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News in 'Politics' section

Sierra Leone: Opposition SLPP files nominations, storms Freetown

October 9, 2012 SLPP partisans storm Freetown

Official campaigning has not been declared in Sierra Leone’s November polls, but the massive turnout of the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) on Monday in Freetown, the capital, has left many wondering what the campaign period would be like.

The occasion was the submission of nominations for the presidential and parliamentary contests to the National Electoral Commission to fulfill NEC's requirements.

Will Nigeria meet Bakassi ruling deadline?

October 8, 2012 Nigerian Pres. Goodluck Jonathan

With two days left for Nigeria to appeal the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) granting the Bakassi Peninsula to neighbouring Cameroon, anxiety is growing among Nigerians over whether their government will meet the deadline to appeal against the judgment.

Ahead of the 10 October deadline for Nigeria to seek review of the case, President Goodluck Jonathan last week set up a committee to advise the government on the way to pursue the review of the ICJ decision.

S. Leone: EU Observers urge media, politicians to eschew ‘hate speech’

October 8, 2012 EU delegation meets Pres. Ernest Bai Koroma

The European Union Observer Mission to Sierra Leone has called on local journalists and political parties to refrain from the use of hate speech to ensure a peaceful election in the post-war West African nation.

The EU mission made the call at a weekend press conference officially launching its observation of next month’s Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections.

Ex-Gbagbo General Goes on Trial in Abidjan

October 8, 2012 Gen. Brunot Dogbo Ble

Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo sits in a cell of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague awaiting trial, but back home the trial of one of his loyal military commanders kicks off in the capital, Abidjan.

General Dogbo Ble, former Commander of the Republican Guard, was a prominent figure in last year’s post-election violent conflict that engulfed Abidjan and left scores dead.

OSJI Official Speaks on Information Access, Nat’l Security

October 4, 2012 Maxwell Kadiri Associate legal officer OSJI

An Associate Legal Officer of the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), Maxwell Kadiri,     has said there is a growing recognition of the right to information as part of the practice of democracy in Africa.

He said while laws exists in this regard, implementation in practical terms has been the challenge because many governments feel the less the people know, the better for them to perpetuate themselves in office.

Over 2.6mn Sierra Leoneans qualify to vote 17 November

October 3, 2012 NEC Chairperson Dr. Christina Thorpe

More than 2.69 million Sierra Leoneans are eligible to vote in the presidential and parliamentary elections slated for 17 November this year, according the voter roll released by the National Electoral Commission (NEC).

NEC Chairperson Dr. Christiana Thorpe told a news conference in Freetown Tuesday that 4 October has been set for nomination of presidential candidates and would be followed by nomination of parliamentarians across the country.

West, Central Africa Discuss Freedom to Information, Nat'l Security

October 2, 2012 Participants at the OSIWA/OSJI forum

Over 80 stakeholders from West and Central Africa are attending a Regional Consultation on National Security and Freedom of Information convening in the Senegalese capital, Dakar.

 

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.

 

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.