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Ex-Malian PM Cheikh Modibo Diarra – A Profile

December 11, 2012 Chieck Modibo Diarra, ex-Malian PM

By Chris Simpson

Although the son-in-law of former president Moussa Traoré, Cheikh Modibo Diarra stayed away from Malian politics for most of his adult life.

Diarra was known instead as one of Mali’s brightest stars in the diaspora. He was a renowned astrophysicist, studying first in Paris and then at Howard University in the United States, before going on to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). At Nasa, Diarra was a leading interplanetary navigator, heavily involved with the Mars Pathfinder mission.

 

Why Nigeria kidnapping shift to rich locals?

December 11, 2012 Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

In the not too distant past, kidnappings in Nigeria targeted oil companies’ Western workers, but there has been a dramatic shift to prominent members of the society too often for ransom.

The surge in kidnappings has seen singers, “Nollywood” film stars and now the elderly mother of the Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala becoming victims of abductions.

S. Leone: Poor sanitation threat still looms, no gov't action

December 11, 2012 Doctors treating a cholera patient

Poor sanitation was cited as the key cause of Sierra Leone’s worst cholera epidemic experienced this year, claiming over 2,086 lives.

But since the outbreak subsided a few months ago, there has been no major change in the overall sanitary condition, with rubbish in almost every street corner, especially in the capital, Freetown, which was hardest hit.

3m condoms for Nigerian carnival

December 10, 2012 Multi-colored men's condoms

A Nigerian anti-AIDS agency has acquired over three million condoms to distribute at the Carnival Village in Calabar this year.

There are around 250,000 persons currently living with HIV/AIDS in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, says the Cross River State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (SACA).

U.S. gives $9m boost to Monrovia power supply

December 10, 2012 US Amb. Deborah Malec & Pres. Ellen Sirleaf

Electricity in Liberia's capital, Monrovia, remains notoriously in short supply and erratic despite a gradual electrification of parts of the city.

But now, the US government has stepped in to boost the service, providing a 9 million dollar grant.

Ivorian women train as peace envoys

December 6, 2012 A group of Ivorian women refugees in Liberia

The Commission for Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation (CDVR) in Cote d’Ivoire is partnering with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) on a national training targeting Ivorian women.

The objective of the exercise is to prepare the women to become ambassadors of peace in their communities.

Nigeria: PhD, Master holders seeking driving jobs

December 5, 2012 Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote

Nigerian billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote is providing something different in West Africa’s biggest market of jobless youths - driving jobs for PhD and master degree holders.

To many, this may sound shocking, but that’s what these highly educated Nigerians are doing, serving as drivers in the Dangote Group of Companies.

African Mayors Meet in Dakar

December 5, 2012 Tarayia Ole Kores, Chairman UCLGA

Dakar, the Senegalese capital, is for the first time hosting scores of African Mayors and local government officials from across the continent at what is commonly called the African Cities Summit. 

The summit, which runs from 4-8 December, brings together city mayors, local government actors and partners to promote trust, trade, tourism, technology and training. 

Nigeria: Jonathan, Obasanjo in war of words

December 4, 2012 Ex-Pres. Olusegun Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan have been trading criticisms about the leadership styles of each other in public statements.

Obasanjo sees ‘weaknesses’ in Jonathan’s handling of security challenges and corruption, while Jonathan retorts that he’s not prepared to ‘adopt the heavy-handed military approach’ of Obasanjo.

UNDP Economist explains why remittances to Africa growing

December 3, 2012 Ms Nana O. Toure-Sy, UNDP

The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has warned that Least Developed Countries (LDCs) still face increasing marginalization and impoverishment.

In its recent report for 2012, UNCTAD said that LCD economies, particularly in Africa, remained vulnerable to external shocks and carried large fiscal and current account deficits.