Vote On Western Sahara Mandate The UN Security Council is to vote on renewing a 25-year-old mission in Western Sahara, which recently plunged into crisis over remarks made by the Secretary General. Council members are divided. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has made an urgent plea for the retention of the mandate for the UN mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO).https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-29-april-2016/Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:36:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-29-april-2016/US announces $86 million for additional aide to South Sudan United States (US) government has announced additional humanitarian assistance of $86 million to help conflict-affected people in South Sudan, as well as South Sudanese refugees in the region. This new funding, announced on Wednesday, it said will provide much-needed “safe drinking water, emergency health care, nutrition services, shelter, improved sanitation facilities, agricultural training, and seeds, tools, and fishing supplies for the most vulnerable families and communities.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-29-april-2016/Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:34:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-29-april-2016/Sudan police teargas students Sudanese police fired tear gas Thursday as clashes broke out during a protest at Khartoum University over the killing of a student by security forces, an AFP correspondent reported. About 1 000 students staged a fresh demonstration at the campus on the banks of the Blue Nile in central Khartoum, the scene of regular protests.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-29-april-2016/Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:31:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-29-april-2016/In Central African Republic, UN Security Council Extends MINUSCA Peacekeeping Force Mandate The United Nations Security Council decided Tuesday to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping force in Central African Republic after concluding that the war-torn country remains a threat to international peace and security.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-29-april-2016/Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:29:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-29-april-2016/ISIL is competing with al-Shabaab for recruits in Somalia and appears to be gaining traction The Islamic State may be gaining a foothold in East Africa. The militant group took responsibility for an IED attack on a convoy of African Union peacekeepers traveling outside of Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu on April 25.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-29-april-2016/Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:25:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-29-april-2016/DRC police fired teargas to break opposition leader Katumbi’s rally Police fired shots and teargas to break up a crowd before a political rally by opposition leader and potential presidential candidate Moise Katumbi in Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, an official and the opposition said.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-22-april-2016/Fri, 22 Apr 2016 16:17:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-22-april-2016/Africa moves centre-stage in global security debate Two high-profile security conferences in Ethiopia have underlined the significance Western policymakers attach to enlisting African support when shoring up global security and meeting the growing terrorist threat. Ethiopia was a good choice of venue.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-22-april-2016/Fri, 22 Apr 2016 16:13:42 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-22-april-2016/Mnangagwa Says Bickering Between Chinamasa and Zhuwao Caused Confusion and Unsettled Investors THE fight between finance and indigenisation ministers, Patrick Chinamasa and Patrick Zhuwao over indigenisation laws had the effect of undermining investor confidence prompting President Mugabe’s intervention, says VP Emmerson Mnangagwa.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-22-april-2016/Fri, 22 Apr 2016 16:09:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-22-april-2016/Zuma in Swaziland for Customs Union talks President Jacob Zuma on Thursday arrived in Swaziland for talks with King Mswati III on matters relating to Southern African Customs Union (SACU). In a statement, the Presidency said Zuma had already had discussions with the Heads of States and Government of Botswana and Namibia on the matter.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-22-april-2016/Fri, 22 Apr 2016 16:06:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-22-april-2016/Fight against poverty and corruption will be priority – New Madagascar PM Madagascar’s new Prime Minister, Solonandrasana Olivier Mahafaly, has pledged to focus on fighting poverty and corruption as he took over the position formerly occupied by Jean Ravelonarivo. “Our priorities will be the fight against poverty,” adding that beyond poverty, “the fight against corruption…, the fight against the looting of our natural resources,” would be crucial, Mahafaly said at the handover ceremony in the capital Antananarivo.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-22-april-2016/Fri, 22 Apr 2016 16:00:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-22-april-2016/Gulf Arabs back Morocco in Western Sahara rift with U.N. Gulf Arab rulers back fellow monarchy Morocco in its row with the United Nations over the disputed region of Western Sahara, Saudi Arabia’s SPA news agency reported, one of the worst diplomatic crises over the territory since a 1991 ceasefire.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-22-april-2016/Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:56:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-22-april-2016/South Sudan Peace Talks Imperiled by New Squabbles A long-awaited peace deal to end the civil war in South Sudan that has killed tens of thousands is being imperiled again, this time mainly by squabbles over how many weapons and soldiers the opposition can bring with it to the capital.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-22-april-2016/Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:53:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-22-april-2016/Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Briefs Ambassadors of European Countries On Roadmap and Darfur Referendum Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Abdul-Melik Al-Naeem presented a briefing for Ambassadors of European countries resident in Khartoum in presence of Darfur File Official, Dr Amin Hassan Omer, about the roadmap and the Darfur Administrative Referendum.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-22-april-2016/Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:51:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-22-april-2016/Pope meets president of Central African Republic at Vatican Pope Francis has met the President of the Central African Republic (CAR), Faustin Archange Touadéra, at the Vatican. During the meeting, which took place on Monday, the Pontiff recalled the warm welcome he received during his visit to CAR in November.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-22-april-2016/Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:48:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-22-april-2016/Security Council Press Statement on Somalia On 19 April 2016, the members of the Security Council were briefed by the President of Somalia, His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, on political progress in Somalia. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Michael Keating, and the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, Ambassador Téte António, also briefed on the situation in Somalia.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-22-april-2016/Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:45:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-22-april-2016/Keep the Candle of Freedom Burning in the Congo The U.S. should seize the opportunity to help facilitate the peaceful transfer of power in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The history of postcolonial Africa is brimming with tales of greed, avarice, corruption and thuggery that would produce envy in the heart of even the slickest Chicago pol.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-15-april-2016/Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:56:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-15-april-2016/Somalia, Sudan agree to boost ties Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his Sudanese counterpart Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir have agreed to step up cooperation in various fields during a State visit by the former to Khartoum, Garowe Online reports. Bilateral meeting between delegations of Somalia and Sudan has focused on strengthening partnership in economy, trade, security, culture, education and governance.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-15-april-2016/Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:52:40 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-15-april-2016/Zimbabwe holds largest anti-Mugabe protest in years Demonstrators in Zimbabwe held the largest protest against President Robert Mugabe in nearly a decade on Thursday, marching through central Harare demanding that the 92-year-old leader make a “dignified exit.” Under the watchful eye of riot police, more than 2,000 supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) carried anti-Mugabe placards and sang party songs before their leader Morgan Tsvangirai gave a speech attacking Mr Mugabe’s rule.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-15-april-2016/Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:45:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-15-april-2016/King ‘Steals From Children’ to Buy Jet The best-known of the prodemocracy groups in Swaziland has accused King Mswati III of stealing from children so he could have his own personal jet aircraft. The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) said the move to buy a A430-300 Airbus for E200,000 (US$13.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-15-april-2016/Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:35:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-15-april-2016/New Madagascar PM Vows to Target Poverty, Corruption Madagascar’s new prime minister pledged he would focus on fighting poverty and corruption as he took over on Wednesday from Jean Ravelonarivo, who left office amid confusion over his resignation. On Sunday, the president’s office announced former interior minister, Solonandrasana Olivier Mahafaly, as the new premier, two days after it announced that Ravelonarivo had resigned, only for him to deny he had done so.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-15-april-2016/Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:30:40 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-15-april-2016/Western Sahara separatists warn UN of return to violence The separatist leader of Western Sahara has warned the United Nations of a return to armed conflict in the North African territory unless pressure is put on Morocco to fully restore a UN mission there.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-15-april-2016/Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:26:49 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-15-april-2016/A new dawn after years of wasted lives? As rebel leader Riek Machar prepares for what’s supposed to be a peaceful return to the capital, the cracks in South Sudan’s newly-formed unity government are already beginning to show. Can the warring parties really co-exist again, or is this another false start?https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-15-april-2016/Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:20:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-15-april-2016/Sudan summons U.S. diplomat over Darfur referendum Sudanese foreign ministry on Tuesday summoned the U.S. acting Chargé d’affaires in Khartoum after the State Department said publicly Saturday it doesn’t consider credible the administrative referendum in Darfur. The vote over Darfur permanent administrative status started on 11 April and will terminate on Wednesday 13 April.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-15-april-2016/Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:16:22 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-15-april-2016/UN Accused of Withholding Scores of Sex Abuse The United Nations is withholding more than 40 new cases of sexual violence by peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) in direct contravention of its promise to disclose all information to the public, an NGO has said.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-15-april-2016/Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:13:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-15-april-2016/Leaders agree to hold general elections this year Somali leaders met for a three-day conference in Mogadishu, where they consented to holding a general election later this year, Kenya’s Daily Nation reports. During the conference that ended on Tuesday, regional states and the central government officials reiterated their commitment to a no extension of the terms of the legislative and the Federal Government beyond August 2016.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-15-april-2016/Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:09:38 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-15-april-2016/Fresh fighting drives displacement in eastern DR Congo Fighting between the Congolese army and rebel forces has forced tens of thousands of people in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to move out of four sites for the internally displaced.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-8-april-2016/Fri, 08 Apr 2016 16:55:42 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-8-april-2016/Security issues to dominate AU-EU meeting THE insecurity risks posed by the Boko Haram sect are set to be among the most prominent issues on the agenda when the African Union Commission and the European Commission hold their annual College to College meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-8-april-2016/Fri, 08 Apr 2016 16:50:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-8-april-2016/Zimbabwe’s Mugabe seeks to calm angry war veterans Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe on Thursday sought to shore up his hold on power by offering reassurances to war veterans who have become increasingly vocal in their criticism of his regime. The war veterans have often played a crucial, and violent, role in supporting Mugabe.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-8-april-2016/Fri, 08 Apr 2016 16:47:22 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-8-april-2016/MPs Block Swazi King’s New Jet Members of the Swaziland Parliament have blocked a move to pay E96 million (about US$6.4 million at the present ever-fluctuating exchange rate) for a jet plane for the kingdom’s autocratic monarch King Mswati III. The money had been allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the kingdom’s annual budget announced in February 2016.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-8-april-2016/Fri, 08 Apr 2016 16:42:28 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-8-april-2016/$65m support for Madagascar’s power sector Madagascar has been granted a $65 million (£46m) loan to improve its electricity sector operations and governance. Access to power services in the country is “low by any standards”, according to the World Bank, with current access at around 12% to 13%.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-8-april-2016/Fri, 08 Apr 2016 16:39:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-8-april-2016/Morocco expels eight Europeans supporting Western Sahara prisoners Moroccan authorities have expelled eight European activists who they said were in the country to undermine public order by supporting prisoners from Western Sahara protests in 2010, the interior ministry said on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-8-april-2016/Fri, 08 Apr 2016 16:37:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-8-april-2016/UN Security Council renews sanctions against those blocking peace in South Sudan The United Nations Security Council Thursday renewed, until 1 June, its sanctions regime imposed last year against those blocking peace in the war-torn country, including a travel ban and a freeze on their assets.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-8-april-2016/Fri, 08 Apr 2016 16:33:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-8-april-2016/Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir ’to step down in 2020’ Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has told the BBC he will step down in 2020, when his current mandate ends. Mr Bashir also denied allegations of abuses perpetrated by the Sudanese forces in renewed violence against black African villages who took up arms in the country’s western Darfur region.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-8-april-2016/Fri, 08 Apr 2016 15:40:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-8-april-2016/UN troops tried in DR Congo Three UN peacekeepers accused of sexual abuse in Central African Republic (CAR) have gone on trial in Democratic Republic of Congo. Two of the Congolese troops denied charges of raping minors, while a third denied a charge of attempted rape, the prosecutor said.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-8-april-2016/Fri, 08 Apr 2016 15:38:22 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-8-april-2016/IMF: Somalia’s Efforts at Rebuilding its Economy ‘Bearing Fruit’ The International Monetary Fund says Somalia has marked a milestone in its development by taking steps to normalize relations with international financial institutions. The IMF said Wednesday that a mission led by Rogerio Zandamela met with Somali authorities in Nairobi from March 30 to April 5 to discuss a staff-monitored program that will focus on policies to improve governance and fiscal management and foster development in the financial sector.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-8-april-2016/Fri, 08 Apr 2016 15:35:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-8-april-2016/UN confirms allegations of rape against peacekeepers in DRC The United Nations has confirmed fresh allegations of rape against its peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The organisation has been in the spotlight for months following allegations of sexual abuse by its blue helmets, mainly in the Central Africa Republic that now total more than 100.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-1-april-2016/Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:16:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-1-april-2016/Darfur Forever War Defeats South Africa There are not enough UN peacekeepers to protect refugee camps, monitor ceasefire violations in South Sudan and monitor the Sudan-South Sudan border. When the South Sudan civil war began in December 2013, frightened civilians took shelter near UN compounds, particularly those housing UN peacekeepers.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-1-april-2016/Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:12:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-1-april-2016/Cloud hangs over foreign firms in Zimbabwe Foreign companies in Zimbabwe have been left scrambling in the dark about their future after the deadline for complying with the indigenisation policy closed last night. The uncertainty intensified this week when Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Patrick Zhuwawo insisted that the government would cancel the operating licences of companies that failed to comply.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-1-april-2016/Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:07:49 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-1-april-2016/Govt, Unions Agree to Map Work Plan on Salary Review Public sector unions and government have reached an agreement to map out a work plan of activities to lead to the implementation of the salary review report but the unions are not sure if this was good news for civil servants.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-1-april-2016/Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:03:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-1-april-2016/Madagascar’s ex-president Ravalomanana to run for election in 2018 Former president of Madagascar, Marc Ravalomanana, has confirmed his intention to run for president in 2018. Analysts said the announcement of his candidature was a bit premature as it comes two years before the presidential election.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-1-april-2016/Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:57:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-1-april-2016/Security Council Must Stand Up to Moroccan Bullying to End Western Sahara Conflict UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s first ever trip to Western Sahara has sparked a furious reaction from the Moroccan government, which has taken the extraordinary step of ordering the withdrawal of much of the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-1-april-2016/Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:50:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-1-april-2016/Fleeing hunger, S. Sudanese refugees continue to arrive into Sudan’s Darfur Tens of thousands of South Sudanese from the greater Bhar el Ghazal region have continued to flee to the neighbouring Sudan due to combined threats of conflict and hunger, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Sudan, has reported Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-1-april-2016/Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:47:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-1-april-2016/Silencing women rights defenders Sudanese security forces have used sexual violence, intimidation, and other forms of abuse to silence female human rights defenders across the country, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The government should investigate all alleged abuses, hold those responsible to account, and undertake legislative reforms to protect women’s rights.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-1-april-2016/Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:42:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-1-april-2016/Central African Republic votes in second round Voters in the Central African Republic went to the polls on Thursday for the second round of the country’s parliamentary election, a day after the new president was sworn in. At his inauguration on Wednesday, President Faustin-Archange Touadera vowed to “preserve peace” after three years of turmoil and violence between Christians and Muslims that has killed thousands since 2013.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-1-april-2016/Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:35:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-1-april-2016/Suicide bombing in Somalia kills at least nine people, wounds 10 others A suicide bombing in central Somalia killed at least nine people and wounded 10 others, a police official said Thursday. The bomber blew himself up among a group of people at a café near a hotel in the town of Galkayo on Thursday, said Ali Aden.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-1-april-2016/Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:30:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-1-april-2016/UN decides against drawdown of DR Congo peacekeepers The United Nations on Wednesday decided against cutting back its peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo as fears grow of political turmoil in the vast African country ahead of elections. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a French-drafted resolution extending for one year the 20,000-strong MONUSCO mission, rejecting appeals from Kinshasa for a drawdown of the force.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-18-march-2016/Fri, 18 Mar 2016 09:14:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-18-march-2016/Angolan leader ‘to step down’ in 2018 Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos said on Friday he plans to step down in 2018 after being at the helm since 1979, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. Angola, a member of OPEC and Africa’s second largest oil exporter after Nigeria, relies on crude export revenues for more than 90 percent of foreign exchange revenues.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-18-march-2016/Fri, 18 Mar 2016 09:10:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-18-march-2016/Mugabe changes course as Harare woos IMF Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe agreed to major reforms, including compensation for evicted white farmers and a big reduction in public sector wages, as the government tries to woo back international lenders, the finance minister said.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-18-march-2016/Fri, 18 Mar 2016 09:02:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-18-march-2016/New Germany, Singapore ambassadors for Swaziland Swaziland’s King Mswati III today received letters of credence from Germany and Singapore Ambassadors to Swaziland at the Lozitha Royal Palace, APA reports on Thursday.When meeting Walter Lindner from Germany and Chua Thai-Keong from Singapore, the king expressed hope that the two countries will support Swaziland in its vision to achieve the First World status by 2022.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-18-march-2016/Fri, 18 Mar 2016 08:53:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-18-march-2016/Western Sahara referendum key to peace A referendum on the future of the disputed territory of Western Sahara holds the key to peace and stability in North Africa, the pro-independence Polisario Front said on Wednesday. The former Spanish territory has been back in the spotlight after UN chief Ban Ki-moon angered Morocco by using the word “occupation” to describe its status.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-18-march-2016/Fri, 18 Mar 2016 08:43:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-18-march-2016/Trade fair to promote businesses with Asia opens in Madagascar A four-day trade fair to promote businesses with Asia opened on Thursday in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo with a theme “Asia is beautiful”. Thousands of businessmen from Asia, including Burma, Cambodia, China, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as from Indian Ocean countries including Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion Island (France), and Seychelles participated in the fair.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-18-march-2016/Fri, 18 Mar 2016 08:39:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-18-march-2016/South Sudan: UN Should Create Rights Monitor The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) should appoint a special rapporteur to monitor and document human rights violations and promote justice in South Sudan. South Sudan’s human rights situation is currently before the council.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-18-march-2016/Fri, 18 Mar 2016 08:34:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-18-march-2016/Sudan threatens to shut South Sudan border Sudan on Thursday threatened to shut its border with South Sudan just weeks after reopening crossings, accusing Juba of backing insurgents battling Khartoum. South Sudan split from Sudan in 2011 under a peace deal that ended a 22-year civil war, but Juba and Khartoum have traded allegations the other is supporting rebels on their territory, which both deny.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-18-march-2016/Fri, 18 Mar 2016 08:29:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-18-march-2016/Central African Republic’s Biggest Challenge On March 30, president-elect Faustin-Archange Touadera will take office in the Central African Republic. His task, to quell the brutal sectarian violence that has torn his country apart, got even harder in recent weeks. Renewed violence in and around Bambari, in the centre of the country, has resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-18-march-2016/Fri, 18 Mar 2016 08:24:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-18-march-2016/Puntland Forces Continue Crushing Militants in Northern Somalia Coastal Province Puntland security forces launched crushing attacks on the hideouts of al-Shabaab militants in the Northern coastal province of Nugal on Thursday, killing scores of militants and injuring many more, sources said.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-18-march-2016/Fri, 18 Mar 2016 08:18:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-18-march-2016/DR Congo: Free Youth Activists Congolese authorities should immediately and unconditionally release two activists who were arrested one year ago during a pro-democracy youth workshop in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fred Bauma and Yves Makwambala face trumped-up charges in an apparently politically motivated drive to silence dissent.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-11-march-2016/Fri, 11 Mar 2016 12:20:09 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-11-march-2016/Zuma hopes for deeper ties after Nigeria trip President Jacob Zuma arrived back in South Africa on Wednesday after he concluded his two-day state visit to Nigeria with an agreement to formalise the South Africa-Nigeria Business Council, the Presidency said “The president said the agreement reached to formalise the South Africa-Nigeria Business Council will assist in managing and advancing the economic relations between the two countries,” said the Presidency late on Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-11-march-2016/Fri, 11 Mar 2016 12:16:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-11-march-2016/Zimbabwe plans to compensate farmers for seized land Zimbabwe plans to start compensating mainly white farmers who lost their land and livelihoods during state- backed farm invasions that began in 2000 and triggered a near decade-long recession, the Finance Ministry said in a circular distributed to lawmakers.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-11-march-2016/Fri, 11 Mar 2016 12:12:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-11-march-2016/Swazi Security Budget Soars Swaziland is to spend US$150 million on security in the coming year, the kingdom’s annual budget reveals. It amounts to 11 percent of the tiny kingdom’s total budget. The money will be spent on the army (USDF), police and correctional services.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-11-march-2016/Fri, 11 Mar 2016 12:09:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-11-march-2016/President of Republic of Madagascar Arrives on a State Visit to Mauritius The President of the Republic of Madagascar, Mr. Hery Rajaonarimampianina, arrived this evening for a four-day State Visit to Mauritius. He was greeted at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport by the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, and other eminent personalities.