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S. Leone: Northern chiefdom breaks links to women, girls’ abuse

October 1, 2012 The National Flag of Sierra Leone

Binkolo in the Safroko Limba Chiefdom in Northern Sierra Leone once noted for rights violations against women and the girl child over the years has made a remarkable break from the practice.

Among harmful practices the township won a reputation for were ‘initiating’ (performing female genital mutilation) girls as young as five years and carrying out forced marriages of minor girls.

 

Nigerian Senate Wants Review of Bakassi Ruling

October 1, 2012 FLASHBACK: Pres Goodluck Jonathan taking oath in May 2011

With a few days left for Nigeria to request a review of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling giving the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, the Nigerian Senate has released some ‘facts’ it alleges were not tendered during the ICJ proceedings in the land dispute pitting the two countries.

The upper legislative House now wants the Executive to use these facts in seeking the review before expiration of the 10 October, 2012 deadline for appeal.

 

Arusha Forum Discusses African Agric Prospects

September 27, 2012 Tanzanian Pres. Jakaya Kikwete

A cross-section of stakeholders are attending the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) 2012 that is focusing on promoting investment and policy support for driving agricultural productivity and income growth for African farmers in an environmentally sustainable way.

Convening from 26 to 28 September in Arusha, Tanzania, the forum is a private sector –led initiative intended to discuss and develop concrete investment plans for achieving the green revolution in Africa.

 

Families Want Le Joola Tragedy Probe Re-opened 10 Years On

September 26, 2012 The Capsized Le Joola

Ten years ago today, the Senegalese nation was plunged into deep mourning, when the ferry Le Joola sank in the Atlantic Ocean en route to Dakar, the capital, from the southern region of Casamance.

When the full picture emerged as to what had happened to the government-owned ferry, hundreds of people had met their untimely deaths, leaving scores of families and loved ones bereaved.

Media body troubled by attacks on Guinean press

September 26, 2012 A scene of protest in Conakry

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) says it is “deeply concerned” about the recent spate of attacks targeted at the media in Guinea, considering that within one month, two politicians have attacked two radio stations, while party militants continue to assault journalists. 

The Foundation said in a statement Tuesday that it was reiterating its call on the authorities to be critical of these attacks and safeguard the lives and rights of journalists and media personnel in Guinea.

 

Sierra Leone: Parliament ends session ahead of November polls

September 26, 2012 Sierra Leone Parliament in Session

Sierra Leone’s parliamentary session has ended, and judging from public sentiments, many MPs may well be packing their bags for the final exit, as elections are due in less than two months.

Installed in 2007, the 112-member legislative body was dominated by lawmakers from President Ernest Bai Koroma’s ruling All People’s Congress (APC).

Greenpeace, AI call for criminal probe into Abidjan toxic dump

September 26, 2012 Image 2685

Advocacy groups Amnesty International and Greenpeace Netherlands have called for criminal investigation into the dumping of toxic waste in 2006 in Cote d’Ivoire by multi-national firm Trafigura.

Titled the “Toxic Truth”, the report released Tuesday is the result of a three-year investigation and provides an in-depth examination of the tragic litany of failures that created a medical, political and environmental disaster.

 

Lower House Revives Impeachment Threat Against Nigerian President

September 25, 2012 President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria

The Nigerian House of Representatives in Abuja has again threatened to start an impeachment proceeding against President Goodluck Jonathan, if he fails to fully implement the 2012 fiscal budget.

The leadership of the House, headed by Speaker Alhaji Aminu Tambowa, first issued the threat in July before the body went on two months recess.

Sierra Leone Launches Second EITI Report

September 25, 2012 Image 2682

The government of Sierra Leone and the multi-stakeholder group of the Sierra Leone Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (SLEITI) Monday launched the country's 2nd SLEITI Reconciliation report in Freetown, the capital.

The report span 2008 to 2010 revenues government generated from mining companies and what was actually paid by these companies.

Mali: Who’s at the helm in Bamako?

September 24, 2012 Mali's ex-junta leader Amadou Sanogo

Despite the official hand-over of power by the military junta to the interim civilian administration in Bamako, reality on the ground suggests that ex-junta leader Captain Amadou Sanogo and his soldiers are still pulling the strings.

Captain Sanogo and a group of soldiers last March overthrew the civilian government of former President Amadou Toumani Toure, claiming that the army was not getting adequate support to fight the advancing rebels in the north.