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-11-march-2016/Fri, 11 Mar 2016 12:06:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-11-march-2016/UN chief rejects Moroccan criticism on Western Sahara UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday rejected criticism from Morocco of his remarks on Western Sahara, and pledged to push for action to advance peace efforts during his final year as UN chief.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-11-march-2016/Fri, 11 Mar 2016 12:01:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-11-march-2016/South Sudan is dying, and nobody is counting The many ways people have died during South Sudan’s two-year civil war are well-documented, but the number killed is unknown. Men, women and children have been shot, speared, burned, castrated, hung, drowned, run over, suffocated, starved and blown up, their corpses abandoned where they fell, bulldozed into mass graves or, in at least one case, eaten in ritual cannibalism.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-11-march-2016/Fri, 11 Mar 2016 11:57:33 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-11-march-2016/Assistant of the President of the Republic Reaffirms Sudan’s Backing for Chad, Its Government and People The Assistant of the President of the Republic, Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid, has reaffirmed Sudan’s backing and support for the people and government of sister chad, and Sudan’s resolve to maintain brotherly strong bonds between the two people.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-11-march-2016-2/Fri, 11 Mar 2016 11:53:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-11-march-2016-2/First Violence Since Election Kills 12 At least 12 people have been killed in villages in Central African Republic (CAR) in the first outbreak of violence since before the conflict-torn country elected a new president. CAR held largely peaceful elections in December 2015 after several years of sectarian violence.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-11-march-2016/Fri, 11 Mar 2016 11:50:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-11-march-2016/Somalia Raid Aided by U.S. Kills Fighters From Shabab Only days after American aircraft struck a Shabab training camp in Somalia, American Special Operations forces and Somali troops carried out a raid against Shabab fighters, officials said Wednesday, in a sign of heightened pressure against the militant group.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-11-march-2016/Fri, 11 Mar 2016 11:02:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-11-march-2016/Democratic Republic Of Congo to Extradite Rwandan Genocide Suspect Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has agreed to extradite a suspect in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide who was arrested with a $5 million bounty on his head. Ladislas Ntaganzwa, 53, was arrested in December 2015 in eastern DRC.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-4-march-2016/Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:54:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-4-march-2016/UN warns over rising tension after Uganda vote The UN’s rights office voiced concern on Tuesday over rising tensions in Uganda following the arrest of opposition leaders and intimidation by the security forces during the country’s presidential election. Uganda’s long-serving leader Yoweri Museveni was declared winner of the February 18 vote with 60% support against 35% won by his main challenger, Kizza Besigye, who has rejected the results.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-4-march-2016/Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:50:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-4-march-2016/Zimbabwe takes over diamond operations Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said on Thursday that his government would take possession of all diamond operations because existing miners had robbed the country of its wealth. Mugabe’s comments came a week after the ministry of mines ordered all mining companies to halt work and leave the Marange fields, saying they had not renewed their licences.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-4-march-2016/Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:46:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-4-march-2016/Swaziland Declares National Emergency as Drought Intensifies The government of Swaziland has declared a national emergency as the land-locked southern African nation continues to suffer the effects of a devastating drought. The Prime Minister, Dr B Sibusio Dlamini, said that the draught, which began in 2014 as a result of the El Nino weather event, has “deepened in severity, with a path that has defied regional weather forecasting” and has had “devastating consequences.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-4-march-2016/Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:43:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-4-march-2016/Chinese Ambassador Presents Credential Letters to Madagascar’s President Yang Xiaorong presented Thursday her credential letters to Madagascar’s President Hery Rajaonarimampianina as Chinese ambassador to Madagascar. “The President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping accredited me as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Madagascar,” Yang told Hery Rajaonarimampianina at Iavoloha state palace, 15 km south of Madagascar’s capital.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-4-march-2016/Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:39:23 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-4-march-2016/Western Sahara: Women Held in Refugee Camps United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon should urge the Polisario Front to intervene in favor of three Sahrawi women whose families are reportedly preventing them from leaving Polisario-run refugee camps for Spain, where they legally reside.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-4-march-2016/Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:35:51 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-4-march-2016/South Sudan oil production pollution threatens thousands: monitors Dangerous heavy metals used in oil production in war-torn South Sudan have leaked into drinking water sources used by 180,000 people with life-threatening health risks, a rights group said. Toxicological tests carried out on hair samples from 96 volunteers living around the Thar Jath oil processing plant in South Sudan’s northern Unity region revealed they were “highly intoxicated with pollutants such as lead and barium,” said Klaus Stieglitz, from the German-based Sign of Hope organisation.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-4-march-2016/Fri, 04 Mar 2016 15:10:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-4-march-2016/Seven years after arrest warrant, Sudan’s leader more free than ever Seven years ago, a group of Hollywood activists celebrated their greatest triumph when an international court issued an order to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes in Darfur.https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-4-march-2016/Fri, 04 Mar 2016 07:42:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/central-african-republic-4-march-2016/Kidnappings by Kony’s LRA spike in Central African Republic More than 200 people have been kidnapped in eastern Central African Republic this year, already nearly double last year’s level, in a wave of abductions blamed on the Lord’s Resistance Army, an organization tracking the rebel group said Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-4-march-2016/Fri, 04 Mar 2016 07:40:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-4-march-2016/Somalia denied from joining East African Community bloc Somalia has been rejected to join the East African Community regional bloc after failing to meet the eligibility criteria, Horseed Media reports. Three years ago, Somalia first applied to join the regional integration but have not been given the green light due to unrevealed reasons.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-4-march-2016/Fri, 04 Mar 2016 07:36:23 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-4-march-2016/Deadly attack near the town of Beni France condemns the massacre perpetrated during the night of February 28 to 29 near the town of Beni (North Kivu), which killed 13 people. We extend our condolences to the victims’ families. The perpetrators of this attack must be brought to justice.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-12-february-2016/Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:25:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-12-february-2016/AU Peace and Security Council Calls for Urgent Solution to Western Sahara Conflict African Union Peace and Security Council called, in its recent report on peace and security in Africa, to find an urgent and just solution to the Western Sahara conflict, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the international legitimacy.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-12-february-2016/Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:24:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-12-february-2016/‘Millions flee’ Zimbabwe conflict More than three million Zimbabweans, double the population of neighbouring Botswana, have fled direct and structural violence in their country, a member of the National Transitional Justice Working Group in Zimbabwe (NTJWG) has said. Speaking at a Transitional Justice Policy Discussion series meeting in Harare on Wednesday evening, Reverend Ray Motsi, leader of the Memorialisation Thematic Committee of the NTJWG, said the legacy of violence had endured for more than three decades and had become a knee-jerk response to any conflict in Zimbabwe.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-12-february-2016/Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:23:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-12-february-2016/Swaziland gov’t appeals for more donor assistance Donor partners have been urged by the Swaziland government to help bring along more organisations to aid Swaziland in dealing with effects of natural disaster, local media report here Thursday. The appeal was made to delegates, who included the Taiwanese ambassador to Swaziland, United Nations officials as well as government officials gathered at a conference on Effective Development Corporation in Mbabane, the capital, by Economic Planning and Development Minister Prince Hlangusemphi.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-12-february-2016/Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:22:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-12-february-2016/World Bank says to give $690 mln to Madagascar over next 3 years The World Bank will boost aid to Madagascar to $230 million annually over the next three years, it said on Tuesday, to help the economy recover from years of stagnation since a 2009 coup.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-12-february-2016/Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:21:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-12-february-2016/Time for a Referendum in Western Sahara Recently, former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Marc Ginsberg argued in the Huffington Post that Americans ought to “applaud” Morocco because “it is a challenge identifying a strong dependable, and extraordinarily supportive Arab ally in the chaos [of the region].https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-12-february-2016/Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:20:40 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-12-february-2016/South Sudanese president signs NGO Bill into law South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir has signed into law the non-governmental oganisation (NGOs) Bill into law, despite global pressure to delay it. The presidential spokesman, Ateny Wek Ateny confirmed the Bill’s signing on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-12-february-2016/Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:19:28 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-12-february-2016/Sudan summons U.S. envoy over Darfur sanctions draft resolution Sudan’s foreign ministry summoned the U.S. charge d’affairs in Khartoum on Wednesday over Washington’s sponsorship of a draft UN Security Council resolution extending sanctions related to the Darfur conflict and adding restrictions on gold mining, Sudan’s main source of income.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-12-february-2016/Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:18:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-12-february-2016/Al Shabaab Changes Tack, Plans Attacks Disguised As Peacekeepers Somalia militants Al Shabaab are planning to attack liberated areas disguised in uniforms stolen from the African peacekeepers. The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Francisco Madeira warned Thursday of the sinister plot.https://www.salo.org.za/car-12-february-2016/Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:16:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-12-february-2016/Central African Republic to Go Ahead With Elections Sunday Central African Republic’s long awaited presidential runoff vote will go forward Sunday alongside a second attempt at credible legislative elections, election authorities said as the two top candidates campaigned outside the capital Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-12-february-2015/Fri, 12 Feb 2016 12:14:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-12-february-2015/Democratic Republic of Congo Says It May Still Revise Mine Code The Democratic Republic of Congo’s mines ministry said that it could still revise the country’s mining code, in an apparent retreat from comments made by the department’s minister on Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-2-feb-2016/Tue, 02 Feb 2016 12:07:40 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-2-feb-2016/African Union backs away from imposing peacekeepers on Burundi The African Union will send a team to Burundi to try to convince the government to accept a peacekeeping force that it had rejected, backing away from an earlier plan to send them with or without consent, a top AU official said.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-2-february-2016/Tue, 02 Feb 2016 12:06:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-2-february-2016/ZIMBABWE’S CHIEF PROSECUTOR ARRESTED, TO APPEAR IN COURT TODAY Zimbabwe’s chief prosecutor has been arrested and is expected to appear in court today. It’s being claimed that Johannes Tomana was arrested over the state’s withdrawal of charges against two men arrested in an alleged plot to bomb President Robert Mugabe’s dairy last month.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-2-february-2016/Tue, 02 Feb 2016 12:04:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-2-february-2016/Swaziland Workers Demand Release of Government Salary Report Swaziland’s workers unions petitioned the government of King Mswati III, to release of a salary review report that highlights working conditions of public sector workers across the country. Union leaders, backed by pro-democracy and civil society groups, warn that if the government continues to refuse to release the report, they would organize a series of nationwide demonstrations to put pressure on the administration to do so.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-2-february-2016/Tue, 02 Feb 2016 12:03:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-2-february-2016/Western Sahara - AU Urges UN to Intervene for Self-Determination Referendum Chairperson of African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma called on United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to intervene for the resolution of the Western Sahara conflict through a referendum on self-determination “We urge the UN Secretary General to intervene to resolve the conflict,” she said, adding that “in 2016, we cannot ignore the will of the people of Western Sahara who have struggled to decide their future.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-2-february-2016/Tue, 02 Feb 2016 12:02:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-2-february-2016/Africa leads in women empowerment Africa is making progress in women empowerment with African Union member states slowly bringing more women on board in traditionally male dominated sectors, according to the AU Commission for Political Affairs. It is celebrating that the continent is leading the world on women parliamentarians as 37 countries hold the highest number of women members of parliament.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-2-february-2015/Tue, 02 Feb 2016 12:00:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-2-february-2015/African Union Says Crisis in South Sudan Is Worsening A new report written for the African Union and made public on Monday presented an especially grim picture of South Sudan’s civil war, blaming government forces and rebels for the declining humanitarian situation in the world’s newest country.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-2-feb-2015/Tue, 02 Feb 2016 11:59:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-2-feb-2015/Sudanese security prevents opposition SCoP from holding press conference Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Monday cancelled a press conference which was scheduled to be held by the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP) saying the party didn’t obtain the necessary permission.https://www.salo.org.za/car-2-feb-2016/Tue, 02 Feb 2016 11:57:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-2-feb-2016/France says to wind down Central African Republic force by year-end France aims to scale back its military presence in Central African Republic by the end of the year, its defence minister said in a French media interview, as Paris continues to count on forthcoming elections to ease tension in the turbulent African country.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-2-feb-2016/Tue, 02 Feb 2016 11:56:01 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-2-feb-2016/Child killed in mortar attack on Somalia presidency A child was killed and six others wounded in Mogadishu on Monday after mortar shells targeted Villa Somalia, the main government complex which includes the presidential palace, police said. Witnesses said they heard as many as five explosions.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-2-february-2016/Tue, 02 Feb 2016 11:54:42 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-2-february-2016/How to Reform the Democratic Republic of Congo Rethink development strategy and make transparency a priority. Every return visit to my native country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, brings fresh surprises—almost never the good kind. This is especially true outside the relative comfort of upper-class Gombe district in Kinshasa, the capital, and above all in rural areas, where most of the country’s almost 80 million people live.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-10-november-2015/Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:50:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-10-november-2015/Burundi experiencing ‘deep political crisis’ with hundreds dead since April, Security Council told Senior United Nations officials today warned the UN Security Council that Burundi is at a critical juncture, experiencing a deep political crisis and rapidly escalating violence with serious implications for the country’s stability and ethnic harmony, as bodies are regularly dumped in the streets of the capital, Bujumbura, and thousands of people flee the bloodshed.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-10-november-2015/Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:48:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-10-november-2015/Japan avails $15-million grant to Zimbabwe The Japan International Cooperation Agency has extended a $15 million grand to Zimbabwe, the first substantial commitment in 15 years, for the development of the 674 hectares Nyakomba irrigation scheme in Nyanga. JICA is an agency that coordinates official development assistance for the government of Japan.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-10-november-2015/Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:46:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-10-november-2015/LET US GIVE GOOD EDUCATION TO OUR CHILDREN The community should stand together for the children so that Swaziland can be counted as a rich country as well, maybe by 2022 we will have taken great strides. Parents should lead by example when it comes to their children.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-10-november-2015/Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:45:42 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-10-november-2015/After 40 Years, Time to End the Occupation of Western Sahara This November marks forty years since 350,000 Moroccans crossed into the Western Sahara as part of the so-called “Green March.” November 6 is a dark day for the Saharawi people, because it marks Morocco’s illegal military invasion and partial occupation of Western Sahara.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-10-november-2015/Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:44:06 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-10-november-2015/Black boxes in S Sudan air crash recovered Investigators in South Sudan have found the two black boxes from a Soviet-era Antonov plane which crashed last week killing at least 36 people, state radio said on Tuesday. Minister of Transport Kuong Danhier Gatluak “admitted the country is not well equipped to handle certain disasters”, state-run Radio Juba said, but added that search teams had recovered the two black boxes from the plane, which smashed into a river bank just after take-off from the capital Juba on November 4.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-10-november-2015/Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:42:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-10-november-2015/400 Sudanese troops arrive in Yemen A new batch of Sudanese ground troops arrived in Yemen’s port city Aden Monday to participate in the Saudi-led campaign against the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi militants, said sources. Military sources in Aden told several Yemeni media outlets that a Sudanese force consisting of 400 officers and soldiers has arrived Monday morning at Al-Zait seaport in Al-Braiga.https://www.salo.org.za/car-10-november-2015/Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:41:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-10-november-2015/Date set for Central African Republic polls The strife-torn Central African Republic is to hold presidential and legislative elections on December 27, the National Elections Authority announced on national radio on Monday. The vote will be preceded by a referendum on December 13 on a proposed new constitution that would limit future presidents to two five-year terms in office.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-10-november-2015/Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:39:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-10-november-2015/Settle Yemen crisis to help Somalia PM tells UN Ending the crisis in Yemen is crucial to prevent Islamic State jihadists from shoring up Somalia’s weakened Shabaab, Somalia’s prime minister said on Monday. Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke told a special session of the UN Security Council on Somalia that the Shabaab’s recent pledges of allegiance to IS are “not to be taken lightly.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-10-nov-2015/Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:38:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-10-nov-2015/NGO workers kidnapped for ransom in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Aid workers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo were kidnapped in two separate incidents over the week-end, raising fears that mineral-rich North Kivu province may again be targeted by rebels, smugglers and cross-border raids.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-27-october-2015/Tue, 27 Oct 2015 09:50:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-27-october-2015/African Standby Force closer to becoming a reality The Amani Africa II field training exercise — made up of over 5 400 troops and police — kicked off at the Army Combat Training Centre in the Northern Cape. The training will last until 5 November and is conducted by the African Union (AU) with the intent of evaluating the state of readiness of the African Standby Force (ASF) and its Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC).https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-27-october-2015/Tue, 27 Oct 2015 09:48:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-27-october-2015/Post-Mugabe Zimbabwe will be chaotic - politician A Zimbabwean opposition leader has reportedly warned of total collapse the day President Robert Mugabe “does not wake up”. Former finance minister Tendai Biti, who is the People’s Democratic Party leader, warned that Zimbabweans should brace themselves for civil war if Mugabe “does not wake up one morning”, a New Zimbabwe.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-27-october-2015/Tue, 27 Oct 2015 09:47:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-27-october-2015/King - ‘I’ve No Assets Outside Swaziland’ King Mswati III of Swaziland who was once reported to have a personal net worth of US$200 million has told a court that he has no assets outside of Swaziland. He made his statement in a case where he is personally being sued over a US$3.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-27-october-2015/Tue, 27 Oct 2015 09:46:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-27-october-2015/Algeria reiterates support for Western Sahara’s right to self-determination Algerian National People’s Assembly Speaker Mohamed Larbi Ould Khelifa reiterated his country’s support for the right to self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, Algeria’s state news agency APS reported. Speaking during a meeting with Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Suilma Hay Emhamed Elkaid yesterday, Ould Khalifa declared “Algeria’s unconditional support for the Saharawi people in fulfilment of its foreign policy principles.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-27-october-2015/Tue, 27 Oct 2015 09:45:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-27-october-2015/New peace pact in South Sudan South Sudan’s warring government and rebel forces signed Monday a committment to settle key security sections of a peace deal, despite having broken the pact multiple times. The agreement is hoped to kickstart stalled talks for key military sections of an August 26 deal, including the demilitarisation of the capital Juba, the positions of troops on both sides and steps towards the creation of a unified army.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-27-october-2015/Tue, 27 Oct 2015 09:43:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-27-october-2015/Sudan’s Bashir hopes dialogue conference to produce unified national vision Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir has expressed hope that the national dialogue conference can come up with a consensus on a unified vision to formulate the future according to a national will.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-27-october-2015/Tue, 27 Oct 2015 09:42:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-27-october-2015/Somalia: People With Disabilities Abused, Neglected People with mental health conditions in Somaliland are increasingly forced into institutions, where they face serious abuses and poor conditions. The Somaliland authorities should provide oversight for all mental health facilities, prohibit chaining, and establish voluntary community-based services for people with mental health conditions.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-27-october-2015/Tue, 27 Oct 2015 09:36:51 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-27-october-2015/US Wants ‘Concrete Steps’ to Prepare for DRC Elections A senior U.S. diplomat visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo has urged the government there to take concrete steps to prepare for future elections, and to cooperate fully with the U.N. mission working to resolve conflicts in the DRC.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-20-october-2015/Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:11:09 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-20-october-2015/U.S. Commitments to Women, Peace, and Security Fifteen years since United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 was adopted in 2000, the United States remains a strong advocate for women’s equal and full participation in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace building, and peacekeeping.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-20-october-2015/Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:10:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-20-october-2015/Zimbabwe’s Mugabe warms to West as economy wobbles Robert Mugabe’s anti-Western rhetoric has been conspicuous by its absence of late, a sign the 91-year-old leader has mellowed or realised that Zimbabwe may need financial help. A year ago, the veteran turned to “old friend” China, but behind the official warmth Beijing made clear the days of blank cheques were over, forcing Harare to make repayments on US$1 billion (£648 million) of loans made over the previous five years.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-20-october-2015/Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:08:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-20-october-2015/Committee Tells Swazi Speaker to Quit The Swaziland House of Assembly Speaker Themba Msibi has been told to resign by a Parliamentary Select Committee. The five-member committee found him guilty of a series of offences, including nepotism and favouritism in the hiring of parliamentary staff; plotting the ousting/removal of the Prime Minister Barnabas Dlamini from the Premiership position; abusing the name of the monarchy for his own selfish ends; promoting anarchy and running parliament like a personal fiefdom, and engaging in corrupt practices not being trustworthy and being fraudulent.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-20-october-2015/Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:07:28 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-20-october-2015/Moroccan Authorities Arrest Two Former Saharawi Political Prisoners The Moroccan occupation authorities arrested the former two Saharawi political prisoners Mohamed Biza and Abdessalam Loumadi in the Moroccan city of Agadir, reported a source from the Ministry of Occupied Territories and Communities Abroad.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-20-october-2015/Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:06:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-20-october-2015/South Sudanese president orders dismissal of Luka Biong from Juba University South Sudanese president Salva Kiir has given orders to the administration of Juba University to dismiss Luka Biong Deng from his lecturing post at the higher education institution in reaction to a forum that challenged his recent decree to create 28 states as unconstitutional.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-20-october-2015/Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:04:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-20-october-2015/Sudan govt accepts invitation to talks with rebels The Sudanese government said Wednesday it had accepted an invitation from the African Union to attend peace talks with the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North in Addis Ababa next month. The SPLM-N has been battling Khartoum’s forces in the southern Blue Nile and South Kordofan states since 2011, and did not immediately say whether they would attend.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-20-october-2015/Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:03:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-20-october-2015/Somalia Clan Clashes Kill 14 At least 14 people were killed and 20 others injured on Monday in deadly clashes in central Somalia, witnesses and officials said. Rival clan militias engaged in street battles in the town of Beledweyne following a dispute over tax collection, witnesses said.https://www.salo.org.za/car-20-october-2015/Tue, 20 Oct 2015 10:59:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-20-october-2015/Central African Republic: New Spate of Senseless Deaths Five days of sectarian violence that gripped Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, between September 25 and October 1, 2015, led to at least 31 targeted killings of civilians. Based on interviews in Bangui, conducted between October 7 and 13 with witnesses, Human Rights Watch found that at least 31 civilians, possibly many more, were shot at point-blank range or stabbed to death, or their throats were slit.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-20-october-2015/Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:52:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-20-october-2015/Burundian Journalist Arrested in Democratic Republic of Congo The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the detention of Egide Mwemero, a Burundian journalist who, according to the managing director of his radio station and local reports, was arrested in Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on October 13.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-13-october-2015/Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:42:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-13-october-2015/African spending challenged by debt cost rise High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. Sub-Saharan African countries are being forced to reconsider development projects as the sell-off in emerging markets makes access to international finance increasingly unaffordable.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-13-october-2015/Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:40:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-13-october-2015/UN appeals for $86M in food aid for Zimbabwe The UN has issued an urgent appeal for $86m in food aid for Zimbabwe. The country’s debilitating economic downturn has made food supplies unstable. The government earlier this year began providing meat from wild animals to prisoners after they rioted over their meatless diet.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-13-october-2015/Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:38:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-13-october-2015/Textile Protest - Police Fire Guns Police in Swaziland fired guns and teargas at workers engaged in a legitimate protest against employment conditions. According to different local newspaper reports between 2,000 and 3,000 workers at the Zheng Yong Garment factory in Nhlangano had a confrontation with the company’s security guards.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-13-october-2015/Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:36:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-13-october-2015/Moroccan anger over Western Sahara baffles Sweden The Moroccan government announced a decision Oct. 1 to boycott Swedish companies, crowning a week of diplomatic tensions driven by Moroccan accusations of a change in Sweden’s stance on the Western Sahara, where conflict has been ongoing since 1975, when Spain relinquished colonial rule over the territory and Morocco ultimately seized it.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-13-october-2015/Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:35:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-13-october-2015/Ugandan troops withdraw from South Sudan Ugandan troops have started withdrawing from South Sudan to comply with a peace deal between South Sudan’s warring factions, Uganda’s military chief said on Monday. All Ugandan forces - between 2 000 and 3 000 - will have withdrawn from South Sudan by the first week of November, General Katumba Wamala told reporters in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-13-october-2015/Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:33:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-13-october-2015/Egypt and Chad support launch of Sudan’s National Dialogue The governments of Egypt and Chad have announced their unqualified support for the ‘National Dialogue’ launched on Saturday in Sudan’s capital Khartoum by the ruling party together with several opposition groups. Egypt’s Ambassador to Sudan Osama Shaltout said that his country “fully supports” the National Dialogue and he calls on all Sudanese parties who have not joined the process to do so as there is no other way to meet the national interest, according to a report by the Middle East News Agency.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-13-october-2015/Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:30:09 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-13-october-2015/Senior al-Shabaab commander captured in Somalia A top al-Shabaab commander and two other senior members of the Islamist group have been captured by Somali and African Union troops in the Horn of Africa country, intelligence sources said on Monday. The three were captured near the central town of Elbur late on Sunday, senior Somali intelligence officer Mohamed Hasan said.https://www.salo.org.za/car-13-october-2015/Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:28:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-13-october-2015/Clashes as UN peacekeepers halt rebel advance on CAR capital UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic clashed with rebels who were attempting to march on the capital, a military source said today, adding that the offensive ended with the militants taking flight.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-13-october-2015/Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:27:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-13-october-2015/Democratic Republic of the Congo hangs on President Kabila’s next move President Joseph Kabila’s options for the 2016 presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are narrowing quickly. A failed attempt at amending the constitution in January, allowing him a third term, resulted in violent protest in both Kinshasa and Goma, leaving 40 people dead, according to Human Rights Watch.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-30-september-2015/Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:13:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-30-september-2015/African Leaders Call for Reinstatement of President of Burkina Faso West African leaders called on Tuesday evening for the reinstatement of Burkina Faso’s interim president, who was overthrown in a coup last week. Leaders of several nations in the region — including the largest, Nigeria — said they would travel here on Wednesday morning to try to broker a peaceful resolution to the political crisis.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-30-september-2015/Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:11:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-30-september-2015/17,000 Back Religious Freedom at Huge Rally in Madagascar More than 17,000 people rallied at a Seventh-day Adventist-organized event in Madagascar to pledge their support for religious liberty. The daylong “Festival of Religious Freedom,” held in a sports arena in the capital, Antananarivo, was the first such event to be held in the Indian Ocean island nation.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-30-september-2015/Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:10:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-30-september-2015/Zimbabwe launches solar policy Zimbabwe’s government launched a solar energy policy on Wednesday as it attempts to reduce a major power shortage in the country. A drought affecting the country’s hydro plant at the Kariba Dam and the “abundant sun” in Zimbabwe made the solar project a priority, Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa told parliament.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-30-september-2015/Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:09:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-30-september-2015/Call to End Swazi Media Censorship Lawyers in Swaziland and an international human rights group have jointly called for media freedom in the kingdom to be respected. In a submission to the United Nations they also call for an end to media censorship in the kingdom.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-30-september-2015/Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:07:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-30-september-2015/Africa Demands Justice for Western Sahara at UN Human rights groups say the Indigenous Sahrawi population of the country suffers widespread abuses at the hands of a Moroccan military occupation. African nations continued demanding at the United Nations Tuesday the liberation of the disputed territory of Western Sahara.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-30-september-2015/Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:05:03 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-30-september-2015/S. Sudanese army abduct 10 girls in Unity state, rebels claim A South Sudanese armed opposition official on Wednesday accused pro-government forces of allegedly abducting 10 girls after military offensives in Geer and Kany-gai villages of Leer county in the oil-rich Unity state.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-30-september-2015/Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:02:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-30-september-2015/Sudan requests Chad to convince Darfur groups to join dialogue conference Sudan has officially requested the Chadian President Idris Deby to persuade rebel groups in Darfur region to join the national dialogue conference which is supposed to kick off in October.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-30-september-2015/Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:01:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-30-september-2015/Communique At High-Level Meeting for Somalia A high-level meeting on Somalia held in New York on Monday 28th September 2015 and addressed by the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon has welcomed recent political developments in the country aimed at developing an electoral process for 2016.https://www.salo.org.za/car-30-september-2015/Wed, 30 Sep 2015 07:59:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-30-september-2015/Central African Republic: Aid Groups Seek Better Access to Strife-Torn Capital Aid officials pleaded Wednesday for more access to Bangui, the Central African Republic’s treacherous capital, saying that clashes between rival Christian and Muslim militias made it too dangerous to help the wounded and recover bodies.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-30-september-2015/Wed, 30 Sep 2015 07:57:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-30-september-2015/European and African countries launch plan to protect tropical rainforest in the Congo Six African nations have agreed with donors including the UK on a plan to protect the tropical forests of the Congo basin, the second biggest in the world after the Amazon’s, to help ease poverty and combat climate change.https://www.salo.org.za/car-27-october-2015/Sun, 27 Sep 2015 09:41:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-27-october-2015/Rebel negotiators abducted in Central African Republic capital Three senior members of a Central African Republic rebel group were abducted by unknown assailants in the capital Bangui on Monday after participating in peace talks convened by interim President Catherine Samba-Panza’s government.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-16-september-2015/Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:38:40 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-16-september-2015/Survey finds that democracy is far from universal in Africa Barely half of citizens in 28 African countries surveyed by Afrobarometer consider their country a “full democracy” or a “democracy with minor problems,” and less than half are satisfied with how their democracy is working, according to the research network.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-16-september-2016/Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:36:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-16-september-2016/Minister says he quit social media over Zanu PF’s unfulfilled 2m jobs promise NEWLY appointed youth and indigenisation minister, Patrick Zhuwao, has revealed that he quit social media after failing to provide answers over the missing two million new jobs promised by President Robert Mugabe.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-16-september-2015/Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:34:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-16-september-2015/Swaziland, Zim are Africa’s most unfree Satisfaction with democracy remains elusive, as just 51 percent of citizens surveyed in 28 African countries believed their country was a full democracy, or one with just a few problems, an Afrobarometer survey shows. Of the 51 percent of respondents who expressed satisfaction with the country’s democracy, 18 percent believed they lived in a full democracy, and 34 percent in a democracy with some challenges.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-16-september-2015/Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:32:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-16-september-2015/Western Sahara: Jeremy Corbyn Elected Leader of British Labour Party The north London MP and Chair of The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Western Sahara, Jeremy Corbyn, has been elected leader of the British Labour party with nearly 59.5% of first-preference votes.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-16-september-2015/Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:28:42 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-16-september-2015/S. Sudan president says ’fully committed’ to peace agreement but maintains ‘reservations’ South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir, has on Tuesday announced that his government would fully implement the recently signed peace agreement, but said will continue to maintain his reservations in the course of implementing the peace deal he signed with his rival and former deputy, Riek Machar.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-16-september-2015/Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:27:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-16-september-2015/Bashir and Museveni discuss bilateral ties, peace in S. Sudan Presidents Omer Hassan al-Bashir and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held Tuesday a first meeting on bilateral relations and South Sudan peace immediately after the arrival of the Ugandan leader. Sudanese presidential assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud on Monday expected that Museveni’s visit will create a breakthrough in the bilateral relations between the two countries, adding that an agreement on this respect will be signed.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-16-september-2015/Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:24:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-16-september-2015/Kenya to Clear Al-Shabab Fighters From Forest Near Somalia Kenyan security forces have launched an operation to oust al-Shabab militants from the Boni Forest, along the Kenya-Somalia border. Officials say the group has established camps in the forest to attack targets in Kenya.https://www.salo.org.za/car-16-sept-2015/Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:23:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-16-sept-2015/IMF approves 7.7 million pounds in aid for Central African Republic The International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board has approved about US$11.8 million (7.7 million pounds) in financial assistance for Central African Republic, the IMF said on Tuesday. The assistance, under the IMF’s Rapid Credit Facility, is to help Central African Republic meet urgent balance of payments needs and to support its emergency economic recovery program, the IMF said in a statement.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-16-sept-2015/Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:22:03 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-16-sept-2015/Measles Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo Kills 400 More than 23,000 people, mostly children, have been infected with measles in the Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. More than 400 have died, according to United Nations agencies and Doctors Without Borders.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-1-september-2015/Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:50:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-1-september-2015/Real estate investments in Africa are on the up Four years ago, few South African institutions and developers expanded their real estate footprint on the African continent, amid perceived risk. Now, African strategies are on the agenda for most developers. It’s no surprise, especially with prospects of 20% plus returns on real estate projects, according to PwC figures.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-1-september-2015/Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:47:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-1-september-2015/Africa’s richest man Dangote plans Zimbabwe investments Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, said on Monday that he planned mining and power generation projects in investment-starved Zimbabwe as well as to set up a large cement factory. Dangote met with President Robert Mugabe in Harare in a rare sign of possible foreign investment for Zimbabwe, which has been in economic decline for more than a decade.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-1-september-2015/Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:46:01 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-1-september-2015/Zuma sends condolences to Swaziland following horror road crash President Jacob Zuma has sent a message of condolences to King Mswati III and the Swaziland government following a horrific road accident in the tiny neighbouring kingdom on Friday that claimed the lives of many young women and left scores others seriously injured.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-1-september-2015/Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:43:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-1-september-2015/Algerian Journalists Committee for Breaking Siege On Saharawi Struggle Algerian Journalists Committee in solidarity with Takbar Haddi has invited journalists across the world to act so to break the silence and siege imposed on the struggle of Saharawi people, in a petition addressed to the United Nations.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-1-september-2015/Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:41:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-1-september-2015/South Sudan hints at keeping Ugandan troops despite peace deal South Sudanese government said on Monday that Uganda will not withdraw all its troops from the country as stated in the recently signed peace agreement with armed opposition, claiming the former was in the country at the behest of the latter on bilateral arrangement between two sovereign states.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-1-september-2015/Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:39:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-1-september-2015/China’s Xi calls indicted Sudan’s Bashir ‘old friend’ Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday welcomed Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir – who has been indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court – as an “old friend of the Chinese people”.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-1-september-2015/Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:37:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-1-september-2015/Al Shabab ‘storms AU base’ in Somalia Militants from Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Shabab group rammed a suicide car bomb into an African Union army base and stormed inside. There were no immediate reports on casualties, and the rebels said in a statement that the African Union Mission for Somalia (Amisom) troops had fled the base, situated in Janale district, 80 kilometres southwest of Mogadishu in the lower Shabele region in Somalia.https://www.salo.org.za/car-1-september-2015/Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:36:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-1-september-2015/Central African Republic council adopts new constitution The transitional council in Central African Republic has adopted a constitution designed to form the base of a new government as the country attempts to turn a page on years of violence, government officials said on Monday.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-1-september-2015/Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:35:49 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-1-september-2015/DRC President Signs Legislation on Local Elections The president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has signed legislation to keep elections on a timeline proposed by an independent commission, a government spokesman said Wednesday, as the new U.S. envoy for the region urged respect for the constitution and electoral calendar.https://www.salo.org.za/car-25-august-2015-2/Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:56:09 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-25-august-2015-2/UN SECURITY COUNCIL IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC DIAMOND TRADING COMPANY The United Nations Security Council Committee concerning the Central African Republic (CAR) has imposed sanctions against the CAR’s diamond trading company and its Belgian branch, along with three individuals who have been deemed by the Council to be linked to the ongoing conflict in the CAR.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-25-august-2015/Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:52:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-25-august-2015/Madagascar faces uphill struggle to revive bruised mining sector When foreign mining firms and Western donors were pulling funds out of Madagascar following a coup in 2009, Austral Resources chief executive Scott Reid did the opposite and poured money in to the Indian Ocean island.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-25-august-2015/Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:51:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-25-august-2015/Sanlam eyes move into Zimbabwe SANLAM Emerging Markets says it is looking to expand into Zimbabwe in the next year or two after its Kenyan subsidiary made an acquisition in a short-term insurance business in the east African country. Sanlam Emerging Markets said Kenyan subsidiary Pan African Insurance Holdings (PAIHL) had bought a 56% stake in Gateway Insurance Company for about $8m.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-25-august-2015/Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:49:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-25-august-2015/Burundi Burundi police ’tortured’ anti-Nkurunziza protesters Burundi’s security forces have tortured suspected opponents of President Pierre Nkurunziza’s third-term bid, Amnesty International says. The rights group details how people arrested for allegedly taking part in demonstrations have been mistreated to extract information.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-25-august-2015/Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:47:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-25-august-2015/Swaziland ‘To Build $3bn Shipping Port’ The Government of Swaziland, an impoverished African nation with no coastline, has backed a plan to build a shipping port which will cost an estimated US$3 billion. The scheme follows the completion of an ‘international’ airport, built in a wilderness that cost an estimated US$250 million to construct.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-25-august-2015/Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:46:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-25-august-2015/UN SG Calls for Rapid Settlement of Western Sahara Conflict The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for the umpteenth time for a rapid settlement of the Western Sahara conflict, in a report on the development of the Saharawi question submitted to the General Assembly which should begin its work on 15 September.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-25-august-2015/Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:45:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-25-august-2015/S Sudan ‘keen’ on mending Sudan ties Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Monday received a written message from his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir Mayardit dealing with the realisation of peace in the South Sudan and the bilateral ties. The message was delivered to al-Bashir by South Sudan’s Presidential Adviser Tot Galwak who arrived in Khartoum on Monday.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-25-august-2015/Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:43:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-25-august-2015/Al Bashir Urges Kiir to Sign Peace Deal President Omer Hassan Al Bashir has urged his South Sudan counterpart, Salva Kiir to sign the internationally-backed regional mediated peace deal aimed at ending the 20-month old conflict in the world’s youngest nation.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-25-august-2015/Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:43:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-25-august-2015/UN Envoy: Somalia Can’t Afford More Political Bickering The United Nations envoy to Somalia, Nicholas Kay, is criticizing an effort by some Somali lawmakers to impeach the president. He said with an election coming up and al-Shabab militants still active, Somalia cannot lose time to the political bickering that has brought down governments in the past.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-25-august-2015/Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:39:28 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-25-august-2015/High Court grounds aircraft from Democratic Republic of Congo in Dublin over €10m dispute The High Court has grounded an aircraft allegedly owned by a state owned airline of the Democratic Republic of Congo from leaving Dublin Airport in a dispute over an unpaid debt of €10m.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-19-august-2015/Wed, 19 Aug 2015 13:08:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-19-august-2015/Zimbabwe ain’t China, says Jonathan Moyo “ZIMBABWE ain’t China!,” Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo said Tuesday in comments thought to have been directed at Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies in the ruling Zanu PF party. Mnangagwa’s allies are convinced he is President Robert Mugabe’s chosen successor following his promotion to be the country’s effective number two after the dismissal of then long-term rival Joice Mujuru.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-19-august-2015/Wed, 19 Aug 2015 13:07:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-19-august-2015/Burundi Ban condemns assassination of senior army officer amid ‘troubling’ political violence United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the assassination Burundi’s former Army Chief of Staff, Colonel Jean Bikomagu, who was shot dead by unknown assailants in the capital, Bujumbura, on 15 August, the second killing of a senior official in the crisis-torn country this month.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-19-august-2015/Wed, 19 Aug 2015 13:04:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-19-august-2015/‘Stand Up to Swazi King’, Unions Urged Trade unions across the southern African region have been urged to stand up to Swaziland’s autocratic King Mswati III in an attempt to bring democracy to the kingdom. Southern African Development Community (SADC) unions have been told they should put the King ‘on the spot’.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-19-august-2015/Wed, 19 Aug 2015 13:02:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-19-august-2015/President of Republic Chairs Meeting of Ministers Council President of the Republic, Secretary General of the Polisario Front, Mr. Mohamed El Aziz, chaired Sunday a meeting of the Council of Ministers, addressed a number of topics related to developments of the national cause.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-19-august-2015/Wed, 19 Aug 2015 13:01:23 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-19-august-2015/South Sudan refuses to sign peace deal as sanction deadline ends South Sudan’s government refused to sign a peace deal with rebels on Monday despite the threat of international sanctions, but will return to finalise an agreement within 15 days, mediators said.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-19-august-2015/Wed, 19 Aug 2015 13:00:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-19-august-2015/Sudan’s opposition NCF says it was not invited to Addis Ababa meeting Sudan’s opposition alliance of the National Consensus Forces (NCF) said it has not received an invitation to attend the upcoming meeting between the political and armed opposition on the one hand and the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP).https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-19-august-2015/Wed, 19 Aug 2015 12:59:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-19-august-2015/Uganda Deploys More Police Officers to Somalia A new contingent of Ugandan Individual Police Officers (IPOs) has been deployed in Somalia to serve on the peacekeeping mission. The contingent comprising of 14 police officers has been fully inducted after undergoing a one week’s training course upon arrival and is ready to serve under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).https://www.salo.org.za/car-19-august-2015/Wed, 19 Aug 2015 12:58:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-19-august-2015/UN mission vows full investigation into allegations of abuse by peacekeepers in Central African Republic The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) said today that it is determined to investigate fully all allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by its forces in the country and to hold to account perpetrators of such acts.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-19-august-2015/Wed, 19 Aug 2015 12:55:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-19-august-2015/$2 million to help victims of DR Congo ethnic strike: UN Some $2 million in international funding will go to help victims of the conflict between rival Pygmy and Bantu fighters that has forced thousands from their homes in the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN said Tuesday.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-29-july-2015/Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:57:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-29-july-2015/US President Barack Obama says time for world to ‘change approach to Africa US President Barack Obama said Tuesday that it was time for the world to change its approach to Africa, as he made the first address to the African Union by a US leader.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-29-july-2015/Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:55:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-29-july-2015/King Mswati’s tyranny in Swaziland shows some cracks Swaziland has recently experienced two events with potential significance for the country’s democratisation. The first was the issuing of a warrant of arrest for Chief Justice Michael Romodibedi in April. The second is the release on bail of human rights activists Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu, banned political party People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo) leader Mario Masuku and youth leader Maxwell Dlamini.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-29-july-2015/Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:54:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-29-july-2015/We should stop being myopic: Makarau Zimbabwe’s electoral processes have come under scrutiny since the turn of the century, but chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) Justice Rita Makarau thinks Zimbabweans need to look beyond the polling booth for answers to the problems in these processes.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-29-july-2015/Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:52:49 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-29-july-2015/Symbion Power signs deal to develop seven energy projects in Madagascar Symbion Power has signed an agreement with the Madagascar Government to develop seven power projects in the country. Symbion will partner with local investor Vision Madagascar (ViMa) to create a company, called Symbion Madagascar for development of these projects.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-29-july-2015/Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:51:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-29-july-2015/Kerry Kennedy: Morocco has pressured UN to ignore Western Sahara The president of Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights accuses Moroccan government of widespread abuses in Western Sahara. Mohamed Lamine Haidala was 21 years old when he died from wounds that his family say were inflicted by five Moroccan men.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-29-july-2015/Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:50:23 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-29-july-2015/Keeping faith with the IGAD peace process After struggling to secure a deal to end South Sudan’s civil war in the face of deep regional divisions and truculence on the part of the parties, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development has announced a revised, expanded mediation – IGAD.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-29-july-2015/Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:49:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-29-july-2015/Sudan’s Bashir in Mauritania despite ICC arrest warrant Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir arrived in Mauritania on Sunday to attend a summit, despite an international arrest warrant issued against him in 2009 over charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-29-july-2015/Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:47:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-29-july-2015/US President Barack Obama rules out sending troops to Somalia US President Barack Obama said that his government would not consider sending troops to Somalia, as he sees regional allies Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as being highly qualified to lead an anti-terrorism operation on the ground.https://www.salo.org.za/car-29-july-2015/Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:43:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-29-july-2015/UN rights official resigns over Central African Republic child sexual abuse Deputy high commissioner for human rights Flavia Pansieri had admitted not following up for months on allegations of child sexual abuse in CAR. The UN rights official who admitted not following up for months on allegations of child sexual abuse by French soldiers in Central African Republic has resigned.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-29-july-2015/Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:41:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-29-july-2015/Repressive climate’ in DR Congo ahead of polls Human Rights Watch on Wednesday warned of a “repressive climate” in restive Democratic Republic of Congo ahead of an election cycle due to start later this year. Local and provincial elections are scheduled for October, followed by presidential and parliamentary elections in November 2016, in which the opposition fears President Joseph Kabila, in power since 2001, will try to extend his rule.https://www.salo.org.za/car-25-august-2015/Sat, 25 Jul 2015 11:40:48 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-25-august-2015/UN SECURITY COUNCIL IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC DIAMOND TRADING COMPANY The United Nations Security Council Committee concerning the Central African Republic (CAR) has imposed sanctions against the CAR’s diamond trading company and its Belgian branch, along with three individuals who have been deemed by the Council to be linked to the ongoing conflict in the CAR.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-16-july-2015/Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:14:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-16-july-2015/Groups press Obama to meet activists on Africa trip Washington - More than 50 African and global human rights groups on Tuesday called on US President Barack Obama to publicly meet democracy activists when he visits Ethiopia and Kenya later this month.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-16-july-2015/Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:12:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-16-july-2015/No Let Up in Call for Democracy The Commonwealth is to continue to pressure Swaziland to democratise and allow political parties to contest elections in the kingdom. It is also urging a review of the kingdom’s constitution to ensure that the country meets international standards of democracy.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-16-july-2015/Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:11:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-16-july-2015/Zimbabwe govt, municipalities have $3mln locked up in collapsed Allied Bank Zimbabwe’s cash-strapped government is set to lose nearly $600,000 which is locked up in Allied Bank — majority owned by transport minister Obert Mpofu — while municipals and other state departments are owed over $2,5 million following its collapse early this year, with chances of recovering all the money slim, The Source has established.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-16-july-2015/Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:09:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-16-july-2015/UN dismisses Captain Kidd ’treasure’ find in Madagascar 50kg (7st 9lb) bar of “silver treasure” recovered from the sea was in fact 95% lead, the UN statement said. It was presented to Madagascar’s president at a special ceremony in May. The wreckage that the ingot was found in was not that of the ship captained by notorious Scottish pirate William Kidd, the UN investigators added.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-16-july-2015/Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:08:09 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-16-july-2015/Referendum Will Solve Impasse Over Western Sahara - Algerian Ambassador Algeria strongly believes that there is no other alternative for the settlement of this conflict than the holding of a free and fair referendum of self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, said Algeria ambassador in Kenya, Saad Mandi.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-16-july-2015/Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:06:06 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-16-july-2015/UN Security Council renews mandate of peacekeeping force in Abyei The UN Security Council on Tuesday extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Abyei – a contested region bordering Sudan and South Sudan – for five months, until Dec.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-16-july-2015/Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:04:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-16-july-2015/Outrage as 9 Sudanese women face 40 lashes for wearing trousers A Sudanese Christian woman arrested for wearing trousers has narrowly escaped the punishment of 40 lashes, in a case that human rights groups say is further damning evidence of the government’s intolerance to its Christian population.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-16-july-2015/Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:03:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-16-july-2015/Somalia takes Kenya to ICJ over sea border The Somali government has submitted its dispute with Kenya over their sea border to the International Court of Justice. The disputed ocean territory stretches for more than 100,000 sq km. Tests have shown potential reserves of gas in the area.https://www.salo.org.za/car-16-july-2015/Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:01:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-16-july-2015/Europe Funded Illegal Logging and War in Central African Republic A total of 3.4 million euros in total would have ended in the hands of Seleka fighters – responsible for torturing and murdering thousands of local residents. European countries have been indirectly contributing to massive human rights violations and heavy environmental damage in the Central African Republic, an investigative report released by Global Witness revealed on Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-16-july-2015/Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:00:22 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-16-july-2015/Success of UN DR Congo mission hinges on ‘constructive partnership’ with Government, Security Council told The capacity of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to fulfil its mandate rests on “persistent engagement” with the authorities, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the Mission, Martin Kobler, told the Security Council today.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-2-july-2015/Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:59:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-2-july-2015/France suspends two of its soldiers in Burkina Faso over child sex abuse France has suspended two soldiers over allegations of child sex abuse, including of a five-year-old girl, in the west African country of Burkina Faso, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-2-july-2015/Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:57:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-2-july-2015/Swaziland’s Massive Military Spending A new report shows Swaziland spent US$259.8 million on its military in the past three years. In 2014 military spending amounted to 5.9 percent of all government, spending in Swaziland, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in its Military Expenditure Database for 2015.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-2-july-2015/Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:55:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-2-july-2015/Obama snubs Mugabe States President Barack Obama will not be meeting President Robert Mugabe on his last official visit to Africa this month despite his itinerary including a visit to the African Union (AU) headquarters. Mugabe is the AU chairman and has made it a point to attend every high-level event involving the continental body since he landed the post in January.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-2-july-2015/Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:53:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-2-july-2015/Prez greets Madagascar on its national day President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday greeted the government and people of the Republic of Madagascar on the eve of their national day. “On behalf of the government, the people of India and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to convey to you, to the government and the people of the Republic of Madagascar, warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of your National Day,” President Mukherjee said in his message to his Madagascan counterpart Hery Rajaonarimampianina.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-2-july-2015/Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:51:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-2-july-2015/The U.N. shifts on the Western Sahara conflict The U.N. Security Council’s renewal of the mandate of the U.N. Mission in Western Sahara, or MINURSO, on April 28 marked a shift in the United Nations’ approach to the Western Sahara dispute.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-2-july-2015/Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:45:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-2-july-2015/Somalia Celebrates 55 Years of Independence As Somalis celebrate 55 years of independence, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has urged them to dedicate themselves to defending the country’s freedom and sovereignty. On this day Somalia commemorates the beginning of new nation after achieving freedom from the colonial powers and merging to form one nation.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-2-july-2015/Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:32:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-2-july-2015/UN documents atrocities committed by South Sudan army in Unity state United Nations (UN) investigations uncovered “disturbing” killing of civilians, rapes and abduction in South Sudan’s oil-rich Unity state between April and June, according to a statement released on Tuesday. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it found “evidence of widespread human rights abuses allegedly committed” by government troops and allied militias.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-2-july-2015/Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:31:03 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-2-july-2015/Sudan seizes another daily newspaper, making 2015 worst year for country’s media Sudanese security officers have confiscated the entire print-run of El Jareeda daily newspaper in Khartoum, following a punishing six months for the country’s media. In 2015 so far, 75 print runs from a variety of newspapers have been seized.https://www.salo.org.za/car-2-july-2015/Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:27:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-2-july-2015/Central African Republic Begins Enrolment for Presidential Vote Central African Republic began enrolling voters for general elections in October even after rebel groups threatened to block the process. Interim President Catherine Samba-Panza urged citizens to register as she spoke during the launching ceremony in the capital, Bangui, on Monday.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-2-july-2015/Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:24:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-2-july-2015/DRC court convicts 14 rebels of ’terrorism’ A court in Beni, a city in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s northeastern region, convicted 14 people on Monday for “terrorism,” a local legal source told Anadolu Agency. According to the court, the convicts were members of a network that supplied the Allied Democratic Forces (AFD), a Ugandan rebel group based in eastern DRC, with material for producing homemade bombs.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-25-june-2015/Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:29:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-25-june-2015/British police arrest Rwandan spy chief British police have arrested Rwandan Intelligence chief Karenzi Karake at the request of Spain, where he is wanted in connection with war crimes. The director general of Rwanda’s National Intelligence and Security Services, Karenzi Karake, was arrested at London Heathrow Airport on Saturday for crimes related to the Rwandan genocide.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-25-june-2015/Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:26:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-25-june-2015/No Oversight On Swazi King’s Spending There is no oversight on how Swaziland King Mswati III, his fifteen wives and vast royal family spend public money, a United States report has concluded. The US makes annual reviews of the ‘fiscal transparency’ of governments that receive its financial assistance to ensure that American taxpayers’ money is used appropriately.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-25-june-2015/Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:23:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-25-june-2015/Mutasa ready to spill ‘rigging’ beans in court FORMER Zanu PF stalwart and axed Presidential Affairs minister Didymus Mutasa yesterday said he was ready to stand in court and give evidence on how the ruling Zanu PF party rigged the 2008 election “if approached” by the opposition MDC-T.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-25-june-2015/Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:21:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-25-june-2015/Police teargas Madagascar lawmaker in car Malagascar police said on Tuesday they discovered about $65 000 in a lawmaker’s car after being tipped off that she was carrying cash to incite political unrest. The incident on Monday evening, in which police used tear gas to force Lanto Dakotomanga out of her vehicle, highlighted rising tensions in the large Indian Ocean island country still plagued by turmoil six years after a coup.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-25-june-2015/Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:19:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-25-june-2015/Leaked cables: Morocco lobbied UN to turn blind eye to Western Sahara in ‘House of Cards’ operation The Moroccan government intercepted United Nations communications and used “unethical tactics” in a “House of Cards”-style operation designed to get the organisation to turn a blind eye to the humanitarian situation in Western Sahara, according to a leaked UN report.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-25-june-2015/Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:17:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-25-june-2015/Al Shabaab claims responsibility for Somalia suicide attack, official says A suicide bomber rammed a car packed with explosives into the entrance of a Somali intelligence training center Sunday, a government official said. And armed attackers traded heavy gunfire with security guards as they tried to enter the building, said Mohamed Yusuf, spokesman for the Somali Security Ministry.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-25-june-2015/Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:15:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-25-june-2015/UN mission reports five people injured in shooting at Juba marketplace The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) today reported that five internally displaced persons (IDPs) – four women and one man – were shot during an incident early Saturday evening.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-25-june-2015/Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:13:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-25-june-2015/Sudan agreed to Iran request for establishing military base ‘at the right time’ The Sudanese government agreed in principle to establish an Iranian military base, according to a cable released by Wikileaks today. WikiLeaks published on Friday more than 60,000 diplomatic cables from Saudi Arabia and said on its website it would release half a million more in the coming weeks.https://www.salo.org.za/car-25-june-2015/Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:11:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-25-june-2015/Central African Republic says to hold elections on Oct. 18 Central African Republic will hold presidential and parliamentary elections, seen as critical to drawing a line under a two-year inter-religious conflict, on Oct. 18, a spokesman for the interim government said on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-25-june-2015/Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:09:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-25-june-2015/Uganda, DR Congo to meet over disputed border point Ugandan and Congolese authorities are set to meet today Tuesday over the disputed border point at Vurra in Arua district. The conflict pitting Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo stems from the international boundary drawn during the colonial era.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-18-june-2015/Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:20:33 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-18-june-2015/Nigeria: Boko Haram Kills 100 in Monguno Town in Borno Suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Tuesday killed nearly 100 people in Monguno town in northern part of Borno State, witnesses and security sources said. All Africa African Union to send military experts to Burundi African leaders meeting at a summit in Johannesburg on Monday agreed to send military experts to Burundi, which has been rocked by weeks of violence over the president’s controversial bid for a third term.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-18-june-2015/Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:18:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-18-june-2015/ILO demands eight reforms in Swaziland Before placing Swaziland in the Special Paragraph at the conclusion of its 104th Conference, the International Labour Organisation outlined at least eight actions it wants the kingdom’s government to implement ‘without further delay’. Observerhttps://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-18-june-2015/Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:16:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-18-june-2015/Zimbabwe: Regional, International Companies Court Zim Regional and international companies are willing to work with Zimbabwe to boost agricultural production in crop and livestock sectors, a senior Government official has said. Addressing a workshop at the University of Zimbabwe organised by the Organisation for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Dr Joseph Made, said many international organisations had shown an interest to assist Zimbabwe despite challenges such as the illegal sanctions and climate related problems.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-18-june-2015/Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:13:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-18-june-2015/Sahrawi citizen assaulted by Moroccan forces in occupied city of El Aaiun Sahrawi citizen Mohammed Jemei was subjected Sunday evening to a “blatant” assault by Moroccan forces of occupation in Essalam District in the occupied city of El Aaiun, according to sources on the scene.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-18-june-2015/Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:10:25 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-18-june-2015/France urges dialogue over Madagascar leader’s impeachment France on Monday called on all sides to respect a Madagascar constitutional court decision to throw out parliament’s impeachment of President Hery Rajaonarimampianina, urging all parties to open a dialogue to avoid a new political crisis.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-18-june-2015/Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:04:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-18-june-2015/Kenyan president says troops will stay in Somalia Kenya’s president vowed Wednesday to keep troops in Somalia to fight Islamist Shebab rebels, apparently dismissing suggestions the country may be drawing up an exit strategy in order to focus on attacks on its own soil.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-18-june-2015/Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:01:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-18-june-2015/UN vows to support African efforts to end S. Sudan war The United Nations will actively contribute to efforts aimed at finding peaceful solutions to the conflict in South Sudan, Jan Eliasson, the deputy secretary general of the world body told the African Union summit on Sunday.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-18-june-2015/Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:59:34 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-18-june-2015/Report on Sudanese troops holding S. African peacekeepers in Darfur ‘hostages’ draws swift denials The Sudanese and South African governments as well as the United Nations (UN) strongly denied a report alleging that Khartoum held its peacekeepers in Darfur ‘hostages’ while they ascertain that president Omer Hassan al-Bashir has arrived safely from the African Union (AU) summit in Johannesburg.https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-june-2015/Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:57:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-june-2015/Diamonds Provide Ample Funding to Warlords in CAR Even though the Central African Republic (CAR) has been suspended from the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme since May 2013, rough diamonds are the largest source of export revenue for the country, according to the Enough Project, which valued the diamond trade at $39 million in 2014 and already $12.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-18-june-2015/Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:55:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-18-june-2015/NGOs demand release of detained activists in DRC More than 200 domestic and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) called on Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday to release two young activists arrested in March during a raid on a pro-democracy meeting in the capital Kinshasa.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-11-june-2015/Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:40:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-11-june-2015/World Economic Forum Africa 2015: Predicting Africa’s future is tricky, but we still must dream If the market will allow it, the next 25 years will be a golden opportunity for even stronger growth in Africa. BUSINESS, political and civil society leaders gathering in Cape Town this week for Africa’s World Economic Forum have a hard task in front of them.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-11-june-2015/Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:38:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-11-june-2015/King Mswati, the mine and the $20m plane Mswati III is a rand billionaire. When his jet was seized for millions in debt, it opened a window into how he makes so much money. As soon as King Mswati III saw his royal jet, “a broad, endless smile” spread across his face.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-11-june-2015/Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:36:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-11-june-2015/Amos Midzi found dead Zanu PF Harare provincial chairman, Amos Midzi was on Tuesday morning found dead in a suspected case of suicide. The Epworth legislator was found in his vehicle at his farm in Marirangwe near Harare. Details surrounding his death are still sketchy, while police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi could not immediately confirm the death, saying he was in a meeting.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-11-june-2015/Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:32:25 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-11-june-2015/Workers at Madagascar Ambatovy nickel mine consider strike over jobs Workers at Sherritt International Corp’s Ambatovy nickel project in Madagascar are considering strike action over possible job cuts, a trade union official said on Monday. The crisis at one of Madagascar’s biggest foreign investment projects comes as the poor but mineral-rich Indian Ocean state faces a political crisis after its parliament moved to sack President Hery Rajaonarimampianina late last month.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-11-june-2015/Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:30:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-11-june-2015/AU Urges Security Council to Make Comprehensive Review of Polisario Front-Morocco Negotiation Process The African Union (AU) called on the UN Security Council to make a comprehensive review of the negotiation process between the Polisario Front and Morocco to hold a self-determination referendum for the Saharawi people.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-11-june-2015/Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:28:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-11-june-2015/Kenya seeks UAE cash to fight Shabaab in Somalia Kenya is working with rich Arab nations to stabilise Somalia as it seeks to stop attacks by Al-Shabaab militants trained in the lawless country. Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed said the country has embarked on winning the hearts and minds of the Somali people to speed up the military exit, stabilise the country and stop radicalising youths.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-11-june-2015/Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:27:06 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-11-june-2015/South Sudan says will not reverse plan to expel U.N. official South Sudan on Tuesday rejected a United Nations appeal to halt the planned expulsion of the world body’s top humanitarian aid official in the country, saying he had regularly spoken out against the government.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-11-june-2015/Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:25:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-11-june-2015/Sudan’s Bashir says wants dialogue with West as new term starts Sudan is open to dialogue with Western nations, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir said on Tuesday in an unusually conciliatory message from a leader wanted on genocide charges and whose country suffers under economic sanctions.https://www.salo.org.za/car-11-june-2015/Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:24:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-11-june-2015/Central Africa’s diamonds come at high price in blood and sweat Barefoot, with sweat pouring down their naked chests, 50 men slave in the depths of the Central African forest digging for diamonds in a sandy pit half the size of a football pitch.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-11-june-2015/Thu, 11 Jun 2015 10:22:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-11-june-2015/Activists in new call to DRC to exhume mass grave Human Rights Watch appealed on Monday to authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo to exhume a mass grave near the capital Kinshasa that contains hundreds of corpses. “Congolese authorities have yet to provide clarity about who is buried there,” said Ida Sawyer, senior Africa researcher at HRW, which became the latest organisation to call for action.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-3-june-2015/Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:21:03 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-3-june-2015/Unions Call to End Swazi Repression An international delegation of union leaders traveling in Swaziland is calling on the government to guarantee the rights of workers to freely form unions and exercise freedom of speech and assembly, and says repressive legislation used by police against union activities still has not been addressed by Parliament, even as the government continues to imprison human rights activists for exercising their right to freedom of speech, writes Tula Connell at Solidarity Center.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-3-june-2015/Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:19:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-3-june-2015/UN says to raise $1.6bn for Zimbabwe development The United Nations plans to raise $1.6bn from donors to improve agriculture, food security, health and governance in Zimbabwe between 2016-2020, its representative in the southern African country said on Friday. The UN has over the last decade taken a prominent role in raising money for humanitarian and development aid to Zimbabwe after the West withheld direct budget support in 2002 over policy differences with veteran President Robert Mugabe.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-3-june-2015/Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:17:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-3-june-2015/The growing appeal of popular uprisings in Africa It’s been a month since protesters in Burundi began their campaign to block President Pierre Nkurunziza from seeking a third term in office. A May 13 coup against the 51-year-old former sports professor failed, but demonstrators are rolling out on a daily basis, calling for him to step down.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-3-june-2015/Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:15:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-3-june-2015/Madagascar parliamentarians seek to oust president in renewal of political turmoil Political instability is looming in Madagascar, where lawmakers voted this week to impeach the country’s president for what they say are his repeated violations of the constitution. The parliamentarians say they secured a two-thirds majority required for an impeachment motion, which now goes to the constitutional court for review.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-3-june-2015/Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:14:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-3-june-2015/Nigeria Labour union protests Morocco’s colonization of Western Sahara The Nigeria Labour Congress on Monday in Abuja demanded that Morocco put an end to its colonisation of Western Sahara. The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, made the call during a protest match under the broad platform of the Nigeria Movement for Solidarity with the Western Sahara.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-3-june-2015/Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:13:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-3-june-2015/Clashes in Somalia leave 35 dead At least 35 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in a week of clashes in villages near Somalia’s border with Ethiopia, officials and traditional elders said on Sunday. The sources said the clashes involved Somali clan militia and members of the Liyu police, an Ethiopian paramilitary unit operating in Ethiopia’s ethnic Somali region.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-3-june-2015/Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:11:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-3-june-2015/South Sudan expels UN humanitarian coordinator South Sudan has decided to expel the world body’s top humanitarian official based in the conflict-torn nation, according to the UN, which called on the government to immediately reverse its decision. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the move by the Juba government to expel the UK’s Toby Lanzer, deputy head of the UN Mission in South Sudan as well as its humanitarian coordinator, the UN said in a statement.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-3-june-2015/Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:09:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-3-june-2015/Sudan’s Bashir sworn in for new presidential term Sudan’s Omar Hassan al-Bashir was sworn in for a new presidential term on Tuesday, extending his quarter-century rule. Bashir took the oath at a parliamentary session in the capital Khartoum attended by regional African and Arab leaders.https://www.salo.org.za/car-3-june-2015/Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:08:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-3-june-2015/Probes of child abuse in Central African Republic should intensify: U.N. rights chief The United Nations human rights chief on Saturday urged several countries to intensify their investigations of alleged sexual abuse of young children in the Central African Republic by French and African soldiers posted in the conflict-torn nation.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-3-june-2015/Wed, 03 Jun 2015 10:06:22 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-3-june-2015/Congo opposition splits threaten first peaceful power transfer Personal ambition and dissent within Democratic Republic of Congo’s largest opposition party could offer President Joseph Kabila a chance to hang onto power when his term ends, threatening the nation’s first peaceful transition.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-26-may-2015/Tue, 26 May 2015 12:26:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-26-may-2015/Labour delegation condemns Swaziland A delegation from the International Trade Union Confederation (Ituc) has concluded an inspection tour of Swaziland with a condemnation of the government for repressing workers’ rights and enabling police to crack down on pro-democracy activists. The criticism should dim hopes by the government that the US will readmit the country into the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa) trade scheme.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-26-may-2015/Tue, 26 May 2015 12:23:25 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-26-may-2015/Mugabe not on ‘awful’ list of Zim’s richest A list of Zimbabwe’s 50 richest people circulating in the country is “garbage”, Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said Monday, after his former deputy was included in the rankings. Longtime President Robert Mugabe, 91, and his wife do not appear on “Zim’s Top 50 Rich List”, compiled by a firm called X Research and Intelligence and published in the state-controlled Sunday Mail newspaper.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-26-may-2015/Tue, 26 May 2015 12:21:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-26-may-2015/Africa brings huge benefits for SA: Patel Xenophobia must be countered by spreading the message to ordinary South Africans about the huge benefits which the rest of Africa brought to this country, Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel said on Monday.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-26-may-2015/Tue, 26 May 2015 12:18:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-26-may-2015/EIB gives Madagascar 300 mln euro loan for roads, power The European Investment Bank (EIB) has given Madagascar a 300 million euro ($333 million) loan to go be used to rehabilitate roads, power and energy infrastructure, the island state said. The president’s office in Madagascar said in a statement late on Tuesday that the EIB loan would also help in emergency repair work resulting from cyclone damage.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-26-may-2015/Tue, 26 May 2015 12:17:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-26-may-2015/Western Sahara’s ‘conflict tomatoes’ highlight a forgotten occupation Accurate labelling of consumer produce is a familiar part of the struggle for Palestinian rights under Israeli occupation and a striking example of global citizen empowerment. Now campaigners for the freedom of Western Sahara are making similar demands to try to undermine Morocco’s control of the territory.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-26-may-2015/Tue, 26 May 2015 12:14:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-26-may-2015/Dozens killed in al Shabaab fighting in Somalia, attacks in capital Fighting in south Somalia between al Shabaab militants and government forces killed at least 24 people, while a rebel attack in the capital killed three Transport Ministry workers and a lawmaker, officials and the group said on Saturday.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-26-may-2015/Tue, 26 May 2015 12:13:38 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-26-may-2015/Juba welcomes Khartoum leading role in mediation of S. Sudan conflict South Sudanese government on Monday said it welcomed the decision by the East African regional bloc of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which requested the neighbouring Sudan to play a leading role in resolving the ongoing internal conflict in South Sudan.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-26-march-2015/Tue, 26 May 2015 12:11:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-26-march-2015/Sudanese security confiscates print runs of 10 newspapers Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) has seized copies of 10 newspapers from the printing press on Monday without giving reasons. The newspapers seized were Al-Tayar, Al-Rai al-Aam, Al-Intibaha, Akhir Lahza, Al-Sudani, Alwan, Al-Akhbar, Al-Youm Al-Tali, Al-Jareeda and Al-Khartoum.https://www.salo.org.za/car-26-may-2015/Tue, 26 May 2015 12:10:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-26-may-2015/‘Wall’ of religious hatred divides Central African town The outbreak of violence that plunged the Central African Republic into chaos in 2013 has left a legacy of suspicion, fear and hatred that still plagues places like the southern mining town of Boda.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-26-may-2015/Tue, 26 May 2015 12:08:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-26-may-2015/Two Tanzanian UN peacekeepers killed in DRC ambush Two United Nations (UN) peacekeepers from Tanzania were killed, 13 wounded and four were missing in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday when their patrol was ambushed by suspected Ugandan Islamist rebels, the United Nations said.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-24-april-2015/Fri, 24 Apr 2015 09:26:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-24-april-2015/Incessant Sick Notes Caused Shongwe’s Dismissal – PM By Musa Simelane MBABANE – Incessant sick notes, not consulting with Cabinet and the neglect of official duties contributed to the dismissal of Sibusiso Shongwe as minister. This was what Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini made Members of Parliament (MPs) to understand during the delivery of his ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-17-april-2015/Fri, 17 Apr 2015 10:14:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-17-april-2015/Swaziland: Swazi King Above the Law, Court Told By Swazi Media Commentary King Mswati III of Swaziland enters into business contracts which he does not honour and it is impossible to get him to do so because he is above the law in his own kingdom.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-13-april-2015/Mon, 13 Apr 2015 10:08:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-13-april-2015/Ousted Mujuru starting splinter party Sources said ousted vice-president Joice Mujuru was set to lead a new Zanu-PF splinter group, which identifies itself as the “original Zanu-PF. Zimbabwe’s ousted vice-president Joice Mujuru is reportedly set to lead a new party following her expulsion from the ruling Zanu-PF party.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-13-april-2015/Mon, 13 Apr 2015 10:06:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-13-april-2015/Renamo Moves Troops South & Warns Government Army to Keep 20 Km Away Renamo is moving soldiers toward Maputo and there was a confrontation with the government army in Gaza province last week. And after the 100th round of government-Renamo negotiations in Maputo on Monday, government chief negotiator Jose Pacheco accused Renamo of threatening to open a military headquarters in Muxungue, Sofala province.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-13-april-2015/Mon, 13 Apr 2015 10:04:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-13-april-2015/EU Naval Force Warship Esps Rayo Conducts Maritime Training With the Malagasy Navy EU Naval Force warship ESPS Rayo conducted maritime training with the Malagasy Navy during her port visit to Antsiranana. Following a short tour of the ship, the Malagasy Navy trainees were briefed on navigation procedures in shallow waters and on the Electronic Chart Display (ECDIS) systems on board.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-13-april-2015/Mon, 13 Apr 2015 10:02:33 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-13-april-2015/Intense efforts needed for solution favourable to Sahrawi people self-determination UN Secretary General UN Ban Ki-moon on Friday urged Morocco and the Polisario Front to “redouble efforts to negotiate a mutually acceptable political solution, which allows the self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-13-april-2015/Mon, 13 Apr 2015 10:00:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-13-april-2015/South Sudan rebels say planned leadership meeting on course despite challenges South Sudan’s rebel faction (SPLM-IO) led by former vice-president Riek Machar said a planned consultative leadership meeting was still on track despite reports that it had been cancelled due to logistical challenges.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-13-april-2015/Mon, 13 Apr 2015 09:58:48 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-13-april-2015/Sudanese await start of voting amid heightened security Sudanese political circles were awaiting the official start of voting in the parliamentary and presidential elections on Monday amid intense security measures in the streets of the capital, Khartoum. The National Elections Commission (NEC) on Sunday announced completion of the technical and logistical arrangements for the start of polling in all states except for seven geographical constituencies in South Kordofan and Darfur states due to security reasons pertaining to the armed conflict in these areas.https://www.salo.org.za/car-13-april-2015/Mon, 13 Apr 2015 09:57:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-13-april-2015/Central African Republic: Central Africa Republic Groups Sign Ceasefire Pact in Nairobi Warring groups in the Central Africa Republic on Wednesday signed a peace agreement to stop hostilities and open a new chapter of political stability in their country. President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto witnessed the signing of two agreements between Anti-Balaka led by Joachim Kokate and Ex-Seleka led by former president Michel Djotodia.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-13-april-2015/Mon, 13 Apr 2015 09:55:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-13-april-2015/Congo-Kinshasa: DR Congo Crackdown On Pro-Democracy Activists The Democratic Republic of Congo has freed a US diplomat it arrested but is still detaining several young political activists. President Joseph Kabila is under intense pressure not to seek re-election in 2016. An unnamed DR Congo government spokesman accused US diplomat Kevin Sturr and a number of Congolese pro-democracy activists of posing a threat to national stability.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-1-april-2015/Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:26:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-1-april-2015/Madagascar: Disaster-Prone Madagascar Battles Flooding and Drought “Authorities in Madagascar are struggling to respond to increasingly severe flooding in the central highlands region of the country that includes the capital, Antananarivo, in addition to a prolonged drought in the south.” All Africahttps://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-1-april-2015/Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:25:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-1-april-2015/AU maintains its principled position on Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination “The African Union (AU) affirmed that it maintains its principled position on the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and the decolonization of Western Sahara, said an AU’s communiqué released on Thursday.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-1-april-2015/Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:24:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-1-april-2015/Somalia hotel siege ends; U.N. diplomat, 19 others killed “A siege that started with gunmen detonating a bomb and spraying bullets in a hotel in Somalia ended Saturday with at least 20 people dead, authorities said.” CNN Rise in Illegal Fishing Threatens to Revive Somalia Piracy “A rise in illegal fishing off Somalia could spark a resurgence in piracy, United Nations and Somali fishing officials have warned, nearly three years after the pirates’ last successful hijacking in the Indian Ocean.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-1-april-2015/Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:22:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-1-april-2015/South Sudan rejects Troika involvement in peace talks “South Sudan has opposed the direct involvement of United Nations Security Council and the Troika countries in the next round of peace talks. Government spokesperson Michael Makuei said the UN and the Troika countries will continue in their capacities as observers, adding, “but we will not allow them to sit at the negotiation table”.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-1-april-2015/Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:20:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-1-april-2015/Fears Sudan elections offer no true competition “Most major opposition parties have refused to participate in the elections and called for delaying it until after the formation of a transitional government that would oversee a new constitution and organise for fair and free elections.https://www.salo.org.za/car-1-april-2015/Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:18:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-1-april-2015/Central African Republic: Security Council boosts UN mission presence as tensions continue “The Security Council has agreed to boost the United Nations peacekeeping presence in the Central African Republic (CAR) amid the country’s continuing instability and simmering sectarian tensions.” United Nations Newshttps://www.salo.org.za/drc-1-april-2015/Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:11:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-1-april-2015/Zuma extends SANDF DRC deployment “President Jacob Zuma has extended the deployment of South African troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Southern African and Indian ocean coast, and Sudan, the presidency said on Tuesday. The initial deployment period of April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 had been extended to March 31, 2016.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-20-march-2015/Fri, 20 Mar 2015 10:02:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-20-march-2015/South Africa: Defend Swaziland Unions - Free Mario Masuku! By The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) The Congress of South African Trade Unions strongly condemns recent violent attacks by Swaziland police on trade union meetings and sends a message of solidarity and support to the Swazi workers struggling for democracy and the right to organise in free and independent trade unions.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-16-march-2015/Mon, 16 Mar 2015 15:21:38 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-16-march-2015/USA firms still keen to trade with SD By Nomthandazo Nkambule DESPITE the uncertainty of the country’s trade with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), lots of firms in the United States of America (USA) still want to partner with firms in Swaziland.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-6-march-2015/Fri, 06 Mar 2015 12:47:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-6-march-2015/400 Zimbos die in SA every month AN estimated 400 bodies of dead Zimbabweans are repatriated into the country every month from South Africa, with most of the deaths being a result of murder, the Financial Gazette has reported. New Zimbabwehttps://www.salo.org.za/africa-6-march-2015/Fri, 06 Mar 2015 12:43:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-6-march-2015/Lesotho elections transparent and fair, says SADC The elections in Lesotho were transparent and fair, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission said on Monday. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of Lesotho organised, conducted and delivered credible elections at a short notice, SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) head Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said in a statement.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-6-march-2015/Fri, 06 Mar 2015 12:41:30 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-6-march-2015/One of FBI’s most wanted terrorists captured in Somalia A Somali-American on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list has been captured, Somali intelligence officials said Tuesday. Liban Haji Mohamed was arrested as he traveled from an area controlled by terror group Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-6-march-2015/Fri, 06 Mar 2015 12:39:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-6-march-2015/UK law firm threatens to take legal action against government over illegal import of Saharawi products The UK law firm Leigh Day, who is representing the Western Sahara Campaign, has threatened the government to take legal action against the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over illegal import of products originating from the Western Sahara, according to a press release of the Campaign.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-6-march-2015/Fri, 06 Mar 2015 12:35:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-6-march-2015/Warrap youth against imposition of sanctions in S. Sudan The youth union in South Sudan’s Warrap state has strongly opposed United Nations call for sanctions on leaders and entities impeding peace. The UN Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted on Tuesday a resolution creating a framework for a sanctions regime allowing to punish individuals spoiling efforts to end the South Sudanese conflict.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-6-march-2015/Fri, 06 Mar 2015 12:30:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-6-march-2015/Sudan continues setting boundaries for newspapers Sudanese authorities continued to restrict newspapers from publishing stories on social issues as the societal police entered the scene of press restrictions and summoned several journalists to question them on investigations they published related to HIV and statistics of sex workers in Khartoum.https://www.salo.org.za/car-6-march-2015/Fri, 06 Mar 2015 12:27:25 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-6-march-2015/France begins troop drawdown in Central African Republic France announced on Thursday it was reducing its troop numbers in the Central African Republic as it gradually hands over to an 8 500-strong UN peacekeeping force brought in to contain a deadly sectarian conflict.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-6-march-2015/Fri, 06 Mar 2015 11:11:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-6-march-2015/Madagascar’s Citizens Save Themselves As Country Floods As floods and torrential rains keep plaguing many regions of Madagascar, a few citizen initiatives have taken it upon themselves to provide relief to those displaced by the disaster. The authorities reported that 20 people had died and 71,854 had been displaced as of March 3.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-6-march-2015/Fri, 06 Mar 2015 09:59:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-6-march-2015/280 DAYS IN JAIL FOR MARIO, MAXWELL by Nkululeko Gama PEOPLE United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) President Mario Masuku and Maxwell Dlamini made an appearance yesterday before High Court Judge Mpendulo Simelane for a remand, 280 days after their arrest. Dlamini is the Secretary General of the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), a youth wing of PUDEMO.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-27-march-2015/Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:14:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-27-march-2015/Explosions in Nigerian Towns in North Kill at Least 34 Explosions in Nigeria’s north central city of Jos and the northeastern town of Biu over the past two days have killed at least 34 people, witnesses said Thursday. NY Timeshttps://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-27-february-2015/Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:10:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-27-february-2015/Swaziland: Jailed Journalists Case Goes to UN Leading international lawyers are asking a United Nations working group to rule whether the jailing of a Swaziland magazine editor and human rights lawyer for publishing articles critical of the kingdom’s judiciary are lawful.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-27-february-2015/Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:06:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-27-february-2015/Robert Mugabe assumes African Union helm with familiar rallying cry Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s 90-year-old president, has assumed the chairmanship of the African Union (AU) with a call for members to improve infrastructure and tackle climate change, conflict and Ebola, and with a familiar rallying cry that Africa’s wealth belongs to Africa and not “imperialists and colonialists”.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-20-february-2015/Fri, 20 Feb 2015 14:30:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-20-february-2015/Swaziland: Jailed Journalists Case Goes to UN By Swazi Media Commentary Leading international lawyers are asking a United Nations working group to rule whether the jailing of a Swaziland magazine editor and human rights lawyer for publishing articles critical of the kingdom’s judiciary are lawful.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-13-february-2015/Fri, 13 Feb 2015 10:24:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-13-february-2015/DRC presidential vote set for November 2016 The Democratic Republic of Congo will hold a presidential poll in November next year, the election commission announced Thursday, after deadly protests erupted over opposition fears that the incumbent Joseph Kabila was trying to extend his stay in power.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-13-february-2015/Fri, 13 Feb 2015 10:22:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-13-february-2015/Bubonic plague strikes Madagascar, 119 cases reported It might seem ridiculous to worry about the bubonic plague in 2015, but that’s just what the World Health Organization is doing after 119 cases of the disease that ravaged Medieval Europe were identified in Madagascar last year.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-13-february-2015/Fri, 13 Feb 2015 09:16:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-13-february-2015/Swaziland economy to grow by 2.1 percent in 2015-Official By APA Swaziland’s economy is expected to grow by 2.1 percent in 2015, up from 0.3 percent in 2014, the Central Bank of Swaziland (CBS) Governor Majozi Sithole said on Wednesday.Sithole said he was not at all excited that Swaziland’s growth rate was at such a level, adding that so far it was the lowest in the Common Monetary Area (CMA).https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-28-jan-2015/Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:22:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-28-jan-2015/Sahrawi human rights defender calls on UN to act on decolonization of Western Sahara The Saharawi human rights activist, President of the Sahrawi Association of Victims of Grave human rights violations (ASVDH), Brahim Dahane,called the most influential members of the UN to act as the guarantor of peace and mediation, in an interview with Swiss newspaper, mail, published in its Saturday edition.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-28-jan-2015/Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:20:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-28-jan-2015/Turkish president in Somalia to launch development projects amid heavy security Under tight security Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Sunday launched development projects sponsored by his government including an airport terminal in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Hundreds of soldiers were deployed across Mogadishu where Somali Islamist extremists have carried out terror attacks targeting Turkish interests.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-28-jan-2015/Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:17:49 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-28-jan-2015/Floods hinder relocation of S. Sudanese refugees in Sudan: UNHCR The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that flooding has hindered transfer of South Sudanese refugees to new relocation sites in Sudan’s White Nile state. Last December, the humanitarian commissioner in Khartoum state, Mustafa al-Sinarri announced the relocation of South Sudanese refugees Khartoum state to the While Nile state, adding it was decided to build new refugees camps near the border.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-18-jan-2015/Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:14:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-18-jan-2015/Sudan to inaugurate new presidential palace on Monday The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir and his staff will officially move on Monday to the new presidential palace that was constructed by a Chinese company and funded by Beijing. The date coincides with the anniversary Khartoum’s liberation from British occupation by forces loyal to religious figure Mohamed Ahmed al-Mahdi in 1885 and the killing of General Charles Gordon in what is now the presidential palace.https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-jan-2015/Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:12:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-jan-2015/Central African Republic minister kidnapped, another targeted Central African Republic’s minister for youth and sport was kidnapped on Sunday by gunmen in the capital, Bangui, and a second minister narrowly escaped capture in a town to the north, officials said. The seizure of Armel Ningatoloum Sayo follows the brief kidnapping earlier this week of a U.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-28-jan-2015/Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:10:06 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-28-jan-2015/Democratic Republic of Congo Extends Internet Blockage The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has imposed an Internet blackout on the country for a third straight day as protesters kept up pressure on President Joseph Kabila. The government late Monday ordered telecommunications companies to sever all Internet and short-message services, after antigovernment protests spread from the capital Kinshasa to the restive eastern Kivu provinces.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-28-jan-2015/Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:07:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-28-jan-2015/Madagascar names new ministers amid public grumbles over blackouts Madagascar’s president announced the replacement of eight ministers late on Sunday, including a new finance minister, after the government was dissolved earlier this month amid mounting public frustration over power cuts and other issues.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-28-jan-2015/Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:05:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-28-jan-2015/Zambia’s new leader drops white vice president As interim president since the death in office of Michael Sata in October, Scott had been the first white leader on the continent since the end of apartheid 20 years ago. He was replaced as vice president by Inonge Wina, a former gender minister and chairwoman of the ruling Patriotic Front.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-28-jan-2015/Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:03:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-28-jan-2015/Swaziland Government Critic Dlamini Quits Union Barnes Dlamini, president of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland and a critic of the government of King Mswati III, resigned from the labor organization, the Swazi Observer reported. Dlamini tendered his resignation on Jan.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-28-jan-2015/Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:01:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-28-jan-2015/Zimbabwe’s unemployment rate is 5.42 percent, the United Nations said on Tuesday. Unemployment rates in Zimbabwe are often reported to be between 80 and 90 percent, but these rates did not take into account the vast numbers of people in informal employment.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-16-jan-2015/Fri, 16 Jan 2015 20:08:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-16-jan-2015/Saharawi Youth Delegation Tours Sweden to Sensitize About National Cause A delegation of the Saharawi Youth Union (UJSARIO) is now in Sweden to sensitize about the national cause. Organized by the Swedish Social Democratic Youth, the sensitization tour aims at making larger the scope of solidarity among civil society of Sweden.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-16-jan-2015/Fri, 16 Jan 2015 20:07:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-16-jan-2015/Al-Shabaab Commander Surrenders in Luq Al-Shabaab commander Sheikh Osman Sheikh Mohamed on Wednesday (January 14th) surrendered to Somali security forces in Luq, Gedo region, Somalia’s Halgan reported. Luq police chief Siyad Abdikadir Mohamed said the man in question was the commander of al-Shabaab fighters in Bay region’s Dinsor district and had surrendered with his AK-47.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-16-jan-2015/Fri, 16 Jan 2015 20:04:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-16-jan-2015/Report counts cost of prolonged war in South Sudan South Sudan’s conflict could cost regional nations Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania a combined $53 billion if it lasts another five years as they deal with refugees, security needs and other spillover effects, a report said on Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-16-jan-2015/Fri, 16 Jan 2015 20:01:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-16-jan-2015/Sudan recaptures Darfur areas from rebels Sudan’s army has recaptured areas in the western region of Darfur and South Kordofan regions from rebels, a military spokesman has said, adding that a number of soldiers were killed and wounded in the fighting.https://www.salo.org.za/car-16-jan-2015/Fri, 16 Jan 2015 19:58:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-16-jan-2015/Hollande says aircraft carrier could support Iraq operations Hollande reaffirmed that France would reduce the number of troops deployed in the Central African Republic, where it has handed control of peacekeeping operations to United Nations missions. France had deployed 2,000 troops to curb Christian-Muslim violence in the country.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-16-jan-2015/Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:57:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-16-jan-2015/Heavy fighting in northeast Congo as talks with militia falters Heavy fighting took place in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday between the Congolese army and a rebel militia following a breakdown of talks, U.N. officials said. Colonel Felix Basse, the military spokesman for the U.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-16-jan-2015/Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:54:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-16-jan-2015/Madagascar names new PM amid public grumbles over blackouts Madagascar’s president named air force commander and businessman Jean Ravelonarivo as prime minister on Thursday, handing him the task of dealing with mounting complaints about blackouts and other problems that led his predecessor to quit.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-16-jan-2015/Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:51:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-16-jan-2015/EX-MINISTER AGREES TO PAY E598 573 OWED TO SWAZIBANK BY MBONGISENI NDZIMANDZE MBABANE – Former Minister of ICT Nelisiwe Shongwe has agreed to repay the sum of E598 573 she owes to SwaziBank. Shongwe entered into an agreement with lawyers representing the bank where she made an undertaking to repay the amount in monthly instalments of E15 000 with effect from December 31, 2014.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-10-jan-2015/Sat, 10 Jan 2015 17:09:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-10-jan-2015/EU Naval Force Flagship Visits Madagsacar From 15 to 19 December, the EU Naval Force Flagship, ITS Andrea Doria, paid a port visit to Madagascar, berthing for the first time in the beautiful bay of Antsiranana. On Monday 15 December, Rear Admiral Guido Rando and the Commanding Officer of ITS Andrea Doria, Captain Angelo Virdis were warmly received by the Chief of the Madagascan Armed Forces and other senior officials, who expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the success of the EU Naval Force’s counter-piracy mission, Operation Atalanta, and its continuous effort to defeat piracy off the East Coast of Africa.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-10-jan-2015/Sat, 10 Jan 2015 09:29:33 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-10-jan-2015/Swazi King fell for US$5bn Con-Trick: The controversy surrounding the Swazi Government’s award of a US$90 million contract to build an oil storage facility without going through the legally-required tender process has rekindled memories of the time King Mswati III fell for a US$5 billion con-trick.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-10-jan-2015/Sat, 10 Jan 2015 09:26:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-10-jan-2015/Western Sahara’s stranded refugees consider renewal of Morocco conflict Tumana Ahmed is tired of dreaming of a homeland she has never seen. The 28-year-old was born in the desolate desert of western Algeria, in a refugee camp that was supposed to be temporary.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-10-jan-2015/Sat, 10 Jan 2015 09:23:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-10-jan-2015/One of al-Shabaab’s most-wanted leaders surrenders to Somali police A leader with the Islamic extremist group al-Shabaab who had a $3m bounty on his head has surrendered in Somalia, a Somali intelligence official said on Saturday. Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi surrendered to Somali police in the Gedo region, said the intelligence officer, who insisted on anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-10-jan-2015/Sat, 10 Jan 2015 09:19:42 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-10-jan-2015/China to send 700 combat troops to South Sudan China is to send 700 combat troops to South Sudan in what analysts describe as a significant shift from its stated policy of non-interference in African conflicts. The first Chinese infantry battalion to take part in a UN peacekeeping mission will be equipped with drones, armoured carriers, antitank missiles, mortars and other weapons, “completely for self-defence purpose”, state media reported.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-10-jan-2015/Sat, 10 Jan 2015 09:14:07 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-10-jan-2015/We must not forget Sudan’s social progress The government initiated a policy of empowering Sudanese women and mobilising their energies for development by allocating 25% of parliamentary seats to them. It has consolidated their right of equal pay for equal work and opened up employment in the judiciary, the civil service and foreign ministry.https://www.salo.org.za/car-10-jan-2015/Sat, 10 Jan 2015 09:10:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-10-jan-2015/U.S. Hands Over Top LRA Commander to Uganda Army The UPDF has said it has positively identified the man who surrendered to Seleka rebels as Maj Gen Dominic Ongwen, one of the notorious commanders of the LRA. Major Gen Dominic Ongwen was operating in the CAR.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-10-jan-2015/Sat, 10 Jan 2015 09:05:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-10-jan-2015/Ban Urges ‘Decisive Action’ Against Armed Group United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a phone call with Democratic Republic of the Congo’s President, Joseph Kabila, today appealed for decisive action against the armed group FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), after it failed to surrender on deadline.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-5-december-2014/Fri, 05 Dec 2014 19:48:34 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-5-december-2014/Darfur peace talks expected to resume on Thursday The African Union-brokered peace talks between the Sudanese government and two rebel groups from the Darfur region are expected resume on Thursday in the Ethiopian capital. The talks are set for resumption after the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel’s (AUHIP) lead negotiator, Thabo Mbeki, returned to Addis Ababa after a visit to Germany.https://www.salo.org.za/car-5-december-2014/Fri, 05 Dec 2014 13:04:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-5-december-2014/Ex-rebels in Central African Republic attack officials trying to re-exert control in north Fighters from a disbanded Muslim rebel group in Central African Republic are attacking government officials trying to re-exert control over the country’s north. The Seleka rebels toppled Central African Republic’s president last year and installed their own leader.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-5-december-2014/Fri, 05 Dec 2014 12:56:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-5-december-2014/Three killed in DRC rebel attack Goma - Three people were killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in a machete attack blamed on rebels from neighbouring Uganda, local authorities said Tuesday. The attack, which was repelled by the army, took place in the restive North Kivu province, where rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces and National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (ADF-NALU) have been accused of hacking scores of civilians to death since October.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-5-december-2014/Fri, 05 Dec 2014 12:42:44 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-5-december-2014/WHO: Plague in Madagascar Could Spread Last week, the World Health Organization reported oncases of plague in the island nation of Madagascar.WHO officials warned the disease could spreadthroughout the country. Madagascar’s health ministry reported in Novemberthat the plague has killed nearly 50 people.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-5-december-2014/Fri, 05 Dec 2014 12:33:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-5-december-2014/South Africa marks Mandela death anniversary South Africans have started marking the first anniversary of the death of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, who died last year at the age of 95. Official ceremonies to mark the passing of the former South African leader will include an interfaith prayer service early on Friday, followed by a wreath-laying commemoration by veterans of the anti-apartheid struggle, as well as a cricket match.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-5-december-2014/Fri, 05 Dec 2014 09:39:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-5-december-2014/Mujuru faces jail: President Vice President Joice Mujuru will be prosecuted if the allegations of corruption and abuse of office levelled against her are proved, President Mugabe has said. VP Mujuru and her cabal- Cdes Didymus Mutasa and Nicholas Goche- were not among the 12 000 delegates who thronged the giant marquee at the Robert Mugaba Square for the congress.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-5-december-2014/Fri, 05 Dec 2014 08:41:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-5-december-2014/Algeria’s support to Western Sahara cause remains firm, constant Shaheed Elhafed (Refugee Camps), November 30, 2014 (SPS) - The Sahrawi President Mohamed Abdelaziz reiterated Saturday at the Presidency headquarters at Shaheed Elhafed, Sahrawi refugee camps, that Algeria continues to give firm and unconditional support to the Sahrawi cause since 1975 .https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-5-december-2014/Fri, 05 Dec 2014 08:37:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-5-december-2014/Al-Shabaab strikes again, killing 4 in attack on U.N. convoy in Somalia One day after executing dozens of non-Muslims at a quarry in Kenya, the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab waged an attack in its home base of Somalia – killing at least four people, according to police, in an attack on a United Nations convoy.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-5-december-2014/Fri, 05 Dec 2014 08:33:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-5-december-2014/S. Sudanese opposition leaders against unilateral elections Opposition leader from various political parties in South Sudanese have warned against any attempt to conduct unilateral and partial elections in the country before the ongoing conflict is comprehensively and peacefully settled. “Any attempt to carry out partial elections is a recipe for the escalation of war as the other warring party will try its best to interrupt the elections while the government mobilises its resources to see the process through," the parties said in statement extended to Sudan Tribune.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-1-december-2014/Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:17:40 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-1-december-2014/Namibia votes in Africa’s first electronic poll The ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo) is expected to win the poll and Prime Minister Hage Geingob to become president. Opposition parties had challenged the Indian-made e-voting machines, citing concerns that a lack of a paper trail could encourage vote rigging.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-29-november-2014/Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:56:01 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-29-november-2014/New Ambassador Received By Namibian Foreign Minister New Ambassador, Maalainine Sadik, on Monday received by Mrs. Netumbo Nandi- Ndaitwah, foreign minister of Namibia, to present copies of his letter of accreditation as an Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ambassador of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in the Republic of Namibia.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-29-november-2014/Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:53:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-29-november-2014/‘Al-Shabab Doesn’t Want a Truce With Infidel Powers’ The violent campaign between Kenya’s government and Somali militants is escalating. On Sunday, a day after members of the al-Shabab group executed 28 passengers on a Kenyan bus, Kenya’s Vice President William Ruto announced that the country’s military had crossed into Somalia and attacked al-Shabab camps where the bus attack was planned.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-29-november-2014/Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:52:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-29-november-2014/South Sudan warns U.N. that sanctions could fuel confrontation South Sudan warned the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that imposing sanctions to try to end nearly a year of violence in the world’s youngest state would likely “harden positions towards confrontation rather than cooperation.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-29-november-2014/Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:49:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-29-november-2014/15 killed in ambush in Sudan’s Darfur At least 15 people were killed and 10 others injured when gunmen ambushed a vehicle carrying religious students and Imams in Sudan’s South Darfur State, Khartoum’s Al-Sudani daily reported Thursday. Four unidentified gunmen attacked the students and imams as they were on their way back to Manwashi area after visiting their relatives in Hamada village, the paper quoted South Darfur State Governor Adam Mahmoud Jaral-Nabi as saying.https://www.salo.org.za/car-29-november-2014/Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:43:00 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-29-november-2014/Polish Catholic Missionary Kidnapped in Central African Republic Now Free A Cameroonian army operation has freed 16 hostages, including a Polish Catholic priest, who were abducted by rebels from Central African Republic last month,Cameroon’s government said on Wednesday. Mateusz Dziedzic, a priest who has been a missionary since 2009, was abducted by eight armed men on the night of Oct.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-29-november-2014/Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:39:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-29-november-2014/Democratic Republic of Congo: Rebels Kill Dozens Dozens of people were killed last week in an eastern region, lawmakers said Monday. The attack took place near Beni in North Kivu Province, where a mainly Ugandan rebel group has been blamed for killing more than 200 civilians since October.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-29-november-2014/Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:38:25 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-29-november-2014/WHO confirms outbreak of the plague in Madagascar The prime minister of Madagascar confirmed that the country is dealing with an outbreak of the plague. Prime Minister Kolo Christophe Laurent Roger said the government is implementing prevention measures and says there is free medical care for patients with plague-related illnesses.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-29-november-2014/Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:36:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-29-november-2014/Swaziland miners and police in ‘Marikana style’ face-off Striking workers at a mine in Swaziland linked to the ANC fear that a strong police presence could lead to a second Marikana. In a scene reminiscent of the Marikana massacre, hundreds of striking miners were on Tuesday engaged in a tense stand off with heavily-armed police at a Swaziland mine owned mostly by the ANC-linked Chancellor House.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-27th-november-2014/Sat, 29 Nov 2014 22:32:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-27th-november-2014/Democratic Union Formed in Zimbabwe Two breakaway factions of Zimbabwe’s main Movement for Democratic Change party officially signed a unity pact on Wednesday, coming together under a new movement dubbed the Democratic Union. The two factions are those set up by former MDC secretary general Welshman Ncube and former finance minister in Zimbabwe’s 2009-13 coalition government, Tendai Biti.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-18-november-2014/Tue, 18 Nov 2014 15:00:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-18-november-2014/Decolonization of Western Sahara - Security Council Must Act “Quickly,” With “Determination” Sahrawi ambassador to Algeria Brahim Ghali called on Saturday, in Madrid, the United Nations Security Council to act “quickly” and with “determination” for the decolonisation of Western Sahara. “The United Nations is bored with Morocco’s repetitive procrastination and its hindrances to the settlement of the conflict in Western Sahara,” said Ghali on the sidelines of the 39th European Conference of Support and Solidarity with the Sahrawi People (EUCOCO), insisting on the necessity to undertake actions so that this situation does not continue .https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-18-november-2014/Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:58:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-18-november-2014/Somali Parliament Disrupted Second Time Over ‘No Confidence’ Vote A Somali parliament session descended into chaos Saturday (November 15th) as lawmakers attempted to debate a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed for the second time. Lawmakers supporting Ahmed attempted to derail the motion by destroying the legislature’s attendance register, waving placards announcing their support for Ahmed and singing the national anthem as other lawmakers attempted to discuss the motion.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-18-november-2014/Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:55:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-18-november-2014/UN Deputy Humanitarian Chief to Visit S. Sudan The UN deputy humanitarian chief Kyung-Wha Kang will undertake a three-day visit to visit South to draw attention to the humanitarian effects of its current crisis and to mobilise support to scale up and expand critical aid operations.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-18-november-2014/Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:52:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-18-november-2014/Sudan denies UN access to Darfur village to probe rape accusations Sudan has refused to let United Nations and African Union peacekeepers visit a village in the western Darfur region to investigate allegations of mass rape for the second time this month, saying it was sceptical about the motives for the visit.https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-november-2014/Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:50:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-november-2014/Defense Lawyers Ask ICC Judges to Acquit Bemba Defense lawyers have implored judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to acquit Jean-Pierre Bemba, stating that the prosecution failed to prove its allegations against the former Congolese opposition leader. In closing oral remarks at the court in The Hague, lead defense lawyer Peter Haynes said the prosecution’s evidence was “selective, narrow,” and “unfair” and added that if Mr.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-18-november-2014/Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:47:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-18-november-2014/UN and DRC boost security The United Nations and the Congolese government have intensified troops in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, following the slaughter of about 120 people last month. eNCA Rwanda slams UN over FDLR threat in DRC Rwanda has again blasted the Security Council and the United Nations (UN) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for failing to address the threat posed by the FDLR in the eastern parts of the country.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-18-november-2014/Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:44:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-18-november-2014/IMF Staff Concludes 2014 Article IV Mission to Madagascar An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by George Tsibouris, visited Madagascar during October 29-November 11, 2014 for the first Article IV consultation1 (since 2007), and to initiate discussions of a medium-term reform program that could be supported by an Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement2.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-18-november-2014/Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:39:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-18-november-2014/Gloves off as Zambia succession battle spills into the courts, and ruling party picks mystery candidate Zambia’s acting President Guy Scott attends on November 11, 2014 the funeral of late President Michael Sata at Heroes Stadium. BARELY had deceased Zambian president Michael Sata been buried Tuesday, than the gloves came off.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-18-november-2014/Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:37:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-18-november-2014/Bheki Makhubu fighting for freedom INCARCERATED Nation Magazine Editor Bheki Makhubu, who is currently serving a two-year custodial sentence for having authored articles purported to be contemptuous and scandalising the court, has since filed an application at the High Court to be released on bail pending appeal.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-18-november-2014/Tue, 18 Nov 2014 14:33:48 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-18-november-2014/Purging in ZANU PF THE ruling ZANU PF party’s highest decision making body outside congress – the politburo – converged on November 13 at its national headquarters to deliberate on various issues affecting the organisation. The explosive meeting resolved to suspend party national spokesperson Rugare Gumbo for five years who has been under fire in recent weeks mainly from his colleagues and the state media.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-9-december-2014/Sun, 09 Nov 2014 22:58:03 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-9-december-2014/Burkina Faso: African leaders meet to plot path to civilian govt An AU delegation has begun talks with military leader Isaac Zida after he pledged to relinquish power to a civilian transitional government. A delegation of West African presidents opened talks with Burkina Faso’s new military leader on Wednesday to plot a path to a civilian-led transition in the wake of the resignation of longtime ruler Blaise Compaoré last week.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-31-october-2014/Fri, 31 Oct 2014 20:14:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-31-october-2014/Sub-Saharan Africans worst affected by undernourishment Africa is lagging behind in tackling hunger with reports showing that over 25% of Africa’s population suffer from acute undernourishment. Undernourishment measures the quality of food available, laying particular emphasis on protein and energy content.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-31-oct-2014/Fri, 31 Oct 2014 20:11:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-31-oct-2014/Denmark Questions King On Rights Denmark has raised the questions of political freedom, human rights, and the trial of political activists Mario Masuku and Maxwell Dlamini with Swaziland’s government and absolute monarch King Mswati III, Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Martin Lidegaard told the Danish Foreign Affairs Committee last Wednesday (22 October 2014), writes Kenworthy News Media.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-31-oct-2014/Fri, 31 Oct 2014 20:07:55 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-31-oct-2014/EU, Zim Smoke Peace Pipe THE European Union has finally lifted economic sanctions against Zimbabwe, ending more than a decade of sour relations with Harare. Addressing the media in the capital Harare on Thursday, the EU Head of Mission, Philippe Van Damme, said the latest development to remove its trade sanctions against Zimbabwe would see the 28-nation EU member bloc re-engage with Harare on bilateral economic agreements.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-31-oct-2014/Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:29:35 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-31-oct-2014/OSRN Condemns Illegal Activities of Oil Prospection in the Saharawi Offshore This latest move by the occupying power Morocco is in violation of the international law principles applicable to mineral resource activities in Western Sahara, which is Non-Self-Governing Territory. Following the signature by Glencore Xstrata (an Oil company registered in Switzerland) with Morocco of two agreements of Oil prospection in the region of “foum Oughnit” South-West the Capital of the occupied Western Sahara, the OSNR strongly condemns the conclusion of SUCH an illegal and immoral agreement that violates the international law relative to Non-Self-Governing and colonized countries still in the UN List of Decolonisation.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-31-oct-2014/Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:25:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-31-oct-2014/Somali Govt Co-Ordinates Aid Distribution in Former Al-Shabaab-Held Areas Amid warnings of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Somalia and the dire need for assistance in areas liberated from al-Shabaab, the Somali government and international aid agencies are reaching out to residents in southern and central Somalia.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-31-oct-2014/Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:23:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-31-oct-2014/President to Visit Khartoum On Saturday South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, will arrive in Khartoum on Saturday to discuss outstanding issues between the two countries and the ongoing conflict in South Sudan. Sudan’s foreign minister, Ali Karti, said in press statements on Wednesday that Kiir will arrive in Khartoum on Saturday, adding “the visit was previously delayed due to health conditions of the Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir not for any political reasons”.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-31-oct-2014/Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:20:54 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-31-oct-2014/Two SANDF Soldiers Wounded in Sudan Two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members have been injured during an ambush near the South African Battalion Base in Kutum, in the northern Darfur region of Sudan. The soldiers are from the 4 South African Infantry Battalion (4 SAI Bn) and were deployed as part of the United Nations/African Union peacekeeping force in Sudan.https://www.salo.org.za/car-31-oct-2014/Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:18:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-31-oct-2014/Bemba’s Lawyer, Aides Released From ICC Detention Jean Pierre Bemba’s former lead defense lawyer and two associates were released from International Criminal Court (ICC) detention. The trio, along with another former lawyer to the Congolese opposition leader, had been held in The Hague for nearly a year on accusations of bribing witnesses and forging evidence.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-31-october-2014/Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:15:06 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-31-october-2014/TV Cameraman Badly Hurt in Targeted Goma Shooting Reporters Without Borders joins its local partner Journalist in Danger (JED) in calling for a thorough investigation into a shooting attack on a TV cameraman in the eastern CITY of Goma on 25 October.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-31-october-2014/Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:13:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-31-october-2014/The Fight Against Exploitation Of Underage Domestic Workers In Madagascar Madagascar, an Island off the south-east coast of Africa, is one of the nations that has ratified the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) core conventions on child labor, including Convention No. 138 regarding the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and Convention No.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-18-oct-2014/Sat, 18 Oct 2014 16:39:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-18-oct-2014/Deal for the return of captured Nigerian girls Obasanjo’s son shot by Boko Haram, 24 soldiers dead | 09 September 2014 Nigeria’s military says it has agreed a truce with Islamist militant group Boko Haram - and says the schoolgirls the group has abducted will be released.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-18-oct-2014/Sat, 18 Oct 2014 16:37:33 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-18-oct-2014/Hunger Increases in Swaziland More than three in ten people in Swaziland are undernourished, a new report reveals. And, unlike many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa where hunger has been decreasing, Swaziland is an exception, the Global Hunger Index reveals. Swaziland suffered the biggest increase in a Global Hunger Index score among any African country between 1990 and 2014.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-18-oct-2014/Sat, 18 Oct 2014 16:33:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-18-oct-2014/Grace to Take On Mujuru At Congress? VICE-PRESIDENT Joice Mujuru is set to be challenged at the forthcoming Zanu PF elective congress in December amid suggestions First Lady Grace Mugabe could be encouraged to run for the post. Gokwe-Nembudziya MP, Justice Mayor Wadyajena, told party supporters, traditional leaders and headmen at the weekend that no one is guaranteed a return to their current posts at the congress.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-26-september-2014/Fri, 26 Sep 2014 19:51:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-26-september-2014/Tanzania urges UNSC to resolve Western Sahara question once and for all President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, on Thursday reiterated his appeal to the Security Council of the United Nations Organization to resolve the question of Western Sahara.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-26-september-2014/Fri, 26 Sep 2014 19:48:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-26-september-2014/Somalia will be united by 2016, President tells UN General Assembly Somalia is at a critical juncture in its efforts to achieve security and stability, the country’s President told the United Nations General Assembly calling for continued support to strengthen Somalia as a security and ideological “firewall.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-26-september-2014/Fri, 26 Sep 2014 14:15:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-26-september-2014/S. Sudan rebel faction welcomes AU, ICC investigations into rights abuses A senior South Sudanese rebel official said they have no objection to an investigation into alleged human right violations committed during the more than nine-month-long armed conflict with the government.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-26-september-2014/Fri, 26 Sep 2014 14:13:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-26-september-2014/Sudanese pound strengthening against US dollar on black market The exchange rate of the US dollar dropped on the black market in Khartoum in the last couple of days, settling at 9.10 Sudanese pounds (SDG) on Sunday compared to 9.50 (SDG) over the past two weeks.https://www.salo.org.za/car-26-september-2014/Fri, 26 Sep 2014 14:11:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-26-september-2014/Leader of Central African Republic calls for support for elections planned for 2015 The international community has been urged by the interim president of the Central African Republic (CAR) to provide technical and financial support for elections planned for February 2015.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-26-september-2014/Fri, 26 Sep 2014 14:09:18 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-26-september-2014/DRC sees Ebola breakthrough The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recorded no new cases of the Ebola virus in the past 12 days, a local official said on Tuesday, suggesting that the efforts to contain the outbreak have been successful.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-26-september-2014/Fri, 26 Sep 2014 14:08:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-26-september-2014/Madagascar Launches CARMMA Madagascar became the 44th African country to launch CARMMA, the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa, on 15 September. Madagascar joins the other islands of the Indian Ocean, which have launched the campaign and put in place key activities to ensure an end to preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-26-september-2014/Fri, 26 Sep 2014 14:04:47 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-26-september-2014/ICC to investigate Central African Republic atrocities The International Criminal Court has opened a formal investigation into an “endless list” of atrocities committed in the Central African Republic.The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said on Wednesday: “My office has gathered and scrupulously analysed relevant information from multiple reliable sources.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-26-september-2014/Fri, 26 Sep 2014 14:01:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-26-september-2014/Swaziland: Pudemo President Mario Masuku Refused Legal Representation In what is turning out to be a trend, People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) President Mario Masuku was refused legal representation by His Majesty’s correctional Services which is headed by Commissioner General Mzuthini Ntshangase.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-26-september-2014/Fri, 26 Sep 2014 10:50:40 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-26-september-2014/Parliamentary democracy should make sense in Zimbabwe The strategy to screen live the parliamentary debates is noble and it reflects a true sense of democracy at its best. The public is afforded an opportunity to have proper insight into Members of Parliament (MPs) whom they voted to represent them in Government.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-5-september-2014/Fri, 05 Sep 2014 11:45:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-5-september-2014/Lesotho PM: I’m safe thanks to SA Prime Minister Tom Thabane says foreign forces are keeping the peace following the attempted coup. Embattled Lesotho Prime Minister Tom Thabane admitted to feeling much safer in the presence of South African Police Service and intelligence agency personnel.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-5-september-2014/Fri, 05 Sep 2014 11:33:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-5-september-2014/Cosatu Supports the Fourth Global Week of Action for Democracy in Swaziland COSATU joins its sister federation in Swaziland, TUCOSWA and the rest of the global progressive fraternity in calling for more intense actions around the world during this week of the Global week of action for democracy in Swaziland.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-5-september-2014/Fri, 05 Sep 2014 11:08:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-5-september-2014/Zanu-PF succession battle: Mugabe ditches neutrality. The president has all but broken with his impartial stance on who will succeed him. President Robert Mugabe has reportedly aligned himself to the Zanu-PF faction of Emmerson Mnangagwa. Infighting in Zanu-PF has compromised President Robert Mugabe’s perceived neutrality as he is increasingly seen as having joined hands with a faction led by Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa in its quest to derail Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s quest to succeed him, Zanu-PF insiders and political analysts have said.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-23-august-2014/Sat, 23 Aug 2014 09:48:51 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-23-august-2014/President Mario has fallen terribly ill due to horrible prison conditions The People’s United Democratic Movement’s (PUDEMO) President Mario Masuku has fallen critically ill at His Majesty’s Correctional Services at the Zakhele Remand Centre. He is suffering from pneumonia due to a combination of various horrible conditions he has been exposed to.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-22-august-2014/Fri, 22 Aug 2014 09:56:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-22-august-2014/No Nato deed goes unpunished Diplomats warned chaos and violence would follow a Libya intervention. They were right.Black smoke billows across the sky when a petrol depot was set ablaze after a rocket assault. The attack, along with the attempted takeover of Tripoli’s airport, signifies an increase in the intensity of the fighting.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-22-august-2014/Fri, 22 Aug 2014 09:44:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-22-august-2014/Minister spares 97 death row inmates Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he will not sign death warrants for 97 murder convicts on death row because the sentence is too harsh and must be done away with.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-15-august-2014/Fri, 15 Aug 2014 11:04:14 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-15-august-2014/US counters Sino-African trade boom President Barack Obama took a swipe at China in a speech to a summit of African leaders in Washington this week, claiming that the United States is interested in the continent for more than just its minerals and oil.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-15-august-2014/Fri, 15 Aug 2014 11:00:46 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-15-august-2014/Swaziland Group Demands Answers From Minister Over AGOA The general secretary of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) says members will protest Minister of Labor and Social Security Winnie Magagula’s appearance before parliament on Thursday. Vincent Ncongwane said Swaziland is set to lose about 17,000 jobs after the country was thrown out of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) initiative over the country’s poor human rights record.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-15-august-2014/Fri, 15 Aug 2014 10:57:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-15-august-2014/SADC summit should address mineral resource question SADC Summit should address where the bloc’s gold and other valuable minerals are - and who really owns them? Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC) should use its Victoria Falls Summit to seriously rethink its primary reliance on Western and Asian capital for the purposes of investment opting for the maximisation of its rich mineral resources.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-14-august-2014/Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:36:43 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-14-august-2014/Independent Saharawi state is prerequisite for Africa’s future development, says diplomat The Chargé d’Affaires of the Zimbabwean Embassy in Algiers Mr. Kossam Mupezeni said that an independent and sovereign Saharawi state is a “prerequisite” for future development of the African continent, reaffirming his country’s support to the right of the Saharawi people to freedom and independence.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-14-august-2014/Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:35:25 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-14-august-2014/Al-Shabab attack AU base in Somalia Fighting between al-Shabab and government and African Union (AU) troops in the central Hiran region has left 18 people dead on both sides, the Somalian armed group has said. Al-Shabab spokesman Abdulaziz Abu Musab told the AFP news agency on Saturday that the deaths occurred after the group’s fighters attacked a base of the AU force in Buloburde town, about 200km north of the capital Mogadishu.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-14-august-2014/Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:33:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-14-august-2014/South Sudan Kiir offers to appoint Machar second VP South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir on Sunday said opposition leader, Riek Machar could become the country’s second vice-president, if he agrees to join his government. Speaking at Juba airport on arrival from the United States where he attended the U.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-14-august-2014/Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:31:32 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-14-august-2014/Turabi’s party vows to consider Paris Declaration The Popular Congress Party (PCP) led by Hassan al-Turabi cautiously vowed to mull over the Paris Declaration signed by the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) and rebel Sudanese Revolutionary Forces (DRF) on Friday. The NUP leader Sadiq al-Mahdi disclosed on Saturday that he called Turabi to brief him about the political declaration he signed with the SRF rebel leader Malik Agar.https://www.salo.org.za/car-14-august-2014/Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:29:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-14-august-2014/Central African Republic’s Prime Minister and Cabinet Resign The president of the Central African Republic has demanded the departure of the country’s prime minister and 20 members of his staff. President Catherine Samba-Panza said Prime Minister Andre Nzapayeke and his entire cabinet have resigned, Reuters reported Tuesday.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-14-august-2014/Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:26:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-14-august-2014/Military threat key to push FDLR rebels in Congo to disarm U.N. Rwandan rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo believe an extended deadline to disarm allows them to stall, a top U.N. official said on Thursday, suggesting military action against factions which do not comply or commit human rights abuses.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-14-august-2014/Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:25:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-14-august-2014/Green light for investors as Madagascar resumes donor funding International funding has resumed in Madagascar’s Amended Finance Act 2014, which was adopted by the parliament members. The international community suspended their funding for Madagascar since the explosion of political crisis in the country in 2009, but they announced the resumption after the December 2013 presidential election.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-10-august-2014/Sun, 10 Aug 2014 12:11:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-10-august-2014/‘Africa has everything except leadership’ The entry of Barack Obama as United States President was characterised by inflated and buoyant expectations by most Africans who thought the Washington song would be sweet melody for the rest of the continent. In reality, there has been a lingering sense of disillusionment, anxiety and in some instances, outright disappointment in the hearts and minds of many African brothers and sisters.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-10-august-2014/Sun, 10 Aug 2014 12:08:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-10-august-2014/Swazi Prime Minister Tells MPs ‘To Strangle Union Leaders When They Return From the Us’ “Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini has called for the strangulation of workers union leaders who went to Washington under the pretext of going to save AGOA,” reports the Times of Swaziland.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-10-august-2014/Sun, 10 Aug 2014 12:02:15 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-10-august-2014/Dabengwa farm invasion, Zanu-PF denies responsibility PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party has denied sanctioning the shock invasion of former home affairs minister Dumiso Dabengwa’s Nyamandlovu farm by hordes of its supporters over the last two days. In an embarrassing episode to Zanu-PF’s chaotic land reform programme, party supporters from Bulawayo swarmed Rudy property and started partitioning land among themselves.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-31-july-2014/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:21:23 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-31-july-2014/Algeria willing to establish ’normal’ relations with Morocco in compliance with Sahrawi people’s rights, says Ramtane Lamara Algeria is willing to establish “normal” relations with Morocco and build the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) in compliance with Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination under the International Law, Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said Wednesday.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-31-july-2014/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:19:27 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-31-july-2014/Somaila:Puntland Strongly Opposes the Mogadishu Agreement Purporting to Create a Federal State for Central Regions In reference to the July 30th 2014 Agreement announced in Mogadishu, the Puntland Council of Ministers convened in an extraordinary meeting chaired by the President HE Dr.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-31-july-2014/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:17:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-31-july-2014/South Sudan Says It’s Ready to Resume Peace Talks With Rebels South Sudan on Monday expressed readiness to resume peace negotiations with the rebel faction of the SPLM under the leadership of the former vice-president, Riek Machar, downplaying the likely implications of recent military engagement in Upper Nile and Jonglei states.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-31-july-2013/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:13:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-31-july-2013/South Darfur Displaced Assaulted By Soldiers Two residents of El Salam camp in South Darfur were assaulted by two soldiers on Monday. Speaking to Radio Dabanga from El Salam camp, Sheikh Mahjoub Adam Tabaldiya reported that two elements of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) stormed the camp at about 8 pm on Monday, and assaulted Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan (65).https://www.salo.org.za/car-31-july-2014/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:10:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-31-july-2014/Thousands of CAR children are starving UN predicts more than 100,000 children will suffer from malnutrition this year despite end of sectarian fighting. Aid workers in the Central African Republic have warned that thousands of the country’s children are starving. After two years of war between the majority-Muslim Seleka and Christian armed groups, many are left in a country so ravaged, there is not enough food to survive.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-31-july-2014/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:04:53 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-31-july-2014/Nord-Kivu Authorities Ban Media Coverage of Muslim Community Reporters Without Borders deplores the ban on any media coverage linked to the local Muslim community that the Higher Council for Broadcasting (CSAC) in the eastern province of Nord-Kivu issued on 28 July, which Muslims celebrate as Eid al-Fitr, the end of the month-long Ramadan fast.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-31-july-2014/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 09:57:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-31-july-2014/China, Madagascar Strengthen Cooperation in Geosciences China and Madagascar strengthened their cooperation in Geosciences, as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on Wednesday among the University of Antananarivo, Beijing-based China University of Geosciences (CUG) and China Geological Survey. “This governmental cooperation will bring economic development to Madagascar and will strengthen relationships between the two countries,” CUB vice president Xie Xuewen, who led a four-member delegation for a three-day mission in Madagascar, said in his speech during the signing ceremony.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-31-july-2014/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 09:25:05 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-31-july-2014/US-Africa summit: Mugabe snubbed, Malema’s group blast US President Barack Obama, whose election in 2008 as the first black American president sparked huge expectations in Africa, will at last hold a summit next week for the continent’s leaders. Invitations were sent to 50 heads of state and government for talks that seem designed as a counterweight to China’s decade-long surge in investment and trade with Africa.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-31-july-2014/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 09:20:23 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-31-july-2014/‘Black Friday for Journalism’ in Swaziland - ‘Explosive’ and ‘Hostile’ Judge Sends Swazi Editor and Lawyer to Jail for 2 Years, Reports Local Media “An explosive and hostile Judge Mpendulo Simelane sentenced The Nation magazine editor Bheki Makhubu and columnist and human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko to two years imprisonment without an option of a fine yesterday, sending shock waves to media practitioners locally and internationally,” reports today’s edition of weekly newspaper Observer on Saturday.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-31-july-2014/Thu, 31 Jul 2014 09:15:51 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-31-july-2014/‘Elections were flawed,’ says top Zanu-PF official DEPUTY Justice Minister Fortune Chasi on Wednesday admitted that the last general election controversially by his Zanu-PF party last July had some serious discrepancies. This was the first time that a top Zanu-PF official has admitted that the election was flawed.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-27-july-2014/Sun, 27 Jul 2014 16:51:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-27-july-2014/Zuma to send envoys to Mid-East Two special envoys will head for war-torn Palestine, President Jacob Zuma told MPs on Thursday. “I’m sending two special envoys to the Middle East. They are the former Minister of Social Development and former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Zola Skweyiya, and the former deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad,” he said.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-27-july-2014/Sun, 27 Jul 2014 16:41:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-27-july-2014/U.S. Backs Convicted Swazi Journalists The US State Department has joined the growing chorus of outrage at the High Court conviction of an editor and a human rights lawyer in Swaziland for publishing articles critical of the kingdom’s judiciary. In a statement the State Department said, ‘The United States is deeply concerned by the convictions of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and magazine editor Bheki Makhubu for contempt of court in the Kingdom of Swaziland.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-27-july-2014/Sun, 27 Jul 2014 16:35:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-27-july-2014/Zimbabweans arrested as SA targets ‘illegals’ Reports coming from South Africa say Zimbabweans are among hundreds of illegal immigrants from across Africa arrested in a crackdown that started Monday. There are conflicting reports regarding the destination of those that have been arrested, with some saying the South African authorities were deporting them.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-18-july-2014/Fri, 18 Jul 2014 20:11:28 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-18-july-2014/The new BRICS Bank should offer a new vision for development, not more of the same Today leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa –better known as the BRICS- finalized their 6th summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, consolidating the creation of a new development bank that will provide fresh sources of financing for emerging economies.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-18-july-2014/Fri, 18 Jul 2014 20:07:51 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-18-july-2014/Court Convicts Editor and Writer Bheki Makhubu, the editor of the Nation magazine in Swaziland, and writer and human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko were convicted of contempt of court by the kingdom’s High Court on Thursday (17 July 2014). This followed the writing and publication of articles critical of the Swaziland judiciary and in particular of the Swazi Chief Justice Michael Ramodibedi.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-18-july-2014/Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:22:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-18-july-2014/SA Says Zimbabwe Permits Decision in August SOUTH Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has revealed he will announce a decision on the fate of special work permits for Zimbabweans next month. Gigaba was addressing parliament in Cape Town on his department’s Budget Vote on Tuesday.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-18-july-2014/Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:16:52 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-18-july-2014/UN Secretary General’s Special Representative Pays Farewell Visit to Saharawi Refugee Camps The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara and Head of MINURSO Mr. Wolfgang Weisbrod-Weber of Germany paid Tuesday a farewell visit to the Saharawi refugee camps, where he met with senior Saharawi officials.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-18-july-2014/Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:13:48 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-18-july-2014/U.S. discloses secret Somalia military presence, up to 120 troops U.S. military advisors have secretly operated in Somalia since around 2007 and Washington plans to deepen its security assistance to help the country fend off threats by Islamist militant GROUP al Shabaab, U.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-18-july-2014/Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:11:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-18-july-2014/No quick solution to South Sudan’s crisis As peace talks between South Sudan’s government and rebels in Addis Ababa stall yet again, aid agencies warn that the crisis is driving the nation to famine. Are flaws in the implementation of earlier deals to blame?https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-18-july-2014/Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:08:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-18-july-2014/Sudan ‘apostasy’ woman takes refuge in US Embassy A Sudanese woman who was sentenced to death for renouncing Islam has been freed from detention for a second time. Meriam Ibrahim has now sought sanctuary at the American embassy in the capital Khartoum.https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-july-2014/Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:05:39 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-18-july-2014/‘Many’ killed in attack on Central African Republic church compound Rebel fighters and armed Muslim civilians have killed “many” PEOPLE in an attack on a church compound in the Central African Republic where thousands of civilians had taken refuge, Catholic Church officials said.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-18-july-2014/Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:02:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-18-july-2014/Offering to Disarm in Congo, After 20 Years of War: A Reversal by a Militia of Rwandan Hutus in Democratic Republic of Congo Shortly after midday in this village nestled in clouds, the progenitors of the long, dirty war across Central Africa came out of THE JUNGLE and laid down their guns.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-18-july-2014/Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:00:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-18-july-2014/Madagascar needs fuel subsidy reforms to help the poor-IMF MADAGASCAR needs to reform its fuel subsidy programme which does not help its poorest people, a senior International Monetary Fund official said as the lender considers more funding for the Indian Ocean island.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-11-july-2014/Fri, 11 Jul 2014 20:34:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-11-july-2014/Seville hosts 19th edition of March for Peace in Western Sahara The 19th edition of March for Peace in Western Sahara was held Saturday at Encarnación Square in Seville, Andalusia, to call for the independence of Western Sahara and release of Saharawi political prisoners languishing in Moroccan jails.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-11-july-2014/Fri, 11 Jul 2014 20:32:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-11-july-2014/Attack on Somalia’s presidential palace Heavily armed militants carried out a major bomb attack and armed assault against Somalia’s heavily-fortified presidential palace today. The attack bore all the hallmarks of Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab rebels, who have carried out a string of strikes against the country’s internationally-backed but fragile government.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-11-july-2014/Fri, 11 Jul 2014 20:30:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-11-july-2014/South Sudan president sets conditions for Ugandan military withdrawal South Sudanese president Salva Kiir has set the conditions for the withdrawal of Ugandan troops from the country, saying the latter will only leave if a permanent peace agreement is attained. President Kiir made the remarks on Wednesday at an occasion marking the third anniversary of the country’s independence from neighbouring Sudan, from which it seceded on 9 July 2011.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-11-july-2014/Fri, 11 Jul 2014 20:29:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-11-july-2014/Two paramilitary elements killed in clashes with police in North Darfur Two members of the paramilitary Popular Defence Forces (PDF) were killed during clashes with an army/police patrol in El-Fasher, capital of North Darfur state on Wednesday. Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that the fighting between the patrol and PDF elements occurred in the vicinity of the Saudi Hospital.https://www.salo.org.za/car-11-july-2014/Fri, 11 Jul 2014 20:27:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-11-july-2014/UN in Central African Republic condemns attack on civilians sheltering in church In what it termed a “brutal” attack, the United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic (CAR) today condemned the killing of dozens of displaced people at the site of Saint Joseph Cathedral and the Bishop’s residence in Bambari.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-11-july-2014/Fri, 11 Jul 2014 20:25:20 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-11-july-2014/Congo-Kinshasa: Congo Improves Natural-Resources Accounting The Democratic Republic Congo, faulted last year for murky reporting on its earnings from natural resources, has improved its accounting enough to be awarded full membership in an international organization touting transparency. On Wednesday, Congo - with a wealth of natural resources, including plentiful water, plus gold, copper and minerals used to manufacture cellphones - was recognized as a full member in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-11-july-2014/Fri, 11 Jul 2014 20:23:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-11-july-2014/Energizer Resources: US Vote of Confidence for Madagascar is Good News Madagascar got some good news last week when US President Barack Obama reinstated its eligibility for benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a preferential trade program aimed at assisting the economies of sub-Saharan Africa.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-11-july-2014/Fri, 11 Jul 2014 20:19:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-11-july-2014/African nations still top ‘10 Worst’ in Fragile States Index but Liberia, Sierra Leone give hope Zimbabwe surprisingly took the top spot for Africa’s most improved nation this year, and Central African Republic declined the most in the world The time of year has come when the Fund for Peace publishes the Fragile States Index.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-11-july-2014/Fri, 11 Jul 2014 20:16:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-11-july-2014/King’s Paper Attacks U.S. Ambassador The Swazi Observer has accused the US Ambassador to Swaziland Makila James of violating diplomatic protocol and the Vienna Convention for supporting pro-democracy voices in the kingdom. The attack by the newspaper which is in effect owned by King Mswati III is unprecedented.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-11-july-2014/Fri, 11 Jul 2014 20:13:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-11-july-2014/[Over 100 Zanu-PF supporters invade game reserve](Over%20100 Zanu-PF supporters invade game reserve MORE than 100 Zanu PF supporters invaded Mazwi Game and Nature Reserve in St Peter’s on the western outskirts of Bulawayo on Monday allegedly with the blessing of the party’s provincial leadership.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-4-july-2014/Fri, 04 Jul 2014 16:48:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-4-july-2014/Terror threat puts African leaders on back foot Beyond signing pledges to co-operate in fighting Islamic extremists like Boko Haram and al-Shabab, no real strategy is in place. Poverty and underdevelopment create fertile soil for terrorism and fundamentalism, and the domestic problems of African countries are becoming regional issues.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-4-july-2014/Fri, 04 Jul 2014 16:45:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-4-july-2014/Swaziland Struggle for Freedom The United States has become the first nation to take action against Swaziland over the kingdom’s disregard for human and civil rights. After a lengthy inquiry the US withdrew Swaziland’s benefits under the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-4-july-2014/Fri, 04 Jul 2014 16:42:06 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-4-july-2014/Mugabe threats, white farmers respond White farmers have reportedly described President Robert Mugabe’s recent remarks that whites must cede all land to blacks as “extremely unhelpful” to Zimbabwe as a country. According to SW Radio Africa, the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union’s president Charles Taffs said Mugabe’s rhetoric sent a very bad message to potential investors and was not conducive for growth.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-4-july-2014/Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:22:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-4-july-2014/Mexican party expresses support for just cause of Sahrawi people The President of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) in Mexico, Jesus Zambrano, affirmed on Sunday the need to support the just cause and the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination, during a meeting with a Saharawi delegation at the party headquarters in Mexico City.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-4-july-2014/Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:20:22 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-4-july-2014/China to reopen embassy in Somalia after 23 years Newly appointed Chinese diplomat on Wednesday presented his credentials to Somali Foreign Minister, Abdirahman Mohamed Beileh, as a first step in reopening China’s embassy in the horn of Africa nation for more than two decades.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-4-july-2014/Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:11:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-4-july-2014/S. Sudanese security block UN staff from leaving Juba airport South Sudanese security officials on Monday temporarily detained and eventually prevented four national staff working for the United Nations Mission in the country (UNMISS) from leaving Juba airport after confiscating their passports and identity cards.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-4-july-2014/Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:09:08 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-4-july-2014/Sudanese army promises fiercer attacks against SPLM-N The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has declared plans to launch more ferocious military operations against rebel groups at all battlefields and frontlines in the coming period in order to bring rebellion to an end by the end of the summer campaign.https://www.salo.org.za/car-4-july-2014/Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:06:24 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-4-july-2014/US increases aid to Central African Republic amid new surge of violence The US has announced it is to increase its humanitarian aid to the Central African Republic (CAR) by $51m (£30m) this year, bringing the total funding to $118m (£69m).https://www.salo.org.za/drc-4-july-2014/Fri, 04 Jul 2014 09:39:02 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-4-july-2014/Southern Africa: Sub-Regional Ministers Discuss Eastern DRC Crisis The political and security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, is at the centre of discussions between Foreign Ministers from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, ICGLR, and the Southern Africa Development Community, SADC, sub-regional groupings who are meeting in the Angolan capital, Luanda.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-4-july-2014/Fri, 04 Jul 2014 09:35:28 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-4-july-2014/Madagascar needs fuel subsidy reforms - IMF Madagascar needs to reform its fuel subsidy programme which does not help its poorest people, a senior International Monetary Fund official said as the lender considers more funding for the Indian Ocean Island. Famed for its wildlife and eyed by foreign companies for its minerals, Madagascar has struggled to lure back tourists and attract oil and mining giants since a coup in 2009.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-30-june-2014/Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:36:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-30-june-2014/President Abdelaziz hails AU designation of special envoy to Western Sahara Sahrawi President Mohamed Abdelaziz hailed the designation, by the African Union (AU), of the former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, special envoy to Western Sahara.? ?Sahrawi President expressed, in a speech during a debate on the AU Peace and Security Council report, his country’s consideration for the “permanent” follow-up of Western Sahara issue by AU peace and security council and commission.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-30-june-2014/Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:34:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-30-june-2014/China to Re-Open Embassy in Somalia Closed in 1991 China said Monday it will re-open its embassy in Somalia 23 years after evacuating its diplomats as the East African nation plunged into civil war. The decision came after Somalia established its first government and parliament in 21 years, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-30-june-2014/Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:32:12 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-30-june-2014/Dissident South Sudan army general rejects separate peace talks A South Sudanese army general who switched allegiance and joined rebel forces under the leadership of the former vice-president Riek Machar said he had rejected separate peace talks with the government. Sudan Tribunehttps://www.salo.org.za/sudan-30-june-2014/Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:30:31 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-30-june-2014/Sudan opposition forces alarmed over remarks by Bashir Sudan’s opposition parties which agreed to participate in the national dialogue have expressed resentment over statements made by president Omer Hassan al-Bashir recently regarding the dialogue process and general elections. Sudan Tribunehttps://www.salo.org.za/car-30-june-2014/Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:28:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-30-june-2014/Central African Republic: Thousands Flee Attacks in C.A.R The U.N. refugee agency reports thousands of people have fled this week from deadly attacks by various groups of armed men in the Central African Republic town of Bambari. Tensions have been at a boiling point in Bambari since May, when widespread fighting displaced more than 13,000 people.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-30-june-2014/Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:25:13 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-30-june-2014/Beatings, rape and mass Congo deportation Members of parliament in the Democratic Republic of Congo are demanding the government cut diplomatic ties with its small western neighbour Congo-Brazzaville over the expulsion of tens-of-thousands of its citizens, amid claims of physical and sexual abuse by security personnel.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-30-june-2014/Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:20:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-30-june-2014/Madagascar’s Delicate Democracy When my colleague Aline Ranaivoson and I interviewed the president for the Secrets of Transformation series, a joint project of Deutsche Welle and the Bertelsmann Stiftung that examines winners and losers in the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI), he told us that fighting corruption and crime related to the lucrative rosewood smuggling business are among his top priorities.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-26-june-2014/Thu, 26 Jun 2014 17:45:11 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-26-june-2014/Egypt hands Al Jazeera reporters jail sentences Three Al Jazeera journalists have received sentences of seven to 10 years each after being detained in Egypt for the last six months. Protesters rally in support of the detained Al Jazeera journalists. (Mohamed Abd El Ghany, Reuters) An Egyptian judge sentenced three Al Jazeera journalists on Monday to seven years in jail after finding them guilty on charges including helping a “terrorist organisation” by publishing lies.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-26-june-2014/Thu, 26 Jun 2014 17:42:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-26-june-2014/Mswati Should Be Ashamed of Himself for Stealing Swazi Gold The Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN] has been receiving information on illegal mining operations in Swaziland for quite some time now. The Dvokolwako diamond mine, for example, is reportedly being covertly mined by the king and his relatives.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-26-june-2014/Thu, 26 Jun 2014 17:38:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-26-june-2014/ZEC says individuals have no right to access voters roll The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has said the Electoral Act does not entitle individuals with access to the national voters roll. This is in response to an application filed by constitutional lawyer Justice Alfred Mavedzenge with the High Court last month, seeking to compel ZEC to make the voters’ roll public.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-19-june-2014/Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:24:45 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-19-june-2014/[Open letter to African Union heads of state - ‘Its time to focus on people’](Open%20letter to African Union heads of state - ‘Its time to focus on people’ Judging from the daily outpouring of commentary, opinions and reports, you would think that there were two African continents.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-19-june-2014/Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:22:21 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-19-june-2014/Paper Defies Court Over Sources The Swazi Observer newspaper has refused to disclose to the Swaziland High Court its sources in a report that said the Chief Justice Michael Ramodibedi had issued warrants for the arrest of three judges in the kingdom.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-19-june-2014/Thu, 19 Jun 2014 17:47:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-19-june-2014/Zim immigrant afraid of reporting rape for fear of being deported A Zimbabwean woman living in South Africa says she was raped by a customer last year on 16 June but she is afraid or reporting the crime. “I wish this day could be erased forever because it brings back bad memories for me,” the 30-year-old woman told Daily Sun.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-13-june-2014/Fri, 13 Jun 2014 20:35:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-13-june-2014/The foreign minister spells out Pretoria’s policy of opening up trade with neighbours. Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane says Africa must fight growing terrorism and instability caused by political conflicts. Photo: Oupa Nkosi Increasing terrorism in Africa is a hindrance to the continent’s economic development and must be fought to the end, said Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-13-june-2014/Fri, 13 Jun 2014 20:32:28 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-13-june-2014/U.N. Experts Denounce Ongoing Detention and Trial of Human Rights Defenders in Swaziland A group of independent United Nations experts today voiced serious concerns at the arrest, detention and prosecution of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and the editor-in-chief of The Nation magazine, Bheki Makhubu, in Swaziland.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-13-june-2014/Fri, 13 Jun 2014 20:29:29 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-13-june-2014/Zimbabwe court scraps defamation law used to curb press HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe’s highest court has scrapped a criminal defamation law which local journalists say has been used by the government to restrict the freedom of the press, according to a ruling seen by Reuters on Friday.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-13-june-2014/Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:39:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-13-june-2014/Amnesty International delegation on working visit to occupied territories of Western Sahara An Amnesty International delegation paid a working visit to the occupied territories of Western Sahara and held a meeting on Monday with the Sahrawi Association of Victims of Grave Violations of Human Rights Committed by the Moroccan State (ASVDH), according to Sahrawi human rights sources.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-13-june-2014/Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:37:17 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-13-june-2014/Somalia: UN agencies call for immediate action to curb measles outbreaks Voicing deep concern that outbreaks of measles have left thousands of children in Somalia at risk of disability or death, United Nations agencies today called for urgent vaccination to tackle the highly contagious disease.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-13-june-2014/Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:34:49 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-13-june-2014/S.Sudan president accepts internal reconciliation within ruling party South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has agreed to internal discussions and reconciliation within the leadership of his governing Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), describing it as one of the biggest strengths of the party since its establishment.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-13-june-2014/Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:32:56 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-13-june-2014/Sudan’s ruling party accuses opposition of exploiting dialogue to overthrow regime Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has accused several opposition parties of exploiting a call by president Omer Hassan al-Bashir to engage in national dialogue to overthrow the regime and weaken the army.https://www.salo.org.za/car-13-june-2014/Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:30:23 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-13-june-2014/Central African Republic President seeks ICC probe Central African Republic’s President Catherine Samba-Panza has sent a request to the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into crimes committed during inter-communal violence raging here since mid-2012, state radio said. Mostly Muslim rebel group Seleka stands accused of committing abuses against the Christian majority of the poor, former French colony as part of a bid that began two years ago to overthrow the rule of President Francois Bozize.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-13-june-2014/Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:25:59 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-13-june-2014/Second day of fighting on border between Rwanda and DRC There was fresh fighting on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday, a day after the two countries accused each other’s armies of mounting cross-border raids.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-13-june-2014/Fri, 13 Jun 2014 09:16:22 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-13-june-2014/Madagascar: Examples of EU Cooperation with Madagascar In recent months, the EU has supported the Madagascan education system, which had been damaged significantly during the crisis since 2009, through two programmes: “Emergency support to the Malagasy national education” (€15 million) and “Support Programme for Basic Social Services (PASSOBA) Education” (€32 million).https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-6-june-2014/Fri, 06 Jun 2014 10:22:36 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-6-june-2014/Namibian President reaffirms support for Saharawi people’s right Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba reiterated his country’s support to the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination and independence, during his meeting Wednesday with the Secretary General of the National Union of Sahrawi women, Fatma Mehdi.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-6-june-2014/Fri, 06 Jun 2014 10:20:16 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-6-june-2014/Somalia: UN aid chief calls for $60 million emergency funding through summer months The United Nations humanitarian chief today called for $60 million for the next three months to prevent Somalia “from slipping back into a major humanitarian crisis” as it did during the 2011 famine.https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-6-june-2014/Fri, 06 Jun 2014 10:16:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-6-june-2014/China takes more assertive line in South Sudan diplomacy China is swapping its reserved diplomacy for a hands-on approach to help resolve a more than five-month-old rebellion in South Sudan that threatens Beijing’s oil investments. The subtle change has been evident in months of faltering peace talks in the Ethiopian capital, where Chinese officials have been in regular contact with Western diplomats to help regional African mediators push for a halt to fighting.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-6-june-2014/Fri, 06 Jun 2014 10:13:38 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-6-june-2014/RNP to pull out from Sudan’s national dialogue The Reform Now Party (RNP), which is led by a ruling party dissident, has announced its intention to suspend its participation in the ongoing national dialogue process in response to what it described as a series of setbacks to political freedoms in the country.https://www.salo.org.za/car-6-june-2014/Fri, 06 Jun 2014 10:10:04 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-6-june-2014/Central African Republic bans phone text messages The authorities in the Central African Republic (CAR) have banned the use of mobile phone text messages. The move is aimed at helping to restore security after more than a year of deadly ethnic and religious violence.https://www.salo.org.za/drc-6-june-2014/Fri, 06 Jun 2014 10:06:10 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/drc-6-june-2014/Envoys push for polls in DRC A high-powered group of special envoys urged the Democratic Republic of Congo to fix a date for presidential polls in 2016, amid concerns President Joseph Kabila will seek a third term at the head of the conflict-torn nation.https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-6-june-2014/Fri, 06 Jun 2014 10:02:41 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/madagascar-6-june-2014/Southern Africa: ‘Respect of SADC Roadmap Will Attract Support’ Dr Nsoh Christopher Ndikum is a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Yaounde II, Soa, explains Madagascar’s gradual welcome into the comity of nations after a five-year period of isolation following the 2009 coup.https://www.salo.org.za/africa-5-june-2014/Thu, 05 Jun 2014 20:05:51 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/africa-5-june-2014/West and Central Africa to join forces against Boko Haram An extraordinary Ecowas security summit has announced plans for a partnership with Central African states to fight “terrorism” in the region. The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) announced plans on Saturday to increase co-operation with Central African states in the battle against “terrorism”, amid fears of Boko Haram’s insurgency spreading across the region.https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-5-june-2014/Thu, 05 Jun 2014 20:01:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/swaziland-5-june-2014/South Africa: Swaziland Is in State of Limbo Swaziland continues to remain in a state of judicial limbo due to the manner in which the Swazi judiciary is managed and apportioned. The chief justice hasn’t even tried to seem to be trying to address the issue of a judiciary in deep trouble as shame upon shame keeps permeating through the ever widening cracks of disgrace at the high court.https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-5-june-2014/Thu, 05 Jun 2014 16:59:37 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/zimbabwe-5-june-2014/Review of Indigenisation Linked to EU Rescue Package The ruling ZANU PF government is so desperate for cash it appears to be willing to modify its controversial indigenisation policy. It is believed the party has taken this route to ensure the ongoing re-engagement efforts with the European Union (EU) remain on track, as there is likelihood the government will receive a direct multi-million dollar rescue package from Brussels.https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-30-may-2014/Fri, 30 May 2014 11:37:19 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/western-sahara-30-may-2014/Saharawi rights association meet with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Representatives of the committee of families of Gdeim Izik detainees and the association for the protection of Saharawi prisoners in Moroccan prisons met Wednesday with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, in Rabat.https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-30-may-2014/Fri, 30 May 2014 11:34:50 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/somalia-30-may-2014/Female Soldiers Join the Army Ranks in Somalia With an AK47 automatic rifle slung over her shoulder, Naeemo Abdi frisks people coming into a Mogadishu police station. When she holds back a man who tried to enter unchecked, he scowls at her and barks: “Woman and soldier?https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-30-may-2014/Fri, 30 May 2014 11:31:09 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/south-sudan-30-may-2014/South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar in Kenyan talks South Sudan’s rebel leader Riek Machar has held talks with Kenya’s leader in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. He was briefing President Uhuru Kenyatta on the latest moves to end the conflict in South Sudan where more than a million people have fled their homes since fighting erupted in December.https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-30-may-2014/Fri, 30 May 2014 11:28:57 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/sudan-30-may-2014/Sudanese warplanes bombard rebel stronghold in S.Kordofan: SPLM-N The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) said the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) bombarded during the last three days Kauda, a rebel stronghold in the Nuba Moutains area, South Kordofan state. “More than 53 bombs were dropped on residential areas, schools, hospitals, and farms,” SPLM-N spokesperson, said Arnu Ngutulu Loddi in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday.https://www.salo.org.za/car-30-may-2014/Fri, 30 May 2014 11:19:58 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/car-30-may-2014/Central African Republic: Ban deplores recent, urges end to ‘cycle of violence’ Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned recent attacks in the Central African Republic (CAR) and encouraged the country’s Transitional Authority to do everything within its means to prevent further violence and to hold the perpetrators to account.https://www.salo.org.za/relevant-articles-on-africa-day/Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:13:34 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/relevant-articles-on-africa-day/Speech delivered by Obed Bapela at the ANC’s foreign Policy seminar on the 16th of May at the Wits Business School: Source: http://www.anc.org.za/docs/anctoday/2013/at17.htm#art1 WE ARE REDUCING THE BURDEN OF DISEASE Our World, the African Continent and Our Country As we celebrate the Africa and International Solidarity Month and the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU, the many of our writers and scholars will focus on the historic perspective and others on the analysis of the successes and challenges still faced by our continent.https://www.salo.org.za/kimberly-diamond-certification-scheme-process-kp-chairperson-to-interact-with-stakeholders-30-jan-2013/Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:17:26 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/kimberly-diamond-certification-scheme-process-kp-chairperson-to-interact-with-stakeholders-30-jan-2013/The Department of Minerals Resources in conjunction with the South African Liaison Office (SALO) will on Thursday, host a stakeholder seminar on conflict focusing on the role of illicit diamond trade in fuelling conflict, within the continent. The Chairperson of the Kimberly Process (KP) South Africa, Ambassador Welile Nhlapo, a leading South African diplomat and former national security advisor to the South African President will make a presentation to the gathering.https://www.salo.org.za/ambassador-welile-nhlapo-to-take-over-chair-of-the-diamond-kimberley-process-15-december-2012/Sat, 15 Dec 2012 12:09:40 +0200https://www.salo.org.za/ambassador-welile-nhlapo-to-take-over-chair-of-the-diamond-kimberley-process-15-december-2012/Source: Diamond Kimberley Process By conyeani http://africansuntimes.com/2012/12/ambassador-welile-nhlapo-to-take-over-chair-of-the-diamond-kimberley-process/ Washington,DC - Former South African Ambassador to Washington DC, Ambassador Welile Nhlapo will take over the Chairmanship of the Diamond Kimberley Process on January 1, 2013. He takes over from current Chairperson Ms.